Shop for a Cause!

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!

Wiihab

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.

New TShirts from Ranger Up to benefit Soldiers' Angels!

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

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

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

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

Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior

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

:)

Shop & Support the Troops

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!

Helping COP Keating Survivors

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

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

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.

MilSpouse Supports Soldiers' Angels

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!

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).

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

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

Operation Gratitude

***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!

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

Proud Mom of a Deployed Soldier with Soldier's Name

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

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

Make A Banner To Support The Troops

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.

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

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

Military Family Members and Anticipatory Grief

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.

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