Tuesday, May 13, 2008

APRIL--WHAT A MONTH!

What a wonderfully busy month we've had at Soldiers' Angels and the Wounded Warrior Support team!

WEEKEND
We hosted a group of warriors to a weekend at the Jersey Shore where they were treated to a BBQ at Rosie's house, a dinner at one of the nicest seafood restaurants in the area, a night a the boardwalk playing arcade games. On Sunday, the Coast Guard station gave them a tour of some of the boats. All enjoyed the spa at the hotel. Our thanks to all who made this possible. Special thanks go out to Angels Rosie and Lynda. Love you guys!!

WOUNDED WARRIOR TEAMS
Our Fort Bragg and Fort Campell Wounded Warrior Teams are now up and running--Thank you Renee and Regina! They have jumped onto the wagon and are running with it! Next stop--Fort Sill!

FACE OF AMERICA BICYCLE RIDE - May 3 & 4
That weekend took us to the Face of America Bicycle Ride. Soldiers' Angels (LDR) is on the Leadership Team of the ride and many of the volunteers were Angels! MD, "cheery side-kick" was all about the phones,LD took charge of the banners and oversaw a group, making sure the banners were hung along the route. KK booked the flights for the wounded warriors and made ground transportation for these guys/gals. AnaMarie flew in from California to participate! Many Angels from the local areas assisted as well. A few Angels rode the 110 mile ride as well, with Kathleen assisting as part of the Medical Team. It was so good to meet fellow Angels and say Hi!

I can not forget to mention Laughing Wolf, my blog-dad, and Chuck riding as "Team Chuck Z". I am so glad you guys "volunteered" to participate. :o) What can I get you guys to "volunteer" for next?? A good friend of LDR and MD became a member of "Team Chuck Z". What a trio they made!! (I'm so sorry, Carren. LOL)

We met so many wonderful people-the wounded and active duty warriors who came from around the country; the civilians who rode along; the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event go smoothly for all riders. People came from California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virigina, New York and "Jersey" to name a few.

So many emotions were felt over those days with tears of happiness, accomplishment and pride being shed frequently--from watching a wounded fellow in a hand crank bicycle being the first into Seamus' (and knowing EXACTLY how hard getting to the event had been for him with a missed flight and "lost" hotel reservations AND knowing his story)--Oh yeah--tears, but good tears. From walking past another volunteer/rider at the ride's end who was sobbing in the middle of the lawn. She'd ridden to honor her brother who was wounded and due to a family emergency he wasn't able to ride--Oh yeah--good tears and a new friend. :o) Dawn, the Volunteer Leader--another new friend!

The Leadership Team: Chris, Mark, Amy, Dawn, Michael, Charles, Larry, Herb (shirts),Susanne, John, Seamus. These guys are the best, working long hours and so very hard to put this event together. You are all #1 in my book!

On a side note: Laughing Wolf and I were able to have lunch on Friday with a warrior I'd written to while he was in Afghanistan. What a treat! Then it was back to work!!

It's been over a week and I'm still processing thoughts and emotions experienced. I'm ready to do it again in a heartbeat!

.............Yeah, April--What a Month!!

LDR

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