Mike D's Army Mom

the Marine Corps Ball was awesome!

2011-11-13T18:50:00.001-05:00

We attended the Marine Corps ball with our great friends from Bravo Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion last weekend. Lake Tahoe's Harvey Resort and Casino was fun and awesome as always!

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!!! And thank you for all you do for us!

Wedding Dress Essay Contest

2011-03-23T00:37:00.000-04:00

Due to a donation from a lovely bridal boutique, Soldiers' Angels has on hand sixteen gorgeous wedding dresses that will be awarded to sixteen lucky military brides! Dresses will be awarded by contest, with the brides who write the best essay about their own love story receiving their choice of dress.

Dress sizes range from 6 to 14, with a size 24 and a size 42 as well. Some are brand new, others have been rented, but all are clean and in superb condition. Most are very detailed, with additions of lace, cutouts or sequins, and styles vary greatly.

Originally offered to a high school drama department who refused them for lack of room, the dresses came to Soldiers' Angels thanks to Patreece, whose husband heard about them through his civilian job on a military base and alerted her. She took home all 16 dresses, cataloged and photographed them, and shipped them to San Antonio for dry cleaning and distribution.

For contest eligibility, procedures and more information, click here.

Contest ends April 21, 2011.

Half Staff American Flag Widget

2011-03-14T14:15:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder why the flag is at half staff?
Do you want to properly display your flag?

This half staff American flag widget will automatically display the American Flag at half staff on the days that it is appropriate to fly the flag at half staff. It will also give the reason why the flag is at half staff.

Click here to read the rest of what is on the website for the Half Staff American Flag Widget and download the widget. Not sure you want it? You can see it in action in the side bar of my blog.

Author Supports Soldiers' Angels

2011-03-14T12:22:00.002-04:00

From the Soldiers' Angels website:

Elementary school principal and author Megan Egerton-Graham is donating 5% of her individual book sales to Soldiersí Angels!
Egerton-Graham is fast becoming widely-known among military families in both Canada and the United States as a great resource for tips, insight and information that helps children and parents cope. Her "While You Were Away" series of books and journals are designed to support families experiencing periods of prolonged absence or deployment, moving, re-integration or just life as a military family
All of the proceeds from Egerton-Graham's books are donated to military support organizations such as Family Readiness Groups. She approached Soldiersí Angels after she was tapped as a keynote speaker at this summer's Blue Star Mothers (BSM) conference and the president of BSM suggested she reach out to support Soldiersí Angels and assist military families that way as well.
Besides school principal, Egerton-Graham has been a teacher and guidance counsellor for 15 years, teaching every grade from Kindergarten to 12. In addition, she brings to the table her experience teaching on military base schools and life as a Canadian military wife and mother of two.
For more information, see the While You Were Away webpage or purchase her books on Amazon.

Shop for a Cause!

2011-03-13T22:13:00.000-04:00

Before you make your purchases (whether it be for something personal, or for filling those care packages to your adopted Hero), you might check out this list of vendors that support the troops and Soldiers' Angels through your purchases (either because you follow the link, or you tell them you are part of Soldiers' Angels) by donating a portion of the sales to Soldiers' Angels, or offering discounts to Soldiers' Angels shoppers. There's all kinds of things to choose from: cooling gear (the weather's changing over there!), coffees (multiple vendors), flowers, jewelry, books, clothes, food, the list goes on! So, if you're shopping anyway, maybe help Soldiers' Angels out while you're at it!

What does a Gold Star mean to you?

2011-03-07T00:23:00.004-05:00

For me a Gold Star means pain. It means broken hearts. Dreams that will never come true. The end of innocence. It means that somewhere, some family has just been given the worse news anyone can get.

If you aren't aware of the meaning, let me start with explaining the service banner. A Blue Star Service Banner is a small flag that families with an active duty member of the military displays in their home (usually hanging in a window). The Blue Star banner has a red border and a blue star in the middle. When a hero is killed in action, that family's blue star is covered with a slightly smaller gold star, leaving the edge of the blue star showing.

The Gold Star banner lets people know that the family has lost their hero and should demand the highest respect for their sacrifice from all of our nation's citizens. However, that's not realistic to expect when most people don't even know what the Gold Star means.

I've spent this last week thinking about this alot as I prepared myself for the last two days. I wanted to be as supportive as possible while I accompanied my best friend to a Gold Star Family Reception. After spending a couple of days with the families here, my goal of educating as many people as possible about what a Gold Star means is even more important to me. These people are strong and many work hard to make a difference in the lives of others. They heal themselves and others while honoring the memory of their loved ones. I am in awe of some of the amazing Gold Star family members I've met over the last few years. They absolutely deserve the respect of America's citizens and that can only happen if people know what the Gold Star banner represents.

This isn't a new thought for me. Since my son's deployment to Iraq in 2008, I have presented a few families with a Gold Star banner during military funerals. I can tell you that handing a grieving parent a Gold Star banner is not always an easy task. Reading the presentation is even more difficult to accomplish. However, it's not the emotional hurdles of the presentation that are hardest to get over. The lack of knowledge you discover when dealing with the people in charge of assisting the family during the days that follow being notified of their loved one's death is what really gets to me. As hard as it is to believe, even many Casualty Affairs Officers are often not aware of the meaning of the Service Banner.

The need for awareness is growing and it's up to those of us who know the meaning to share it with everyone we can. It's the least we can do for those who have sacrificed their loved one.

I realize that I can not educate everyone. But I sure can start somewhere. And guess who I'm asking to help me? Yes, you go it. YOU! It's not so hard to do. Here's what I propose to everyone reading this:

Now that you know what a Gold Star banner is, when you see one on a car or at someone's house, let them know that you are grateful that their loved one was an American Hero that sacrificed their own life in order to protect the freedom of those who live in this great nation. Make sure anyone and everyone with you understands why you just did what you did. If the person with the Gold Star banner isn't around, or you happen to be doing 55 down the highway, still take a moment to educate everyone around you.

If you are a Gold Star family member, please know that I am personally grateful that your loved one lived as an American. There are still people in this country that realize and appreciate that we are free because of Heroes like them. Display your Gold Star Banner with pride. I know that ignorance of the meaning of the banner has led to pain and frustration. Educate those who don't realize what it is, if you are up to it. If not...leave that to the rest of us. We'll take care of it!

Wiihab

2010-12-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

Last month, the community of milbloggers raised $95,205 for Soldiers' Angels Project Valour-IT. While this project started out with the goal of providing laptops with voice-activated software to severely wounded troops, it has since expanded to include other technologies. Personal GPS systems help build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD. Wii video game systems provided to medical facilities to assist with physical rehabilitation.

You might wonder how a video game would help with physical rehabilitation:

Using the game console's unique, motion-sensitive controller, Wii games require body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises. But patients become so engrossed mentally they are almost oblivious to the rigor, Osborn said.

"In the Wii system, because it's kind of a game format, it does create this kind of inner competitiveness. Even though you may be boxing or playing tennis against some figure on the screen, it's amazing how many of our patients want to beat their opponent," said Osborn of Southern Illinois Healthcare, which includes the hospital in Herrin. The hospital, about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis, bought a Wii system for rehab patients late last year.

"When people can refocus their attention from the tediousness of the physical task, oftentimes they do much better," Osborn said.

This kind of therapy seems ideal when working with wounded troops:

The Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital west of Chicago recently bought a Wii system for its spinal cord injury unit.

Pfc. Matthew Turpen, 22, paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident last year while stationed in Germany, plays Wii golf and bowling from his wheelchair at Hines. Turpen says the games help beat the monotony of rehab and seem to be doing his body good, too.

"A lot of guys don't have full finger function so it definitely helps being able to work on using your fingers more and figuring out different ways to use your hands" and arms, Turpen said.

At Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the therapy is well-suited to patients injured during combat in Iraq, who tend to be in the 19 to 25 age range ó a group that's "very into" playing video games, said Lt. Col. Stephanie Daugherty, Walter Reed's chief of occupational therapy.

"They think it's for entertainment, but we know it's for therapy," she said.

While the big annual fundraiser by the milblogs may be over, the need for our wounded troops is always ongoing. If you can, please consider donating to Project Valour-IT.

Dinner with Warriors Cookbook Order Page

2010-11-26T22:05:00.000-05:00

Dinner with Warriors Cookbook is available for only a $20 donation to Freedom Excursions!

Brent's son, HM3 James Ray "Doc" Layton is honored in this book with a favorite recipe, as well as Susan's son GySgt. Aaron Kenefick. The cookbook features recipes loved by those wounded and fallen Heroes within it's pages.

Donating to Freedom Excursions helps us continue to take our nation's heroes out on the boat as well as other excursions. These excursions are healing for all who attend and the experience is priceless for many.

Check out the website for more info: FreedomExcursions.org

Cooking with the Troops opens NASDAQ

2010-11-26T22:01:00.002-05:00

Dinner with Warriors Cookbook Order Page

2010-11-03T20:19:00.000-04:00

Dinner with Warriors Cookbook Order Page is now up on the website!

Dinner with Warriors is the perfect Christmas gift for your military family!

The recipes in this book are lovingly given to the publisher by families of the wounded or fallen so that organizations, such as Freedom Excursions, can help American Service Members and their families.

Browsing through the book will take you on a journey into the lives of these brave men and women who selflessly defend our country, defend our freedom, and paid the price...sometimes paid the ultimate price.

Purchasing this book will help pay for a portion of an excursion for a Service Member or their family. You can purchase the book on the Freedom Excursions website.

New TShirts from Ranger Up to benefit Soldiers' Angels!

2010-07-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

This was sent to me and it's on the From Soldiers' Angels site. I totally wish I had the resources to make shirts like these. These are freaking AWESOME!!!!

Original link here

New T-Shirts Mean New Sale

Ranger Up is holding another charity day for Soldiers Angels--and this time it's doubling the support with TWO whole days in honor of its new Soldiers' Angels t-shirts!

A veteran-owned business known for military-themed clothing designs and gear, Ranger Up will be donating 20% of the price of everything they sell this weekend (July 17-18, 2010) to Soldiers’ Angels! In addition, another 20% of the cost of Ranger Up's three new Soldiers' Angels t-shirt designs will be donated to Soldiers' Angels.

The new shirts include a men's t-shirt featuring a fierce male Angel and the "May No Soldier Walk Alone" line from the Soldiers' Angels motto on the back. The new women's t-shirts feature a powerful female Angel in a light design or dark design, both with the "May No Soldier Go Unloved" line on the back.

This is the second charity day Ranger Up has held for Soldiers' Angels. As CEO Nick Palmisciano says, "Our first charity day was a success, but we wanted to do even more, so we are holding a full Soldiers' Angels charity weekend and simultaneously launching the new shirts. We think this will be out most successful Soldiers' Angels event yet!"

Charity Day is the latest in a rich history of Ranger Up support for Soldiers' Angels. Last year the company created the popular Soldiers' Angels Protector T-shirt and added the Angel logo to its Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters' shorts. "We aren't in a position to simply donate millions of dollars (yet)," says Palmisciano, "so we focus on raising awareness by asking our MMA fighters to wear the Soldiers' Angels emblem when they get in the cage, designing new shirts that make the Soldiers' Angels community proud while simultaneously raising money for the organization, incorporating Soldiers' Angels into the new EA Sports MMA video game promotion and holding charity days."

Encountering Soldiers' Angels while visiting military hospitals with its MMA fighters inspired Ranger Up to join the Angel team. "We found that every time we asked a troop who was taking care of him the best he said, 'Soldiers' Angels.' Every. Single. Time," Palmisciano reports. "Even as Soldiers' Angels grows, it maintains the 'boots on the ground' feel. Angels are writing troops, visiting troops, giving back - each and every one of them. No one is sitting in a corporate office simply thinking about the strategy of taking care of soldiers - each person is doing it, and candidly that's what we love the most."

Soldiers' Angels salutes Ranger Up for their continued service both in and out of uniform, and encourages all Angels to spread the word about these exciting new shirts and this great sale!

Text “Soldiers” to 20222

2010-07-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

Soldiers' Angels official message:

Posted By: Shelle Michaels
To: Members in Soldiers' Angels (OFFICIAL)
Text “Soldiers” to 20222
Soldiers’ Angels proudly announces a new way to support the troops just by using a cell phone! Patriotic Americans can now text “Soldiers” to 20222 to donate $5 toward care packages, assistance for wounded warriors, and support for veterans and their families.

Soldiers’ Angels has a long history of using high tech and social media platforms to motivate volunteers and donations. From raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through military and political blogs to winning a Twitter-based “Social Media Makeover” competition last summer, Soldiers’ Angels has demonstrated a continuing commitment to using all available technological resources in its mission to support the troops.

“We are so excited to give Americans this great, cutting-edge way to help make sure our heroes receive the support they need in this time of war,” says founder Patti Patton-Bader. “Five dollars really is a modest amount of money, but it adds up so quickly and means so much to our efforts. With text-to-donate we are continuing to use the latest technology to draw more Americans into this important work.”

Along with text-to-donate, Soldiers’ Angels is rolling out its new Mobile Support Club
http://www.adz2mobile.com/acp/soldiers_angels/soldiermobileclub.html. Members of the Club will receive up to four monthly alerts and updates on events, projects, soldier stories, support needs and much more, right on their mobile phones. Supporters can sign up automatically by texting “Soldiers” to 20022 to donate $5, or by clicking on "Mobile Club" on the "Stay Connected" widget on the right sidebar of the Soldiers' Angels homepage www.soldiersangels.org. Join uswww.Facebook.com/soldiersangelsofficial.

Have a great day!

Wingtip-to-wingtip,

Patti Patton Bader, Founder
Toby Nunn, Operations Director
Shelle Michaels, National Communication Officer

Marines in Need

2010-07-14T01:39:00.000-04:00

If anyone wants to help spread the word on this, that would be great: http://bostonmaggie.blogspot.com/2010/06/listen-up-i-want-something.html

I know it's not specifically Soldiers' Angels, but the goal is to help out service men and women.

Maggie says: "So, what's the problem? Well, for one thing, the Marines have none of their own gear. Except for seeing the docs, they are sitting around bored silly. So, my BMCS has rounded up some stuff for them (cumshaw, anyone?); a TV, a DVD player and an X-Box. But he needs more stuff."

She's got a list of things they could use and you can contact her if you have any questions.

New online vendor donating to Soldiers' Angels

2010-07-14T01:33:00.002-04:00

Here's a chance to get some cool gear and support the troops at the same time! Online store Clynch House is having a big sale for the 4th of July Weekend with 10% of all revenue going to Soldiers' Angels!

ClynchHouse.com is a new store by Ranger Up partner Garrett Schemmel. The site partners with MMA official brands to meet the growing interest in MMA as a mainstream sport, and carries Ranger Up items as well.

http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=596&cntnt01returnid=15

Why Do I Even Watch Things That Make Me Cry?

2010-06-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

As my husband came in here, I found myself trying to hide the fact that I was tearing up (oh hell, I was flat out crying really!) at a video by Craig Morgan (This Ain't Nothin'). I suspect that he thinks there is something wrong with people who cry. And there is especially something wrong with people who go out of their way to watch things they KNOW will make them cry.

I have noticed that by allowing yourself to feel sad, you actually expand something inside you...I'm not sure what it is, but it almost feels like the act of pushing past the fear and allowing the pain and sorrow to come out, parts of you grow. You grow stronger emotionally, you enable yourself to feel more joy, you allow yourself to start really seeing the things that are important. I think your heart grows in both directions - as you delve into the part that feels sorrow, you also make it possible to go the opposite way and experience as much joy as you do sorrow.

So when I hear Trace singing "Til the Last Shots Fired", Toby singing "American Soldier" or John Michael singing, "Letters from Home"...I'll still go turn it up. I'll get my girls to come watch because they "get" it. And we'll cry. We always do.

What Do YOU Do To Give Something Back?

2010-04-10T12:24:00.001-04:00

Some people just don't get what is wrong with our warriors when they return from war. Yes, you can use catch phrases like PTSD, but do you know what that really means? Do you realize that these guys and gals aren't "broken" but are quite simply doing what they are trained to do?

Our Warriors are warriors, that's all there is to it. Right? Well, sure, IF they remain in a military atmosphere where everyone else is trained the same. Oh, but don't forget those Warriors who were in combat and experienced their unit getting hit by firefight and walked away the only survivor. And don't forget those who were blown up, ambushed, had their sleeping quarters under constant fire, their water supply poisoned, and countless other situations that rock your foundation of security. Now, some of these Warriors get by just fine, and that is great. Maybe their threshold is higher and they can just hold out longer. But many others aren't holding out so well. I think while they are still in a military atmosphere the hold it together better because they have to.

What happens when they come home? Especially Service Members in the Army National Guard and Army and Marine Reserves. When the military doesn't need them, they get to go home and be civilians again until the next time they are needed. Do you have any idea how hard that must be to walk around with your survival triggers firing off in your head constantly. It has to be an exhausting endeavor. It's no wonder these Warriors think there is something wrong with them (because you know that is how everyone around them treats them). They are exhausted, from being "on" 24/7, don't sleep, if they do sleep they have nightmares...how do you feel when you are exhausted? Can't be rational? Small things set you off? Imagine how a Warrior feels in that position.

I feel there is more we can do to make these Warriors realize we are here to help them, just as they've helped us retain our freedom for the last 234 years. I feel it's our duty to help them in any way we can. It's the least we can do. Really.

What can we do to help these guys when they come home? How can we possibly do anything significant enough that it might help?

Well...I happen to donate my time and talents to an amazing organization here in the Tampa Bay are that offers our Service Members a trip out on one of the boats to go sailing, fishing, just do nothing. They can spend time with others who have experienced what they have and they truly "get" it.

By spending an afternoon on the water, chatting, laughing, not worrying, being themselves...it heals them. It's an absolutely amazing thing to watch a Viet Nam vet cry because they feel like someone FINALLY understands them. They start to understand themselves! Watch a young Marine who can't keep his balance hunt for shells on the beach and be SO excited about what they find (especially a starfish as broken on the outside as they feel on the inside - and they realize that both are still perfectly beautiful) that their enthusiasm reminds you of a young kids first trip to the beach. These excursions really are healing. You have to see it to grasp the full effect but trust me, it's a beautiful thing.

Freedom Excursions was started to take out wounded Warriors from the James A Haley VA in Tampa. But we also encourage any present or past Service Member to join us as well. You can find more info on the website: Freedom Excursions

With the word "Deployment" looming on the horizon...

2010-04-02T11:02:00.004-04:00

...and having not even recovered from the last one, my brain is starting to need an outlet again. I started working on my designs for my store. I miss doing that.

I got really preoccupied with some other duties and the things I love got sacrificed as a result. So now I have my family life back on track, farm working towards earning it's keep, and my business is heading in a positive direction again.

At least it was until Mike said that word. I'm going to just kind of ignore it for now though, because it's not an immediate thing. It's not even a bad thing. It's just something I don't want to think about at the moment.

So, I worked on designs and creating more items with existing designs. You'll be seeing those in the near future.

I also do have an awesome project I want to share, and which you WILL be seeing reports on here...

The one thing that I do for the troops that does not take away from my personal life, in fact it actually enhances it, is Freedom Excursions. How do I explain Freedom Excursions? Here, let me share from their website:

This was written by a local reporter (I think it was for the Thunderbolt from MacDill, will find out and correct it asap)

Helping the Veterans
It sounds like a wonderful day that anyone would enjoy. Three hours on the water, fishing, cruising, enjoying a good lunch and soaking up the sun.
But for some military veterans dealing with physical and emotional problems, a boat ride on Freedom Excursions can really change their attitude and outlook on life.
Bryan Custer started the non-profit Freedom Excursions to help injured vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He was inspired by his own son who's active Army, and the worries he has about him coming home injured. Custer makes two boat trips a month, with two to five people on each trip. They range from amputees to those dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The vets tell us the boat trips are remarkably calming and help bring them out of their shells. The cruises also take their minds off their daily stresses of physical therapy for awhile. Custer says seeing how happy he makes them is incredibly gratifying to him. He says it's his way of saying thank you to all the men and women who sacrifice to give us our freedom.

Freedom Excursions now does more than two trips a month. I think it's been closer to 4 or 5 a month lately. If you get a minute, check out the website and learn more. FreedomExcursions.org

And I'm heading over to work on my store. Consider yourself warned!! New item posts will be showing up again!

Take care all!

Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior

2010-03-27T01:16:00.004-04:00

I'm currently reading a book about transitioning from combat to "real life". Why? Well, as a parent I want to make sure I'm aware of what might be going on inside my son's head. Actually, I'm not real sure I've ever known what was going on inside his head, but it's always worth a shot, right?

This book, "Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior" by Col. Charles W. Hoge, MD is giving me a whole new perspective of PTSD, and other "problems" Warriors encounter when they try to meld back into non-combat life.

I've always been bothered with the idea that PTSD is a problem to be fixed. Col. Hoge explains it in a way that makes more sense to me. I've only actually just started reading but in the first few pages, he establishes that these "symptoms" that people will try to fix are nothing more than the skills a Warrior needs to survive and do their job. What they need is to learn how to navigate non-combat life with these skills that will never leave them.

Warriors aren't victims and they aren't broken. That sounds completely the opposite of all the stuff I've read so far. Which is really not much, because it hasn't been addressed all that much, at least not in a way that your everyday civilian will find it. Because I've had experiences with Warriors suffering different stages of PTSD, whether it was due to a TBI or just from the experiences during combat, and I've been trying to understand what I could do to help, I've been searching the bookstores for books that might make it make make more sense. It's hard to explain but sometimes you end up asking yourself things like: "When they get lost mid-sentence, do I bring them back to the same place in the conversation or give it up and move on" and "Should you give clues to things when they are obviously frustrated with their inability to remember something, or should I wait until they get it on their own?" "What can I do to help them, even if it means making them work at it?"

This book has been enlightening. Still no answer to my questions but it's made a positive difference already. The writing is very straight forward, right to the point: They aren't broken and navigating non-combat life is just another mission.

I'll be updating you on what I learn as I actually get into the book. This could be an amazing tool for Freedom Excursions. Hmmmm..... I've seen good reviews so far. I'm very hopeful.

If you want to check it out, the site is: http://onceawarrior.com

A New Year, A New Set of Goals...

2010-01-03T13:49:00.003-05:00

As some of you know, I have a LOT going on here. I'm an Army Mom, which I'd not change for the world. I'm also the Vice President of the Tampa Bay chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America and I two very active competitive gymnasts at home still. I also homeschool. I run my own design/development studio and I have a small farm. I'm sure I've forgotten something here, but it's obviously not all that important right now.

An amazing woman I know posted a saying a few weeks back (thanks Greta!):

Give 110%,

Make a difference,

Expect nothing in return and

if you piss someone off

along the way,

it is their problem.

That got me thinking about everything I do more than I would have expected.

I can't give anything even 10% at the current pace I'm setting. I want to give my all to too many things so I've decided to focus on a few projects that are extremely important to me and the others will be set free to grow on their own, with someone else's help or to just cease to exist. I give the decision to the Universe, though. That's not mine to make.

This year I will:

Make sure my girls have all they need to be the best gymnasts they can be, as long as they enjoy doing it.

Support our troops by focusing on Freedom Excursions and the amazing benefits they provide to our troops and their families.

Be sure to have some sort of regular contact with horses. This might seem odd, but OMG!! I'm dying inside without horses around me. I'm sure this one will work itself out, as I'm not sure where it will fit in to the other items. But it WILL fit in.

ok, those are my basic goals, subject to additions later...

:-)

I hope everyone has had a great holiday and are rested up and ready to live their lives to the fullest. If the military has taught me anything, it has taught me to enjoy the moments you have with your loved ones and doing what you love, because you never know when the next one might be, if it happens at all.

Take care all!!

First Response Backpacks

2009-12-15T09:18:00.000-05:00

My name is SFC G and I am currently serving in Afghanistan.This past Friday I was MEDEVACed to the Hospital. While in transport my uniform was cut off me to allow the Doctors and everyone to do what they do best. Once I woke up in my hospital bed a Nurse handed me a bag from your Organization. At first I just thought that this was just the normal toothbrush, shampoo, and other personal hygiene items. I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life. I cannot tell you how happy I was to open a bag and find clothes that I could put on and feel human again. The weirdest thing was not getting the clothes, but rather the feeling of being at home again. Over here everything smells “Army.” You can ask any veteran and they will tell you that the military has a certain smell that comes with it. This bag for a few minutes helped me forget about the pain and everything else going on over here and made me feel like I was back home with my wife and kids. I had never heard of your group before this and I am in the process of informing my entire family about what you all do. Words cannot express my thanks to all the wonderful people you have working and volunteering to help all of us over here. It is because of all the people like everyone in your organization that allows us to do what we do. Once again thank you for your support and Merry Christmas to all of you!

With the utmost thanks and gratitude!

SFC G

To find out more how you can help, please visit www.soldiersangels.org

Vets run Soldiers' Angels Warehouse

2009-12-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Soldiers’ Angels proudly announces the opening if its first Angel-operated warehouse, staffed by four recent veterans and Angel volunteers. The warehouse consolidates and streamlines SA’s extensive packing, shipping and screen-printing activities in support of the troops, reducing the organization’s overhead expenses and providing an employment opportunity for veterans.

“It’s a better bang for benefactors’ bucks,” explains Soldiers’ Angels Operations Manager Toby Nunn, who oversaw development of the warehouse. Located across the street from Brooke Army Medical center in San Antonio, Texas—a city with the highest concentration of wounded and other active duty soldiers in the United States—the 10,000-square-foot facility reduces shipping costs for SA by its proximity to one of the largest targets of SA’s troop support efforts.

In addition to the reduction in overhead, the cost of paying for the warehouse staff itself fits the mission of Soldiers’ Angels by supporting veterans . “Staffing it with recent veterans helps provide a soft-landing for their transition to civilian life,” Nunn explains. “It surrounds them with like-minded people as they learn the corporate world.” This is especially helpful for those who may be struggling, Nunn says with enthusiasm. “You can’t say, ‘You don’t get it.’ Because you’re looking at a bunch of people who do.”

Another benefit of the location is its easy access for families with patients at BAMC who drop by for the relaxation of being among people who understand. Family members and mobile patients often find enjoyment in pitching in. “Right now we have a couple of families and even a Ft. Hood shooting victim helping out with the Holiday care packages,” says Nunn. “We’ve been shipping out about one semi per day.”

Next door to the warehouse is 3,000 square feet of exhibit space that will be used for military-themed book signings, video/movie screenings, SA leadership meetings, and more. Part of the exhibit space will house a permanent installation of the Tribute to Heroes and Angels museum, and the facility will also support a program of music therapy and music lessons for wounded veterans.

Soldiers' Angels co-founder Jeff Bader says the entire facility is more than a base of operations. “It will be a home--a home for our volunteers and supporters, our active duty and retired military friends, and most importantly a home away from home for our returning and wounded troops and their families.”

Shop & Support the Troops

2009-11-17T00:12:00.000-05:00

Through Soldiers' Angels, patriotic Americans can do their Holiday shopping or planning and support the troops at the same time!

The easiest way to do this is shop online at all your favorite stores. If you stop by GoodShop and Shop to Earn before you start, you can visit all your favorite online stores, purchase anything you want at the usual great prices, and a portion of what you spend will be donated to Soldiers' Angels--at no extra cost to you! On GoodShop, be sure you select Soldiers' Angels as the charity you are "GoodShopping for."

Another great way to do your Holiday gift giving while supporting the troops is to make an honorary donation to Soldiers' Angels in honor of friends or family. Simply follow the directions and you can receive a beautiful commemorative certificate to present as a gift.

Two great companies--SunNight Solar and Bake Me a Wish--have teamed up with Soldiers' Angels to allow customers to double-up their purchases in a "Buy One, Give One" format. Through the SunNight Solar BOGO program, customers can buy a solar-powered flashlight for themselves or as a gift and have another flashlight sent to a soldier in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bake Me a Wish donates a percentage of each cake purchase toward sending a deployed soldier a birthday cake through Operation Birthday Cake.

There are also a number of companies who donate a percentage of their sales to Soldiers' Angels. Check out the SA Discounts page for more information. Items for sale include great gift ideas such as clothes, books, gourmet food, jewelry and music (look closely at each company listed--some merely offer discounts, while others donate a percentage of sales).

Purchasing anything from the Angel Store as a holiday gift is also a great option. All "profits" from the sale of jewelry, clothing, office items and other great products at the Angel store go right back into all the wonderful Soldiers' Angels programs that support the troops.

And don't forget a CamoSock for the servicemember in your life! They come personalized for each service branch, and Soldiers' Angels receives $3 fo each CamoSock sold.

So this year, shop for the troops and check off your Christmas list at the same time!

Proud Grandpa of a Deployed Soldier Mug I just made

2009-11-05T23:56:00.001-05:00

Proud Grandpa of a Deployed Soldier Mug

Jump on board Project Valour-IT

2009-11-05T07:52:00.000-05:00

Seems it is all the rage to have an armed force Soldiers' Angels Valour-IT thermometer widget on a blog or website right now! It is not too late to join in, the fundraiser does not end until November 11th.

1.There are a variety of items up for Valour-IT auction. Go bid on one of them!

2. Go register your blog or website to join one of the 4 teams and get your own thermometer widget.

3. Make a donation - no matter how small. Remember 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase & delivery of technology to our wounded heroes.

4. Tell everyone you know about Project Valour-IT! Create a viral email or put on you Facebook wall.

5. Buy a fabulous gift for yourself or for someone for the holidays from one of the businesses supporting Valour-IT. Or buy register for the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas quilt.

Though either Army, Air Force, Navy/Coast Guard, or Marines will be declared the winner of the competition and will gain bragging rights until next year, our wounded heroes are the winners! Go Project Valour-IT!

Proud Grandma of a Deployed Soldier Mug I just made

2009-11-05T00:32:00.000-05:00

Proud Grandma of a Deployed Soldier Mug

Leftover Halloween Candy?

2009-11-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

If you have leftover Halloween candy, how about sending it to the troops? Not only will deployed heroes enjoy the treats, but often times they pass them out to local children to improve relations.

Our military men and women deployed around the world always enjoy candy in their care packages, and this is the perfect time of year for shipping chocolate--the cooler weather means it's less likely to melt! Patriotic kids and parents can send extra Halloween candy to Soldiers' Angels, who will make sure it brightens the day of a service member far from home (please be sure to send "the good stuff,"--no crushed/melted candy or broken/torn wrappers, etc).

Soldiers' Angels asks all Angels to spread the word and get their community involved in sharing their Halloween candy to give our troops a taste of home.

If you live east of the Mississippi, please ship your Halloween candy to:
Soldiers' Angels
112 Greenhill Road
Ramseur NC 27316
(Dropoff avail. M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

If you live west of the Mississippi, please ship your Halloween candy to:
Soldiers' Angels
914 Tourmaline Dr
Newbury Park, CA 91320

UPDATE FOR: Help COP Keating Survivors!

2009-10-28T00:20:00.001-04:00

I just got this notice from a fellow Blue Star Mom and thought you'd like to know:

On Saturday, Oct. 24, The American Legion and Target Corp. begin replacing personal items U.S. soldiers were forced to destroy in an Oct. 3 attack in the rugged Nuristan province of Afghanistan.

Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Legionnaires will go to a Target Store in Colorado Springs and purchase thousands of dollars worth of DVDs, video games, books, magazines and other comfort items for surviving Fort Carson-based Bravo Troop 3-61 Cavalry soldiers who remain in Afghanistan or are recovering from the battle. The Target Store is located at 3810 East Bloomington Street, Colorado Springs.

The items will be transported from the store to American Legion Post 209 at 3613 Jeannine Drive in Colorado Springs for a packing and shipping party. Some family members of the troops are expected to be present.

A fundraising drive on an American Legion blog site, The Burn Pit, netted more than $50,000 in cash donations to help the soldiers replace their personal belongings. Outnumbered and surrounded in a rugged mountain valley, the besieged troops were forced to call in an artillery strike on their own position, escaping Combat Outpost Keating with little more than the clothes on their backs Oct. 3. Eight American troops were killed in the battle.

Upon learning of the COP Keating Relief Fund, Target Corp. matched The American Legion Burn Pit cash contribution with $50,000 worth of merchandise and gift cards. In addition to the purchases made at the store in Colorado Springs, merchandise will be trucked from a Target regional distribution center to Post 209 for packing and preparation.

Similar shopping and packing events are scheduled in Minneapolis, home of Target’s corporate headquarters, on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.; and Triangle, Va., on Oct. 29 at approximately 10 a.m.

The Target Store involved with the event Tuesday, Oct. 27, is located at 7000 York Ave., Edina, Minn.; merchandise purchased there will be assembled and shipped from Richfield American Legion Post 435, 6501 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis.

The Target Store involved with the event Thursday, Oct. 29, is located at 4310 Fortuna Center Plz., Dumfries, Va.; merchandise purchased there will be assembled and shipped from American Legion Post 28, 17934 Liming Lane, Triangle, Va.

Custom Boyfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

2009-10-19T09:43:00.003-04:00

Here is another hard to find shirt...

Custom Boyfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

Suggestions for other shirts/mugs/bumperstickers are appreciated!! We've already covered a few I wasn't thinking of, like Mother-in-Law and Uncle (thanks to those who have made suggestions already), let's see what else we can come up with!

Minor babble and I Just Made This Customizable Proud Girlfriend of a Deployed Soldier shirt

2009-10-19T08:55:00.003-04:00

I admit I've been distracted lately. Ok, maybe distracted is too weak a word. How about overwhelmed? Yeah. That fits better.

My "duties" as a military parent are not so obvious to others now that Mike is back in the US. However, I have many organizations that I am a member of that are not dependent on what country my son is in at the time. Sometimes, they seem to overrun my life and then when I try to weed through and thin out those that I could let go of with certainty that someone would fill the position...I am at a loss. It seems that many people are not so interested in helping those outside their immediate family circle. So I will continue to be sporadic here, and keep on chugging along in all my other endeavors. One thing that can not be let go any further though is my income. Gotta pay those bills, right? So today is dedicated to getting my store in order, as well as it can be. I'll try to space out my bombardment of new items so you aren't wondering whether I gave up the Army Mom gig and moved over to Retail Store Mom. :P

Thanks to everyone that has visited so far! I do appreciate you all!

And without further adieu.. here is my newest shirt...

Custom Girlfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

Helping COP Keating Survivors

2009-10-08T10:31:00.000-04:00

In the last 36 hours, bloggers from "left" to "right" have teamed up with the American Legion and other military support organizations to support the survivors of the battle at COP Keating. And Soldiers' Angels has jumped in to help!

Not only did the soldiers of COP Keating fight a ferocious battle that included a breach of the base at one point, they lost eight of their brothers (while they donated blood as the battle raged) and watched their living quarters go up in smoke. A participant in the battle who got out later wrote via email, “Most people back home don't even know, no one gives a s***.”

Well, he's already being proven wrong!

Blogger and troop supporter extraordinaire "Tanker Babe" was the first to sound the alarm, pointing out that while the very-most basics would be replaced by the US Army, these heroes needed more. Bloggers across the political spectrum answered the call as Tanker Babe began to coordinate specific item donations of extra clothing and toiletries. Soldiers' Angels pitched in with 54 pairs of socks and a stack of cards and letters written by kids, and within 36 hours Tanker Babe was proud to report, "Mission accomplished."

The American Legion also stepped up to lead in lifting the morale of these brave warriors another way:

In the battle for Combat Outpost Keating, the men of Bravo Troop 361 Cavalry lost every possession they had, save for the clothes on their backs. These men have lost friends, their outpost, and all their belongings. One soldier who made it out wrote that “most people back home dont even know, no one gives a s***.” Well, many of us do. And you can prove it by giving whatever you can. These guys need things like running shoes, and other essentials, as well as some comfort items like iPods and DVD players. The American Legion has kicked in $1000 to start the fund, and your humble blogger will be the first to donate $100. I intend to get these items out by the end of next week. ANY amount you can give, no matter how small will help us prove that we care.

Congratulations to all involved in this great effort, a wonderful example of the amazing things Americans can do when we all pull together!

New Hampshire for Valour-IT

2009-10-08T10:24:00.001-04:00

Business people from Southern New Hampshire are getting a jump on the upcoming Valour-IT fundraser by conducting a little fundraiser of their own. From the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce:

Eastern Expo Challenges Nationwide Bloggers in Support of Soldiers’ Angels

Attendees of the Southern New Hampshire Expo will be taking on the blogging world on October 22 at the Hampshire Dome in a competition to raise money for wounded veterans. At stake is the goal of supplying voice-activated laptops through Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT to servicemen and women who were injured while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local Soldiers’ Angel volunteers to raise funds for Valour-IT laptops through direct donations or by admission to the Expo. “Mention the name Soldiers’ Angels at the door, and one dollar of every paid admission to the Expo will go to Soldiers’ Angels,” explains Richard Mori of Mori Books, Co-Chairman of the event. “We are hoping to raise enough money to purchase at least 10 of them.”

This real world effort in Milford is competing with a cyber network of blogging supporters who will be raising funds for Valour-IT through their websites, beginning on October 26. Bloggers and other New Media mavens will compete as teams of Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force supporters to see who can raise the most money for laptops and other technology that supports the recovery of wounded warriors.

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. These laptops are important to a wounded service member's recovery. Not only do they allow communication with family and friends, but they can be a powerful tool for recovery as patients educate themselves on medical treatments and use computer-based treatment/recovery tools.

Matt Bernard of Brinestone Network Security and IT Consulting, a twice-decorated Purple Heart veteran of Iraq, brought Valour-IT to the attention of the Chamber’s Expo committee. “Soldiers’ Angels was the first group to reach out to me when I landed back in NH after being wounded. They provided what I needed to get back on my feet. I know how necessary these laptops are to get people on their feet,” Bernard explains. “Getting this fundraiser underway is just my way of paying it forward.”

The Souhegan Valley Chamber reaches beyond the typical business to business connections in planning its events. “This partnership with Soldiers’ Angels is one more way the Chamber is providing a vehicle for the nonprofits that serve our communities to raise the money needed to do the important work they do,” from Mike Brisebois, Hitchiner Manufacturing and Co-Chairman of the Expo. “All the organizations – business, civic, government form a network that supports the towns and our citizens. The success of one lends strength to the others. We hope everyone will help us by attending the Expo on October 22 at the Hampshire Dome in Milford.” Over 150 booths will be displaying the products, services and food samplings of the exhibitors from all over the region, northern MA and southern NH. Major sponsors for The Southern NH Expo are Walmart, First Colebrook Bank, PSNH and the Cabinet Press.

Those who want to donate directly to SA and credit it to this fundraising event can use the donation buttons on the SA site, then add "from Souhegan" in the comments section. For more information, contact May Balsama: may@souhegan.net, 603-673-4360.

Angels on Facebook

2009-09-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

There are so many Facebook pages out there with Soldiers' Angels on them, which one should I join?

1. There is only 1 official Group page and you can join it here.

2. There is only 1 official fan page and it is here.

3. Valour-IT has just launched its' event page here.

4. There are a select few other pages that are official, but we are working on fixing some issues about that now so you can easily find our main pages. We is experiencing a few social media growing pains. Our current new media policies can be found here.

Mike Is Officially Home From Iraq!!

2009-09-02T00:59:00.003-04:00

I haven't actually seen him yet because he is stationed in New Jersey and I'm in Florida. We were going to go up for their homecoming but short notice and financial logistics made it impossible. Plus he asked us to wait until he gets time off to spend with us, or wait for him to come down here. Whichever can happen first.

I'm so glad he's finally back in the USA and now I can just worry normal mom worry-thoughts...not be terrified because people are actually attempting to blow him up on a daily basis.

Supporting troops on a budget

2009-09-02T00:58:00.000-04:00

Angel Sharon Trombley is the Angel Bakers Team Leader and has been adopting soldiers since 2006. In that span of time she’s also been laid off from her job… twice. But even amidst financial challenges, she’s found a way to keep supporting her soldiers. “I don’t think my soldiers ever knew I’ve lost my job,” she says. “Financial hardship is not necessarily a good reason to stop. You can do it, you just have to get creative and put in a little extra effort.”

Sharon has developed several strategies for keeping the care packages outbound, from winning Angel Forum contests, to adjusting her definition of care packages and taking advantage of freebies online. She says the most important thing she learned is that it really is the thought that counts.

One of the biggest things Sharon does to keep her soldier cared for when money is tight is to search the Angel Forum for contests and offers from other Angels. For example, she always plays Fairygories, a contest held on the SA forum every month (the usual prize is a care package for your soldier). Another contest was recently put on by a fellow Angel, who offered to send a care package for the soldier of the first Angel who could correctly answer a list of questions. Sharon also keeps her eye out for Angels who offer to send things to your soldier for you. For example, one Angel recently had lots of homemade maple syrup and offered to send it to the soldiers of any Angel who asked; Sharon was sure to jump on the offer immediately. Once when she was in dire straits and couldn’t send anything, she even asked the Angel Bakers to include her soldier on their monthly list.

Recognizing what really matters to her soldiers has also helped Sharon keep supporting them. “It doesn’t have to be a big, elaborate box,” she says. “The important thing to them is that you sent something. As long as they get something from home, they’re happy, it seems to me.” One of her most popular care packages was a word puzzle book, individual-sized drink powders, and chewing gum. “He really liked the drink powders,” she says, "and he said he shared the puzzle book with his whole unit."

Sharon is also a savvy shopper. Some of her shopping secrets are keeping an eye out for sales, checking dollar stores and other discount stores (Walgreens has drink powder for a buck), and joining stores that give deals for their regular customers who sign up (such as CVS drug stores). She also searches for free offers and samples online. “Just search for the words ‘freebies’ or ‘free stuff,’” she says.

While she keeps looking for work in her economically-devastated home state of Michigan and to get a bit more money to support her soldiers, Sharon has joined the Greeting Cake Company, which sells microwaveable “greeting cakes.” Each kit includes frosting, decoration, a candle, and a greeting appropriate to the occasion. She says she particularly likes them because they’re perfect for deployed troops who have access to a microwave.

Hats off to Sharon for being tenacious and creative in supporting her soldiers! She’s proof that even in tough times, you can still adopt a hero.

MilSpouse Supports Soldiers' Angels

2009-08-05T11:55:00.001-04:00

Army Wife and advocate for military families Andi Hurley has designed a beautiful shell-pendant necklace in honor of what she calls, “the thousands of Angels worldwide who give so much of themselves to our troops and their families.”

The Soldiers' Angels necklace is now available on her new online store, Military Matters, which caters to military spouses, moms, girlfriends and female service members, offering fashionable military-themed jewelry, planners and novelty items. Three dollars from each Soldiers' Angels necklace sold on Military Matters between July 14 and August 31 will go directly to Soldiers’ Angels. Andi will also be donating $2 to SA from any other
Military Matters purchases made during that time.

Andi has been a supporter of America’s military families for years, and was a major figure in the miliblog community within which Soldiers’ Angels first found its wings. Today she runs SpouseBUZZ, a great site full of camaraderie, humor and good advice for and by military spouses.

Military Matters developed out of a need Andi discovered about three years ago when she was looking for a unique, military-themed gift for a friend's daughter and noticed that everything she came across was red, white and blue. She’s as patriotic
as any American out there, but she believed military families didn't have to be limited to those colors--they could show pride in their association with the military in brown, green, turquoise, purple and yes, even pink! After discussing the concept with other military spouses, and with the input of her many friends, Military Matters was born this summer. To celebrate the debut of its new product line,

Military Matters is offering a Grand Opening special: from July 9 -August 31, 2009, customers receive 20% off of their order by entering MMGO in the promo code field at check-out.

Soldiers' Angels salutes Andi for all she does for military families, and for her great style and generous heart!

Soldiers' Angels Nationwide Garage/Yard sale!

2009-08-05T11:12:00.001-04:00

Soldiers’ Angels announces the First Annual Sale-abration, a nationwide garage/yard sale to be held on October 3! This special event with draw together people from across the country as they clear out their homes, support the troops, and spread the word about Soldiers’ Angels.

In addition to having the chance to get rid of cool and useful items they no longer use, sellers will be awarded a hand-signed Day of the Deployed proclamation from Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti-Patton Bader. Soldiers’ Angels will also supply each seller with 25 SA wristbands to motivate the first 25 customers at each garage sale, and cards to go inside holiday care packages for the troops will be available at each site for customers to sign.

Registration is now open. If you would like to hold a sale, please sign up. Information packets and further details will go out to all sellers in coming weeks. In the meantime, sign up and start spreading the news to your friends and neighbors. This could be a great event for a school or church, or a Scout/youth group. Get your whole neighborhood involved in one big yard sale!

If you would like to assist someone else who is holding a sale, keep checking the registration page to see if there is one scheduled near you and follow the contact information given.

Sellers who register will receive information packets soon, including flyers and suggestions for improving the sale and its impact. After Labor Day, help with press releases and local media will also be available.

Please sign up now if you’re planning on a garage/yard sale for Sale-abration. You can email saleabration@soldiersangels.org with any questions not addressed here (remember, information packets will be sent to registered sellers in coming weeks).

Military Moms, Spouses, Relatives in the Greater Tampa Bay area

2009-07-14T15:05:00.003-04:00

Anyone in the Tampa Bay area who is interested in participating in supporting our military, there is a chapter of the Blue Star Mothers that is actively meeting again.

You can visit our website for more details : Blue Star Mothers of Greater Tampa Bay

You do not have to be a mom to take part in our activities!! We will be participating in events all over the Tampa Bay area, such as the Independence Day parade we marched in on July 4th in Brandon and we'll be volunteering at the VA Hospital in Tampa and trying to help out organizations such as Freedom Excursions in Apollo Beach. We also do homecomings, console each other after deployments, check on your sick kids in the area (if you aren't here) and do so many things for our troops!

If you know any military families in the area please let them know about us!! If you are a military family member but aren't local, find your local chapter at the National Blue Star Mothers site!

I Just Made This Proud Wife of a United States Marine Shirt

2009-07-14T09:17:00.004-04:00

I'm slowly getting my designs up where they belong...in the store so people can buy them!! LOL They don't do anyone a lot of good sitting on my computer, do they?

I'm working on finishing up the Army designs I have, they all need to be put on other items besides just shirts. As I'm doing that I am also working on Marine Corp designs...I've had a lot of requests so I will try to get them all done ASAP. I promise I'm going as fast as I can! Thanks to everyone who has bought one. I want to see pics of you wearing them now...that would make the whole process really worth it!! So post a pic of you wearing your shirts (or using your coffee mug) here or to the Zazzle page with that product, they have that option there too.

THANKS AGAIN!! (I can't seem to say thanks enough but I really do appreciate you all!)

Proud Wife of a United States Marine Shirt

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

2009-06-20T12:09:00.002-04:00

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!

Proud Mom of a United States Marine Shirt by WendyMilonas

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. :)

Help US win $25,000 in Social Media contest

2009-06-18T23:57:00.000-04:00

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!

Army Marks 234 Years of Service, Sacrifice

2009-06-18T23:28:00.001-04:00

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.”

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

2009-06-08T22:05:00.001-04:00

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

To Make Every Day Memorial Day

2009-05-26T08:59:00.002-04:00

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.

Operation Gratitude

2009-05-15T08:36:00.001-04:00

***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!

Am I a superstitious Army Mom?

2009-05-05T14:26:00.002-04:00

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.

Click and win a nice homecoming for a hero

2009-04-14T23:41:00.000-04:00

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

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

2009-03-30T21:23:00.000-04:00

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

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

2009-03-30T19:17:00.000-04:00

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

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

2009-03-30T17:30:00.000-04:00

Proud Grandma of a Deployed Soldier Shirt with Name

14 to 18 years old are invited to compete for a three-week sailing camp in the Caribbean

2009-03-30T16:42:00.002-04:00

The Gallery Collection by Prudent Publishing, maker of fine personalized greeting cards, has been a very strong supporter of Soldiers' Angels, providing millions of dollars' worth of Holiday and Christmas cards for the last two holiday care package efforts. Last Christmas Soldiers' Angels received many thank yous from deployed heroes who were so grateful to receive the blank greeting cards that they could send to their loved ones back home--the cards were one of the most popular items in the holiday care packages.

Now Prudent publishing is holding a greeting card design contest! Teenagers from 14 to 18 years old are invited to compete for a three-week sailing camp in the Caribbean by submitting their idea for an environmentally-themed card to be presented to President Obama. An additional competition for a $10,000 scholarship is also underway, with the winner's holiday/birthday-themed card to be published by Prudent. Who knows... maybe your design will even get chosen to be sent to the troops next year...

The deadline for the sailing camp contest is only four weeks away! Click for more information about the Prudent Publishing greeting card contests: www.gallerycollection.com/write-greeting-cards-contest1.htm

Proud Wife of a Deployed Soldier Shirt With Soldier's Name

2009-03-30T15:47:00.000-04:00

Proud Wife of a Deployed Soldier with Soldier's Name

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

2009-03-30T13:40:00.000-04:00

Brother of a Deployed Soldier Shirt with Soldier's Name

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

2009-03-30T11:30:00.000-04:00

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

Proud Dad of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

2009-03-30T09:23:00.000-04:00

Proud Dad of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

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

2009-03-29T19:17:00.000-04:00

Proud Mom of a Deployed Soldier with Soldier's Name

The Military Child

2009-03-29T17:01:00.002-04:00

This just came in from our favorite Soldiers' Angels to remind us of the sacrifices made by the children of our troops. While it's hard for me, as a mom, to watch my child go off to war, I can not begin to imagine how hard it is to see your father or mother (or both) leave to go to war. The thought of it makes me want to scoop them all up and just hug them and thank them for something they can't even understand yet. While I go to find a kleenex, feel free to read what I got from the Angels today:

April marks a very special month in the lives of the military members. Soldiers' Angels joins the US Department of Defense in recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger, established April as the Month of the Military Child in 1986, underscoring the importance of military children and their role in military families.

These children make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, quietly shouldering part of the burden, making their mom or dad understand that what they are doing is important. Military parents often have to miss holidays and special occasions, and children are left home to worry while parents go on difficult missions. Active duty military families also have to move every two or three years, making the children uproot, change schools and say goodbye to friends. Because military children have to transition and adapt a lot, they gain great life experience and maturity at a young age. April serves as a reminder for military families that there is support available to them with resources to help.

Soldiers' Angels encourages the nation to stand up and support the military families in their surrounding area by getting involved in a variety of ways. Please contact Soldiers' Angels (ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org) or your local military facility to see how you can best utilize your time and talent to show your appreciation during the Month of the Military Child. To all of the military children in our nation- thank you for your service to our country, you are a very important part of our freedom.

SOLDIERS' ANGELS PROCLAMATION

Whereas, Thousands of brave Americans have demonstrated their courage and commitment to freedom by serving the armed forces of the United States of America in active duty posts around the world; and,

Whereas, More than 40 percent of these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have left families with children behind; and,

Whereas, More than one million of America's children have at least one parent currently serving active military duty; and,

Whereas, These children are a source of pride and honor to us all, and it is only fitting that we take time to recognize their contributions, celebrate their spirit, and let our men and women in uniform know that while they're taking care of us, we're taking care of their children; and,

Whereas, The recognition of the "Month of the Military Child" will allow us to pay tribute to military children for their commitment, their struggles and their unconditional support of our troops, because when parents serve in the military, their Kids Serve Too; and,

Whereas, A month-long salute to military children will encourage support for "Kids Serve Too" and other organizations and campaigns established to provide direct support to military children and families; and now therefore be it, Resolved, That I, Patti Patton - Bader, founder of Soldiers’ Angels, do hereby proclaim April 2009, as The Month of the Military Child within the Soldiers’ Angels organization. I encourage all Angels to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor, support and thank military children.

Patti Patton-Bader
Soldiers' Angels Founder

Shelle Michaels
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer

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

2009-03-29T11:38:00.001-04:00

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

Make A Banner To Support The Troops

2009-03-18T09:18:00.000-04:00

It’s that time again! The plans for Face of America Bicycle Ride 2009 have been finalized. The ride is taking place on April 25 & 26 from Bethesda MD to Gettysburg PA. Soldiers’ Angels works with World T.E.A.M. Sports by providing volunteers and support during the ride.

Face of America is a two-day inclusive bike ride of approximately 110 miles, creating a TEAM of people with and without disabilities. The ride is open to all—wounded, ill, active duty, civilians, young and old alike. This is a ride—not a race.

Banners! Banners are loved by the riders! Hung along the route and at rest stops, they offer encouragement and support to the riders. Banners can be made of any material ranging in size from a pillow case or tee shirt, to twin-size bed sheet. If you are interested in making and sending on a banner, please email Lisa Dixon at lisa-in-dc@earthlink.net for information and mailing instructions.

Ok, I have to share this...finally

2009-03-17T20:56:00.002-04:00

I don't know why I didn't rush right in here and share this with the world...I shared it with Jen right after it happened and then with my Facebook crew...but then I think I got busy and just forgot to blog about it.

Bad Bad Blogging Army Mom!! I know. Ok, I'm over it.

So, what I failed to share was that I was on TV!! This was Feb 27th. yeah, I know...took me forever to share.

I was working in the chicken coop when a reporter for Channel 8 in Tampa called and asked if I had a son going to Iraq. I told her he was in Iraq already and she said that she had found my website when she was hunting for local military families. She wanted to get some reactions to Obama's announcement that the non-combat troops would be out of Iraq by 2010.

The reporter and the camera person came over right away, interviewed me and then were talking about Mike and where he went to OSUT, etc. The reporter saw his pic on the wall from when he was younger and asked if that was him. I said it was, but it's his high school picture taken in 9th grade...it's pretty old. So my mother offered to show Mike's picture from Fort Knox when he was with me and with his sisters. She still had a copy on her camera card. So we showed them and they asked more questions. When they left they said it would probably be edited down to like an 8-10 second piece.

It aired that night and then the next morning. It wasn't 8-10 seconds. It was about 2 minutes. It was also the lead story. It was pretty cool. I also expected them to totally distort what I said, but it really wasn't bad.

Anyway, here is my acting debut!! LOL

Documentary “Brothers at War” Partners with Soldiers’ Angels to Energize Military Supporters

2009-03-11T16:22:00.002-04:00

News from SoldiersAngels.org...

Organization’s volunteers will invite viewers to actively support military families like those seen in acclaimed documentary.

Military support nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels announced its partnership today with the award‐winning documentary Brothers at War, currently screening in cities across America. Directed by civilian Jake Rademacher, who followed his two military brothers to document their combat deployment and return home, Brothers at War is an intimate portrait of a military family during wartime.

Volunteers from Soldiers’ Angels will be in attendance at each screening location for Brothers at War to invite viewers to bridge the military‐civilian divide by actively supporting service members and families like those portrayed in the documentary. A grassroots nonprofit with unique and effective ways of supporting the troops, Soldiers’ Angels and its army of volunteers have received widespread praise and
numerous awards for the hands‐on assistance they offer to military families, the deployed, wounded, families of the fallen, and American veterans of all ages.

Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton‐Bader welcomes the opportunity to connect average Americans with those who protect them. “Fewer people serving in the military means fewer Americans have personal knowledge of the sacrifices and challenges of military life,” she explains. Brothers at War helps bridge that divide. The story of these heroes needs to be told, and our soldiers need to know their service is appreciated and that they are not forgotten.”

Military spouse and Soldiers’ Angels volunteer Greta Perry agrees that Brothers at War can help the rest of America understand the experience of military personnel and their families during wartime. “No other footage since Bad Voodo’s War has portrayed anything so real and unbiased about the war and the soldiers who serve in it,” she recently wrote after screening the film.

“Jake left [Iraq] with a better understanding of the conditions his brothers lived in and he shared that with us effortlessly on the screen.”

Brothers at War was produced by Norman S. Powell (American Valor, 24), and Gary Sinise (CSI New York, Forrest Gump). Sinise is also a recipient of the Presidential Citizen’s Medal for his extensive activities in support of America’s military men and women. More information is available at www.brothersatwarmovie.com.

About Soldiers’ Angels: Established in 2003 by the mother of two soldiers, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer‐based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 615‐676‐0239. Tax ID# 20‐0583415

708 Soldiers Waiting To Be Adopted!

2009-03-10T16:32:00.003-04:00

Adopt a Soldier today by visiting SoldiersAngels.org

Military Family Members and Anticipatory Grief

2009-02-16T10:56:00.004-05:00

Wow. There's a name for it! And now I feel like I can attack it, if I know that it's there.

I mean, I KNEW it was there because of how everyone I know looks at me. Like they wish they could say or do something to make me better but they are afraid that no matter what they say/do...I'll start leaking again.

I hate that I make others feel uncomfortable around me when they only want me to be me again.

I opened GoArmyParents.com today and found this article posted and thought, "AHA! IT'S NOT JUST ME! I'M NOT GOING INSANE!!!"

So since it's not just me and I thought others might not be aware that THEY aren't the only ones going through it, I thought I'd share:

Anticipatory Grief by Kristin Henderson
While my husband, a Navy chaplain, was in Iraq with the Marines, I imagined a knock at my door. I imagined uniformed Marines telling me that my husband was dead. I imagined the funeral. I did this regularly until my husband was safely home in my arms.

I thought I was the only one with such a morbid imagination until I began researching my book about military families, "While They're at War." Chaplain Jeffrey Watters described how he and other chaplains on Fort Bragg, NC, had noticed a wave of grief sweeping through the families on the homefront.

"They were exhibiting the same symptoms as those who are grieving over a loved one with a terminal illness," Watters told me. Then he listed the symptoms.

My mouth dropped open. I'd had many of those symptoms during my husband's deployment. I had cried in the shower, sometimes felt like I couldn't get enough air, and one day in church had an almost uncontrollable urge to get up and run out. Not only did I not know all this craziness had a name -- anticipatory grief -- I didn't know there were techniques to cope with it.

It turns out that anticipatory grief is common among homefront families during a wartime deployment. We're so afraid of losing the one we love that our bodies start to react as if they're already dead. The symptoms include:
-- tightness in the throat or chest
-- shortness of breath
-- sensitivity to loud noises
-- forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
-- agitation and restlessness, like an anxiety attack
-- extreme hunger or lack of appetite
-- crying jags
-- headaches
-- insomnia
-- drug use or excessive drinking

Grief is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a normal human emotion, and grieving people typically move through five phases: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance and hope. Not everyone experiences all these phases, and they may not occur in that order. But any of those responses are normal, even if the one you love is alive and kicking.

Continue reading the rest of the article here...

I'd Like To Get Off The Deployed Army Mom Train Please

2009-02-14T11:01:00.005-05:00

I'm not sure I'm really cut out for this. I thought I was. I tried really hard. Now I'm wishing I could find a "do over" button and go back and talk Mike into doing something less dangerous in a less hostile place. He was supposed to go to Full Sail for game design. That was pretty safe! Well, actually, now that I think of it from that angle, I do know of people there with major drug problems so...ok, that one is out. Dang. Now that I think of it, I don't think anything is safe enough.

*sigh*

I guess I would rather have a kid who is confident in what he's doing and making a difference than a kid who is just surviving and not really happy with life.

Man, I just talked myself out of a full blown anxiety attack. For now. Thanks for listening. If I start talking at home, my kids pick up on me being upset and then it will include my husband and then my mom and it just escalates and no one can function.

Going to try to work now...thanks again for listening!

:)

He's officially in the desert

2009-02-06T09:27:00.004-05:00

I'm almost excited about it. I think this could be an amazing adventure for him. Ok, so people will be shooting at him but still...how many people get stuck in a 9-5 job with no excitement, no thrills...He has never been out of the US before this. Now he will experience life from so many points of view.

I'm choosing to make this a positive thing. I've decided I won't be giving in to fear and spending my time worrying. It's such a waste of time. Really, will me worrying do him any good? And he's over there ensuring freedom prevails. What good is me confining my mind to worrying about him. It goes against what he is fighting for.

So I choose to use this as a learning experience for the girls. They've already learned where a few new places are when he called from them. Google Earth is on full time duty now. LOL I am also teaching them not to waste their time worrying. Michelle is far too prone to do that already.

Of course, I can't guarantee I won't break down every once in a while. I figure every other day for the first few months isn't too bad. :P

Gotta get back to work. I'm going away for the weekend and want to get all my stuff sorted before I leave.

Have a great day and an even better weekend!!

Best Phone Call Ever and A Call For Action

2009-01-31T08:41:00.002-05:00

This is a pretty cool article I recommend reading. :)

New Red, White and Blue Deployed Soldier Shirts (Less Expensive Than Previous One!)

2009-01-30T12:30:00.003-05:00

I made a newer, less expensive version of the Deployed Soldier Shirt!! I like it better, actually. I don't know why I keep getting hung up on making bright yellow text and then it can only be printed on dark shirts, which are more expensive. Sorry folks - it's an artist thing. Anyway, I've figured out that I am depriving people of these shirts since they are quite a lot of money. The new design is red, white and blue and is printed on light shirts...meaning the base price is like $17 or so (customizable version has name of your Soldier on back and starts at $22 - You could even add your Soldier's picture here!). That is way more affordable (I think so anyway). Let me know if you have any special requests for a shirt, I'd be happy to make one specially for you!!!

Thanks for putting up with my creative outbursts!!! LOL

Proud Mom of a Deployed Soldier Shirt

Football Greats Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell Host Angels and Heroes

2009-01-30T08:09:00.003-05:00

2009 Grid Iron Golf Tournament in Tampa Spotlights Soldiers' Angels

Led by football greats Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell, the 2009 Grid Iron Golf Tournament in support of the troops kicked off last night with the Immaculate Reception & Dinner at Timpano Italian Chophouse in Tampa. Military support non-profit Soldiers' Angels is this year's beneficiary of an event that has been conducted concurrent with each Super Bowl since 1997 and has resulted in over $180,000 raised for a variety of charitable causes. The golf tournament itself is underway today at the renowned Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa, Florida.

"It's wonderful that these football heroes chose to honor America's heroes on the battlefield and the homefront. We are so appreciative of the generosity shown to Soldiers' Angels by these stars," says Soldiers' Angels volunteer Andi Hurley, a military spouse and founder of Spousebuzz.com. Other Soldiers' Angels representatives attending the event include co-founder Jeff Bader, Treasurer Mark Concialdi, Team Development Director and veteran Toby Nunn, and wounded active-duty soldier Major Charles Ziegenfuss.

As a Pennsylvania resident and proud Steelers fan, Major Ziegenfuss is thrilled to be in Tampa during Super Bowl week. "I just met Franco Harris," he exclaims. "For a Steeler fan that's like meeting the Pope. I tried to thank him for the tournament, and he thanked me!"

Fellow veteran Toby Nunn agrees that this is a special event. "Some lucky celebrities are getting the privilege of playing golf with real heroes like Major Ziegenfuss and Staff Sergeant Adam Bruha. The golf course is terrific, and the fellowship couldn't be better."

Established in 2003 by the mother of two young veterans, Soldiers' Angels is fast becoming one of America's premiere military support organizations. With an army of volunteers operating through over 30 different teams and projects, the organization supports deployed soldiers and their families, comforts families of the fallen, provides care and support in military hospitals and VA facilities, and much, much more.

ABOUT SOLDIERS' ANGELS: A volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Soldiers' Angels provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 626-529-5114. Tax ID# 20-0583415

For more information about the tournament, contact Luana Scott at 619-279-5879 or onparpro@comcast.net.

2009-01-28T14:49:00.000-05:00

Custom Girlfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Boyfriend of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Proud of My Deployed Soldier Shirt

2009-01-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

Custom Proud of My Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

New Deployed Soldier Shirts for Parent, Sister-In-Law and Brother-In-Law

2009-01-28T11:00:00.001-05:00

Custom Sister In Law of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Brother In Law of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Parent of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

New Deployed Soldier Shirt Designs for Aunt, Uncle, Mother-In-Law, and Father-In-Law

2009-01-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

Custom Proud Aunt of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Uncle of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Mother In Law of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

Custom Father In Law of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Is this a good looking kid or what?

2009-01-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

ok, it's my job as mom to embarrass the crap out of him...if he even stops by here.

LOL

Here are some pics of Mike taken recently:

I'm So Grateful For Every Chance I Get To Speak To Mike

2009-01-27T23:43:00.004-05:00

So I have no idea if or when he's left/leaving. I'm fine with that. I was a bit concerned that he was getting a bit burned out by the wait, and then I was wondering if the wait was for the best as he was getting really hostile.

It's hard for a parent to watch their child, even an adult child, go through tough emotional challenges...and not be able to understand what they are battling on the inside. I mean, I can't even begin to understand what it means to him to be deployed. He seems gung-ho to go most times but then he's also pissed at the whole world at the same time. He's been pissed at the world for a while, before the Army, so that could be coming back now that OSUT is over and he has more freedom to be himself.

I just wish I could know that he is happy with the career he has chosen.

Our conversation today was much more positive than any we've had lately. It made me feel happy that he seemed so positive. It made my heart smile. :)

I also had to realize that every conversation I have with him better be appreciated to the fullest extent, as it could be our last one for a while. So while I was taking his venting sessions as a gift, the talk we had today was a special gift and I'm very glad for having had the opportunity to talk for so long.

I sent off an email to his FRG, he has no idea what he's supposed to do to get me access to his FRG so I'm going to see how far I can get on my own. This could be fun. :P At least I still have contact with him if he needs to help.

New Deployed Soldier Shirts: Wife, Dad, Brother, Sister

2009-01-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going to list these in blocks of a few at a time so I don't drive everyone who has a subscription nuts...

Custom Proud Wife of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Dad of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Brother of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Sister of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

New Deployed Soldier Shirts for Grandma, Grandpa, Daughter and Son

2009-01-27T13:52:00.002-05:00

Custom Proud Grandma of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Grandpa of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Daughter of a Deployed Soldier Shirt by WendyMilonas

Custom Proud Son of a Deployed Soldier by WendyMilonas

Over 900 Soldiers Waiting To Be Adopted Today!

2009-01-22T14:15:00.002-05:00

Soldiers' Angels hero adoption waiting list is over 900 today. All these heroes waiting to be adopted are currently serving overseas, away from their families and could use some additional support form you. Won't you please consider adopting a hero today? All is takes is the commitment from you to write a letter a week and send one small care package a month during the length of the deployment. To adopt a hero, click here now.

If adoption does not suit you and you would like to get involved with Soldiers' Angels, there are many opportunities for everyone to get involved. Just click here to find out more.

~May no soldier go unloved~

Proud Wife of a Deployed Soldier Shirt Was On Zazzle's Today's Best Page!!

2009-01-15T23:04:00.004-05:00

and I didn't even know it!

I'm so busy moving I didn't even get to put it up here either...

So here it is:

Custom Version is here. (You can add your Soldier's name and where they are deployed to very easily on back.) Of course you can always customize your stuff at Zazzle, I just tried to make it easier.

Countdown has begun

2009-01-07T08:25:00.003-05:00

Mike deploys soon and my brain has begun the countdown. Every morning when I wake up... " ___ days until Mike leaves" plays in my head.

He seems to be handling the upcoming event as well as can be expected. He's on a bit of a roller-coaster. He fluxuates from being gung-ho to being pissed at the world for various things. Don't think this is new though, Mike's been pissed at the world for at least the last 7 years. Maybe longer. I do think this is a very emotional event for a group of guys who are being taught to kick emotion aside and deal with the facts at hand. From my point of view he is sort of purging his anger and getting it out of the way while it's still safe. I have a feeling it won't be back once he leaves US soil.

He's a good kid, er, I guess it's Man now, isn't it? He's a good man with a good head on his shoulders. I am sure he's going to be just fine.

I'll still worry, of course. That's my job, isn't it?

:)

My New "Custom Proud Mom of a Deployed Soldier Shirt"

2009-01-07T00:45:00.004-05:00

There are a bunch of these, so expect to see them when I'm not so tired. :)

I created these yesterday and thought I'd share. They are customizable if you check out the back (click the shirt to go to the page with more details). There is also a non customizable version without the back (makes it a few dollars cheaper) and I'm working on some that can print on white shirts, since white shirts are about $5 -$8 cheaper than the dark shirts.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome!!

Adopt a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine

2008-12-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

"Sure you might not be here on the front line, covered in filth, smelling like hell, your heart going a mile a minute, not knowing what's coming next: if your next step is on that TRP, or if your going to be the latest recruiting tool for some insurgent's new video while they take pot shots at you. But, what you all do with those cards, care packages, cookies is just as important...

When I get a box (or anyone else gets a box) its hard to describe. You find a nice quiet corner and everyone knows not to bother you. You sit there and look over the box as if you had never seen anything like it before. You read who it's from, and a smile crosses your face--you recognize the name. You might already know what's inside, but it does not matter. Some tear it open as fast as they can, others take their time and enjoy every second of it. Once inside, you go through it, every little item once, twice, sometimes three times. It's a very delicate process. You breathe it in and you think of the person who sent it to you. You think of home, family, cars, summer--everything all at once. And for a very short time, you are there away from this SH*T hole. You are grateful. Then you look around and there's always a buddy who is down or having a bad day. You share your box--sometimes just with the one guy, sometimes with everyone--and it's electric. Everyone catches that feeling, and we start talking about home, about things we miss, things we are going to do when we get back, and the heaviness of the day lifts and it's not so bad.

...It's not the "things" that are sent that matter to us, it's the thought. That's the power ALL of you have who take the time to send things. You can change the worst day into the best day, in a split second. - MP in Iraq

Soldiers' Angels

The length of each adoption depends on the branch of service your soldier is in and a number of other factors, but generally averages between six (6) months to twelve (12) months. On occasion, they can be extended, but this is the average. When you adopt you are committing to sending a card or letter each week, and a minimum of 1 or 2 care packages a month. This is one of the most important things that can be done to help bring home a healthy hero; it is so very important for each of them to know they are loved and supported, and your letters and care packages prove just that.

Care packages do not have to be expensive: you can put together your own (we have a detailed list of the most-requested items for you--snacks, hygiene products, and games or magazines).

Soldiers' Angels

There are Many Ways to Support our Service Members:

Donate to Soldiers' Angels - If you would like to assist Soldiers' Angels in its troop support activities, please consider a financial donation. Donations of every size help provide aid and comfort to the troops through our many projects and activities. You can also donate stock, old electronics, air miles, care package items and much more. For details got to Soldiers' Angels

Join a Soldiers' Angels Team - If you want to dig deep into the Soldiers' Angels mission, we invite you to join one of our many teams. The 30+ teams of Soldiers' Angels specialize in filling specific servicemember and family needs. You can get involved in sending handmade blankets to the wounded, supporting our military chaplains, helping soldiers distribute toys and clothing to children in Iraq and Afghanistan, and much, much more! To find a team that fits your interests, please see the complete list in the center of our homepage at Soldiers' Angels

Cavalry Bumpersticker

2008-12-27T15:16:00.004-05:00

I needed to work on some of these, as they've been sitting, half finished...and I'm feeling a bit depressed about the upcoming deployment so it seemed like a good time to create some new products.

Send a holiday message to the troops

2008-12-18T23:18:00.000-05:00

Send a holiday message to the troops on Moment of Thanks. Let's give our family serving abroad some cheer and send them a message or a photo to put a smile on their faces…and let them know we're thinking about them this holiday season. Go to Moment of Thanks and share.

"America's Favorite Mom" Plays Santa for the Troops

2008-12-18T10:01:00.000-05:00

Patti Patton-Bader, founder of Soldiers' Angels, has given her prizes from the America's Favorite Mom contest to service members and their families.

New York, NY (December 16, 2008) -- America's Favorite Mom played Santa for a Day in New York, using the prizes she won to bring an early Christmas to military personnel and their families. Patti Patton-Bader, named America's Favorite Mom last Mother's Day, received the remainder of her prizes in New York last week, which she immediately donated in support of her heroes.

Such generosity is typical of Ms. Bader, who is president of Soldiers' Angels, a military support nonprofit she founded soon after her soldier son was deployed to Iraq in 2003. Five years later, it is now a volunteer-based organization operating over 30 different teams and projects in support of America's military, veterans, and military families around the world. "Soldiers' Angels is proud to acknowledge the continued generosity of its founder, Patti Patton Bader, through her donation of the proceeds and prizes she received from the America's Favorite Mom contest," said Soldiers' Angels Treasurer Mark Concialdi.

Redbook magazine interviewed Ms. Bader in New York at a private lunch with editor Stacy Morrison before she received her final prize of a shopping spree. At Ms. Bader's direction, the shopping spree was spent buying Christmas gifts for children of wounded soldiers living in Fisher Houses while their parents recover at nearby military hospitals.

The cash grand prize was distributed as a lump sum of $150,000, which Ms. Bader donated to Soldiers' Angels this summer. She has also donated the set of household appliances she received to nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, where they will be added to a home to be constructed for a quadriplegic wounded soldier. In a recent email, the soldier described his reaction. "We are indebted to you incredibly for your donation of those fantastic appliances. Your generosity is truly humbling," he wrote.

But Ms. Bader herself is humble about the experience. "The best part of winning was being able to give the prizes to America's heroes--our soldiers and their families. There are so many wonderful mothers in this country, and I was just glad to have the opportunity to shine the light on our military and the importance of supporting them in this time of war. I am so grateful to Stuart and Linda Resnick of Teleflora for developing the America's Favorite Mom contest," she said. The individualized, diamond-encrusted necklace declaring Ms. Bader "America's Favorite Mom" was donated to the Soldiers' Angels Museum, which documents the development of Soldiers' Angels and responses from Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen it supports. Ms. Bader was named America's Favorite Mom in a primetime NBC television show on Mother's Day 2008, sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond.

Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call 626-529-5114. Tax ID# 20-05834

Adopt a Soldier For Christmas

2008-12-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

There are 723 Soldiers waiting to be adopted this morning. Please adopt these heroes for Christmas and through the remainder of their deployment. One letter a week and 1-2 small care packages a month is all it takes. Click here to find out more.

Last Minute Donations for 2008

2008-12-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

It is almost the end of 2008 and time to make those last minute tax-deductible contributions. Soldiers' Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit is just the place to do it. 365 days a year, Soldiers' Angels supports our men and women currently in uniform, our veterans and their families. Soldiers' Angels also welcomes donations designated towards any of our valuable programs.

Please click here to make your donation today. Together as a nation we can all help our heroes.

"America's Favorite Mom" Plays Santa for the Troops

2008-12-17T08:17:00.003-05:00

Let's Help Dog Tags for Kids Get on TV!

2008-12-16T11:53:00.003-05:00

I am a volunteer for a few different organizations that help Soldiers in some way...one of them is Dog Tags for Kids.

The Dog Tags for Kids Project is dedicated to helping United States Service men and women in most harm's way connect with their children at home. Specially engraved Dog Tags in the appropriate service color are provided FREE to the service members for their children. Dog tags are engraved with things such as "With Love From Dad, U.S. Army, Iraq 2008."

The dog tags must come from the parents so all dog tags are sent to Iraq, Kuwait, or Afghanistan at the request of the service members to send to their children; from their hearts to their children’s hearts.

I received this request from Rose over at Dog Tags for Kids last night and told her I'd share it wherever I could:

Fox News Edge put together a story about the dog tags for kids project.

It will be available to 180 local Fox stations and I am asking everyone to e-mail or call their local Fox affiliate and ask them to air the piece. If you just google LOCAL FOX NEWS CHANNEL CHICAGO, or wherever, then go to the site and contact us.

Send them a letter such as the following.

*************
Hello,

I understand that Fox News Edge has a segment available to Fox Affiliates for Christmas day which deals with the Dog Tags for Kids project.

I would like to know what it would take to convince you to air that segment since I have a connection to that project and would very much like to view it.

For your information, you can check out the project at http://www.dogtagsforkids.com

Thank You

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

Please try to get as many people as you know in other states to do the same! :-)

THANKS!!!

Soldier's Christmas Poem

2008-12-04T00:42:00.001-05:00

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 "Its 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 foxhole with little to eat.
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.

Source: GoArmyParents.com Message Board post by Doxiekit

1/2 boy 1/2 man

2008-11-28T10:49:00.009-05:00

(this was emailed to me, and I thought I'd share. I took out the "pass it on or else" part and added some of my own comments at the very bottom. I spent Thanksgiving with my family, minus one Soldier that is a big chunk of my heart. We will likely not be spending next Thanksgiving with him either since he's in the process of deploying now and will be gone 15 months. Sometimes I am afraid to blog because it messes up my whole state of denial if I come here and share with you how I feel. I'm hoping I can dicuss it here in the next few days without turning into a big blob of Army Mom goo. In the meantime...read it, agree with it, don't agree with it...you can do either, it's what our country is all about...Freedom.)

1/2 Boy, 1/2 Man

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student , pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

When you see a yellow ribbon, an American Flag, a Soldier driving past...take a moment to be thankful for the Soldiers serving right now and those who have served in the past. They are the reason our country is as great as it is, they are the ones who stood up in the face of danger, knowing full well that they might not come back home...all because they believed in America.

Since it's thanksgiving, I'd like to add that while we should all be thankful for every single member of our Armed Forces, from the Revolutionary War Soldiers to our Soldiers serving today...we should also try to imagine what our world would be like if we all stood up for what we believe in. Whether anyone else agrees or disagrees with our views on a subject, every one of us has the RIGHT to stand up for what we believe in. It's a gift our Soldiers have paid greatly for and it would be an insult for us to waste it.

A Text Message Is No Place For The D-Word!

2008-11-23T13:59:00.002-05:00

As you may or may not know, Mike graduated Thursday and is officially a Cavalry Scout. He received his orders a few days prior to graduation and was expecting to go back home and resume his life as usual, with the exception of going to drills and training once a month with his Unit.

He left Ft. Knox at noon on Thursday and got home in Pennsylvania sometime after 1am.

We left Ft. Knox shortly after Mike did (we went shopping in the PX! Too neat!!) Since we didn't have to be anywhere at any specific time, we decided we deserved to be tourists this once. We never got to do it when I was younger so we were doing it now!

We stopped to see the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. AWESOME!! We went shopping in the store and then went across the parking lot to shop in the Opry Mills mall. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe in there and really relaxed for the first time in a long time.

We got a hotel outside of Nashville and slept like a bunch of rocks (I think we actually forgot to turn off the lights in the hotel room - we were that tired!)

The next morning, we stopped at Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls and Rock City. It was while we were in the gift shop at Ruby Falls, looking at keychains that I got the worst text message I have ever gotten.

It was from Mike.

It was pretty simple.

It said, "I'm f***ing deployed! They just pulled me. I go train now."

(notice only ONE instance of the F-word, this is pretty amazing considering he just got done with OSUT)

My heart stopped. Hell! The whole world stopped spinning! I'm pretty sure I actually heard it screech to a halt!

Now, my first reaction was to call him. He didn't answer. So I called again (not like me, but I was starting to panic at this point). This time he picked up and hung up immediately. Hmmmm....

I get a text message a few seconds later. "Can't talk. That's why I hung up"

HUH???

Can't talk because he's upset?

Can't talk because he's celebrating?

Can't talk because he's with a {insert any Army personnel higher than a Private here}?

Talk about creating a need for therapy!

We got in the car, drove to Starbucks (I had already been on a Starbucks hunt since the hotel and there was one at the top of the mountain next to Rock City) and tried to grab a hold of my wildly out of control emotions.

At this point, we had already planned on stopping at Stone Mountain in Georgia to show the girls. I had spent a few summers there as a teenager and wanted to show them how neat it was. So we got on the highway and headed for Atlanta.

While walking around Stone Mountain, he finally called me back. I wanted to hug him so bad at that point but just hearing his voice and knowing that he was calm helped me a lot.

He is staying at Fort Indiantown Gap until Monday when he goes home to get his affairs in order and spend some time with his family. His dad's family is up there so he will get to spend Thanksgiving with them there.

Then he is off to catch up with his Unit that deployed in September. They are still in Mississippi going through Stryker training. He ships out to Iraq sometime in the beginning of 2009.

I'm fairly certain that I am still in denial. But I had to start writing it down because I feel like my body is reacting without my brain going along for the ride. I'm sick to my stomach constantly but my brain hasn't actually grasped the situation.

I'm not looking forward to being near me when it sinks in.

It is not going to be pretty.

Why I haven't been blogging

2008-11-23T13:51:00.003-05:00

Basically I've been busy busy busy.

The house situation is totally nuts, even for us. I can't really explain at this point but I will go into detail after the 1st of December. Let me just get my bearings on that subject and I'll tell you ALL about what is going on there.

The Army situation isn't quite so hard to figure out. We went up to Ft. Knox for Mike's graduation this week. He graduated Thursday and is officially a Cavalry Scout! HOOOOAH! We had the graduation dinner on Wednesday night and were joined by his dad, step-mom, other sister and brother. It was great to see him. He looked quite spiffy. LOL (don't tell him I said spiffy, I'll get THAT LOOK! LOL)

I have to write this all out but I'll share the events that occurred AFTER graduation in my next post.

:)

Do You Know Any Caretakers Of Injured Veterans In The Issaquah, WA Area?

2008-11-22T02:56:00.003-05:00

If you do, please read this and then pass it on to others to get the word out.

Hello,

I am a dentist in Issaquah, Wa. Each year my office closes down on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it is a paid day for us to go do some volunteer work together in the community. Through the years, we’ve worked with organizations like Habitat for Humanities and Eastside Baby Corner. This year we wanted to have a different avenue of service and explored many other options.

Inspired by the Seattle Times Story around Veterans Day regarding our injured veteran, Rory Dunn’s life, we would like to do something for the Caretakers of these injured veterans. These are the unsung heroes who take care of these injured veterans. I can’t imagine what they go through and how their lives are changed. Being a dental office, we are thinking many of them might have ignored their dental health while caring for their loved ones. This is an avenue where we can help.

So, we are planning to provide free dental care to the Caretakers of service disabled veterans on Wednesday, November 26th. I am working with Jeff Honeycutt of the VA to get the word out to these individuals.

However, because of the short time frame to get the word out, we hope you can help us spread this news so these Caretakers who could use our services will be able to take advantage of it. My staff is so excited about this they have contacted various businesses who have enthusiastically donated items to put in goodie bags for the Caretakers. Tully’s have offered to provide coffee, Coshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftco has provided gift bags and Panera will provide pastries. We will have a massage therapist and manicurist to pamper these Caretakers as they wait for their appointments or after their appointments. It should be a fun day. I am attaching the flyer that has been passed out to the veterans’ family at the VA hospital.

Please feel free to pass this information on to any other person or group that can benefit from this service.

For more details, feel free to call me at 425 392-8992 or 425 830-6402 or email me at drcheng@theresacheng.com

Thanks,

Theresa Cheng DDS

Original Source is here: http://www.goarmyparents.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12506

It Seems He Thought That Call Sucked Too

2008-11-13T12:39:00.002-05:00

I got a letter from him that arrived yesterday. He apologized more than a few times, and explained some of the chaos and aggravation he was enduring as he waited to make a call. He also said he was very VERY upset after hanging up.

That's probably the hardest part, hanging up and then realizing that you could maybe fix what just went wrong with just another few seconds on the phone...but you can't call back.

The Army is teaching us all sorts of new things about ourselves. Mostly I think it's teaching us to be in control of everything. Not just your physical actions. Your thoughts effect your performance and conversations could very well be the last one you ever have. Taking for granted that you'll always be able to apologize or try to repair whatever was broken is not a luxury the military affords us. I think Basic Training is for the family as well as the Soldier. We need to learn to say what our hearts mean first, and not to waste one precious moment we have on the phone or in person. Anger and frustration will just have to sit on hold until we have finished our call and hung up, or until we've dropped them off at their base. Then we can vent to our fellow Army parents/spouses/siblings and know that we are helping our Soldiers maintain the positive focus they need to succeed.

Ok, I'm starting to sound like a self help book. I just wanted to let you know he wrote me and apologized. Obviously our last call during OSUT will be memorable, but only because it taught us both something.

Tonight's Call Sucked

2008-11-06T00:35:00.001-05:00

I feel so guilty now but I really almost wish Mike hadn't called me tonight.

I was at a dinner event with about 20 people and my daughters were calling me because they thought I should be done already so I was attempting to turn off the ringer and Mike's call came in just as I was hitting buttons and it hung up on him. OMG! I almost died. Then it rang again and was him so I jumped up and ran out and answered and he was so incredibly hostile! He was angry and complaining about losing minutes because I didn't answer and about how the Army sucks and he was stupid for joining and he wished someone would just shoot him and how morons keep making him lose phone time, and about how no one writes, and on and on. I know he's under pressure and it's hard on him, but I was so shaken up by missing his first call and then by being yelled at...I just lost it and started crying and then he sounded like he was upset about me being upset and....well, it was just a totally crappy call. After all the effort to support him and make sure I tried to keep him encouraged, this was most likely his last call during AIT and it was just everything it shouldn't have been.

And just to make the whole thing worse, I went back in to my dinner and someone asked me a question and when I tried to answer I just burst into tears.

If I hadn't been in a room with at least 4 veterans and another Army mom, I'd have been really embarrassed.

I have never wanted to get someone back on the phone to make it all right this bad in my life. I can't stop crying every time I think about it. I know he needed to vent, I just wish I had been prepared for it, or in a better place to be able to talk.

I so want a "Do Over" card right now...

Soldier's Angels Holiday Campaign

2008-10-24T01:26:00.003-04:00

This winter, an estimated 180,000 U.S. military personnel will be serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, in combat environments or in support of combat operations. Some will be on their 3rd or 4th deployments--spending yet another Holiday away from the loving arms of family and friends. We want them to know that they are remembered, that we are thinking of them during the winter Holiday Season, and that we are grateful for their service. Since we can't all wrap our arms around them in person to show how much we love and appreciate them, Soldiers' Angels needs your help to make sure each one of America's heroes is Wrapped in Holiday Spirit.

Help the SOLDIER'S ANGELS help our Troops!! Donate some ink, paper and an hour of your time...make and hang flyers!!

HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN FLIER
Start printing them out and handing them out and hanging them everywhere. Pre-cut the website at the bottom for easy tear-off. Here is a copy of the flier.

One of those emails that makes you feel good, even if it's just a "story"

2008-10-23T23:12:00.001-04:00

I got this in my email box today and thought I'd share...Thanks Mindy!

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. "Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq"

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago .

His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her
eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. "My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him."

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?" "Chicken," I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your thanks."

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest
room. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, "I want to shake your hand."
Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, "I was a Soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Soon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You."

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

**************************************
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank
check Made payable to "The United States of America " for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it."
**************************************

Phone call, promotion and graduation info

2008-10-20T23:14:00.000-04:00

I got a 5 minute call today! :D

Mike is now PV2!! Hooah!!!!

He also said he's sending details (as soon as he gets them) about the graduation dinner. It's the night before so we'll have to zoom up there a little earlier than expected. Works for me!! I get to see him for more than a few minutes!!! :D

I was expecting to watch his graduation and maybe see him for 20 minutes, a few hours tops, on November 20. But getting to go to a dinner with him too is just awesome! Even if I have to share him with his Dad's family...if Mike is happy then I'm happy.

I also logged into his AIM account and let all his buddies know he wanted them to write to him. After asking him in this phone call, I put his address in the status window. I hope some of them write, he really is boosted by others writing to him. It means a lot when someone sits down and writes out (or even types) a letter and takes the time and makes the effort to send it. In this day of instant messages and instant gratification...most people just don't send letters through the mail anymore.

Ok, gotta fly and get some work done. Going to work on my Army store so I can start promoting stuff.

Oh, and I got approved to sell US Cavalry items through my sites as well!! That store just rocks!! LOL

now...really...going to work.

later!!

:)

tidbits from Family Weekend that I just remembered

2008-10-19T11:11:00.000-04:00

As I sit and paint or tear out carpet in the new house, my brain takes it own vacation and thinks about all the things that have been going on lately.

Yesterday some thoughts about our Family Weekend surfaced and I thought I'd share. And I may have briefly mentioned some, but I'm sure not in detail:

---> Mike now knows it's NOT a good idea to drink a dozen Monster Energy drinks in 3 days when you've had no junk food in your system for 10 weeks.

---> Some Soldiers can eat like humans and some can't. LOL Mark (our adopted Soldier) was eating with a knife and fork in a most humanlike manner while Mike was strategically piling items on his plate so he could get the most food on his fork and into his mouth with the least amount of work. I had to keep telling him he had time to eat, no one was going to take it away.

---> We didn't realize the barracks were heated already and that they weren't used to air conditioning...so both boys were walking around looking like Eskimos with bedspreads wrapped around them.

---> NyQuil is NOT something the Army gives out and they will not be used to it so when you see your Ft. Knox Soldier (who will no doubt be infected with Fort Knox cooties just like every other Soldier there) make sure they take the recommended dose and don't take a big swig (that might just be a guy thing). They WILL end up complaining because they slept 4 hours of their precious freedom away (even if they really really did need it).

---> Letting them sit and relax and do nothing is far more interesting to some of them than running all over creation looking at historical sites (Mike is really into history and he didn't even want to consider going to check things out). We did a lot of sitting in the hotel room or at a restaurant, telling his sister and Mark about things he'd done or that his dad or I had done...and I think that helped make the bond with his sisters stronger, since they are so much younger. It also helped him reset his system and not be so busy he was more tired than when he left the base.

Maybe some of these thoughts can help other parents heading to see their Soldiers...or not.

I had a really good memory yesterday but as I was tearing out carpet and forgot my really cool all weather notebook I bought for just such thoughts...I have since lost it. I will see if I can't get it back and will be armed with that notebook for future "really good thoughts"

Gotta go paint and pack...

Later All!!

6 minute phone call

2008-10-17T09:26:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, Mike called while I was working on the other house. He says they are back in Red Phase. In AIT! Why can't these guys get their shit together? He says he thinks they hold the record for the most time spent in Red Phase. In BCT it wasn't his troop getting them in Red Phase, it was other troops in other platoons and no matter what, the DS made them go back to Red Phase. Now that there are at least 2 platoons mixed together, I'm guessing the troublemakers didn't all leave when the BCT guys graduated.

Mike just accepts it and deals with it but he sounds somewhat discouraged at being surrounded by immature idiots. Hell, I would be too. I'm annoyed and I'm not even the one who is there dealing with them.

Ok, we have to get into a faster pace here, lots of things happening. I'm on my way to fix other house...just some painting left at this point. Still need two rooms and a hall of new carpet but that will have to wait until more funds arrive (anyone want a website built? LOL) We also have gymnastics and the usual lack of time with moving so...I'm off to be SuperMom and I'll be back later.

Soon I will have much more time to sit and contemplate life and offer my opinion to those who care to read. But for now, I will be sporadic, at best.

See you all later!!

:)

35 Minute Sunday Phone Call

2008-10-12T14:46:00.001-04:00

Mike just called and he sounds better than his last letter. He said he was really depressed but that he’s ok now. He’s also not as sick. Maybe chugging the Nyquil all weekend actually helped his body get control over the Fort Knox Cooties…who knows?

He’s finding out how different life in AIT as a CavScout is now…it’s not. He still has a DS that he sees when he’s not in training. They march them to their “class” (it’s all field work I think) and leave them wtih their instructor. He says it’s just like BCT with more classes. Not much different, really.

Other troops and MOS’s get their cell phones and other goodies back, but Mike will have to wait until he graduates OSUT to see any of that.

He did say they only have 2 more weeks of training and then…they will be bored out of their minds until November 20. I wonder if they won’t find something more for them to do by then.

He’s interested in moving once he gets back home. He says it’s to be near his buddies and get out on his own completely (now he’s near his dad’s family). I am wondering if it doesn’t have something to do with the fact that his Unit has deployed already and left him behind while his buddies in the southern part of the state haven’t had their Unit deploy yet. I know he really wants to go. I can almost understand why. Of course, I won’t be upset if he never goes anywhere. It’s a mom thing. Sorry. :( Ok, I might be sad that he doesn’t get to do something he really wants to do from his heart.

He says he’s in 1st platoon now, even though he’s still in 2nd platoon. Only in the Army would that make sense. LOL Apparently after the BCT guys left, there were about 70 guys between the 2 platoons so they stuck them together for AIT. I asked if his mailing address changed, but he says no…keep them coming to the old address.

He got to talk to the girls and to Tom, the dog slobbered on the phone so that might count as a conversation to Scout.

I was really starting to miss him and worry since that last letter, his call came at a good time.

Posted By: Shelle Michaels
To: Members in Soldiers' Angels (OFFICIAL)
Text “Soldiers” to 20222 Soldiers’ Angels proudly announces a new way to support the troops just by using a cell phone! Patriotic Americans can now text “Soldiers” to 20222 to donate $5 toward care packages, assistance for wounded warriors, and support for veterans and their families. Soldiers’ Angels has a long history of using high tech and social media platforms to motivate volunteers and donations. From raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through military and political blogs to winning a Twitter-based “Social Media Makeover” competition last summer, Soldiers’ Angels has demonstrated a continuing commitment to using all available technological resources in its mission to support the troops. “We are so excited to give Americans this great, cutting-edge way to help make sure our heroes receive the support they need in this time of war,” says founder Patti Patton-Bader. “Five dollars really is a modest amount of money, but it adds up so quickly and means so much to our efforts. With text-to-donate we are continuing to use the latest technology to draw more Americans into this important work.” Along with text-to-donate, Soldiers’ Angels is rolling out its new Mobile Support Club http://www.adz2mobile.com/acp/soldiers_angels/soldiermobileclub.html. Members of the Club will receive up to four monthly alerts and updates on events, projects, soldier stories, support needs and much more, right on their mobile phones. Supporters can sign up automatically by texting “Soldiers” to 20022 to donate $5, or by clicking on "Mobile Club" on the "Stay Connected" widget on the right sidebar of the Soldiers' Angels homepage www.soldiersangels.org. Join uswww.Facebook.com/soldiersangelsofficial. Have a great day! Wingtip-to-wingtip, Patti Patton Bader, Founder Toby Nunn, Operations Director Shelle Michaels, National Communication Officer