NC Soldiers' Angels VA Team

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers Out There

2008-05-11T08:25:00.000-04:00

Life gives us but one life, one chance as we grow into the world being lead by different people in our lives to our destiny. Some are given this honor by choice and others just step into the role not knowing how they'll do it but believing they can. Our destiny as hard as it is to find is even harder to follow sometimes. For this reason we have been given a helping hand by God through our mothers.

An unseen link between a child and it's mother is astounding because it is so abounding. She lives only through you, giving to you from within herself something only a mother could share. Hopes,dreams,disappointments,laughter or better yet a vision to you from her push to become anything you see inside to be. Not all mothers are what we'd hope they'd be but oh where would we be without each of these.

How do we describe what a mother is? A doctor,cook,driver,provider so many shoes just how do we divide her. No matter how old we think we are, she doesn't seem to go very far. So, when you think about this special day I hope you'll remember just who paved the way. No matter what position she fills today, I know she's as special as they say.

Because Mother's you see will never fade away their undying love is here to stay...................

8th Annual Glory Days Festival in Fayetteville, NC

2008-05-09T21:30:00.002-04:00

http://www.glorydaysnc.com/

Please join us on Saturday, May 10, 11:00 am at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum for the Opening Dedication of the Field of Honor.

You may pick up your flags on May 27 4:00-8:00 at Festival Park. Flags remaining after May 27 will be donated to a classroom.

On Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-26), the Fayetteville Downtown Alliance will host the 8th annual Glory Days event. This year's theme honors our Vietnam War veterans.

Spend a day in the glory of our Military Heritage that begins with a formal Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Memorial Park.
Glory Days is a family-oriented, fun-filled celebration that includes:
Field of Honor Set-up (May 9th 4:00-8:00 pm)
Field of Honor Flags (May 10-27)
Freedom Memorial Park Ceremony
Pancake Breakfast
A Classic Car Cruise-in at Festival Park Promenade
Army's Army
American Bake Sale
Live Music on Stage at Festival Park
NC State Cyclists Criterium Championship, 'Patriot's Crit' on Hay Street
Meet the Swampdogs Baseball Team at the Kids Corner
Sunday Movie in the Park, showing "Good Morning Vietnam" (May 25th, 8:00 pm)Free Admission--Free Popcorn-- Free Stuff
Up & Coming Weekly "Good Morning Vietnam" Shout Out Contest (May 25)Great shouts-- Great prizes
Vintage Military Equipment and Gear Exhibit
Carriage Rides, All-American Hotdogs, Food, Arts & Crafts concessions, and more...

Military Appreciation Month- May 2008

2008-05-09T21:22:00.000-04:00

WHEREAS, The freedom and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are direct results of the blood shed and continued vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation; and

WHEREAS, the sacrifices that such members of the United States Armed Forces and of the family members that support them, have preserved the liberties that have enriched this nation making it unique in the world community; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress, in two thousand and four, passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all Americans to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of all of our Armed Services who have served and are now serving our Country, together with their families; and

WHEREAS, the months of May and June were selected for this display of patriotism because during these months, we celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Military Spouse Day, Loyalty Day, Armed Forces Day/Week, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Navy Day, Army Day and Flag Day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patti Patton-Bader, Founder of Soldiers' Angels, do hereby proclaim the period May 1, through June 14, 2008 as a special time to show appreciation for our Military and proclaim it as

NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

All Angels are encouraged to join me wingtip to wingtip in showing our gratitude by the appropriate display of flags and ribbons during the designated period.

Patti Patton BaderFounder,
Soldiers' Angels

Veterans Can Find Employment Assistance on New Online Classifieds

2008-05-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

Soldiers, Military Veterans Can Find Employment Assistance on New Online Classifieds

New Online Classifieds Gives Servicemen and Women and Military Veterans a New Place to Search for Job Listings Through the Soldiers' Angels Website

PASADENA, Calif. — Soldiers' Angels recently launched online classifieds to benefit servicemen and woman and Military veterans in search of employment, housing, goods and services. All Military friendly employers are encouraged to post free ads for jobs, housing for rent or purchase. Posting a classified ad is free of charge and registration is not required to post or browse."

We often match those with special donations to those with special needs, and hopefully this is one more way we can help our Military heroes in this area," says Holly Aho, Soldiers' Angels Webmaster & Programmer. Employers with active Military Veteran recruiting plans, such as the LVPD, may become featured employers by posting an employment ad and contacting the company with more information.

Soldiers' Angels hopes this special area of their website will unite those offering jobs, goods and services with servicemen and women, Military veterans and community members looking to network locally and nationally. Advertisers may also purchase banner ads to increase visibility. All proceeds are used to further the charity's mission of aid and comfort to our Military Heroes.

Veterans Support Crochet Team

2008-05-09T20:43:00.002-04:00

The Crafts Corner team makes and provides those items that make life easier for our Veterans
on a daily basis. Examples include:

• lap afghans 36"x45"
• tracheotomy bibs
• stocking caps
• wheelchair bags
• slippers
• crochet top tea towels

These items go to our Veterans’ Hospitals across the country who have made request to us.
When you have an item or items ready to send to a Veterans’ Hospital if you will email
twylachoate@tx.rr.com , she will be able to give you an address to send your items to.

We do have some requests from our local NC VA Hospitals. You can email vactlnc@gmail.com for this information.

Please visit the VA Patterns section(within the VA Teams/None Forgotten section) on the
forums for patterns .

Thank you!

570 Service Members on the Soldiers' Angels Adoption Waiting List

2008-05-06T06:05:00.001-04:00

Soldiers' Angels has 570 service members waiting to be adopted. One service member waiting for adoption is too many.

Pasadena, CA., May 1, 2008- As more American service members deploy, or redeploy with the Global War on Terror, Soldiers' Angels mission becomes even more critical. Soldiers' Angels has sent over 200,000 packages and countless letters to our troops since it began in 2003. Patti Patton-Bader was inspired to found Soldier's Angels when her son wrote home from Iraq, expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Within a few short months Soldiers' Angels had grown from a mother writing a few extra letters, to an Internet Community with two hundred thousand angels worldwide.

"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", says Bader.

Soldiers' Angels has grown and expanded to include several programs that support American service members and their families The programs include: letters, care packages, and support to troops overseas; first responder packs; laptop computers to wounded troops hospitalized or receiving treatment at military hospitals; armored blankets for military ambulances; items shipped to overseas soldiers to give to children in war zones; memorial trees for the families of heroes who have been killed while serving; and emergency airfare for service members and their families who would otherwise not qualify or cannot afford the cost of a flight.
Soldiers' Angels has never let our troops down, but now, more than ever, we need help from Americans like you. To support our troops, we need your help. Will you adopt a soldier? Will you write letters? Soldiers' Angels has many teams in many areas to fulfill our mission statement. If you don't have the time to adopt or join a specialized team, how about making a much needed donation? Every cent raised goes straight into filling the service members needs. We need you. American heroes need you. Please help, visit www.soldiersangels.org to sign up or make a donation.

Soldiers' Angels is an all volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support the brave men and women deployed away from family and friends in support of the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever they raise the flag of the United States of America.

Gathering of Fuquay Varina Area Angels

2008-05-05T20:54:00.001-04:00

I am having our first area meeting at my home on Friday, 23 May at 6:00 pm to get to know our Angels and drum up some ideas on how we can help our local veterans. I am providing drinks and snacks.

Please let me know if you are able to attend via email to vactlnc@gmail.com

I look forward to meeting each of you!

Gathering of Fayetteville Area Angels

2008-05-05T20:51:00.001-04:00

I would like to invite you all out to Lake Rim Park May 17th at 2:00 for our first Gathering of the Angels. This is a event for all of the Fayetteville area Angels. Your welcome to bring interested parties who are thinking of helping, husband, wife, children, family, friends, and co workers. I will provide drink and cookies for all attending.

I will be putting out new info about our volunteer schedule at the VA, up coming fund raiser info, and I have a few papers for you to fill out. I hope to have an idea of how many bodies we will have to set up a rotation for our VA.

If you like to bake, I am always ready to send care packages out. If you like to sew we have lots of things soldiers and vets need and appreciate. Do you have a hobby, craft, or interest? If so keep all that in mind for our Gathering so I will know where to place our Angels.

If you need anything feel free to contact me anytime at thomasrabbit5@gmail.com
Thank you all for your time and support. Rabbit

Magazine Online Fundraiser

2008-04-24T21:42:00.002-04:00

We hope you will help support our organization by ordering or renewing your favorite magazine subscriptions online and sharing our site with your friends and relatives. With your help, we are sure to earn the funds we need this year! We appreciate your support.

Here's how you can help:

Our online fundraising store has over 650 of the most popular magazine titles at up to 85% off newsstands prices. Purchase or renew your favorite magazine subscriptions and 40% of your purchase will go directly to our cause!

http://www.magfundraising.com/noneforgotten

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-20T22:15:00.000-05:00

Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I look forward to working with you next year in saying thanks to our Veterans!
Susan

Durham VA Team Leader

2007-12-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

Due to illness we are in need of a Team Leader for the Durham VA. Please email me asap if interested - vactlnc@gmail.com Thanks!

PGR Christmas and Army Family Adoption

2007-11-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is having their 2nd annual Christmas party on Dec 8th in Spring Lake (close to Ft Bragg). We are adopting an Army family with 10 children with ages ranging from 1-16. We are also in hopes of having a few local wounded heroes join us for dinner.

We are extending a welcome to any Soldiers' Angel who would like to join us for some fun and helping a few heroes at the same time. If you are interested in attending or donating presents or money for our family, please email me at vactlnc@gmail.com Thanks, Susan

Help Needed for Asheville VA

2007-11-26T22:07:00.000-05:00

The Asheville VA is honoring 150 veterans on Saturday, December 1st. They are giving each honoree a single red rose. Thanks to Kevin's hard work, our Team Leader, the cost of the roses has been taken care of. They will be providing meat, cheese and cracker trays also. If you would like to donate to help make this a great event for our veterans, please send Kevin an email at keving3858@yahoo.com asap. If your company would like to sponsor a food tray, it will be advertised during the event. Help us let the veterans know they have NOT been forgotten!

A Poem by Fonda Brewington

2007-11-24T14:14:00.001-05:00

As angels hover above waiting for you to awake,

Watching and guiding every step you make.

Shielding you with their radiant wings never allowing anyone to take,

Surrounding you with Gods love to help you come home to all the love ones who wait.

Quilters Wanted!

2007-11-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

We have an Angel, Rabbit, who is located in the Hope Mills area. She is currently making quilts for Walter Reed and our local heroes. She was able to get some scrap material donated and is looking for some quilting friends.

If you are a quilter or would like to learn and want to help keep our heroes warm, please send Rabbit an email at thomasrabbit5@gmail.com.

2007 Fundraising Competition

2007-11-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=fundraiser

Operation Christmas Tree

2007-11-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

Operation Christmas Tree wants our troops to have a little bit of home during the holidays so they are planning to send 5,000 2 foot tall Christmas trees with lights and decorations to service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cost of a tree including lights, decorations, and shipping is $20. Please go to their website and make a donation. You can donate $20 to provide one tree or you can donate any amount that you choose. All donations, regardless of amount, are greatly appreciated. This will help make the holiday season brighter for those who are away from home serving our country.

http://www.operationchristmastree.com/

Wanted: 10,000 Cotton Panties

2007-11-23T20:46:00.000-05:00

We're trying to raise 10,000 pair of new cotton panties for our service women. All sizes, colors, & styles, but no leopard print or thongs, please. They don't have to be from Victoria Secret's, go to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, the Dollar Stores....please help!

PLEASE, if you can help let me know. (Disneymagicmama@aol.com)

You can send them directly to:
Soldiers' Angels (Panty Drive)
914 Tourmaline Drive
Newbury Park, CA 91320.

Please EMAIL me with the number of panties you plan to send. Yes, this is an URGENT need! Come on Angels......panty alert!!

What is a Veteran?

2007-11-15T20:07:00.000-05:00

I know Veteran's Day has passed but honoring them is a daily event. Below is an email I received that I think everyone, everywhere should read:

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking.

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravating slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag."

Father Denis Edward O'Brien/USMC

VA Team Angels

2007-10-26T02:56:00.000-04:00

Responsibilities: Support your VA Contact Angel whenever possible by helping with donation drives, fundraising drives and ideas of how to meet the needs of the VA in your area.

Assist with functions at the VA as you can, such as bingo, ice cream socials, BBQ’s that Soldiers’ Angels are sponsoring. Your support will be needed to make these events possible.

Please email me at vactlnc@gmail.com if you are interested in being a Team Angel and which facility. Thanks, Susan

Hug A Hero!

2007-10-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

We are trying to collect 20,000 blankets for the VAs across the country. These blankets can be crocheted, knitted, loomed, quilted or the fleece tie blankets. The measurements are: 36 x 45 for afghans/lap blankets. And 45 x 60 for larger. The blankets should be individually wrapped in Christmas paper and a note should be attached stating who created the blanket and that they are a member of Soldiers' Angels.

Once you are finished with the blanket you should email Terri Hansen at: shansenfamily @ embarqmail.com.In the email please include the size of the item and the quantities, if it is gender specific. Once Terri receives your email she will send you an address of a VA facility. Or to confirm the mailing address of the VAMC of your choice. Mail out day will be Dec. 1st.

Vote in the Above & Beyond Awards

2007-10-25T02:28:00.000-04:00

Microsoft Corporation, in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), is recognizing the contributions of the military community - the friends, family, and other individuals who help brighten the lives of U.S. troops throughout the world - with the creation of the first annual Above and Beyond Awards.

Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader has been nominated in the "Effort Award" category. This award recognizes an individual who:

Offers outstanding support and comfort to our troops.
Helps enhance morale and personal welfare of our troops.
Through their mentorship, inspires other groups/individuals to create new and unique ways to show their support of the troops.
Has impacted the lives of many through their leadership and guidance.

Patti has been doing all of the above, and doing it very well, for a number of years now. Please VOTE HERE!

Other categories include: Medical Attention Award, USO Promotion and Success Award, Everyday Difference Award, and Youth Leadership Award

Military Appreciation Monday

2007-10-25T02:21:00.000-04:00

Military Appreciation Monday - November 12, 2007
For the past 6 years, Golden Corral has been honoring the US Military with a free “thank you” dinner and beverage at any Golden Corral restaurant on Military Appreciation Monday (first Monday after Veteran’s Day). This year, Golden Corral has designated Monday, November 12, 2007, from 5 to 9 pm, to honor any person who has ever served in the United States Military.

Seeking VA Community Team Leaders!

2007-10-24T01:35:00.000-04:00

We have four VA Hospitals in North Carolina. We are still in need of Community Team Leaders for three facilities: Ashville, Durham, and Fayetteville.

Below is a list of some of the responsibilities of a Community Team Leader (CTL), if you are interested in learning more about the position please e-mail me at vactlnc@gmail.com!

Greet facility contact, obtain a wish list, offer assistance and provide the facility with your contact information as well as your State Leaders contact information.
Make your contact information available for people who want to help.
Maintain data base of Angels who are working at the facility; names, addresses, phone and email addresses.
Forward information to area Angels helping at the facility, including Soldiers’ Angels Newsletters, PR Alerts, special projects information, Team notices, and state/area activities.
Provide Angels with information and support on organizing VA presentations and activities.
Abide by each facilities application and approval process to volunteer at the facility.
Prepare monthly reports summarizing efforts for each facility, activities held, visits to the facility and their results.
Visit the facility at least once a month or at minimum make 1 telephone contact to check for new wish list items, or see if there are any urgent needs. (personal visit is preferred)