Why I Became an Angel Part II: Our Community

There are two questions I get asked routinely at Angel events or when I talked to others about being a Soldiers' Angel:

1) Do I have anyone in the military?
2) Does the military pay me to do this?

Let me answer the second question first: No. The military does not pay me or Soldiers' Angels any money to provide support to our troops. Everything is donated to Soldiers' Angels either by other individuals, companies or Angels themselves. This is a non-profit organization and everyone is a volunteer. We do it from love, pride, patriotism, respect and because it is the right thing to do.

Which brings me to the second question: Yes. My brother is in the military. For a long time now. He is not deployed. Interesting, while he was in some ways the inspiration for me to go the last distance and find a way to support our men and women currently deployed, he is not the ONLY reason I did so. As noted, he is not deployed. He is at home, living comfortably with his family. Something that sometimes bothers him because he wants to be "there" and because many of his friends and fellow service members have been or are "there". It just hasn't been his time yet. But, the knowing and the understanding that he may go at any time and be apart from our family, his wife, his little girls, makes me understand and compels me to be a Soldiers' Angel.

How many must go and sacrifice that time and love to serve our country without support or with limited support because they do not have an extended family network as our family does? How many are there who have a new, young family living off of the limited pay and trying to support a family here and a soldier, sailor, marine or airman "there"? They are many.

Because I have a brother in the military and because I know many others who have family or know someone in the military (six degrees of separation), it has made me very aware that those who serve are not some alien "other". They are people from our community, people that we know and sometimes our friends or family.

Interestingly enough, whenever I answer "Yes", I get a response like, "Ooohh" as if that answers the question of why I do what I do. That apparently explains it all. Everything I say after that sometimes falls on deaf ears because now I am part of "that" community, the military community, and not part of "this" community, the civilian community that has no relation to the military.

Sometimes, I am tempted to say, "no", just to see if anyone listens to the second part of my speech, the part that I have written about many times, the part where I say, "I do it because these are OUR people. People from OUR community. They are family, friends and neighbors. And, when they serve OUR nation, defending OUR people and sent by OUR government, I believe it is OUR responsibility, privilege and an honor to support OUR people as they serve US." That part gets lost sometimes after I say, "Yes".

But, my service as an Angel is truly about serving our community. Maybe my relationship does make me understand that more than others. Still, spend a few minutes talking to people and you will find out how true the phrase "six degrees of separation" really is when it comes to knowing someone who is in the military.

For instance, yesterday I received an email from Marcia, our Angel Advisor in the Kansas City area pointing me to a blog about Sgt Matt Lammers. Matt hails from Olathe, Kansas, just a short 45 minute drive from me, a suburb of Kansas City. Marcia's email said that Matt's dad helped her get her first teaching job. Matt was injured in an IED attack only 30 days ago. He is now making a remarkable recovery as a triple amputee who is on his way to rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid.

In that continuing way of "six degrees of separation", Matt was serving with the Black Lions in Baghdad. JD Johannes, from Outside the Wire, made this report about the Black Lions and their successes: Cellular Battle Space. The connection beyond JD running a blog as an independent writer and film maker, writing about the unit that Matt was from? JD's co-producer and friend David Chavarria came to film our "Talking with Heroes" event and allowed me a few minutes to tape an interview with him.

This is literally how close our community is to the military and the people who serve in it. They are everybody and everywhere. Just down the street from me, three houses occupying three corners of the entry to the road I live on have Marine flags flying and blue stars in the window. This is not a "military" town or by any means a "marine" town. But it is a town that has sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and people that we meet serving in our military.

Two days ago I was standing in a parking lot waiting for our welcome home mission to start for Cpl Green. I was talking with a Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy who was forming part of the escort for the other hero arriving. He told me that he was in Iraq in 2003 and had only recently retired from the National Guard after 20 years of service. The local Hyvee? The manager was in Afghanistan in 2005. A lady from Independence just found us through this website and emailed me. Her son was recently deployed to Iraq.

Only a few months ago I was standing in line at Walmart on Barry Rd when a woman behind me said, "Oh, it's great to see you back. How long are you here for?" and the reply told me all I needed to know before I turned around, "I'm here for ten days. It's all the leave I could take. At least, that was all the leave I was told I could ask for." There he was, in uniform, on leave, returning a baby crib. And the lady that I worked with whose son was in the military and whose daughter's best friend's dad was a recruiter.

Sometime back in May I was buying things to send to my guys and girls at the same Walmart. The young clerk asked me if I was going camping based on the things that I bought and the number: six hand warmers, six travel Gold Bond Powder, six deodorant, six liquid soaps, six lotion, six chapsticks, six sun blocks, etc, etc, etc. I explained to her what I was doing and she replied that her brother-in-law was in the military. I gave her one of our cards and told her about our organization. She was very interested because she said she had been wanting to do something to support our military.

All of these people are from our community. All of these people serve. All of these people are "ours".

And that is why I became an Angel. Because I believe we should always take care of the people from our community who stand for our country and, ultimately, defend our community.

Please help us support the service men and women from our community by joining Soldiers' Angels

Part I - Why I Became an Angel: Somebody had to give a damn

Part III will be up next week: The Phone Call That Started It All or "Hell, yes! I want those SOBs to sweat like I had to!"








- May no soldier go unloved

Friday Letters from the Front: Friends for Life

Every Friday, we high-light some of the great letters and emails that we receive from the many men and women Soldiers' Angels have adopted and are caring for as they serve our nation far away from home. Angels always get excited when they receive messages from their troops and love to share them with others to let them know how much their support means to these fine citizens on the front lines.

We hope they inspire you, too.

Most of the Soldiers have made friends for life

The LTC (Lieutenant Colonel) of 618CT (combat team) recently wrote his wife about the great support his soldiers received before and throughout their ongoing deployment. His wife is a member of Soldiers' Angels in Landstuhl, Germany and works extensively with our members there, not only in supporting this unit, but in greeting and caring for the wounded of every branch of service (and civilians, too) when they arrive from the front at Landstuhl Military Medical Center.

He wrote:

Please let MaryAnn know how much we all appreciate everything she does for us as well as Soldiers' Angels. We get support from a number of different sources, but none are as generous, and most importantly, as consistent as Soldiers' Angels.

Most of the Soldiers have made friends for life and receive priceless correspondence and support from patriots all over the US. I have been a slug in not thanking her from day one. Her support began before we ever deployed and I am truly grateful. I need to do something for her and Soldiers' Angels to thank them.

Soldiers' Angels need no other thanks than this wonderful letter and knowing that we made a difference. MaryAnn is our Soldiers' Angel who was the first to take our Blankets of Hope and First Response Backpacks to our wounded at Landstuhl. CBS recently covered the importance of the Blankets of Hope in this piece about a similar organization dedicated to sending these wonderful blankets: Quilted Care Packages.

Kimberly Dozier received one of these wonderful blankets and said, "Let me tell you, from anyone who's gotten one of your quilts, it means a lot," Dozier said. As one who has been through it, Dozier said, "it's something you never forget."

Find out more about our Blankets of Hope.

We Will Sacrifice Everything

"Angel Bakers" are Soldiers' Angels that bake cookies and other goodies to send over to our troops. Angels will bake hundreds of cookies to send to any of our adopted service members. A soldier who received some of these goodies and a message of support from the team wrote a heartfelt letter to the Angels:

"It is Americans like you that make us proud to stand against the overwhelming odds and atrocities here because we will sacrifice everything to ensure that hearts like yours continue to beat strong and support our troops i just want to say personally , Thanks"

Find out more about Angel Bakers.

Why We Do What We Do

One of our great strengths is the number of Angels and their great sense of community. If an Angel needs assistance with providing a special care package or other support to an adopted military member, they can put the call out and Angels around the country (and even across the oceans) answer. In this case, a sailor on the USS "IKE" Eisenhower, received a bunch of cards for his birthday:

"And thank you again for taking the time to send me all of those cards. I'm still sorting through them to write back and say thank you to all of them. It was a big shocker because I had no idea so many people really cared. From what we see on the news all the time it sometimes seems that nobody really cares but I know deep down that a lot of people do and that's why we keep doing what we do."

The USS Eisenhower was deployed for six months in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) from October 2006 to May 23, 2006. "Eddie" wrote this follow up message upon his return.

Other Angels participate in the "Cards Plus" Team that specifically tracks and sends Birthday, Anniversary and other cards.

An Answer to a Prayer

Angels also provide support to our service members when they get back from their deployments through programs and individual acts of kindness. This requested support comes through special "alerts" that let local members know that a service member is in need.

In this case, a returned veteran was trying to get a home for he and his son. He needed help and Angels answered the call:

There is a great story about Francisco, when I sent the email out to the Florida Angels for furniture and/or household goodies and gift cards. I got a email that Francisco had written saying if he didn't get any money to pay his rent by that night he couldn't move in and he would have to sleep on someones floor, and the very next email I got was from a woman in FL that said she was on her way over to Francisco's Apt. with $300.00 and a queen size bed. Now if that isn't an answer to prayer I don't know what is.

Click on the image below to see a larger version of the letter from Francisco.



These requests come through a variety of official and unofficial channels. A local Angel Community Leader is usually contacted and tasked with talking to anyone from Social Services, Family Readiness Groups, etc and directly with the service member to verify and ascertain the situation. Then the Angels get to work.

Welcome Home Vietnam Vet

Soldiers' Angels are dedicated to serving all of our Veterans, past and present. We believe that service to our nation, our ideas and our people is one of the highest callings that a citizen can answer. We understand that our military consists of OUR people. People from our communities: friends, family and neighbors. When our nation sends our people to war, we believe it is an honor and a privilege to insure that all are cared for and all receive our gratitude.

When Angels meet an active duty member or veteran, we are sure to thank them for their service, no matter the war, no matter the service:

I went to Lowe's to buy a weed whacker. I asked this nice older man, a store employee, for some help getting the correct whacker. We picked one out and he was getting it down for me and made some joke about a pretty woman like me having a big, strong boyfriend/husband he didn't want to mess with, so he would lift it down for me. I joked right back that I didn't have either, but I was an angel to a Marine and a Mom to some of the 82nd. He turned and looked at me oddly (can't imagine why), so I told him about Soldiers Angels and what we do, how we work, the basics. I told him we send care packages, cookies, letters of support, all sorts of things. He asked if we were paid by the military and I told him no, all volunteer and explained who Patti was and how/why she started us.

The next thing I knew the man was in tears and then he threw his arms around me and picked me up (I am not the biggest woman you will ever meet). He put his head on my shoulder and cried. When he had composed himself a moment later, he explained that when he had come home from Vietnam, all he had ever gotten was spit on and called Baby Killer, that we would never understand what we were doing for those deployed service members and how they would never be able to really tell us. I hugged him again and told him Welcome Home.

When you meet a veteran, make sure you thank them for their service. They are the reason that we are living free today.

Next time you think you're having a busy day at the office...

There are many members of Soldiers' Angels who have family and friends in the military, though, not all Angels do. Many Angels simply support our Military because they believe it is the right thing to do. One lady who runs a blog (web based journal) calls herself "Some Soldiers' Mom" and has actively blogged since her son had deployed to Iraq. He was severely injured in August of 2005 and is now being medically discharged. His mother is a great advocate of the wounded and those suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). She sends us this letter from the front:

A Day in the Life of an Air Ambulance Team

This article is a brief synopsis of a day in the life of a US Army Forward Support Medical-Evacuation Team (FSMT) in Iraq. The team has sixteen soldiers and three helicopters. The soldiers are eight pilots, four mechanics, and four medics. The pilots are all commissioned officers or warrant officers. The mechanics and medics are enlisted personnel; mostly sergeants. The flying machines are Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawks. Each can carry up to six litter patients, or four litter patients plus four ambulatory patients. In the summer heat of Iraq, where 110F is the mid-day norm, the Hawks fly at about 130 knots (twice as fast as your family car on the highway).

The duty cycle for our team is 1st Up, 2nd Up, Chase, Off. Each of these is a 24-hour period, so we are on duty for 72 hours then off for 24 hours. Off is not really off as we have housekeeping chores and home improvement projects going all the time. Currently, we're filling and stacking sand bags around our housing trailers to protect us from near-miss indirect fire attacks such as incoming mortars and rockets. The Anti-Iraqi forces lob a few of these missiles at the base every week.

Read the rest here: A Day In the Life

A little letter or card makes a difference out here

It doesn't take much to bring a smile or comfort to a deployed soldier's life. Even the simplest and least expensive thing can make a difference:

"I have grown so much as a person and your letter of inspiration really helped make it that much easier this week. You don't understand how much a little letter or card makes a difference out here! Well, I can't thank you enough for supporting me and my fellow soldiers in this journey and mission that God has chosen for us. Words can't express the warmth you have placed in my heart. I will keep this feeling with me as I go out everyday on my missions!"

Silky Dirt

Sometimes, great local companies and national corporations help us support our members with generous donations and discounts. A Soldiers' Angel recounts her recent experience with Jonathan Antin hair products.

Jonathan Antin is a Beverly hills hairdresser that had a reality show on the Bravo Channel & he sells a line of hair care products on QVC, at Sephora & Ulta.

I put a free sample of his hair cream: Silky Dirt in a care package to my unoffical soldier Katja. (I love to save up samples and send them to the gals in the sandbox)

Kat got the package & she loves the samples. She uses a sample a week as a treat. A few weeks ago she used the Silky Dirt. She loved the smell of it so much!! And so did all the other girls. To quote her, "they all took turns smelling my head!"

So I started thinking wouldn't it be great to send samples for all of them? I emailed Jonathan's PR dept and today I received 6 boxes full of silky dirt samples!!! It's about 300 samples.

I can't wait to sent them to her. I know they will be a big hit!!

Thanks for reading and if you are in the market for some hair care products, I ask that you remember Jonathan supports our troops!!

Have a great day!

Amy's Alerts

"Amy's Alerts" come straight to the Angel Forum to let us know about the immediate needs and requests of deployed individuals or entire units. Even up to "Company" level (100-200 soldiers, airmen or marines). One marine was a recipient of support from a recent company of marines that was supported through an "alert". This is what he wrote:

Wright,

Hi. My name is Jonathan and I am one of Lt. ---- Marines. I just wanted to thank you guys and everybody else back in the States. Your support helps us so much over here. I wish you all well and I hope for the best for this world.

Deeply Honored To Have You As A Friend

HI KATHY, YOU SURE TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE SOMEONE FEEL SPECIAL. WHILE I MAY BE JUST A PART OF THE WHOLE FORMULA FOR BRINGING FREEDOM NOT JUST TO YOU BUT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE, I AM THE ONE THAT IS DEEPLY HONORED TO HAVE YOU FOR A FRIEND. SO ILL MAKE SURE THAT I DO KEEP IN TOUCH. SO HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING OVER THE SUMMER. WELL I WILL GET BACK TO YOU THIS EVENING. YOU TAKE CARE,

What are you doing this summer? Do you want to make "a friend for life"? Feel the joy and soul uplifting Angel power of supporting our troops by joining Soldiers' Angels and adopting a hero today.



- May no soldier go unloved

Tiger Woods Supports Our Troops!

Tiger Woods Supports Our Troops

El Tiger will honor soldiers and military families on the Fourth of July at the inaugural Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am Tournament, scheduled for July 3 - 8 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

“It’s very important to me that this tournament honor the men and women who serve in our armed forces,” Woods said. “They put their lives on the line so that we are able to enjoy our freedom, and we’d love for them to come out and enjoy a few days of relaxation. Our intent is to honor and really thank the people that protect us.”

Tiger is donating 30,000 free tickets for the tournament to military personnel, who will be treated to special seating behind the greens and hospitality tents. And Tiger's foursome will have a military presence:

Woods even extended a playing date to a soldier: Sgt. Maj. Mia Kelly of the 1st Information Operations Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. She will tee off with Tiger at 6:30 a.m. on the No. 1 hole on Congressional CC’s blue course. Air Force Master Sgt. Andy Amor of Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson will complete the foursome.

“I think this is one of the most exciting things ever – it’s almost like winning the Powerball of golf,” Kelly said.

- May no soldier go unloved

Until They Bring You Boys Back Home

- May no soldier go unloved

'Because I Love Freedom'

Please watch this video about Kaziah Hancock: Painting the Faces of the Fallen



- May no soldier go unloved

Tell It To the Marines!!!

Blackfive has a post up about Marine RCT 6 (Regimental Combat Team). They can see our news and they can hear people speak (those who the media deem "news worthy") and they are wondering if they have support.

We are going to tell them they are supported by sending them an email for every one of the six thousand marines in RCT 6.

How can we do that? RCT 6 set up an email just for this project. Send an email of support to: Marine RCT-6

They have a blog and it is good. The Fighting 6th

Newly Minted Hero



Fill the box.

If you support our troops, TELL IT TO THE MARINES!




- May no soldier go unloved

Welcome Home Heidi!

Hey, if you didn't see this before, an internet blog buddy posted yesterday that her daughter was home from Afghanistan.


Please go and welcome her home.


- May no soldier go unloved

Healing Invisible Wounds

Soldiers' Angels in North Dakota keeps giving, even when they are home - Healing Invisible Wounds:

Just returned from a tour of war duty in Afghanistan with his North Dakota National Guard unit, Sgt. 1st Class Greg Kaiser has the typical adjustments back to civilian life, he told pastors and social workers and parish nurses Thursday.

But even more, he has a father's worry about a son, who struggled himself to adjust from a bloody tour in Iraq and now is poised to go back for a second tour.

Kaiser, East Grand Forks, took part in a seminar, “Caring for Military Families,” Thursday in United Lutheran Church downtown. About seven pastors from the community, social workers and parish nurses listened to advice on what the effect of war duty can have on soldiers, their families and the community.[snip]

Ben Lunak, USMC


Emily Custer, vocalist (no, I don't think her name is a coincidence)















One of the little aggravations for soldiers in that theater is hearing civilians say, “Well, at least you weren't in Iraq,” Kaiser said. There are fewer U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan than Iraq, but it's just as dangerous, he said. It just doesn't get as much news coverage.

“We had 150 guys,” in the 188th SECFOR unit from Grand Forks. “We lost four soldiers,” Kaiser said. [snip]

Three years ago this month, Jamie Kaiser was in a vehicle right behind his best friend, Spc. Philip Brown of Jamestown, on patrol in Iraq when a roadside bomb hit and killed Brown. Shrapnel wounded Kaiser in his right hand. He was awarded a Purple Heart.

But as Bernadette Ternes, a licensed social worker, told the pastors and others Thursday in United Lutheran, “Some wounds are not visible.”

Greg Kaiser said his son came back from war a changed man.

“When he came back, he was a whole 'nother character,” he said. Jamie was a good athlete and scholar at Sacred Heart Catholic High School, very “directed,” and focused, Kaiser said. “He came back without direction, spent a lot to time searching,” he said. [snip]

“It does make me nervous, as a dad, to hug him again at the airport, saying goodbye,” Greg Kaiser said.

What Jamie Kaiser and his father, are going through is very typical for citizens asked to become soldiers, then warriors, then come back and be regular citizens again, Ternes told the audience of about 30 that included pastors, Guard members and others.

That's part of the reason Shelle Michaels of Grand Forks helped organize the seminar at United as well and brought the “Talking with Heroes,” live Internet radio show from the Empire Arts Center on Thursday evening.

Several veterans of the war on terror spoke on the program hosted by Bob Calvert of Colorado Springs, Colo.













Paul Goodiron, father of Cpl. Nathan Goodiron, 25, of Mandaree, N.D., who was killed in November in Afghanistan, said he “felt honor” for his son by the presence of the soldiers and the idea that thousands of people were listening via Internet radio.

He said his son and all of the soldiers still there and back home “were champions of freedom.”

Read the rest here

Soldiers' Angels
Talking with Heroes

- May no soldier go unloved

Drop and Give Me 20 For Your Mother!

Hey! Mother's Day is almost here. Time to show the woman that raised you that you appreciate her and are thankful that she put up with you, shepharded you through broken bones, chicken pox and and all the other little bumps in life.

Now you can help smooth out her bumps in life and support the troops at the same time. Show your mom she's your hero and pick up a gift certificate for a day at the spa by going to Spa Emergency.

If you haven't figured out what to buy your wife for putting up with you and the kids for so long, being the trooper she is through work, 10 years of football practice and ballet, or picking up your stinky socks that even a marine wouldn't touch after being out on an eight day mission, Spa Emergency is a great idea.

Already got her something? You can never give enough to your hero! Add a gift certificate to the Spa. Then you'll be HER hero!

Soldiers' Angels and Spa Emergency Team Up for Mother's Day and to Support Deployed U.S. Troops

By pampering mothers around the world, visitors not only give mom a gift, but also give a donation to Soldiers' Angels.

Pasadena, California - May 1, 2007 - Spa Emergency and Soldiers' Angels have teamed up to make Mother's Day special -- for moms around the world. Mothers receive Instant Gift Certificates for sumptuous spa services, and Soldiers' Angels receives a portion of each purchase, to help support the brave and dedicated members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This joint venture between online spa directory, Spa Emergency, and Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization devoted to caring for servicemen and their families, originates from a heartfelt appreciation for the true heroes of the world -- moms and soldiers.

Soldiers' Angels was begun four years ago by a self-described "ordinary mother," Patti Bader, whose son, Brandon, was serving in Iraq. Brandon noticed that some soldiers didn't receive much support from home, so Patti contacted a few friends and started a card-writing campaign. As the adoption campaign grew, literally thousands of concerned civilians began helping out. Soldiers' Angels is still an all-volunteer operation that helps 115,000 men and women in uniform. And the kind of services it offers has expanded beyond cards and care packages.

"We take in anything and everything," says Debby Frerichs, Vice President of Donations for Soldiers' Angels. "Money, baby formula, clothes...." Recently, Frerichs says, Soldiers' Angels just gave away their one-thousandth laptop computer, with voice-operated software, to injured soldiers.

The "anything and everything" is where Spa Emergency comes in: just minutes after logging on to www.spaemergency.com/soldiers, and selecting a spa from over 900 across the United States, you can purchase a gift certificate for just about any amount you want to spend, and either print or email it out right at time of purchase. You can even choose to send the gift certificate at a later date -- just request to do so in the purchase form. Spa Emergency will donate a percentage of its profits to Soldiers' Angels.

If you're serving overseas, this is a great opportunity to buy a Mother's Day gift that's a little out of the ordinary. For the rest of us, a Spa Emergency gift certificate is a great way of honoring our men and women in uniform, who can't be here on that special day. Your mom would be proud! Soldiers' Angels is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the brave men and women deployed in support of the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever we fly the flag of the United States of America. For more information about Soldiers' Angels visit their website at www.soldiersangels.org

- May no soldier go unloved

Talking With Heroes: I Was There and Got an Exclusive

Hey! Missed everyone last night at the "talking with heroes" event down in Olathe, Kansas. It was wonderful to meet all of the great heroes, families and supporters. Bob Calvert was a little under the weather, but he pulled through like the trooper he is and made it a fantastic experience.

I will post more about the event and, of course, I have video which will be available in the next day or two.

One big "exclusive" that I was able to pull off was an interview with David Chavaria who is the "behind the scenes" man at JD Johannes' Outside the Wire. David is the co-producer of Johannes' documentary "Outside the Wire" where he followed the expoits of the Marines of Silver Platoon in OIF-III. JD is over in Iraq right now doing video.

David was scheduled to do an interview on Hannity and Colmes at 8:40pm CST Friday night, but I scooped them by two hours. And, they don't have their video up yet for the internet so, while they may beaten me "on air" by six hours, I am going to get out there ahead of the internet curve.

Even before the interview, David and I spent some time talking about blogging, JD Johansens' committment to the Marines and telling their story, and quite a bit about the disparity of reporting in the media (we both agreed it "sucked"; my words, he was much more diplamatic).

I hope you enjoy this video, check out their site and start understanding why military blogging (milblogging) and independent films like Outside the Wire are an important part of the story, filling in the gaps left by professional journalism.



Watch JD's blog for updates directly from Iraq and hit his home page to see an excerpt of the original documentary, "Outside the Wire". I've seen the full version and I highly recommend it.

Check out these stories about the marines in Bad Karmah.

Troops on Patrol
Iraq town returns to normal after raid

These men are a big part of the reason that the Al Anbar province is beginning to turn. It took persistance. It took patience. It took extreme prejudice when it was called on and plenty of improvising, adapting and overcoming. The Marines are some of the best, when it comes to those necessities.

Karmah, where the marines in outside the wire were serving, is a town between Ramadi and Fallujah, two of the hottest (in terms of war) cities in Iraq for the last three years. It is only recently that Ramadi began to turn. Karmah continued to be a tough town full of insurgents and generally unenthused about the marines presence. JD showed what it took to make al Anbar a success story, long before anyone ever thought it would be.

Outside the Wire was fortunate enough to be there to record part of that history.

- May no soldier go unloved

It's Today! Talking With Heroes

This is a reminder that May 4th, 2007 Bob Calvert from Talking with Heroes will be in the Kansas City Area recording his show for Dishnetwork's Altitude Sports.

He'll be featuring live interviews from soldiers currently deployed, people who support our troops locally and many others.

Complete tour information is here.

TALKING WITH HEROES

ON THE ROAD 2007

From Olathe, Kansas

May 4, 2007

6:00pm (CST)

Troop Support Fair

Military Support and Veterans Groups from the Olathe/Kansas City Area
will have Information Tables so that military personnel, their families
and people in the area can see how they help our military and families
in the community. This would be a good opportunity for those attending
this event to get involved with these local groups.

7:00 pm (CST)

Talking with Heroes Talk Show

8:00pm (CST)

Calls begin coming in LIVE from Iraq!

The First Hour of This Talk Show will air on our Regular Sunday Night Time On the Internet

May 6, 2007 at 5pm PST

The Second Hour will air on

May 13, 2007 at 5pm PST

On the May 13th program we will have a link to the Call Ins from Iraq so everybody can see them.

Venue Provided By: Indian Creek Community Church



Guests will include:


Teri Louthain whose son is deployed to Baghdad and has been extremely helpful in supporting Soldiers' Angels in Kansas City. We saw Teri recently at the welcome home for 24 Marine and she was instrumental in helping us do the wonderful float for the Snake Saturday Parade.




Gwen Mendenhall
www.TheHugsProject.com

I started participating in The Hugs Project when my brother was deployed a second time to the Middle East. I have always supported our troops and started a program, “Troops for Troops”, that functioned through the Girl Scouts mainly to send cookies and care packages to those deployed.

I helped organize a group in Kansas City for The Hugs Project in May of 2006. From there, the group has made over 1000 cool ties and many care packages, just under a year. The support from other families, and the great support we give to others in need, makes this group one in a million. I am proud to help serve those that serve our country day in and day out.

My name is Berniece Stutzman grandmother to Cpl Joshua A. Mendenhall, Unites States Marine Corp. I found out about KC Hugs through my daughter Gwen Mendenhall. I became involved to help our troops and to show my support.

Marcia Conley, Regional Manager for Kansas and
the Greater Kansas City Area for Soldiers’ Angels.
www.soldiersangels.org

Marcia and her husband John live in Lenexa, Kansas with their two children Elizabeth and John Patrick.

Marcia has been a member of Soldiers’ Angels since 2004, getting involved after a family friend was deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005. Marcia is a member of the Soldiers’ Angels Adoptions’ Team, the Letter Writing Team, and is a mentor to other angels. Her Regional Manager responsibilities involve assisting local Kansas City Angels with getting more involved on the local level and coordinating activities to promote Soldiers’ Angels and its mission

Barbara and George Nunemacher from VFW 7397

Our organization does much for veterans service, community service, youth development and legislative action. The thing I am most proud of is the adoption by our Post and Auxiliary of three units that were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Meeting and getting to know these soldiers and their families is an experience I will never forget. These men and women became friends and I thank God that they all came home safely.

Linda Relitz

US Troop Support Foundation

www.ustroopsupport.org

US Troop Support Foundation was started in Jan 2003 by Jeff and Linda Relitz. Their son, a 20 year old Marine, was leaving for Kuwait, and not knowing what would happen. They needed to do something to keep their minds occupied and help their son at the same time. They came up with the idea of adopting their son's unit and sending them all care packages. Starting back then with 187 Marines to send to, and a few friends to help, US Troop Support Foundation began.

Cheyne Worley, Kansas City Chapter President of the Veterans' Information Network

Cheyne Worley is a Gulf War veteran and served as the unit supply sergeant with C Company 5th Battalion 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Cheyne has served as the National Secretary of the NGWRC since April 2004.

Cheyne is the Kansas City Chapter President of the Veterans' Information Network, a veterans' advocacy organization located in Kansas.

Sgt Christopher Surber
US Marines

In March of 2005, I deployed with a great group of gentlemen warriors to the Iraqi town of Fallujah where I began the tour as a vehicle commander. Shortly thereafter I was moved to become a four-vehicle team leader where I spent the majority of our tour until ultimately becoming an eight-vehicle section leader.

During the seven months we spent in country we endured a variety of casualties from shrapnel wounds and unconscious Marines to a broken neck and severed appendages. Luckily for all of us, everyone in our platoon returned home. I lost a friend in another unit and regret not being there but had to realize everyone has their place in war and mine was in Fallujah with our mission.

CPL Joshua Jones, US Marines

CPL Jones very recently returned from Iraq. We will have more information on this returning Marine later this week or possibly even after the talk show itself. We have been told that he has agreed to be one of our guests on this talk show program.

Join Soldies' Angels in telling Kansas City about our great heroes.


- May no soldier go unloved

Don't Forget: KC Angels Events

">May 4th Talking With Heroes

June 3rd, Operation Aces High Poker Run for our Wounded Troops

And, coming up on May 5th, join the live streaming of the Milblog (military blog) conference. It starts at 8 AM and goes through out the day with multiple topics regarding military bloggers and military support bloggers like our site right here. You can even get in on the conversation by joining the simultaneous chat where you can meet others who support the military as well as get some questions answered.

Our founder Patti Patton-Bader will be on talking about great Angel activities and how we can use this communication tool to improve our recognition and help our men and women in uniform get the support they need and deserve.

I'll be on the chat site so join me and find out more about Soldiers' Angels and Military Blogging.

- May no soldier go unloved

Talking With Heroes in Kansas City

This is a reminder that May 4th, 2007 Bob Calvert from Talking with Heroes will be in the Kansas City Area recording his show for Dishnetwork's Altitude Sports.

He'll be featuring live interviews from soldiers currently deployed, people who support our troops locally and many others.

Complete tour information is here.

TALKING WITH HEROES

ON THE ROAD 2007

From Olathe, Kansas

May 4, 2007

6:00pm (CST)

Troop Support Fair

Military Support and Veterans Groups from the Olathe/Kansas City Area
will have Information Tables so that military personnel, their families
and people in the area can see how they help our military and families
in the community. This would be a good opportunity for those attending
this event to get involved with these local groups.

7:00 pm (CST)

Talking with Heroes Talk Show

8:00pm (CST)

Calls begin coming in LIVE from Iraq!

The First Hour of This Talk Show will air on our Regular Sunday Night Time On the Internet

May 6, 2007 at 5pm PST

The Second Hour will air on

May 13, 2007 at 5pm PST

On the May 13th program we will have a link to the Call Ins from Iraq so everybody can see them.

Venue Provided By: Indian Creek Community Church



Guests will include:


Teri Louthain whose son is deployed to Baghdad and has been extremely helpful in supporting Soldiers' Angels in Kansas City. We saw Teri recently at the welcome home for 24 Marine and she was instrumental in helping us do the wonderful float for the Snake Saturday Parade.




Gwen Mendenhall
www.TheHugsProject.com

I started participating in The Hugs Project when my brother was deployed a second time to the Middle East. I have always supported our troops and started a program, “Troops for Troops”, that functioned through the Girl Scouts mainly to send cookies and care packages to those deployed.

I helped organize a group in Kansas City for The Hugs Project in May of 2006. From there, the group has made over 1000 cool ties and many care packages, just under a year. The support from other families, and the great support we give to others in need, makes this group one in a million. I am proud to help serve those that serve our country day in and day out.

My name is Berniece Stutzman grandmother to Cpl Joshua A. Mendenhall, Unites States Marine Corp. I found out about KC Hugs through my daughter Gwen Mendenhall. I became involved to help our troops and to show my support.

Marcia Conley, Regional Manager for Kansas and
the Greater Kansas City Area for Soldiers’ Angels.
www.soldiersangels.org

Marcia and her husband John live in Lenexa, Kansas with their two children Elizabeth and John Patrick.

Marcia has been a member of Soldiers’ Angels since 2004, getting involved after a family friend was deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005. Marcia is a member of the Soldiers’ Angels Adoptions’ Team, the Letter Writing Team, and is a mentor to other angels. Her Regional Manager responsibilities involve assisting local Kansas City Angels with getting more involved on the local level and coordinating activities to promote Soldiers’ Angels and its mission

Barbara and George Nunemacher from VFW 7397

Our organization does much for veterans service, community service, youth development and legislative action. The thing I am most proud of is the adoption by our Post and Auxiliary of three units that were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Meeting and getting to know these soldiers and their families is an experience I will never forget. These men and women became friends and I thank God that they all came home safely.

Linda Relitz

US Troop Support Foundation

www.ustroopsupport.org

US Troop Support Foundation was started in Jan 2003 by Jeff and Linda Relitz. Their son, a 20 year old Marine, was leaving for Kuwait, and not knowing what would happen. They needed to do something to keep their minds occupied and help their son at the same time. They came up with the idea of adopting their son's unit and sending them all care packages. Starting back then with 187 Marines to send to, and a few friends to help, US Troop Support Foundation began.

Cheyne Worley, Kansas City Chapter President of the Veterans' Information Network

Cheyne Worley is a Gulf War veteran and served as the unit supply sergeant with C Company 5th Battalion 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Cheyne has served as the National Secretary of the NGWRC since April 2004.

Cheyne is the Kansas City Chapter President of the Veterans' Information Network, a veterans' advocacy organization located in Kansas.

Sgt Christopher Surber
US Marines

In March of 2005, I deployed with a great group of gentlemen warriors to the Iraqi town of Fallujah where I began the tour as a vehicle commander. Shortly thereafter I was moved to become a four-vehicle team leader where I spent the majority of our tour until ultimately becoming an eight-vehicle section leader.

During the seven months we spent in country we endured a variety of casualties from shrapnel wounds and unconscious Marines to a broken neck and severed appendages. Luckily for all of us, everyone in our platoon returned home. I lost a friend in another unit and regret not being there but had to realize everyone has their place in war and mine was in Fallujah with our mission.

CPL Joshua Jones, US Marines

CPL Jones very recently returned from Iraq. We will have more information on this returning Marine later this week or possibly even after the talk show itself. We have been told that he has agreed to be one of our guests on this talk show program.

Join Soldies' Angels in telling Kansas City about our great heroes.


- May no soldier go unloved

Welcome Home 24th Marine: 46 In, 46 Out

Update: Welcome Marines and Family Members!!!

We had another great experience welcoming home the 24th Marine Reserves, 12th Regiment from their 7 month deployment to Fallujah, Iraq.

Update: Video



It started at 5pm Friday, April 28th at the KCI Marriott where the Patriot Guard Riders assembled an estimated 200 bikes and 30 cars to escort the marines to their base at Richard Gabauer Air Force Base in Belton, Missouri. (Read the Patriot Guard Mission Report with pictures)

Official report says 185 bikes.







We then drove over to Lot G in the actual air port where we re-assembled and waited for the marines to land.




There were a few moments when the Kansas City Missouri police did not want the 200 bikes to participate in the escort. No full details about why exactly, but the marines insisted that we be allowed to participate. The marines landed a little late, but they came out to an overwhelming round of screams, roaring motorcycles and honking horns.

Our procession was several miles long with flying flags and honking horns. As we left the air port proper, people were lining the road with flags and signs. The highway travel was challenging. With such a long procession, other cars had to stop on the entrance ramps. The city was the toughest. It was well worth it as we pulled into Belton.

The first thing we saw was a giant sign over the overpass welcoming home the marines.






As we arrived into Belton, the road was lined with hundreds of flags [update] and THOUSANDS of family, friends, citizens of Belton and surrounding areas and members of support groups like Patriot Guard Riders.






When we arrived at Richard Gabauer, the first thing we noticed at the entrance was a pick up truck with the Soldiers' Angels banner telling everyone who arrived that Soldiers' Angels was there to support troops.



We also met up with Teri Louthain and Pat Louthain, Spc Louthain's mom and grandmother. The Louthains were instrumental supporting Soldiers' Angels in Kansas City at the Snake Saturday Parade (pictures and text report here). The Louthain's provided the truck to pull our float and t-shirts from their shop.

Hundreds more family members and support groups were on hand at the site to give the final "welcome home".







Deby Frerichs was on hand to hand out Soldiers' Angels Marine Coins and Rhonda Gray drove down with her husband and the Patriot Guard. Frank McGough from the Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Det. Marine Corp Leaque told us that the League "passed the hat" at their last meeting and provided $400 to bring in food, refreshments and some entertainment for the families and marines. The Kansas City area and Belton, MO Young Marines held flags, helped set up the welcome and gave a rousing salute to the returning vets.

Tamra Birchfield from the USO drove the USO RV supplying cookies, drinks and many "welcome home" pins and supplies. Tamara told KC Soldiers' Angels that Kansas City does not have its own USO, but is supported out of the St. Louis, Missouri area. She said that she was excited to meet other support groups in the area that could be on hand to welcome our men and women home. The USO is always looking to partner with these organizations where the USO is limited. That's why organizations like Soldiers' Angels is so important.

As we walked around the grounds, we met and shook hands with many marines, welcoming them home. Two marines were kind enough to give us interviews (video to follow). Sgt Foster said that he wasn't surprised by the welcome home, but it was exciting. Cpl Morris then took time away from his family to talk with us. When asked if the marines were excited to see all the support, he said, "Absolutely! Absolutely! It would be silly not to be excited. It's appreciated." Each of the marines returning from deployment were given a commemorative knife hand made by a metal working shop that one of the marines' brothers.

We ran into Maj. Mike Corrodo, commanding officer of the 24th Marine, 12th Regiment.



Maj. Corrodo was assigned to 24th Marine after they were deployed and did not go with them, but he spent a lot of time on the home front learning the names of his men, their families and where they all lived. He felt it was important to do everything he could on the home front. Maj. Corrodo said that the best thing about this deployment was that all of his men came home, "46 in, 46 out".

We later learned that Maj. Corrodo is a recording artist. He was recalled as an Individual Ready Reserve. Maj. Corrodo toured around the United States with many bands. His song, On My Watch, was featured at Soldiers' Angels.

Finally, it was the end of the day. All of the families and marines went home. The Young Marines took up the watch and cleaned up the parade grounds.



Soldiers' Angels thanks all of the support groups and citizens of the Kansas City and Belton, Missouri area for coming out to make this welcome home so fantastic for our marines. Most of all, we thank the marines and their great families for serving our country.

Semper Fi!

UPDATE: A special thanks from a family member of a Marine that arrived is up at the PGR:

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

To All Patriot Guard Riders and to all who made the Reunion of 1 / 24th Marines a success:

I can't say enough about all of you. You made this one heck of a day for the Marines and their families to remember - mine included. It was one impressive sight to see all those bikers escorting the bus back to the base and even more impressive from where I was at the front of the pack.

My Marine said that all of the guys were overwhelmed by the show of support that the Patriot Guard provided them.

This was definitely the heroes welcome that they deserved and that all veterans - past, present, and future - should receive - or should have received.
My heartfelt thanks to all.

Tom XXXXX
Proud Pop of Corporal Will Hardy
1/24 Marines
and Patriot Guard Rider

.

Other Links:
Check out Techograpy: Welcome Home, Brother for more of the story and great pictures.
WDAF TV 4 Kansas City (video)
NBC Action News Top Video

KC Soldiers' Angels video to follow (update: it is up above)

Cross referenced at the Castle

- May no soldier go unloved