<p>More than 25 representatives of the U.S. Naval Academy's Midshipman Action Group (MAG) sponsored a dinner and holiday party for 150 patients, family members and staff at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Dec. 9.</p>
<p>The Midshipmen delivered fried chicken, sliced London broil, scalloped potatoes, fresh pineapple, grapes, vegetables, assorted cheeses and rolls donated by local restaurants. In addition, Midshipmen joined forces with members of the Kent Island Elks Lodge to bake 3,000 homemade chocolate chip and sugar cookies which were also distributed throughout the hospital.</p>
<p>"This all started when I did an internship last summer," said Midn. 2/C Andrew Radcliffe, the MAG project leader for visits to National Naval Medical Center. "I worked at the Military Severely Injured Center, and then met U.S. Marine Lt. Col. John Worman, the Marine for Life Liaison at Bethesda."</p>
<p>MAG is the Naval Academy's Midshipman volunteer organization, responsible for 25,000 hours of community service annually. MAG participates in projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Mids for Kids, Special Olympics, and more. In early fall, MAG members discussed the possibility of visiting combat-wounded veterans at Bethesda and trained Midshipmen for the visits.</p>
<p>"The response has been overwhelming from the Midshipmen who want to go and do something to help," said Radcliffe.</p>
<p>To provide a festive holiday celebration, the Midshipmen brought wreaths, holiday lights, chocolates, homemade pumpkin pies, brownies and candy canes along with apple cider and cranberry punch. The volunteers served a buffet-style dinner to the patients and their families, and children enjoyed a visit from Santa and bags of cookies. </p>
<p>"I think the Midshipmen have a greater appreciation for what it takes to feed a crowd now," said Lt. Anne Marks, the MAG officer representative.</p>
<p>"They really kept the holiday spirit as they balanced hot cookie sheets, packed and toted boxes and boxes of food, manned chafing dishes, and strung lights across a hospital room ceiling."</p>
<p>Midshipmen also visited patients and delivered cookies throughout the hospital to other patients and hospital staff. Each bag of cookies had a thank you note from the midshipmen, thanking them for their dedication to duty. </p>
<p>USNA Public Affairs/Trident Newspaper
December 14, 2006</p>