Happy Thanksgiving

Comments by ZingerBug.com





Came across this article with a message worth passing on today

Be an Angel for a Soldier this Thanksgiving


On this Thanksgiving day, as we count our blessings and give Thanks........we want to especially give Thanks for all those who have chosen to serve our country.

Wednesday Hero

Rear Adm. Ned Deets


Rear Adm. Ned Deets speaks with Frank Chebatar, president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, at the conclusion of the base consolidation ceremony. The two bases consolidated to form Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Military Monday

While I don't 'tweet', I'm aware that Monday is designated as "militarymonday" on Twitter.
A search on Twitter brings up some of the tweets using that hashtag here

Friend and fellow Soldiers Angel member and blogger Greta is one of the founding forces of #militarymon (she still blogs, however, both here and here , and she's got a new gig over at RightPunditsMedia YouTube channel )

My friend JP at Milblogging.com who is also greatly enamoured of tweeting on Twitter :) is continuing to blog,also, thank goodness (for dinosaurs like me,lol, who just can't make that jump into tweeting...I have enough trouble thinking what the heck to say on my Facebook status, for pete's sake :) and he put up a nice post Nov.9
My 10 Favorite Experiences as a Military Blogger

Whether it's through blogging or Soldiers Angels ......supporting the military has brought so many unexpected blessings into my Own life, also, that I wanted to write a post supporting #militarymon

even though I don't 'tweet' :)

and to say how Thankful I am, for those who are currently serving, and those who are veterans, not only during this Thanksgiving week, but every day.

Prayers needed for a Milblogger

Blackfive has the information here Spiritual warfare for a wonderful man

Keeping Concrete Bob, and his family, in our prayers here!

-----------------
Update: Bob Checks In

Operation Christmas Tree

We sent one to our soldier when he was deployed last year, read more about this
here Operation Christmas Tree

No, You CAN'T send Christmas cards to "Any Wounded Soldier"...but, you CAN still send cards to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed

This is the time of year when emails circulate asking folks to send Christmas and holiday cards to 'Any Wounded Soldier' at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.....which, sad to say, you CANNOT do, due to security considerations.
However, there IS still a way to get those cards to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed, and elsewhere.........from the WRAMC website


The American Red Cross again will sponsor a national “Holiday Mail for Heroes” campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to servicemembers, veterans and their families in the United States and abroad.

The card campaign includes those working and receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc., will partner for the third year to provide screening of all mail sent to the following P.O. Box address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Cards should be postmarked no later than Dec. 7 to reach servicemembers recovering at Walter Reed.

People shouldn’t send cards to Walter Reed unless they are addressed to a specific wounded warrior.

Due to security restrictions, Walter Reed cannot accept generic mail addressed to “A Recovering Soldier” or “Any Soldier.” In past years, hundreds of cards were returned to senders because of generic addresses, many sent in response to misleading e-mails.

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

A Holiday Edition of Soldiers Angels Web Surfing because time is running out to get those cards and packages in the mail in order for them to reach our troops in time for the holidays......

View From the 8th Floor says Adopt A Troop.Send Letters. Send Care Packages.

Ballseye's Boomers has a great post Ballseye’s Choices For Care Package & Stocking Stuffers


Airman Mom says If You Can't Feed a Hundred People, Then Feed Just One. ~ Mother Teresa

(and major Congratulations! to her, for her blog being featured in an article in the
Washington Post With 2 sons serving, mom blogs for others By Meghan Tierney )


There's still time to get our troops Wrapped in Holiday Spirit!

that's the surf!

RIP Sgt. Benjamin W. Sherman...and Praying for Sgt. Brandon T. Islip, Missing....

the DOD News Release DOD Announces Army Casualty, Dustwun Status brought to my attention not only the sad news of another death of a young soldier, but also that the missing soldier is from my home state:

The Department of Defense today announced the identity of a soldier currently listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) and the death of a soldier who were both supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The two soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, 508thParachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Brandon T. Islip, 23, of Richmond, Va., has been unaccounted for since Nov. 4 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, when he went missing while involved in a resupply mission.

Sgt. Benjamin W. Sherman, 21, of Plymouth, Mass., has been identified as having been killed while participating in the Nov. 4 resupply mission.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch had this story today
Army searching Afghanistan river for Chesterfield soldier by Reed Williams


Keeping both families in our prayers here.......

Wednesday Hero

Staff Sgt. Dennisur Thompson


Staff Sgt. Dennisur Thompson, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, overcompensates a left turn while on a driving simulator as a part of the Save a Life Tour in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

2009 USPS Holiday deadlines for shipping to the Military

The link to the page on the USPS page is HERE

Random stuff.....

Came across this book during the Valour IT fundraiser......I'll add it to the list of books I'd like to read:)
Reporting for Doodie


Another book that looks interesting The Monuments Men


chocolate for the troops in a bottle Chocoley


Kat's card drive still going on Yikes!

An Officer's Outrage over Ft.Hood

Hat tip to Assoluta Tranquillita for leading me to An Officer's Outrage over Ft. Hood

there are others out there speaking their minds about this,
also worth reading Cowardice, Not Blindness from the USNI blog

Project Valour-IT Totals......THANK YOU!

Awesome results to benefit our Wounded Soldiers!

Veterans Day 2009

You can read more about the history of Veterans Day HERE


Thank you, to each of our nation's veterans........

and a special thank you to the veterans in my own family.......



Grandad, Dad, Tony and Aunt Lynn.....some served in wartime, and some in peace.....but they all chose to serve, and for that I am forever grateful.

The Project Valour IT fundraiser heads into the home stretch....

If you haven't already given, please consider giving today......

the fundraiser ends on November 11th, there's still time to help wounded soldiers.

Keeping the Ft. Hood community in my prayers...

and

SOLDIERS' ANGELS STANDING BY FOR FT. HOOD-- We are collecting cards and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the fallen/wounded heroes.

Please send cards and stuffed animals/blankets/anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child to:

Soldiers' Angels Warehouse
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218


WE WILL FOCUS on the HOLIDAY OUTREACH as a major push.

Fallen Heroes by Kevin Morgan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGPRMJuglxA

VAULT™ and the USO partner on campaign to send messages to u.s. troops

ATLANTA, Nov. 4, 2009 – The approaching holiday season is a time of hope and family for millions of Americans, but hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops stationed around the world will likely celebrate far from home again this year.

In an effort to boost morale with messages of support and gratitude, VAULT is partnering with the USO and country music act Montgomery Gentry on

“The Uniform of Heroes: The Taste of Support” campaign.

Entering its second year, the program provides a unique opportunity for people to send hand-written postcards to “any service member” stationed worldwide.

Beginning today, people are encouraged to write messages of support on pre-addressed postcards, which are available through VAULT displays at convenience retail outlets and on VAULT standees in grocery stores where VAULT is sold.

They also are available at VAULT-sponsored events and on MyCokeRewards.com , while supplies last. Consumers can provide postage and easily drop the postcards in the mail for delivery to a USO collection center for screening before being distributed to U.S. troops.

“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for all Americans to recognize the special contributions and sacrifices made by U.S. troops, especially during this time of the year,” said Neil Golson, VAULT Brand Manager, Coca-Cola North America. “These messages will go a long way in bringing comfort and lifting the spirits of our troops, especially those who are a world away from home.”

In addition to boosting morale through the postcard program, VAULT is asking consumers to contribute to the USO by donating their own MyCokeRewards points, which translate to cash for the organization. MyCokeRewards points, found under caps and on packaging of more than 60 products from Coca-Cola North America , can be redeemed at MyCokeRewards.com to donate funds that help support the continuing efforts of the USO to provide a home away from home to U.S. troops wherever they serve.

Sandy Douglas, President, Coca-Cola North America, recently presented $100,000 from last year’s campaign to Sloan Gibson, USO President and CEO, during a special performance by Montgomery Gentry at The Tabernacle Concert Hall in Atlanta. The concert served as the kickoff of “The Uniform of Heroes: The Taste of Support” campaign.

“We’re proud to continue the effort to support our U.S. troops, and it’s exciting to partner with VAULT on this important campaign once again,” said Troy Gentry. “VAULT and the USO have created a great way to spread goodwill and offer our thanks to the brave men and women serving our country. We hope thousands of people will get involved again this year.”

“Corporate partnerships, like the one we have enjoyed with Coca-Cola for 68 years, are the lifeblood of the USO, and programs like VAULT’s ‘The Uniform of Heroes: The Taste of Support’ make an enormous difference to the troops who defend our nation,” said Gibson. “We’re very pleased to work with VAULT and Montgomery Gentry again in generating awareness and delivering much-appreciated thoughts and well-wishes for U.S. troops worldwide.”

Background
The VAULT postcard program replicates the popular service previously operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, which allowed the American public to send mail addressed to “any service member” for more than 17 years before being discontinued in 2003 due to security concerns. “Since email has become the primary form of communication for soldiers, handwritten, personal notes are especially valued and can provide an incredible morale boost,” said Gibson. “By teaming with VAULT and leveraging the reach of the Coca-Cola system, we’re giving people across the country a chance to send a note of support or gratitude to our troops delivered through the network of USO centers.”

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Post Was Written By Greta


Col. Henry J. Cook


Past National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, after serving over fifteen years with MOPH, gaining invaluable experience while in the positions of National Aide-de-Camp, Chapter Commander, Region Commander, National Junior Vice Commander and National Senior Vice Commander.

He was a career Special Forces (Green Beret) officer for thirty-three of the total forty-two years that he was on combined active and reserve duty. His combat tours began in 1967-68 when he operated behind enemy lines in for extended periods of time conducting operations with native guerrilla troops as the Executive Officer of the 4th Mobile Guerrilla. He saw additional combat in 1969-70 when he led a U.S. Special Forces Mobile Strike Force Battalion (MIKE FORCE), consisting of Green Beret officers and sergeants leading Cambodian mercenaries, again working behind enemy lines as well as reacting to attacks on friendly bases, often requiring that his unit be parachuted into hostile drop zones.


Later, he participated in Desert Shield (Saudi Arabia), Desert Storm (Kuwait) and Iraq, and Operation Provide Comfort (Support to Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq.

For his valor and military skills, Colonel Cook was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold and Silver Stars, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge, Special Forces Tab, and numerous other U.S. and foreign decorations.

Henry Cook is now twice retired, as a soldier and as a lawyer and resides in Diamondhead, Mississippi. He is a member of the Pro Bono Consortium representing veterans who appeal denial of claims and is a member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims. He’s been a member of the Mississippi Bar Association since 1978 and also serves as a Municipal Judge Pro Tem in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Other significant contributions to veterans by Henry Cook include: a major role in the creation of the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Ocean Springs and helping raise over $500,000 to help MOPH members in Louisiana and Mississippi who lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. In addition to MOPH, he also belongs to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Special Forces Association (SFA), Special Operations Association (SOA), Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW).

You can read more about Col. Henry in this PDF file on pages 31 & 32.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Soldiers Angels VALOUR IT Web Surfing

A 'surf' of the web for posts related to the Valour IT fundraiser

Nice Deb had the same idea, check out her post Project Valour IT News and Links

The Daley Gator weighed in for the Marine Team with
Your Valour IT Marine of the Day

and Miss Ladybug blogs Nolan Ryan is Helping Support Valour IT


For Team Navy,from the USNI blog Valour IT: Giving in Action

and View From the 8th Floor is blogging posts every day (and also has the Navy blogroll on her sidebar)



Soldiers Angels New York posted Why I Like the Air Force


and sometimes,LOL, it just gets silly........Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive posted
Navy Brings out SEALS to Support Valour IT

and Mudville Gazette had the Valour IT Trick or Treat



There's lots more out there, this is just a sampling......

the Navy blogs are also listed at the bottom of the page at the link to join the Navy Team here


the Air Force blogroll is listed at the page to join the AF team here

the Marine's blogroll is listed on the Marine Team sign-up page here

and the Army Team's blogroll is listed at the Only page you really need to sign up your blog at,
HERE

While I'm partial to the Army:) go check out All the blogs listed that are participating in this 'Virtual Fundraiser'.....it's a great way to get introduced to some bloggers you might not otherwise have come across....and you Might be able to leave a snarky comment or two on a competing Team's post,LOL.

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

My 'surf' of the web for news by, and about,
Soldiers Angels


From The Daily Journal in NJ Don't forget the soldiers this holiday


From The Paladin at Furman University in Greenville,SC
Students to send Thanksgiving Overseas


Great post from a new-to-me blogger at Savoring the Sweet Life


From the NewsTribune in Illinois Penny collection makes 'cents' in effort to help soldiers


That's the surf!

Passing the Word Along....

Stars and Stripes Holiday message program is ready to roll again, check out the main page
HERE


and on November 14th, there will be a Veteran's Day 5K run held at Camp Slayer in Baghdad....
Run For the Fallen is suggesting folks consider 'shadow running' with this event.

Another "Blog to Book'

A blogger Coppola A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq

who was deployed in 2005 and 2007 with the Air Force,

has joined the ranks of those who've turned their blogging into a book

the book Coppola: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq

(yet another book to add to my 'wishlist' :)

The Ballad of Captain Z

For those of you who might not know how Project Valour IT got started?


Project Valour-IT began when Captain Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005
.
During his deployment he kept a blog From My Position...On the Way
Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.

As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss' fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.

A fellow blogger (blog author) who writes under the pseudonym FbL contacted Captain Ziegenfuss and the two realized they shared a vision of providing laptops with voice-controlled software to wounded soldiers whose injuries prevented them from operating a standard computer. FbL contacted Soldiers Angels, who offered to help develop the project, and Project Valour-IT was born.

In sharing their thoughts, CPT Ziegenfuss (now a Major) and FbL found that memories of their respective fathers were a motivating factor in their work with the project. Both continue their association with this project in memory of the great men in their lives whose fine examples taught them lasting lessons of courage and generosity.

In the years since its founding in 2005, the project has acted to meet emerging needs and its mission of supporting the the severely wounded has expanded. In addition to voice-controlled laptops, Valour-IT now helps provide active and whole-body video games such as Wii Sports, which is used to great effect in physical therapy, and personal GPS systems that help compensate for short-term memory loss and organizational/spacial challenges common in those with brain injuries.
------------------------------
Check out the video "Ballad of Captain Z"





(or the URL is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwh2bVL0ibc )

Project Valour-IT Teams

Christmas Quilt Raffle to help Valour IT

From Flag Still Stands for Freedom comes a Valour IT raffle of a handmade Christmas quilt.
Beautiful quilt!
Go check it out, each $1 counts as one entry in the raffle.

Valour IT Video Contest

I'll leave it to Greta to give all the details:)




(or you can check the link at YouTube HERE )

or you can check out the details on the Official Valour IT blog


While I do have dear friends who have (possibly mistakenly,lol:)
signed up for Other Teams

the link to donate for Team Army is Here

Veteran's Day and Applebee's

If you haven't seen this yet, Veteran's and Active Duty Military are invited to eat
FREE at Applebee's on November 11th

as their way of saying THANK YOU! to those who have served, and are serving.

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Justin Slagle


Spc. Justin Slagle returns to Forward Operating Base Lane in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after an air assault mission in the Zabul province of Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2009. Even as leaders in Washington struggle with the next steps in Afghanistan, troops there are moving to better protect the Afghan people by separating them from Taliban influence and intimidation.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Project Valour IT: Go! Team Army!

Today is the kick-off for the fundraiser for Soldiers Angels Project Valour IT

The Valour-IT Veterans Day Fundraising "Competition" was a developed as a fun way to raise money for a very serious project. Teams are purely for the sake of friendly competition, building on the natural inter-service rivalries of the U.S. Military.

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes:

Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).

Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

-------------
This blog (of course:) is registered for the competition with 'Team Army', which is headed by Blackfive


To donate via Team Army, you can click on the Valour IT widget on the right of this blog, or you can go here

The Valour IT fundraiser runs from today (Oct.26) through Nov.11.......please, give what you can, and also help spread the word......and Go! Team Army!

Soldiers Angels 'Day of the Deployed'

Today is the 4th Anuual

Soldiers Angels Day of the Deployed


As always, but especially today....our heartfelt Thank You, to those who are currently deployed!

Wednesday Hero

Sailors & Marines Playing Volleyball With Local School Children


Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) play volleyball with students from Sangley Point National High School during a lunch break at a community service project. Tortuga, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) are participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2009. PHIBLEX is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and develop professional relationships between the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Photo Courtesy Navy.mil Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Holiday Card Drive for the Troops over at Operation Love From Home

Friend Kat at Operation Love From Home has started her holiday card drive for this year,
you can read all about it HERE

Catching up on Wednesday Hero posts

Missed posting Wednesday Hero twice while we were gone, so wanted to link back to those posts on Chris' blog.......

the Wednesday Hero post for Oct. 7 was Sgt. Michael Egan

and the Wednesday Hero post for Oct. 14 was Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp

Had a good experience at the V.A. Hospital...

as much as it's possible to Have a good experience when your loved one suddenly has major, unexpected surgery.





The cardiothoracic team that operated on my husband were all wonderful.


All of his nurses, in both ICU and the unit he moved to afterwards, were excellent.





and, the hospital's Voluntary Service's department also provided me with a room to stay in there at the hospital, for the 9 days we were there.which helped out a great deal.





Because we spent so many days up there, I spoke with some of the folks in Voluntary Services several times. and I'd like to pass on that they do accept donations.......so, if you were interested in what they might need? here is some of the 'Wishlist' that Voluntary services gave me when I asked :





For Families


Personal care kits (including toothbrush,toothpaste, shampoo(small bottle),conditioner(small bottle),shave cream, razors, soap, deodorant, hand lotion





Phone cards





Gift certificates to area retail stores, grocery stores and restaurants





(that last would have helped out a Great deal.....as the cafeteria for families was closed on the weekend and also the Monday holiday. Fortunately, I knew an 'Angel' [as in 'Soldiers Angel'] who very nicely spent part of her Saturday afternoon not only taking me to lunch, but also taking me by a grocery store to buy items I could keep and eat in my room. buying both my husband and I some other clothing to wear [since we hadn't packed for a 9 day stay,lol], and bringing me some 'SA' T-shirts to wear......thank you, "L' :)





so, anyway, if you get the urge to donate any of the above from the Wishlist ?

the address is:





Voluntary Services 135

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

50 Irving St. NW

Washington,DC 20422


---------------

for the 'lighter side' of our recent 'adventure', you can read a bit on my family blog
here and here

Where have I been?

It's been quiet on the blog because on October 8th, my husband unexpectedly had to have triple bypass surgery......and we just got home from the hospital today,yay:)

Many,many thanks to all those who sent so much love, support and prayers!

more later....just wanted to update.

Don't forget the Soldiers Angels "SALE-ABRATION" Oct.3!

PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Across the country this weekend, Americans are uniting in support of the troops through the First Annual Soldiers’ Angels Sale-abration.

In metropolitan areas, small towns and on military bases, from Alaska to Florida and Southern California to Vermont, patriots are raising money for troop support activities through community-based yard sales.

Angel volunteers organizing each Sale will be donating a percentage of their profits to Soldiers’ Angels, helping to support deployed or wounded soldiers.

The grassroots Sales are sponsored by military support nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels, whose motto is “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” An award-winning organization with nearly 200,000 hands-on volunteers around the world, Soldiers’ Angels assists active duty, wounded, veterans, military families through over 30 separate teams and projects.

Angels participating in Sale-abration are working on two missions: raising money for the Soldiers’ Angels Holidays for Heroes and Project Valour-IT, and introducing their neighbors to the variety of hands-on ways they can demonstrate their support for America’s military men and women. At each Sale, customers will find blankets and 300 holiday cards on which to write greetings for the troops, and Soldiers’ Angels bracelets will go to the first 25 customers at each site.

------------------

Want to know if there will be a sale going on near you?

Click HERE to check your state .

And hey, if you Don't find one listed near you? there is going to be a 25% OFF sale at the

Soldiers Angels Store

(go HERE on the main Soldiers Angels website, to get the coupon code before ordering. The sale will run through midnight,Oct. 4th at the online Soldiers Angels store)

With over 1700 soldiers waiting for 'adoption' right now? this would be a nice time to click on the option when you're ordering to send to 'ANY Hero'.....and you can either remain anonymous, or send a note along with your order, and 'send some love' to one of our Heroes serving our country!

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Post Was Suggested By Cindy


1st Sgt. Jose San Nicolas Crisostomo
59 years old from Spanaway, Washington
August 18, 2009


Sorry for the presentation of this post, but haven't been feeling well and don't feel much like typing. You can read Sgt. Crisostomo's story here and here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

A (very) brief 'surf' of the web for news by, and about,

Soldiers Angels


With Twitter, and so many social network sites like Facebook out there now,
and of course the Soldiers Angels Blogwire

there are so many ways for you to get news and keep up-to-date about what's going on with
Soldiers Angels

that I'm not really sure there's a need for me to keep posting "Soldiers Angels Web Surfing" any longer?

I've been posting a review of news by and about Soldiers Angels since
May 7, 2007 (on the original incarnation of this blog)

It started out as a (usually) weekly post, and over the years has dwindled due to time constraints and the emergence of sites like Twitter, to basically just a monthly round-up of posts by or about Soldiers Angels that I don't see elsewhere, or just want to highlight.

Kind of hate to give up on it totally,though, since it is kind of 'my baby':)

So I'll keep mulling it over:) and move on to passing on the links I wanted to share with you in today's 'web surf'.........

What do your letters and packages mean to the deployed?

From SororitySoldier back in early September Gratitude

and on Soldiers Angels Network wow!(UNCLASSIFIED)


what were Angels doing in September?

Among other things, they were traveling
Soldiers Angels Texas California Here We Come

and volunteering with wounded warriors and their families

Soldiers Angels-Wounded Warrior Support What a Weekend!
(UPDATE: Soldiers Angels Germany's story HERE led me to the rest of the story on
SA:Wounded Warrior Support HERE )




Soldiers Angels Washington Angels & Warriors-A Great Day!


What's coming up in October?

Oct.3, the Sale-abration-National Yard Sale

Oct. 10, the "largest military baby shower" in Las Vegas

Oct. 26, the Soldiers Angels Day of the Deployed (from Soldiers Angels Kansas)

and I believe Oct. 26th will also be the kick-off for the Project Valour-IT fundraising competition


That's the 'surf'!

Go,MP's! 2009 Warfighter Competition

Let's just say I know someone who participated in this:)

An article in the Ft. Leonard Wood newspaper that describes the competition

MPs gear up for regimental week: Warfighter competition continues by Kerstin Mitchell


JP over at Milblogging.com posted about a civilian blogger who is blogging about her experience at Ft. Leonard Wood...........on her blog called Civilian Standpoint Tessa Long also had a post about the Warfighter Challenge..... Warfighter which was pretty cool to come across, considering we were quite interested in hearing about this!


The Guidon at Ft. Leonard Wood had this article up today as a wrap- up
2009 Warfighter Challenges Military Police by Kerstin Mitchell

and the Ft. Leonard Wood Facebook page had a photo album with pics from the event
2009 Warfighter Challenge

(those of you who know him will recognize one of the MP's in one of the pics! pretty cool,huh?)

This sounds like a pretty grueling and challenging event......congratulations, both to the winners, and to ALL who participated in this!
Go, Army MP's!

Sunday,September 27th-Gold Star Mother's Day

September 27, 2009, is Gold Star Mother's Day.

Every year the fourth Sunday of September is for honoring mothers whose sons or daughters died in the line of duty. The name references the single gold star on service flags displayed in the windows of homes that have lost a son or daughter to war.

Mothers of fallen servicemembers began calling themselves “Gold Star Mothers” during the First World War, but the sorrowful bond they share reaches back to every woman who has lost a son or daughter in uniform since our nation’s revolution. The United States began observing Gold Star Mothers Day on the last Sunday of September in 1936.

The Presidential Proclamation for this year's Gold Star Mother's Day is HERE

From the Army.mil website Gold Star Mothers

From the American Gold Star Mother's,Inc. website Gold Star Mothers Sunday

Please keep the Gold Star Mothers, and Families, of our nation in your hearts and prayers, not only on this day......but every day.

Wednesday Hero

Lt. John Madea


Lt. John Madea holds his daughter as she is baptized with holy water from the ship's bell of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). This is the fourth person baptized aboard Tortuga since the ship's christening in 1988, and her name will be inscribed inside the bell as a tradition of the U.S. Navy.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy
Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti-Medal of Honor Recipient

You can read more about this here

http://downloads.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Post Is Via Gazing At The Flag


PFC Thomas Lowell Tucker
24 years old from Madras, Oregon
B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
June 16, 2006


Flag Gazer has a great post up on the dedication of the PFC Thomas Tucker memorial.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

The "Flag Still Stands for Freedom" campaign

On September 11th, Laura Kennedy of the Laura Kennedy Live show, launched the

"Flag Still Stands for Freedom" Campaign

"Flag Still Stand For Freedom", a Support Our Veterans campaign, honors and celebrates the thousands of men & women across the globe that have served in defense of this country. It rallies every citizen of the United States to collectively cover the U.S. in “Old Glory’s” symbolic colors of Red, White & Blue on November 11th, 2009—Veteran’s Day.

Go by the website and check it out HERE

Project 2996....I Remember.....Robert Fazio,Jr.

Name : Fazio, Robert
Rank: P.O.Shield #: 6667 NYPD
Command: 013 Pct.
Date of Death: 2001-09-11
Cause of Death: World Trade Center Attack


Police Officer Robert Fazio, 41, was appointed to the NYPD on July 16 1984, and began his career on patrol in Neighborhood Stabilization Unit 18. Prior to becoming a police officer, he worked as an auto mechanic and an electrician. Besides the 13 Precinct, he also worked in Patrol Borough Manhattan South, the Technical Assistance Response Unit(TARU), and the Property Clerk Division. At the time of his death he was enrolled at St. Joseph's College, where he was taking classes related to law enforcement.

At 41, Robert Fazio Jr. was still single. People would ask him when he was going to marry. But the pressure of society's conventions, said his sister, Carole Lovero, could not affect his decisions."He was a happy person, he was happy within himself," she said. "He would have gotten married if he had found the right person, but he was happy doing what he was doing."

What he was doing, outside of his job as a patrolman for the New York Police Department, was working on motorcycles, cars, boats and houses for anybody who needed a hand. "Half my neighbors, he fixed their cars," said Officer Fazio's father, Robert Sr.

Shortly after he got his driver's license, Robert Fazio Jr. could be seen on the weekend in front of the family's house in South Hempstead, on Long Island, hoisting engines in and out of cars with the help of a sturdy tree limb.


He had less than three years to go until retirement, his father said, and planned on setting up a motorcycle and car repair shop somewhere near his home in Freeport, N.Y., with a friend from junior high school, Gino Lanza. But though he had no children of his own, he spent as much time as he could baby-sitting for his nephew, Michael Lovero, and friends' children, who nicknamed him the "Tickle Monster."

Fazio was on his regular tour with another 13th Precinct officer, Moira Smith, when they spotted the first plane hitting the towers. Smith called in the information, and then she and Fazio headed back to the nearby precinct to interview witnesses. Within the hour, they were at the site of the World Trade Center, where the two officers were last seen before the buildings collapsed.

To fellow officers, Fazio was an example; he often embraced rookie cops and took the time to teach them the ropes.

PO Fazio is survied by his parents Felicia and Robert; sister Carole; brother-in-law Marc; and nephews Joseph and Michael.




(patch created by a volunteer for the
CubScout Pack 233 Memorial American Flag Quilt)


His sister Carole created a beautiful online memorial for Robert Fazio HERE


and there are memories from family and friends posted here

and in his Legacy.com online guestbook Here

------------------
This post is part of the Project 2,996 blogburst, which was started in 2006 to remember those who lost their lives on September 11,2001.

To the family and friends of Robert Fazio,Jr......... learning about him made me wish I'd had the chance to meet him.

I carry you all now in my thoughts and prayers, and will carry Robert's name in my heart each year on September 11th.





(patch from Barnum Woods Elementary School Quilt)

Wednesday Hero Year 3 Part II

Last week marked the 3 year anniversary of the Wednesday Hero blogroll .
Chris over at Right-Wing & Right Minded first started the Wednesday Hero posts in '05 and 'took the post public' and began the blogroll in '07, so that others could join in posting them every Wednesday.

It's been an honor and privilege to be a part of the blogroll, and I thank Chris so much for extending the privilege of posting on a weekly basis about our heroes to so many other blogs, my own little blog included.

Because of working extra hours , I totally blanked on putting together the annual slideshow that I send Chris each year for the anniversary until After his Anniversary post

but he has kindly this week sent out that slideshow to the members of the blogroll, so I include it again here

On the first year anniversary of the Wednesday Hero blogroll, the idea just popped into my head that a review of the year's posts in pictures would be a nice way to mark the anniversary. And so I put together a slideshow and sent it to Chris
The One Year Anniversary of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll


After the slideshow I made for the second year anniversary
Sept.1-Two Years of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll

Chris very kindly asked if I'd like to continue to do this every year for the anniversary.

My apologies to Chris, and the Blogroll members, for Not remembering to get the slideshow done in time for the anniversary post.........(next year, I have given Chris permission to send an email jogging my memory that the anniversary is coming up once again.)

Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best ones.....and that's how I view Chris' Wednesday Hero posts........every Wednesday, he makes it possible for bloggers to highlight a Hero that we might never have known about, and makes it possible for so many others on the web to view that Hero also.

Thank You, Chris, for coming up with the powerful idea of the Wednesday Hero posts, and Thank You, for extending the privilege to all of us who belong to the

Wednesday Hero Blogroll
(for a listing of all the blogs that participate in the blogroll? you can go here )

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

Another 'surf' of the web, for news by, and about
Soldiers Angels

Times are tough, on that I believe we can all agree.

As I'm posting this, the number of soldiers listed as waiting for adoption on the main website is at 1,366.
Never since I joined Soldiers Angels back in '05 has there been such a backlog of soldiers waiting to be adopted.

Angels are stepping up with suggestions for how to support our troops in these tough economic times, however.........

Mike D's Army Mom (among many others) had a post about
Supporting troops on a budget


and Soldiers Angels Arkansas posted The $10.00 Box

and you don't have to do it alone......Soldiers Angels Network thanked a group of middle schoolers for their efforts to support the troops
THANKS to Sartaria Middle School

get a church or school group involved in adopting one of the 1,366 who are waiting on the website:)

If you can't send a package right now? 'Band' together with others to make blankets, as
View From the 8th Floor posts here
Mark Your Calendar! Blanket Making Bash 2009!


While the great need right now is for adoption ......if you just feel like you can't make that commitment right now due to budgetary concerns? there are so many other ways that you can at least make a small contribution to supporting the troops through Soldiers Angels, one way is to sign up to join the Letter Writing Team

This is actually how I first came to Soldiers Angels, is via the LWT, as we call it :) I was unemployed for 5 months during '05, and didn't feel I could commit to one care package a month. But I Did feel I could commit to at least sending a Letter........and although the LWT says to never ExPect to get a letter in return? Once a few soldiers Did write me back, and then I wrote them Again.....well, somehow I found a way to send small items to several of them.

One of them just asked for writing paper and pens, and a trip to the Dollar Store plus a small sized padded mailing package fulfilled his request:) While that may not be the first thing you think of when you think 'care package'? That's what he asked for, and I got together the coins to make it happen............and found out in the process that I Could send a 'care package', it didn't have to be elaborate and cost a bundle!

As so many Angels pass on? be Creative :) Another soldier who returned a letter jokingly said that he and those with him all missed going to ....Wal Mart,lol. While it wasn't a 'care package' per se? I have a color printer , so I printed out a picture of a Wal Mart from his hometown and sent it on it's way in my next letter. A very small thing, but it made someone smile:)

The possibilities are endless, for you to creatively come up with ideas yourself.

If you're not a 'letter writer' , but perhaps enjoy sending cards for all occasions? Soldiers Angels has the Cards Plus Team Are you 'crafty'? There's all kinds of possibilites for crafters to contribute to supporting the troops on the main Soldiers Angels website check them out!


No matter how you come to Soldiers Angels ? once you get started, and start making connections, I believe that the idea of sending a 'care package' will not seem like such a burdensome commitment after awhile. Here in my own household, although my husband has been out of work for awhile, we save all our change in a jar, and then were able to send two care packages this past month.....it's amazing, how those nickels and dimes add up!

What kind of difference can you make? even if you feel you Can't commit to sending a care package a month right now?

Well, I recently heard from a CTL (Community Team Leader) who had held a donation drive, and been somewhat discouraged as she was packing up at the end of the day.....she said "I know school is starting,etc, and times are tough all around..." but she had been hopeful more folks would donate items to send in care packages, or tip a few coins in the jars.

And as she was packing up, she was approached by a woman who wanted to give her a hug....the woman's son had been injured in Iraq several years ago, and Soldiers Angels had supported him. After she shared her story with the CTL (and they both shed some tears together) she announced that she wanted to Join Soldiers Angels, and give back to others, now that her son was healing and getting on with his life.

Full circle. The mother of a soldier who was a recipient of caring by Angels decides to become an Angel for someone else herself:)

A blanket here for a wounded soldier, a letter or card there.........
and, as our founder Patti Patton-Bader says........
"These little ripples of kindness add up to oceans of greatness"

Whether you can commit to 'adopting' today? or just want to check out the website for a way you Can contribute to supporting our troops?

Please go by the Soldiers Angels website and see if you can become involved in starting a 'ripple' today!

That's the surf!

The Military Health System says : SPEAK UP REACH OUT : September is Suicide Prevention Month

On August 13, 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense posted this news release

Army Releases July Suicide Data

Sadly, also on August 13, the bloggers at Flopping Aces posted that one of their writers had taken his own life on June 30.

Flopping Aces Writer Major Chris Galloway Dead at 36

Many others in the blogging, and mil-blogging, communities, also posted about Major Galloway's death around that time,such as:

Michelle Malkin: Maj. Chris Galloway,R.I.P.

C.J. at A Soldier's Perspective: Suicide Solution is No Solution

While I have never had to deal with the suicide of a close friend or family member, one of the sad truths I learned during the 2 years I assisted in researching the lives of fallen soldiers as a part of the Living Legends Team (which supports the families of the fallen on behalf of Soldiers Angels) was that, all too often, when a DOD news release about a death contained the phrase: died of injuries from a non-combat related incident......further research about that fallen soldier would reveal that they had taken their own life.

Suicides by those in the military, or those who have recently left the military, have become a growing concern not only for those in the military community, but also for those of us who have family members serving, or simply the many,many people out there who so avidly support our troops.

They've posted links before about ways for those serving, or those who have family members serving, to get help.....(for example, over at Hooah Wife and Friends , the National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is posted prominently at the top left of the blog)


I received a link today in an email from the Military Health website that I wished to pass along, and I urge all of you to please help spread the link:

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month in September, the Military Health wants to pass along suicide prevention resources and information. The link on the website is here

September: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month


As it says on the MilHealth link? SPEAK UP REACH OUT

Wednesday Hero 3 Years

Today marks the third anniversary of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. Not the actual Wednesday Hero posts. Those posts were started in 2005. This marks the third year of when these posts went public for anyone to post them. And it's taken off like gangbusters. People have signed up and wanted to take part in honoring those who do what they do in the name of freedom. At one point reaching over 100 participating sites. Thank you all who have signed up and those of you who read and comment on these posts. These people, whether they're actually in the military or are just doing something to aid those in the military, deserve to be remembered.

Christopher Lee
Right-Wing & Rightminded

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.





( I was late getting this to Chris, but again this year, I have put together a slide show for the third year anniversary of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll....I'm honored to be a small part of the many folks who belong to Wednesday Hero)

A Message from the Soldiers Angels Living Legends Team

While I have taken a break from working with the Soldiers Angels Living Legends Team? I still wholeheartedly believe that it is one of the most difficult and yet rewarding Teams to be a part of in Soldiers Angels, and I still firmly believe in and support their mission as a Team.

Recently, one of the Angels from the Team had a message to send out, and Soldiers Angels Germany (among others) posted it.....you can read it there

Angels of Comfort: A Message From the Soldiers Angels Living Legends Team