Eagan, MN, 12-JUL-05 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] partnered with one Twin Cities Girl Scout to give sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz a Taste of Home.

Juliana Monson, an 11-year-old Girl Scout from Roseville, recently shipped more than 57 cases of Girl Scout cookies to six deployed U.S. Navy aircraft carriers through A Taste of Home, a non-profit organization she started two years ago. This year’s shipment of cookies included nine cases to the USS Nimitz, which was supported and paid for by the Lockheed Martin business in Eagan, where Juliana’s father, Dr. Bob Monson, is an engineer. The USS Nimitz Strike Group is currently deployed to the Western Pacific in support of the Global War on Terror.

Juliana started A Taste of Home at the age of nine. As part of her fundraising campaign, Juliana solicits help from various businesses and individuals who make donations to cover the cost of the cookies and postal fees associated with mailing the cases of cookies she sends out. Along with each case, she also sends a letter of thanks to the commanding officer of the ship.

It sure means a lot to our crew to receive something as special as Girl Scout cookies while on deployment, said Capt. Ted Branch, commanding officer of USS Nimitz. Juliana is one industrious young lady.

Crewmembers expressed their gratitude to Juliana and excitement in receiving such a terrific gift as Capt. Branch distributed the cookies to Minnesota natives now serving on the carrier.

It’s amazing. Girl Scout cookies have been a favorite of mine since I was a kid, said Airman Thomas Beliveau of New Brighton. And receiving them from a girl who lives in the next town over from my parents is really cool.

It’s a little bit of a luxury that we don’t usually get while we’re underway, added Electrician’s Mate Fireman Samantha Carter from Stillwater. It’s really a nice gesture that this girl took time to send us cookies, and it shows just how warm our home state is.