Hug a Military Spouse Day!
Aleethia’s Friday Night Dinner for May 8th was filled with flowers, special moments and guests. Throughout the room were smiles of happiness since the wonderful volunteers of “Freedom Petals” provided corsages, floral arrangements and orchids to celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day Weekend.
“Freedom Petals” was founded by Michele Bevington in 2009 as she pondered how to say thank you to our great men and women fighting the fight. “Some simple way to say thank-you to our troops for sacrificing themselves every day to protect our freedoms...” She thought about the servicemen and women recuperating from very serious wounds from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan. She gathered a group of volunteers and began creating flower arrangements to bring smiles … petal by petal to our recuperating service members and their families at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Mologne House and the Fisher Houses. This wonderful non-profit which is an all volunteer “flower ministry” continues their mission of bringing smiles, hopes and healing to the wounded/injured/ill service members through their flowers. In 2012, Michele was introduced to Aleethia Foundation’s “Friday Night Dinners” and “Freedom Petals” began bringing floral arrangements to several Friday Night Dinners a year. We enjoy the dinners when the room is filled with beautiful flower arrangements for all the service members, caregivers and family members. A room of smiles and happiness!!!
Our friend, Paul Winston invited all the service members to sign up for the Annual Capital Concert to be held on Memorial Day weekend. He spoke of the plans for the evening and mentioned the names of all the entertainers who will be performing at the concert on Sunday, May 24, 2015.
Representatives from America’s VetDogs spoke about their mission to help those who have served our country honorably, live with dignity and independence. Several of the VetDogs were in attendance with their service members/trainers.
Over 70 wounded/injured/ill service members, their families and guests enjoyed a wonderful four-course dinner at the Capitol Hill Club.
It was a bittersweet moment as Ceci and Shawn are moving to a new home in Georgia after 2 ½ years at Walter Reed and a multitude of surgeries. Aleethia wishes them well and as Ceci said “I’m not saying goodbye … it is simply ‘til I see you again.”
The evening ended after the drawing of the tickets for a few lucky winners….
As always, the service at the Capitol Hill Club was outstanding and staff was very accommodating and helpful with our many requests. A special thank you to the Chef for the delicious steak dinners and more!!!