May Is Military Appreciation Month

WHEREAS, The freedom and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are direct results of the blood shed and continued vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation; and

WHEREAS, the sacrifices that such members of the United States Armed Forces and of the family members that support them, have preserved the liberties that have enriched this nation making it unique in the world community; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress, in two thousand and four, passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all Americans to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of all of our Armed Services who have served and are now serving our Country, together with their families; and

WHEREAS, the months of May and June were selected for this display of patriotism because during these months, we celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Military Spouse Day, Loyalty Day, Armed Forces Day/Week, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Navy Day, Army Day and Flag Day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patti Patton-Bader, Founder of Soldiers' Angels, do hereby proclaim the period May 1, through June 14, 2010 as a special time to show appreciation for our military and proclaim it as NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH at Soldiers' Angels.

Patti Patton-Bader
Founder, Soldiers' Angels

Posted on: 05/05/10

Dear Angels,

Today your help is desperately needed...

As the troop buildup in Afghanistan continues, facilities and supplies are stretched-many of our troops are living in the most basic and uncomfortable conditions. As part of the counter-insurgency strategy, they are also leaving big bases and going into primitive areas where they can't easily buy hygiene supplies or even get hot food. Just today a soldier sent us this:

I'm writing on behalf of 10 soldiers attached to my unit. At this moment their living areas are deplorable: one hot meal every other week, sleeping on floors, no internet access, etc...My chaplain will make a trip to that place in one month... [They] need personal hygiene stuff--like toilet paper, baby wipes, deodorant, soap, etc. This is the only way they can receive help."

At the Combat Support Hospitals in-country and the hospitals in Germany and stateside, Angel representatives are constantly requesting more supplies. Roger Godskesen of Tactical Medical Support says he is having trouble keeping up with the demand for backpacks for the wounded, and MaryAnn in Germany describes how busy things are at Landstuhl:

As you read this, patients are being airlifted to Landstuhl hospital in Germany from Iraq and Afghanistan. Highly skilled medical staff tend to them during flight. Preparations are being made for their arrival at Landstuhl. Nursing and surgical staff are called in.

As you read this, a patient regains consciousness for the first time since being hurt and asks about his buddies. Sometimes he must be told they didn't make it.

As you read this, other patients are being prepared for departure to US medical facilities, where they will begin their recovery. Up to 700 patients are medevaced to Germany each month, making Landstuhl the busiest trauma hospital in the world.

As you read this, our troops are fighting so that you don't have to. They want you to go on with your lives - that's why they do it. But we do have an obligation to let them know we appreciate all they do for us. Please help Soldiers' Angels show our nation's heroes that no Soldier, Airman, Marine, or Sailor will ever go unloved.

As summer comes to Iraq and Afghanistan, the demand for "cool ties," sand scarves, powdered drinks, sunscreen and lip balm is high, and thousands of pounds of coffee are still requested to help our heroes stay alert; On the homefront, Operation Top Knot baby kits for infants with deployed fathers are flying off the shelves, and we have shipped hundreds and hundreds of vet packs, phonecards and sets of clothing for patients in the last three months alone.

The postage to continue this pace is staggering! We need your help! Every donation of any size helps speed one more package for a hero out the door to service members America remembers and supports them, allows us to stand with one more expectant military mother facing motherhood alone, and helps provide one more backpack to a wounded hero.

Many of them are waiting a number of weeks for their Angel to come along with personal attention and support. As the U.S. military "surges" in Afghanistan, the waiting list will continue to grow, filled with deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines facing danger amid much more austere living conditions than we've seen from Iraq.

If you have an adopted soldier right now, will you invite a friend into Soldiers' Angels or sponsor a one-time care package?

Encouragement and care from a perfect stranger connected with the soldier only by common citizenship means more than words can explain. Just one care package a month and one letter a week can make all the difference for a deployed hero who needs to know that America supports him. For a hero facing huge challenges far from home, just knowing that someone cares can make her day.

How ever you choose to show your support to America's deployed men and women, remember that showing them America has their backs is the best thing you can do for a soldier's mental health and morale. As one military wife recently wrote in a Thank You note, "May it be small or large, a gift from the heart warms the soul."

Please help warm the soul of a hero--every loving act truly makes a difference!

Military Thank You Card