Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Commander Sims Welcomes West Point Cadets into MOPH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield, VA November 24, 2009
National Commander Jim Sims Welcomes Five West Point Cadets into The Military Order of the Purple Heart
On Saturday, November 14, National Commander Jim Sims was invited to attend a football game between the USMA and VMI at West Point. Between quarters, Commander Sims and five Cadets, each of whom was a Purple Heart recipient, were called to the 30 yard line, where he presented each Cadet with a lifetime membership in the MOPH, a Purple Heart commemorative wristwatch, and his personal "Commander's Challenge Coin." Amid the thunderous cheers of their fellow cadets, the following cadets were recognized:
Cadet Tyler Gordy, Class of 2010 and First Captain of the Corps of Cadets, is a Purple Heart recipient from Newcastle, California. While on patrol in Mosul, Iraq on September 12, 2003 a thrown hand grenade exploded inside his vehicle, leaving Cadet Gordy with shrapnel wounds to his legs, arm, and face. Despite his injuries, Cadet Gordy returned fire, giving others time to provide medical care and remove his fellow wounded soldiers from further danger.
Cadet Matthew Gilbert, Class of 2011, a Purple Heart recipient from Belgrade, Maine was conducting maneuvers during an engagement in Mosul, Iraq on September 17, 2005. After clearing and securing the first of three houses containing hostile enemy, CDT Gilbert's squad came under heavy enemy machine gun fire. In the ensuing battle, Cadet Gilbert was struck in the forehead by shrapnel from an RPK round.
Cadet Benjamin Ordiway, Class of 2012, a Purple Heart recipient from Champion, Michigan was clearing a canal road of mines in Turki, Iraq on November 15, 2006, to allow access to set up a hasty patrol base. Cadet Ordiway was providing security for the entry point just as one of the gun trucks passed over an emplaced mine, wounding Cadet Ordiway with debris from the engine block.
Cadet Idi Mallari, Class of 2012, a Purple Heart recipient from Chicago, Illinois was conducting operations at a patrol base in As Sadah, Iraq on April 23, 2007, when two SVBIED's penetrated their perimeter barriers and exploded, killing 9 and injuring more than 30 of his fellow paratroopers. CDT Mallari himself sustained shrapnel wounds and abrasions from the two blasts.
Cadet Sean Staggs, Class of 2013, a Purple Heart recipient from Alta Loma, California was on a combat patrol in Baghdad, Iraq on October 21, 2007, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The explosion shattered Cadet Staggs' left ankle.
According to Cadet Mallari a few days later, "Many cadets have come to me and thanked me for my service more than ever, and I think cadets understand the sacrifice Soldiers in the service make every day in combat. They appreciate what Soldiers do. The ceremony was a great opportunity to remind the Corps of Cadets that as cadets, we need to get ready to lead the men in the Army once we graduate USMA."
The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.
For information contact:
National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535
Email: PublicRelations@Purpleheart.org
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Join Rosie O'Donnell And In Their Boots For A Special Screening
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
help for the holidays
This winter, an estimated 140,000 U.S. military personnel will be serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, in combat environments or in support of combat operations. Some will be on their 4th or 5th deployments--spending yet another Holiday away from the loving arms of family and friends. We want them to know that they are remembered, that we are thinking of them during the winter Holiday Season, and that we are grateful for their service. Since we can't all wrap our arms around them in person to show how much we love and appreciate them, Soldiers' Angels needs your help to make sure each one of America's heroes is Wrapped in Holiday Spirit.
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit & Blankets of Belief
Please help us make sure that our deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines this Holiday Season know: "We haven't forgotten you, we support you, and we believe in you!"
Handmade <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=blankets-of-belief">"Blankets of Belief"</a> form the heart of the Soldiers' Angels Wrapped in Holiday Spirit care packages for the 2009 Holiday Season. These special Blankets are designed to tell America's service men and women, "We believe in you." When deployed service members receive a Blanket of Belief, they know that somebody back home remembers them, that somebody labored over a handmade blanket with love and belief in them. Along with the handmade Blanket, each Wrapped in Holiday Spirit care package includes a collection of yummy snacks, socks, and a holiday card with a personal note of thanks and support.
Many Ways to Help
* Spread the word with a <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/uploads/wihs-tear_off_flier-2.pdf">general info flyer</a>, or a flyer about s<a href="http://soldiersangels.org/uploads/WiHS-cards.pdf">ending holiday greeting cards [pdf files]</a>.
* Make a <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=blankets-of-belief">Blanket of Belief</a> (we have a no-sew-option!)
*<a href="http://www.angelsstore.org/product_p/minhfhgiftbag.htm"> Donate a complete care package</a> (you can now donate <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=166&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=15">in honor of someone</a>) or contribute <a href="http://www.angelsstore.org/product_p/sahotchcolatepk.htm">hot chocolate packets</a> toward care packages - select "Any Hero" for shipping address
* Donate other care package items: gum, candy/health bars, Tootsie Rolls, and white or khaki athletic/boot socks. Please include a note inside each box that contains your name, address, phone number, and an itemized list of contents with estimated value. Click <a href="https://www.dollardays.com/soldiersangels/wishlist.html">here </a>to purchase bulk items at a discount rate and ship directly to Soldiers' Angels.
Soldiers' Angels
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218
Soldiers' Angels
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit
112 Greenhill Road
Ramseur NC 27316
Soldiers' Angels
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit
914 Tourmaline Dr
Newbury Park, CA 91320
* Help cover the cost of shipping 140,000 care packages overseas
Soldiers' Angels
Wrapped in Holiday Spirit
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
Soldiers' Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for details.
140,000 Care Packages!
Please help Soldiers' Angels place a gift and personal message of support into the hands of each deployed military man and woman this December. Help us tell them, "We believe in you!"
We are committed to providing Wrapped in Holiday Spirit care packages to every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's around 140,000 gifts to purchase, assemble, and ship halfway around the world! This is a big challenge but with your support and our wonderful group of hard-working volunteers, it can be done!
...I am part of [an] Air Control Squadron deployed to Iraq. I would like to thank your organization for the care package I received on Thanksgiving Day here in Iraq. The contents were very thoughtful and useful, and I greatly appreciated it. I would also like to thank the young ladies of Brownie Troop 547 in Buxton, Maine for their Christmas card.
Being away from our families and loved ones at this time of year is a definite hardship and this package has helped deal with the stresses of deployed life. Thank you again and God Bless you. - Captain A.B.
"To those that have taken their time to prepare the packages for soldier's here in Iraq: Thank you so much for the kind Christmas thoughts. Please see the attached. Happy holidays!! - MSG Hyer
Tremendous thanks to Business Christmas cards leader <a href="http://www.gallerycollection.com/">Prudent Publishing</a> for their generous donation of cards for the care packages... for the third year in a row!
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
Jump on Board Project Valour-IT
Seems it is all the rage to have an armed force Soldiers' Angels <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it">Valour-IT thermometer widget</a> on a blog or website right now! It is not too late to join in, the fundraiser does not end until November 11th.
1.There are a variety of items up for Valour-IT auction. Go bid on one of <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/spliffslips/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">them</a>!
2. Go <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it">register</a> your blog or website to join one of the 4 teams and get your own thermometer widget.
3. Make a donation - no matter how small. Remember 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase & delivery of technology to our wounded heroes.
4. Tell everyone you know about Project Valour-IT! Create a viral email or put on you Facebook wall.
5. Buy a fabulous gift for yourself or for someone for the holidays from one of the businesses supporting Valour-IT. Or <a href="http://flagstillstandsforfreedom.com/Valour-IT_Raffle.html">buy</a> register for the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas quilt.
Though either Army, Air Force, Navy/Coast Guard, or Marines will be declared the winner of the competition and will gain bragging rights until next year, our wounded heroes are the winners! Go Project Valour-IT!
1.There are a variety of items up for Valour-IT auction. Go bid on one of <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/spliffslips/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">them</a>!
2. Go <a href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it">register</a> your blog or website to join one of the 4 teams and get your own thermometer widget.
3. Make a donation - no matter how small. Remember 100% of proceeds go directly to purchase & delivery of technology to our wounded heroes.
4. Tell everyone you know about Project Valour-IT! Create a viral email or put on you Facebook wall.
5. Buy a fabulous gift for yourself or for someone for the holidays from one of the businesses supporting Valour-IT. Or <a href="http://flagstillstandsforfreedom.com/Valour-IT_Raffle.html">buy</a> register for the opportunity to win a beautiful Christmas quilt.
Though either Army, Air Force, Navy/Coast Guard, or Marines will be declared the winner of the competition and will gain bragging rights until next year, our wounded heroes are the winners! Go Project Valour-IT!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
TODAY Shelle and Patti declare war....Hairless for Our Heroes - Soldiers’ Angels Volunteers Vow to Shave Heads for $100,000
Hairless for Our Heroes
Soldiers' Angels Volunteers Vow to Shave Heads for $100,000
Pasadena, CA November 3, 2009 – Members of Soldiers' Angels' volunteer leadership have raised the stakes on this year's online Valour-IT Veterans Day fundraising competition, which helps provide America's wounded soldiers with voice-controlled laptops and other technology that supports their physical and psychological recovery.
Divided among four "virtual teams," a wide variety of bloggers and other New Media mavens have been competing online since October 26 to inspire the most donations to help wounded troops by Veterans Day, November 11. If the teams of online fundraisers can blast through their collective goal of $140,000 and bring in an additional $100,000 in donations, founder Patti Patton-Bader and National Communications Director Shelle Michaels have promised to shave their heads in honor of the achievement.
In just over four years, Project Valour-IT has given 4,100 voice-controlled laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and has supplied additional items that may be a surprising fit in a recovery regimen--Wii game systems and handheld GPS devices.
"This project changes lives," says Patton-Bader. "Wounded heroes say that being able to use a laptop helps them feel whole again. Physical therapists are actually designing therapy sessions around Wii Sports! And something as normal as a handheld GPS reduces stress and helps a hero cope. With all that this project can do for our heroes, I'm happy to shave my head if it will motivate donations!"
Each of the devices Valour-IT supplies helps restore confidence and independence. Voice-activated laptops reconnect the wounded with the world and develop self-confidence by showing soldiers they can continue to be engaged and productive despite their injuries. Physical therapists report Wii Sports and similar programs are extremely beneficial when used in physical therapy settings. Wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI and severe PTSD use GPS systems to keep from getting disoriented when they move on to more independent living.
Details of the current fundraising competition are available at www.soldiersangels.org and www.valour-it.blogspot.com. Donations can be made online at Soldiers' Angels, or by sending checks or money orders to Soldiers' Angels, Valour-IT Fund, 1792 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104.
Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, veterans and military families. For more information, www.soldiersangels.org or 623-570-3903. Tax ID# 20-0583415
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