USS MONTANA sailors and families received special surprise holiday greetings from Big Sky Country recently when they opened more than three hundred letters and cards from elementary school students and members of service organizations across the state.

Crew members reading holiday cards and letters in the Big Sky Saloon (crew mess, or dining area) aboard SSN 794 (USS MONTANA photo)

Although logistics of gathering and then distributing letters and cards could be bit challenging because of both the need for submarine operational security and privacy protections for the crew, the project came off without a hitch. It was first discussed among USSMTC leaders and Commanding Officer CDR John Gilligan and other crew members visiting Montana in September. They had seen such programs aboard other ships and recommended one for SSN 794. The Committee moved quickly to identify a first group of schools and coordinators at them who might participate. All those contacted immediately agreed to help. The Committee also included in the project the Montana Daughters of the American Revolution that had floated a similar idea independently. Letters and cards were gathered centrally by a USSMTC volunteer. At the same time, the USS MONTANA’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) that supports the sailors and families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam partnered with the Committee to receive and have the letters and cards distributed.

The letters from the elementary students were especially precious.

Said CDR Gilligan about the heartfelt words of love and encouragement, and their wishes for a blessed Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday season, ” The crew was very thankful for the wonderful Christmas cards and letters. We posted them all around MONTANA, bringing holiday cheer to the boat. We’re glad to know so many Montanans are thinking about us, especially at this time of year, and we’re grateful for all the support.”

Our thanks go to all our USS Montana Committee members and supporters who make efforts like this possible. And we thank the USS MONTANA Family Readiness Group and look forward to continuing our partnership. Selected Montana schools and coordinators were wonderful, as were the many students who wrote to the sailors. Schools involved were Central Elementary in Helena, Kennedy Elementary in Butte, and Stillwater Christian Elementary in Kalispell. We thank them all.

We also thank the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Montana that led the effort to have a number of DAR chapter members throughout the state provide family cards. And much appreciation also goes to the other organizations who volunteered to help as well, including the Swan River Buttons and Bows 4-H Club and the GFWC Fort Benton Woman’s Club.

The USS Montana Committee wishes all a Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season as we look forward to a New Year of hope, promise and safety for everyone — especially for our military, including the USS MONTANA crew and families that do so much for us in being ready to defend our nation.