Seattle Base visits Children's Hospital during Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) Week

Seattle Base Kap(SS) for Kid(SS) members at Children's Hospital

Veterans Week was busy for the Seattle Base. With our participation in the annual Auburn Veterans Parade on Saturday, a Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) visit to Children’s Hospital on Monday, and Honor Guard duties at Tahoma National Cemetery on Tuesday, we barely had time to catch our breath. As with last year, the visit to the kids was a highlight. On Monday, November 10th, Base Commander Dick Gonzalez, Senior Vice Commander and K4K Chairman John Roberts, and COB Ralph Sterley, a WWII SubVet, visited with some special friends at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

We were warmly invited to return this year by the Director of Child Life Services, Lina Lewis. Her staff escorted us to each child’s room where we were privileged to interact with them and their parents or other care givers.

In all, 12 children were recipients of Honorary Submariner Certificates, K4K caps in pink or blue, coloring books, submarine photos, “tattoos”, and sea stories of a gentler nature.

In addition, we entertained another 9 children in the Playroom where the patients can visit with their brothers, sisters and friends. Again, the Child Life Services staff was enthusiastic about our visit and very helpful in assisting us to interact with the younger children.

One young child, Madeline, was especially engaging. We helped her mother apply one of our “tattoos” on her arm which she proudly pointed out to all of her visitors and care providers for the rest of the day.

Over cups of coffee after the visit, we all agreed that once again we probably received a lot more joy than we gave. We’ve rotated 6 of our members through the program so far and there’s a long line of eager participants waiting for the next visit.