Hot Cars, Warm Hearts, Cool Results

With no detail unattended to, they awaited close inspection.  Every surface was polished or cleaned as best it could be.  Except for an occasional final touch-up, all was in place, there is nothing left but to be viewed and critiqued.  Close scrutiny was welcomed.

While not as tense as an Inspector General’s inspection,   more than 100 cars and trucks at the 7^th Annual Enigma Rod Shop Open House, sat before the eyes of an appreciative and grateful audience.  Automotive enthusiasts appreciated the commitment to detail and performance exhibited by the many vehicles on display.  Organizers were grateful for the robust participation of car owners and attendees who contributed to raising over $11,500 to benefit Fisher House in Boston.    On a lovely summer afternoon there was plenty of opportunity to see and discuss specialty vehicles of all types and eras.  

                                           

Over six years, show organizers Mike Casey and Dick Rigoli have used this event to raise over $30,000 for Fisher House.  Putting in the commitment to work with vehicle owners from all over is a large task.  Making the show happen involves shutting down operations of the Enigma Rod Shop for a day while the garage, parking lot, and adjoining lawn space are filled with coupes, sedans, hot rods, and a range of other vehicles.   Massachusetts MCL Chaplain Roger Hoffman has developed a relationship with Rigoli and Casey, following their request for ML members to participate in operating the event.

Throughout the day, Roger was seen shepherding resources, guiding cars to parking spaces, and assisting with collecting funds.  John “Mac” MacEntegart , Past Commandant of Metrowest Detachment #1037 was active throughout the day in collecting entrance fees and donations, as well as narrowing the field of potential recipients of the Fisher House Trophy.   Essex County Detachment #127 made their presence known with Steve Coddens, Clay Gordon, and Tony Kolodziej participating in the honor guard with Flags and rifles provided by the detachment. 

After an afternoon of freely roaming to see the displays and talk with the owners, the crowd was assembled for ceremonies to acknowledge the intended beneficiaries of the day.  As the color guard crisply assumed position, Chaplain Hoffman offered prayer to recognize the wounded service members and their families who depend on the Fisher House for lodging during treatment.  Accompanied by the trumpet of George Allen of the Brian McPhillips Detachment #1115, the National Anthem was rendered by North Shore Acapella, who provided entertainment throughout the day.  A trumpet rendition of Taps followed.  Chaplain Hoffman issued the command to retire the colors and the exhibition continued.

Donna Vallis from Detachment #127 assisted with judging to determine the recipient of the Fisher House Trophy, having participated in these events from the start.  MCL members also made their presence felt with significant donations to the Fisher House cause.  Members Brad Hutchenrider,  Bill Hooker, and Bruce Carrolton stepped up as individuals and Cape Cod Detachment#125 made a unit contribution. 

Mike Casey and Dick Rigoli have reason to be proud of the fine support that they are providing to a worthy cause. Each of the car owners and attendees can return home knowing that they have participated in making things betters for hospitalized veterans and their families.  The Marine Corps League, led by Roger Hoffman, has again shown its ability to step up and benefit the community.  Few summer afternoons have seen more accomplished.
 

 The Corps, Motherhood, Compassion

Some experts believe that the current wave of technology and social media has created a society that is more and more detached.  With many tools and ways to be in touch, relationships are shallow and “friends” are superficial contacts on the internet.  There are predictions of increasing separation and deterioration of relationships.

One bond that has not been weakened by the changing technological landscape is the one that is created among those who have worn the Eagle Globe and Anchor.  This is the bond that rallied support for a dying Marine in the Boston area from points all over the world.  A series of Facebook  postings by a loving daughter initiated a need on others to reach out to assist a Marine in need.

Evelyn Wood joined the Marine Corps in 1950.  Women had established their strong contribution to the military prior to this, but it was still a time when being a woman in the service was relatively uncommon.  The Marine Corps became a big part of life for Evelyn and she progressed through the ranks, becoming a Sergeant.  With five years of service behind, Evelyn Moore also commenced another big role in her life as she became pregnant with her first child.  In the 1950’s , motherhood and the Marine Corps were not roles that went together well.  Maternity uniforms did not come onto the scene for a number of years. .Sergeant Moore reached the point where her pregnancy no longer was consistent with her uniform.  Although she was recognized as an excellent Marine and NCO, her military role ended in 1955 and her parenting role began.  While she was no longer active in the Corps, Evelyn Moore was still very much a Marine. 

Throughout her life, Evelyn would share stories of her time in the Corps with family and friends.  It was never hard to get her to talk about the Marines and she would gladly share her stories with Marines and civilians alike.  Like her time in the Corps, Evelyn put her heart into being a parent and raised a family with commitment and faith. She passed on her strong values and beliefs to her family and continued to cherish her memories of the Marine Corps.

Time passes and we progress through the stages of our lives.  After 84 years of independent living, Evelyn was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s  Disease, followed by a fall that resulted in a broken hip.  The shift from health to dependence on others came quickly for Evelyn but never slowed her love of the Marine Corps.  Even as her faculties faded, her memories of the Corps stayed in the forefront of her memory.  A spoken phrase or a hint of a Marine in the area would result in a smile and a salute worthy of the drill field at Parris Island.  While many more recent events faded in her mind, her time in the Marine Corps remained in the forefront as a source of joy.  Although her health would deteriorate, her Marine Corps memories would stay strong.

In December 2013, her children launched a Facebook page dedicated to Evelyn Moore.  Throughout their lives they had been witness to the love Evelyn had for the Corps.  As they grew, they integrated her two great loves, family and the Corps, into a distinctive nickname, Sergeant Mom.  It is by this name that a steadily growing group of supporters came to know Evelyn Moore.

By linking the Sgt. Mom Facebook page to the Woman Marines Association, the Moore family was able to chronicle the steady decline in Sergeant Mom’s condition to an audience of interested Marines.  Members of The Woman Marines Association began to follow the updates on the page and passed the contact to others.  Facebook notes, cards and other contacts began to pour in.  The family made it clear that no money was being solicited, only contact from others with interest in Evelyn’s beloved Corps.  Active, reserve, and inactive Marines and families saw the page and responded with contact to Evelyn. She would smile and respond with a salute and a rendition of the Marine Corps Hymn. On New Years Day, a Woman Marine came to Mass General Hospital and spent the day with Evelyn, sharing reminiscences of the Corps.

As her health faded, Sergeant Mom’s fame grew.  Marine Corps Units sent pictures and plaques.  A package came from Marines at Iwakuni, Japan.  Across the country, individuals sent notes and cards and passed the contact information on to others.  Marines deployed overseas contacted Evelyn.  On Memorial Day, her 90^th birthday was commemorated with a flag flown over the U.S. Capital.  The flow of contacts continued to increase as more and more Marines became aware of Sergeant Mom.

In late July, Evelyn’s condition worsened.  She was no longer able to stay with her many friends in a residence for elderly patients as her condition required more complex care.  Throughout this period, her family continued to update her growing following on Sergeant Mom’s decline.  Contacts and interest continued to grow.

MSGT Kathey Brennan USMC (ret) did not know Evelyn Moore, but was made aware of her via the Woman Marine Association.  A resident of South Carolina, she followed the Sgt Mom web site regularly. In July, it became clear that Evelyn Moore was dying.  Her family posted their desire to have Marines visit her in the hospital.  Compelled to try to help a sister in arms, MSGT Brennan knew that there was a limit to what she could do from South Carolina.  Knowing that the Marine Corps League is active throughout the country, she found the Massachusetts Marine Corps League web site and assembled an email list by cutting and pasting addresses that were listed there.  Her description of Sgt. Mom’s condition reached Massachusetts State Chaplain Roger Hoffman, unfortunately after Sgt Mom had died.  Fortunately, Gunnery Sgt Joe Karle of 25^th Marines had seen the request and arrived at the hospital in dress blues.  Gunny Karle sat with Sgt Mom as she passed away.  The gunny would later participate in her funeral detachment.

Following through on MSGT Brennan’s request, MCL Chaplain Roger Hoffman arranged for the presence of the Marine Corps League to perform the prayer ritual at Sgt. Mom’s wake.  Sgt Evelyn Moore was interred with a strong Marine Corps presence provided by 1/25 from Fort Devens, representatives of the Marine Corps League, an escort from the Patriot Riders, and the condolences of Marines and supporters from around the world.  From the determination of a retired Woman Marine Master Sergeant in South Carolina who would not let a compatriots wish go unanswered,  to the compassion of a Gunnery Sergeant who responded to the request of a Marine family facing a death, the bond that joins Marines across locations, generations, and genders was clear.  Sgt Evelyn Moore, Sgt Mom, joins those who have gone before us, leaving us with memories and hope.