Hooray! Patti Patton-Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” last night! Congratulations, Patti!!

Press release:

PASADENA, CA May 11, 2008 –Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” in a primetime television show Sunday night on NBC. Sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, the show highlighted fifteen outstanding mothers who had distinguished themselves in categories ranging from Working Moms to Military Moms and “Non-Mom” Moms.

Humbled by the honor, Patton-Bader is thrilled to be able to use it to continue the Soldiers’ Angels mission of “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” As the grand prize winner, she will receive $250,000, a set of household appliances, and other valuable items. Patton-Bader hopes to apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after deployments.

“I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life,” said Patton-Bader, who herself has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. “Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this America’s Favorite Mom program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me.”

Patton-Bader is also excited about the opportunities this platform gives her to help people learn more about America’s military heroes and options for supporting them and their families.

The following press release was posted to the SA Forums. I think it would be a great idea for us to contact local news media, city mayors, and state governors and request that April be designated Month of the Military Child.

April marks a very special month in the lives of the military families. Soldiers’ Angels joins the US Department of Defense in recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger, established April as the Month of the Military Child in 1986, underscoring the importance of military children and their role in military families.

“Military families learn to be flexible, but extended hours and long deployments often prove to be difficult for America’s military children. I feel this month provides those of us (here) a time to celebrate the unique lifestyles of our military youth and the adjustments that families make during deployments and wartime.” says Patti Patton-Bader, founder of Soldiers’ Angels.

“Being a parent, it breaks my heart to leave my wife and kids behind when I am called to (deploy),” said Cpt. Mark McEvers NDARNG HHC 164 ENG BN SECFOR. “But that is what we do when we are called. We have sworn to support and defend and that is what we do. Our families know this, respect this, and stand by us.