The last few posts have been about the fellas and this one is going to be about me. Well, kinda. I've secretly become passionate about something for about a year and a half now. I've been a volunteer in an organization called Soldier's Angels. The founder, Patti Patton-Bader, was just named America's Favorite Mom last week on a special put on by the Today Show and Teleflora. She started this organization so that "No soldier would go unloved" and it has grown and done phenomenal things.
Tracy and I went riding (on our Harley Ultra Classic :) last Wednesday for Bike night in the Burg. When we got to Big Daddy Leather it seemed different from other bike nights that we'd attended. People were holding flags and lining up on the sides of Princess Anne St. A friend of ours then told us that some troops were coming home and would be escorted right past us and on to the Fredericksburg Armory. About five minutes later, about 6-8 motorcycle police, a couple of state troopers, city police, and a group of Patriot Guard Riders led three charted coaches full of our service men and women right past us. To see them pressed to the windshield of those buses in order to receive our welcome was more than I could have asked for that day.
I've decided that I am going to do more than what we are doing for our adopted soldier. As some of you may know, I had originally posted about collecting cards for a drive that another SA was conducting. It is now going to be my card drive. For reasons that I cannot post, I am going to be going it without her but with the help of some others in the organization and some very dear and dedicated friends. So, the card drive is on, full speed ahead!
Check back for updates on what's happening. If you want to help out with cards, make them thank you cards for their service. Remind our service men and women that their countrymen and women haven't forgotten them. Keep your cards unsealed. Send them to me, bring them to me or if you want, we can meet somewhere to make the dropoff. If you want to adopt your own soldier, go to http://www.soldiersangels.com/ . It's a commitment of 1-2 care packages a month and weekly correspondence for 9-12 months. Last time I checked, there were 878 soldiers waiting to be adopted.
I remember my dad saying that "nobody did anything like that for me when I was 'over there' for a year and a half, and when I came back I had people spit in my face". I don't want anyone else to ever feel like he did. Like he does. I make a difference. I'm sure you can guess where he was.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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4 comments:
Hey, wanted to comment on Soldier's Angels....What a great organization. We adopted a soldier/Marine/sailor/military member 2 years ago and kept him for a year. When my year was up, we decided not to adopt again with the arrival of the twins. Just when we were getting ready to adopt again, my brother deployed to Iraq so we now have someone to send packages too. He shares alot of his stuff with guys or gals whos familys may not send anything. What a great thing you are doing and when I am in town in a few weeks, maybe I can meet up with you to give a few cards to you!!!! (Not sure if you remember me but I am a twins mom who used to come to F'burg Twins Club and a friend of Manda's, hence how I found your blog!!!)
Yes, I remember lunch at Hurkamp, right? That would be great if we could hook up. BTW, is your brother back and safe? Thanks for your note!
Yeah that is me!!! I have actually some really cute pics of your kids somewhere....Like when your Madison and Stacey's Caroline were holding one of the twins or standing by the stroller or something!! But yeah that is me!!! No my brother is not back, right now they are saying September however we have also heard they might extend them for additional time. Thanks for asking. I am working on a project for my brother when he gets home and if you check out my blog you can see it!!!
Hey Diana,Thanks! for the comment on my blog :) Always happy to meet another Angel! I'm in Harrisonburg:)
Kathi
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