A Thank You Brings a Smile

Well for those of you who follow my blog you know I haven’t been writing, in fact I’ve been asking you to write postcards and send them to me. This past Saturday I was part of a very special ceremony. I wanted to thank a WWII Veteran. I started by asking fellow members of Soldiers Angels for postcards and then writing a blog about Edward Middleton a 94 year old WWII veteran. Well it seems my postcard book has made a splash.

Here is the link to the Army’s news feed, complete with photos.

WWII Vet Edward Middleton

I must first thank everyone who took time out of their lives to send me a postcard.

I must thank the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (formerly the 30th Infantry Division) for their participation. SSG LeCompte, (and the other members whose names I’m sorry I don’t have) did an awesome job.

Last but not forgotten my husband Sgt Feinstein who helped me every step of the way.

I don’t do this for the recognition I just want to make a difference.

Flying with the angels, while keeping my foot up

I’ve been very busy, between nursing my bad ankle and doing a ton of volunteer work I have not had a whole lot of time to post. What kind of volunteer work can I do with my leg up? Soldiers Angels, it’s been a time of letter writing. Then I was contacted by a friend who happens to be an Army chaplain. He relayed a very tragic story.

I just find out about a Soldier’s wife who is in need of prayer. I cannot disclose his identity nor his wife’s. But please open your heart and beg the Almighty to show compassion upon this Family.
They were just a bit more than a year ago. He deployed shortly thereafter and while saddened having to leave his beloved, he was elated to be married to her.
Unfortunately, he was met with some troubling news: His bride, the mother to-be of his son, was diagnosed with cancer after the OB/GYN discovered a growth during a routine ultrasound. Yet, they remained hopeful that she would beat it and deliver a healthy child.
Several weeks later, he received wonderful news that he was going to become a father.
He spent his time downrange excitedly anticipating his return home.

Last week, this brave woman delivered her premature daughter via Cesarian section. It was then that she and her husband were given the crushing blow: The cancer had metastasized and invaded every major organ in her body. She has already been placed in hospice care. We are doing what we can to provide and care for them.

So I’ve been organizing cards and letters from Soldiers Angels for this family. Then one angel had a wonderful idea of celebrating all of the major holidays in six weeks by mailing the family theme boxes for each of the holidays. I know I have mentioned this incredible bunch of unsung heroes before, but this time I think they are truly going above and beyond the call. Most of what I have been doing is communicating with the chaplain, and passing information back to the angels. Yep, typing, nothing I can’t do without my foot up.

I wonder if I would have had the time to do this if my ankle had not been injured. They say everything happens for a reason, maybe this is why I injured my ankle. So I’d slow down and help this wonderful family facing this terrible tragedy.

Well now back to work on the novel I’m sure there are Many Blessings to come… (hint)

Amazing Angels who accomplish many things wingtip to wingtip.

An Angel is a giver of kindness and mercy. While this might be said of all, I know the most amazing angels of all.

They are Soldiers Angels.

A group of unsung heroes from all walks of life. They have one thing in common. A wish that “May No Soldier Go Unloved.”

These angels open their hearts to help the soldiers, they ask nothing in return.

The biggest gift you can give one of these angels is a thank you. If you really want to make their day and you’re deployed “Free Mail” is a huge present.

As an Army wife I’ve chatted with lots of soldiers, the ones who have been supported by a Soldiers Angel have the most wonderful things to say. I have been amazed by the support given by the angels many times and in more than one way.

All I can say is that the world is a much better place thanks to this wonderful group.

I know of no words that can truely say that would express how I feel about this wonderful group that I am blessed to be part of.

Volunteer Luncheon

I was voluntold by several people to attend a luncheon today. With me being on crutches and using a wheel chair for bigger outings I was reluctant. I am also not a fan of praise for the volunteer things I do, I prefer to fly under the radar.

I want to share with you the lovely word my husband wrote about me and my volunteer work (He didn’t want to write the blog post so…)

My wife Ann:

Ann does more good than anyone knows.

She is always smiling, and willing to help.

She’ll get up at 3am to make coffee for the FRG, or make beds for returning soldiers. She’ll even turn the living room into a warehouse or drive cross-country to get something that’s needed.

She’ll stay up late listening to a vet friend who just needs an ear.

Then at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum she’ll watch and chat with visitors, and take a few photos.

Sometimes she surprises me. To quote her when I told her she was getting an award and the XO had been asking about her.

“The best way to see into my heart is to read my blog.”

I can’t count the times she’s told me she’s up to something with that grin, and it’s always good mischief.

She’s an angel at heart, a true Soldiers Angel. (As long as she’s had her coffee.)

This is the award I received I could not have achieved this without the help of my Soldiers Angels friends. Wingtip to wingtip we can do anything. I thank all of my angel friends and supporters.

What have I been up to?

Well I took a road trip. Why? I turned a simple trip that could have been done in 2 days and turned it into a 3000 + mile road trip. Why?

I decided that using the car and driving I could get more done.

I left my home in NC and headed out for OK. I did have a traveling companion, Philip our kitten.

Philip had never been on a long road trip before, but he eventually adjusted.

I stopped in OK to see my Dad. The went on to Fort Riley in KS to help another Army wife.

After completing this I stopped in to see Dad once more before leaving OK. Then I headed down to San Antonio TX.

I was headed for the Soldiers Angels warehouse.

Here I dropped off the extra items we had from the drive for items for the barracks rooms of single soldiers returning from deployment, and picked up the blankets I needed to complete this task.

Sidetracked note this is just a few of the coins and other items that are proudly shown off at the Soldiers Angels warehouse.

With my van reloaded with 75 handmade blankets, I once again took to the road. Next stop Huntsville AL. I was stopping there to meet a soldier I had adopted through a few tours.

The next morning I took off for home, only to be struck by the desire to get my husband some of his favorite bagels. When I realized I would not make it to the bagel shop in time I had to call in the reinforcements.

My in-laws were more than happy to pick up my last minute order and meet me just off the interstate. Now having the bagels, and a few other goodies secured in my van I rolled for home.

I arrived tired but pleased with everything I had accomplished on this trip.

Now I need to get back to my Novel. Another chapter awaits, a freshly created one that was not in the original outline.