When a parent has a sick child in the hospital their main concern is the wellbeing of their child and not so much for themselves. Eating, showering and other usual morning routines take a back seat. This is where the USS Bataan's (LHD 5) Mustang Officer Association steps in.

Teaming up with the Norfolk Ronald McDonald House Feb. 27, the Bataan's Mustang Association cooked and served breakfast to residing families while their children are receiving medical treatment at the local hospital.

"It's very helpful to the families when the military come in and fix different meals," said Vickie Kennedy, Ronald McDonald House assistant director. "When you wake up and you smell bacon and food being prepared for you, it's one less thing you have to worry about, because when you have a sick child, that's your priority."

The Norfolk Ronald McDonald House is one of five facilities in the state of Virginia and 365 homes worldwide. During their 37 years of service, they have provided living arrangements to over 20,000 people. And in 2001, they expanded the house from eight to 17 bedrooms to accommodate and serve the ongoing need.

"We serviced over a 1,050 families in 2017," said Kennedy. "We service any child that's under the age of twenty-one and their parents can stay here too."

Chief Warrant Officer Keith Shaw, who organized the morning breakfast, said members of the Bataan Mustang Association wanted to sponsor the event because either they have benefited or their family members have benefited from the services of the Ronald McDonald House.

"We realize and recognize there are families here, and the hospital is right across the street and they may not have the chance to eat breakfast because of what's going on with their emotional mind state," expressed Shaw. "So we want to make sure that we could come here and have breakfast prepared for them so they don't have to worry about going out and getting it anywhere else."

A mustang officer was once an enlisted service member who rose up through the ranks to become a commissioned officer in the United States military. With their humble beginning and dedication to hard work they become the subject matter experts in their job field. For mustangs aboard the Bataan, volunteering is an integral part of being a mustang officer.

"We volunteer at various charitable events, which are sponsored from the monetary collections of dues and Mustang memorabilia sales," explained Shaw.

Shaw said the Bataan Mustang Association wants to leave a footprint in the community by giving back through outreach events like the Ronald McDonald House.

"Right now, we want to be a blessing to our community and organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, feeding the homeless and the local public school system."

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