Mary Stigers - JAG set 12/2004

MY MEETING WITH DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT AND VISITING JAG – MY DREAM COME TRUE!!

I AM SO EXCITED!! Yes! I’m shouting because I’ve just had the most wonderful, exciting, marvelous experience and I want to share it with anyone and everyone who loves and appreciates David James Elliott, JAG, and everything about it!!

A very dear, wonderful, generous, and kind friend, Sylvia M, spun her magic and made arrangements for me/us to make a visit to the Bellisarius Productions offices and to the JAG set where we would meet HarrietJAG (Audience Laison), David James Elliott, Donald Bellisario (hopefully), and as many of the other cast, crew, production people, writers, and behind the scenes workers as we could. (Note: JAG is a closed set; so, I know that some very special arrangements were made for this to happen.)

Before I describe my most wonderful experience, I need to provide just a little background information about me and how this even came about. This is important in order to fully understand and appreciate the deep significance this whole experience was for me.

I have been more than just a loyal, devout fan of JAG, David James Elliott, Donald Bellisario, and all the people involved in its production. The show and the people have touched my heart and my soul in ways I can’t even describe in words! I become so emotional and full of pride when I see the show because of my own military background. Of course, I truly love the stories, the wonderful acting, the great actors and actresses, and, especially, David James Elliott!

I am Mary Stigers, Lt. Colonel, United States Air Force Nurse Corps, retired. I served my country, very proudly, for over 20 years, including serving as a Flight Nurse in the early part of the Vietnam Conflict where I cared for our wounded troops as we Air Evacuated them out of DaNang, NahTrang, Cam Ran Bay, and TanSonNut to Clark Air Base in the Phillippines, usually flying in the C-130 Hercules aircraft (the plane that Harm landed on the carrier in the episode “Touchdown”).

I’ve always been a very patriotic person and love my country more than I can express in words. (Gads! I get so emotional about my feelings that the tears are falling as I write this!!) I share a strong kinship to and appreciation of those who serve our country in the military, past and present.

When I watch JAG, I get so much more from the show than entertainment! I glean from it the reminders of my own military experiences and the pride of serving my country in the military. I don’t really know how to describe these wonderful feelings; but, just know that the JAG series and everyone involved have touched me deeply, and, for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

DJE has especially touched me deeply, in ways he’ll probably never know, both on and off the screen. In his role as Harm, he expertly and superbly portrays a dedicated, loyal, honest, respectful, hard working military officer, as well as being a supportive, understanding, and caring friend and individual. These are all traits and behaviors that I can readily identify with as I strived to achieve each of them in my military career and in my personal life.

As a veteran, I’m so very proud of DJE for being the most deserving recipient of the American Veterans Award and for all his participation and involvement in various sports events and other functions which bring awareness of and raise funds for various charities. I’m so very proud of him and I just love and appreciate DJE so very much for these things and for being such a devoted husband, father, citizen, and human being, and for so many other reasons.

I shared these things with my friend, Sylvia, and I told her something else too. I told her that I knew that David James Elliott was very instrumental in supporting the Dream Foundation and helping to raise awareness and donations for it. The Dream Foundation grants a wish/dream of an adult who is suffering a terminal illness. I told my friend that, if I had a terminal illness and could be granted a wish by the Dream Foundation, my dream/wish would be to meet the very special David James Elliott, in person, and to spend the day with him; to be able to watch him as he was acting his part in JAG, or directing, or both; to see and hear him play his guitar and sing; to just visit with him. I did tell her, though, that I hoped that this dream would come true without being terminally ill!

Well, it really happened! Part of my dream did come true! Thanks to my dear friend!

Now, on with the visit! (This might be a bit long since it took place over the course of 3 days. But, I’ll only include the JAG related events.)

FIRST DAY:

On Tuesday, 14 December 2004, the three of us (Sylvia, Dawn, another friend of Sylvia’s, and I) arrived at the Bellisarius Production office building in Hollywood, CA. We were to meet with Harriet Margulies (HarrietJAG), the JAG Audience Liaison. Harriet was expecting us (all arrangements and coordination for this visit were made through her) and greeted us warmly. We sat in her office and visited with her, talked, looked at all the interesting and wonderful things she had on display on her walls and around her office, and then presented her with gifts. I had made her a patriotic JAG photo wall hanging and Sylvia presented her with a long scarf, one of Harriet’s favorite things.

After we had presented Harriet’s gifts to her, it was mentioned that I had also brought gifts for Donald Bellisario and for David James Elliott. Of course, I was urged to show them to her. She seemed to be really impressed and awe struck, especially when she saw the large patriotic photo quilt that I had made, very special, for DJE.

Harriet had made it known, ahead of time, to JAG personnel that we would be visiting and had asked some of them to come meet us. Soon, there were several people who came to her office.

Michael Bellisario (Mickey, Bud’s younger brother on JAG) came in to visit. He was such a courteous, pleasant, friendly, and respectful young man. He was gracious about letting us take some photos with him too. Then, Harriet was so excited and wanted him to see the quilt I had made for DJE and the gift I had made for Donald. So, out came the quilt again!

We had to go out into the hallway since the quilt was so big when opened up. As I was showing the quilt again, along came Darcy Meyers, JAG writer, and Dana Coen, JAG writer and Co-Executive Producer, who stopped to see it too and talk with us awhile. They were also very kind, courteous, and friendly with us.

Shortly after this, Donald came by on his way to a meeting. He didn’t have time to stop and talk; but, Harriet did urge me to show him the gift I had made for him. I quickly showed him and gave him a hug and a thank you for his great work and for helping to instill such a positive image of our military.

oon after the others had gone back to work, we had gone back into Harriet’s office and had folded up the big quilt again, we met Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer of JAG. What a nice man! He seemed to be so interested in meeting us and was very friendly and talked with us for some time.   Ofcourse, Harriet told him about the quilt for David and that he just had to see it! So, out it came from the gift bag again. Charles seemed to really like it a lot and said that he just knew that David would too!

We then went to lunch with Harriet in a nearby café on the lot. Here, we chatted some more with Harriet. She is such a wonderful, pleasant, helpful, and kind person! She obviously has very strong feelings, dedication, and closeness to her job and to working and knowing Donald for so many years. She always spoke very proudly and complimentary of him and all his endeavors and many productions he has created and been involved in.

Later, back in her office, after a phone call or two, Harriet informed us that we were to go to the JAG set in Valencia on Thursday where we would meet DJE and others who were working that day. This would be the last day of work/filming before the holiday hiatus.

Before we left, Harriet gave us each an autographed photo of DJE and a signed cast photo. Wow!

2 ND DAY:

We had heard Harriet say that they were doing some JAG filming, on location, at Point Mugu Naval Station on the coast. We did not have an invitation to go to watch the filming; but, I had a military ID and could get onto the Station. We hoped to be able to at least catch a glimpse of the JAG filming, even if it was from a distance.

Once on the Station, we soon spotted a Paramount Studios big white truck and knew we had found the general area of filming. This was just outside a fenced area along the edge of the flightline. We could see parked C-130s and some F-14 Tomcats not far away. Then, from closer to the fence, we saw a large wall a short distance behind a large building near us. There were people in flight gear, ship’s attire, big lights mounted on long poles, and some planes parked fairly close on the other side of the large wall. We had found the filming location; but, couldn’t really see much from our location behind the restricted area.

Then, we saw a man at the nearby Paramount Studios truck and we started talking with him. He told us he was the one who makes the arrangements with the base for the use of the equipment, planes, etc for the JAG productions. He invited us to go ahead and go inside the fenced area, behind the big building and have some coffee or soda from the cast/crew refreshment table. Happily, we accepted and proceeded to the area and were then able to see more of the crew, cameras, big lights, fans, and lots of support personnel and cast to the right of the big wall.

It didn’t take me long to spot a very familiar head in the crowd – DJE!!! He was sitting in his cast chair and I couldn’t see his face because of the people around him; but, it was him!! (I think I could spot that head anywhere!!)

Can you spot DJE?

Soon, we heard the call “Quiet on the set!” and then “Rolling!” Everyone stopped, stood still and remained very quiet. We could not see or hear what was going on since the action was taking place on the other side of the big wall, which we guessed to be part of the carrier, since it was so close to the planes and that DJE and others were either wearing flight suits or ship’s attire. Then, we heard “Cut!” People were again moving around and we spotted DJE in the crowd again, only briefly.

There was a short lull, then the call for “Quiet!” came again. After the call for “Cut!”, there was also a call for “Break!” At this time a few people, including DJE, were heading for the refreshment tables. It was after dusk by this time so the light was so poor that we could not see him clearly or get any good pics. Shortly, he walked back to the filming area and behind the big wall.  

Not too long after this, the crew broke from filming behind the wall and moved into the large building. At this time, we felt we had better move on since we did not want to jeopardize our invitation for the next day.

DAY THREE –THE DAY I MET DJE!!!!

After being cleared through the gate, we proceeded to the studio building where we met Harriet again, as well as her friend, Rosemary. After being given a red and white JAG visitor sticker to wear, we were escorted inside. We walked through part of the set where there were passageways with “knee knockers” and narrow doorways, as we see on the episodes taking place on the ships/carriers.

We were directed into a room where there were about 8 of the high studio/cast chairs set up in two rows facing 2 small monitor screens. The chairs were empty and I quickly spotted the chair with the name DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT! We were invited to have a seat and I was told it would be OK to sit in DJE’s chair!! Of course, I did too!!! Gladly!!

I had brought my USAF military blue uniform jacket (with all my rank, ribbons, and insignia) with me to show to whoever may be interested; so, I just hung the hanger on the back of the chair. Soon, in walked Scott Lawrence! What a handsome young man he is! He shook hands with us and talked for a short while and let us pose with him for pictures. He had to get back to filming so he wasn’t there very long. Soon afterwards, we could see him on the screen.

Then, we met Dennis Smith, the director of the episode being filmed that day, and Larry Moskowitz, the writer of the episode. (We found out later that it was “Bridging the Gulf”.) Dennis and Larry were both very nice, pleasant, and friendly men who made us feel welcome and comfortable being there. Dennis sat in the directors chair right next to me. Soon, Dennis was calling “Lets do a rehearsal!”, then “Quiet on the set”, then “Rolling”. We were all very quiet and could hear DJE and Scott (as Harm and Sturgis) on the other side of the wall as they did their scene. Soon, Dennis called “Cut!, shoulda canned it!”

Quickly, he called for filming and then he had them do two “takes” on film. Then, someone came in from the other end of the room and told us that DJE would be in soon.

OH, MY!! IT’S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN!! I’M REALLY GOING TO MEET DJE IN PERSON!!

(Note: any further use of caps is for emphasis, not shouting!)

We were then just standing, talking, and waiting. Charles Floyd Johnson came in from the other doorway. He was very pleasant and friendly and talked with us for a short time.

It wasn’t long and I SPOTTED DJE COMING IN THE OTHER WAY!! THERE HE WAS, IN HIS “PEANUT BUTTERS”, TALL AND LOOKING MORE GORGEOUS AND HANDSOME IN PERSON!!!

I’M REALLY HERE! --- SEEING DJE!! OH, MY!!!

As he was approaching us, Harriet introduced us (I think she did anyway.). Harriet immediately started to take hold of the gift bag that I had DJE’s quilt in. She told him that I had made something special for him. She seemed so excited about showing him the quilt, I thought she was going to give it to him herself! I remember taking the gift bag then and facing DJE. I wanted/needed to say a few words to him before giving him the special gift I had made for him and his family.

Facing DJE and with him looking at me attentively, I thanked him for his involvement and participation and wonderful acting in JAG and that, as a retired USAF nurse, I appreciated him and JAG so very much for fostering a more positive image of the military and reminding me of my own service. (I know I said more in the way of thanking him.)

At this, DJE said “NO, I’M THE ONE WHO THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!”

I know I started becoming somewhat teary eyed when I heard him thank me! I looked at him and asked “May I hug you?”

He then “reduced altitude” slightly and kissed me on my right cheek!! (I’ll never wash that cheek again!! LOL!) I returned the kiss on his right cheek and we hugged. (That was hug #1.)

I stepped back and told him I had made something special and personalized for him; but, I wanted to tell him one more thing first. I said “I’m aware of your support and efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Dream Foundation. I just wanted you to know that, if I had a terminal illness and could be granted a final wish, that wish would be to spend the day with YOU! – to see you acting or directing, or both, to see and hear you play your guitar and sing, and to just be able to visit with you.”

I was so emotional at this point, I think he said “Thank You” just before I got the gift bag and began to remove the quilt to give to him. I remember handing him the lower right hand corner and asking for help to open the quilt fully. Once opened and he got a look at it, I thought I saw his eyes get bigger and then he asked several questions: “Where did you get all these pictures?”, “How did you get them onto the fabric?” and he mentioned that Nanci would want to know about that. Then, he asked me “How long did it take for you to make this?” As I answered his questions, I noticed he was reading the inscription I added to the bottom right-hand corner of the quilt: “Made for David and family, with lots of TLC, by Mary Stigers, Lt. Col. United States Air Force Nurse Corps, retired”.

Then, he was thanking me and we hugged. (Hug #2)

I then presented DJE with a small gift bag. I kinda pulled up on the bag inside to reveal a bag of bite size Snickers. (I had read an article about him where he told someone that he has to watch what he eats and to keep in shape. He said that his special treat was Snickers.) When he saw that, he smiled and let out a chuckle. I think he told someone standing behind him to be sure these got to his trailer – unopened!

Quickly, then, I picked up my uniform that was hanging on the back on his chair. I told him I just had one more thing I wanted to do. I raised up my uniform so he could see it and I even made some comment that I had as many medals/ribbons as he had. He smiled at that and asked if Matt Sigloch had seen these. I told him that we had not met Matt. Then, he asked me what they all were for. Oh, Gads!! I drew a blank! All I could think to say was that it had been a long time and that I didn’t remember them all.

I quickly changed the subject and continued. I pointed out my Flight Nurse wings and told him I had been a Flight Nurse in Vietnam and had worn them throughout my career.

I began to take them off my uniform as I said to him “I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY WINGS!”

He kinda leaned back slightly, looked at me, and asked “ARE YOU SURE YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS?”

I could tell from the tone of his voice, the way he asked, and the fact that he asked me that question, that he fully realized the importance and the significance this gesture had for me. I was giving him a part of me! I was giving him a part of who I am!

I said to him “YES, I’VE NEVER BEEN MORE SURE OF ANYTHING IN MY LIFE! I WANT TO GIVE THEM TO SOMEONE I FEEL IS SO VERY SPECIAL!”

As DJE accepted my wings, he thanked me and we hugged again. (Hug #3). As we hugged, I think it seemed closer somehow, I said to him: “I appreciate you so very much!”

I was starting to tear up again as we released our hug; so, I stepped back so my friends could have some time with him before he had to leave. Sylvia presented him with a “Flyboy” teddy bear, complete with a brown leather flight jacket, flight cap, and goggles. I had even helped her add rank insignia and gold wings. It looked like DJE really appreciated it. He even commented on the wings and rank on the bear.

Shortly after this, he had to leave and said goodbye.

I think I was in shock!!

IT REALLY HAPPENED! 

I MET DJE!!

HE KISSED MY CHEEK!

I KISSED HIS CHEEK!

WE HUGGED THREE TIMES!!

I GAVE HIM MY WINGS!!!

HE REALLY LOOKED AT ME!

HE REALLY LISTENED TO ME!!!

HE REALLY WAS ATTENTIVE TO ME!!!

HE IS SO TRULY WONDERFUL!!

OH, MY!!!

At this point I was so emotional and happy; but, I think this is when I hugged my wonderful friend, Sylvia, and thanked her for making my dream come true!!!

As I was trying to come back off of cloud 9, I realized that Charles had remained in the room during our meeting with DJE and he then offered to show us around the set. Harriet and Rosemary stayed behind and waited while we followed Charles. He gave us a quick tour where we got to see more of the big warehouse type building that contained many different “sets” such as the JAG bullpen, the General’s Office, Harm’s office (he’s got his big office back now), Mac’s office, Bud’s office, the elevator, and then the big room that Charles explained is sometimes used as either the library, the courtroom, or the conference room, depending on what furniture is used and how it is set up. I got a chance to sit in the General’s chair and Harm’s chair at his desk!  I also sat at the big, long conference table.

Then, Charles showed us the NCIS set. We saw the bullpen, complete with the “Most Wanted” pictures lined up on the wall, including a picture of Donald Bellisario!!! Too funny!

On the way back to the room where Harriet was waiting for us, we got to see into the “set” that had just been used in filming. It was set up as the officer’s break room on the USS Kennedy.

After we thanked Charles and anyone who was still there, we left to go have lunch with Harriet and Rosemary in the cast/crew lunchroom.

We got our lunch from the food wagon outside and carried it into the cast/crew lunchroom. As we sat, ate, and talked, we saw a number of other cast and crew come in to eat also. Several people, including Dennis, the director, came by and spoke to Harriet and she spoke to several others there too. She seemed to be known and she seemed to know them.

While we were still at our table, someone came up to Harriet and handed her several sheets of paper, which she immediately passed out to each of us. Harriet had given us each a copy of the JAG Call Sheet for the day! Wow! It was a long 8 ½“ by 14” page, printed on both sides, with the names and activities/responsibilities for each of them listed for that day of shooting. It had the JAG emblem in the upper left-hand corner and JAG printed in large, bold letters at the top.

About 3 inches down from the top of the sheet, under the heading “Schedule”, there was a block with the following, all printed in caps:

PLEASE WELCOME SYLVIA MOHR, LT. COL. MARY STIGERS (USAF, RET), DAWN BELLES AND ROSEMARY WILLIAMS TO OUR SET TODAY. THEY WILL BE ESCORTED BY HARRIET MARGULIES.

Wow! We were so impressed and surprised to see that our visit was listed on the Call Sheet!! We thanked Harriet again for this and for making this whole wonderful visit possible for us.

Before we left the lunchroom, I chatted with a few of the cast who were still there and thanked them for their involvement and participation in helping to make the JAG Series so special and for helping to promote a positive image for the military.

As we were leaving, I spotted Scott Lawrence at the food wagon. Didn’t see DJE tho, darn!

Then, as we approached the car, I saw the concrete parking barriers/markers with the names printed on them: Cmdr. Harmon Rabb, Jr, Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, and Lt. Cmdr Bud Roberts. I had been parked right next to Harm’s parking spot!!!

Then, we went to Disneyland.

If you have ever been to Disneyland, you know it is a huge, awesome place! But, for me, my meeting DJE in person and my JAG visit will always be even bigger and a more awesome experience and hold many more happy, emotional, exciting memories than Disneyland ever could!!!! That is how very important and special and meaningful it was for me!!

I can’t thank my dear friend, Sylvia, as well as Harriet and Donald, enough for this very special and memorable “gift”!

Sylvia had not met DJE before, and yet, she made certain that I got to meet him!! She put me first and she kinda took a back seat (so to speak) and allowed me the precious, memorable time with DJE. Wow! She is one very special, giving, generous, and kind person!! And, she is the one who took photos of DJE and me and shared them with me so that I’d have our interaction captured in print.

To Sylvia: For being the very special, considerate, wonderful, caring, and giving friend you are, and for making my dream come true – THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! And, I LOVE YOU!

To Harriet: Thank you so very, very much for everything you did to make this visit possible and for making it so special! You are one very special and wonderful lady!!

To Donald and everyone we met: Thanks so very, very much for allowing us to have this very special visit. Everyone was truly kind, friendly, helpful, and courteous to us. You’ve all helped to make our visit most special and memorable. And, thanks for making this very special JAG Series, which will always hold a special place in my heart!

To David James Elliott: I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an outstanding individual, both on and off the screen, for being so inspirational to me in so many ways, for taking the time to visit with me, for really listening, for being so attentive, for thanking me for my military service, for accepting, and, I believe, understanding and appreciating the significance of my gift of my Flight Nurse wings. If I have ever met a more “PERFECT” individual – it is most assuredly – YOU!!

Note #1: Be sure to see the photos of our DJE/JAG days! All credit for the photos goes to my friend, Sylvia!

Note #2: Thanks to Cindy & Carol for posting my story and photos on this most wonderful website dedicated to DJE!! You and your work to do this site and to provide DJE’s devoted fans with continuous updates, pics, articles, and news about our wonderful DJE are truly appreciated!!!

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