ONE OF OUR OWN

Working as I do with our wounded warriors, I’ve been honored and privileged to meet many different heroes…..

The Wounded Warrior
The families of our wounded
The Battle Buddies of our wounded
Some of our deployed warriors and those Stateside
The Support Staff of the various WTU/WTB’s and hospitals
Our “Angels on the Ground” at the various facilities
Our Founder and the other Angels who support our warriors

Last night I had dinner with a different kind of hero and his family. A few years ago, this young man had been visiting our wounded at a large military medical facility on behalf of Soldiers’ Angels and was so inspired by our wounded warriors, he applied for and received an age waiver and joined the Army. This young man had a wonderful career in a large city, was establishing himself in the community but gave that up because he wanted to serve our country like the warriors he met as he visited.

He is soon to be deployed. I’ve told him to let me know when he arrives down range and we’d provide Soldiers’ Angels support. I am so very glad I know this man. I’m even more glad that my son has had the same honor in calling him friend.

There are many different types of heroes. He’s one of our own…..an angel!

LDR

Goodbye and Thank You...

Dear Warrior,

As you prepare to leave WRAMC, please allow me to take a few moments to say, from the bottom of my heart, "Thank You". For allowing me to be a part of your life during a most difficult time. For trusting me to share your personal struggles and concerns. For inviting me to your wedding, to your Purple Heart ceremony, and for giving me pictures of your children and family. For allowing me to experience a mother's pride as I watched you shed the wheelchair, the crutches, and sometimes even the cane. For bringing a joyful tear to my eye when I received my first "standing" hug from you. For inspiring me, regardless of injury or illness, as you faced each challenge with determination and unending hope. For sharing the wonderful news that you were in remission, that you were returning to duty, or that you were finally leaving WRAMC to be reunited with your loved ones.

But most of all, thank you for all you have done in service to your country. I feel truly honored to have been able to spend time with a true hero...

Humbly,
MD

TIS THE SEASON--Christmas Party for WRAMC Wounded Warriors & Family

LDR--The Holiday Party for our wounded warriors at Walter Reed the other night was fantastic. The Savage Mill Manor House went all out in welcoming these heroes and they had a wonderful time. Here are a couple of emails we received:

Let me start off by saying thank you for the wonderful dinner that Soldiers' Angels hosted for us this holiday season!! I received a lot of wonderful feedback for the support of our warriors!! The kids loved their gift bags as well!

Thank you for the wonderful Christmas party. The soldiers appreciate your kindness very much. I just overheard a soldier talking about it this morning. Thank you too for the gift certificate. We appreciate what you do for the soldiers. You are truly an "ANGEL".



They had so much fun and loved the Sugar Plum Fairy and “The Cigarette Girl” didn’t they? Of course, no one can top the big man himself—Santa. The little ones really loved him, didn’t they?

MD - Well, what’s not to love about Santa? One year, he had all the children dancing while he played bongos!

Special Thanks go out to Chris Miller and her amazing staff from
Putting on the Ritz, Dan Sandys from Dan Sandys Entertainment Group, who always provides his awesome DJ and Emcee skills, along with extra entertainment such as our balloon making gal (who later morphed into the very lovely and VERY popular Cigarette girl) and Santa of course. A big Thank You also goes out to Patrick Barron for graciously paying for the buses to transport our heroes and their families from WRAMC.

There was no shortage of people who helped put this event together. From
our very generous founder, Patti Patton Bader, who made sure we had plenty
of gifts to give to the warriors and their families, to our local (and not so local)
Angels who helped gather up our warriors and their families - Thank you JB
and LOR.

The atmosphere was festive, the setting was lovely, the food was delicious
and there was no shortage of laughter and holiday spirit.

LDR—Yes, the food was delicious. Thank you for allowing me to eat this year! LOL

The warriors and their families really had a good time and enjoyed the gifts. The Soldiers’ Angels blankets, mugs and knit caps were a great hit. I think they enjoyed the “door prizes” too.

In addition to those you thanked above, I’d also like to say a “thank you” to someone else. Thank you—MD. You put this whole Christmas Party together and it was a perfect evening for all who attended.

I also heard from another “angel” who received an email from one of our guests. She told the angel that “she got to go and was a very happy girl said it was great!”

Thank you all who made this night happen!

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!!

MD & LDR

Thinking of you...

Today is two weeks since you lost your loved one. As the milestones approach, one month, one year, the first holidays without your brother, without your friend, know that our hearts are with you, today and every day. There is nothing we can say to ease your pain, as you will heal, in your own way, in your own time. But we are here, to talk to, to listen, to offer a hug and maybe bring a smile to your face. We are here, always...

(JB, this is for you)

MD

On a personal note

On this Thanksgiving week, it seems appropriate to write about some of the things for which I'm thankful.

I am thankful for the many loved ones in my life, for my friends and family. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to meet some of the bravest men and women who give selflessly in the name of our country and freedom. I am thankful for small, happy moments, when all is right in the world, even if it is just for just a little bit. I am thankful for the many people who have crossed my path and left an indelible imprint on my life and my heart. I am thankful for beautiful sunrises and sunsets, for the changing seasons. I am thankful for the gift of another day, when I'm able to hear a child's laughter, to feel strong arms wrapped around me in a tender embrace, to chase my dog around the house, to hug my son and tell him I love him.

So as we break bread with our loved ones, let us not forget to truly give thanks for all with which we have been blessed. Let us remember those who are no longer with us, but will remain with us in spirit forever and be thankful to have shared a moment in time with them, even if it was much too brief. During this holiday season and always, may your blessings be many...

MD

Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon was run this weekend in DC and many of our wounded from all services took part. Here is a link to an article and video. http://www.news8.net/news/stories/1008/564125.html Please take a minute and check it out. You will read and watch the video about 2 inspiring men.

I am extremely honored to say that SGT Blair is a member of our "Soldiers' Angels Family" and I am very proud to know him! This was SGT Blair's first hand-crank bicycle ride and he did pretty darn good.

I'm looking forward to attending next year's Marine Corps Marathon and supporting Michael and all the participants!

God Speed.

LDR

HICCUPS AND HEALING

While my blog-father and fellow bloggers were hard at “work” in Las Vegas for the Milblog Conference this past weekend, the Soldiers’ Angels DC (WRAMC) Team and Jersey Team hosted 14 wounded warriors plus some of family members, to a few days at the Jersey Shore. What a wonderful weekend it was all around.

As MD said, there were a few hiccups……mostly concerning “the bus”. Ahhhh, “the bus”. The bus arrived a bit late and then circled around WRAMC for almost an hour. After many phone calls, KM went looking for it and finally located it. All was well—for a while.

The Jersey Gals had arranged a surprise for “the bus”. LO’s sister, Debbie, contacted the American Legion Riders and had arranged for a motorcycle escort up the Jersey Turnpike. Big hiccup here--The bus driver exited off the Delaware Memorial Bridge and did NOT take the NJ Turnpike exit. Now this normally would not have been a hiccup, but the bus was supposed to meet the riders at the first Turnpike rest stop. A larger hiccup ensued when the bus driver tried to find the way back to the Turnpike and took them way out of the way. Finally, the bus was turned around and they met the motorcycles. At any given time, there were between 30-100 motorcyclists escorting the bus and vehicle trailing it. Hiccup coming--The group accepted an invitation to stop at the Legion Post that put together the riders—which turned out to be a very good thing since the bus broke down!!! Thankfully, it made it to the Post where it stayed. A member contacted the local Board of Ed and the heroes arrived at the hotel in a school bus!!

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing, walking the boardwalk, playing arcade games—just being away from the hospital atmosphere and enjoying themselves for a bit.

Friday night’s dinner was at the hotel restaurant where we presented 3 VALOUR-IT laptops—2 of the fellows were unaware they were receiving them and were very surprised. They all enjoyed the food and fun. Saturday, Jersey Angel RO hosted dinner for us all at her house. MMMMMMMMM, roast beef, ham, roasted potatoes….our warriors were in heaven—homecooking at RO’s house!

This trip did so much for these warriors and their family members. I’ve heard from a few them. One said it was the first time away with his wife since deployed; another—he’s going into the hospital for more surgery, so it was a needed time away; another had lost a family member recently and found the peace that was looked for while at the beach. As MD mentioned, another had his first look at the ocean. It was a healing weekend for minds and bodies.

The weekend couldn’t have gone off without the assistance and support of Patti, Soldiers’ Angels founder. Thank you! I’d also like to thank the following team members for their hard work—without you guys, this weekend would not have come off!! The DC Team: MD—DC (WRAMC) Area Coordinator, thank you for being the “bus queen” and getting those fellows on the bus and then keeping the bus driver on the proper route and being a proxy text receiver; JB—thank you for providing the “trail vehicle” and transporting the wheelchairs; KM—thank you for ALL you did (I do know what you did, you know!) I also know how much you like to text message LOL . The Jersey Gals: RO—thank you for opening your home and to cooking the most wonderful dinner. RO makes “the best ham” I’ve ever eaten!; LO—thank you for all the help, especially setting up for the arrival of the bus and motorcycles. To LO’s sister, Debbie—who arranged the motorcycle escort—Thank you! To Ann—thanks for all the work “in the kitchen”.

To all who helped make this weekend happen--THANK YOU!

The laughter shared by all of us—warriors and angels--was priceless.

LDR