Flock of Angels in DC

I’d mentioned previously that Soldiers’ Angels was a sponsor for the 2007 Milblog Conference on May 5th in DC. I guess because of the critical mass of Angels that planned to attend that event, several other Angel activities were planned for that weekend, a couple of which I got to attend. So here’s the Angel round-up…

It quickly became apparent that Patti Patton-Bader was as big a celebrity at the conference as some of the milbloggers. Not only did she found Soldiers’ Angels, but she continues to be a driving force in so many of the activities. Like I mentioned about the milbloggers, she is passionate, dedicated, and appears to have a boundless reserve of energy. Oh, and she has two sons in uniform. It is a pleasure and a delight to be one of her Angel troops. She participated in a panel called “More than Just a Bumper Sticker” along with MaryAnn of Soldiers’ Angels Germany, Sandra Edens of Sew Much Comfort and Roxie Merritt of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. What an awesome line up of women, huh? Oh, and the panel was moderated by the indomitable Major Chuck Z, the very first recipient of a Valour-IT laptop.

You’re sorry you missed it, aren’t you? :-)

I also met Laurie, Robin, Judy, Roger, Lisa, MaryAnn, Chris, Matt, Beth, Rich, Rachel & Jeff, and saw Kathi, Jill, “Bob”, Monica, Lynette and Lynette’s son again. There were several other Angels that I didn’t get to meet but who also attended an Angel breakfast on Sunday. We went around the room and introduced ourselves, said where we were from, how we got involved, and what Angel things we’re up to. It was so amazing how many of these people had NEVER met each other – I’m telling you, these were some of the Who’s Who of Soldiers’ Angels, and before last weekend they had only known each other from email, phone conversations, or the SA Forum. How cool, huh? And fortunately I had a cool idea BEFORE the event, and brought with me a white SA T-shirt and a sharpie. We now have a cool collectible to raffle off for some future fundraiser. Stay tuned…

And that wasn’t the end! The coolest event was yet to come….

On Sunday afternoon, SA sponsored a BBQ for our veteran patients and their families staying at Mologne House Hotel at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda. SA has sponsored similar events in the past, but this was extra special as the very first recipient of a Valour-IT laptop got to present the 1000th laptop (plus a few more)! Chuck Z gave a little speech directed at those who are now where he was about 2 years ago. His willingness to get up and share his experiences is really wonderful. “Don’t give up, push forward, you can do it” is more meaningful coming from someone who has "been there done that" and created his own line of t-shirts, right? His bizarre sense of humor sets just the right tone, too (ha). He has an equally terrific wife who participated in a panel at the milblog conference and at SpouseBuzzLive this weekend and offers an equally helpful perspective for spouses of the wounded.

More details on the BBQ from another Angel blogger here. Great PICTURES, too! Very, very, very cool.

Not for Nothing

How persistance in Iraq is paying off...

The progress seen today in Anbar would have been unthinkable just one year ago, when al Qaeda began to reassert itself after taking large losses during the joint U.S. and Iraqi campaign to clear the western portions of the province. The turning of the tribes against al Qaeda is a crucial piece of the puzzle, but so was the perseverance of U.S. forces in the region. "We are standing on the hard work of the Marines and soldiers here last year who worked to build the Iraqi police," said Colonel Koenig.

Read the whole thing at The Fourth Rail.

My Thanks to Milbloggers

I mentioned in my previous post that I felt like a Milblog groupie at the 2007 Milblogs Conference, but really, I’m just so proud to ‘know’ them and cheer them on. I’ll tell everyone and anyone to go read milblogs if they want to get informed. More than one person, quite sincerely, has asked if I think they’re credible sources. It is a pleasure to be able to say that these folks are nothing if not brutally honest. You never have to read between the lines with this crowd.

If you’re not one for poking around the internet, pick up a copy of “The Blog of War”, by Matthew Currier Burden, creator of www.blackfive.net and probably the most well known milblogger. His book is a narrated selection of blogposts from those in the fight, those fighting to save the lives of the wounded, and those waiting back home. This book should come with a “tissue alert”, but it’s another great intro to the milblogger world. Thanks to Matt for the foresight and skill in putting it together.

Note: Are you surprised that I ran around the conference and got Matt and any of his contributing bloggers that were present to sign my copy of his book? Nope, didn’t think so. Milblog groupie, cheerleader, PR team member reporting for duty…..

And that leads me to something I’d like to say to any service member or family of a service member who blogs and who might read this: THANK YOU.

Your honesty and willingness to share your life and thoughts publicly is a tremendous gift to me, Jane Civilian. I feel a tremendous responsibility to support good decision making by our Federal government, especially when decisions put people’s lives on the line. The windows you offer into your world -- whether you be active duty, medically retired, retired, or former, or mom, dad, wife, husband, brother, sister, daughter or son – your words are my reality check. It’s my duty and privilege to understand the implications of the policies that I support, and y'all are the best sources of info we’ve got. So whether it’s a calling, therapy, better than yelling at the TV, or simply easier than writing 10 letters home, I’m a grateful beneficiary. And please, count me as one of your biggest cheerleaders.

For everyone else, now that I’ve tweaked your interest, check them out. I’ll preface this list of who signed my book with my favorite milblogger’s banner comment:

“The reader will kindly forgive any tendency to rough language or behavior on the part of the site owner… ‘Good people rest peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.’”

http://andisworld.typepad.com/
http://armywifetoddlermom.blogspot.com/
http://www.blackfive.net/
http://docinthebox.blogspot.com/
http://www.thedonovan.com/
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/
http://www.sgthook.com/
http://somesoldiersmom.blogspot.com/
http://tcoverride.blogspot.com/
http://tryingtogrok.mu.nu/

You’re still here?!? Pick one and go read! You’ll be glad you did. Promise.

2007 Milblogs Conference Part 2

Okay, so it’s Friday, and I’m just getting to this, but no big deal, right?

So, the Milblog Conference. I won’t give you a complete rundown, but I’ll mention some notable moments that are written up elsewhere.


Andi of Andi’s World was the driving force and organizer of the event. She also has started another site called SpouseBuzz and is running the second SpouseBuzzLive event tomorrow in San Diego (If you or someone you know is married or attached to someone in the military, check it out). I didn’t get a chance to meet her, but I think Andi characterizes what makes up the core of the milblogger community: passion, commitment, and seemingly boundless reserves of energy.

What did Andi’s efforts result in? A pre-recorded introductory address from the President. Yes, that President, President George W. Bush. I was thrilled for every milblogger out there that they got this kind of validation.

The next item on last Saturday’s itinerary was a video-conference call with Rear Admiral Fox direct from Iraq. Yep, live from the front, folks. He talked about the value of milblogs, the importance of support from the home front, the latest from the battlefield, and then did a Q&A. Not bad, huh? And then there were comments from Robert Stokely, whose son was killed in Iraq in August 2005. Not a dry eye in the place. I’m humbled and grateful for Americans like Robert and Sgt Mike Stokley.

It was an awesome conference. Thanks, Andi!

Note: Soldiers' Angels was a sponsor for the conference and there were lots of Angels present (which was oh-so-cool), but I'll write up Angel stuff separately.

2007 Milblogs Conference Part 1

This past weekend I attended the second annual Milblogs Conference in Arlington, VA. The event hotel is about 10 minutes from my abode, which fortunately made it a no-brainer to attend. I felt like a Milblogs groupie, but it really was a neat experience to meet so many of those I read on-line on a regular basis. Fortunately, Soldiers Angels’ was also a sponsor of this event so when someone asked if I was a blogger, I could say “No, I’m a Soldiers’ Angel”. :-)

The funny thing is that I discovered Milblogs first (Mudville Gazette to be specific) and then Soldiers’ Angels. I had read one of Hugh Hewitt’s books on the run-up to the 2004 election, which led me to his blog. He linked to Greyhawk of Mudville during that fall, and then to Soldiers’ Angels on the eve of Veteran’s Day 2004. The rest, shall we say, is history.

More tomorrow! For now...

Citizen blogger I was most delighted to meet and chat with: Bill Roggio of The Fourth Rail

Funniest and amazing milblogger with an extra cool wife: Chuck Z, recipient of the very first Valour IT laptop.

Milblogger I was most disappointed not to meet: Greyhawk... 'cause, well, he deployed on THURSDAY. One day before the conference. Timing? Bueller? Darn.

Angels at Face of America Bike Ride

Two Sundays ago, I was one of about 20 Soldiers’ Angels that volunteered to support a special event. World TEAM Sports put on a bike ride to salute our wounded and active duty military personnel. The ride went from Gettysburg to DC over two days (110 miles!). Soldiers’ Angels was an official sponsor of the event, and super-Angel Lynette was in charge of our rest stop. I helped corral DC-area volunteers to set-up things at this spot near the end of the ride (at sponsor Geico's building in Chevy Chase, MD). Angel Jan coordinated the hanging of about 80 support banners made by Angels and friends all over the US. There were also a few signed t-shirt 'banners' including one signed by active folks in the sandbox (what a cool idea!).

It was a sunny, breezy, pretty day in DC as the riders arrived in large packs. The Geico Gecko was the first to greet them, and we cheered them through “banner row”. Wounded, active duty, and enthusiastic civilians participated in the ride. The extra-ordinary efforts of those who are pushing through and past their injuries to participate in events like this are incredibly inspiring. I also spoke to a civilian rider who “drove” a tandem bike so that a wounded veteran could participate. Cool.

I made the “Rock n Roll” banner for my mom’s 5th graders in Texas to sign. The kids are so great at stuff like this. Over the holidays they made over 100 cards to go with goody bags I sent to the sailors on a Navy ship operating in the Pacific.

Makes me want to gear up for the next ride like this! Though I think I'll volunteer to help not ride - I don't think my rear end could handle it. :-)

Other Angel write-ups/video here and here and here.

Several posts all at once...

Okay, so I have a ton of things to share… been a busy Angel. Fortunately, I tapped out a letter to one of my soldiers during part of last weekend’s activities, so I can cheat and post some of that….