Great news everyone ... according to Sandra, we have over 200 hats either in-hand, or on the way. That's really good because I have news on the ships we are knitting for this year.
On May 25 Shanti turned over command of the USS Decatur to the man who was her Executive Officer. It was a very bittersweet day, marking the end of her command-at-sea (for the time being anyway) ... but also marking the beginning of her next adventure. She will be attending the National War College and getting her 2nd master's degree. Only this time, she gets to do it full time and the Navy pays for it. Yay!
SHIP ONE
The USS Decatur heads out on deployment again in late summer/early fall. Over half of the sailors on the ship are new to her. Commander Joel E. was there when they received their first gift of hats in 2010 and was wondering if we could, again, gift the ship with hats for this deployment. I think this would be a wonderful way to thank them for again being away from their loved ones over the holidays.
SHIP TWO
Shanti has a good friend, Nicole, who is about to take command of another guided-missile destroyer, the USS Higgins. They will be deploying this summer as well. Shanti was the Combat Systems Officer on the Higgins at the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003 (I think I have that right), so there is continuity here. Nicole has heard some wonderful stories about the hats sent to the Decatur in 2010 and would love to have her crew on the Higgins become the recipients of your lovely hand knit hats, and warm wishes, as well.
So, now we have a goal ... to outfit both ships this holiday season we will need to have around 600 hats. I think we can do that. So please, fire up your knitting needles and lets see what we can do toward this goal.
Bless you all for all the knitting and love you are passing this way.
Lynne
