Supporting Our Troops through Soldiers Angels

Often when reading the MSM and other sources of news it seems that our troops aren't getting very much support and aren't feeling the support that we long to give them. It might seem that those that are actively supporting our troops with letters, carepackages, emails and other forms of support are a small section of our population...a more 'socially/militarily conscious' minority. And if your only source of news on this subject is the MSM, then you really never get to read many of the good stories that should be told. (And by the way, there are currently more than 45,000 Angels in the Soldiers' Angels program...and that's just one organization supporting our troops!)

As a Soldiers Angel I get to hear so many good stories that I couldn't possibly share them all here, but I'm going to share a few. You see, Soldiers Angels has a message board (forum type website) for members. Both soldiers and angels alike daily bombard that message board with requests for help, stories that are amazing, and thank-yous, successes, news....you name it - if it's relevant in some way it's on there. While most of these stories will never be told by the MSM, they are worth telling.

From Soldiers Angel Sarah:

Following is a letter I received from the Commanding Officer of a young infantry soldier that I had been writing to and sending packages to in the summer of 2003. He didn't write back too often, but in one of his rare letters he wrote about how great it was to be getting support since his unit had just been "hit" by an RPG and he had lost several of his buddies. He had a close call himself and was very shaken by the experience. He said that getting letters of support had helped him get through those difficult times. In the spring of 2004, I received a note saying that his unit was leaving Baghdad and thanking me again for all the support (he also enclosed a snapshot so I could finally "meet" him).
Dec 18, 2003

Dear "Army Mom,"

Just wanted to take a second to tell you what happened in Iraq today. It was raining - and I was just coming in to my headquarters when when I passed by one of my newer soldiers - an immigrant from the former Soviet Union - and one of my BEST privates.

I was stopped in my tracks, for behold - on such a dreary day he was smiling. I was being funny (at first) and I said "awww you got a package with some goodies? Who sent that to you?" And as I expected to hear him say "my mom (or something like that)" he turned his face to me and said "I don't know...." he had a smile on his face.....and as I saw his eyes glazing he said " ...that's why I was smiling" and at that my eyes began to glaze too.

I can never take for granted their service, not for one minute - not for one second. And now...even in a hell like this - God has sent yet another Angel.

I'll bet you didn't know that did you? How truly amazing - how close we come to God in such a far away place.

And how silly I am for thinking that this private's safety is for me only to keep. Seems there are many who share this burden-and make me sleep sound.

You made one of my soldiers smile today - sitting there by himself - and for that, you have touched my soul.

I'd thank you, but that's not why Angels do what they do (I know). So instead I'll just say - Well Done! You can rest easy, message received. And I'll do my best to bring them home. I owe God one ;-)

Thank you from my soul,

PS From the Fourth Army son of a mom like you no doubt.

From the soldiers in the Soldiers Angels program...messages sent to SA on 9-17-05:

"I just want to thank you for all the support that you have giveing us over here.We apperciate all that u have done for us over here. And we all hope that we return home soon."

"Thank you for providing this service for us in OEF!We really appreciate what you do for us."

"I would like Thank You for thinking of us by doing what you all do for us."

"Thank you for being here for all the soldiers here in Iraq we really appreciate it."

"I just want to say thank you for all of your care and support."

"I'm 19 and this is my first time here and am here for 12 months. I love the support from back home."

"JUST THANKS A LOT!"

"I think this is a great program and appreciate all the support from these wonderful people!"

"I just want to say thank you for everything that you are doing because it really means a lot to us over here."

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO TAKE CARE OF US WHEN WE ARE SO FAR FROM HOME."

"We know that there is a lot of people back in the states that support us and what we are doing over here. From all of us we thank you with all our hearts! May god bless all of you!"

"I am not quite sure how my soldiers and I got on Soldiers Angels. About 6 or 7 months ago we started receiving letters and packages. It was a welcome surprise to us and one we knew nothing of. We have received letters and e-mails from all over the U.S. With only 4 or 5 months of our 1 year deployment remaining I just wanted to take this chance to say thank you. You are in our hearts and in our prayers. On behalf of my son C (Iraq) my daughter C (Iraq) my section and myself (Big Sand Box). Thank you and God Bless."

I want to add that these are the message from 9/17 alone. Soldiers Angels gets this many and more messages each day from soldiers. So what are the other messages SA gets? Messages requesting support. Why should you actively get involved in supporting our troops? Messages like these (these come in every day):

"This is my second deployment out here and it gets ruff sometimes.Its hard to keep spirits high out here because of many reasons one big reason its hard its because of the loss of friends.I have lossed three friends during this deployment and it is very hard to have high spirts after that."

"please send snacks and letters, we are all trying so hard."

"I truly want to thank you for what you do it is for soldiers like me that you do what you do. I am kind of lonely out here and don't have much family. Anything that you can send from the kindness of your heart would be greatly appreciated. I really love DVD's any type. Once again thank you sooooo much."

"I'm a father of almost two, i have one on the way and because of this there isnt much my wife can send me. Even simple things like cookies or candy. I dont have a large family anyway and most of my family is in the same boat. I'm not sure if there is anything i desperately need maybe just to know that there are more people who care. We hear about the anti-war protests and it doesnt make us feel good. We know there are a lot of people who do care, I would just like to see more support from those people. It seems the ant-war people have a louder voice. I do appreciate the people who do these kind of things and any package or letter is something truly wonderful for everyone. thanks"

"Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers for without them I would not be able to make it. I'm in need of toiletry items such as shaving cream and toothpaste. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.Thank you!"

"I AM 23 YEAR OLD MALE FROM NORTH CAROLINA. IM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN IRAQ. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND ME ANYTHING I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I FEEL ITS AMAZING THAT WE HAVE STRONG SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU BEHIND UP. THANKS!"

Want to read more messages to SA?
Soldier Messages to Soldiers Angels...8/13-14
Soldier Messages to Soldiers Angels for 8-5

But the amazing letters and stories don't stop there! Here's a story of my own... Letters that make it all worthwhile. The good stories, the positive stories, the stories that show support from total strangers, complete civilians, cashiers at the store...the list goes on and on. Here are a few other good stories you should read if you think America doesn't support our troops or want to see how they are being supported:
Military Families Not Forgotten - A Mother's Day Story

The Movie Store Owner and $500 Worth Of New Releases

Soldier Support in a Tough Neighborhood

One Heck of a Day at the Airport!

The links above are just my stories, but I assure you they are but a drop in the ocean! There are 45,000 other angels just like me with stories all their own, and many more stories of my own on my own blog (SAHA).

So how can YOU help? There are many ways to get involved in actively supporting our troops with support they can FEEL. Here are a few:

You can sign-up to write letters to soldiers in need of support by becoming a Soldiers Angel. You can also donate money to SA to support these wonderful projects and operations:
URGENT NEED FOR FIRST RESPONSE BACKPACKS
Project Valour-IT
Operation Holiday Spirit
Operation Soldiers Helping Children
Operation Christmas From Home
Operation PC's For Wounded
Hero Packs
Blankets of Hope
Operation Phone Home
Armor Up Our Heroes Humvees
Saving Soles
Living Trees For Fallen Heroes
Donate Air Miles
Pennsylvania Projects
Tennessee WHP Project of Hope
24/7 Military Support Network
Healing Heroes

Over the next 2 weeks I will highlight some of these programs with success stories, needs, and other great information. The support of our troops is great, greater than the MSM would have us believe...and it should become so great that it makes more news than the negative stories - out of sheer volume!

Cross-posted at Soldiers Angel - Holly Aho.