Thirty military moms-to-be whose spouses are deployed members of Luke Air Force Base, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and other local military installations were honored during an Operation Shower/Birdies for the Brave group baby shower on Tuesday, January 28in the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost presented by PRO EM located on the 18th hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.
Local news broadcaster Andrea Robinson served as the event’s emcee. The “Baby Love” shower was designed by The TomKat Studio. Special guests included Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler and his wife, Kristen; Brenda Warner, wife of former NFL player and sports analyst Kurt Warner; and singer/songwriter Cali Rodi, who performed.
“We are very proud of the men and women who selflessly serve and protect this country,” said 2014 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Tom King. “Leaving family members to serve in the Armed Forces can’t be easy; my hat goes off to all of the sponsors that have come together to make this such a wonderful event for these military moms-to-be.”
Conducted in partnership with Birdies for the Brave, a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR, the “Baby Love”-themed event was being presented by PRO EM Party & Event Rentals with support from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) and University of Phoenix.
“It’s our privilege to show appreciation to these courageous women for everything they do at home while their spouses proudly serve our country,” said PRO EM Party & Event Rentals Chief Operation Officer, Brady Castro. “PRO EM is honored to have been a partner with the Thunderbirds and the Waste Management Phoenix Open since 2000 and we are very proud to support Operation Shower and Birdies for the Brave in their admirable mission to recognize the innumerable contributions made by military families through this special shower.”
In addition to lunch provided by M Catering by Michael’s, each of the honored moms received Operation Shower’s signature “Shower In A Box” – a gift of high-quality products for mothers and babies that have been donated by companies including Carousel Designs. Beyond these tangible items, the most meaningful gift may be the unique opportunity for the moms to gain comfort and support from other women in the same situation as they experience pregnancy and sometimes the birth of their children without their spouses by their side.
“For women who are expecting a new baby and whose spouses are deployed or soon to be deployed, the impending arrival of a child can be both exciting and stressful,” said Operation Shower Founder and Chief Shower Officer LeAnn Morrissey. “Operation Shower was created specifically because typically military moms are the ones who hold it all together at home. For everything they do at home while their spouses are deployed, these moms deserve our support, our thanks, our love and an opportunity to celebrate together.”
Among the special guests were Michael McLaughlin from Arizona Public Service Co., who serves as a director at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy.
“APS is proud to support Operation Shower and Birdies for the Brave in showing these moms how much their service and considerable sacrifice are appreciated,” said McLaughlin. “Having served in the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years, I know how much military moms do behind the scenes and I have nothing but sincere admiration and respect for all of the moms being honored during this special shower.”
See more photos from in the Facebook album from ten22 Studios here and from Jessica Downey Photo here.
