For Debey

My mom, she tells a lot of lies, she never did before,
but from now until she dies, she'll tell a whole lot more.

Ask my mom how she is, and because she can't explain,
she will tell a little lie because she can't describe the pain.

Ask my mom how she is, she'll say, "I'm alright"
If that's the truth then tell me, why does she cry each night?

Ask my mom how she is, she seems to cope so well,
she doesn't have a choice, you see, nor the strength to yell.

Ask my mom how she is, "I'm fine, I'm well, I'm coping",
For God's sake mom, just tell the truth, just say your heart is breaking.

She'll love me all her life, I loved her all of mine,
But if you ask her how she is, she'll lie and say she's fine.

I am here in heaven - I cannot hug from here,
If she lies to you, don't listen - hug her and hold her near.

On the day we meet again I'll smile and I'll be bold,
I'll say, "You're lucky, mom, to get in here with all the lies you told!"

- Author Unknown

In Loving Memory
PFC Gunnar Becker
January 22, 1985 - January 13, 2005

Volunteers Gear Up for 7th Annual Blankets of Hope Marathon

This annual "Marathon" was created by Soldiers' Angels Lisa Dodson and Matt Dick of Bowie, MD who are now well underway with preparations for the 2013 Marathon. Mark your calendar if you're in the area, because you won't want to miss this terrific event! If you cannot attend, there are others ways to help - contact information can be found below.


The 2009 Blankets of Hope Marathon in Bowie, MD. Last year 200 volunteers made about 350 fleece blankets for wounded and ill service members medevaced from Iraq and Afghanistan to Landstuhl hospital in Germany.

Calling all Angels!

7th Annual Blankets of Hope Marathon

Saturday, January 26th from 9:00am -4:00pm

Ascension Catholic Church
12700 Lanham-Severn Road
Bowie, MD



Drop in anytime and stay as long as you like!

Angels of ALL ages are needed - boys, girls, teens, adults, seniors, scouts, everyone! Blankets are needed for our wounded soldiers. If you can tie a knot, you can make a Blanket of Hope. Volunteers will be on hand to show you what to do.

What is a Blanket of Hope?

A “Blanket of Hope” is simply that - a blanket created from love to provide hope and comfort to a wounded hero during one of the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives. These Blankets of Hope are sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the Middle East, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and to some military hospitals here at home. It is a powerful thing for a wounded hero to know that someone cares.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring 2 yards of a printed fleece (masculine or unisex) and 2 yards of a matching solid fleece, scissors and a yardstick or ruler.

For additional information, please contact Lisa Dodson lisa.dodson@verizon.net 301-80501085 or Maureen Barber maureen.barber167@gmail.com 301-928-0603.

Event organizers Lisa Dodson, Maureen Barber, and Valerie Potter.



See more photos of the 2010 marathon at the main SA website here, and photos of the 2009 event here.

Believe in Miracles

From First Coast News:

"Ryan went from death's door, to now he's on the doorstep of a promising future because of this miracle, and everybody's prayers," said his Mom.

1st Lt. Ryan Timoney's recovery truly has been a miracle.

Grab a tissue and watch the video.

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 2012.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2013.

Person of The Year 2003

On December 29, 2003, three 1st Armored Division Soldiers appeared on the cover of TIME magazine. They represented "The American Soldier" - all men and women in uniform - who were chosen as Time's 2003 Person of the Year.

For uncommon skills and service, for the choices each one of them has made and the ones still ahead, for the challenge of defending not only our freedoms but those barely stirring half a world away, the American soldier is TIME's Person of the Year.
...

It is worth remembering that our pilots and sailors and soldiers are, for starters, all volunteers, in contrast to most nations, which conscript those who serve in their armed forces. Ours are serving in 146 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The 1.4 million men and women on active duty make up the most diverse military in our history, and yet it is not exactly a mirror of the country it defends. It is better educated than the general population and overweighted with working-class kids and minorities. About 40% of the troops are Southern, 60% are white, 22% are black, and a disproportionate number come from empty states like Montana and Wyoming. When they arrive at the recruiter's door, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told TIME, "they have purple hair and an earring, and they've never walked with another person in step in their life. And suddenly they get this training, in a matter of weeks, and they become part of a unit, a team. They're all sizes and shapes, and they're different ages, and they're different races, and you cannot help when you work with them but come away feeling that that is really a special thing that this country has."

The article is worth reading again, and can be found here.

2012 Year In Photos

FIREFIGHT - U.S. Army Spc. Robert Zarlenga, front, fires his M4 carbine at insurgent forces near Joint Security Station Hasan in southern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, June 15, 2012. Zarlenga is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod.

NIGHT PATROL - U.S. Marines exit a compound in Agha Ahmad in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Aug. 27, 2012. The Marines are assigned to Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ed Galo.
Just two of the great collection of 2012's Year in Photos from the Department of Defense.

A-10s provide air support to Santa, ground troops

An A-10 “Thunderbolt” takes off at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, for a mission on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The A-10, or more affectionately known as the “Warthog”, has served in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal for over 40 years and continues to provide effective close air support to ground troops. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Henry Chan, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Public Affairs)

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.

At Christmastime and always, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines serving all over the world hold a special place in our hearts.

Your Soldiers' Angels Team in Germany

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.

Gold Star Christmas

To our Gold Star families, with love.


Merry Christmas from Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don't have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
In a new special place

I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year.

--John Wm. Mooney, Jr