Soldiers' Angels of Alabama http://www.bamaangels.org Soldiers' Angels of Alabama (a.k.a. 'Bama Angels') is a group of volunteers -- military and civilian -- living in Alabama. We are supported by the Soldiers' Angels Foundation and many private donors. It is our mission to provide aid and support to all our brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in the War on Terror. We support Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airman serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as those forward deployed throughout the world defending and protecting the freedoms we cherish. Sat, 10 May 2008 00:24:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Cullman-based Army Guard unit home next weekend http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/09/cullman-based-army-guard-unit-home-next-weekend/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/09/cullman-based-army-guard-unit-home-next-weekend/#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 00:03:43 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=54

Courtesy of The Birmingham News:

An Alabama Army National Guard unit that has spent the past eight or so months on convoy protection missions in Iraq is due back in the United States next weekend.

More than 150 members of Cullman-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment, are slated to arrive May 18 at Camp Shelby, Miss., then head to Cullman a few days later, said Gina Fulmer, wife of a battalion member, Sgt. Joseph Fuller of Argo.

Charlie Company has been based at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, since September, and its soldiers have traveled thousands of miles throughout Iraq — which they often call “Indian Country” — guarding 18-wheel supply trucks heading to and from U.S. military installations.

Fulmer said that as they wait to fly out of Kuwait, her husband and other unit members are spending their mornings at a swimming pool and the afternoons working out in a gym.

“He said the water is cold,” Fulmer said.

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/09/cullman-based-army-guard-unit-home-next-weekend/feed/ Have you thanked a soldier lately? http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/08/have-you-thanked-a-soldier-lately/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/08/have-you-thanked-a-soldier-lately/#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 16:31:46 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=53 Today is National Military Appreciation Day. Do you know a soldier’s email address? Send him or her a nice e-card thanking him/her for his/her service and support! American Greetings has a nice selection in their Celebrate the Date section.

Also, don’t forget that the Friday before Mother’s Day (tomorrow!!!) is Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

(x-posted to my blog)

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/08/have-you-thanked-a-soldier-lately/feed/ Don’t forget to vote! http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/05/dont-forget-to-vote/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/05/dont-forget-to-vote/#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 14:19:35 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=52 Just a quick reminder that today is the day we need to vote for Patti! The polls are open from 9am to 9pm EST. You can vote 10 times for each email address, so vote often!!

To vote, go here: www.nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom/vote

Patti is listed in the “Military Mom” category.

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/05/dont-forget-to-vote/feed/ My Frequently Used & Bookmarked http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/my-frequently-used-bookmarked/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/my-frequently-used-bookmarked/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 14:51:06 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=51 Here are a few entries from the Soldiers’ Angels forums that I keep bookmarked and refer to now and again. These may be useful to Bama Angels who’ve adopted a soldier:

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/my-frequently-used-bookmarked/feed/ Ft. Rucker Farewell Party Video http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/ft-rucker-farewell-party-video/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/ft-rucker-farewell-party-video/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 14:21:13 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=49 Courtesy of Lori, a video montage is available containing photos from the farewell party for the 46th Eng. Btl. at Fort Rucker a few weeks ago:

Nice work, Lori. You and your team did a great job!

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/04/ft-rucker-farewell-party-video/feed/ Operation Recruiter Appreciation http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/03/operation-recruiter-appreciation/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/03/operation-recruiter-appreciation/#comments Sat, 03 May 2008 15:55:38 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=48 I ran across a post in the Alabama Soldiers’ Angels forums from Lisa regarding the upcoming Armed Forces Day (May 17th). Gathering of Eagles is planning to set aside that day to “visit as many recruiter offices as we can and to pay some type of tribute to them,” calling it Operation Recruiter Appreciation.

An excellent idea! Recruiting is a tough and sometimes thankless job and we want to make sure that these hardworking men and women know that they are appreciated!

If you are interested in helping, contact Lisa at hottie0427 @ hotmail.com (remove the spaces before emailing).

To find your local recruiting offices, go to:
www.todaysmilitary.com/contact-a-recruiter

I plan on hitting a couple recruiters’ offices around the Birmingham metro area Friday, May 16th. Will you join me in thanking our recruiters for their service to our country?

(x-posted to my personal blog)

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/03/operation-recruiter-appreciation/feed/ Seen in the SA forums http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/seen-in-the-sa-forums/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/seen-in-the-sa-forums/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 21:01:17 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=47 I’ve been running across several really good threads in the Soldiers’ Angels forums, and thought I’d share a few of them here!

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/seen-in-the-sa-forums/feed/ Go Patti, GO! http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/go-patti-go/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/go-patti-go/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 12:28:07 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=46 Courtesy of the Soldiers’ Angels newsletter:

LOS ANGELES, April 30 /PRNewswire/ — Teleflora, the world’s leading floral wire service, and NBC today revealed the 15 semi-finalists in the nationwide search for America’s Favorite Mom. The inspirational stories of the three top moms in each of the five categories — military moms, working moms, single moms, “Non-mom” moms and “Chairman of Everything” moms — will be featured on NBC’s “Today” show May 5 through May 9 during the 9 o’clock hour. Each day, America will vote on who will continue into the final round. The winning mom will be crowned during the primetime television special, “Teleflora presents America’s Favorite Mom,” airing on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11 at 7 p.m. EDT.

Teleflora’s 15 “America’s Favorite Mom” semi-finalists include:

Patti Patton-Bader (Pasadena, CA): Patton-Bader is a mother who founded Soldiers Angels Network, an organization that sends care packages to over 200,000 troops overseas

…

Viewers can tune-in to the “Today” show, the week of May 5 to learn more about these semi-finalists and vote for their favorite mom each day on http://www.nbc.com/. A different category will be highlighted every day: military moms, Monday, May 5 9 AM. You may only vote for one mother from one catagory on the day they are featured.

…

The 15 semi-finalists were selected from more than 15,000 online nominations collected at AmericasFavoriteMom.com. A panel of experts that included Stacy Morrison, editor-in-chief of Redbook Magazine, Sally Lee, editor-in-chief of Parents Magazine, and Sabrina Weill, Editor-in-Chief of Momlogic.com, helped to narrow the pool. Semi-finalists were notified when a local Teleflora florist personally delivered the specially-designed America’s Favorite Mom bouquet, the true centerpiece of Teleflora’s America’s Favorite Mom search, to each of their homes.

“We were just in awe of the thousands of amazing moms nominated on AmericasFavoriteMom.com — there were so many inspirational and heartfelt submissions,” said Lynda Resnick, chairman, Teleflora. “Now it’s time for America to decide who among these incredible mothers should be crowned ‘America’s Favorite Mom’.”

“At REDBOOK we know there is no one way to be a mom, since being a mom is just an expression of who you are as a woman,” said Stacy Morrison, editor-in-chief, Redbook Magazine. “The amazing array of nominees for America’s Favorite Mom demonstrates this in the most inspiring way. From fitness mom to working mom to military mom, these women remind us that the best way to have a life you love is to be exactly who you are.”

“This is one inspiring group of moms,” said Sally Lee, editor-in-chief, Parents Magazine. “They have such different life experiences, but they are all truly selfless in their commitment to raising happy, healthy children. They have made sacrifices and weathered challenges, but each one of these moms has an amazing attitude. They all deserve the title of ‘America’s Favorite Mom’!”

Momlogic.com editor-in-chief Sabrina Weill says, “What strikes me most about these amazing moms is not just one particular shining moment, but the everyday acts of motherhood, big and small, that impact their families and the children around them in such a powerful way. It’s a bit of ‘momlogic’ actually: You don’t have to be ‘SuperMom’ to be a truly heroic mother.”

Viewers can tune-in to the “Today” show, the week of May 5 to learn more about these semi-finalists and vote for their favorite mom each day on http://www.nbc.com/. A different category will be highlighted every day: military moms, Monday, May 5; working moms, Tuesday, May 6; single moms, Wednesday, May 7; “non-mom” moms, Thursday, May 8; and “chairman of everything” moms, Friday, May 9. Donny and Marie Osmond will appear on the May 5 show to kick-off the competition.

The five mothers with the greatest percentage of votes will take part in “Teleflora presents America’s Favorite Mom,” an NBC prime-time television event hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond. The one-hour show will feature an exclusive duet by the celebrity siblings and a special performance by Sony/Epic artists The D.E.Y. performing their new single “She Said,” a heartfelt ode to mothers. Editor-in-Chief of Redbook Magazine Stacy Morrison, who was a print sponsor of the nationwide search, will also make a guest appearance in the show.

The program will include a special tribute to 100 year old Opal Trundle, who was born on the first Mother’s Day, May 11, 1908. Opal raised six children during the great depression and has 96 grandchildren. In addition, there will be special cameo appearances by Christina Aguilera, Tony Hawk, Alicia Keys, Hulk Hogan, Naomi Judd, Amy Poehler and more throughout the broadcast. At the end of the special, the Osmonds will crown one lucky winner, “America’s Favorite Mom.”

Teleflora will present the grand prize winner with $250,000, an America’s Favorite Mom diamond encrusted pendant and a year’s worth of Teleflora flower arrangements. The winning mom will also receive a REDBOOK “Love Your Life” all-expense paid trip to New York City, including a beauty makeover and spa treatment, courtesy of Redbook Magazine, a family vacation package to St. Lucia, courtesy of Coconut Bay and all-new General Electric kitchen and laundry appliances. Teleflora will present the four runners-up with $25,000, a gold pendant, a year’s worth of Teleflora flower arrangements and a General Electric washer and dryer.

“Moms all over can relate to the hard work and sacrifices that go into raising a family, and we want to tell their stories through this television tribute to moms,” said Doug Vaughan, senior vice president, special programs and alternative development, NBC Entertainment. “Through uplifting stories and great performances, this special is bound to tug at your heart strings.”

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/05/01/go-patti-go/feed/ What do soldiers need? http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/04/24/what-do-soldiers-need/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/04/24/what-do-soldiers-need/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:31:15 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=45 Something that several people have asked lately: What do our soldiers need?

SA’s Shelle Michaels answered this question with a well-formed post detailing a lengthy list of items that our brave men and women need:

  • Powdered Drink Mixes (the individual packets are best because they can be added to a bottle of water)
  • Cookies
  • Chips
  • Pretzels
  • Tuna in a pouch
  • Beef or chicken or turkey jerky
  • Cheese spread (no aerosol cans please)
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Snack Cakes
  • Gum
  • Nuts
  • Granola Bars
  • Pop Tarts
  • Dried Fruit
  • Trail Mix
  • Pistachios
  • Raisins
  • Red licorice twists
  • Tootsie Rolls (both the candy and lollipops)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Triscuits
  • Wheat Thins
  • Canned Meats – No Pork Products
  • Hard Candy – Individually Wrapped
  • Face Cleansing Pads
  • Moisturizers
  • Wet wipes
  • Eye Drops
  • Lip Balm
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Soap
  • Body Wash
  • Shampoo and Conditioners
  • Deodorant
  • Sun Block
  • Foot powder
  • AA & AAA batteries
  • Craft kits
  • Scrapbooking crafts
  • Books (mysteries, action, drama and science fiction are popular)
  • Magazines – new or nearly new - (Sports, News, Entertainment, Travel, Nature)
  • Decks of cards
  • Small hand held games
  • Crossword Puzzles
  • Baseballs
  • Baseball gloves
  • Soccer balls
  • Basket balls
  • Volley balls
  • Squirt guns
  • Frisbees
  • CD’s
  • DVD’s
  • Blank Cards
  • Stationary, Paper
  • Pens
  • Letters

Please keep in mind that all food items must be in the manufacturer’s original packaging. NO chocolate ~ 110 degree heat and chocolate do not mix well. M&M’s are fine.

We also need Ziploc bags for packing items; these are great not only to make sure that potentially leaky items don’t make a mess but also for the soldiers to keep sand out of their things while in the desert.

Want to help?

Ship items, with your name, address, and phone number to:

Soldiers’ Angels
112 Greenhill Road
Ramseur, NC 27316

]]> http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/04/24/what-do-soldiers-need/feed/ Birmingham VA to host 2009 National Veterans Golden Age Games http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/04/21/birmingham-va-to-host-2009-national-veterans-golden-age-games/ http://www.bamaangels.org/2008/04/21/birmingham-va-to-host-2009-national-veterans-golden-age-games/#comments Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:41:28 +0000 Nicki http://www.bamaangels.org/?p=44 Courtesy of the Birmingham VA site:

The Birmingham VA Medical Center has been selected as the host site for the 2009 National Veterans Golden Age Games. The games will be held from May 31- June 5, 2009.

Courtesy of The Birmingham News:

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Military veterans age 55 or older who receive health care at any VA medical facility are eligible to compete.”

…

The featured sports in the games will consist of swimming, bicycling, golf, shot put, discus, 10-meter air rifle, table tennis, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes, nine-ball, bowling, checkers, and croquet. Each event has seven age categories for participation, and the visually impaired and wheelchair bound can compete in separate divisions.

They need volunteers to help the games go smoothly. If you are interested, please call Patricia Fetzer at 205-933-4396.

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