Naval Station Norfolk hosts "Toast to the Troops"

By Seaman Wesley Dannelley, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, East

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 150 service members and military spouses volunteered for the care package stuffing event, "Toast to the Troops" aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 16.

The 15th "Toast to the Troops" helped pack more than 10,000 care packages, containing toiletries, snack foods, phone cards, and other items.

"It's fantastic. We have been doing these programs since 2005, and we never get tired of it," said Jill Meyer, a spokesperson for one of the sponsors. "We are always impressed by the energy from the volunteers, and also the commitment from the Soldiers, Sailors, and their families."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Malisha Fields volunteered with the United Service Organizations (USO), stating she could give something back to the men and women that were out in the field supporting us here on the home front.

"It's not just the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines we're doing it for, it's also for the families," said Fields. "To bring them together when their husbands, wives, or kids go underway or overseas, they need someone to fall back on."

Army veteran and country music artist Craig Morgan has participated in all 15 stuffing parties, and finishes each one with a free concert for service members and their families.

For the past six years, the sponsors have collected hand-written messages, referred to as "toasts", and have included them in over 150,000 care packages sent to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas of operation.