My son's father passed away in a car crash 2005 he has decided to join the military.?

Question

My son is 25 years old and has made the decision to join the Navy he will be leaving for boot camp Nov. 6th. After boot camp he will be going to school for submarines. I'm am having a going away party, bbq on my spacious back deck we're also using a 20 by 20 tent behind the deck and utilizing our brand new 12 by 24 garage in case of bad weather. I am planing this picinic for Sept. 29. We live in the Poconos of Pa and it may be chilly. I would like to do a red, white and blue theme and incorporate a Christmas theme since he will miss this very special occasion. I'm at a loss and need help with setting up a menu and music since the ages vary from 20 thru 50. This is a very special day and I would like everything to be simple. We are looking at possibly having 50 to 80 guests. I would like to do the food myself. I have enough fridge space and time. I just need ideas for what kind of menu. I have a very big grill. My second son who is seventeen will be leaving for the Navy July 15, 2008.

Answer 1

Wow, you must be a proud mother! You have such courageous sons! I think it's wonderful that your throwing him a going away party. I love the red, white and blue theme. Your son's joined a good branch of service. I think it's also very sweet of you to celebrate Christmas early for him. You should have your Christmas tree set up and decorations as well. Have Christmas songs playing in your house to give it that warm feeling. Also, exchange gifts with him as it was Christmas Eve. That way, when that day comes....he won't feel sad and alone....because he's already celebrated it with you! He will love that and I am sure it will mean soooo much to him. If you want to follow through with the celebrating holidays early for him....maybe you should do a Thanksgiving dinner....or prepare his favorite dish for him (only you know what that is).

If you don't do the Thanksgiving Dinner:

You should have deviled eggs...everyone loves those and they are really easy to make. Chips and Dip are a must. Finger foods are the best for people of all ages. Patato salad. Oooh, a chocolate and cheese fondue would be great! Make sure not to forget the cake....you should get a cake with a picture of your son. If you can, gather home videos (non-embarassing) of your son and share them with your friends and family. Have a speech ready for him and tell him why you're proud that he is your son.

FYI- keep in touch with his recruiter because they have all the information you need.....(address to write him, graduation information...etc.) They will guide you and let you know everything you need to know about him. Trust me....boot camp is a peice of cake....I think it's 3 months and time flies fast. Also, in those 3 months while he is gone, look into tickets to fly where he is inbootcamp (if it's not in the same city or state) so you can see him graduate. It's soooo important for you to be there....trust me! It's the best feeling in the world! :) Good luck and God Bless you and your sons!

Answer 2

i would see if anyone has a loaded ipod with a blend of music from todays hits to music your older guests will like. jazz, swing, 50s/60s/70s, classic rock etc.
hook it up to good speakers push shuffle and voila!

menu... you can do sausage, burgers, ribs, chicken, shrimp kebabs
pasta salad- maybe do a couple kinds, seafood pasta and the kind with cheese olives etc...
potato salad
baked beans
fruit salad
veggie tray with dips
cheese pepperoni and crackers tray
spinach and artichoke dip in a bread bowl
crab dip in bread bowl (i can send you a recipe to knock their socks off)
christmas cookies- gingerbread men, chocolate chip cookies, and 1-2 others

bless and best wishes to your sons. they are what make us a great country, and best wishes to you for being a great mom!

Answer 3

you could do turkeys on the grill and smoked pulled pork
make a few trays of bread pudding,potatoe salad,baked apples,baked beans etc

get red white and blue christmas bulbs for decoration,put them in clusters and lay out a few evergreen branches and lay clusters of bulbs along this for the tables, so it would look sort of chrismassy without going to far....you can look in second hand shops for the bulbs,like goodwill....


what are the boys favorite foods ?? have those things ....good luck to you and them blessings!!

Answer 4

I think a pillow with The New York Times puzzle on it would be a nice touch. Also include a pen or pencil with out an eraser.

Answer 5

Why not go for it and have a pig roast? not that hard- and the boys will love it, adn perfect for fall weather. Call a local butcher and order a smaller pig- between 35-50 pounds.
Go to this website for set up roasting instructions- very easy, and it is a Cuban Christmas tradition, keeping with your christmas theme: http://cuban-christmas.com/pigroast.html
buy plenty of buns and barbeque sauce, make special baked beans, potato salad- wrap ears of corn in foil and grill with the pig, and for dessert- fruit salad in watermelon shells..

Sounds so American- remind them what they are fighting for!

Crock Pot Beef and Beans
2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
2 stalks celery, diced
1-2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2-4 teaspoons dried chili pepper flakes
3 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped (or use red bell peppers)
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1/4 cup beer
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups canned mushroom slices
1 (28 ounce) can baked beans (Heinz is good!)
2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans
seasoning salt or white salt
black pepper

In a large pot or skillet brown the ground beef with onions, garlic, celery, jalapeno peppers and chili flakes until the beef is no longer pink; drain fat.
Add in all the remaining ingredients; stir to combine bring to a simmer then transfer to the crock pot (or simmer on top of the stove over very low heat for about 3 hours).
Cover and cook on LOW heat for about 5 hours.

American Potato Salad
2 pounds russet potatoes -- unpeeled
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 hard-boiled eggs -- peeled and cut into small dice
5 green onions -- small dice
3 stalks celery -- small dice
1/2 cup mayonaise
bacon bits -- optional
sweet pickles, diced -- optional

1. For boiling the potatoes: Start with cold, well salted water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook the spuds for about 35 minutes.


2. When they're just tender, drain off the water and grab your thickest oven mitts. You want to peel these potatoes while they're hot to absorb the flavor of the dressing. In this case, a component of the dressing, vinegar, salt and pepper.


3. Now let the potatoes cool in the fridge while you chop the onions and celery, and prepare the hard boiled eggs for the salad. Some bacon bits and or sweet pickles would be great!


4. Toss all of the ingredients with the mayonnaise and place the salad back in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.


Watermelon Bowl
1 large watermelon
1 cantaloupe, halved and seeded
1 honeydew melon, halved and seeded
2 (15 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 (20 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained
2 cups halved fresh strawberries
2 cups seedless grapes
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
DIRECTIONS
With a large, sharp knife, remove the top 1/4 section of the watermelon. With a melon baller, scoop flesh from inside of watermelon, removing as many seeds as possible. Leave 1/2 inch of flesh inside the shell of the watermelon. Scoop cantaloupe and honeydew in the same manner, removing as much flesh as possible, and discarding the rinds. Refrigerate fruits separately until ready to assemble.
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat, and continue stirring until sugar has completely dissolved. Add lemon zest, and set aside to cool.
To serve, place watermelon balls, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, and grapes, in a large mixing bowl. Pour syrup over, and toss thoroughly. Transfer mixture to watermelon bowl, and serve. Set aside any fruit mixture that will not fit. There will be enough fruit to refill the bowl.