The annual Christmas party for the children of active-duty personnel at Station Fort Myers Beach will have a different slant this year. It will be a carnival-like affair with games supported by the Flotillas of Division 9. We need a volunteer from our Flotilla to serve on a committee to make this happen.
The children at FMB do not have the luxury of close family members to help them celebrate the holidays. Most of us have fond memories as children of sharing the holidays with grandparents and other family that these youngsters will never have. Their parents have made a significant sacrifice in the service of their country. Let’s make a difference by stepping up for these deserving children. Perhaps two or more of you may wish to help out.
Another way we can brighten the holidays is by sharing our holiday meal with single personnel who may be off-duty but unable to go to family or friends. Last year two individuals from FMB participated in Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with an Auxiliarist family. Several of our members who volunteered were unable to host a “Coastie” due to the newness of the idea. I hope this year will attract more participants.
As you see, we can do more than just vessel safety checks, patrols, and classes to show our support for the active-duty people. Now we can make the holidays a little brighter for their dependents and for the single personnel. Yes, there is always more than one way to be Semper Paratus.
