Any Wounded Soldier Cards

No,You CAN’T send holiday cards to ’Any Wounded Soldier’ at Walter Reed..

but here's some things you Can do.

We've all seen the email forward that says "Send a holiday card to 'any wounded soldier' at Walter Reed Army Medical Center",

but,unfortunately, that is just not possible.

And if you want to read the news straight from a source who's spent time at Walter Reed? here's what a veteran friend of mine had to say about it.

Click here: No Christmas Cards for Walter Reed | This Veteran's Life

-----------------------------

You can also read this on Walter Reed Army Medical Center's website

Holiday Cards to Wounded and Recovering Soldiers

and this on Snopes.com

Click here: Urban Legends Reference Pages: Cards for Recovering Soldiers

(and Snopes.com ,by the way, is where I always go to check out the veracity of any email forwards I receive :)

So, with all the above information in hand, if you receive an email forward regarding sending Christmas cards to Walter Reed, please send one of the links above to the sender, so they will know that it is Not possible to do that.

But,all is not lost,for all the many fine folks who want to do something for our wounded warriors during this holiday season!

On the post at This Veteran's Life in the comments, a commenter named 'Bigjohn Miska' had this to say:

"We here at VFW POST 8208, PO Box 653, Ruckersviile
VA 22968

will accept and deliver cards and gifts to the patients at Walter Reed and Bethesda Hospitals as well as to other hospitals where there are Patients from this war.Feel free to pass this onto all you know!"
Bigjohn

John Miska CDR
VFW Post 8208

Here's the website from John http://www.adoptasoldier.us/

the website at Walter Reed with the information about not accepting Christmas cards also lists several ways To do something for our wounded soldiers for the holidays.

And, as a member of Soldiers Angels , I would like to pass on that Soldiers Angels has a program in place for sending cards and letters to wounded warriors not just at the holiday season, but all throughout the year

Soldiers' Angels - Wounded TLC Team

So,even though you Can't send a Christmas card to 'Any Wounded Soldier', there are still plenty of ways you Can do something to let our wounded know that they are cared about, and that they are not forgotten, this holiday season.

Move America Forward Events

This is not a Soldier's Angels event but it would be grea tto show our troops support in our SA tshirts. And any pro troop event on this scale should be an event we are at.

http://www.moveamericaforward.org:80/index.php/DailyFile/itinerary_for_honoring_heroes_at_the_holidays_tour/

Thursday, November 29, 2007

9:00 AM Las Vegas, NV Pro-Troop Rally
Veterans Memorial Wall
Hendersons Civic Center Plaza
200 S. Water, Henderson, NV - CLICK HERE for MAP
Bring your family, flags and signs that thank our troops, express support for our troops. And of course be sure to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops - we’ll gladly accept them at the event and deliver them to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

4:00 PM Bagdad, AZ Pro-Troop Event
Location to be announced very soon - check back here for updates including this rally location!

8:00 PM Arrive Courtyard Marriott Hotel - Phoenix, AZ
9631 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85021
- CLICK HERE for MAP
Members of the press may cover the tour’s arrival and interview participants. Also, members of the public are invited to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops.

Friday November 30, 2007

9:00 AM Phoenix, AZ Pro-Troop Rally
State Capitol - House Lawn
1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ - CLICK HERE for MAP
Bring your family, flags and signs that thank our troops, express support for our troops. And of course be sure to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops - we’ll gladly accept them at the event and deliver them to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

10:00 Drop Off of Greeting Cards for Troops at Phoenix, AZ Post Office
3905 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA - CLICK HERE for MAP
News media and supporters invited to come join us as we turn in and ship a batch of Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday greeting cards for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan!

2:30 PM Tucson, AZ Pro-Troop Rally
Freedom Park 5000 E 29th St, Tucson, AZ 85711 - CLICK HERE for MAP
Bring your family, flags and signs that thank our troops, express support for our troops. And of course be sure to bring Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards for our troops - we’ll gladly accept them at the event and deliver them to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thank You McFarlane Publishing!

Is your soldier a Spawn fan? McFarlane Toys/Publishing just donated 6 cases of Spawn comics to Soldier's Angels in Arizona! The first case has already been given to a local angel to mail in her packages to the troops. The plan is to give some to our VA's for OEF/OIF patients and give them to local angels to send their soldiers. Let me know if you have a soldier or unit that would like some comics. They are fantastic! You can check out McFarlane Comics at http://www.spawn.com/comics/.

Cookie Command Packing Day

Yesterday was cookie packing day for CookieCommand.org. Jane and I represented Soldier's Angels in our matching shirts. Paula, also a SA angel, had the goal of 36,000 cookies this year with her partner Nancy and they pulled it off. I am surprised I can even type this morning. We got there at about 8:15am and started sorting cards (200 soldier's x 20-30 cards each) and customs forms, then we started filling boxes and we finished the last box around 3:30pm. It was fun work and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Here are some more pictures of the day including several of the final pallets that will go to the National Guard to be mailed on Monday. It certainly got me in the holiday spirit. Click the picture below and it will take you to the photos from the day. :)

Cookie Command Packing Day

Stamp-A-Stack for our Soldier's

We had a blast this weekend stamping like crazy for our soldier's. We made roughly 144 cards to send over to the troops so they in turn have cards to send home to their families. They came out so beautiful! Here is a photo of our cards.

I will be hosting this event again after the holidays to do all occasion cards. It was a blast.

Update - The cards are being sent to Camp Eggers in Afghanistan this week. Thank you everyone who sent me extra cards to send!

WELCOME HOME - ANG 259TH SECFOR

WELCOME HOME - ANG 259TH SECFOR
Phoenix, AZ, 27 Oct 07

OUR GUYS ARE COMING HOME!!!! Approximately 175 of OUR National Guard is COMING HOME!!!! These guys have been in Iraq as a major security force. They have been beat up, shot and faced IED’s and all kinds of other stuff we can only imagine. BUT...they are COMING HOME!!!!!

Mark the day Patriot Guard Riders...staging is pending and we have much to plan for...so keep the day open and know this: OUR GUYS ARE COMIN HOME!!!!!!!.

Tucson Stand Down

The Tucson Stand Down was a huge success. Corey was there handing out Soldier's Angels Vet Packs to roughly 100 vets. Here are some photos of Corey and her helpers.

Tucson OEF/OIF Welcome Home Event

Corey and I were at the Tucson VA today for the OEF/OIF Welcome Home event. It was a pleasure meeting all of the wonderful people that help our Veterans as well as meeting the Vets themselves. Stay Tuned for photos of the Tucson Stand Down and The Stamp-A-Stack events coming up next weekend!

Honoring Joshua Holden

Corey and I would like to thank all of our fellow Angels for honoring and remembering Joshua Holden and keeping his family and friends in their prayers. The Arizona Daily Star has written a wonderful article on Josh that we wanted to share with you. If you would like to sign the guest registry we are including the link as well. Joshua touched the lives of many and we are proud to have been a part of his life, even for a short time.

• Leukemia fells hard-charging Tucson Marine:
• Arizona Daily Star | Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.11.2007
  

• Joshua's Obituary and Guest Book

• Josh's Caringbridge site

Operation: Give Music to a Soldier's Ears

Contact: Michael L. Paule,
969 Alexandra Court
Oak Park, CA 91377
818-355-2570
Ctlca24@gmail.com

September 24, 2007
For Immediate Release:
Oak Park, California 8th Grade Student launches: “Operation: Give Music to a Soldier’s Ears”
Kelsey Paule, an 8th grade student at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, California has launched a drive to collect Apple iPods and iTunes Gift Cards for wounded soldiers and others deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kelsey with assistance from her father, Mike Paule (a Council Member on the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council) have teamed up with Soldiers’ Angels (A Pasadena, CA-based organization) to collect and distribute new and good-condition used iPods and iTunes gift cards – which will be sent to men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces eager to receive them.
Kelsey and Mike believe it is important to show our appreciation for the men and women who serve our Country with great distinction. Many members of our military forces have served extended tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and make great sacrifices to defend the freedom and liberties that we all enjoy as Americans. Providing them with some of the same comforts of home that we all cherish will make their time away from their families a little easier.
According to Soldiers’ Angels Founder – Patti Patton-Bader, “Soldiers’ Angels receive many requests for these items – more than they can currently provide with the funds that they have available.”
Chaplain Dickerson, the liaison for wounded soldiers returning from Afghanistan has expressed strong support for this project and believes that these donated items will provide comfort to the wounded soldiers returning home from Afghanistan. They get many requests for Apple iPods. All new iPods donated will go exclusively to wounded soldiers. Good, working-condition iPods will be sent to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan to those that do not have these items and have requested them.
With the introduction of the new Apple iPods this month, Kelsey believes that many people may be considering acquiring new ones but have good working iPods that can be put to good use. “People can donate their iPods, accessories and iTunes Gift Cards and know that they are helping put a smile on the faces of our brave heroes. “
Kelsey will provide a written and recorded message to each recipient of a donated iPod and iTunes Gift Card which will let them know how much we all appreciate the dedication and sacrifices they make for all of us.
Kelsey and Mike hope that the public will generously contribute to this effort. Interested individuals and businesses can make arrangements for the pickup of these items by either e-mailing Kelsey and Mike at ctlca24@gmail.com, or calling 818-355-2570. Donations made to Soldiers’ Angels may be tax deductible.
About Soldiers’ Angels:
Soldiers' Angels is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Patti Patton-Bader, mother of Sgt. Brandon Varn, who recently returned home from a year’s deployment to Iraq. Soldiers' Angels is a national organization with members in all fifty states and Puerto Rico, and several friendly countries who support our brave men and women in uniform as they carry out their mission. Soldiers' Angels was incorporated in the state of Nevada in June of 2003. Soldiers' Angels mission is to provide aide and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard and their amazing families. The slogan describes the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. By working together and sharing a common vision of service, the volunteers of Soldiers' Angels send care to deployed soldiers and their loved ones at home.
www.soldiersangels.com

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Calling AZ Angels...

November 10, 2007: Cookie Day

Jane has contacted cookiecommand.org and they would love for us to help. Please email me if you would like to join other local Angels (Phoenix area) on Nov. 10th.

Soldiers' Angels Operation Hug-A-Hero

Soldiers' Angels Operation Hug-A-Hero - "Honoring Our Veterans One Stitch At A Time"Patti has asked our crochet team to help provide holiday cheer to TWENTY THOUSAND Veterans nationwide this holiday season. These blankets can be crocheted - knitted - quilted or fleece tie blankets. Once you have your blanket completed please wrap them individually in Christmas wrapping and place a tag or card with them letting our Heroes know who made the item and that you are a member of Soldiers' Angels Organization. We ask that you please hold your blankets and mail them out on or near December 1st. Once you get a package ready please email Terri Hansen at:shansenfamily@embarqmail.com and she will provide you with the address of the nearest VA facility. In the email please include the number of blankets and the sizing. If you have a creation for a female please indicate on the outside of the package that it is intended for a female recipient.The sizes requested are - 36 x 45 for lap afghans and 45 x 60 for blankets. Please remember that when crocheting/knitting and looming sometimes the measurements are not exact...that is fine!! Our Heroes will love them even if they are not the exact size requested!!We thank you so much for considering this project! We feel like this is a wonderful way to wrap our veterans with love and show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices they have made on our and our country's behalf! On behalf of the VA Team we want to thank each of you for your continuing support of our honorable veterans!

Holiday for Heroes

In homes across America, there is an empty chair this Christmas. The man or woman usually sitting in that chair is in the military, serving overseas. There is no family Christmas for those brave soldiers. We at the SA “Family” are committed to making sure every soldier has at least some kind of Christmas.

Soldiers’ Angels is asking for your help during the upcoming holiday season. The United States Military has roughly 120,000 deployed troops throughout the world. It is our intention to get a care package or goodie bag into the hands of all the deployed personnel this holiday season.

Soldiers’ Angels is asking for donations to sponsor a ‘Holiday Gift Bag’ for a deployed Soldier for the holiday season. The cost for each holiday gift is $10.00 per soldier. Can you sponsor one, or a few? Click here if you would like to sponsor a "Holiday Gift Bag".

Upcoming Events in AZ

• Welcome Home Event - Tucson VA: October 13th
• Corey and Kristen will be there handing out SA Coins to Combat Vets
  
  
• Veteran Stand Downs
  
• Tucson: Oct 19 - 21st (Slumber Party for Vets)
  
• Phoenix (details coming soon)
• Prescott (details coming soon)
  
  
• Stamp-A-Stack for our Soldiers - October 20th
• Create Blank Cards (all cards prekitted) for our troops to send home to their families for the holiday season. Email Kristen for more details.
  
• Cost: $20 for 12-15 cards. Lunch is included.
• Cookie Day with CookieCommand.Org - November 10th
• Join other angels in the Phoenix area in helping CookieCommand.org.
  

Welcome!

Things are picking up in Arizona. I decided to start this blog for all Arizona Soldier's Angels (and supporters) to see what we are up to in Arizona. For those of you not familiar with Soldier's Angels, you should check out the website and seriously think about adopting a soldier. It has been one of the most rewarding things I have done other than raise my son and teach children.

Stay tuned! Great things are in the works here. :)

Calling all Angels

Have you sent your hug in an envelope today?