Soldiers' Angels: Getting Educated On the Needs of Our Soldiers

I found the next few videos interesting as they showed information that would be helpful to Soldiers' Angels and others supporting our troops in determining what sort of needs we might need to meet now and in the future.

These first videos are a two part series on amputees at Walter Reed and how they are improving technology as well as how physical therapy is used to manage their condition and bring normalcy back to their lives.

Amputees Walter Reed: choosing the right equipment


Amputees Walter Reed Part II: No regrets


This next video talks about the importance of sunscreen for our soldiers and choosing the right kind including what to look for on the bottle and how long it actually lasts. Even the best sunscreen only has about a two hour window then needs to be re-applied. That is something that we should be informing our soldiers about when we send them the sunscreen.

Sun Screen for Your Soldier



- May no soldier go unloved

Radar Love: Operation Aces High Video

UPDATED!!!! There it is. Finally, the video. I guarantee the wait was worth it.

Enjoy. (Ignore the "image coming soon"; I promise the video works)



Message from Soldiers' Angels' Patti:

Awesome just Awesome,
Thank you from my heart,
Love
patti

and

I could spend my life working night and day and still not ever be able to repay you for this magnifient event.
I think we should make copies of this and put in backpacks,
I love you
Patti

Debby Frerichs, Soldiers' Angels VP

This is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You did a super job with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Debby

What are you waiting for? Watch the video!


- May no soldier go unloved

Operation Aces High Raises $3400 For Wounded Heroes

A message from Marcia:

A big Thank you to everyone who helped make our Operation Aces High Poker Run a success. Kat has put some pictures up on the Blog and I expect a video to be up soon.





Special thanks go out to American Legion Post 370 in Overland Park, the Legion Riders from post 370, Ronda Gray, our chair-person and the other hard-working members on the committee. Additional thanks go out to Soldiers’ Angels and Patti for donating the meat for the BBQ and prizes for Low hand and the 50/50 drawing the ALR sponsored. There is much talent in our organization, not only is Debby Frerichs our donations VP a dedicated volunteer, she and her BBQ team the “Flamin Yawns” are BBQ champs. Their pork placed 1st at the BBQ contest held in Wichita earlier in the weekend and we all were lucky enough to get to enjoy it. Thanks to the Hy-Vee grocery stores in Lenexa and at 95th and Quivira in Overland Park for donating potato chips and to all of you who baked or donated goodies, they were tasty.



We also need to thank a couple of special heroes- Debby’s medic, recently returned from Afghanistan and Master Chief Larry, recently returned from Iraq who donated the flags and certificates that were the high hand prize, and silent auction item respectively. And a special angel Sheryl, from New Jersey who helped coordinate with Master Chief Larry to get the flag.












This fundraiser shows how a group of people with different talents can come together for a common cause to make a difference and I am honored to have had the chance to work with you all.

There were many wonderful moments Sunday. The top two for me were when one of the Legion Riders, Doug, surprised Ronda with $1200.00 that he and his girlfriend had collected from friends, family, and co-workers, being easily prone to tears that gesture brought some happy ones for me.


The second was at the very end when the mom of a recently deployed hero came up and gave me a hug, with tears in her eyes. She’d won low hand and was thrilled with the prize; a Soldiers’ Angels tote bag stuffed with goodies including a blanket, t-shirt, coffee mug, and magnet, her husband also took home a couple of the drawing prizes. She told me that, “God had blessed this day” and that tomorrow was her birthday. Nothing beats a hug from a soldier’s mom and it was a gift to know we’d made that day special for her. That alone made the day a success.

God Bless you all and God Bless our troops!

Soldiers' Angels received this message June 5, 2007:

My Husband Was Wounded

Your title says it all, you truely are angels. My husband was injured and in the hospital with nothing but a hospital issued gown and a ziploc bag for his personal belongings. On his last day there before being transported to another hospital one of the nurses gave him one of your backpacks. He was floored. He called me all excited because he finally had a set of clothes, some shoes on his feet and something to carrying his belongings in. I cannot put into words the morale boost that he received from your gesture. Thank you very much!!

Sincerly,

Amy

You can see pictures here. This is a video about what a backpack is, how it is used and some messages from other wounded heroes. This is the page that gives an outline of our project and more information on backpacks.

If you would like to join Soldiers' Angels in supporting our wounded heroes with First Response Back Packs, you can donate to Soldiers' Angels directly or go to the Angel Store and purchase a back pack to be sent to "Any Wounded Soldier".

You can write a personal message to our heroes. The cost is $55.00/back pack (includes packing, shipping and handling), but the value is priceless.

There are many other great ways to support our troops including writing letters, sending care packages and adopting a soldier (or two) of your own. You can find out more by going to Soldiers' Angels.

If you want to participate directly with Soldiers' Angels in Kansas City, please email our team at kcsoldiersangelsmo1@gmail.com.


- May no soldier go unloved

Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Troops

Find out more information here: Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Troops


- May no soldier go unloved

Operation Aces High: Saturday, June 3

I just wanted to remind everyone that we have an event coming up and why we are doing it.

Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the wounded troops kicks off this Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the Overland Park American Legion Post 370. Details can be found on our side bar or by clicking here.

There will be a barbecue, a silent auction, a great ride and great camaraderie among riders and supporters of our troops. There will be opportunities to send written and other messages to our troops.

What will it benefit? All proceeds will be used to purchase First Response Back Packs for our wounded.

What are they and why do they need them?

Read this from Soldiers' Angels

Wounded in Iraq. What happens next? You’re transferred to a Combat Support Hospital with just the clothes on your back. Recognizing the situation, Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader (grand-niece of General Patton) teamed up with Minimus.biz for a solution – get troops clothes and toiletries the moment they arrive.

According to Patti Patton-Bader, when troops are injured, “The medical treatment and transportation occur with such speed that the soldiers often arrive in Germany wearing the same uniform that they were wearing when they were wounded. The soldiers' gear and personal items rarely catch up with them.” So, Soldiers’ Angels created the First Response Backpacks. A $50,000 donation from The Military Order of the Purple Heart helped to purchase the newly designed digital camouflage backpacks embroidered with the Purple Hearts and Soldiers’ Angels logos. The backpacks provide a full set of travel-sized toiletries and accessories (such as toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, and soap), calling card, change of clothes, and a hand-made blanket by one of the Soldiers’ Angels volunteers who participates in the Blankets of Hope project. Each backpack contains sweatpants with velcro or zippered sides, as well as zip-hooded sweatshirts with the Soldiers’ Angels logo.

Not just wounded from Iraq, but from everywhere our men and women are deployed, serving our nation.

It makes a huge difference:

After a military bloggers’ conference in Washington D.C. this May, a group of Soldiers’ Angels visited the wounded at Bethesda Naval Medical Center. The first person they saw was a Marine wearing one of the brand new Soldiers’ Angels sweatshirts. Asked if an Angel had brought it to him at the hospital, he replied, “No ma’am, I was evacuated from Baghdad, and was cold, and was given this sweatshirt.” Minimus had received, packed, and shipped the new sweatshirts, recently added to the backpack, and that they were already in use. The soldier’s mother was with him and asked if he could have a second sweatshirt since he had been wearing his for six days straight, refusing to take it off.

We hope you want to make a huge difference, too. Please join us this Sunday for Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Wounded Troops.

We're looking forward to seeing you there.

- May no soldier go unloved

Soldiers Angels Texas: "Wild Child" Kebin Kinsley Supports Soldiers' Angels

"Wild Child" driver Kebin Kinsley offered to display Soldiers Angels web address and logo on his car for the 2007 season. This has so far been a wonderful partnership for Soldiers Angels. Kebin and his team feature two charities on their car; along with Soldiers Angels they also feature Childrens Miracle Network.





We arrived at the race track in Ennis around 10:30 a.m. and met the veterans from Waco VA Hospital in the stands. They were already enjoying the races and waiting for Kebin "Wild Child" to run his first qualifying race. Soldiers Angels and the Veterans from Waco VA were announced over the PA system and I saw smiles on each and every Veterans face when they heard that announcement! Needless to say when Kebin won the first race everyone around me stood to cheer and clap for Kebin and the team!

Read the rest here

- May no soldier go unloved
Soldiers' Angels

Things to Read, Watch or Listen To

Soldiers' Angels Europe points to several excellent stories about our men and women in uniform.

Volunteer Navy nurses serve as Skyway Angels

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (April 19, 2007) — The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an angel as an attendant spirit or guardian.
In famous art, artists often depicted angels as human-like beings, with white robes and wings, serving as transporters of messages from other celestial beings.

Many seriously wounded service members in Iraq can testify angels aren’t always dressed in white. Several wear tan flight suits and their wings are merely the rotors of soaring aircraft.

These particular angels remain faithful to the Merriam-Webster definition by serving as attendant spirits, as well as guardians – guardians of life.

NFL Doc Saving Lives in Afghanistan

It’s a long way from small incision, computer-guided arthroscopic surgery on a linebacker’s knee to "blood, tissue, bones, everything blowing up in your face."

"I’m not used to people dying on me," the 37-year-old orthopedic surgeon said. "I’m seeing things I’ve never seen in my career. I’ve done more amputations in six months here than in my whole five years of residency," Slusher said.

And things aren’t likely to ease up during the second half of his yearlong tour with the U.S. Army’s 541st Forward Surgical Team.

Spouse Buzz: You Might Be a Military Wife If...

My first clue that things were going to be a little odd was while we drove home - about five hours from the airport where I picked him up. As we headed down the 99 in California (quite possibly the most boring drive on earth), my husband begin to randomly inject odd words into the conversation.
"Trash bag, right"
"Dog, straight ahead"
"Broken-down car, left"
"Excuse me, honey," I broke in after a few of these incidents. "But just WHY are you describing the scenery to me?"

Give This To My Daddy

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

(hat tip: Mudville Gazette)

Our Era's Greatest Generation - Reflection on Kansas National Guard Soldiers

Recently, while in Washington D.C. , I had the honor to visit our brave military men and women recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center . As I met those who had sacrificed their health for our country, I was reminded of the courage and bravery exhibited by members of the armed forces.

While there, I met two Kansas soldiers who had both suffered debilitating injuries – one a major head injury and the other a leg injury that led to amputation. I thought, before my visit, that they may be bitter.

Bitter at the situation, bitter at the war, or just plain bitter.

I quickly discovered there wasn’t an ounce of bitterness in either of them. Indeed, both mentioned what they wanted, perhaps more than anything else, was to be back in Iraq with their units. I was stunned and humbled by their commitment.

With the Peshmerga in Kirkuk (Iraq)

Where Kurdistan Meets the Redzone

I suggest reading these two posts because they show you the true separation and condition of parts of Iraq. In one part, extremely stable and prosperous. In another part, slightly scary and dangerous. In a third part, extremely dangerous and violent. There are pictures illustrating the differences and a video of the road trip through Kirkuk.

(hat tip: Mudville Gazette)

- May no soldier go unloved
Soldiers' Angels

Soldiers' Angels "Get 'er Done"

Sgt Same Floberg, an amputee and veteran of the North Dakota Army National Guard, along with Soldiers' Angels Shelle Michaels, recently met with Larry the Cable Guy who mugged with a Soldiers' Angels T-Shirt and the visitors.



Sgt Floberg was presented with a cane made especially for him by the Oklahoma Woodcarver's Association.






Sgt Floberg posing with a poster for Larry the Cable Guy and the rest of the "Blue Collar" comics upcoming show, "Delta Farce".

Please join Soldiers' Angels in supporting our men and women in uniform. We provide unique opportunities to support individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines as well as entire units.


- May no soldier go unloved

General Reminders

Don't forget, Talking With Heroes is coming to our Area May 4. We are still looking for sponsors. Read the information here.

Come join us and see what Talking with Heroes is all about.

And, Operation Aces High is just around the corner on June 3. We're looking for volunteers and we're looking for riders to join us for the great fun.

Help us make our first annual poker run for the wounded troops a huge success.

- May no soldier go unloved

From the Forums: Angel Power

A young man and his family need our support and prayers.

A friend of mine just messaged me saying her son sustained serious head and face injuries yesterday by an IED in Iraq. I don't want to give out her email without her permission so can I get some emails of support sent to my email and I will forward them to her. I know it would help her alot. Please email me and put Karen in the subject line and I will make sure she gets them all. Thank you all, you are all truly Angels.

Lydia

I have been asked recently if I had learned anything from this war. I have learned many things: the kindness of strangers; true charity; absolute appreciation and a clearer concept of the word "sacrifice", the belief in good and the power of like minded people.

But, most of all, I have learned to pray again.

- May no soldier go unloved

Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Troops

Soldiers' Angels in Kansas City and American Legion Riders Post 370 are joining wings and wheels for the first Annual Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Troops, Sunday, June 3, 2007.

The funds raised will be used to provide First Response Backpacks for our wounded men and women in uniform.

From Soldiers' Angels:

On today's battlefield wounded American soldiers are no longer hospitalized in the combat area of operations. Rather they are transported to a Combat Support Hospital for initial treatment and, if further medical treatment is warranted, the soldiers are transported to an American hospital in Germany. The medical treatment and transportation occur with such speed that the soldiers often arrive in Germany wearing the same uniform that they were wearing when they were wounded. The soldiers' gear and personal items rarely catch up with them.

In an effort to provide comfort to these wounded heros, the First Response Backpack was developed by a nonprofit organization named Soldiers' Angels. The First Response Backpack is a backpack stuffed with personal items which are necessary and vital to the physical comfort of the soldiers. A typical First Response Backpack contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo, soap and other hygiene products. It also contains articles of clothing and undergarments to provide the soldier some relief from the airy hospital gowns. A phone card is included so that the soldiers can call their family members while they recover. Each pack also contains a blanket. The blanket, dubbed a "Blanket of Hope" is handmade by Soldiers' Angels volunteers and is accompanied by a note of well wishes for each soldier.

Soldiers' Angels wants to invite you to join us in supporting our troops. The Poker Run will begin registration at 9:00 AM, Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the American Legion Post 370 7500 W. 75th St., Overland Park, KS, 3 blocks west of Metcalfe (rain or shine). Registration at the door is $25.00 for the first hand and $10.00 per each additional hand. Pre-registration is available. The pre-registration fee is $20.00 for the first hand and $10.00 for each additional hand.

You can pre-register by downloading this form: Soldiers' Angels Operation Aces High: Poker Run for the Troops (pdf). All pre-registration forms should be completed and mailed by May 12th, 2007.

Ride t-shirts can be pre-ordered on the above registration form for $15.00 each.

The bikes will leave the American Legion at 11:00 AM. All bikes should return by 4:30pm. Prizes will be announced at 5:00pm. Cars (cages) are welcome. Water, soda and food will be available for purchase. UPDATE: A BBQ will be held at the close of the ride at the final post, American Legion Post 370. 50/50 raffles will be held at specified destinations. Destinations and a map will be made available at this site, stay tuned.

One of the great prizes that we were able to obtain for our "winning hand" is an American Flag flown in our honor at a forward operating base in theater and will come with a certificate and other verification of authenticity. A second flag, seen below, will be auctioned in a "silent auction" at the American Legion Post 370. Bids can be placed before and after the run. This flag was flown on a river patrol boat on the Tigris River in Iraq and comes complete with a certificate and pictures for verification.



A second flag flown over a land base or FOB (forward operating base) in Iraq or Afghanistan, along with photos and certificate, will be placed for "silent bidding" to help raise direct cash funds.

Please bookmark this site so you can get all of the latest information.

If you have any questions, please email Kansas City Soldiers' Angels.

Soldiers' Angels and the American Legion Riders Post 370 thank you for supporting our troops. We look forward to seeing you there.



What is a Poker Run?

A Poker Run is an organized motorcycle event where riders travel over a prescribed course and at designated stopping points, select a card. At the end of the run, the person with the best poker hand wins a prize. Poker Runs usually require a fee to enter with a part of the proceeds going to charity. The rules for Poker Runs vary depending on the event.

More about First Response Back Packs:

On May 10, 2006 Soldiers Angels shipped the 5,000th First Response Backpack The packs have been shipped to Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and to all of the United States Military hospitals worldwide. The work of Soldiers' Angels has been recognized by the Department of Defense and Patti Patton-Bader, the group's founder and the niece of General George S. Patton, has been awarded the Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service by the Department of the Army.

However, the greatest recognition has come from the wounded hero's themselves:

"I want to thank your organization personally for the back packs that you have provided for the wounded and sick soldiers here ... As the 1SG of this company, I want you to know that these back packs put smiles on the soldiers' faces and that's priceless."


A hospital worker recounted her experience with a soldier who had received a First Response Backpack. She stated, " When his parents arrived the first thing he showed them was his Purple Heart, the second was his Blanket of Hope from Soldiers Angels! I cannot tell you the emotional thank you we received from this young soldier's mother!"



Hi, I was recently wounded in combat in Iraq..It was a pretty good hit and when I was medevac'd obviously I didnt get to grab some important items:) I woke up the next day and had nothing to wear or any hygiene stuff..my uniform I had on was bloodsoaked and unwearable..This very sweet nurse (in the pic) brought me a backpack full of goodies from you folks and there was even pajamas:) the hospital robes didnt fit me and I just managed to squeeze your clothes on:) I felt alot better with a shower and some pants on...all with your gift. I ended up having to go to a few more hospitals by helocoptor to get some specialist work done as some of the wounds were deep..I took the bag with me everywhere it was all I had..It was the best thing that could have happened at that time..I just wanted to say thank you for all you nice people do...Here is a pic when I was released...my nurse, my friend on the left and thats me with the new "facejob"..thanks again, Sgt. Cary


About Soldiers' Angels

The Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible. Soldiers' Angels currently supports thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our Country's Flag and the number is growing daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.

In December of 2004 a worldwide support forum was created. In hopes of providing a place where needs of our heroes can be fulfilled


A special thanks to John Donovan from Castle Argghh for hosting our registration sheet and for all the things he does for Kansas City Soldiers' Angels.

- May no soldier go unloved
May no soldier walk alone
May no soldier be forgotten
Until they all come home

Soldiers' Angels Germany: St Patrick's Day

While we were busy with our own St. Patrick's Day, Soldiers' Angel in Europe threw a St. Patrick's Day party for our wounded.



More photos here.

One of the photos references "Achim" who is a German soldier in the Bundeswehr (German Army) who volunteers his time. A big thank you to him and all the European Soldiers' Angels.



- May no soldier go unloved