Today was one of my favorite days as a blogger. I co-hosted a BBQ hot dog lunch at the West Point Military Academy Flight Detachment helicopter hangar together with Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance at their First Annual Sikorsky Memorial Day BBQ. I was able to do this together with my husband, and enjoyed spending today with him while doing something good. My motto is to live life to the fullest, and thanks to great companies I have been working this spring, I was able to make this day a very special one – and serve the soldiers wieners and panties! No, really – Oscar Mayer sponsored our party and we served their hot dogs and soldiers got Hanes socks, tees and yes – boxer briefs. I had no problem saying at the party “sir, I can’t throw a party without giving away free panties” without any shame. And I might have teased some that I needed some modeling with the new Hanes on, but for PR purposes I am not able to discuss this matter in more details. Let’s just say that everyone loved their Hanes and are looking forward coming to work and serving our country wearing comfortable undergarments.
We set up picnic tables inside the flight hangar, right between the planes and the helicopters, and the grill was right outside the hangar – next to the runway. Military personnel, some with their families, Sikorsky employees and even the state police from next door enjoyed a lunch and a break from their daily work. We had 100 Oscar Mayer hot dogs and I overheard people saying “this is my sixth one” – it is easy to believe that Oscar Mayer Franks are the best tasting hot dogs according to national taste test. And if you haven’t tried the Jalopeno ones, make sure to taste those this summer, pilots from Army to Sikorsky to State Police went for seconds. My salads were so popular that
I was encouraged to post the recipes (follow the link to get the recipes) up for everyone to find, and even the cupcakes with hand whipped whipped cream and fresh strawberries and blueberries were a hit. Today truly was one of my highlights as a blogger, it felt so good to do this for people in our community. Soldiers shook my hand and thanked me before walking away from the hangar carrying their Hanes bags, and asked “when can we do this again”. After cleaning up I drove back home thinking “when can I do this again”.
Thanks to following companies for sponsoring our party with donations, products and/or coupons: Oscar Mayer, Hanes, Frito-Lay’s Smart Food, Propel Fitness Water, Duncan Hines cake mixes BBQ, charity, hanes, hot dogs, military, oscar mayer 
Jen@HappilyEverAfterLand
That’s wonderful that you and Oscar Meyer put this together! I am so tired of seeing businesses that say they “support our military” by giving a 10% discount, and that’s it. Having worked in marketing, I see it for what it is – a way to attract business, NOT real support. Not to say us military are always looking for hand-outs, businesses can volunteer or do other things that would be supportive.
Way to go, and I hope you’re next one is even bigger!
Trish|eMOM
Wonderful! Now that is what I call using your powers for good. You go girl! Love ya for it too.
Monica@MommyBrainReports
Katja,
As a former Marine Wife, I can’t tell you how much this means that you did this… Our troops are not given enough gratitude for all that they do so we can live in freedom. Thank you so much for showing your support… and KUDOS to the sponsors!! I wish I could do something like that here… I live in between 4 USMC bases, and that would be just amazing…
Donna
I’m so proud of all you do! Great Job!
Donna
Shellie Blog4Mom @Military_Mom
Katja,
Fantastic job, I know they really appreciated the effort you put into it too. Please let me know if you ever need help doing it again.
Wendy at Babies Gotta Have It
This is fantastic! I visited West Point a few years ago to do a Shakespeare workshop believe it or not. We got an amazing tour of the base and a nice meal in the mess hall. And the workshop was a blast. The cadets were amazing. Second best experience at West Point ever. First best…? The formal I attended in 1988!
Angie
That is a great thing you did! Although I’m not in the military, I work on a military base and know how much things like this are needed. We owe them ALOT. Thank you.
amyt
Katja! That is AWESOME- you are always out there in the world doing good. I love you!
rachel-asouthernfairytale
Katja, you are so amazing!
Great job!
Maricris
Oh wow! I would have loved getting into that helicopter in the background. You did a very wonderful thing for this great peeps. They deserve it! Thank you for doing it for them. Next time, bring me with you! :)
Thank you for the DM at twitter with the link to your post. I appreciate it!
Maricris
TheConsumerQueen
That was so cool Katja! Great job to the companies who stepped in!
Ms. Latina
This must have been an amazing event to do! Just knowing that you were somehow touching the lives of people who are putting their lives in danger to protect us is an incredible feeling on its own but you actually got to connect with them on a personal level and they will never forget that or your family =) My brother is no longer in the service but he still regals us with stories of the people he met that touched his life … I’m sure they will be doing the same with the “panties” and “weiners” LOL
Domestic Diva
Sounds like a blast!
Babs Campbell
Thank you for putting this party together for them. I am the mother of a West Point Grad and I’ve been amazed at how people go out of their way to show their appreciation for my own former cadet, now 2LT.
It sounds like everyone had a good time.
Thanks again!
Audrey - Mom Generations
Great job, Katja! What a way to give back! And I love how Hanes got in there, too! Love it!
Narciso Tovar, Big Noise Communications
Not enough great things can be done for these brave men & women who serve/protect our country day-in-and-day-out. These folks are our heroes!
The sad part about this is that they are (otentimes) our forgotten heroes. So anything that any of us can do for them is something I LOUDLY APPLAUD.
FTMama
I’d loveto read a post detailing how you set this up…
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
Fabulous, Katja, I wholeheartedly appreciate what you did! Thanks so much to all the sponsors for helping make this event happen. Wonderful job, Katja. Kudos to you!