Beef Jerky---A Taste of Home for US Soldiers Around the World

Imagine being far away from home, away from your family, and facing some of the harshest climates and conditions on Earth. Our men and women of the military deal with those conditions every day!

Sons and daughters, fathers and mothers---our soldiers are out there. They're out at sea, in foreign countries, in constant physical danger, and the main reason they're doing all this is to protect an ideal! That ideal is the natural yearning of the human spirit to be free to pursue a life of happiness.

Throughout history, soldiers have treasured the letters, communications, and memories of home. Photographs, lockets, mementos, recordings---all bring memories of home to the battlefields, war zones, and encampments, helping to make an extreme situation a little easier. We decided we'd like to help, by providing a way to send a taste of home to our men and women in the US military.

Soldiers' Angels is an Internet community with thousands of angels worldwide, growing stronger with new members joining daily. House of Jerky is proud to help in the mission of forging a link between America and those brave souls who don't get to come home each night after work. If they can't come home just yet, we'll help send a little taste of home to them!

Soldiers' Angels was started by Patti Patton-Bader, Sgt. Brandon Varn's mom. Like so many Americans, Brandon and his mother consider themselves to be "just ordinary folks." And like so many Americans, they're among the countless unsung heroes who represent the unstoppable spirit of America.

In the summer of 2003, Sgt. Varn mentioned in a letter the many young men and women he knew who didn't have anyone at home to give them encouragement. They didn't have a family or loved ones to write them emails or letters. In some cases, they didn't have anyone at all.

Patti decided to do something about it. She didn't apply for a government grant, develop planning committees, or make a big fuss. Instead, she went out and talked with friends and neighbors, and began to organize an effort to let these far-away soldiers know that we care about them!

Today, Soldier's Angels helps to brings support and encouragement to foreign battlefields everywhere. They've sent thousands of letters and "care" packages to our soldiers deployed around the world. The organization tries to help make life a little easier for wounded men and women in military hospitals, and reaches out to military families in need.

We found Soldier's Angels, and asked what we could do to help. As a small business, House of Jerky has enjoyed all the benefits of the American Dream. We've been free to create our business, run it, and to own the results of our work. How could we have done any of this without the freedom our soldiers are fighting for?

And now we're promoting the organization here. We want everyone to know about this wonderful organization, and hope that you'll join. All you're asked to do is to make an overseas soldier part of your extended family. Write a letter, send a package, and let them know that you care about what they're doing!

Remember when you've been away, how great it was to get a note or a care package? Just think what it means when you're broiling in the desert sun, or freezing on an Afghanistanian mountain. Not everyone has what it takes to be a warrior, but all of us can take a few moments out of our busy lives to let our soldiers know they're not alone.