By Sheryl (Gulit) Sheaffer, her proud daughter!

Nadine’s Marvelous Adventure started with a phone call – from the White House.  On Tuesday, June 8, 2004, Mom received a phone call from the USA Freedom Corps at the White House.  We had encouraged Mom to get “calling waiting” added to her telephone service because her line was always busy.  She had difficulty at first – not cutting people off as she hit the “flash” button.  When the call came from the White House, Mom was on a call with Alison Soma of KVI and, believe it or not, successfully hit the flash button and connected with the incoming call only to be told that it was Cindy calling from the White House.  She assumed it was a solicitation and asked if Cindy could call her back.  (You see it was the week before OSOT’s pack party for our 4th of July project and she was very focused on getting that organized.)  Cindy hesitated and then said “When would be a good time to call back?”  Mom told her probably in about half an hour and went back to her original call not thinking any more about the call claiming to be from the White House. 

Half an hour went by and the phone rang and it was the White House calling again!  Remember, she was very distracted and at first didn’t pay too much attention – she was already composing in her mind why she couldn’t contribute – senior citizen, living on a fixed income.  It finally dawned on her that they weren’t soliciting donations.  She had to have Cindy back up and start over.  Cindy was calling to indicate that Nadine had been nominated to receive The President’s Volunteer Service Award through the USA Freedom Corps.  She said she was looking at our website and wanted to ask her some questions like how many hours did Nadine devote to OSOT, what our efforts on behalf of our Troops were, etc.  She said that if Mom received the award Cindy would call back.

Nadine didn’t think too much about it other than being somewhat amazed that she had been nominated.  We got such a kick out of it – only Mom would ask the White House to call her back!!

Mom received another call from the White House on Monday, June 14, indicating that she had actually been selected to receive The President’s Volunteer Service Award!  Click here to see White House Press Release.  Mom was told that she would be meeting President George W. Bush on Thursday, June 17, when he arrived at Boeing Field.  Her “award” was having her picture taken with the President.  Nadine was allowed to bring one guest with her and I was the lucky one!  I didn’t get to meet President Bush but it was so incredible to see my Mom with President Bush!

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The story behind the above picture:  Mom told President Bush that she always gives military personnel a “Grandma hug.”  She told President Bush, “And you are their Commander-in-Chief.”  President Bush, with a big smile on his face, said “Yes, I am.”  So this picture is Mom giving him her “Grandma hug!”

Story behind the above picture:  Mom and President Bush were placed under the Presidential Seal on Air Force One for the official USA Freedom Corps picture.  This picture was taken as President Bush expressed his appreciation for all Mom (and OSOT) is/are doing for our Troops.  He said “Our Troops really need it.”

Photo Courtesy of Ron Roy, East Wenatchee

Story behind the above picture:  Mom is showing President Bush her dog tags with pictures of her grandsons, Scott and Adam, on them.  Mom told President Bush that Scott had just returned from Afghanistan and President Bush asked “And he returned safely?”  When Mom said that he had, President Bush responded “Thank God!”  Mom was so moved by President Bush’s sincerity – he truly does care about the welfare of our Troops!!

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Story behind the above picture:  After Mom showed President Bush the pictures of my sons, Scott and Adam, she told President Bush that the mother of these two soldiers is standing over there in the red, white and blue.  My only claim to fame – President Bush waved at me and I was waving back!!

On Friday, June 18, Mom and I were guests at Ft Lewis when President Bush spoke to the Troops.  This Presidential visit to Ft. Lewis was the first in over sixty years.  President Roosevelt made a secret visit to Ft. Lewis in 1943.  Bless the White House Staff – we were seated with the Troops.  Mom likes to say I was like a  kid in a candy store – trying to shake hands and thank every one of them!  I have to admit – it was so cool – all those Soldiers in one place!!  Mom and I almost fell out of the bleacher when President Bush mentioned both of us and Operation Support Our Troops in his speech.  The Troops roared – seems they’ve heard of OSOT!  Click here to see a transcript of President Bush’s speech.

Here are photos of President Bush’s visit to Ft. Lewis:

larry dowing/ reuters	larry dowing/ reuters
larry dowing/ reuters	larry dowing/ reuters
larry dowing/ reuters	associated press
larry dowing/ reuters	Ron Soliman/The Olympian
associated press

It was such an incredible two-day whirlwind and we feel very privileged to have met the Commander-in-Chief of our Troops!

Mom accepted this award on behalf of everyone who contributes their time and talent to Operation Support Our Troops.  It takes all of us small parts to make the big picture and as I always say – You can’t have a party if no one comes!  Look how far we’ve come in a year and a half – Be proud of yourselves!!

Links to additional photos of President Bush at Ft. Lewis:

http://community.theolympian.com/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album03

http://www.defendamerica.mil/photoessays/jun2004/p061804a1.html

Newspaper articles online:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001959091_nadine18e.html

http://www.tribnet.com/news/story/5208046p-5140999c.html

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/166508

http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040619/topstories/77423.shtml

http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040618/topstories/76702.shtml