ANGEL WHISPERS
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 November, 2004
MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:

I want to take this time to thank each and every Angel worldwide for the wonderful support of our troops. So many have come to help. Not only from the US but from Germany, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, Denmark, England, France, Poland and more. It is awe-inspiring.
My father a 2-time Viet Nam vet and his West Point Buddies all came with donations for backpacks when the call was put out that the wounded needed us. Through gracious donations Angels were able to help our wounded heroes in many different areas, from combat hospitals to Landstuhl, to our hospitals here in the states. The Blankets of Hope project has grown to many sewers handcrafting blankets to send to the wounded with hopes and prayers for their speedy recovery. An American Flag, was hand sewn, as in the days of Betsy Ross and is currently being signed by heroes in Iraq. It will be presented to a very special Angel.
Thousands of heroes were adopted and care packages relentlessly go out in steady stream with needed supplies and letters of encouragement. A letter writing team writes to every hero submission we receive with words of support and paragraphs of belief in their mission and memories of home. A TLC team insures a request for boots or gloves or zebra cakes gets filled. Our crafty Angels knit and sew for our deployed soldiers newborns and send cigars of congratulations. We may not be able to fight on the front lines but we can make sure that neither they nor their family want for anything.

It is only through the collective effort of people who believe and stand for freedom that we can continue to help these young heroes who valiantly stand for us.

I do not know how long we will be needed but I know for now we are looking at least another year. Your continued efforts are greatly appreciated. A big thank you to all the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure soldiers angels thrives and the mission is continued. Thank you all for helping to bring home healthy soldiers,

Happy Holidays
Patti Patton Bader
Founder
" Till they all come home"



SOLDIERS ANGEL PROJECTS:

There are a lot of projects going on all the time in Soldiers Angels! As we head towards the holiday season we have lots of opportunities for Angels to help us help our deployed heroes.


Christmas Project
Our big Christmas project is off to a good start. Our goal is to ship 7,000 Christmas stockings to our soldiers. What we need donated for our stockings are AT&T phone cards and letters of encouragement from as many people possible. Then we will add a sand scarf, socks and a few other goodies. The VFW in New York (God bless them) has agreed to pack and ship up to 7,000 stockings for us. There are many ways to get these much-needed items. You can go to your schools and get the kids involved or just ask people in your area to donate the cards and letters. You might also ask businesses to donate some AT&T phone cards or Christmas cards.


Operation Holiday Spirit
We are soliciting donations of sports memorabilia from athletes to auction on E-Bay in an effort to raise money for our Christmas project. You can learn all about it on the forum. If you are interested in helping us with this project, please contact Jean Keltner @ crystallina@adelphia.net



State Managers
We need state managers in the following states: AL, AK, AZ, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, WA, WV, and WY.

Each manager is charged with overseeing all fundraising activities in the state, including working with the angels holding the events to insure that they have promotional materials, reporting forms, donation letters, etc. and reporting the results of the event to the organization. The managers will be the spokesman for the state and will prepare press releases, seek and make appearances on radio and TV programs. Additionally, and importantly, the manager will keep in touch with the angels in the state in an effort to motivate them to work towards our mission and to give them encouragement along the way.

If you are interest in becoming a state manager, please contact Jean Keltner at soldiersangels-md-keltner@adelphia.com


Angels of Mercy

SOLDIERS ANGELS WORK WITH OUR WOUNDED HEROES:

From our Contacts in Germany:

Kathy Gregory, Manager, Landstuhl Fisher House
The Landstuhl Fisher Houses, a "home away from home" for our soldiers' families who travel to visit their loved ones at "a hospital in Germany" as the media says. As manager my staff and I feel privileged to help these families in great time of need, and give them the support they truly need and appreciate. We make sure they have whatever they need to make their stay more comfortable and meet their needs.

Working with the Soldiers' Angels has been such a help and real joy, for we can give a tangible present to the soldier through his family or directly to say "We all care and we are so proud of the difference you have made in this world, thank you from your supporters". Soldiers' Angels makes a difference to the Fisher Houses as well, since the majority of our funding comes from charity, they help us, help the families. I'd like all Soldiers? Angels supporters to know that we are waiving the customary $10/night room fee for all the families who are involved in the war, either Iraq or Afghanistan. It comes out of our donation money, but it is a good thing to do since no one plans for emergencies like these. Our donation goal is $144k and 100% of our funds go to support the families and their loved ones. More info about the Landstuhl Fisher House can be found on www.armyfisherhouses.org

Willie (Our Angel in Germany) JosephineFS@aol.com
Our work at Landstuhl has been made possible through the help of Kathy Gregory, manager from the Fisher House and Chaplain (LTC) William T. Young from the Chaplain?s office , our hero Sgt. Leecharde R. Bersamina, 1st AD and all the wonderful and hard-working Angels who sent so many boxes to Germany. Kathy Gregory welcomes us on our visits to Fisher House. She has taken the time to go with us and help distribute the backpacks provided by Soldiers Angels throughout the wards. We visit many Soldiers and Marines.
A lot of Angels, friends and other people have donated money, backpacks and a lot of things and their time to make the backpacks ready. They have written together with students so many Get Well cards, which we have done all in the backpacks, so the greetings from home went directly to the wounded. All the wonderful handmade blankets of hope, we brought to the wounded will help him to find ?a way? for a fast recovery, to lift his spirit and to express our love and appreciation for his toll he has paid. We were there year eight times this year in the hospital and brought to wounded over 280 backpacks, over 100 gift bags, over 40 German/English cooking books for the nurses and the Fisher House and much more goodies.
We are glad that we have the courage to do that, to support our wounded American friends here in Germany and the Angels in the States. All the time when we left the hospital we couldn't stop talking about how we related to each individual and what he or she said that affected us so directly.
The important matter is: They have seen that they are not alone, that we believe in them and that we will never forget them. They all are on our minds, in our hearts, and in our prayers.
God Bless our both countries.

SPOTLIGHT ON??


SOLDIERS ANGELS TLC TEAM
Message from Eileen Regan our Team Leader

When I was asked to be Team Leader for Soldiers' Angels "TLC Team", I was overjoyed. My "angel" wings took me all the way to cloud nine! I considered it an honor and I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with wonderful angels and give back to our heroes...a win-win situation. The purpose for the "TLC Team" is to provide even greater, caring, and necessary support to our heroes facing desperate circumstances (i.e., wounded, distressed, without family support or letters of encouragement). It is such a privilege to work together with an amazing group of angels who are dedicated and committed to SA's sole purpose...support for our troops. Everyone involved in SA has such tremendous compassion for our soldiers. We are on a relentless and ever vigilant mission to see to the needs of our men and women in uniform. We do everything we can to not only go that "extra mile" for our troops, but to "go the distance". People often ask me why we do what we do, to the extent that we do it...stand in long lines at the post office to mail off another batch of letters or a care package, spend money and take time to write to people we do not know, and I happily reply, "It's simple. We do what we do to show our appreciation and admiration for those who serve our country with courage, honor, dignity, strength and pride. I do it because I am here, comfortable in my shoes while they are miles away, and I just can't imagine being in their shoes." SA is a collective, worthwhile effort to ensure that "no soldier goes unloved". The "TLC Team" is simply an extension of the values and ideals exemplified throughout the entire organization. When a need arises, we do not hesitate to act. We direct all of our attention, focus, efforts, energy and resources to meet that need. Our goal is unambiguous and unmistakable...to offer support, encouragement, friendship, inspiration, care, laughter, hope, humor, joy, comfort, solace and assistance as much as possible. The team collaborates with other angels, soldiers and units, to reach out in every possible way to provide a means of support. Team members are always on "alert", ready, willing and able to come through for our heroes. The "TLC Team" consists of 14 angels. We work continually with our founder Patti Bader, administrators, state managers and many other angels as well as outside sources to see to the needs of those with special circumstances. When I am apprised of a "TLC" situation or learn of a particular situation through our daily reports, I will either place a post on the forum under "TLC Requests" or contact a team member with the necessary information, and she will write a post. We are always careful with respect to confidentiality and go to great lengths to verify any information prior to posting and before sharing it with angels who respond. Angels are always quick to take action. I never truly experienced the "kindness of strangers" until I joined Soldiers' Angels. It is a remarkable and wondrous experience...the most rewarding experience of my life. I feel fortunate and blessed beyond words to be a part of the "TLC Team". I work on an Army Post and every now and again, a deploying soldier will say, "Just please keep us in your prayers and ask God to send His angels to watch over us". Instantly my face lights up and I smile that knowing smile that every soldiers' angel smiles. Then I respond, "Well, now that you mention it, have a seat. Your prayers have just been answered." ;)



POET'S CORNER

"Dedicated to everyone who is serving or has served in the U. S. Military"
By: Norma E. Wright, Copyright 2004, normaewright@aol.com

The Soldier is My Friend

I have a friend who may not know or ever call my name,
A friend who may not visit, but I thank them just the same.

My friend is called the soldier who's on duty day and night,
For me to pledge allegiance, they have fought and paid the price.

Where would we be today without the brave hearts who have served,
So we can wave "Old Glory"; so our voices can be heard.

And what would life be like today without the many soldiers,
Who walked into the jaws of death with guns upon their shoulders.

Life would not be as great today, with freedom in our halls,
And we'd live in oppression and great fear would grip us all.

So when you see a soldier you should thank your God above,
For here's someone who represents the greatest gift of love.

And when you pledge allegiance, you should see a uniform,
Of those who walked through battlefields and weathered many storms.

We cannot take for granted what is takes to pay the price,
And be a U. S. Soldier who has made a sacrifice.

And whether they are fighting on the ground or in the air,
Or sailing on the ocean, we can rest assured they're there.

Oh what a peace it is for me to hear the sound of jets,
Of flying Air Force pilots who have bravely passed the tests.

And what a happy feeling when a ship pulls into port,
With smiling Navy Sailors who were holding down the fort.

Then what a sense of pride I have to see in my hometown,
A soldier in the Army who is serving on the ground.

And then there are the soldiers who are training on a team,
They're proud and they're courageous, the United States Marines.

If you have fought a battle or have lived through several wars,
And freed a camp of prisoners, saved a life or fed the poor.

Or if you've volunteered to go to places I've not been,
I salute you, U. S. Soldier, National Guard and Veteran friend.

For you have made the difference in America today,
And when I see the stars and stripes, I see a soldiers face.

A fearless face of courage lined with dignity and truth,
A face with battle scars or an enlisted face of youth.

And whether you are young or old, still serving or retired,
I live my life in debt to you who's walked through many fires.

I sleep in peace at night because you will defend our borders,
To go where you are needed, you will follow any orders.

So thank you, may God bless you and this country you defend,
This land is what it is because the soldier is my friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Written by a Nebraska National Guard soldier on the flight returning home from deployment

From Corey Weaver ?here is a my poem. It's for the people we left behind, and lost in this war.?

TODAY

AS WE RACE THE SUN BACK TO OUR HOME,
FROM THE DESERT LAND IN WHICH WE ROAMED.
LET US NOT FORGET WHAT WE'VE DONE,
FREED THE PEOPLE FROM ONE MAN'S SON.
YES, SOME WE LOST AND THEY GAVE ALL,
SO THE REST OF US CAN STAND PROUD AND TALL.
NOW WAR IS A WORD WE ALL CAN USE,
BUT THIS IS A FIGHT WE CANNOT LOSE.
THEY CALLED UPON US TO DO OUR BEST,
AND WE DO OUR JOB WITH ONLY ONE REQUEST,
WHEN YOU SPEAK OF US, DO WITH PRIDE ,
BECAUSE SOLDIER COURAGE IS HOW WE COINCIDE.
NOW THE FLAG WE WAVE IS OURS AND STRONG,
BUT LET US NOT FORGET THAT THE FIGHTING STILL GOES ON.
SO AS YOU DID FOR US,
FOR THEM, LET US ALL PRAY.
SO THEY TOO, CAN COME HOME LIKE US
TODAY.

FROM THE FRONT
From a female soldier in Iraq to Soldiers Angels~

"I've had people say they're sorry their letters are boring or something. That must be why I read them and get all misty-eyed for home. That's what we want.

We want to be bored. All that stuff---we've left it behind, the house payments, the bus stops, and the car troubles. We can't imagine that stuff even existing any more. What's normal here is not boring. We'd like to be bored, and so we eagerly try and remember home, cocooning ourselves in our little cubicles, trying to squint and see home. It almost seems like it doesn't exist any more, this place is so different. We're so far from home that every little bit of it, especially the mundane parts, is what we want. Every little atom of boredom is a relief, because boredom is most definitely not something that comes with explosions.

So, guys? Bore away. Seriously. I've saved every letter, and when I'm conscious, I try to answer them. But I have to say, it's hard. How do you put this stuff into words? "Thank for taking me away from this place for a few minutes, even though it's really selfish that I asked. And possibly creepy and voyeuristic, but hey, let's not even go there, okay?" I remember thinking that cats and beds didn't exist during a battle that you think you've already lost, and even during the day, it's hard to imagine going home. It's hard to imagine home being there still. So when you talk about what you think are boring things, you're actually prodding rusty gears in our heads. Oh, yeah, cats and kids and gardens. I know they exist somewhere. The rest of the time they're fairytales.
You're helping us believe in fairytales. Thank you."

Written to One of Our Angels:

Thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done and are doing to support us while we are deployed. Today we received your packages and have already given out all of the great things that you have sent. We delivered all of the letters to the Combat Support Hospital so that the wounded soldiers may receive them after arriving there. All of the things that were sent are great. I am sure that all of the soldiers that received something will enjoy it plenty. Sometimes it is amazing all of the support that we do receive. What the soldier's angels program has done is vital to keeping up the moral here because it shows the soldiers who are away from loved ones, or families just how much the nation is behind what they are doing. Again thank you so much from the medical platoon of TF 1-26 IN.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A SOLDIERS' ANGEL IF?

·You keep swiping the comics to pack in a care package before your spouse has a chance to read them
·Your daughter has to go down to the PX and get food because that's the only place in the house there is any
·Your family says thank you if you cook dinner
·If everyone at the post office knows who you are
·Your favorite store is Costco
·When people at work leave empty boxes at your cube automatically
·You run into your Weight Watcher leader at BJ?s and have to explain why your shopping cart is full of cookies, candy and Slim Jims
·You tell complete strangers who you are buying for
·Your family doesn't dare open up a package of anything without first asking ?Is this for us??
·You shop in the toy section (games, squirt guns,) and your youngest child is 17
·You have to get toilet paper from your soldier stash for your bathroom
·YOU HAVE THE BEST FEELING IN YOUR HEART KNOWING YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

SOLDIER ANGEL CONTACTS:

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