Welcome! and thank you for your service.

To some of our newest fellow citizens, who were willing to write that blank check to the U.S. of A... with gratitude and prayers, Godspeed!

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount ‘up to and including my life'."

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Military servicemembers take an Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens during a naturalization ceremony held at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 12. Nine Task Force Yukon Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and attached units received their citizenship at the ceremony. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. Andrya Hill, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs)

Not for Nothing - Take 11

With Saddam Hussein in charge, it was easy to forget that the "cradle of civilization" (click that link - it's a cool map) that we learned about in history class and the settings for many Biblical passages can be found within Iraq's borders.

When I am reminded of this fact, I often think that I'd like to visit Iraq (and Afghanistan) as a tourist some day.

Our troops have been among the first to test the waters:

“I heard about (the site) in college classes, but I never thought I'd get to actually be on the Ziggurat of Ur,” said Sgt. Brandon Metroka, from the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Another site, near the Ziggurat of Ur, is considered even more historically significant. It is believed to have been the home of Abraham, a central figure in the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions.

“I'm actually in school to be a history teacher. I'm a senior in college right now so this means everything to me... to be able to show my students (photographs) for the next 30 years,” said Sgt. Kiersten Dozack.

Read the whole story and see the pictures HERE.

A different kind of "shock and awe" (updated)

No precision bombs required. Ha.

"I was just in shock and awe that people would take time out of their day just to come out and support you," he said.

"I had the biggest smile on my face. I haven't felt this good in a long time."

Read the rest HERE. (Hat Tip: The Dawn Patrol)

If you live near the DFW airport, you can help generate that particular type of "shock and awe", too, but adopting a troop through Soldiers' Angels can do the same thing.

One of the niftiest things that you can get as an Angel is "free mail". "Free mail" is what deployed troops write in the upper right hand corner of an envelope where you and I put a stamp (you see, they can send their letters home for free). So, when you get mail from theater, it's "free mail". I'd adopted a number of troops before I received my first "free mail" (the others were kinda busy or sent email instead - which is still very cool). In fact, I think my first free mail came from a medic to whom I'd sent a one-time care package.

There is something special about a real letter; no matter how short, it's still very sweet. Free-mail is inevitably full of one thing: thank yous. And they go on and on with the thanks. Because of the extra support and TLC* that we provided. They don't expect it, even the smallest thing.

For Veteran's Day, I posted this quote on my "status" on Facebook (don't know the author):

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount ‘up to and including my life'."

A weekly letter and monthly care package for the length of a deployment - or a high-five from a five year old - seem like an inadequate trade, but they like it just the same.

1500+ are waiting. Are you ready to be an Angel? I think you probably are - no experience required! Go show 'em a little love.


*TLC = "tender loving care".... someone asked me what that stood for the other day!

Adopt a Troop. Send Letters. Send Care Packages.

Adopt HERE.

Care package ideas HERE and HERE and HERE.

Letter ideas HERE or at the very end of the post HERE.


Why do it? Go HERE.

THANK YOU!! Valour-IT Fundraiser raises $103K+

Y'all are the best. Details HERE.


Missed the fun? How about adopting a troop? We've got 1500+ waiting for an Angel. :-) (updated!)

Home stretch!! Just two days of Valour-IT Fundraiser

Just two days left, and only the *Marines* are close to their goal. Sheesh.

If you can spare a dollar or two, maybe you'd like to....

...push the Marines over the top (tomorrow's their birthday, so that'd be a nice gift)
...drag the Air Force out of last place
...be nice to Army because their football team is....yeah.
...or support MY TEAM, TEAM NAVY!

I'd be okay with any of the above. Really.

Click on the blue, green, red, or gray bar in the graphic below (or click on the name of the service in the text above) to make a donation to your favorite team!

Show your support for the Fort Hood Community

From the Soldiers' Angels web page:

Soldiers’ Angels is assessing the needs and--with our founder currently residing in Texas--standing by to offer physical and emotional support to our heroes and their families at Fort Hood.

RIGHT NOW: Collecting encouraging notes and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the injured or killed. Please send cards/letters and stuffed animals (and anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child) to:

Soldiers' Angels
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

You can check back HERE for updates.