Eight years on

It was a rainy day in DC today, and remembrances seemed more muted. However, the flags still draped the office buildings, and we still remember.

My Angel buddy MaryAnn posted this letter from a soldier - LTC Steve Osterholzer currently deployed with Task Force Spartan, 3rd Combat Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. An excerpt:

"Countless people, including my brothers and sisters in arms that serve with me here in the dust and heat of Afghanistan, have worked tirelessly with one simple goal: to prevent another 9-11.

I am especially moved by the 19-year-old privates that I talk to sometimes, about why they joined the Army. Many of them simply say, "9-11." Think about that: they were only 11 years old at the time of the attack and yet they are still so moved by what happened on that day that they are over here fighting the IEDs, the Taliban, and the mountains and deserts themselves."

His perspective is worth understanding eight years on. I also was grateful for his reminder of the pithy words of Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald, written 7 years, 364 days ago. You might remember them. I did.

Boundless gratitude to Steve and all those who serve.

And prayers for all those who lost loved ones then, and since.

Mark Your Calendar! Blanket Making Bash 2009!

The folks in Bowie, MD (just east of Washington, DC) are gearing up for their 2009 marathon to make as many Blankets of Hope as they can in one day.

We (yes, I joined in!) busted their record last year, and we'd love to have your help to do it again.

These hand-assembled fleece blankets get placed in Soldiers' Angels' "First Response Backpacks" which are sent to our combat support hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq and to our Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany.

Click HERE and scroll down to see some words of appreciation for these wonderful blankets.

Mark Saturday, October 3rd, on your calendar and plan to join us in Bowie, MD between 8am and 4pm (or until the fleece runs out!) !

Additional details coming soon.

Come join the fun, even if you only have an hour or two to spare!