Soldiers' Angels Mourns Cpl Bradford H. Payne

From Cathy of the Soldiers' Angels Living Legends Team:

We have a fallen hero from Soldiers' Angels, Cpl. Bradford H. Payne.

Brad, 24, of Montgomery, Ala., died Oct. 6 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Brad is survived by his parents, Howard & Carol, and his wife, Erin, along with 2 children. We are going to support both his parents and his wife & family.

Cathy

Cpl Payne was killed together with his Marine brother Lance Cpl. John E. Hale, 20, of Shreveport, LA.

Payne's parents said the only solace in their son's death is knowing he was killed while living his dream.

"He pretty much shot for (the Marines) in the sixth grade," Howard Payne said. "That's what he wanted to do."

Hale's military career was inspired by the 2001 terrorist attacks. He graduated from high school in 2005.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Camp Lejeune Marines and their families.

Please take a moment to read the Marine Cpl. Bradford H. Payne tribute at the Soldiers' Angels Fallen Heroes blog.

Remember our Heroes.

"And then there was Valour-IT"

" ...how many of you remember me lying in a hospital bed, unable to get up, unable to see, and unable to say what was on my mind? ( ... )
And then there was Valour-IT."

From Sgt Allen at Contact Right.

I remember how I felt when I first received my Valour-IT computer. I was eager to get back online with my teammates that were still in country, to feel as though I still had something to contribute. And ever since I have been extremely grateful to Soldiers' Angels and to CPT Chuck Ziegenfuss for their work and contributions to the Valour-IT program.

Read the rest here.

And while you're over there, please look closely at the photo and meet some of my colleagues, SA Wounded Director Lynette and 2 Angels from the SA DC Wounded Team, Jill & Monica.

SGT Allen took this photo of some of the Wounded Warriors who received laptops that day together with members of the Howard County Police Department who presented signed shirts of appreciation during a recent get together at Malogne House.

When a Letter is Enough

"When I read in your letter that you and the kids put peanut butter on pine cones with birdseed, it brought back a lot of memories because my sister and I used to do that when we were kids... mostly in the wintertime when there was snow on the ground. I had forgotten about that... "

- From a Soldier in Iraq

Great article about Soldiers' Angels in yesterday's Hood River News:

Terri Hansen of Hood River once cried at the thought that soldiers serving their country often had no encouragement from home — then she dried her eyes and got to work.

“Some of these men and women have been in combat for months and never received a card or letter telling them that they are appreciated,” said Hansen. “I think, whether people support the war or not, we all need to support our heroes.”
( ... )
In fact, she and the children in her day care — who have colored more than 300 pictures for the troops — regularly get return letters. And they receive first-hand accounts about the hardship brought by weather that often tops 120 degrees and hard-hitting hail that forces everyone to run for cover.

Hansen said her most touching story was the follow-up to a request from a platoon leader who wanted dozens of colorings from the children.

He told her that the bright pictures had been hung on the dark walls of an old and dank prison that his men had secured and were bunking in.

“He said that we gave them hope and determination to get the job done and come home safe,” said Hansen.

“You asked in your letter if I needed anything. Not really. Your letters are enough.... "

Terri is also a supporter of our mission here at Soldiers' Angels Germany. Thanks for all you do, Terri.

Won't you step up and become a Soldiers' Angel?

Thanks, but No Thanks

Alaska villages reject Venezuela oil

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - In Alaska's native villages, the punishing winter cold is already coming through the walls of the lightly insulated plywood homes, many of the villagers are desperately poor, and heating-oil prices are among the highest in the nation.

And yet a few villages are refusing free heating oil from Venezuela, on the patriotic principle that no foreigner has the right to call their president "the devil."
( ... )
"As a citizen of this country, you can have your own opinion of our president and our country. But I don't want a foreigner coming in here and bashing us," said Justine Gunderson, administrator for the tribal council in the Aleut village of Nelson Lagoon. "Even though we're in economically dire straits, it was the right choice to make."

And then there are those who make the wrong choices.

Soldiers' Angels Presented with Army National Guard Coins

Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Lt Gen Steven Blum
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief, CSM David Hudson

I recently had the privilege of accepting these coins at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on behalf of our 80,000 members and our Founder, Patti Patton-Bader. Soldiers' Angels is honored to support the Citizen Soldiers of the US Army National Guard.

Making a Difference, One Soldier at a Time - Part 2

Received by Soldiers' Angel and Blankets of Hope sewer Casey:

My name is [redacted] and my husband developed a serious infection and went into kidney failure while in Afghanistan.

He was flown into Germany in August and had some surgery.

While in Germany my husband was given a backpack from Soldiers Angels. In there was the beautiful quilt you made and donated. You don't know how much it meant to him to receive the quilt. He was so far away from home, away from family and friends, and was in terrible physical shape. That was one of the first things he told me about when he called me from Landstuhl.

When I arrived here he pulled the quilt out and I read your note. We both cried. I told him there are good people in this world and there are people who appreciate the sacrificies that the soldiers and their families make.

God has given you a wonderful gift, not just of quilt making but the gift of kindness. My husband has that gift too - that's why he volunteered to serve in Afghanistan - he wanted to help not only the people that could not help themselves, but to help Americans stay safe in their own country. I am very proud of what he has done.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I know you have touched many lives just as you have touched ours.

We will cherish that quilt forever. We are expecting our first grandchild on Christmas Day. Thje quilt will make a wonderful addition to our "nursery"- you know, grandparents always have to have their own nurseries too!!

Please take care. When my husband has completely recovered and our lives calm down again I plan on helping Soldiers' Angels in some way. I can't make quilts - I can't even sew on a button.

Thank you again. You gave my husband comfort and kind words when no one else was able to.

Sincerely,
[name redacted]

Making a Difference, One Soldier at a Time

Ms. Patti Bader,

I received a backpack with some needed personal products, some clothes, a cd and a blanket. Words can't describe the appreciation I felt.

I am not sure how many responses you have received, but for those who may have forgotten or did not take the time I thank you now and may God Bless you all.

Just so you know a little about me and the incident that led me to your gracious gift. On September 11 I was on a mission when we were attacked. Myself and 3 others received shrapnel from a RPG. That is about as much as I can really tell you about that.

I am a scout platoon sergeant, have been in the Army for 13 years. I am married for over 10 years and have two wonderful boys. One is 7 the youngest is 4.

Well, I just wanted to thank you and your team for the hard work, devotion and prayers for myself and all the other Soldiers.

May God Bless you.

Sincerely,
[name redacted]

Over 700 Heroes Waiting for Angels

Many of you know that one of the most far-reaching missions of Soldiers' Angels is to match deployed troops with Angels. The Angel's job is to make sure our soldiers in the desert get some extra mail and know they are loved and supported back home.

Due to troop rotations, we currently have over 700 Soldiers and Marines waiting for Angels. Commanders on second deployments with previous Soldiers' Angels experience are submitting their entire units.

Won't you step up and become a Soldiers' Angel?

Maybe you don't know any members of our military and are wondering who these Soldiers and Marines are.

Well, take a look at this 60 second piece from MSNBC honoring our military Heroes. It's about one of your fellow countrymen, Sgt Leigh Ann Hester, the first female Soldier to receive a Silver Star since WWII.

Faces of Courge: Leigh Ann Hester


If you are unable to adopt a Soldier or Marine, please pass the word about Soldiers' Angels to your church, company, Veteran's groups, etc.

You may also want to email MSNBC to let them know how much you appreciate these tributes and that you'd like to see more coverage like this.

With thanks to John at OPFOR for uploading the video to YouTube.

Shame!

"[British] Soldiers on operations say they would rather receive a more serious injury and go to the top American military hospital in Ramstein, Germany, than end up in a [UK] NHS hospital."

Why?

Muslim accosts injured Para in hospital

A paratrooper wounded in Afghanistan was threatened by a Muslim visitor to the British hospital where he is recovering.

Seriously wounded soldiers have complained that they are worried about their safety after being left on wards that are open to the public at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.

On one occasion a member of the Parachute Regiment, still dressed in his combat uniform after being evacuated from Afghanistan, was accosted by a Muslim over the British involvement in the country.

"You have been killing my Muslim brothers in Afghanistan," the man said during a tirade.

Because the soldier was badly injured and could not defend himself, he was very worried for his safety, sources told The Daily Telegraph.

A relative of the Para said the man had twice walked on to the ward where two other soldiers and four civilians were being treated without once being challenged by staff.

"It's not the best way to treat our returning men," he said. "They are nervous that these guys might attack them and, despite being paratroopers, they cannot defend themselves because of their injuries."
( ... )
" ...Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, called the treatment of wounded troops "an absolute disgrace".

"They should be in completely separate wings even if this means shutting down entire NHS wards. It is a betrayal of our troops having them treated in mixed and open wards. Those who have been injured on operations must be with those who understand their predicament in a secure environment."

If being politically correct towards Muslims is more important to the British than proper treatment of their wounded soldiers, then Britain is lost.

Send them to us. We would be honored to care for these brave heroes.

Apologies to my like-minded British friends, but this one got to me. Please express your outrage to your government - and pass this on.

If you live near Birmingham it is time to step up, mobilize some friends, and go to Selly Oak Hospital to protect those who have sacrificed to protect you.

h/t Jihad Watch via Andi's World.

Why do emails like this make me cry?

Received by Wendy of Canadian Angels and forwarded to me:

Good Morning Wendy,

It is with great pleasure that I get to inform you that the Royal Canadian Legion, West Kootenay Zone Ladies Auxiliary has take on this wonderful project.

They had their meeting over the last weekend and will be starting to make and mail the blankets to you.

This is such a great project and we are honoured to be able to assist.

GH
Zone Commander
West Kootenay Zone
BC /Yukon Command
The Royal Canadian Legion

We've been asking for Blankets of Hope with Canadian motifs for distribution to wounded Canadian Heroes at Landstuhl, and this is just one of the many wonderful responses we've received.

Backpacks for wounded Canadian Soldiers recovering at Landstuhl hospital.

Many thanks to the Canadian Forces and their Angels. We're proud to stand with you, Canada!

Related:
Proud to Stand with You, Canada
Proud to Stand With You, Canada - Part 2
Happy Birthday America - Land of the Free Because of the Brave
Mak's Back!