Whether you're overseas or on deployment, the holidays can be difficult for any Sailor. Sailors know standing the watch is what they signed up for, but sometimes it's easier said than done.

Some may find it difficult to understand the monotony of life underway. Mix in missing out on the holiday festivities with friends and family, and it can make it even harder. Who wants to be away from home during the holidays? However, when duty calls, the U.S. Navy is always ready to respond.

Few know the uniqueness in the life of a Sailor. There are tough times and fun times, which all can later become great memories. The bond between a crew starts out as friendships, but quickly evolve into something like a family. They don't always agree, but at the end of the day, they are all brothers and sisters in arms. This atmosphere becomes clear around the holidays aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75).

Donald Cook, deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, is showing off its seasonal spirit this year. Along with the decorated passageways and workspaces, the holiday music while sweeping, and the Santa hats worn on holiday routine, one Donald Cook Sailor and his family went the extra mile this year to show their appreciation for his shipmates.

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Reece Tumbleson, a native of Casa Grande, Arizona, received some boxes in the mail from his mother, Joni Lochtefeld.

Thirty-eight boxes, in fact.

Lochtefeld, founder of the nonprofit organization "Hearts for the Troops," mailed more than 300 stockings filled with supplies and snacks to the crew of Donald Cook.

"I'm overjoyed the whole thing worked out," said Tumbleson. "My mom asked me if it would be possible to mail all these boxes, so after discussing with the command leadership, I told her it would be a great idea."

Much of the crew was surprised when an announcement to grab a stocking from the mess decks came over the ship's announcement system.

"Although the leadership knew, we wanted to keep the whole thing a secret from the rest of the crew," said Tumbleson. "I think it was a total success, and if you're reading this, I want to say thank you, mom!"

Sailors quickly lined up to get a stocking, which Tumbleson handed out.

"The way people lined up, you would have thought it was time for chow," said Tumbleson. "It was a proud moment for me; I felt grateful to be a part of this ship's crew."

The commotion even caught the eye of the ship's commanding officer.

"On behalf of the entire crew, I'd like to send our sincere appreciation to Joni Lochtefeld and her generosity in donating the stockings for our Sailors," said Cmdr. Matthew Powel, commanding officer of Donald Cook. "For some, this is the first time away from home during the holidays and this meant a lot. Her efforts brought a little piece of home to the entire crew."

In addition to the stockings, the boxes were filled with hundreds of thank you cards and hand-written letters.

"I think I speak for the whole crew when I say this made our holiday season special," said Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Patrick Gallagher. "Stuff like this really can change the attitude of the whole ship."

It didn't take long for the stockings to become part of the ship's decor.

The stockings seamlessly became a part of the ship's already-decorated spaces. The ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation committee even held a "Best Decorated Space" competition for those who really wanted to show off their holiday spirit.

A number of Donald Cook Sailors wanted to express their gratitude toward Lochtefeld. Tumbleson said he is sending the crew an email with a contact address for anyone who wants to reach out to his mother.

This season will be one to remember for the crew aboard Donald Cook, thanks to the coordinated efforts of a dedicated shipmate and his supportive mother.

Tumbleson and Lochtefeld gave a perfect example of how the crew aboard a U.S. Navy ship can come together to make a tough time for some, a great memory for all.

With a bit of luck and goodwill, this holiday spirit can spread around the entire fleet from those deployed to those who are home, serving as a message that in the U.S. Navy, Sailors look after their own.

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