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Friday, September 18, 2009

Monopoly and WWII

Who knew?

It's a story that will forever change the way you think of the phrase, "Get Out of Jail Free."

During World War II, as the number of British airmen held hostage behind enemy lines escalated, the country's secret service enlisted an unlikely partner in the ongoing war effort: The board game Monopoly.

It was the perfect accomplice.

Included in the items the German army allowed humanitarian groups to distribute in care packages to imprisoned soldiers, the game was too innocent to raise suspicion. But it was the ideal size for a top-secret escape kit that could help spring British POWs from German war camps.

The British secret service conspired with the U.K. manufacturer to stuff a compass, small metal tools, such as files, and, most importantly, a map, into cut-out compartments in the Monopoly board itself...

Full story here

Labels: Supporting the troops, WWII

posted by Pam @ 4:56 PM |

Friday, January 30, 2009

Best.Phone Call. Ever. -- And a Call for Action

A week ago, at lunchtime, my phone rang. It was my personal cell phone, and I was at work. Didn't recognize the area code, so I didn't answer. I did, however look up the area code.

'Waco, Texas?' I thought. 'Who the hell do I know in Waco, Texas?'

I travel for work, but I haven't been in Texas in a while (and I've never been to Waco), so I didn't think that was it.

Only one other option I could think of - a Soldier.

It rang again. Same number. Though I had to leave in a few moments for a business meeting, I picked it up.

The caller had a mischievous tone in his voice as he asked me how I was doing, and whether I was in CT or travelling that day. 'OK, I'll play,' I thought. There were only a couple of people this could be. Not too many people had this number.

He asked me about my dogs, my work, my family.

And then he asked about the squirrels - an inside joke that only one person outside of my house knew about.

It was my first Soldiers' Angels adoptee - the one who calls me Big Sis, and who I call alternately SuperSarge, Li'l Bro, or my favorite Cav. Scout.

I'd never talked to him in person before. And unbelievably, after a minute, I had to say,

"You're not going to believe this, but I have to go. Can I call you back?"

When I did, it turned into a two-hour conversation. The last time I'd heard from him, he was feeling pretty low. Medevac'd out of Iraq his last tour, he'd been going through a pretty tough time, with treatments, evaluations, and the fact that his future military career was in question due to his medical issues.

He'd told me then that at his lowest, he'd re-read a book I sent him - a book full of thank yous and other messages. He said the book kept him focused on the fact that a lot of people were pulling for him, and he couldn't let them down.

This day, he sounded good - cheery, a bit of a smart@$$ - exactly the way I figured he'd sound based on letters, emails, and instant message conversations.

At one point, he expressed amazement at the fact that I'd known him for four years now. He said I was one of very few people who had seen him at his best and his worst. I told him what I've told him a number of times before - that I would be there anytime he needed me.

He told me that thanks to some great people, he was making progress - getting treatment that was working. He said that the place he was at was awesome, and not enough people knew about them.

He also mentioned that he was working to arrange a ski trip for him and some buddies - they had a ski place that was donating equipment and tickets, but they still didn't have ski jackets, pants, etc. In fact, he wasn't even sure what the heck they needed - "I'm from Louisiana!"

He wondered if I knew of any place that might be willing to donate ski jackets, pants, etc.

I didn't, but I did know where to get help. I immediately (with him on the phone) emailed Patti about the trip, what they needed, etc.

Within a few days, they were all set and ready to purchase jackets, pants, etc. - all the cold weather clothing they needed.

When the folks at the clinic asked my Li'l Bro how the heck he'd pulled that off, he reported that he'd said:

"You know how I say I'm the Hand of God on the battlefield? Well, God never goes anywhere without his Angels."

HOOAH to that.

Patti didn't hesitate when I asked. Not one second. Her response was "we'd be honored to help."

And that's the response I - and so many others - always get when Soldiers' Angels is asked for help. SA never looks for what can't be done, but always for what CAN be done. When hurricanes damage barracks, when fires damage FOBs, when it's hot as heck in Iraq, when wounded heroes need ski gear - it's "What can we do to help?"

What mattered most in the world to me and to one wounded Hero on that Friday afternoon was getting some warm weather clothing so that six Heroes could go skiing. And again, it was "what can we do to help."

In the aftermath of a political campaign based on the catch phrase "Yes we can," SA shows what that really means, but goes further. SA isn't just "Yes we can" - it's "Yes we will."

Unfortunately, as things stand now, the reality of charities / non-profits is that donations are drying up. Whether the economic slowdown / recession / whatever you want to call it has actually hit or not, people perceive that things are rough, and they're tightening their belts. Unfortunately, one of the things they're giving up is donations to groups like Soldiers' Angels.

What that means is that more than 500 Heroes are currently waiting for Angels.

And SA is looking at escalating action in Afghanistan, and continuing efforts in Iraq, and saying, "Yes, we can - but we need your help to do it."

I've seen SA get family members tickets to see wounded heroes, provide voice-activated laptops to wounded heroes, ensure that wounded troops in Germany don't feel alone, and bring the holidays to tens of thousands of deployed Heroes.

It doesn't take much to be a part of it.

$5.00 sends a cool scarf to a Hero, to alleviate the misery of the desert heat.

$13.00 sends a 150-minute phone card.

$29.00 buys a kit to make a Blanket of Hope that you can send to comfort a wounded Hero.

$32.00 helps send a Welcome Home pack to a Hero.

$45.00 - $55.00 provides a welcome thank you to a veteran, or provides much-needed necessities to our Heroes, who often arrive at the hospital with nothing.

Or why not adopt a Hero? A letter a week / a package a month is all it takes. The USPS provides free mailing supplies to those who are sending to deployed troops, and they've got flat-rate priority mail shipping. My average package from the East Coast to an APO starting with 09 is about $6.00 - $8.00 to ship. Homemade treats, goofy gifts to bring a laugh, books, magazines - the contents don't have to be remarkable. The recipients, though, certainly are.

Without my involvement in SA, I would never have met my friend the SuperSarge, who I've talked to on the phone several times since, and who is one of the finest people it has ever been my privilege to know (seriously, Li'l Bro - you rock). Without SA, I would never have blogged. I would never have been to Walter Reed and had the chance to meet some incredible Heroes. Five minutes to sign up online changed my life, put me in the company of Heroes, and made me a better person. And my Li'l Bro would never have gotten a message book that provided a lift in one of his lowest moments. That's what SA does; what it means.

It means that Heroes half a world away, or right here at home, know we care.

How much is it worth to have the chance to thank a Hero? One less latte at Starbucks? A night at the movies? That jar of pennies?

It really doesn't take much - but it might mean everything.

Visit the Soldiers' Angels Website

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting Our Heroes, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 10:47 AM |

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Postal Service Sets Holiday Mailing Guidelines

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2008 – As the holidays approach and military families start thinking about what they’re going to send loved ones serving overseas, there are a few dates to keep in mind.

“The earliest deadline is for troops that are serving in the Iraq [and] Afghanistan area,” said Al DeSarro, spokesman for the western region of the U.S. Postal Service. “You want to send all your holiday mail and packages [to those areas] by Dec. 4.”

Holiday mail, including packages and cards, going to military bases in other parts of the world should be shipped by Dec. 11, he said.

“We do encourage people to closely follow these deadlines,” DeSarro said. “Of course, we make every attempt, even if you miss the deadline, to deliver the mail to our troops.”

Pseudo-Santas who can’t beat those dates have another option to get holiday goodies to their destinations in time: Express Mail. But it will cost a bit more and it’s not available for servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes are the best value when shipping to military members serving at home or anywhere overseas, DeSarro said. The largest flat-rate box costs $10.95 to ship to an APO or FPO address. That’s a $2 discount, and the boxes are free.

The flat-rate boxes come with another bonus. If it will fit in the box, and weighs 70 pounds or less, it ships at the established rate.

“We also offer a special military package kit, … and this applies even if you want to send to our troops here in the U.S.,” DeSarro said. “If you call … 1-800-610-8734, they’ll send you a free kit of packaging materials -- priority mail boxes, tape, labels and stuff that can make your holiday packing much easier.”

When shipping any holiday package, there are some basic guidelines to take into consideration, he added. If a USPS-provided box isn’t being used, senders should make sure the box they’re using is sturdy. Don’t use wrapping paper or string on the outside, and print both the shipping and return addresses clearly. Contents should be packaged securely and in leak-proof containers, and consider the customs of the country to ensure the items are appropriate and acceptable.

USPS also suggests including the mailing address, return address and the contents of the box on a slip of paper with the other contents, just in case something out of the ordinary should happen.

Following not only the shipping date guidelines, but also the general packing guidelines can help the USPS get packages where they’re going during their busiest time of the year.

DeSarro urges people to mail as much as they want and as early as they can, noting that officials expect 20 million pounds of mail will be sent U.S. troops this holiday season.

Related Sites:
U.S. Postal Service

Related Articles:
USPS Overseas Holiday Shipping Calendar for Delivery by Dec. 25

Labels: care packages, holidays, mailing guidelines, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 8:26 AM |

Monday, September 08, 2008

THOUSANDS WALK - Thousands of people walk during the America Supports You Freedom Walk in Washington, D.C., Sept. 7, 2008. The walk went from the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to the crash site at the Pentagon. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump

Labels: Freedom Walk, photos, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 10:29 AM |

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

America Supports You: Online Radio Show Gives Voice to Military Community

From DefenseLink:

By Jamie Findlater
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2008 – The host of a radio program available worldwide on the Internet gives servicemembers a chance to tell their stories.

“This is one way that I can serve the military,” Dave Whitten, host of “Voice of the Troops,” a weekly hour-long show on Phoenix station KFNX and carried on the station’s Web site, said in an “ASY Live” BlogTalkRadio interview.

“ASY Live” is part of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects American citizens and companies with servicemembers at home and abroad.

“I grew up in a very military household,” Whitten said. “I always kick myself for not serving.”

The idea started for Whitten a year and a half ago, he said, after listening to the radio and television and sensing a need to bring to light the voice of the individual servicemember.

“You hear all the bad stuff that goes on,” he said. “Let’s face it, war is not pretty. … But you never [get] to hear the good stories about the good things that our troops [are] doing.”

on the program airs Sundays at 7 p.m. PST and is available on the Web at www.1100kfnx.com.

“I give them an hour every week to talk about whatever they want without cutting them up into sound bites,” Whitten said. Topics range from post-traumatic stress disorder to military history.

“On one of our most memorable shows, we had two of the remaining five Navajo code talkers talking about how they saved countless numbers of Marine lives in the Pacific Theater,” he said. “What was really interesting was that many of these guys were in their mid-80s, and you never know, this might be the last time we capture this. I was told by another Marine, “You guys have captured a part of history.”

It’s important, especially with current conflicts, to talk to those who are directly affected, Whitten said.

“Kimberly Dozier was a CBS News reporter that we had on our show recently to talk about her experience,” he said. “Kimberly and her video crew were involved in an [improvised explosive device] explosion over in Iraq and almost lost her life. [As a] matter of a fact, her photographer and sound person did lose their lives, and she knows first-hand the type of quality care that military survivors received. We got her on the show to talk about how the military doctors got her back to normal.”

The show also discusses recent topics of interest and the important ramifications of new military policy.

“Recently, we had a show with two colonels, Kevin and Kate Voight, who talked about their experience serving as intel officers based in Baghdad, Iraq,” he said. “Now that Army rules have changed, they can actually serve in a combat area together and have their own housing. It’s a way to attract qualified people, because they can have the 15 months of actually functioning as a husband and wife.”

Voice of the Troops also brings to light plans for future development of new capabilities. For example, he said, he has lined up Air Force Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, commander of the Air Force’s provisional Cyberspace Command, as a guest for an upcoming program to talk about the importance of defending the nation’s computer systems from adversaries.

Whitten said he appreciates that programs like America Supports You work to get the message out to servicemembers about programs like his.

“We are proud to work with programs like America Supports You, [which] has done a phenomenal job in garnering the support of people throughout the nation,” Whitten said. “We need to help [the public] understand that there is a need out there. We still have men and women in a combat zone, and my hat’s off to ASY for what they do.”

(Jamie Findlater works in the New Media directorate of the Defense Media Activity.)

Related Sites:
“ASY Live” on BlogTalkRadio.com
America Supports You

Labels: Good News, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 3:14 PM |

Friday, May 16, 2008

LT. DAN BAND - Oscar-nominated actor and director Gary Sinise, right, and his "Lt. Dan Band" perform a concert in the Pentagon Courtyard at the 4th Annual America Supports you concert as part of Military Appreciation Month at the Pentagon, Friday, May 16, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

Story - More Photos

Labels: America Supports You, Gary Sinise, Lt. Dan Band, Military Appreciation Month, Supporting the troops, Tonal Troop Support

posted by Pam @ 11:45 PM |

Monday, May 05, 2008

Help Make Patti Patton-Bader America's Favorite Mom!

Hi Everyone,

My mom Patti Patton Bader founder of Soldiers' Angels is up for consideration for NBC's America's Favorite Military Mom on Monday (May 5th). You can help her, Soldiers, Angels, and me, by voting for her at http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom/ - You can only vote Monday May 5th from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern ST but you can vote up to 10 times (on the 5th) for each valid email address you have.

If she wins Soldiers' Angels will get more exposure on a National T.V. show on May 11. This exposure helps us show our troops in a real way that they are strongly supported by us at home, and also helps to provide awareness and needed donations so that we can continue to meet the needs of our heroes.

Also, if you get a chance, my mom will be on NBC's The Today Show during the 9 A.M. hour [o n Monday, May 5th]. As you all know Soldiers' Angels is a wonderful organization of volunteers that does a lot of great support for all the men and women of the military, aids our troops wherever we raise the Stars and Stripes, helps wounded heroes here and abroad, and assists military families in times of need.

Please help us by voting for my mom Monday and maybe passing on this email to a few of your friends. It's for a good cause and only takes a moment. Here's the link again.

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom/

Thank you and God Bless everyone who helps our troops,

SSGT Brandon H. Varn

Labels: Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 9:52 AM |

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Gratitude Campaign

Labels: Supporting the troops, Thanks

posted by Pam @ 5:23 PM |

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Never too young to be a hero

Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, meets Col. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander, during the recent open house at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Bailey, with the help of her family, started Hero Hugs four years ago to recognize and show appreciation for America's servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson)

by Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/15/2008 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working the Tyndall Air Force Base air show Saturday recently an unexpected surprise that caught many off guard. Hard at work on the flightline in the blazing sun, many troops were stopped by the voice of an 11-year-old girl thanking each military member for his or her service. Along with the "thank-you" came a goodie bag.

The little girl handing out the "doses of appreciation" was Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, an organization based on recognizing and appreciating America's troops. Hero Hugs is part of America Supports You, a Department of Defense organization connecting citizens and organizations with military members and their families serving here and abroad.

Hero Hugs was started by Bailey, with the help of her family, roughly four years ago. In those years, they have sent care packages to Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea, and they have visited military events to show their appreciation for America's troops.

More than 26,000 packages, 10,000 goodie bags and five air shows later, Bailey showed up here to share her gratitude with Tyndall Airmen.

Bailey, along with her mother, Diane Reese, and her 16-year-old brother Tim Calvert, spent the entire day passing more than 600 goodie bags comprising granola bars, candy bars, hard candy, powdered drink mix and hand wipes.

Bailey explained she began Hero Hugs after Hurricane Ivan, when she witnessed servicemembers who were providing humanitarian help being treated poorly.

"I saw people yelling at the (troops) at the checkpoint where (Soldiers and Airmen) were giving out ice and water," said Bailey. "I didn't hear anyone say thank you to them."
Bailey said she went home and made thank you cards for the servicemembers. She recalled how the cards brought tears to their eyes and how rewarding it was to know they felt appreciated.

When she started Hero Hugs, she sent about 100 packages out each month, said her mom. Now, due to extra support, the organization sends about 1,000 packages monthly.

"We raise money by fundraisers, collecting donations and selling 'Support our Troops' magnets," said Diana Reese. "We also have received some donations from corporations and businesses."

During the air show, many people heard Bailey's heart-warming story. The story, along with the goodie bags and the many thanks, brought out positive reactions from the servicemembers.

Elementary school classes, scout troops and volunteers from across the United States also have helped by decorating packages and conducting fund-raisers.

"I thought it was outstanding," said Capt. August Pfluger, 325th Fighter Wing Operations Support Squadron F-15 simulators chief, air show chairman and recipient of one of Bailey's goodie bags. "I heard nothing but good things (about her) from everyone in uniform. They were surprised and very appreciative of the support they received."

Some troops thanked her with a unit coin or patch.

"I'll do this for as long as I can," said Bailey. "It felt really good when (the troops) said thank you. I knew they all really appreciated it."

Comment on this story at af.mil (comments may be published on Air Force Link)
View the comments/letters page

Related Links:
America Supports You
Hero Hugs

Labels: Hero Hugs, Supporting the troops, Tyndall Air Force Base

posted by Pam @ 10:36 PM |

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Take This, Hollywood

Today's Day-By-Day cartoon contains a very important message you may have missed, and one heck of a way to thumb your nose at the Moonbats.

Hollywood's attempts to storm theaters with anti-war movies have failed of late - miserably.

JD Johannes is trying to prove that the problem lies in their perspective:

People often complain about Hollywood's leftward tilt when it comes to Iraq, but few do anything pro-active about it.

I am trying to do something about it.

I have nearly died a few times trying to do something about it. [...]

Hollywood and the entertainment industry is a business focused on the bottom line. If people want Hollywood to produce a pro-victory film, or a pro-troop television series, they will have to demonstrate that it is economically viable.

Most of the anti-war films have taken a beating at the box office.

Brian DePalma's 'Redacted' grossed $65,388, but cost $5million to make and 'Home of the Brave' only brought in $51,708 domestically.

Here's his plan, and his call to action:

To beat 'Redacted's' box office gross, takes the sale of 2,900 DVDs. Just 2,900 DVDs sold.

To demonstrate to Hollywood and the cable TV networks that a pro-victory documentary is viable, I need to sell 2,900 in 6 weeks.

2,900 total DVDs. It doesn't matter if it is 2,000 individual episodes and 900 of the double-disc trilogy .

2,900 DVDs sold pokes Hollywood in the eye and shows that a pro-victory documentary can beat the studios.

Sounds good to me. I bought 2. 2898 to go....

Get yours now.

Labels: Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 1:13 AM |

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

No, They're Not Anti-Troop....

Gotta love it. Everytime I put up a post about how the antiwar crowd is almost universally anti-troop, some knucklehead comes by and puffs about how I'm doing a disservice to them, how they really do care about the troops, they just don't want to see them "die for oil" or some other cliche antiwar line.

And it never fails - wait a little while, and they always prove me right.

Sadly, but predictably, they've done it again, at Milwaukee's Army Recruiting Center:

All the windows of the station were busted out, and graffiti that read “War is Offensive” was scrawled on the side of the building. A witness told WTMJ that he saw anti-war slogans written on the windows before they were broken.
Still, I can't help but chuckle. "War is offensive" is the best thing you could come up with? And you write your slogans on the windows - and then break them. Brilliant.

These particular non-violent, peace-loving, 'why can't we all just get along' types have been to this Recruiting Station before - throwing smoke bombs and paint. How peaceful. One of their sentimental, happy, peace-love-joy messages this time? "Expect Resistance."

Some days, I really wish these losers could be on the receiving end when our troops show them what the word "offensive" means in military circles.

Nah, they're not anti-troop. Of course not.

I may be a "Macchiavellian Warmonger" (and proud of it, thank you very much), but at least I don't hide what I believe. I am pro-military, pro-America, pro-kicking-enemy-tail, and decidedly anti-hippie-coward.

As far as that "Expect Resistance" thing goes? Right back at you, peacenik - never again will you derail the public opinion. Recycle all the 40-year-old crap you want, but when you meet those of us who understand what we owe our Heroes, Expect Resistance.

Labels: Anti-War protests, Moonbats, opinions, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 7:54 PM |

Friday, February 22, 2008

My Two Cents: I've Said It Before; I'll Say It Again.

Life is finally starting to get back to some semblance of normal for me after my husband's injury this past August (no, not in combat - we're civilians. Although my puppy did attack him once he fell, so maybe that counts as some sort of combat...). Or at least, to the new normal.

I haven't been inspired - and haven't had the energy - to really rant in a while. Wouldn't you know it would be the scum of the earth - one step above the terrorists - that prompted me to do so again?

I've been criticized in the past for saying that the anti-war crowd almost invariably turns anti-troop. They'll tell you they're not.

Even when they do this, and this, and this, and this, and this.....and the list goes on.

Still, they'll tell you they're not anti-troop. And as it was forty years ago, and sixty years ago, and in every conflict where they've decided to slither in, it's a lie.

And now, once again, they're at it in D.C.

I had warned in one of my rants that if we weren't careful, the openly anti-troop crowd would take advantage of the war's waning popularity, and the weakening of American resolve, to do the things they never would have dared do in those first few months after 9/11.

We are at a critical, and very dangerous time in this war - and in this country. If we do not as a country stand up - right now - and say that our heroes are NOT to be maligned, or thrown out of town, or told that their exercises will scare people, or asked not to attend things in uniform, we are going to be right back where we were.

If you want a parallel to Viet Nam, this is it - the idiots. The wretched creatures who dare crawl out from under their slime-coated rocks to dare and attack those who give them the right to spill their worthless drivel.

It. Is. Not. Acceptable. Ever.

Not in Berkeley, not in D.C., and not in a tiny town in CT where they darken a town green every Sunday. Well, at least unless the weather is less than sunny. Lord knows they don't want to be out there if it's inconvenient.

Not in this war, not in any other war. Not at a school, not in some wildly Left-wing town. No, it shouldn't be illegal to be an idiot; I'm not saying the government should stop them. But we do not have to accept unacceptable behavior. WE should stop them. And it's easy. Simply stop accepting the behavior. Confront it - walk up and tell them they should be ashamed of themselves. Stand on the opposite corner with a sign that thanks the troops. Rev motorcycle engines so loud you drown out the idiots. I'm not saying you get violent. They do enough of that. I'm just saying do something. Don't just shake your head as you go by. Our troops are willing to be sent anywhere, to do anything they are asked - to die to protect our freedom. And dammit, we owe them better than letting these idiots operate without consequence.

There are two types of comments I remove from this blog. One is spam. The other is a comment that trashes our troops. You can argue against the war. You can argue against my viewpoint. Not a problem. But trash the troops, and I'm likely to either use your comment as an example of profound stupidity (in which case you and your insipid little friends will send me stupid emails and spam trackbacks), or I'm going to delete your lame little comment.

'Cause it's my blog, and I can. And I will.

I promised a long time ago that I would not allow it in my little corner of the world. And every moonbat that decides to mouth off about the Army flag in my window, or the POW flag on my garage door, or a post on this blog gets a full-on dose of one pissed off Soldiers' Angel.

And anyone who doesn't stand up and say that it's not acceptable to trash our troops is worse than the anti-war scum. They're idiots. But at least they care about their idiocy. If you can't muster up the energy to even give a crap, that's worse.

There is NO EXCUSE for another generation of Heroes to think they have to be ashamed of their service. There is NO EXCUSE for allowing these people to have free rein. They're cowards. They're hypocrites (their 'peace' rallies often turning violent). And they are wrong.

For me, two words come to mind when I think of our troops. Thank You.

I've got two words for the anti-troop bottom feeders too. The second one is also "You."

The first one, I'll let you figure out for yourself. It sure as heck ain't "Thank."

At the Soldiers' Angels conference this morning, Chuck asked for a bulldozer and directions to Berkeley.

I say we give them to him.

Labels: Left-Wingnuts, Moonbats, My Two Cents, opinion, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 2:49 PM |

Thursday, January 17, 2008

AMERICAN CHOPPER - Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers and the "American Chopper" television program rides the "Patriot Chopper," a motorcycle designed by U.S. troops, Jan 15, 2008. Episodes of "American Chopper" airing on The Learning Channel, Jan. 17 and 24 will feature the first of three bikes to be built by Orange County Choppers for the National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mary Flynn

Labels: motorcycles, National Guard, Orange County Choppers, photos, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 3:50 PM |

Monday, January 14, 2008

Yellowcard rocks servicemembers in Southwest Asia
The Yellowcard band performs one of their songs Jan. 12 at a Southwest Asia air base. The tour was a way for the band to saying thank you to American servicemembers on their five-day United Service Organizations' tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Patrick Dixon)

Labels: photos, Supporting the troops, USO, Yellowcard

posted by Pam @ 2:38 PM |

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Man’s Best Friend: Combat Stress Dog Helps Put Soldiers ‘At Ease’

From Multi-National Force - Iraq:

Sgt. 1st Class Boe, a therapeutic dog being used in Iraq to help Soldiers relieve stress, sits in the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Operations Center, Jan. 10. Photo by Spc. Richard Rzepka, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs.

Saturday, 12 January 2008

COB SPEICHER — Ever had a Sergeant 1st Class lick your face? For many Soldiers here, these are not freakish events, but regular occurrences. Sgt. 1st Class Boe is the newest member of the 85th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control unit at COB Speicher, and is one of two K-9 therapists being used by the Army to help prevent and control the stresses of living in a combat zone.

Along with Staff Sgt. Mike Calaway, an occupational therapy assistant with the Combat Stress Control unit, Boe is part of a new Army program, which encourages Soldiers to interact with dogs in order to help relieve the psychological stresses of war.

The dogs, two Black Labrador Retrievers, were donated and trained by America’s VetDogs and are the first dogs to be used in a combat zone for therapeutic purposes. The organization is part of the larger non-profit group, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, which has been helping provide guide dogs for the blind since the 1940s. Recognizing a growing need for specialized service dogs for America’s fighting forces, VetDogs recently initiated the therapy dog concept.

The dogs are intended to provide comfort and relaxation through physical interaction, whether it’s a game of fetch or just a peaceful few minutes of petting.

“I felt more relaxed after being able spend some time with her,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Rich, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Medical Operations. “For a few minutes it was just me and the dog and nothing in this environment seemed to matter.”

Calaway spent two weeks training with Boe in New York City to develop a bond, before the pair was sent to Iraq to take on the challenge of helping Soldiers cope with a deployment.

“She’s a very well trained and very intelligent animal,” said Calaway, who recently introduced Boe to Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at COB Speicher. “So far we’ve had an outstanding response from Soldiers,” he said, “whether they need help or not.”

Deployments can create several different kinds of stressors, said Calaway, and Boe helps to break the ice, allowing Soldiers to open up about ongoing issues in their lives.

The major types of stress deployed Soldiers must deal with include operational stress, homefront stress and sleeping issues, said Calaway.

“The Soldiers absolutely love her,” said Maj. Charles Kuhlman, 1st BCT Chaplain.

Often Soldiers on outlying bases will befriend stray dogs for companionship and to get a feel for home, said Kuhlman. “Dogs make a huge difference in morale.”

(Story by Spc. Rick L. Rzepka, 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs)

In Other Recent Developments Here:

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups facilitator early Thursday during operations to disrupt criminal element networks in the Baghdad area.

TAJI – The Iraqi Air Force Training School graduated 116 new warrant officers from its basic military training course held in Taji, Jan 8.

Labels: 101st Airborne Division, 85th Medical Detachment, COB Speicher, combat stress, Combat Stress Control, Iraq, service animals, Supporting the troops, therapeutic dog

posted by Pam @ 10:14 PM |

Monday, December 31, 2007

From a Gold Star Father to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

NOTE: You can see the cartoon Mr. Stokely refers to here - it's #5 in the slideshow. (I won't put it on this site).

To the Editorial Board of the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Today, as I read the Sunday (December 30, 2007) edition of the AJC, and as I tried to turn past the two page spread you gave Mike Luckovich, my eye caught his distasteful use (again) of a Flag Draped Casket (year end recap / replay of July 17 cartoon). Worse yet, Mike Luckovich used these descriptive words "..THIS LOUSY COFFIN..." as he refers to the most visible, respectable, and grief evoking symbol of a fallen soldier. You may think me overly sensitive, but then you wouldn't think I was if you had met your fallen son's body as I did at an air cargo hanger at Hartsfield Airport on August 24, 2005. Perhaps you might understand better if you could have been there when the news broke at my home, as I walked in circles in my driveway trying to figure out how to tell my family, including my son's 13 year old sister who adored him. Try figuring out how to cope as a family day to day with the most incredible loss imaginable - the loss of a son and brother, or as some have, a daughter and sister. Try being a 20 year old bride to your high school sweetheart ten days before he went to war, only to be handed the flag off his casket three months later. Sit down and review my son's autopsy report and see for yourself why he was "non-viewable body". Then, perhaps, you and Mike Luckovich might have a glimpse why it is so insensitive and in such poor taste to use a Flag Draped Casket in the manner that Mike Luckovich has now done on two occasions.

The Flag Draped Casket is the last visible and demonstrative image so many of us have of our fallen loved ones. God spare you the pain those of us who have welcomed home a Flag Draped Casket have endured, for it is a pain which radiates from a special privilege of sacrifice which costs a life time of love. May you never have to open a paper and see something so dear to your broken heart being trifled with as Mike Luckovich does with the Flag Draped Casket.

There are many who profit off war, and in war, one man's loss is another's black ink bottom line. But, would your bottom line run red if you just left the Flag Draped Casket alone?

Robert Stokely
proudly remembering my son, SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG
DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

p.s. - Note to file - Mike Luckovich used the word coffin but there is a significant difference between a coffin, which is contoured, being wider at the upper body and narrower at the legs versus a casket which has a uniform dimension.

Labels: editorial cartoons, Fallen Heroes, Gold Star families, media coverage, Mike Luckovich, Robert Stokely, SGT Mike Stokely, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 10:05 AM |

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas to Our Heroes

Each year that goes by, I become more aware of just how precious our freedom is, and how fragile. All that stands between us and a free America being only a distant memory are brave men and women who risk their lives for all of us. Thank you to all of our Heroes in Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous places far from home. Thank you for those that have gone before. You are all in our hearts and prayers, and we are very, very proud of all of you. Merry Christmas.

Pam

Below are messages from Soldiers' Angels and others who wanted to send their holiday wishes to our Heroes.

Merry Christmas to all our brave Men and Women far away and close to home who put on the uniform and stand for us.

Stay Safe
We all love you and are so Proud of your work.

Love
Patti Patton-Bader
Founder, Soldiers' Angels

I would like to extend my Christmas greetings to all our brave men and women overseas who continue to defend freedom in the war on terror.

It must be difficult for all to be so far away from family, especially this time of year. But, please know that you are thought of often and by many. The sacrifices of each and everyone of you make are truly appreciated.

You are all in my prayers now and always. May God bless each and everyone of you, and may He bring you home to your families safe and sound soon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kristin B
Fremont, CA

I just wanted to send holiday wishes to all of you, and express my unending gratitude, appreciation and support for your hard work and dedication to our Country and our freedom. You are all my heroes; thank you for keeping us safe.

Rosalynn Christian
Soldiers' Angel - Irving, TX

My very brave soldiers, you are in my prayers every night. I thank you for everything you're doing, so we are safe. My heart loves you for that always.

Veronika

Dear Troops,
Thank you so much for working so incredibly hard to make the world a better place. May you and your families be blessed for your service and sacrifice.

God Speed,
Helen S.
Park City, Utah

To our Wounded Heroes:

Dear American Hero,

You've bravely and proudly carried the burden

of defending this country. And for that, there are

no words to express our gratitude.

Because of you, this country remains the

greatest nation on Earth!

On behalf of each proud citizen, please

accept our deepest gratitude for your heroism

and valor. We remember all you've done for each

of us, and we are grateful.

We hope this small token will bring cheer into your

Christmas by letting you know that we are thinking

of you and your comrades.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Kathryn M.
Omaha, NE
Soldier’s Angels

Thank you for all that you do. Your hard work, and sacrifices are very appreciated. You all make help make this country the best.

Joanne

I want to wish you Happy Holidays! Thanks for everything and come home soon. Stay safe.

Cheryl

Dearest Service Member,

From the bottom of my heart I wish you a safe and quiet Christmas Day! I hope things are so dull you're bored! :) God bless you and know that all of your family, friends, and people you don't even know love and miss you. We prayer for you daily!

God bless you!
Carol D.
Soldiers' Angels

Dear Soldiers,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Have a blessed Christmas season and enjoy your New Years spirit! May happy times, laughs, and special memories lighten your days. Your safety is on my list to Santa. And I've been a good girl this year, so Santa's not giving me coal.

Sincerely,
Maggie

Hi,
My name is Cindie W---- from Kansas, and I just wanted to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Hope the best for you all :)

Take care,
Cindie W---- & Family

I wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Happy whatever holiday you are celebrating. May you soon be home with your loved ones. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sacrifices you have made to help keep this great country of ours free.

Marcie C.
one of the Soldiers Angels

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I want to thank you for serving our country and for making it safe for us here at home. Hope you get to come home soon. My husband and I are so very proud of you for what you do.

Merry Christmas
De Etta and Jerry from Nebraska

HELLO TO ALL YOU GUYS AND GALS, THIS IS YOUR OHIO FRIEND WISHING EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU'NS A MERRY CHRISTMAS, I TRULY LOVE EACH AND AM PRAYING FOR EACH. I AM HERE IF ANYONE AT ALL NEEDS ME, JUST WRITE IF YOU CAN,OTHERWISE I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY.GOD BLESS ALL.
YOUR OHIO FRIEND
AUDIS

Christmas Greetings to all the great Servicemen and Women In Iraq!
God bless and keep you all safe and give you many blessings in 2008 !
Thank you for all you do each day for your country.

Sincerely,
Barbara M.
Soldiers' Angel from NY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
hope y'all are safe, warm n healthy.
our thoughts n prayers are with y'all.
merry merry n take care,

~tae
Soldier / Marine Angel

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!
Any way you celebrate this season, know that we are thinking of you, wishing you the very best. YOU are the best. Great job, and we will welcome you home when you can get here.

Thank You, and we love all of you.

Jean E. and Family (soldiersangels.org)

Dear Troops,

Just wanted to thank you for your continued sacrifice and service to our country. I put the flag out every day and ask for God's protection for each and every one of you. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and thank God for your bravery.

For all the Christmases yet to come,
For the soldiers who stand fast,
Please join me sending Heavenward,
A prayer for peace at last.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Catherine M.
Soldier's Angel
Stockton, California

Dear Soldier,

We want to thank you for the sacrifices you are making. We appreciate all you are doing. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Laurie & Steve

Renton, WA

Dearest Troops,

You've been doing the impossible all year so I know you are going to find a way to have a great holiday season. Merry Christmas or Merry-whatever-you-may-celebrate. And as always, THANKS for all that you do.

All our best,
The Rickels of Highland, MI

Dear Soldier,

I want to thank you for your Christmas gift....

I know it is only for your allegiance to keep our country safe from harm, that I am allowed to treasure my freedom without a care. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't stop to think of your's and your family's incredible sacrifices for me. At this special time of year, I hope you know that I am not alone in being grateful for the career choice that you made. I admire you more then you know. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May Christmas Day be joyous...may it bring you a day like none other. I will be thinking of you...

Merry Christmas Brave Heart! May the coming year be filled be all the things you dream of.

God Bless you and your family and thank you for the wonderful gift of FREEDOM!
Donna P.
Rockport, Texas

A very special Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to all of the true heroes from the USA .

Barbara T.
Hugs and kisses to all of you.

To all of our wonderful Troops serving our country, I just want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and hope to see you come home soon. I pray for all of you and you are always on my mind. I have a son that was in Afghanistan 16 months and only God and prayers helped me thru those long months. God Bless all of you and never forget that there are a lot of proud Americans waiting to greet you when you come home.

Martha F.
Proud American Mom,
Odessa, Texas

MY FAMILY AND I WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF OUR TROOPS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS EVERY DAY.THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK, TIME AND MANY SACRIFICES. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

LOVE
THE DAVIS FAMILY

Happy Holidays to all the wonderful Heroes out there!!!! May peace and joy be yours now and throughout the coming year. May God bless and protect you until you come home to your families.

If I had a million dollars, I'd send you all whatever your hearts desired. But since I'm not, I'll do the next best thing-I'll have a great big snowman built in your honor, and I'll keep a candle burning until you all come home and I will say a lot of prayers. You are all so very awesome.

Thank you for all you have given so that we back home can celebrate this glorious season as we choose with our families. Your bravery, courage and selflessness is commendable. You have made me proud to be an American.

Lots of love, hugs and cheer from a Soldiers' Angel in Western NY-
Bonnie S.

To All of Our Troops:
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

You are in our thoughts and prayers daily, and we are forever grateful for your
service to our country.

A Soldiers Angel Family in Virginia

Hi my name is Kris A. and I'm a Soldier's Angel from Riverside, Rhode Island. I wanted to let you know, brave hero, that you are in my thoughts and my prayers each and every single day. I cannot thank you enough for everything that you have done, given and sacrificed for this great country, me and my family, and our SWEET PRECIOUS Freedom. Were it not for you and brave heroes like yourself this great country could never, would never exist. It is YOU that makes our way of life possible and I cannot thank you enough.

Extra prayers, support and loads of extra Angel Hugs are being sent your way this Holiday Season. Wish I could hug each and every one of you and tell you in person how much your service means to me. God bless you brave warrior. God bless each and every hero defending us today, God bless each and every wounded warrior and their families who continue to sacrifice so very much and God bless the families of the heroes who have paid the ultimate price for us. None shall ever be forgotten. God bless America.

Happy Holidays and a Happy - SAFE - New Year to you. All of my respect, admiration and gratitude to you all.

Kris A., Riverside RI

Wherever you are....know that you are not forgotten!! You are all in our thoughts this holiday and every single day!! Though you are far from home, I am sure that everyone around the United States sends their hugs, support and love!

Have a great Christmas and a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR OF 2008!!!
Be Safe, Be Well,
Marty in Proctor Minnesota

Just a note of thanks, doesn’t seem enough to express my feelings for what you are doing for us here at home. God Bless.

Janice O.
Riverside, CA

This message is being sent with my warmest best wishes to all you brave heroes taking care of business for these great United States. May this season find you well and may you have the inner peace that is bestowed so magically at this season. Stay safe and thank you, thank you, thank you! All my best to you and yours in the coming New Year!

Soldiers Angel Debbie J.
Overland Park, Kansas

Our family would like to wish a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year to all of our soldiers.We are very proud and thankful for the many sacrifices they so willingly make on our behalf. You are all a true American hero.May God bless each and everyone of you.
Michele and Farrel W.
San Saba, Texas

Dear American Heroes,
Thank you so much for everything you do for us everyday. There are no words to express the great amount of love and respect I have for you all. I hope that you all have the happiest of holidays and a healthy 2008.

With love and respect,
Jessica S.
Soldiers Angels California

Sending best wishes and much gratitude to our deployed men and women during the holiday season. We are always so appreciative of your service and know that many extra sacrifices are required by both deployed family members and their family when a deployment requires being far from home over the holidays. You are all in our hearts and thoughts, thank you and stay safe.

Sara
Proud Army Mom and Soldiers Angel

May no soldier go unloved.
May no soldier walk alone.
May no soldier be forgotten,
Until they all come home.

We are always worried about all the soldiers. I would like to say happy holidays to all our men and women and wish them all the very best in the coming years and that each year gets better for all of our soldiers.. I pray for all that are away and I will keep on praying until every Son and Daughter returns home. My prayers will continue forever for all the soldiers that have been wounded and that each day gets better for all.

Our hearts and thanks goes out to each and everyone of our heroes and their families..WE LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!!!!! Thank you all for keeping my grandchildren safe.

May GOD Bless You ALL...

Sincerely
Carolyn C.

Hey guys, just wanted to say we appreciate everything you do for us and thank you for bravery, Merry Christmas to you and all your families

Greetings dear American Soldier...... so far from our shores..... Soldiers Angels are saying a prayer for your safety and rapid return to the arms of your loved ones. Merry Christmas.... Happy New Year.....

Stay safe and God Bless....

Fay,
Soldiers Angel

To all our armed services away from home during the holidays:

Each gift we open during the holidays is wrapped with the freedom you so defend.
Each mouthful of dinner is the fruit of your selfless efforts and sacrifices.
We thank and remember you, during the holidays and always.

Be safe. Come home soon.
Hope R. and Family

I WANTED TO WISH EACH ONE OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH MUCH LOVE, RESPECT FROM ME AND MY FAMILY TO YOU AND YOURS

BILLIE

Thank you for serving our country. We pray for your safe return home soon and want to wish you a Merry Christmas. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Trudie and Bob P.
Pennsylvania

Thank you for all you do! May God Bless you & your families as you serve our beautiful nation. Merry Christmas you are in our thoughts in prayers year round!

Sara S. & Ty R.
Kountze, TX

You all are in our thoughts and prayers everyday. May the Good Lord keep each of you safe always. My family and I send Christmas wishes to you and say THANK YOU for your service to our country and your dedication to the fight for freedom.

With sincere gratitude,
Susan M.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah To All Our Military

Just a message of love and encouragement to our deployed Hero's and Shero's. You are much thought of and prayed for throughtout the year from all of us citizens here stateside. Know we love you and we appreciate all you do for us. Stay safe, keep your helmet on and kick more terrorist butt.

With Love-
Carol B. and Family
Greenwood, SC

To All Soldiers,
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas , and a Happy New year.....I pray that you stay safe, are victorious, and come home proud soon. Thank you for your service, and your sacrifices. God bless, and good luck.

Sincerely,
John Dean (SA)

Merry Christmas To All of Our Brave Soldiers,

Thank you so very much for your amazing bravery and dedication to our wonderful country. My family is deeply touched by the great sacrifices you brave soldiers are willing to make for your homeland. My family and all Americans are so proud and so Blessed to live in this USA where very courageous soldiers like all of you make it possible for our families to experience the freedoms that we do. Always remember you are all truly American heroes! America is so very proud of you, America loves you! May God Bless and protect you and your families.

Merry Christmas!
Debbie S. and Family

Thank you for making this and every holiday special for us back home who are waiting for your arrival. You are all loved and missed and all Heroes to us back home.
Happy Holidays Our Dear Precious Gifts From Above.

The Smith-Mullens Family
Indiana Soldier's Angels

Thank you for all you've done and the sacrifices you have made to keep us safe. It's hard being away from friends and family during the holidays, but please know that you will be in our hearts and prayers. You are a true hero.

Merry Christmas!
Scott and Becky P.

I would like to take the time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country. Thank you for protecting us Americans so we can sleep safely at night while you are working 24 hours a day. May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And I pray that you all have a safe homecoming to all of your friends and family.

Thank you and Merry Christmas from our family,
Travis, Leslie, Sara, Cameron, Matthew and Christine

Dear Brave Men and Women!

We Americans Love and Pray for all of you. You are remembered with all due respect and Love this Holiday Season. If many of us could, we would come there to celebrate with You and take care of you this Holiday season.

God Bless you to keep you Safe, Healty and Happy! I ask God to get you home soon and safetly.

Lots of Love and Happiest of Holidays,

Love,
Donna

To Our Noble Military

May this special time of year bless you and your family and bring you comfort while apart.

May the Creator of all things place His hand upon you and hold you near His heart. May the spirit of the season extend over the world and love replace the hatred that breeds wars. Though you may not be home, our hearts and prayers are with you wherever you are.

With deep appreciation for your great sacrifice and service, we wish you a meaningful Christmas with God's mercy on you and your family.

Soldiers' Angel Jane C.
Eaton, Colorado

MERRY CHRISTMAS,GOD BLESS AND REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I pray that sometimes during the Christmas season you can find a minute to spend in quiet to speak with our Lord and Saviour. I would like to say thank you for your sacrifices, may God continue to keep you safe.

Merry Christmas
Tina R.
Vicksburg, MS

Dear Soldiers:

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Just becuase you are far away from home you are in our hearts. It is becuae of your duty and sacrifice, we Americans have the freedom that we have today.

Susan E.
Linden, NJ

Dear Ones,

We wish each of you the very best life has to offer. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers.

We fully support you all in all your efforts and wish you good health and peace.

Very sincerely,
Paul and Phyllis W.
Bartlesville, OK

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to all the young men and women who have served our nation and have protected me and y family. You are in our prayers.

Chris M.

Thinking about you, praying for you and appreciate EVERYTHING you are doing for our Country!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Respectfully, Linda D.
Frankfort, Kentucky

Hello Troops,

Our family wishes you a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year. Please be safe and we hope you get some time to do something you enjoy over the holidays. Thank you for serving our country.

Christine, Karen, Courtney & Bridget
Pottstown, PA

We want to Wish everyone there a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Here in Spokane, Washington,
Renee & Mark L.

HI and Merry Christmas to all our Deployed and their families,

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your continued efforts and sacrifice for all Americans. I am a music teacher in a very small town in Maine (Appleton), and every concert here begins with students and audience all singing our National Anthem. Our Christmas concert program also acknowledges and asks for thoughts and prayers for our troops. You are not forgotten. We love you and are praying for your success and safe homecoming.

Love to you and yours,
Wendy T.

Merry Christmas!
May God bless and protect you!

Thank you for all you do everyday of the year. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you will able to come home soon to your friends and family. Merry Christmas and I hope their will be peace in the New Year.
Be safe.

Warmly,

Donna M. C.

Hey I'm ten years old and I just wanted to support the troops and say God bless you all...and I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year

XOXO
KEERA

Dear Soldiers,
My family and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I wish you could all be home with your loved ones. Thank you all for doing the HARDEST job in the world - keeping our country free and safe. May your Christmas day shine with peace even if only for one day. You are all in our prayers!

Merry Christmas from us to all of you!

Soldiers' Angel Carol

To everyone serving this great country:

Happy Holidays....be safe and you are in our prayers...Happy New Year

Peace n Hugs (La pace n Abbraccia)

Ann

To our men and women in Service:

Thank you for all you do every day for our country. We wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a New Year filled with peace for all of us. You are all heros!!

The Lattner Family
New Jersey

Hey everybody! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Hope everybody is having a good day today and that all of you are enjoying your holiday season in your own way!! I wish you all a beautiful, peaceful time and that you will all continue to recover and feel better every day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the sacrifices you have endured for my freedoms! I never forget or take it for granted!! Bless you all and Happy New Year! 2008!! WOO! WOO! YEAH BABY!

TO ALL THE WONDERFUL MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR
COUNTRY SO PROUDLY.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

MANY BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

FROM,

ELSIE

Wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, and praying to welcome you home in the New Year!

My family and I want to wish everyone over there and stationed around the world a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Soldier Angel Nancy V. and Family

Dear Soldiers,

I wanted to send you some holiday cheer and let you know how much i appreciate everything you all have done for our country you all are true heroes. Merry Christmas Soldiers and make it home safe.. We wish you all the best.. Happy Holidays and god bless you all..

May God watch over each and everyone of you...

Thanks,
Erica N.

Thank you for all that you do everyday over there! We appreciate you! Thank you for serving your country!

You are not forgotten!

Linda M.
Charlotte, NC

Greetings from Kansas City, Missouri! This Christmas, my family and I will be writing cards and letters to those of You who are working to protect our rights, including being able to celebrate the way we want during holiday seasons, and assisting other peoples, enriching their lives. While you may not be sitting next to your loved ones for the holidays that we all enjoy, know that there are folks who are thinking of you, and raising their glasses in your honor. Thank You All so much.

Sincerely,
A Supportive Citizen

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all our brave soildiers

I love each and every one of you for being so far away from home and

Protecting us!

Audrey F.

The Spisso Family sends you lots of happy thoughts and big "Angel" hugs to help bring you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Bless New Year. Be Safe, God Bless and thank you for being our country's finest.

Brian & Vicki,
Soldiers' Angels New Jersey - USA

Merry Christmas

Thank you for all you do

MJ B.

Hi!!!!!
Just wanted to wish you a very "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and a HEALTHY, SAFE, and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! And to also let you know I'll be praying for you and the others in Iraq that you will be home soon.

But until then, take care, be safe and remember to keep looking "UP" to our Heavenly Father, cause HE will be all you need.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS And AMERICA-Please Bless OUR LORD.
Amen.....

Rose W.

Hi to all of you,

It mustn't seem much like Christmas where you are but please know that many are thinking of you and praying for your safe return to your home and family. I understand it's winter over there. I don't know what winter is like in Iraq but in Pittsburgh, PA there's snow on the ground with the promise of freezing rain, sleet, and then more snow.

I pray that wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you will still feel a little bit of Christmas in your heart. My husband is a Vietnam Vet with a Purple Heart. He cares very much for each of you and what you are doing. Thank you for all you are doing for me, my family, and our country.

Merry Christmas
Kathie

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our heroes fighting in Iraq! We are very proud of you and wish you a wonderful Christmas. May God bless and watch over you and your family.

Donna & Jimmie W.
Weatherford, TX

HEY SOLDIERS,
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE SMITH FAMILY IN PINSON ALABAMA!!!!!

I just couln't pass up the opportunity to wish you a peaceful, safe Christmas. And most of all to thank you for all you are doing for this great country. I cannot begin to understand all that you have sacraficed for me...but I can say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU and I pray that you return home safely and that it will be soon.

I want you to know that I am so grateful for all you are doing for us here at home. I have you all in my prayers May God Bless and keep you all, safe until you are able to come home to us again.

Merry Christmas to each and every member of our Armed Forces. Thank you for all you do to protect and serve our country. May God watch over all of you and bring you home safe and soon.

With love
Soldiers' Angel
Donya C.

Dear American Hero. Thank you for serving our country. I wish you and your family the very best during this holiday season and for the new year.

Mary Ann B.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

Happy Holidays to all of you stationed in Iraq keeping all of us here at home safe. I know how difficult it must be at this time of the year to be away from your family and friends. You are truly our heroes. Wishing you a speedy and safe return.

Diane S.
Soldiers’ Angel
Seymour, CT

Your Coming Home

In thrill I wait, you’ll soon be home
Your land, past oceans white with foam

I brave each day till our eyes meet
Your treasured heart, I miss its beat

Such want to have you close to me
Will soon come true, God let it be

When you arrive I won’t be shy
You’ll see excitement, I may cry

I’ll rush to hold my soldier tight
With all my heart and all my might

Emotions will so fill the day
I’ll be the child who loves to play

I’ll beam with pride to be with you
You are the best, no doubt, so true

The time we share will help me through
When days do come without dear you

Your coming home is all I need
Be safe my precious one, Goodspeed

©2003 Roger J. Robicheau

The following was sent by Seamus:

Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said " It's really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a fox hole with little to e at.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

Jeff G., USN
Iraq
[rank, last name, and specific unit and location information edited by me - Pam]

Graphics in this post came from a number of locations, among them:

Christmas-graphics-plus.com
Christmas Graphics by Pat
Christmas-Graphics.com
The Wonder of Christmas
The Christmas Corner

Labels: Christmas, holidays, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Thanks

posted by Pam @ 11:50 PM |

Friday, December 21, 2007

LAUGHING IT UP - From left, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Miss USA Rachel Smith, comedian Robin Williams and musician Kid Rock greet U.S. Marines after a performance at Al Taqqadum, Iraq, Dec. 18, 2007, as part of their 2007 USO Holiday Tour. Defense Dept. photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Labels: Al Taqqadum, Iraq, photos, Supporting the troops, USMC, USO

posted by Pam @ 10:57 PM |

Monday, December 17, 2007

10,000 WREATHS
Charles "Chuck" Wright, commander of the Kansas City Composite Squadron, a civil air patrol, salutes after he places a wreath on the son of a veteran, Dec. 15, 2007, at Arlington National Cemetery. Wright, a Vietnam War Marine veteran, volunteered to place some of the 10,000 wreaths donated by the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine. Defense Dept. photo by Linda Hosek - Story - Photos - Video

Labels: Arlington National Cemetery, Fallen Heroes, Supporting the troops, USMC, Veterans, Worcester Wreath Company

posted by Pam @ 11:12 PM |

Sunday, December 09, 2007

NBC Changes Stance on 'Thank You' Ad

Seems the pea-brains over at the Peacock have changed their mind on airing the Freedom's Watch holiday thank you to the troops:

WASHINGTON — NBC reversed course Saturday and decided to air a conservative group's television ad thanking U.S. troops.

The ad, by the group Freedom's Watch, asks viewers to remember the troops during the holiday season. NBC had refused to air the ad because it guides viewers to the Freedom's Watch Web site, which NBC said was too political.

But in a statement issued Saturday evening, NBC said:

"We have reviewed and changed our ad standards guidelines and made the decision that our policy will apply to content only and not to a referenced Web site. Based on these amended standards the Freedom's Watch ad will begin to run as early as Sunday."

You can view the ads here and here, and you can read the full story at Fox News.

Hmmm....an organization that supports the troops is too political? No, no agenda in the media.

At least they decided to do the right thing, a rarity in the media these days.

Labels: Freedom's Watch, MSM, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 2:07 AM |

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

David Rice - Christmas For The Ones You Leave Behind

Thanks to Sarah for the tip!

Labels: Christmas, holidays, Supporting the troops, Tonal Troop Support

posted by Pam @ 9:29 PM |

Monday, December 03, 2007

Tonal Troop Support - Yellow Ribbon Christmas

Labels: Christmas, holidays, Supporting the troops, Tonal Troop Support

posted by Pam @ 8:47 PM |

Saturday, December 01, 2007

America Supports You: Online Treasure Hunt Does Triple Duty

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2007 – A nonprofit group is using a treasure hunt to get people interested in helping military families.

“We hope treasure hunters, individuals and corporations will generously donate to the scholarship fund for the families of our brave men and women in uniform who protect our freedoms each and every day,” said Gayle Osterberg, a spokeswoman for the group, ThanksUSA. “More than 1,300 scholarships have been awarded to the kids and spouses of active-duty military personnel in all branches of the service, … including those in the Guard and reserves.”

ThanksUSA is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

Last year, the hunt’s theme focused on the “Pillars of Democracy.” This year it’s “Treasure our Troops,” a truly appropriate theme considering the organization works to provide need-based educational scholarships to military spouses and children.

“(It’s) once again based on state history, but this year we also included the history about two military branches; the Coast Guard and the Navy,” Osterberg said. “The ThanksUSA American history online treasure hunt excites Americans of all ages to learn about America's history, culture and values, which the troops defend each and every day, while also raising donations for scholarships for the families of the troops.

“This is an educational double play which says thank you to the men and women in uniform serving our country,” she added.

The hunt is open to anyone, though players must register at the ThanksUSA Web site. One winner per chapter will be randomly selected from the pool of participants who answered all the chapter questions correctly.

The drawings through May, however, will be for schools and youth groups only. After that, it’s anyone’s game, and the prizes should be incentive to play, Osterberg said.

“(Prizes) include bookstore gift certificates, iPods, and computers,” she said, adding that the grand prize will be on announced Memorial Day. “The grand prize in the previous two years has included a treasure chest abounding with jewels and precious metals, … but you’ll have to wait until Memorial Day to find out what the grand prize will be for Treasure Hunt Three.”

The treasure hunt, which includes more than 300 questions, will conclude on Aug. 15, and is free to play.

Scholarships the group has awarded to date total nearly $4 million for post-secondary educational pursuits. The organization plans another round of awards this year, Osterberg said.

ThanksUSA was created in 2005 when Rachel Okun and her sister, Kelsi, were just 10 and 8, respectively. Looking for a way to thank the troops, they were inspired by a book they’d read on summer vacation, Michael Stadther’s “A Treasure's Trove,” which revealed clues to real “treasure” hidden around the country.

The online treasure hunt is the result of the girls’ combining their interest in treasure hunts with a desire to thank the troops.

“The spirit of ThanksUSA is to thank the troops who defend our freedoms by awarding scholarships to their families,” the girls said. “The gift of education is the best way we know how to say, ‘Thank you.’”

Related Sites:
Thanks USA
America Supports You

Labels: America Supports You, Supporting the troops, ThanksUSA

posted by Pam @ 7:45 AM |

Sunday, November 25, 2007

KINDERGARTEN CARDS - Marines and sailors hold up Thanksgiving cards at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Nov. 22, 2007. The cards were made by a kindergarten class from Island Creek Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., and delivered to the service members as a way of saying thanks for serving in Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump

Labels: Camp Fallujah, Iraq, photos, Supporting the troops, USMC, USN

posted by Pam @ 9:21 PM |

Friday, November 23, 2007

BAGRAM BREAKFAST
Model Mayra Veronica talks with U.S. Army Sgt. Henry Pagan over breakfast on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Nov. 21, 2007. Veronica is on a USO trip accompanying Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on a six-day, six-country trip to visit troops in Europe, Asia and Africa. Defense Dept. photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump, U.S. Air Force - Photo Essay

Labels: Afghanistan, photos, Supporting the troops, US Army, USO

posted by Pam @ 9:32 AM |

Saturday, November 17, 2007

TEXT THANKS
Americans can send text messages of thanks and get responses from active-duty troops through the "Giving Thanks" initiative of the Defense Department's America Supports You program. Between 6 a.m. EST on Nov. 17 and midnight PST on Nov. 22, people wishing to express gratitude to the troops for their service can text a brief message to 89279. - Story - Video

Labels: Supporting the troops, Thanksgiving

posted by Pam @ 10:15 PM |

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Project VALOUR-IT 3rd Annual Blog Competition / Veterans' Day Fundraiser

Great Auctions this year - check them out!

Labels: Project VALOUR-IT, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Wounded Heroes

posted by Pam @ 11:58 PM |

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Soldiers' Angels Founder Nominated for Award

Patti Patton-Bader, founder of Soldiers' Angels, has been nominated for a USO/Microsoft Above and Beyond Award.

More info on the award comes from DefenseLink:

America Supports You: Microsoft, USO Open ‘Above and Beyond’ Voting

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007 – Americans can now visit an online ballot to cast their vote for five people whose extraordinary contributions to the U.S. military go above and beyond the call of duty.

With the first “Above and Beyond Awards,” Microsoft Corp. and the United Service Organizations, or USO, will publicly honor the outstanding commitment, exceptional service, sacrifice and achievements of individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to brightening servicemembers’ lives over the past year, according to the awards’ Web site. From hundreds of promising nominees, officials have narrowed the field to 14 finalists in the following five categories:

-- The Effort Award: Presented for providing outstanding support and comfort to troops, and enhancing their morale and personal welfare. The recipient inspires other groups or individuals to create new and unique ways to show their support of the troops through widely influential guidance or mentorship.

-- Medical Attention Award: Presented for providing superior medical attention to the wounded and injured. The recipient makes a broad impact across multiple communities, providing guidance, mentorship and resources to better the lives of the wounded. He or she inspires others to enhance their own support.

-- Promotion and Success Award: Presented for outstanding impact and success in generating promotional support for the USO. The recipient provides selfless commitment to promote and create awareness of the USO, and helps enhance the morale and personal welfare of troops.

-- Every Day Difference Award: Presented to someone who makes a difference in a seemingly small, but significant way to improve servicemembers’ quality of life. The recipient is an unsung hero who makes the most of personal (non-financial) resources to positively affect servicemembers’ basic needs or way of life.

-- Youth Leadership Award: Presented to a youth leader -- age 17 or younger -- who champions and represents outstanding troop support. The recipient organizes self-generated or motivated individuals or groups that provide genuine support to the troops, and shows his or her troop support through innovative and unique ways.

Additional information about the 14 finalists can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/federal/AboveandBeyondAwards.mspx.

The awards will be presented at a Nov. 12 ceremony in New York City.

Related Sites:
Above and Beyond Finalists
America Supports You

**********************************

Patti is an amazing woman, and I can't think of anyone who is more dedicated to supporting our troops and their families. She has never failed to rise to the occasion when there is a Hero in need.

Patti is nominated in the "Everyday Difference" category.

So what are you waiting for?

Go. Vote. Now!

Labels: Patti Patton-Bader, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 8:32 PM |

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Wives to Run Army Ten-Miler in Honor of Deployed Husbands

From Army.mil:

Gabrielle Winton and Elizabeth Mras run last year's Army Ten-Miler. Both spouses will run in this year's event on Oct. 7 in honor of their husbands, who are assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division and deployed to Iraq. Photo by Action Sports International

Sep 24, 2007
BY Roxana Hoveyda

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Army News Service, Sept. 24, 2007) - For the last few months, 37 wives from Georgia's Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield have been training to run the 23rd annual Army Ten-Miler next month.

The women will run in honor of their husbands, who are assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division and deployed to Iraq - some of them for their third tour.

Camaraderie and the chance to positively represent Army wives have attracted most of the spouses to the Ten-Miler, according to group member Gabrielle Winton. Others want to prove to their husbands that they can run the distance.

"I believe we represent the Families of deployed Soldiers and the spirit of Army Families everywhere in that our running is one of the many ways we carry on and don't quit while our loved ones are gone," Mrs. Winton said. "Running the Army Ten-Miler as a group shows solidarity and a desire to keep physically healthy."

The women appreciate the physical benefits of running, but especially enjoy the emotional benefits.

"When we're running with friends, laughing and talking through problems, things just seem better. We have a saying that 'the longer I run, the smaller my problems become.' It is so true!" said Mrs. Winton, whose husband, Lt. Col. Doug Winton, is deployed in Iraq for the second time.

"I think it's important to have groups like ours out there so that people don't forget that for every Soldier serving, there is a Family he or she left behind. Those Families are making a huge sacrifice, too, and we're just as proud to do it."

This year's Ten-Miler will take place Oct. 7 in Washington, D.C., with the start and finish at the Pentagon. The route passes such national landmarks as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and Kellogg, Brown and Root, the event attracts more than 26,000 runners.

For more information on the race, go to http://www.armytenmiler.com/.

(Roxana Hoveyda works for U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Headquarters, National Capital Region.)

Labels: Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield, military families, military spouses, photos, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 9:31 PM |

Sunday, September 09, 2007

FREEDOM WALK
A joint color guard renders honors during the opening ceremonies of the Freedom Walk, Sept. 9, 2007, near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Defense Dept. photo by John Valceanu

9/11 Remembrance Special

Labels: 9/11, Freedom Walk, photos, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 11:56 AM |

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Alaskan Soldiers Need Your Help

Brat over at Tanker Brothers sent the word that a Soldier's wife is looking for help to welcome home some of Alaska's Heroes:

To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to ask for help to make a warm welcome for the single soldiers of Anchorage, Alaska. The married soldiers have their spouses and children to make them feel welcome, but the single soldiers really do not have anyone. Alaska is a long way for Parents, siblings and friends to travel to welcome their [our] soldier home. As it stands right now, the single soldiers are assigned a room with a bed. [Military did away with issuing bedding to single soldiers, because they wanted a more personal touch to their room]There will not be linens, towels, bathing soap or laundry soap. Just an empty room. Their belongings and vehicles are in storage. With so many soldiers coming home it will take time to get their belongings....

You can find more details, including info on how you can help, here at A Soldier's Mind.

Labels: Supporting the troops, Welcome Home

posted by Pam @ 12:13 PM |

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Soldiers' Angels Nominated in VAJoe Contest...

http://www.vajoe.com/, the web's newest military site, will contribute $2,000 to charitable military organizations next month in its Charity for Charities ( http://www.vajoe.com/charity/) event.

Site members will vote on their favorite charitable military organizations. The top four charitable organizations and a randomly selected organization will share $2,000 in donations from VAJoe. Soldier's Angels has been included in the event. VAJoe hopes this event will raise awareness of the important work done by charitable military organizations for servicemembers and their families.

The event runs from August 5th to August 20th

Mark your calendars, and cast your vote for Soldiers' Angels!

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, VAJoe

posted by Pam @ 7:59 PM |

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Tonal Troop Support - Ricky Lee's American Freedom Concert!

American Freedom Concert

September 1, 2007 from 6:00-9:30 pm
American Legion Park
Holidaysburg, PA
STARRING Nashville's very own RICKY LEE!!
http://www.rickyleemusic.com/

Ricky has requested assistance from Soldiers' Angels at his concert:

PLEASE EMAIL shellemichaels-AT-msn.com

if you can assist Ricky
and crew in getting the word out or helping at the event.

Ricky will perform a special musical tribute at "The Wall That Heals".
He will perform songs he has written in honor of our soldiers both past and present.

This performance will include a special rendition of his song entitled

"A Place Where The Angels Call Home",
dedicating the song to all of our fallen heroes.

(click for full-size poster)

Labels: Supporting the troops, Tonal Troop Support

posted by Pam @ 6:44 PM |

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Soldier keeps morale high through mail

Spc. Austin Gamache, from Tacoma, Wash., the mail clerk for the 610th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, sorts mail in the 20-foot container he converted into the battalion mail room. Gamache said he takes pride in helping improve the morale of Soldiers. Official U.S. Army photo.

Wednesday, 27 June 2007
By Capt. Allen Hill
610th Brigade Support Battalion

BAGHDAD — He can be the most popular or the most despised person in the 610th Brigade Support Battalion, depending on what day it is and who you ask. Spc. Austin Gamache is the battalion’s mail handler and is responsible for the pick up and distribution of the battalion’s mail to all the companies.

With the exception of a day or two out of the week, the Tacoma, Wash., native can be seen driving his Humvee full of packages and letters into the battalion’s headquarters and over to his 20-foot metal container, which he converted into his mail room.

It is here that he sits in a hot, humid, enclosed area and sorts by name, and by company, hundreds of packages and letters coming in from family and friends back home.

Mail is an important part of military life to Soldiers deployed overseas, a link to loved ones that cannot be gained through e-mails and phone calls. It is through this mail that those hard-to-get items are received; pictures from home, small tokens of affection, baked goods, and even everyday necessities not always readily available through the Post Exchange.

Gamache understands the huge impact that mail has on the morale of the Soldier and his role in it.

“My job is great, and what I get to do affects so many (people) in the battalion,” he said. “I like knowing that I made someone’s day just by handing them a package or a letter. It is a very rewarding feeling knowing that I was capable of making their day.”

Labels: Baghdad, Iraq, Supporting the troops, US Army

posted by Pam @ 1:28 PM |

Friday, June 22, 2007

Operation One Family

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY* * *

National Organizations are Joining FORCES TO FORM OPERATION ONE FAMILY SUPPORTING THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN

Costa Mesa, CA., June 20, 2007 - Numerous national organizations are joining forces with MilitaryConnection.com, TAPS, Homefront America, Soldiers Angels and ThanksUSA in a joint effort to support the families of the fallen by forming Operation One Family. Details of the program and registration information for families can be found at http://www.operationonefamily.org/

Operation One Family is a proud member organization of America Supports You.

Operation One Family endeavors to help families of the fallen cope with their loss, stabilize their present situation and secure their future. The mission is to help provide life skills, education and continuing support for the families of our fallen military heroes. The goal of Operation One Family is to create a national model that will be used by Rotary Clubs across America to provide ongoing support for these families in their own communities.

The efforts of Operation One Family will culminate in a regional convention-style weekend scheduled August 2 -5 for families in Southern California and Nevada . Vanguard University in Costa Mesa California will host the families and provide meeting venues. The first day will feature TAPS' Coping with Loss Camp Good Grief. Other events will include a Share Faire providing resources, information and workshops, a California beach party at the Dunes in Newport Beach , visits to Knotts Berry Farm and the Orange County Fair and a few surprises. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available for good corporate citizens.

Rotary International District 5320 has a qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) Charitable Foundation that supports the charitable activities of the clubs within the district including the collaborative effort of Operation One Family at http://www.operationonefamily.org/ Rotary is an organization that exemplifies "Service Above Self.

MilitaryConnection.com is a portal of all types of military resources and information connecting candidates from the military community with outstanding government and civilian employment opportunities and assisting numerous military non-profits at http://www.militaryconnection.com/.

TAPS (The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) is a national non-profit Veterans Service Organization providing peer based emotional support services to all those who have lost a loved one serving in the Armed Forces at http://www.taps.org/.

Homefront America is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our troops and their families with meaningful assistance in times of need at http://www.homefrontamerica.org/.

Soldiers Angels is a national network of hundreds of thousands of volunteers dedicated to providing hands-on comfort to the members of the military and their families at http://www.soldiersangels.org/.

ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank" the men and women of the United States Armed Forces by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses at http://www.thanksusa.org/

Labels: Fallen Heroes, military families, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 6:47 PM |

Saturday, June 09, 2007

TROOP HUGS — Elizabeth Laird, a Salvation Army volunteer, gives Capt. Adrian Williams a hug following his return from a six-month deployment to Iraq June 5 at Fort Hood, Texas. Laird has been giving troops departing and returning to Fort Hood hugs for more than four years. U.S. Air Force photo by Daren Reehl

Labels: photos, Salvation Army, Supporting the troops, Welcome Home

posted by Pam @ 9:31 AM |

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Connecticut Hits One Out of the Park

I'm not a particular fan of our governor here, and CT's normally far too liberal for comfort, but I have to give credit where credit is due.

This week, they did it right. Fast-tracking a bill in advance of the Westboro lunatics' expected arrival to protest Army 1st Lt. Keith Heidtman's funeral on Friday, the CT legislature, and the Governor, took a stand to support military families:

Rell signs bill to immediately curb protests at soldier's funeral
Posted June 6, 2007

(Hartford-AP) - It's now law. Governor Rell has signed a fast-tracked bill that limits protests at funerals. She and state lawmakers wanted to have the law in place for a military service planned for Friday in Norwich. The bill takes effect immediately... FULL STORY

The PGR will be in attendance for this Hero's farewell.

Well done, Nutmeggers - well done.

Labels: CT Heroes, Fallen Heroes, Moonbats, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 4:53 PM |

Friday, May 25, 2007

America Supports You: Texas Group Packages Morale for Troops

More than 100 golfers participated in the "Tee It Up Fore the Troops" golf outing May 21 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, to benefit Defenders of Freedom and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport’s USO. Among the participants were soldiers from Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Marines from the Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. Three Iraqi war veteran amputees also participated. Courtesy photo

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2007 – The nearly 500 servicemembers who pass through the United Service Organizations lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas each day receive a warm greeting from “Defenders of Freedom.”

Defenders of Freedom is a member organization of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which spotlights and facilitates support for U.S. servicemembers by private individuals and groups and the nation’s corporate sector. Donna Cranston, Defenders of Freedom founder, said members of her group greet servicemembers passing through the USO lounge in conjunction with leave, and that the group raises funds to send care packages to deployed servicemembers. Defenders of Freedom’s Web site offers a form that allows servicemembers to request a customized care package and specific items they’d like to receive, Cranston said.

In addition to sending care packages, the group works to encourage wounded servicemembers, especially those with no support, and provide them with needed items. Families of wounded servicemembers also are offered both physical and emotional support, Cranston said.

To cover the costs of this support, Cranston said, the group holds fundraisers.

On May 21, Defenders of Freedom and the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport’s USO teamed up for a golf outing called “Tee It Up Fore the Troops.” Cranston said the event raised $20,000, which will be divided between the two charitable organizations.

America Supports You membership has served the group well when it comes to meeting needs that don’t fall within Defenders of Freedom’s mission statement, Cranston said.

“When I get requests I can’t fill, it has been wonderful to be able to suggest the America Supports You Web site, or to give them the name and number of another group I have met,” she said.

Related Sites:
America Supports You
Defenders of Freedom
United Service Organizations

Labels: Supporting the troops, USO

posted by Pam @ 1:42 PM |

Thursday, May 24, 2007

HOOAH Best Buy!

If you read the headlines today,you'll discover that my state isn't all that fond of Best Buy right now. I tell you, though, they deserve serious kudos for this one:

Fisher House and Best Buy
Connecting America's Heroes and their Families

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22 - "Connectivity," helping wounded or injured service members stay connected with their families while hospital patients, is the theme of Best Buy's Memorial Day through Fourth of July campaign to support the nonprofit Fisher House Foundation.

Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, is partnering with the 38 Fisher Houses - large multi-family comfort homes on the grounds of 18 major military medical centers and nine VA medical centers - to donate lap top computers and other support to make it easier for service men and women at these medical centers stay in touch with their friends and families. The Campaign also gives Best Buy customers an easy way to support Fisher House, the troops and their families through in-store and online donations.

Beginning on Memorial Day Weekend and continuing through the week of July 4th, Best Buy customers can donate to Fisher House at any Best Buy register during check-out, or any time from the Best Buy website, www.bestbuy.com. Best Buy vendor partners, including Nintendo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba are donating lap top computers, flat screen televisions, Wii gaming systems and other technology to the Campaign. Best Buy employees will volunteer at Fisher Houses and help install and service the new systems. All is part of an effort by Best Buy to provide the Fisher Houses with the most modern technology so the families can remain connected to their loved ones.

The Fisher House program began in 1990 when philanthropists and patriots Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher offered to build and donate to the government comfort homes on the grounds of military medical centers to permit service members to be close to their families during a hospitalization. The program at VA medical centers began later in 1994. Today, there is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center, and more are planned. Since September 11, 2001, Fisher House Foundation has made support to service men and women hospitalized as a result of their service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and their families, its highest priority. The six Fisher Houses that will start construction in 2007 are being built at locations where the combat casualties will receive long term rehabilitation. The equipment and services being donated by Best Buy will improve the quality of life for these service members and their families, and enable to them to stay connected with their families and friends.

About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of 38 comfort homes on the grounds of military and VA major medical centers. The houses are 5,000 to 16,000 square foot homes, with up to 21 suites, donated to the military and VA by the Fisher House Foundation. The program provides support to families of patients receiving care at the nearby medical center and has ensured that families of service men and women wounded or injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom do not pay for their stay at a Fisher House or other base facility if they are on a wait list. For more information on the work of Fisher House Foundation, go to www.fisherhouse.org or call toll-free (888) 294-8560.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) operates a global portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation. Best Buy's employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspirations. The company sells consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services through more than 1,150 retail stores across the United States, throughout Canada and in China. Our multi-channel operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com, BestBuy.ca and BestBuy.com.cn), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca), Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers (PacificSales.com), Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com) and Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. (Five-Star.cn). Best Buy supports the communities in which its employees work and live through volunteerism and grants that benefit children and education.

Labels: Supporting the troops, Wounded Heroes

posted by Pam @ 10:59 PM |

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

HOOAH Tijuana Flats!!

TIJUANA FLATS PRESENTS $35,000

TO SOLDIERS’ ANGELS ORGANIZATION

- Donation to Support Deployed Armed Forces and their Families -

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 22, 2007) – Known for its mouth-numbing hot sauces and community initiatives, Tijuana Flats today presented Soldiers’ Angels with a $35,000 donation collected from in-store and online sales of the restaurant’s “Smack My Ass & Call me Santa!” holiday hotsauce during the 2006 holiday season (from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, 2006). The Tijuana Flats Just in Queso Fund® donation will support the Soldiers’ Angels commitment to continually provide aide and comfort to deployed soldiers and their families by sending care packages and messages of hope.“We chose Soldiers’ Angels as last year’s holiday charity as a way to support our troops,” said Camp Fitch, Tijuana Flats president and chief executive officer. “We had been searching for away to help out our armed forces for a long time, and our partnership with Soldiers’ Angels granted us the opportunity. We’re extremely proud to serve our nation’s heroes.”

With 100 percent of the donation serving to assist wounded troops, the majority of the Just in Queso funds will support the Soldiers’ Angels “Project Valour-IT” program, which provides voice-controlled software and laptop computers to wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries or amputations at major military medical centers.

The voice-operated laptops allow wounded heroes to send and receive messages from friendsand loved ones, “surf the Net” and communicate with buddies still in the field without having topress a key or move a mouse.

Another of Soldiers’ Angels programs that will benefit from the Tijuana Flats donation is the First Response Backpack initiative, which was developed to provide comfort to wounded heroes. The First Response Backpack is a backpack stuffed with personal items, which are necessary to the physical comfort of the soldiers while recovering at an off-site hospital. A typical First Response Backpack contains toiletries, articles of clothing and undergarments to provide the soldier some relief from the airy hospital gowns and a phone card to call their family and loved ones whilethey recover.

Also, each Backpack includes a blanket, dubbed a "Blanket of Hope," hand made by Soldiers' Angels volunteers and accompanied by a note of well wishes for each soldier.

Soldiers' Angels is an all volunteer run organization that started in June 2003. Their mission is to provide aide and comfort to any of the armed forces and their families. By sharing a common vision of service, the volunteers of Soldiers' Angels send care packages and messages of hope to deployed soldiers and their loved ones at home. This initiative has grown to be an Internet community with thousands of people worldwide and the addition of new members every day. For more information about Soldiers’ Angels, visit http://www.soldiersangels.org/.

Tijuana Flats’ Just In Queso Fund® was designed to help people in the restaurants’ communities build a better tomorrow by providing resources in times of need and by making donations to other human service programs that help families in the communities the restaurantservices.

About Tijuana Flats

Established in 1995 in Winter Park, Fla., Tijuana Flats is a unique, fast-casual Tex-Mex dining experience featuring superior guest service and fresh, made-to-order food. Tijuana Flats has locations in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The restaurants are typically found in high-traffic areas and average 2,200 square feet. Known worldwide for their own brand of hot sauces, Tijuana Flats Hot Foods Inc., a separate company, provides the restaurants’ specialty products, hot sauces and condiments, including one of the hottest sauces in the world, Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally…“The Slap Heard Around theWorld.” Another of the company’s famous hot sauces, the mango-flavored “Just in Queso” sauce, supports the Just in Queso Fund®, a year-round, not-for-profit reserve to aid people and programs in their time of need. Tijuana Flats offers gift packages for sale both in its restaurantsand at http://www.tijuanaflats.com/.

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 9:01 PM |

Monday, May 14, 2007

First Lt. Ryan Brewer, an 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron pilot, displays one of the Atlanta Braves baseballs being passed around deployed locations. The Georgian native recorded a shout out for the Atlanta home game to be played Sept. 18, on the Air Force's 60th Anniversary. Atlanta will be hosting several events leading up to Air Force Week, Heritage to Horizons, celebration. to be held Oct. 8 to 14 in Atlanta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Wes Ticer)

Read the story:
'Brave' baseballs make way around deployed bases

Labels: 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, photos, Supporting the troops, USAF

posted by Pam @ 12:58 PM |

Monday, May 07, 2007

4th Grade Community Service Speech on the Military

You HAVE to see this:

Labels: Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 6:02 PM |

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Tonal Troop Support - Shawn Hlookoff

Canadian musician Shawn Hlookoff has one heck of a song - "Soldier" - that you simply must hear.

A teaser - here are some of they lyrics.

Some people say I'm a fighter,
Some people hate what I do.
But I stand for my country,
I stand for you.

[...]

So if I die, don't judge me,
'Cause I will not judge you.
And if I die, please accept it,
'Cause I would die for you...

And that's just a little bit. Really, you're missing something special if you don't listen to this one. The video is pretty powerful, too.

Soldiers' Angel Shelle tells me that the song and video for "Soldier" has been nominated for the top video of the year for Universal Muisc!

Please take the time to listen, and to vote, and be sure to leave a comment.

Winning the contest means huge exposure for the song and for Shawn, and it's well deserved.

Want a copy of the song? You can download it at the Soldiers' Angels website. Shelle tells me that there have been more than 125,000 downloads so far, and I'm one of them.

HOOAH, and Well Done, Shawn.

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Tonal Troop Support

posted by Pam @ 3:30 AM |

Monday, April 16, 2007

America Supports You: Bikers Salute, Support Servicemembers

Riders are seen in the side mirror of a Hearts To Heroes ride participant as the group made its way around the Phoenix International Raceway. The ride, the third Cyclerides.com has hosted, is held to honor the troops and benefit troop-support organizations. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

PEORIA, Ariz., April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful – and an eyeful – yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com “Hearts to Heroes” motorcycle ride.

A two-way video connection, provided with help from the Pentagon Channel and the military, made that possible.

The idea to put the 56 troops, including Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, face-to-face with some of their biggest fans came from Barry Caraway’s childhood memories.

“I grew up in the era of the Vietnam vet, and I saw how those guys came back,” Caraway, owner of Cyclerides.com, said. “They weren’t treated very well. In fact they were treated shabbily.

“I wanted to change the mistakes of my generation and not allow that to happen in my daughter’s generation,” he added.

Roxie Merritt, chief of integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the crowd that’s exactly why the Defense Department created “America Supports You.” America Supports You is a program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.

“America Supports You … is to make sure … what happened to you (Vietnam veterans) never, never happens again,” she said during the opening ceremony.

The standing ovation that greeted the troops helped drive home that sentiment. The clapping, “Ooh Rahs,” and “Hooahs” went on for more than a minute, causing Caldwell to break into a wide grin.

While the video connection provided the means for the supporters to show their appreciation in person, it also provided the troops an opportunity to thank the ride’s three beneficiaries. Packages From Home and Operation Homefront are America Supports You members.

“It allows us to collect donations for the troops that are overseas because part of the admission into this is not only the $15 entry fee, but a sack of goodies or donations for the troops that are over there,” Vonn Magnin of Packages From Home said. “This allows us to send things over to our men and women overseas.”

Margy Bons, president of Operation Homefront’s Arizona chapter, agreed that the donation from the ride to her group would be most helpful.

“For Operation Homefront of Arizona, it will allow us to have some funding to support the families when they give us a call and they have a need,” she said. “(It) will also support our troops overseas, because they will know their family is being taken care of.”

The third beneficiary, Phoenix International Raceway’s “Salute to Military Families” program, provides military families with tickets to events at the track. The three groups will equally split the $15 per bike entry fee.

“On behalf of all the men and women serving in uniform, (and) all those serving in civilian clothes over here, we just want to say thanks to all of you,” Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. “Thank you very much.”

Army Sgt. John Jones, an Arizona National Guardsman who spent a year in Iraq, understood just where that appreciation was coming from. He received many care packages while serving overseas.

“Packages From Home meant so much to all of us over there,” he said. “It touches my heart that people work this hard for the people over there.”

Jones also knows how much the live feed meant to the servicemembers in Baghdad. “It’s almost like part of you is home when you’re doing a live feed,” he said.

During the live feed, a few Arizona servicemembers got a chance to briefly catch up with loved ones who blew them kisses and wished them a safe and speedy homecoming.

After musical tributes dedicated to the servicemembers and a prayer for the safety of all those present, the bikers hit the road for a sun-baked 60-mile ride.

An impressive sight, the nearly mile-long line of motorcycles drew cheers and peace signs from those along the route. While that was a boost, most found taking a lap around the Phoenix International Raceway the highlight of the ride.

The ride, which also passed Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, ended with live musical entertainment at a venue near the University of Arizona’s Cardinal Stadium.

Caraway, who’s already begun planning next year’s ride, said the it helps accomplish one of his main goals; keeping support for the troops high in spite of an individual’s views of the war.

“These are our guys in our United States military uniforms, and they come before anything,” Barry Caraway. “My personal belief, growing up in the Vietnam era, that after seeing how those guys came home, we have to separate the war from the warrior.

Related Sites:
America Supports You
Packages From Home
Operation Homefront of Arizona
Cyclerides.com

Related Articles:
America Supports You: Troops in Iraq Thank Supporters in Arizona

More Photos Here

Labels: Hearts to Heroes, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 5:09 AM |

Monday, April 02, 2007

Meet April's Hero of the Month!

It's that time again; time to meet a very special Hero who has been chosen as IWT's Hero of the Month.

So ladies and gents, please meet Joseph, nominated by his mother, Diane:

My Son / My Hero

As he left that day, running to catch the bus with his comrades, he turned and smiled and waved at his brother and I as if to say, "It's OK Mom, I will be safe." It was a proud but sad day for me. Words cannot express the love I have for him. Joe has been in the Marines for 9 years. He has and always will make his family and friends proud. May God put a blanket of protection around him as he strives and continues to do his duties as a Marine. Continue to stand tall and proud, my son. Semper Fi, OORAH - Love, Mom"

Joseph, Keep Your Helmet On - Take care, and stay safe - we are all proud of you.

Diane, please let me know if there's anything I or Soldiers' Angels can do for you.

Our Hero of the month has a care package on the way, courtesy of Patti and Soldiers' Angels. Diane has also asked that I submit his name, so he'll soon have his own Angel to send ongoing mail and packages.

To find out how you can nominate your Hero for IWT's Hero of the month, click the link at the top of this page.

Labels: Hero of the Month, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 2:20 PM |

Be A Part of a Very Special Tribute to Fallen Heroes

Several weeks ago, I told you I was involved in a very special project to honor fallen heroes. It's finally time to unveil the details, and to tell you your help is needed to make this project happen.

One of my current adoptees with Soldiers' Angels is one with whom I share a common hobby - motorcycling. Sketch is a Harley guy - I've got a Kawasaki. In talking about our love of motorcycles, we also came to discuss a dream Sketch had - building a custom bike. He told me he wanted to use the bike in some way to pay tribute to fallen heroes...to make sure that the sacrifices of those who have fallen are not forgotten.

We rolled it around for a while, and with the help of Soldiers' Angels, the Fallen Soldiers' Bike is now a dream that has a chance to become reality.

We're starting with a Flyin' Hawaiian chopper by Denvers' Choppers, and customizing it with graphics and other items to make it a unique rolling tribute to those who have given their all. Sketch will be displaying the bike at as many motorcycle shows as he can get to. Though he's deployed now, and working long hours, Sketch is still spending as much free time as he's able to planning the bike. I'm helping to coordinate some things from here.

And the project has the support of one very special lady - Gunnar's Mom, Debey. It was right around the anniversary of Gunnar's death that Sketch and I first started getting the project blog up and running. I sent a link to Debey, who also happens to live not that far away from a motorcycle mecca - Sturgis. Debey loved the idea right away, and has also contributed to the bike's construction.

It's a costly project. The total estimated cost is somewhere around $45,000, give or take. Some of that depends on what custom elements are included, and how complicated the graphics get. We do know one graphic that will be there:

The Soldiers' Angels logo.

Sketch is an artist, and is working on other graphics for the bike - if you've got some ideas, please feel free to send them to me, and I'll forward them.

You can find the project blog at http://fallensoldierbike.blogspot.com. Visit, and you'll see a little more about what the bike means to Sketch, and to me. We'll be posting updates and pictures as the build progresses.

We can use all the help we can get to move this project along. There's the possibility of some media coverage once construction is in motion, but we need the funds to make it happen. If you would like to help be a part of this project, Sketch is going to maintain a list of donors which will be on display with the bike. Please consider donating in memory of a fallen Hero you know, or just in honor of all of those who have fallen in defense of our country. You can donate through PayPal at the project blog, or make checks payable to Soldiers' Angels, and send to:

Soldiers' Angels - Fallen Soldiers' Bike
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, Ca 91104

Make sure to note "Fallen Soldiers' Bike" in the memo section of your check.

Donations to Soldiers' Angels are tax deductible.

Bloggers - please help to get the word out - link, trackback, or swipe this post!

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, tributes

posted by Pam @ 11:48 AM |

Welcome Home to the NDARNG A/188th ADA!!

Soldiers' Angel Shelle sends these photos to show how North Dakota welcomes its heroes home:

The NDARNG A/188th ADA arrived home today---- here are some photos from Bismarck-

HEY-- how cool that my hometown hero hankies got mentioned in this stoy (below)-- I think we have started something really cool---

I designed HomeTown Hero Hankies with the SA logo-- it was such a HUGE hit!!!! the families tied them around their arms.

see below.

ND Governor John Hoeven gets into the groove with a Home town hero hanky-- he is standing here with Joyce Mehrer (mom of fallen hero Curtis Mehrer) and Shiela Richter (Mom of fallen hero Tavis Van Zoest)

Here Is an overhead of the Gov talking to the familes... (my daughter beka is in the left corne-- black SA shirt and arm band- glasses)

Sam Floberg is in uniform-- and standing with the families as well- see the arm bands on many ( I gave out 500 of them)

My girls and our friends.......

Joyce- and CW4 Shelly Sizer from the NDANG family program- Sheila and Harriet Goodiron (mom of fallen heo Nathan Goodiron) standing on the 2nd deck above the SA banner.

Gov Hoeven was in his shirt and tie-- so I went and got him a HOOAH tee shirt to blend in......... here he is with Sam Floberg

Sheila, Harriet and Joyce- mothers of fallen heroes of NDARNG A/ 1-188th ADA SECFOR

SPC Dockter getting a teary hug from my baby Emma

Here Emma is hugging SGT Justina Bilby

My Emma, Bilby and my Beka

Here is an overhead of the crowd patiently waiting for the soldiers to come thru the door at the every top towards the back

It was an amazing welcome home----

*************************************

Welcome Home, Job Well Done, and HOOAH to the A/188th ADA!

And way to go, Shelle and everyone who made that day special for these Heroes.

You can find the article about the homecoming here.

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Welcome Home

posted by Pam @ 11:06 AM |

OPERATION: THANKS FOR FREEDOM!

Fourth of July Card Drive for Troops

Let's show our troops we love and support them! Starting NOW, I will be collecting cards to send to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you wish to participate, please send light-hearted, silly, cheerful, and encouraging cards to this address:

Mrs. Kat Orr
Operation: Thanks for Freedom!
P.O. Box 1660
Loganville, GA 30052

You may also send a e-mail of support to the following email address: LoveFromHome-AT-gmail.com . Any e-mail received to this e-mail account will be printed and mailed, together with the cards.

The cards can be handmade or store-bought... for that matter, they don't even have to be cards; a hand -written letter is just as wonderful! Let's all band together and overwhelm our heroes with support! This is a great project for Scout troops, churches, or other organizations to get involved with!

*PLEASE DO NOT SEAL THE ENVELOPES*

ALL CARDS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2007

Thank you so much for supporting our troops!

If you have any questions about this campaign, please e-mail me at:
LoveFromHome-AT-gmail.com.

Also, you might wish join my Yahoo Group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveFromHome in order to receive updates about the progress of this and other card drives.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a "dating service" of any type. Please do not send suggestive or otherwise inappropriate cards or pictures. I will be reading and screening every Card received to ensure that the above guidelines are adhered to (please DO NOT seal the envelope)! Any card deemed inappropriate will not be sent! Remember: This is strictly to let the troops know that we love them, we are proud of them and that we HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN them!

**IMPORTANT NOTE 2: This card drive is an individual effort and not done in conjunction with or on behalf of any organizations or groups

Labels: Operation: Thanks for Freedom, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 10:41 AM |

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Help Soldiers' Angels Help Our Veterans

Shelle Michaels, APR
Soldiers' Angels
National Public Relations Director
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, Ca. 91104

soldiersangelsprteam-AT-gmail-DOT-com
(615) 676-0239

For Immediate Release

Soldiers' Angels Leads the Nation in Support for the Veterans; Donate a VET PACK to a Hero in Need

Pasadena, CA March 29, 2007- The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) acknowledges that of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population, approximately 70 million people are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. Soldiers' Angels encourages the nation to stand up and support the needs of our Veterans currently in hospitals, homes or shelters.

Soldiers' Angels is taking the lead nationally by helping out the VA hospitals around the U.S. There is great need to support our veterans, not only those in the hospitals or homes but to provide outreach to the homeless Veterans as well. In trying to meet the needs of both the hospitalized and the homeless veterans, Soldiers' Angels has put together a VET PACK for a donation of $40.00( to inclyde shipping and handling) that will be sent directly to a vet in need.

VET PACK CONTENTS:
Large Backpack with pockets:
PJ pants
T-Shirt
Boxers
Socks
Knit Cap
Toiletries in vinyl zippered bag:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Razors
Shave cream
Shampoo
Conditioner
Deodorant
Lotion
Comb
Nail Clippers
Lipbalm
Soap
Wetnaps
Tissue
Cotton Swabs
"Thank You for Your Service" card

People interested in providing our Veterans with a VET PACK can visit the web site www.soldiersangels.org to make a donation by credit card or by using PayPal. A VET PACK can also be purchases online at the Soldiers Angels Store and have it sent directly to a Veteran. Make sure that you put in the comments section "VET PACK". Checks can be made out to Solder's Angels at 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, Ca. 91104. All donations are tax deductible.

Soldiers' Angels is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the brave men and women deployed in support of the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever we fly the flag of the United States of America. Founded in 2003 by the mother of a U.S. soldier, Soldiers Angels is a non-profit Internet community dedicated to ensuring that members of the military know they are loved and supported. For more information about Soldiers' Angels check out the website www.soldiersangels.org or contact- soldiersangels-AT-gmail-DOT-com

Founder Patti Patton-Bader may be contacted at (615) 676-0239.

Labels: Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, Veterans Affairs

posted by Pam @ 5:08 AM |

Sunday, March 25, 2007

GUEST RINGMASTER
Chief Executive Officer of Feld Entertainment presents U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler with the ‘Guest Ringmaster’ certificate during the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus show in Washington, D.C., March 22, 2007. Defense Department photo by William D. Moss More Photos

Labels: Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 12:08 AM |

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

DOWNHILL
Sgt. Anthony Larson, his adaptive ski instructor close behind, skis down the beginner’s hill on his mono-ski March 9 in Vail, Colo. Larson lost his right leg below the knee while serving in Iraq. The lesson is part of the Vail Veterans Program’s winter sports clinic. Defense Dept. photo by Samantha L. Quigley

Labels: Good News, photos, Supporting the troops, Vail Veterans' Program, Wounded Heroes

posted by Pam @ 12:22 AM |

Monday, March 12, 2007

Here's an "Appeal" I Can Get Behind...

Appeal for Courage

This site, started by a sailor currently in Baghdad and run by and for those serving in the military, is an appeal in support of our mission in Iraq. This is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.

Appeal for Courage is a non-partisan, grass-roots effort to communicate to Congress the troops' desire to remain in Iraq until our mission is complete. We feel calls to retreat embolden our enemy and hurt our support within the American public and Iraqi people. We accept no funding from any source, and do not speak for any group or organization other than those military members who have signed the Appeal.

As the appeal opposing the mission has been given more and more publicity and congress gears up for another round of debates on the battle in Iraq and threatens to cut off funding for the troops this appeal has become important.

Please spread the word about an appeal for redress that people in the military can sign to show support for the mission:

http://www.appealforcourage.org

Sincerely,
Bill Nelson,

Phoenix

Labels: Appeal for Courage, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 5:43 PM |

Friday, March 09, 2007

Fort Rucker Hit By Tornado - Military Families Need Your Help!

Ft. Rucker, Alabama, was hit hard by the recent tornadoes and storms. The local area, military families have lost loved ones and homes have been destroyed.

Soldiers Angels is on the job and will be establishing funds to support Ft. Rucker soldiers and families.

On March 1, 2007 a band of severe thunderstorms swept across the South. The storms were accompanied by tornadoes which left a swath of destruction in their wake. The agricultural town of Enterprise, Alabama was hit especially hard. The town newspaper, The Enterprise Ledger, reports, " The tornado struck downtown Enterprise around 1 p.m. Thursday, destroying homes, flipping vehicles and collapsing the ceiling and walls in parts of Enterprise High School. Reports concerning the number of dead and injured vary wildly, with state officials reporting as many as 5 possible deaths in the city." Its high school sustained a direct hit and many students were injured when a wall collapsed. Several of the injured students are from families stationed at nearby Fort Rucker. There are reports of deaths among the students, but the school system has yet to provide confirmation of this tragic news. Fort Rucker is the home of the United States Army Aviation Warfighting Center and many of its families live in Enterprise and their children attend its schools. The governor of Alabama has declared a state of emergency, but in a situation like this, with so many people in need, the government cannot immediately help everyone. Soldiers' Angels is determined to make sure that none of our military personnel or their families are overlooked.

Soldiers' Angels has several members who are in the area and they have rallied to provide aid and comfort to the military families who are suffering. Additionally, in an effort to help these families, Soldiers' Angels has established the Fort Rucker Military Family Relief Fund. This fund is dedicated specifically to helping the members of the Fort Rucker who have lost family and their homes as a result of this terrible event. Soldiers' Angels will use the fund to provide emergency relief to the families. Items such as clothes, food, personal items and even shelter will be provided. Please help the families and our soldiers at Fort Rucker.

How can you help?

To volunteer time please contact Bonnie- BonnieInBama @ gmail.com

FT RUCKER FAMILY RELIEF FUND
Donations through PayPal (SA-FT. RUCKER FAMILY RELIEF - Item #20-0583415)

or send GIFT CARDS: WalMart, Amex CREDITS OR VOUCHERS: Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Comfort Inn to:

ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE, Attn: Sue
BUILDING 5700
NOVOSEL, ROOM 390
FT. RUCKER AL 36362

This post stays towards the top for a while...

*****************************

UPDATE 3/3: If you need to get an idea of just how bad the damage is, NOTR has pictures posted here.

UPDATE 3/4: Fort Benning families have also been affected by the devastating storms:

I am writing on behalf of the military tornado victims of Thursday night's storm in Columbus, GA beside Fort Benning. The housing shortages and inadequate housing at Fort Benning causes many military families to look off base for housing. While the base did not receive much damage in this recent storm, many houses of military families off base were impacted.

These families are in desperate need of help and are falling between the cracks in the system. Inexplicably, they are not receiving requested help from the Red Cross, Military One Source, or United Way. Each of these organizations has suggested calling one of the others.

The Army has a relief organization, Army Emergency Relief (funded by the Red Cross) and families are being directed there, but funds dispersed by AER for tornado relief are a loan, not a grant. These families cannot afford to pay back the loan. AER has the ability to give grants, but is not doing so for this situation. One of the families affected is a soldier and a single mother. Her roof was completely blown off of her house. Army Emergency Relief told her none of the money being given to families for tornado relief will be in the form of a grant.

FEMA has also denied any help citing that this area was not labeled a disaster area. They should see the pictures.

These families are experiencing a lot of stress and possible mild shock and are having to pay nightly for meals and hotels as insurance companies decide what they are entitled to and as that stretches out, the immediate expenses they are not being helped with is putting them in a dire financial situation. The insurance companies are assessing paying for repairs and loss of possessions, but are not paying for the hotel rooms or meal expense. These families live paycheck to paycheck and this setback could be devastating.

I know of one street in particular, Cardinal Landing, Columbus, GA, where at least three military families have houses now unlivable and need help.

My great friends, Tony and Vicki D---- have three small children and the storm has left them homeless. They were in a lease renting a house managed by a real estate company. The real estate company did not put them into a hotel. They had to pay for it themselves. The Red Cross, through Army Emergency Relief, gave them a $1000 loan. Because the house they rented is now unlivable and needs major repair, they have asked the realtor if they are now free to just look for another house to live in. Day after day the realtor says she does not know and has no answer for them. They cannot afford to keep paying for a hotel night after night. And the whole family of five in a hotel room is not pleasant.

Many of the families on their street had just stocked the fridge and freezer and had no disposable income to pay for hotel and food in their checking account. And, of course, the storm damage and loss of power spoiled all the food they had just bought. Eating out every day is quickly depleting funds. And, the D----- family took the loan they received and immediately began feeding other families from the street with no money for food.

The D---- family had just moved into their house a few months ago when the Army relocated them from Fort Dix, NJ to Fort Benning, GA. They have a lot of unreimbursed expenses from the move. They were already barely surviving financially as the recouped from the move expense and now have this stress on top of that.

Please help me find help for these families for immediate relief and money to help pay back the Red Cross loans.

Christie F-----
(Army Spouse)

ADDITIONAL UPDATE 3/4: Be sure to check the commments for additional perspective / assistance suggestions. Americanmilitaryfamilies.org is also on the case and helping these families. Although I don't know them personally, Terri (see comments) does and can vouch for them. However you choose to help, please do so!

Labels: Alerts, disasters, Fort Rucker, military families, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 11:52 PM |

America Supports You: Colorado Town Welcomes Wounded Troops

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

VAIL, Colo., March 8, 2007 – For the fourth consecutive year, 25 veterans wounded in the global war on terrorism will test their mettle on the slopes thanks to the Vail Veterans Program’s winter sports clinic that kicked off here yesterday.

“We’re really a stepping stone in their recovery. This is therapeutic for them to be here,” Cheryl Jensen, director of the Vail Veterans Program said during a kick-off dinner here yesterday. “By the time they leave here, they’re totally comfortable with themselves or have confidence that they never had.

“They grow emotionally and physically while they’re here in a matter of four days,” she added.

Army Maj. Dave Rozelle, administrator for Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Amputee Care Center, knows how true this is. He lost part of his right foot while serving in Iraq in 2003. He told the group that skiing had made him feel free and independent after his injury.

“I felt like an angel coming down that mountain,” he said. “I hope you all find the same freedom I did.”

Rozelle served a second tour in Iraq after being injured.

The Vail Veterans Program can offers this weekend to the servicemembers thanks, in part, to the generosity of this community, Jensen said. Lodging for the troops and the majority of the airfare to get them to the slopes here was donated. The story is the same for equipment rental, lift tickets, instruction for the veterans and their guests. Most meals, including a special meal on the final evening prepared by the local firefighters, are gratis, as well.

For five of the veterans, this winter sports clinic is old hat, and they’ll serve as mentors, Jensen said. The other 20 servicemembers are patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, and this is the first major trip away from the facility for most of them.

Throughout the program, which concludes March 11, the wounded warriors receive private instruction in a number of snow sports, including skiing and snowboarding. To accommodate their injuries, which include missing limbs, the instructors help them learn to use adaptive equipment, Jensen said.

While the veterans are acquiring or polishing their skills, their guests participate in group lessons. While Willow Fesmire’s husband, former Marine Sgt. Christopher Fesmire, who has gone through the program three times, works with the first-timers, she’ll polish her snowboarding skills.

“(I’m) very excited,” she said about her first experience with the program.

Sgt. Fesmire, an avid snowboarder before his injury, was medically retired from the 1st Marine Division after losing both legs above the knee in Qaim, Iraq, in October 2004.

First organized in 2004 as a one-time event, the Vail Veterans Program has earned nonprofit status and doubled the number of veterans it invited the first year. Still, it remains small enough to provide the veterans one-on-one attention, and that’s what attracted the support of this year’s title sponsor, the Wounded Warrior Project. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin, an aerospace manufacturer, also is sponsoring this year’s event.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program highlighting the ways Americans and the corporate sector are supporting the nation’s servicemembers.

“It’s a small-enough group to where everybody can know everybody and support one another,” Bruce Nitsche, executive vice president of the Wounded Warrior Project, said. “I think it’s more like being with your family, and I think when it’s really a community-based program … the level of caring comes through easier.”

Nitsche added that his organization has signed on to sponsor two summer sports clinics the Vail Veterans Program will offer this year. The first summer clinic was held in 2006.

Related Sites:
America Supports You
Vail Veterans Program
Wounded Warrior Project

Labels: Good News, Supporting the troops, Wounded Heroes

posted by Pam @ 8:13 AM |

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

VAJoe Goes Mad

VAJoe.com is holding a contest for Active Duty servicemembers and their families -

It's that time of year again—NCAA March Madness. Fill out your bracket for your FREE chance to win the $2,000 Grand Prize. $1,000 will also be split among 2nd – 10th place.

For more, including the complete rules, go here.

The site also has a caption contest - this month's ends March 31st.

Labels: contests, Supporting the troops, VAJoe

posted by Pam @ 12:35 AM |

One Special Flag...

The certificate says:

This flag was flown on September 11, 2006
over US Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait
in honor of the Men and Women of Navy Medicine
who have given their lives in the Global War on Terror
to defend our Nation and our Freedom
and is hereby presented to SOLDIER'S ANGELS

The flag, and the hand-made shadow box, look like this:

And it came with a note, which says, in part:

...please send this or let the other cities know of this gift
that is being presented by the Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait
to your organization.
Again thanks for your continued support.

Is that cool, or what? We always tell them, they don't owe us anything - not even "thanks."
What we do is our way of thanking all of THEM.

Of course, that is why things like this are really, really special.

Hooah / Oorah Angels!!

Labels: Good News, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 12:29 AM |

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Injured vets take to the Pa. slopes

An inspiring article you've got to read...

By Brian Bowling
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Sitting on a mono-ski as an instructor straps him on, Spc. Reddi Parker wondered if the designer of the device went a little overboard.
"How many straps do you need to strap over your waist?" asked Parker, 26, of Jonesboro, Ark.

The apparent answer is three.

Parker and seven other injured soldiers and Marines from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington hit the slopes at Liberty Mountain Resort in Adams County this weekend as part of a program sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project of Jacksonville, Fla., and Disabled Sports USA of Rockville, Md.

"I just wanted to get out of the hospital and have some fun," Parker said. "I wanted to repay my sister for staying with me while I was injured. Plus, I like to ski."

You can read the rest over at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. And when you get there, make sure to check out the picture of Sam F., a Hero Soldiers' Angels knows well, tearing up the slopes. HOOAHH, Sam!

There are other pictures, and some video, so be sure to check this one out.

Thanks to Soldiers' Angel Shelle for the tip!

Labels: Good News, Supporting the troops, Wounded Heroes

posted by Pam @ 3:01 PM |

Friday, March 02, 2007

Take that, Hippie!

Violators of Military Hoaxes Act Could Receive Fines, Prison Time

Feb 28, 2007
BY U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, Feb. 28, 2007) - Persons making false or misleading statements to families about the death, injury, capture or disappearance of a servicemember during war could be fined, imprisoned or both.

According to the Stop Terrorist and Military Hoaxes Act of 2004, it's a criminal offense to convey false or misleading information about the status of a servicemember during a time of armed conflict. In addition to fines, violators can face up to five years in jail. When serious injury occurs as a result of a hoax, possible jail time increases to 20 years, and life imprisonment is possible if the hoax results in death.

Individuals in anti-war and anti-government groups may prey on family members as an act of rebellion to Soldiers actively engaged in conflict, said Capt. Anthony Adolph, judge advocate, Headquarters, 3d Military Police Group (Criminal Investigations Command).

"Soldiers and their family members are easy targets for such groups who tend to prey on individuals with loved ones serving in combat," Adolph said. "Victims of this scam should know that in the case of injury notifications, the Soldier will be asked to personally call the family. If unable to do so, the call will come from the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command or the hospital where the Soldier is recovering."

According to Col. Pat Gawkins, CMAOC director, if a Soldier dies in theater or while recovering in a medical facility, a casualty notification officer will make an in-person notification.

"Unfortunately, there have been circumstances beyond our control when we have had to make notifications by telephone," Gawkins said. "These calls are followed up immediately by a Soldier who will extend condolences.

"We have had issues of the Record of Emergency Data (DD93) not having current addresses or incomplete next-of-kin information, which have caused us to make telephonic notification," he added. "In these cases, by simply trying to verify an address, or one next-of-kin calling another while their casualty notification officer was present, we have made notification. Again, this happens in very few cases, but it does happen."

In addition to the personal visit, Adolph said a casualty assistance officer will provide immediate support for the family member whenever and wherever necessary to help the family through their crisis.

The 2004 Hoax Act is meant to not only protect the victims of a hoax, but responders as well.

"The civil action portion of the statute means that in addition to criminal penalties, a person who violates the statute may be required to pay for the cost of any expenses that an emergency response or investigative agency incurs while responding to their hoax," Stephens said. "Hoaxes distract federal, state and local law enforcement criminal investigators and emergency responders from a real crises and threats, resulting in a risk to public safety and national security."

CID special agents recommend that family members who receive calls concerning the medical status of loved ones deployed to a combat zone note the name and telephone number of the caller, if possible, and contact the local Casualty Office or the American Red Cross to confirm. If the call is determined to be a hoax, immediately report the crime to the local CID office.

Labels: military families, Moonbats, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 6:37 AM |

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Soldiers Dancing for Cheerleaders?

Pfc. Richard Chamberlin, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, poses with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during their visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 022607-02
Feb. 26, 2007

‘Buffalo Jills’ visit Troops in Baqubah

By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Feb. 25, 2007) -- Most Soldiers stationed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 don’t wake up to cheerleaders, but that’s exactly what happened to the Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25.

The National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Buffalo Jills, arrived, via helicopter, in the morning to greet the anxious crowd of Soldiers stationed on Warhorse.

The Jills partook in an autograph session, took pictures and hung out with the Soldiers at the FOB’s Faulkenburg Theater, all in hopes of raising morale.

“We, the Cheerleaders from the Buffalo Jills, are here for a meet-n-greet, signing autographs and hangout with the troops,” said Natale. “We came to support our troops, show them we love and appreciate everything they do for us.”

“[The Jills’ visit] shows there are a lot of people back in the states that support us and care about what we do,” said Pfc. Freddie Scott, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “These cheerleaders really have raised morale out here. It was a good experience.”

“They have shown support by signing autographs and taking pictures with the Soldiers,” added the Tallahassee, Fl., native. “I feel like the really have made an extra effort to show they support us and care.”

Natale added she hoped the visit would make the Soldiers smile, have a good time and give their morale a big boost.

“We really enjoy getting the chance to boost some morale and have fun with the Soldiers,” Natale said. “I love signing autographs and taking pictures with them.”
“To actually be here and see everything, it’s amazing,” she added. “I feel we are doing a good thing. I hope the Soldiers feel the same as well.”

She also said the experience of meeting Soldiers would be one she would never forget about.

“I’m having a great time here [with them],” said Natale. “I hope this does show that we love them and care.”

Natale, along with eight other cheerleaders, also performed a dance routine for the Soldiers. But the routine performed would cost the Soldiers – they also had to dance for the Jills.

“If you make an agreement, you have to live up to it,” said Pfc. Brad Thomas, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 25th Infantry Division.
The Jills said they would dance only if the Soldiers danced as well, said the Kansas City, Mo. native.

And that’s what the Soldiers did – they performed the “Macarena” for the Jills.

“We don’t normally get the chance to have fun like this, so when it comes, you make the most of it,” added Thomas, who got on stage and strutted his stuff.

As their visit came to an end, the Soldiers said their last goodbyes to the Jills, laughing about the experiences they just had. The Soldiers started on their way to work, joking with each other about who was the best and worst dancer amongst them.

“The cheerleaders were really nice,” said Scott. “They were just talking and interacting with the Soldiers like they’ve known them for years. It was a good visit.”

Natale agreed with Scott, the experience was one of the best.

“To see the smiling faces, it really makes us feel amazing,” she said. “I hope we just made the day a little extra special for them.”

Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse were treated to a visit from the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse were told if they didn’t dance for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, the Jills would not perform their routine for them. These Soldiers quickly jumped on stage to perform the “Macarena” for the Jills. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse dance at the Faulkenberg Theater with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during the Jills’ visit to the FOB, Feb. 25. The Jills also signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Labels: Baqubah, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, FOB Warhorse, photos, Supporting the troops, US Army

posted by Pam @ 12:39 AM |

Support Our Troops Day, March 26th

Here is one Michigan teenager who knows how to support our Heroes:

My name is Alexandra Lynn McGregor and I am a junior at Waterford Kettering High School. Everyday I get to enjoy the freedoms of living in the United States of America. I can freely live the life I choose to live because there are women and men fighting all over the world, to protect me and everyone else around me.

In honor of the people who fight for me, I would like to hold a national "Support Our Troops Day" on March 26, 2007. On this recognition day I would like to think about the people who are fighting for us right now. All the soldiers around the world who fight for us everyday deserve a lot of recognition for everything that they do for us. They spend days, weeks, months, years, and lives, protecting us from the hardships of issues going on throughout the world. Our soldiers not only protect us in big issues such as the war in Iraq but they also protect us from things that could erupt into wars. These men and women do so much for ou r nation, the least we could do is thank them. You do not need to support the fighting going on in Iraq but please realize that our soldiers do much more than that. That is why I am coming to you for support for this event.

This event would not be hard to achieve. My goal is to get the whole nation involved in a moment of silence for two minutes. At 6:00 PM Eastern time, we would stand in silence thinking about how much they do for us. The whole day would be to thank the soldiers but the only thing expected would be that single two minutes of silence. Also, if you are able to attend I am asking that you could bring a gift of support to send to the soldiers (gum, movies, USB's, etc.)

We would love to have you attend but if you can't:

a. Ask your family and friends to support our troops by taking 2 minutes out of their day on March 26, 2007, at 6:00 PM Eastern Standard time.

b. Help spread the word, we would love to have hundreds of people at this event to honor our troops

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will support this event and make it a day of recognition for our soldiers. Please contact me if you are interested in helping make this event a success...

Sincerely,

Alexandra McGregor

You are cordially invited to

The Candlelight Recognition

To Support our Troops

March 26, 2007 6:00 P.M.

At Waterford Kettering High School

By the Flag Pole

R.S.V.P.

Alexandra McGregor

If you are interested in helping with / attending this event, I do have contact information for Alexandra; just email me.

Labels: Supporting the troops, tributes

posted by Pam @ 12:15 AM |

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Full Circle: Two Years, Two Soldiers, One Blog...

Last month, I meant to get to a post to note my 2-year blog-iversary.

Hard to believe it's been two years since I started here.

The two-year blog-iversary came with some other milestones, too. I was named one of the Ten Best Milblogs in the VA Mortgage Center Blog contest. And more recently, I've been nominated for a Milbloggie. Pretty darned cool, to put it mildly - I can remember when I said to myself, how cool would it be to get nominated for a Milbloggie?.

I started blogging tentatively, after forwarding a few items to Patti. She finally turned the blog over to me, a responsibility I take seriously. I have always tried to stay true to what Patti started this for - to support our Heroes, to post lots of pictures in the hopes that those who knew the Heroes pictured would be able to see them, and to get out the good news about what our Heroes were doing. Nervously, I often asked Patti if something would be OK to post - especially when it concerned my early rants. Patti was always encouraging - "Anything you like, I like," she'd say. Pictures were always a large part of this blog, which is why you'll still find several posted daily. My favorites are the "My Hero..." posts. Anything that lets military families brag about their Heroes is OK by me.

A darker element of the beginning of my blogging days is that they started right about the time that we lost a young Hero named Gunnar Becker. I have posted about Gunnar before. He was very special to Soldiers' Angels, as is his Mom, Debey. It was Debey that let me know about an anti-war display that was using Gunnar's name, and then sent the pictures of how fallen Heroes should be honored. If you can today, please spare a moment to honor his memory. And let Debey know you're thinking of her. I have a special project to tell you about soon that Gunnar's memory, for me, plays a part in, but I'll save that for another post.

Then there was the other event marking my blog-i-versary this year - a bit of a shocker, actually, but in a very, very good way.

Another Soldier I've mentioned more than once is my first adoptee with Soldiers' Angels. I can remember the day I got his name in my email - I fired off my first excited letter, and was thrilled to get a reply pretty much immediately (almost two weeks to the day that I sent my letter off - pretty remarkable). My first adoptee was a Cavalry Scout, with a wife and a young daughter at home. We shared the same wry sense of humor, and we hit it off immediately. He became a sort of little brother to me, and I could predict the day letters would arrive from the land of sand. His picture is on my wall at work, there's an Iraqi bill in a frame on my desk, and there's a letter on my wall from his squad, thanking me for Halloween candy I sent. They all signed it.

Eventually, he was able to instant message me, and I remember one day, when he was talking with me about a very difficult day he'd had. I won't go into specifics, but he was asking me if his reaction - almost none - had been normal given what had happened. He asked me if it was messed up.

I can remember struggling for what to say, and I can remember when it hit me - 'Holy crap, I'm trying to cheer up a Soldier in a war zone. What the hell do I say here???'

'No,' I told him. 'It's not messed up. You're a Sergeant, and you were taking care of your men. You were doing your job. Remember what I told you - there's the you at home with your wife and your daughter, and there's Super Sarge. You'll be OK.'

'Then again,' I said, 'you're asking me what's normal in a war zone. I'm not sure there's any such thing. And how the heck would I know, anyway? I'd probably freak out if I did your job.'

'Yeah, you're paranoid of spiders,' he said - the first sign of his humor kicking in.

'Now, that's not fair. I'm telling you, just 'cause I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out to get me.'

And just like that, the darkness passed. He was laughing again - that was a good thing. By the end of the conversation, he was in really good spirits, and I was left hoping I'd helped.

It's a momentous thing to do what Angels do. For those of us who are lucky enough to get close to our adoptees, I think there comes a universal moment when you realize exactly what it is you're doing - trying to help, in whatever small way you can, to keep "your" Soldier (or Airman, or Sailor, or Marine) OK, trying to let them know what they mean to all of us.

My little bro hadn't really been specific about anything he was seeing until one letter I'd written. I had been travelling, and I'd seen the news - talking about a pretty ugly event in the area he was working in. I'd included in my letter the following sentiment.

Just want you to know, there is nothing you can ever do that will make me think of you as anything other than a Hero. I know that my father-in-law tells some stories that are pretty ugly about where he was, and judging from the few stories he thinks are fit to tell, I probably don't want to hear the other ones. I know enough to know that war is ugly. If you need to vent, vent. It will not change one thing about what I think of you. You are, and will always be, a Hero to me.

That must have unlocked something, because after that I got more glimpses into what it was to be a Soldier in Iraq. Nothing too specific - nothing that would violate OPSEC, of course, but little details here and there about what his life was like. Some funny, some scary, but each one a treasure in that they represented the fact that a Hero trusted me enough to share them.

I cried the day he told me he was coming home - most of that was joy and relief. Some, admittedly, was the fact that I'd miss talking with him. He promised to stay in touch, and part of what my husband referred to as his "coming home dream" was to come up and visit. In our last IM conversation before he left Iraq, I told him,

'It would be very cool to see you, and you're certainly welcome to visit, but I just want you to know that if you change your mind when you get home, that's OK. Things may change a lot once you actually get home to your wife and daughter.'

He insisted he still wanted to come and visit, and again I said he was welcome, but would not be hurt if he didn't. I also told him that whether we stayed in touch or not would be entirely up to him. Soldiers' Angels has a policy that once your Hero comes home, contact ends unless it's requested, initiated, by the Hero.

'I'm a part of a pretty ugly episode in your life,' I said, 'so I understand if you don't want to stay in touch. If you ever need me again, I'm here. I told you in my first letter - my support comes with no strings whatsoever. It's a privilege to have been your Angel.'

He was still insistent that he wanted to stay in touch. And, in truth, he did email me a little while after he got home to let me know he was home safe. After that, the emails got rarer, and then stopped. Much as I missed talking to him, I also took it as a good sign - if he didn't need to talk with me, then life was probably just motoring on, which was my hope all along. Come home safe, and get on with your life.

I emailed him all the major holidays his first year home, and heard from him a couple of times. The next year (this past one), I only emailed him once - on his birthday.

Much to my surprise, I got a reply. He thanked me for the birthday e-card, and told me how much it meant that I'd remembered his birthday. He also told me something else - he was headed back to Iraq.

He was a little nervous about it this time, to say the least. And he promised to stay in touch.

Then I got an email from Kuwait, letting me know he'd gotten there OK, and would email again when he got a chance.

And so I've come sort of full circle in my angelling. From the first day, when I got the email with my first Soldier's name, to now, nearly three years later, emailing with the same Soldier, it's been quite a journey.

Still the best thing I think I've ever done with my time. Bar none. I am humbled, and honored, and proud, to be able to enter the world of Heroes. And every blog entry I post, every letter that I write, every package that I send, is, in some small way, related to one Cav Scout with a dry sense of humor, and a wife and daughter at home.

Keep your helmet on, your head down, and your wits sharp, little bro - hubby and I are always here if you need us. And you are always, always our Hero.

Labels: Gunnar Becker, opinion, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops, tributes

posted by Pam @ 12:41 AM |

Friday, February 16, 2007

March 17, 2007 - Make your plans for D.C.

From MoveAmericaForward:

NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Robert Dixon
February 15, 2007
Phone: (916) 441-6197
Email: http://us.f810.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=robert@moveamericaforward.org

NATIONAL PATRIOTIC CARAVAN COUNTERS ANTI-WAR EFFORT

From California to Washington, D.C. March 8th – March 17th

A national patriotic, pro-troop caravan will cross the nation, traveling from California to Washington, D.C. to show support for U.S. troops serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The "THESE COLORS DON'T RUN" national caravan (organized and sponsored by the pro-troop non-profit group Move America Forward – http://www.moveamericaforward.org/) will depart San Francisco, California on the morning of Thursday, March 8, 2007, traversing the length of the state and then heading across the nation. The patriotic caravan will feature stops across the nation in major cities where pro-troop rallies will take place.

Leading the caravan will be Blue Star Mother Deborah Johns, whose son William is serving his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq; Gold Star Mother Debra Argel Bastian whose son, Derek, died in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Gold Star Father Joseph Williams whose son, Michael, died in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and John Ubaldi – a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

At each rally, participants will bring American flags – either a homemade one they created themselves, a store-bought flag, or a flag that has a special significance, history or meaning. The flags will be collected at each stop and brought to Washington, D.C. where they will be displayed to create a giant "Flag City" on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

The participants of Move America Forward's "THESE COLORS DON'T RUN" caravan will join with several other patriotic and pro-troop organizations for a giant patriotic rally in Washington, D.C. on March 17th. Among the participating groups MAF is proud to support in this display of patriotism are: Free Republic, Gathering of Eagles, Vets for Victory and Vets For Truth.

"There's been way too much negativity and doom-and-gloom mentality in this nation about our nation, our values and the missions our troops are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

"We're sick and tired of the shameful subversiveness of the anti-war crowd and we decided it's time to give Americans a chance to respond with a positive, uplifting and patriotic response," Morgan said.

****************************************************

The Anti-war crows plans to assemble AT THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL. The idea of allowing this crowd to assemble at that wall is nauseating - especially given their past performance, during which Hero Joshua Sparling was threatened, insulted, and spat at.

If you are able, please consider making the trip to D.C. for St. Patrick's Day.

More details are available here:
Gathering of Eagles to Protect Vietnam Memorial Wall

Labels: Anti-War protests, Gathering of Eagles, Moonbats, Move America Forward, Supporting the troops, Veterans Affairs

posted by Pam @ 6:00 AM |

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Denver Volunteers Form Giant Valentine For Troops

An estimated 1,000 volunteers formed a human Valentine heart at Invesco Field at Mile High on Wednesday as part of local radio station KYGO's plan to show support for American troops serving overseas. This photo, taken by the Rocky Mountain News, will be sent to the troops.
CBS

(click the picture for the full story and video)

Thanks to Tony for the tip

Labels: Supporting the troops, Valentine's Day

posted by Pam @ 9:28 PM |

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Go. Vote. Now!

Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pets is a fantastic effort, headed up by one very dedicated Soldiers' Angel, Linda D. Linda is a Team Co-Leader for SA's Letter Writing Team, which involves a tremendous amount of effort (she sends me my three names a week - thanks, Linda!). Linda is both the daughter of WWII "Battle of Bulge" veteran, and the widow of a Vietnam-era veteran.

She's asked for some help in generating some attention and interest for the G.A.S.P. program. G.A.S.P. assists troops by ensuring that their pets are taken care of while they're deployed, by finding foster homes them. Speaking as the co-keeper of a small zoo, I know I'd be devastated if I had to give up my pet because of a deployment. Here is Linda's request:

Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet has been added to the "I Love Dogs" website (www.I-love-dogs.com) Top 50 Websites and we need votes to increase the ranking of our website.

Here is how you can help:

Go to www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org/ and click on click on the logo for the group, which is down the page on the left. It says "Vote Here."

Help us get the word out by voting for our website at the "I Love Dogs - Top 50 Websites" by voting on the site.

How it works:

1. When you visit our website and click on the link shown above, we get a vote

2. When you click on our listing on the "Top Rated Dog Web Sites" we get a visit

The higher we are ranked (# of votes shown), the more visitors will come to our site.

Many thanks for your help in this endeavor to get the word out about Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet and what we are doing.

Linda D.
co-Founder/National Board President
Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet

In addition, I just received an email from the I-Love-Dogs that Guardian Angels has been awarded the following award for our website.

(waiting for the code to put up on our “Awards” page)

No obligation requested or required but would be greatly appreciated.

Angel HUGS to all,
Linda

Please take a moment to cast your vote for this wonderful project, which is currently in the planning stages for a first-of-its-kind "Military & Veterans Pet" (MVP) Sanctuary (more information available at the website).

If you're so moved, you can also donate to the program, or volunteer as a foster home, by clicking on the links at that page.

Labels: Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 12:40 AM |

Monday, January 29, 2007

My Two Cents - The Enemy Within: Abetting with Apathy

I, and a lot of other people, have been saying it for a long time. The "Anti-war" crowd, no matter how much they'll tell you they support the troops, inevitably show themselves to be anti-troop.

There are the more subtle methods - inviting speakers to events, a poorly-worded headline. And then there are the not-so-subtle methods - a nasty email, a nasty blog comment, efforts to kick recruiters off of campuses, spitting, and assault.

The anti-war crowd will tell you that the spitting incidents never happened following Vietnam - that spitting on troops was a myth. They'll tell you that they've never documented it happening. Of course not - they've never talked with anyone that got spit on. But I've heard from vets who say it absolutely did happen - to them.

It's happening now.

There have been precious few incidents reported in the MSM - not surprising. There was the airport incident, the mat incident, and now a hero who ran into their hospitality at weekend's anti-war rally in D.C. What makes this even more disgusting is that this particular hero was already privy to the anti-war crowd's method of supporting the troops.

Joshua Sparling. The name should be familiar to readers of this and other milblogs. Joshua Sparling is the Hero who got a little love note from the anti-war crowd some time ago, as he was recovering in Walter Reed:

Dear soldier,
Have a great time in the war and have a great time dieing(sic) in the war.

Miguel
P.S. - DIE

In the aftermath, Sparling received thousands of cards from well-wishers.

The sender? Well, Michael Crook of Forsake the Troops fame claimed responsibility. His reprehensible website was subsequently taken down by the very people crook derided. Ah, sweet justice. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving dirtbag. The site that URL now takes you to is much more pleasant. He allegedly put up new sites - opposethetroops.com, citizensagainstthetroops.org, and disownthetroops.com, but as of this posting, I didn't find any of them up and running. If there is any justice in this world, those were nuked too - and so will anything else the worm puts up.

But I digress. Joshua Sparling attended the rally this weekend. He's made quite a recovery, despite losing a leg to the wounds that put him in Walter Reed. And how does the "we support the troops but not the war" riffraff greet him?

Michelle Malkin has the answer - By spitting on him.

Sure, the blogosphere will be ablaze today. People will again send messages of support to Sparling, and for a few days the anti-war crowd will be persona non grata.

But what about after that?

The American hoi polloi seems to have a collective case of ADD. We can't even remember back to September 11. We can't remember the President's speech, telling us that Iraq would be a long fight. That the War on Terror would span generations. We sure can't take the time to remember back a few decades, to the death of Robert Dean Stethem, to hijacked airplanes, to PanAm Flight 103, to Americans held hostage in an embassy for over a year.

It is not enough to just react to the more flagrant incidents. It's not enough to send cards to one Hero being spit on. The anti-war crowd does this every single day. They don't stop. And but for a now-shrinking crowd of people who understand why we're in Iraq - why we have to be in Iraq - support for the troops is often relegated to a magnet on a car. Don't get me wrong - the magnets are, at the very least, a reminder. But just having the magnet isn't enough.

We cannot stop at just reacting to the boldest of the moonbats. Every single time I come across someone bashing the troops, I say something. Every single time. It doesn't matter where it happens. At work, at the store, at family events - everywhere, every time. I force myself to when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. I do it because the people they're bashing are willing to die for me. The absolute least I can do is open my mouth when someone's insulting them.

I'm not perfect. I'm not the icon of troop support. But I do something. I don't just say I support them - I live like I support them. It should be a no-brainer. But it isn't.

And let's face it - the anti-war crowd is largely composed of cowards. My husband, during Desert Storm, faced down a crowd of anti-war protesters at the college we attended (I wasn't there, unfortunately). How? By just opening his mouth. He called them morons, and a few other things, and they skulked away.

I faced down one at the store once. It took one sentence.

When the anti-war crowd visits this blog, the most frequent posts are drive-bys. One nasty comment, and they never come back to face the music.

In a recent discussion, someone told me that "none of the troops believe they should be over there."

"Not true," I said. "Many of them understand exactly why they're over there."

"Well, some of them don't. And people don't support them."

"True. Maybe they'd all understand why they're over there if people over here did."

It became a discussion of how "nothing good" was happening over there.

Funny thing, though - when I fired off a list of what had been done, I was told that my ill-armed opponent "didn't know that."

What a surprise.

The point is, the anti-war crowd gains momentum when people allow them to. At the beginning of all this, the anti-war crowd could gain no purchase. We simply wouldn't tolerate it. Remember, they tried to oppose Enduring Freedom, too - they were given the clear message that it wasn't acceptable.

There are some very real dangers in the anti-war movement. For starters, it's heavily populated by socialists and communists. If you don't think that those two philosophies are still a danger in the world, you've been living under a rock. Those ideologies are very real threats today - the only problem is, the threat isn't coming from outside - it's coming from our own country.

The other danger is that the anti-war crowd again has control of the media, and has the ear of legislators. Want a similarity to Vietnam? Well, there it is.

If you support the troops, I ask you to make a promise to yourself. If you don't send one letter of thanks, or care package, to our troops; if you don't send one dime to organizations that do; if you do nothing else - promise to speak up.

Do not remain silent. Do not abet with apathy. What these people do is NOT okay. It is NOT acceptable. The solution is not to accept unacceptable behavior - when you see it, say something.

Because if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. And if you're part of the problem, you are abetting the enemy.

UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has an update on what the dirtbag moonbats did during their "peaceful" demonstration. Funny, I never thought of vandalism as "peaceful." I'm telling you, South Park's Eric Cartman has it right.

Labels: Anti-War protests, Left-Wingnuts, Moonbats, My Two Cents, opinion, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 8:47 AM |

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

My Two Cents - A Gift from a Hero

I got a package yesterday in the mail – from Iraq. My friend the M.P. is there – where exactly, I don’t know, and wouldn’t say here at any rate.

Mike is one of my two current adoptees through Soldiers’ Angels. A really nice guy, he emails every few weeks or so when he has the time. Doing the job he does, that’s pretty darned amazing in itself. But when he sent me an e-card last week, and told me he wanted to send me something, I just had to shake my head.

“I have something for you it is not much but I saw it and I wanted to get it for you.”

“thanks again for everything”

What?

And so, yesterday, my gift arrived. Something for me and for my husband, from a Hero.

And I thought to myself, “This is one of the most awesome gifts I have ever received.” Every time I get a letter back from one of the Heroes I’ve written to, it’s a great day. To find the time to write to me with all they need to do is an amazing feat. But this?

A letter or two weekly, a package every couple of weeks seems so small to me in the face of what they do. Keep my family safe, and stare into the eyes of Hell to serve their country. Astounding.

And I really feel like they don’t make words to cover this, so I’ll just muddle through with what I have.

Thank YOU, Mike…for everything.

Labels: My Two Cents, Soldiers' Angels, Supporting the troops

posted by Pam @ 8:45 AM |

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