Veteran's Day Done Right...

Veteran's Day means something different to everyone. I've met so many people over the years who have a personal connection to the different branches of our armed services. A couple of months ago, our good friend, Ryan, got deployed. 

This is one of MAYBE 3 pictures that Ryan isn't making a face...
So this is what we're putting up! :) 

We miss Ryan's sarcastic sense of humor, his hatred of my cat and his "drop anything for a friend" attitude. To show him this, our group of friends banded together to send Ryan a care package. 

We got a list of things Ryan and his company might want or need: 

• Toilet Paper (the nice stuff)
• Games
• Disposable Razors
• Baby Wipes
• Facial Wipes
• Soap
• Shampoo 
• Face Wash
• Reading Materials 
• Trail Mix
• Snacks
• Football

Make sure that, if you're making a military care package, you don't include any alcohol, anything flammable or any potentially offensive material!

I thought we'd have enough stuff for one neat little package...

I was wrong!

Overwhelmed by everyone's donations!

Nice toilet paper...a MUST!

In case the Army forgets to feed him...

In case he needs to take a "baby wipe" shower...

Get clean, Ryan! Erin might hug you even if you're stinky,
but the rest of us want you so fresh and so clean, clean! 

For once, though, I am so happy I was! We had so much stuff to send to Ryan that we ended up filling up 7 boxes to send to Ryan and his company! 

If anyone knows the best way to package and ship Monopoly,
please let me know! 

I have to say a special thank you to everyone who helped out:

Melissa, Joe, Sam, Michael, Jenny, Victoria, Andy, Evan, Ms Judy and Ms Lynn (two of my residents) and Mr. and Mrs. Camac! 

Thank you all so much for dropping off goods, supplies and boxes and helping us pack everything up! We'll be sending things out soon, and we're not so sure how much shipping will be, so we'd love any donations to the "We Care about Ryan" Postage Fund!

Ask me how to help us ship these packages to Ryan! :) 

I'd also like to say a huge Thank You to Ryan's amazing girlfriend, Erin, who has been keeping us updated on Ryan's well being! Erin, we are so glad Ryan has found someone like you to love him and look after him, even when he isn't here! I honestly can't imagine how hard it is for you and the rest of Ryan's family during this time! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! 

Erin and Ryan (at our wedding, actually...they're so cute together!)

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Service Men and Women, past and present! 

And, to make everyone who knows/loves Ryan as much as we do, here's an awesome picture I made one day at work night at home:

That's Ryan as "Grumpy" Bear. So true...