Hats off to U.S. troops

Lindsay Sandham

With so many Americans on military active duty around the world, many

people at home are searching for ways to help and express their

gratitude.

When Costa Mesa’s Marlene Adams heard about Operation Beanies For

Servicemembers, she jumped on the opportunity to support the troops,

and even helped spread the word about the project by teaching

knitting classes for others who wished to get involved.

Started by yarn store owner Miki Sessler of Huntington Beach,

Operation Beanies For Servicemembers is an organization with the goal

of sending 1 million knitted or crocheted beanies to all the U.S.

military service branches.

Adams said Sessler got the idea after losing her husband, who was

a Marine, more than a year ago. Sessler remembered how her husband

always loved her knitted caps while on duty.

A Navy bride herself, Adams said she understands that men and

women serving around the world can benefit from a homemade gift, even

if it’s just to let them know someone is thinking of them at home.

“It seems like if there’s a war going on, and you can’t do

anything, you’ve got to do something,” Adams said. “Whether they ever

put the beanie on their head doesn’t bother me. It’s the fact that

they’ve got something to hold that somebody at home thought about

sending to them, and that’s the most important part to me.”

Both of Adams’ grandmothers taught her to knit and sew at an early

age. During World War II, her mother was a volunteer nurse, and she

used to tag along to the Red Cross and help fold bandages.

“During war time, my parents opened their home to soldiers and

sailors when they were on leave,” she said. “They would come over and

talk and play -- it was just a home-away-from-home kind of place.

After that, mother wrote letters to all the servicemen. During the

Korean War, my brother was in the service, and we wrote and sent

cookies to his friends.”

Adams began telling her fellow church members at St. James Church

in Newport Beach about the beanie project and got permission to hold

two knitting classes at the church. Shortly after the announcement

was made and a sign-up sheet was posted, 37 completed beanies were

returned to her.

She taught her first class Thursday, with eight ladies showing up

to learn -- or in most cases relearn -- how to knit and crochet.

Since then, Adams has received 45 more completed beanies. Due to the

high interest level, she added a third class.

Ella Peterson of Huntington Beach said she is hoping to knit

several beanies. A member of St. James, she heard about the classes

and decided she would like to start knitting again.

“I really feel strongly about supporting our troops,” she said. “I

thought it was great that Marlene started this, and I just wanted to

help. I have some time when I’m just sitting in front of the TV.”

Adams said on a mediocre television night she can finish one

beanie.

Costa Mesa’s Francine Howard also attended Adams’ class to improve

her knitting skills.

“When I heard it was for the troops, that was the biggest draw,”

she said. “Also this may just go into Christmas gifts if I really get

a handle on it.”

She said she hopes to get skilled enough to teach her daughters,

so they too can make some beanies.

Adams will continue to make beanies and teach others until Sessler

no longer has a need for them, she said.

Knitting classes will be held at St. James tonight and April 14.

For more information, or to sign up, e-mail Marlene Adams at

adamsjohn7 @aol.com.