Mike D's Army Mom

Being a Blue Star Mom means I hang with all the moms of our Armed Forces. I respect each one the same and know I can share my worries, excitement and more with them. I know quite a few of them read my blog and I told them I'd share when I got this made...so here it is. The first of many Marines shirts....

the Proud Marine Mom shirt!

This is made and available on my Zazzle store. I think they are having a special this month too...no shipping charges for June. That's a pretty cool deal I might take advantage of myself. :)

I just made a new Marine Mom shirt for my awesome Blue Star moms!

With just a couple of clicks, you can help Soldiers' Angels win a $25,000 social media "makeover!" Just type "Soldiers' Angels" into the box at the link and follow the directions.

Twitter, Facebook, and other interactive online platforms are one of the most potent ways to advocate, motivate, and spread the news these days. Soldiers' Angels is an Internet-based organization, and having an expert makeover on the social media side of things would help SA reach out even more effectively to inspire Americans to support our heroes and make sure "No Soldier Go Unloved."

Marcelle Turner, CEO of MindComet says, "Our hope is that the campaign will bring the participating organizations some national awareness through affiliation with the program, provide their constituents a focused mission to champion, and will ultimately result in a nationwide uplift in charitable giving driven by the power of social media."

The contest, created by interactive agency MindComet and dubbed CommuniCause, runs through July 31st. At the conclusion, a winner will be selected at random from the ten highest vote-getters. One vote per email is counted, but the length of the campaign gives supporters the opportunity to spread the word about the contest through email, personal websites, and relationships within their local community.

In addition to voting, supporters can place a badge on their website, or use Twitter to compile votes through "re-tweets" (@CommuniCause #cause2255). Click here and scroll down for details.

Competition began April 27, so Soldiers' Angels has some catching up to do! But we've got a great word-of-mouth "ground game," so the Top Ten isn't out of reach. Let's make it happen!

Help US win $25,000 in Social Media contest

Article brought to my attention by our wonderful Soldiers' Angels:

Army Marks 234 Years of Service, Sacrifice
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2009 – Citing the organization’s long history of selfless service and sacrifice, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III helped to commemorate the Army’s 234th birthday today at a Pentagon ceremony.


The U.S. Army officially celebrates its birthday June 14.

“This occasion marks the 234th year that ordinary men and women have become extraordinary citizens by answering the call of duty and placing the country in front of themselves,” Lynn said to an audience of soldiers and other servicemembers in the Pentagon courtyard. “I’m humbled by this long tradition of service, reaching back even to the founding of our nation.”

The Army tradition is expressed in a number of ways, he said, including in the actions and service of individual families.

Lynn recognized the Simpson family of Tennessee, whose generations of military service span nearly 100 years. Simpson family members served in Mexico, during World War II, in Vietnam and now in Afghanistan, he said.

“It’s this kind of service and dedication that’s the hallmark of the United States Army,” he added.

Lynn also acknowledged the Army as the world’s most formidable fighting force, and he credited family support as the dynamic that makes the Army such a strong, dependable organization. The Army couldn’t be the institution it is without the families, he said.

“Our soldiers, of course, do not bear the burdens of combat alone,” he continued. “When they sign up, they’re also volunteering their families. Army families are a constant source of support and inspiration, and in many ways, they’re the reasons our soldiers continue to serve.”

Today’s commemoration and cake cutting marks the start of a weeklong list of birthday activities all across the Army. The Army will hold its annual birthday ball here tomorrow, and on June 14, Army leadership will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Also, individual Army posts will celebrate with 10-mile birthday runs.

This year is Army Secretary Pete Geren’s final Army birthday celebration as the service’s top official. It’s important, he said, to take the time to reflect on the importance and the impact the U.S. Army has had on the history of the world.

“It’s important for an organization such as ours … to stop and reflect on its proud history,” Geren said. “It’s important to stop and think how different the history of the United States [and] the history of the world would be without the United States Army.”

Geren cited the importance of remembering the sacrifice made by previous generations of soldiers and military members. The battlefields may be different throughout time, he said, but the sacrifice is the same.

“Reflect on those who fought in Desert Storm and … those soldiers who stood all those years ago at Lexington and Concord,” he said. “Reflect on that wife, that husband who’s waiting home today for their loved ones to return, [because] they are living the same experiences and emotions a wife was living when her husband [or] her son faced down the British troops at Lexington and Concord.

“As we enjoy this week and blow out those candles and sing happy birthday,” he continued, “it’s so important to stop and think about what our soldiers have done. Think about how different today the world would be if it were not for the soldiers and families of the United States Army.”

Army Marks 234 Years of Service, Sacrifice

Dear Friends,

It is heartbreaking when we lose a warrior on the battlefield, and so very shocking when a warrior who seems safe at home falls in an act of violence within our borders. As you probably know, in Arkansas this week, two soldiers who had just begun their service were attacked by a fellow American. Soldiers' Angels is already working hard to give what comfort we can to the families, recruiters, and others involved--please read on to see how you can support them and their families and friends.

At 23 years of age, William Long was a bit older than the average recruit, but he had obviously decided to stand up and be counted as a defender of his country during wartime. Perhaps he made his decision with the example of his father--a former Marine--in mind. Fresh out of boot camp, he was back in his hometown to help the soldiers who had recruited him by sharing his experience of becoming a soldier with friends and acquaintances. Less is known about Quinton Ezeagwula at this time, who fortunately was only wounded and is expected to recover. But the same can be said for him--he had the courage and patriotism to volunteer for the military during wartime, and he had been selected to share his story. Both of them had been recruited by soldiers who worked in that recruiting center.

These two great young men and the recruiters who signed them up are just a sample of the heroes who have stood up to protect us, whose stories are not broadcast so loudly see days. But they are all still out there, serving quietly far away or right here at home as they keep the commitment they made when they signed up for military service in wartime. And they need to know Americans are supporting them. In the middle of this heartbreak, we can stand up and show our support and solidarity with these heroes. If you would like to write a note of encouragement and appreciation to the recruiters in the station where the shooting occurred, please send a card or letter to the following:

Army-Navy Career Center
U.S. Army Recruiting
9112 N Rodney Parham Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72205

You can also show your support right in your neighborhood, as other recruiting stations of all branches are certainly feeling sympathy and concern for their brothers in Arkansas. In this time when the actions of our tremendous servicemen and women aren't always getting the attention they deserve, a thank you and a small gift is a great way to let them know that we remember them and are grateful for their service. Try dropping by your local recruiting station with a dozen donuts and some gourmet grounds to stock the office coffee pot, or maybe have a couple pizzas delivered and bring some sodas and cups/plates. If you've got kids, cards and drawings from them would certainly be appreciated. Recruiting is a difficult job even in the best of circumstances, and these days taking the time to thank them for their hard work is a great way to show your support!

More than ever, we need to be sure the brave men and women of the American military know they have our support and undying gratitude. Let's stand up and shower them in love and appreciation!

Wingtip-to-Wingtip,

Soldiers' Angels

A letter to Angels and all who love the troops...

Being the parent of a Soldier, I spend a portion of every day considering the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. I realized this is probably not normal last night when I reflected on an entire day of Memorial Day fanfare and the hoopla and thought, "This is a one time a year event for some of these people."

I know this might be hard to understand if you don't have a loved one in the military, but a lot of Military family members live Memorial Day everyday. We don't have speeches and stories and 21-gun salutes daily, but we ride the emotional roller coaster every day. We consider the horrors of war and the possibilities our loved ones face daily. We try to keep our enthusiasm for our Armed Forces in check when talking to them because we know that our loved ones feel like they are just doing their job, doing what is right, and don't understand why it's not what everyone would do. We can appreciate what our Soldiers can't see...what it costs them emotionally, what it costs their families. We can feel the overwhelming joy in every homecoming we read about. Our hearts break when we read about a Soldier that won't be coming home. We pray that the wounded warriors will heal and wonder if we could ever be as strong as their families appear to be. We are grateful for every Military family that came before us. We know the sacrifices that they have made, and we know the fear they have endured, the pain that can't be shared...except with another military family member.

Memorial day to me is not another holiday, it's not a reason to BBQ...it's a day to share what I live every day. It's a chance to show those tears of gratitude when addressing a retired Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, Coast Guard...it's a chance to let my heart overflow with gratitude and not worry who sees me crying this time because 1/2 of the crowd is also walking around with tears in their eyes. It's a day to let my kids know we aren't the only ones who worry and love someone who values our country and it's freedom more than their own life.

While I don't wish the moments of being scared upon anyone...I do wish that everyone could take a moment of their day, every day, to be grateful for our Armed Forces and everything they have done for us. When you pass an American Flag flying...pause and think of what it took to keep her flying and what she stands for. When you pass a car with an Army, Marine or other bumpersticker or decal...remember that they are part of the sacrifice, whether they are the Soldier, the parent, the wife, the child...and say a "thank you" even if they can't hear you. When you see a Soldier, say "Thanks". If they are in line at the checkout, pay for their coffee, their dinner, their book...it's the least we can do for the freedoms we enjoy.

To Make Every Day Memorial Day

***Please join Soldiers Angels on Facebook

Soldiers' Angels is PROUD to support Operation Gratitude in their efforts to gain the most funding possible in this fan competition sponsored by Target. All funds they receive will be used to pay the $11 postage and shipping costs on the 100,000+ Care Packages they are sending this year ($1.1 Million).

But even more important than the dollars, this is an opportunity for all of us in the Military Support community to make a loud statement to the entire nation, and especially to our men and women in uniform, that we appreciate and respect our Military and will stand up and be counted for them!

The link on Facebook

You do not have to be a FAN of Target to vote--- so VOTE OPERATION GRATITUDE today (and tomorrow, and the next....until May 25.) Like Soldiers' Angels- Operation Gratitude does not rely on paid advertising, mailing lists or hired staff--They count on YOU--dedicated and patriotic supporters--to get the job done.

For more information on Soldiers' Angels please see our website
For more information on Operation Gratitude please see their website

Here's how to vote:*
1. Click on this link: Bullseye Gives
(If you receive this email at work and are unable to access Facebook, please forward this email to your personal email account.)

2. If you are already a member of Facebook, you will be prompted to log-in. Once logged in, VOTE for Operation Gratitude!

3. If you are not yet a member of Facebook:
a. Click on the green sign-up button in the upper left corner and complete the sign up form with your name, email address,** a birthdate and a secret password.
b. Once your account is created, click again on this link: Bullseye Gives -VOTE

4. Return to the Bullseye Gives page every day through May 25 to vote each day!

Remember: Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to preserve our freedom TO VOTE! You can thank them right now with YOUR VOTE!

Operation Gratitude

I think I might be getting a little tense lately. Hubby went to take our truck to get his business info put on the back window with vinyl letters...well, Mike had put a "Terrorist Hunting Permit" on the back window after we went shopping at US Cavalry by Fort Knox during family weekend, when he was in OSUT...and I remembered at the last second that it was on the window they were putting lettering on.

I called and said "DO NOT let them take that off!" and he said he was actually already planning on taking it off because one line wouldn't be centered with it on there. CENTERED??? Who the HELL cares about CENTERED LETTERS???

My kid, that is currently suffering in HELL to make sure we can enjoy such things as vinyl freaking letters on our cars, put that sticker on the truck himself and thought it was funny as can be and it's not coming off until that boy is in my driveway removing it himself. Maybe it's not superstition but just that I see it every day and every single day I remember being in the parking lot of US Cavalry with him and him laughing and grabbing the sticker out of his bag (it was originally intended for his own truck) and saying, "Dad will love this!!" and sticking it on the window.

That silly sticker prompts a memory I like having and I'm not giving it up without a fight. It's like one of the few delicate threads that makes me feel like I'm connected to him still...even if he's 7000 miles away.

My husband can think I'm nuts if he wants but I'm sticking to my guns on this one.

Am I a superstitious Army Mom?

I am a member of Soldiers Angels. My family and I have been blessed to receive ____ as our adopted soldier. Through the program we write to him, send care packages and keep him in our
thoughts and prayers every day. He has a family in NY that he will be returning home to soon.

I wanted to do something very special for____ upon his return. In order to do this I entered a contest to win a family dude ranch vacation in Idaho. The kids went door to door, we asked our church
family for help, we asked everyone at school, everyone we came into contact with throughout the day and all our friends and family for help. We were winning.

Now we are not. My family will cover air fare for the Family but we cannot afford the ranch if we don't win it.

I was wondering if you had a network of people that would be willing to help me out in this. It is VERY easy to vote. No personal info is required and it only takes a minute.

Here's how it works.
1. go to www.redhorsemountainranch.com
2. click on 'win a family dude ranch vacation' under Guest Story Contest
3. click on Roselle Portin and VOTE.
The contest ends April 15th.

I know it's a big favor. I just wanted a really special way to send a very big 'thank you' to____and his family (he is not aware of this). If you could help I would be so thankful.

Thanks for your time and all you do,
Roselle Portin

Click and win a nice homecoming for a hero

Proud Daughter of a Deployed Soldier Shirt with Soldier's Name

Proud Grandpa of a Deployed Soldier Shirt w/ Soldier's Name