Soldiers' Angels VFW Convention

Soldiers' Angels Kansas City is at the VFW Convention at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. We've set up a booth and are spreading the word to many VFW members about our organization. We have even been fortunate to meet some of the great people from Landstuhl, Germany who were excited to see us and talk about our efforts to provide First Response Back Packs and other items for the wounded.

We also met the Major Christian from America Supports You. Actually, he told us "I work at the Puzzle Palace (the Pentagon) call me if you need anything." We'll be taking him up on the that offer.



We met many veterans of all conflicts since World War II as well as children, wives and husbands in the Auxiliary. There was a recurring theme among the veterans: Our troops need our support; we will not let Vietnam happen again.





All of these folks have been fantastic and very generous with our organization. The red, white and blue Angel t-shirts were the most popular.





One gentleman showed us the "pocket Angel" that his children gave him and he has been carrying for twenties years, including through Desert Storm. He said that it could never be replaced because of its special meaning as a gift from his children, but he did purchase a Soldiers' Angels Pocket Angel to give to his wife.





We got a chance to interview several vets about their time in service and how much support from home meant to them. Those interviews will be up shortly. We also got to hear Sen. Clinton and Sen. McCain on Monday. Tuesday is Obama Barak and Fred Thompson and on Wednesday we will get to see the President.

Soldiers' Angels will be at the Convention through Wednesday afternoon. We are having a wonderful time and hope to meet many more of our wonderful veterans and thank them for their service.


- May no soldier go unloved

Over the Weekend: Soldiers' Angels Around Kansas City

Soldiers' Angels Kansas City was busy this past week continuing to spread the word about Soldiers' Angels and show our support for our troops.

On Thursday, we were invited to a small town "Music in the Park" in Bonner Springs, KS. The City Band played old time favorites, well known pieces from musicals and famous marches. The evening started out with the National Anthem being sung by a local man who had a fantastic baritone. Everyone stood, the men removed their hats, the veterans saluted and the rest of the people placed their hands over their hearts. That's something that you just don't see at urban events. True respect and appreciation for our nation's freedoms and struggles to maintain them seem to come more easily to those who enjoy them at their simplest level. Or, maybe it is because, in small communities, everyone knows someone who has sacrificed to maintain that way of life. People know the names, the families and often the people whose names are carved in the monument in the square. They were never strangers to them. They feel the price more keenly.

People bought ice cream sundae's provided by the local Luthern Church to raise money for their local charity project. Pastor Borroughs from Emaus Luthern Church in Bonner Springs spoke to Mayor Clausie of Bonner Springs and asked him if we could have a few moments. Mayor Clausie agreed and introduced us after a rousing rendition of a medley of songs from "The Music Man". We told the audience of about 100 how much our troops needed their support and how they could help by adopting a service member and writing or sending care packages. I told them about the 3000 marines who has asked for this support. As usual, whenever I read a letter from one of our troops, the people are very quiet and then there was wild applause as hands went up all over the audience for our flyers and business cards.

The letter that always seems to inspire people the most is the one from a young man who wrote that he was excited to receive letters and care packages from home because he knew it came from great Americans. He said he did not mind the fight knowing he was defending such wonderful people. One young school teacher asked for contact information directly so that she could arrange a project with our organization. We are looking forward to hearing from her. I think it is wonderful that teachers are showing children about civic pride and honoring those who defend. There has certainly not been such efforts to honor the soldiers' since World War II.

Friday morning we got up bright and early to send off the 35 ID Kansas Army National Guard. This event was truly inspiring. The reserve band played some great music and we met many wonderful people. Soldiers' Angels and the Patriot Guard formed a flag line into the auditorium for the ceremonies. As we waited several soldiers thanked us for the efforts. Then, the ranking two star general came up and shook the hand of everyone in the line along with a captain from the unit. As he thanked everyone for being there, I heard the people on the flag line continue to tell him and the captain, "No. Thank you for your service." It was definitely mutual appreciation.

Several soldiers took pictures of the event for mementos. We were unexpectedly asked to go into the auditorium as part of the ceremony. We lined up behind the podium as the guest speakers were presented. The ride captain presented a flag signed by all of the PGR and Soldiers' Angels attendees that read "We Support Our Troops!" After a few moments of applause, the commanding officer thanked us for "standing behind the soldiers, no matter what the mission." Then the officers and dignitaries on the podium and the audience of soldiers and their families turned around and gave us a standing ovation. It was very heartening to know that your support is appreciated.












Finally, Saturday morning, we got up early once again to Welcome Home Sgt Van Ness from Iraq. Sgt Van Ness drove up from Louisiana where he landed with his unit two days before. His uncle is in the PGR down in Louisiana and asked the Kansas Guard to welcome him home. After a few moments of chatting with him in the parking lot of a local park, Sgt. Van Ness said what many have said on return: it is great to come home and see the green, green grass and trees. In fact, Sgt Van Ness was so impressed with it, the first thing he did when he got home was get out the lawnmower and cut the grass.

His family put out a tent in the front with chairs and provided water, soda and snacks. Everyone stood around for awhile and talked. Sgt Van Ness' cousin had recently returned from AIT (technical school) where he was learning to be an electrician to work on the electronics of jets. I had a few moments to talk to his grandfather who was wearing a hat indicating he was a World War II vet who had served with the 20th Army Air Corp which was now the 20th Air Force. Sgt Van Ness was carrying on the family tradition and was serving in that unit. We gave his grandfather a "Thank You for Your Service" card and an angel pin.



Sgt. Van Ness' step-mom asked for information about Soldiers' Angels. She really wanted to get involved so we gave her some information and a business card. We hope to hear from her soon.

It was a wonderful weekend showing our support for our troops. We are looking forward to continuing with these events and spreading the word about Soldiers' Angels. We want to tell everyone about these activities and the joy that it brings to the soldiers, their families and to those who support them. You can't beat it.

- May no soldier go unloved

You're Attention Please: New Event Calendar

Soldiers' Angels Kansas City has added a new feature to our blog. Please look at the left hand side bar under "Scheduled Events and Fund Raisers". A calendar is now available indicating upcoming events and projects. This calendar will be updated as often as information is available.

We will still place updates in our regular posts on the main page here to let you know what is happening in our area. Please check the calendar regularly for opportunities to support our troops and volunteer with Soldiers' Angels.

Next Event - Bonner Springs, KS Music in the Park, June 19, 7pm

Thursday, June 19, Bonner Springs, Kansas Music in the Park will provide an opportunity for Angels to meet and greet local dignitaries and citizens. Event begins at 7pm. Ice Cream social will be held and then music starts at 8:30pm. Event will be held at the Kelly Murphy Park 1 block west of Oak on 2nd Street, Bonner Springs, Ks.


Soldiers' Angels will be given approximately 10 minutes on the music stand during opening ceremonies to talk about Soldiers' Angels to the general public. Several local charitable and volunteer groups will be putting on an "ice cream social" at the event. We will also be allowed to walk around and talk to the general public, hand out cards and/or fliers. Any angels in the general area who would like to stand on the band stand with me and show "presence" or walk among the crowd to answer questions and hand out cards would be welcome. Angels will meet at the Thriftway 112 Oak St Bonner Springs, KS 66012 (corner of Oak and Front St, just after the Dairy Queen) between 6:30 and 7pm we will make our way to the park at 7pm.

Bring your kids, stick around for the free ice cream social provided by the local charities and enjoy the music.

- May no soldier go unloved

Soldiers' Angels and Avalanche Ranch VBS

There is something really enjoyable about going to small town America and talking to people about Soldiers' Angels and supporting our troops. It is in small towns that the military and those that serve are closer to home. Not necessarily because, as some people believe, the military is full of people from rural America looking for a way out. A large percentage of our armed forces come from urban and suburban areas. The difference is, in small town America, everybody knows that Chad or Joe or Diane joined the military and is stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan or many other places around the world. In urban and suburban America, most people don't know their neighbors very well, much less whether their son, sister, brother, or father is in the military and fighting in the war.

Because of this reality, it is small town America that is more likely to show their patriotism and support, unashamed and unbowed by politics, news or other's opinions. It is, after all, members of their community and in these communities, everyone knows somebody and everyone is important. And, in that way of small communities, no one is a stranger. Even if it is a group of soldiers they never met before. Because the town has men and women in the military and many veterans, these soldiers become a part of their family, too.

Monday, July 16, Soldiers' Angels Kansas City was invited to the Peculiar United Methodist Church in Peculiar, Missouri for their annual Avalanche Ranch Vacation Bible School. Every year, the vacation bible school performs a mission. These missions include providing for the underprivileged and the elderly. These missions teach the children the joy and satisfaction of giving back to their community. This year the church was looking for a new mission. Some soldiers newly arrived in Iraq were looking for support. Soldiers' Angels provided the perfect match.


After a brief introduction, Soldiers' Angels showed pictures and talked to the children about what it was like for deployed soldiers: how they lived, where they slept, how hard they worked and what it was like to be far away from home for a long time. The children were asked if they had been away from home and did they miss their families. Of course, they did, so they understood that the soldiers missed their families, too. Then they were asked if they had someone far away who would send them cards or letters. How did it feel to open the card and know someone was thinking about them? One little girl replied, "Happy!" That's exactly how the soldiers feel when they get mail.


At the end of the presentation, all the children got together and sent the soldiers a big "Howdy" for the video that will be included in the care packages. Then everyone went to their classes and each group, from pre-school to fifth grade, wrote a message or drew a picture to send to their adopted troops. A brief message and short list of items, including toiletries and snacks, were sent home with the children to give to their parents. These items will be collected throughout vacation bible school and over the next Sunday. The church is requesting a "love fund" on Sunday, June 22, to pay for the shipping of the care packages and to let others in the church know about the collection of items if they wish to contribute. Soldiers' Angels and Peculiar United Methodist Church will hold a packing party on June 28 to prepare the items for mailing.


Soldiers' Angels thanks the Peculiar United Methodist Church and the wonderful children of Avalanche Ranch Vacation Bible School for their fantastic support of our military men and women.

If you would like to show your patriotism and appreciation, please join Soldiers' Angels in supporting our men and women by going to our website, soldiersangels.org, and checking: adopt a soldier.

If your organization is interested in a similar program or would like more information about Soldiers' Angels, please email us at kcsoldiersangelsmo1@gmail.com.



Peculiar United Methodist Church put up this Soldiers' Angels display in their foyer giving basic information about Soldiers' Angels and shows a sample care package put together by Angel Christy.







Barbara from Peculiar United Methodist Church put together the display and provided many decorative touches throughout the church for their "Avalanche Ranch" theme.







Children writing messages of love and support to the troops during "missions and crafts" at Peculiar United Methodist Church "Avalanche Ranch" Vacation Bible School.







One of the children holds up a picture that they drew on the back of their letter for the soldiers at the Peculiar United Methodist Church "Avalanche Ranch" Vacation Bible School.







Angel Christy makes a new friend at the Peculiar United Methodist Church "Avalanche Ranch" Vacation Bible School.








- May no soldier go unloved

Soldiers' Angels Kansas City 4th of July: You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Well, I wanted to put up the video for the fourth of July as soon as possible with a little story and pictures, but when I realized that Cpl Green was going to be leaving in a week for Camp Pendleton and then off to Iraq in August, I knew that video had to get done first so I could send it to them as soon as possible.

So, here we are, five days later, and I still don't have the video done from our two 4th of July events. That's right. You read that correctly. Soldiers' Angels know that our troops do not get a holiday, so we didn't take one either. On 4th of July we hit the Parkville, MO annual 4th of July parade and then ended up at Community America Stadium where the Kansas City Royals Minor League team, the T-Bones, asked us to carry on the flags of the United States.

I really can't say enough about our great Angels here in Kansas City who are stepping forward to participate in these events. There are so many men and women in our military who need our support, but only so many Angels to go around. Thus, the best way to help these men and women is to go out and tell more people about Soldiers' Angels and how to participate in actually providing our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with tangible support.

Both experiences were wonderful and our Angels were, too!

This is Abby and her husband Brian. Abby is a new Soldiers' Angel and Brian is in the National Guard. This is her first event and we appreciate both of them coming out and supporting Soldiers' Angels at the 4th of July Parade






Robyn and her husband also joined us for the parade. This is Robyn's second event. She was with us for Operations Aces High. She found Soldiers' Angels through our local website talking about our events. We are very happy that she found us! They were great during the parade and, thankfully, they had a big car so that we could ride back "up the hill" to our cars at the end of the parade. Otherwise, it would have been a long, hard climb in the heat.




Robyn brought her friend Ruth, wearing one of our Operation Aces High t-shirts. Robyn and Ruth did yeoman's work handing out cards to the crowd and telling them about Soldiers' Angels. All while trying to keep up with the parade which was moving down hill (literally) very rapidly. We gave out approximately 200 cards to the audience.




Why are you seeing a picture of the American Legion Color Guard? Because these folks have become some great supporters of Soldiers' Angels in the Parkville area. First, they invited us to the Rally in the Alley that was a rip roaring success. Then they provided us with this great spot in the parade. We were second in line behind the American Legion.






The audience was wonderful. We had great responses as we walked through the parade route. Usually, the big applause is for the military that marches with us. We didn't have any this time, just Angels and our banner. We could hear people reading the banner. Once they figured out what we did, they were applauding very nicely.

Of course, I have video of the crowd sending well wishes to our troops. That will be coming shortly and sent out to our men and women serving in various locations.

Here are a few other pictures of the parade entries:




















Well, as that old song goes: You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet! They don't call us the BBQ capitol of the world for nothing! Kansas City Soldiers' Angels was cookin' on the 4th of July.

On the evening of the 4th, we were invited to walk on the field for the KC T-Bones v. Winnepeg Goldeneyes along with the Patriot Guard Riders for the T-Bones Military Appreciation Night. Once again, we were announced to an audience of the thousands as we carried out the flags of our states. What a super event!

The KC T-Bones are the minor league team for the KC Royals. The Royals are just a great organization and we love these activities because it really lets people know that there is an organization where they can translate their support meaningful actions.

I have to say, before we went into the stadium, I got a big surprise when one of the Patriot Guard Riders I hadn't met yet tapped me on my shoulder and asked, "You're Soldiers' Angels?" and before I could answer he gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you all for what you are doing!" I could barely focus the camera after that!

Here's our very own Julie O. handing out cards and information to American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard and anyone else who hadn't heard of our organization. Everyone took the cards, but it was the Angel pins that were the most requested. Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders all want to wear a Soldiers' Angel pin. I think we can start auctioning those off! They're like gold!





Here is Julie giving a Soldiers' Angels pocket Angel to the oldest surviving member of the last unit of Buffalo Soldiers. He threw out the first pitch at the KC Royals on June 16 and at the KC T-Bones on the 4th.











Here are some Angels and Riders with the Marine Color Guard before the game began. The Marines looked very spiffy in their uniforms and didn't even crack a smile. They trained them well! Right up until Julie handed them some thank you cards. Then they cracked a small smile. Only Angels can crack a United States Marine!








Here's the view from center field as we stood during the American Anthem and the US Marine Corp presented the colors. Tom "Wingman" from the PGR played the National Anthem on his trumpet from somewhere up in the boxes. He did a great job. Of course, the Angels and the PGR were announced to the audience of over 5000. Not bad for a game that started out rainy.




Then the KC T-bones mascot came up into the stands with a camouflage uniform on and many hugs and photos with the kids. Sadly, I was too busy taking photos to get a hug from the best piece of beef steak north of the Mason Dixon.




The evening ended with a bang to some great American Music.

I hope your Independence day was as great as ours! If you missed these events and really want to participate, we have some really wonderful activities coming up. Make sure you watch this site and our left side bar under Scheduled Events and Fund Raisers to find out what and when.

I guarantee: YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET!


- May no soldier go unloved

Welcome Home USMC Cpl Green

Soldiers' Angels Kansas City has been very busy these last few weeks. On July 7, 2007, we participated in the welcome home mission with the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders for Cpl John Green of the United States Marine Corps.

John's mother belongs to the American Legion and so do her two boys, Cpl John Green and LCpl Stephen Green. She asked for this special welcome home for a good reason. This is a part of her letter to all of the riders and Soldiers' Angels:

7 July 2007, Saturday 5:45pm

Dear American Legion Riders:

Thanks for everyone, including Soldier’s Angels and all who welcomed our son, U.S. Marine Corporal John A. Green home from a 2-year overseas deployment.

Cpl. Green is now on his pre-Iraq leave for about a week, then deploys to Iraq in August 2007.[snip]

Thanks for everything that made the day memorable and will encourage him as he soon deploys for Iraq. He was been overseas on a 2-years, and sent to Camp Pendleton is turning around and going immediately on a deployment to Iraq with no dwell time. Your welcome gave him motivation and encouragement as he deploys to Iraq in the searing summer heat.

And we were glad to supply that motivation.

Now, here is a little motivation for you to start your Monday off and reminding you that there is a lot of great fun, joy and pride to be had when you are a Soldiers' Angel.



His mother wrote a little more:

Cpl. Green thought the escort from KCI Airport was awesome and was so impressed that as we were driving home with the escort in front and back, he said, to us, “Are you sure they don’t think I earned the Medal of Honor with this welcome?” We told him, no, they were not mistaken; they were doing this for him![snip]

Cpl. Green’s brother, Lance Corporal Stephen Green is also a Marine, now deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and he is taking a week’s leave and returns home to KC Mon. 7-9-07 to
see his brother before Cpl. John Green leaves for Iraq.[snip]

Thanks again, our troops really need the support. Keep all the troops in your prayers, and pray for Cpl. Green as he deploys to Iraq. He left for recruit training right after he graduated from Bishop Miege in 2004 and has been overseas ever since on deployments, so it is special that he is able to return home, but bittersweet in that in a short time he will be on combat patrols in Iraq. We were very glad you got to see him in between deployments. It is special to him and all of his family. We wish his brother Stephen could have seen it, but his leave does not start until Monday July 9^th . We will show him the DVD when the lady from Soldier’s Angels sends it.

It really means a lot that you all care and took time out of your Saturday to show up and greet this returning Marine. He did not know you were coming, and it was planned with true efficiency by your group on short notice, and in our opinion went flawlessly.[snip]

Sincerely, and with kindest regards.

Mr. and Mrs. Green

Yes, I am the lady with the camera and the two copies of the video are being delivered tomorrow so that Cpl Green can take one with him when he heads to Camp Pendleton and then Iraq.

Of course, we wish him the best of luck and our prayers will be with both Cpl Green and his family.

Semper Fi!



- May no soldier go unloved