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!

If you care

The fighting in Afghanistan has escalated, and the coalition is taking an increasing number of casualties.

I know that people care that our troops are in harms way.

They care when our troops get injured.

They appreciate the hard work of our medics who continue to save lives on the battlefield, day in, day out.

But folks back home often don't know what they can do to show that they care.

They can't do anything about the bullets and IEDs, but *I* know that they can provide a little TLC that makes a big impression.

Soldiers' Angels sends hundreds of our "First Response Backpacks" each month to combat support hospitals in theater and to our Landstuhl Regional Medical center in Germany. You can send one of these backpacks with a personal message by making a $55 donation at the Soldiers' Angels store.

The backpacks include:

• (1) Backpack - fully unzips for easy access
• (1) T-Shirt
• (1) Knit shorts OR Pajama bottoms (depending on availability)
• (1) Boxer Shorts
• (1) Pair of White Crew Socks
• (1) Toothbrush
• (1) Toothpaste
• (1) Mouthwash
• (1) Deodorant
• (2) Disposable Razors
• (1) Shampoo
• (1) 5" Comb
• (1) Hand Lotion
• (1) Anti-Bacterial Wet Wipes
• (1) Nail Clippers
• (1) 100 Minutes AT&T Phone Card
• (1) Handmade "Blanket of Hope" created with love by one of our Angels (click link if you'd like to make one!)
  

I know that $55 is beyond the means of some, but if you're able, I hope you'll consider it. Details are HERE. Those of us who've visited our military hospitals know that these gifts are truly appreciated by our wounded warriors... and make for a least a few grateful moms!

Haven't got that much cash? Okay, no problem. MaryAnn can always use some extra cards of encouragement for our ill and wounded at Landstuhl. Click HERE for instructions.

Or, if you're like me and just like to go shopping for items that are appreciated by patients at Landstuhl, go HERE to see MaryAnn's list. Whether it's microwavable treats or pjs or flipflops, I always enjoy putting together a package of TLC to send across the pond...

I hope you'll choose one of the above.

"...it seems like love really does make a difference."

At last month's lunch at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, I was talking to a visitor who was visting a troop who had been badly injured and was receiving treatment at the hospital.

I commented on how wonderful it was that he lived here locally and was able to come visit his friend. We Angels hear over and over again how big a difference it makes for patients to have visitors, especially family and friends.

The friend said, "You know, it seems like love really does make a difference."

I couldn't agree more, but I must admit that the comment was extra memorable because that visiting friend was male, and maybe 30. Not your average comment from a 30-something guy.

During that same Soldiers' Angels visit (our monthly buffet lunch for patients, visiting family and friends, and medical staff), I also met yet another military family who had been touched by the love of another Angel, my buddy MaryAnn in Germany. MaryAnn always seems to be around when she's needed. This time it was to hold the phone so that a wife could talk to her husband, who was thousands of miles away in a hospital in Germany. He was unconscious, but MaryAnn held the phone so that his wife could send her love.

You can't tell me that that didn't make a difference.

If you'd like to help provide some TLC to our troops, consider "adopting" a deployed troop or signing up for the Soldiers' Angels Wounded/Medic team and help send a little love to our wounded and our medics laboring away to give our men and women the very best care that they can. There are some very busy medics in Afghanistan that could use your support. I just sent some brownies, rice krispy treats.... and a little love last week.

MaryAnn has details on those busy medics here and here and here.

Sign-up today. It's a great way to show your support whenever you are able.

Welcome Home, Captain Speicher

From FOXNews:

'Remains of the first American lost in the 1991 Persian Gulf War have been found in the Anbar province of Iraq after a nearly 20-year search, the U.S. Navy said Sunday. Captain Michael "Scott" Speicher['s]...disappearance has bedeviled investigators since his jet was shot down over the Iraq desert on the first night of the 1991 war.'

'Officials said Sunday that they got new information from an Iraqi citizen in early July, leading Marines stationed in Anbar province to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Speicher's jet.

The Iraqi said he knew of two other Iraqis who recalled an American jet crashing and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert.

"One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried," the Pentagon said in a statement.'

The rest of the details are on the news and the web, and while the news makes me sad, I'm very grateful to know that we take such great care to bring all our missing and fallen warriors home.

That dedication by our armed forces is demonstrated everyday by the units who focus on nothing but this sober task. The importance of this work to those who've served and to their loved ones can be seen in those who make sure that we don't forget.

My prayers and condolences go out to Captain Speicher's family, especially his children. I'm so sorry for your loss, but so humbled by and grateful for your father's service to our country.

Godspeed.

SFC Jared Monti, Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumous

HT: Mudville Gazette, who also has details of the actions being recognized.

SFC Jared Monti of Raynham, Massachusetts, to be awarded Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on June 21, 2006, in Gowardesh, Afghanistan.

Quote from Jules Crittenden, blogging from Monti's home state of Massachusetts:

"He didn’t just give his life trying to drag badly wounded soldiers to safety under heavy fire. He gave in life."

...and a link to full coverage in the Boston Herald.

This is a big deal. If you don't understand the significance of the Medal of Honor, go read up on it.

This is only the sixth Medal of Honor awarded for actions since 9/11. Three others have been awarded since 9/11, but for actions in Vietnam and Korea.

Here's a list so you don't have to go look them up yourself:

Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble, USA
PFC Ross McGinnis, USA
Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, USN
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, USN
Major Bruce P. Crandall, USA
Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC (and here)
Corporal Tibor Rubin, USA
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, USA


Be proud. Be grateful. Be inspired. Remember.

Why they are my heroes: Wounded Vet is World Champ Again!

(HT: Miss Ladybug)

It's always particular sweet to see the results of hard work, but milestones achieved by our wounded vets are even sweeter.

This one ought to set you back on your heels (video included).

http://fox21online.com/news/wounded-veteran-wins-seventh-title-lumberjack-world-championships

Congrats JR (and Josie!)!

MaryAnn found a write-up at the NY Times too.