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USS BOXER, At Sea – Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) posed for photos, Aug. 29-31, to send personal mementos to their children back home.
“This is a great program. It will make our children feel as if we are there with them every step of the way even when they are sleeping,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Willie Jones who has two daughters. “The daddy dolls will help them cope while we’re away.”
The Daddy/Mommy Dolls Program gives children of deployed Sailors and Marines a stuffed doll with a full body picture of their Mom or Dad in uniform.
“My girls will love their daddy dolls. They will definitely make them happy,” added Jones.
The dolls are created from photos, which are transferred onto fabric, stuffed then sewn together.
“Opportunities like these to help families stay connected are so important and special,” said Marine Sgt. Karen Helms, who participated for her 22-month-old son. “Being my first deployment I had trepidations about how I would feel away from my son; if he would forget who I am; remember my voice when I get back; or if he will be shy around me. These questions still linger; however, knowing that there's a way for him to hold me close when he wants his Momma makes me feel a whole lot better.”
The program is sponsored by the American Red Cross and was made possible through coordinated efforts by the American Red Cross, Boxer Ombudsman Team and the Chaplain’s office.
“Anything that boosts morale amongst the crew and strengthens the bond they have with their families on the home front is beneficial,” said Heather Bruss, from the Boxer Ombudsman Team.
Bruss added that it allows service members to actively participate with their children even while separated by the distance of deployment.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for us to stay connected with family back home,” Ensign Kenson Noel, Boxer Ordnance Handling Officer, who has a two-year-old son. “I'm thankful to the Daddy/Mommy Doll folks for giving us the opportunity to show the little ones how much we love them.”
Boxer received a donation of 70 Daddy/Mommy Dolls to benefit the families of Sailors and Marines aboard.
“It will benefit the kids, who will get to see their parents everyday and also makes the parents onboard happy because they get to do something special for their kids,” said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class O’Donell, who helped facilitate the program on Boxer.
It’s geared towards children ages six and under, and allows them to have a lifelike reproduction of their loved one in a kid-sized possession they can snuggle with.
“I always want to do everything I can to make things easier on my kids when I am away,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class Amy Barnes who has two kids, ages six-years and 21-months. “It isn't easy for them either.”
This tangible item helps younger children cope during the long period of separation deployment brings and helps link them emotionally.
“My son is very young and I want to keep the connection with him,” said Noel. “He does not understand that daddy will be gone for a really long time and this program is one of the ways I can let him know that I love him and will be back.”
The children will receive their Boxer Daddy/Mommy Dolls during a distribution event, back in San Diego.
“I just really appreciate the chance to do this,” said Barnes. “It is something that they will be able to keep forever if they want and know their Mommy loves them very much and thinks of them all the time.”
USS Boxer is currently underway for a regularly scheduled deployment as part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG), comprised of Boxer, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD 49) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2013 08:27 |
| Story ID: | 115640 |
| Location: | USAFRICOM, AT SEA |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailors Send Hugs Home, by CPO Jennifer Gold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
