Auld Lang Syne

To friends and loved ones who can't be with us; and to those who are no longer with us.

You are always in our hearts.

Auld Lang Syne (to days gone by)... farewell 2010.

Blanket of Hope x 90!

Carole Kirkwood of the Sunshine Club in Wilmington, CA sent along these photos and information about one of their latest creations:

I have finally finished the "scrap" quilt. It took 714 squares - 357 being the corners of blankets made for the soldiers. It took 90 blankets to get the scraps needed. The back side is denim with ragged edges (357 denim squares). The quilt will be raffled by the Sunshine Club to earn money for yardage.

What a terrific idea!

The Sunshine Club and other friends of Linda Ferrara have lovingly made and sent hundreds of blankets for our Wounded Warriors recovering at Landstuhl hospital.

We thank them for their ongoing dedication and support of those who have sacrificed so much for all of us. We love you, ladies!

Marine injured in Afghanistan gets Purple Heart for Christmas

Gen. James F. Amos, 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, pins Cpl. Kevin B. Walker of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, with the Purple Heart medal during an award ceremony in Musa Qal'eh, Dec. 25. Walker was awarded the Purple Heart after receiving shrapnel and a concussion from an improvised explosive device blast while on patrol. Photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Hines.

Video Story: Christmas with the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan

In a follow up to Soldiers' Angels & BAE Help Military Families Send Care Packages (with raw video), FOX News reports on the arrival of the packages in Afghanistan. (Tissue alert!)

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Tree at Landstuhl Hospital Fisher House. Photo: Soldiers' Angels.


And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.

For unto you
is born this day in the city
of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.


Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of our generous supporters. May you find joy this holiday season knowing you have uplifted our Wounded Warriors through the priceless gift of love.

For God so Loved the World

[This is an annual post.]

It was late evening when I walked by and looked into the room.

Both legs gone, way up. The rest covered with bandages and surgical draping, even his face. What was left of his arms was on boards out to both sides.

My body felt like lead. So heavy I was afraid the floor might give way beneath me. And I thought, this must be like the pain - and the love - Mary felt watching her son die for us.

Then, a voice in my head, saying over and over, “For God so loved the world, for God so loved the world... ”

I asked his nurse if I could gown up and go in.

It was Christmas Eve.




And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

"Don't feel sorry for me."

"My feet hurt", printed on the t-shirt worn by double amputee Sgt. Joey Jones as he exercises in his hometown of Dalton, GA.

"When I went there it was so another Marine could come home to his family. I want respect, not for myself, but something bigger than me, and that's love for one another."

- Marine Sgt. Joey Jones

Another great interview with Sgt. Joey Jones, home for the holidays after months of surgery and rehabilitation. (You'll remember Sgt. Jones from this CBS News story posted last week.)

Silent Night

Part of Landstuhl hospital as seen from the Fisher House. Photo: Soldiers' Angels.

"We're the ones paying the price, and we're telling you it's worthwhile."

Meet some of your Marines wounded in Afghanistan, interviewed by
CBS News' David Martin at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Hospital on the Hill

Each year during the Christmas season a cross shines brightly on the hill above the town of Landstuhl from the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center site. Photo: Soldiers' Angels.