Soldier's Angels

[Berta]

Last night the SVR broadcast featured a young woman named Toni Laird who spoke about the work of her organization-

Soldier's Angels-

http://soldiersangels.org/

I feel everyone listening in could not help but be impressed by the incredible amount of volunteer work this organization is doing.

Please check out their home page

They have Adopt a vet, Submit a vet programs, they provide all sorts of items to new veterans,

items that they need right away like toileteries,phone cards, blankets, the list is endless-first response backpacks, Chaplain input, this is an extraordinary effort by ordinary people for extraordinary heroes that our returning veterans truly are.

I was mesmerized by Toni's enthusiam in decribing their work and what they hope to accomplish-

I had some ideas for the organization that I am bringing to a Chaplain locally-that could help create a liason they need at the reserve centers-

or at least information at every reserve center on this remarkable organization-

The VA Chaplain-a good friend of mine- is also active Reserves- and found that it was a shock for some combat vets -returning to their reserve unit- to try to fit back in again- found their war experience had altered them even as reservists who have more reserve drill time etc to finish at the Reserve centers.

Please check out the link on this superb organization.

"Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.

In December of 2004 a worldwide support forum was created in the hopes of providing a place where the needs of our heroes could be fulfilled.

In July 2006 this ordinary mothers youngest son, Bretton Varn started Boot Camp and looks forward to serving his country.

May God Bless Our Troops"

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This is one of the most helpful sites I have ever seen. This woman Tony Laird, is beyond great. Listening to the show acutally made me break down for a while. It is wonderful that Newer Vets will not be treated like VN war Vets.

You can listen to the program at the archive at Stardust Radio after it is posted.

http://www.stardustent.com/svr.htm

[Stretch]

This is a YouTube video of what some of the Soldiers Angels are doing to help.

[Berta]

Mike- I emailed our local VA Chaplain about this program-

he had just gotten a phone call from the Chaplaincy VA in DC regarding many new outreach ventures which may have included the Soldiers Angels-

he will let me know what that is all about-

He himself as an active reservist mentioned the problems of newly returning reservists to the reserve center from Iraq- but gave me no definitive answer on just what the Reserves themselves are doing to help-

He has a TDY job with some clout in Wash DC now- as well as local VA Chaplaincy-so maybe he could help Toni find liason here in NY-- I sent him her email addy-

All I could do is send them some money- I am overwhelmed as it is -

as far as volunteering goes for them-

The DAV and AL and VFW do some great work locally at the VA and it seems to me they could all tie in together with VA Voluntary Services-

I only gripe about their service departments- not the rest of these orgs-

they do plenty.

Even if they would put out some sort of brochure or something from Soldiers Angels at the next Veterans Day shindigs at the VAMCs-or even in the canteens or bulletin boards there-it would be great and help pass the word on this great org.