Dear Angels,
As I've said many times, it truly takes takes a nation to heal a war. We each have to do our part in a variety of proactive ways, discovering how we can best offer a hand, show our gratitude, and create a space for adjustment. Here's one way that just tickles my wings…
Work Vessels for Veterans Making the Transition  This great new organization helps returning veterans begin civilian careers by acquiring and distributing needed start-up tools and opportunities. Their most recent project was a small farm for a wounded vet. This blueberry and blackberry farm will produce and market "Red, White and Blueberry Jam," providing the owner and other veterans with a great work opportunity during their transition. [more*]
Hike for Our Heroes Healing Across the Country  This veteran is helping heal a war with his actions, too. He's drawing in people from across the country as he hikes in honor of wounded soldiers and their families. It's another great example of how communities can welcome our veterans with open arms of love and joy while we support them in their recovery and reintegration. Please take a look at his website and consider how you can become a part of this great project. [more*]
Band of Angels Larry Van Schuyver, VA Community Team Leader  A retired Command Master Chief and disabled veteran, Larry lives in Oklahoma City. On his second tour to Iraq, he was wounded by an IED and had to leave the Navy after 32 years of service. As a Soldiers' Angel, he is known for his amazing fundraising skills, successfully pursuing a number of grants for Soldiers' Angels. When he was being treated for brain cancer at the VA recently, he got a grant for hand-held video games for other patients undergoing the long chemotherapy with him. He also spearheaded a successful effort to provide his local VA case workers with laptops so that they could better help veterans filing for disability status.
In what little spare time he has, Larry runs his online t-shirt store SittinPrettyUSA.com, donating profits from the site to VA Support and Wounded Care teams. And the tradition of service has continued with Larry's two sons—one joined the Navy and the other joined the Army. Says a friend and fellow Angel, "Since he has been injured he thinks only of other people, not himself."
From veterans helping veterans, to civilians reaching out in gratitude and respect, it truly takes a nation to heal and war. Together, wingtip to wingtip, we can each bring our love and our skills to the table to not only bring back healthy soldiers, but set them off on a great path for the rest of their lives. Wingtip to Wingtip,
Patti Patton-Bader
Soldiers' Angels Founder and CEO
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