Soldiers' Angels Tennessee VA

Administrative Update

2010-12-03T00:33:00.003-05:00

This blog is no longer active. To see what Soldiers' Angels is doing in Tennessee, please visit Tennessee Soldiers' Angels.

WRAPPED in HOLIDAY SPIRIT DISCOUNT!!!

2008-09-08T17:55:00.004-04:00

Knock out your holiday shopping now!

For just $18.75 you can sponsor a holiday package for a deployed hero who will be away from his or her family this holiday season. The package called "Wrapped in Holiday Spirit" will include a blanket, socks, a mug, hot cocoa and snacks for the service member.

For your generous $18.75 tax-deductible donation, you can purchase the package in honor of a teacher, co-worker, coach, friend or family member, and Soldiers' Angels will send you a certificate that you can give them for the holidays.

Act now so we can get them shipped to them in time for Christmas Day!
Click HERE NOW!!!

http://www.angelsstore.org/product_p/hfhgiftbag.htm

MOMENT OF THANKS REMINDER

2008-08-05T13:47:00.003-04:00

Soldiers’ Angels has teamed up with Moment of Thanks to share messages of appreciation and support for the armed forces. Please take the time to personally upload your own message of thanks – it will take just a couple of minutes. Click here to write a short message to the troops or, if you prefer, you can share photos or a video. Just go to http://www.momentofthanks.com/user/register?org=soldiersangel&cmp=EMC-SldrsAnglsEM&attr=sa_email to get started. (If you can’t click on the link, just cut and paste it into your browser.)
Everybody who posts a message to the site will be entered into a free drawing to win a Kodak camera. As the sponsor of Moment of Thanks, Kodak will be giving away 3 cameras (the V803 model which takes photos and videos) in a free drawing for people who post a message of any form on the site by August 17th.
Our goal is to get 100,000 messages to the troops by the end of the summer, so we need you to help us spread the word to your friends and, most importantly, to the troops in the field!
If we all participate, we can blow right through that goal all by ourselves, show the unparalleled dedication of Soldiers’ Angels and maybe even win a camera!
Wingtip to Wingtip,
Patti
P.S. You can go to http://www.momentofthanks.com/?cmp=EMC-SldrsAnglsEM&attr=sa_email and see who has already left messages…it’s an impressive group.

RUNNING FOR THE FALLEN

2008-07-30T21:32:00.004-04:00

Run for the Fallen is a collective of runners whose mission is clear and simple: To run one mile for every American service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As Soldiers' Angels mission is to support all of our Heroes and with your help, we are asking for your help to spread our wings around this event. With the thousands of dedicated Angels nationwide, we have the ability to stand wingtip to wingtip, coast to coast, literally, and join these runners in honor of our fallen. You can run with them, you can take water or snacks or simply cheer them along the route. We want the love and support of Soldiers' Angels to be felt nationwide.Every mile in this memorial run, Run for the Fallen, will be dedicated to a fallen soldier and marked with an American flag and personalized sign card. These dedication markers will create a memorial trail across the United States, which will allow the memorial to connect with towns and citizens and propagate the memories and lives of those who fought in Iraq. We run in honor of the soldier.
The run is a symbolic memorial. While each flag will represent a soldier who has fallen, the run will stand as one large stitch spanning the width of the nation, coast to coast. The run is an active healing process, and the miles manifest themselves as healing stitches. One mile of sweat and pain to pay homage to one soldier's life. It is through the embodiment of each mile that we reflect upon and activate the memory of those who gave their lives.We ask that you, as a integral part of Soldiers' Angels assist in honoring a fallen service member by meeting the runners along the path in your area to show your support. We encourage you to help the healing process, and bring the lives of those lost to the forefront.Please look over the route below for the date they will be coming through you area.
Love,Patti Patton-Bader

You can go to www.runforthefallen.org to get more details of the run in your area.
Day 49: August 2, 2008: KY/TN border to Cunningham, TN 59.86 miles.
Day 50: August 3, 2008: Cunningham, TN to Nashville, TN 57.35 miles.
Day 51: August 4, 2008: Nashville, TN to Murfreesboro, TN 57.37 miles.
Day 52: August 5, 2008: Murfreesboro, TN to McMinnville, TN 64.02 miles.
Day 53: August 6, 2008: McMinnville, TN to Crossville, TN 61.81 miles.
Day 54: August 7, 2008: Crossville, TN to Oak Ridge, TN 59.65 miles.
Day 55: August 8, 2008: Oak Ridge, TN to New Tazewell, TN 58.26 miles.
Day 56: August 9, 2008: New Tazewell, TN to Van Hill, TN 55.51 miles.
Day 57: August 10, 2008: Van Hill, TN to Abingdon, VA 62.57 miles.

GIVE A VETERAN SOME TANK SUPPORT

2008-07-30T21:21:00.001-04:00

Soldiers’ Angels VA Team Announces New Project

PASADENA, CA July 19, 2008 - Thousands of troops are returning home and making regular trips to their local VA Hospital for evaluation, treatment or rehabilitation, and regular health care. With the high cost of gas, these vital trips are becoming more and more of a burden for some veterans.

Now the Soldiers’ Angels VA Team is stepping up to help with the Tank Support program. Grateful Americans can help give a veteran some “tank support” by purchasing a gasoline gift card. All gas cards received will be sent to the VA Hospitals across the country to help ensure returning OEF/OIF Veterans get the checkups and medical care they need.

“It’s so important that our returning heroes get regular evaluations and basic healthcare after having been in combat,” says Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader. “The Tank Support program is an important way to help veterans to stay on top of their ongoing healthcare needs.”

Supportive Americans can help returning veterans by purchasing a $10.00 gas card today at any chain gas station in their area, or ordering online through www.svmcards.net and using the shipping address below. People can also make a donation to the Soldiers’ Angels Veterans’ Support Team at www. soldiersangels.org and indicate that it is for the Tank Support program.

Gas cars should be mailed to:

Soldiers’ Angels Tank Support
914 Tourmaline Dr.
Newbury Park, CA 91320

VETERAN'S HONOR BRUNCH AT EAST TN NURSING HOME

2008-07-30T21:11:00.003-04:00

The Veteran's Honor Brunch at Newport Health and Rehabilitation Center went great! We had 11 of the 21 vets in the facility come to the brunch. (We visited the others in their rooms after the event!) We served fresh berry muffins, fruit salad and SOS! I decorated with all RED, WHITE, and BLUE! (Thanks to sales after the 4th..) Since I was the only ANGEL in the area, my husband and brother-in-law went with me. (Both ARMY vets!) They were amazing with visiting with the vets! (I don't know who got more out of it!) We served the vets as they came in and assited where there was a need. I read the poem, THE SOLDIER IS MY FRIEND, (which I gleaned from the SA Forum, thanks) There was not a dry eye in the room. We shared who was in what service. Next, my brother in law, dressed in his DAV Honor Guard uniform, presented each vet, individually a GRATEFUL NATION COIN, (also gleaned from the Forum) I did not have time to get SA coins, but will for the next nursing home event. They were all SO PROUD, and honored. The first vet presented took it, said "This is beautiful" and handed it back. My brother in law said, "Sir, it is my honor to give this to you. It is yours to keep with you at all times to remember we thank you for your courageous service to our country!" He beamed from ear to ear, tears rolling down his face. CAN YOU SAY TISSUE ALERT!! Then we watched the video, BEFORE YOU GO-the WWI Korean War version, (that I also found out about from the Forum). Then I talked a little about the SA adopt a soldier program, and the letters. This group will be adopting a SOLDIER as an ongoing project. Lastly, I had pre-written some cards that said THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THE GIFT OF OUR FREEDOM! These vets signed the cards, or put their X, and I am going to send them to the group of WWII vets going to see the monument this fall. Incredible day!!

An article came out covering the event in our local paper, the Newport Plain Talk, this week. Great PR for SA!!

July 4th in MEMPHIS

2008-07-30T19:47:00.004-04:00

July 4th was a blast and I want to extend a HUGE thank you to all the angels that participated, donated items and donated time. We ended having 7 cakes donated!! We were able to help feed approximately 375 patients at the VA, assisting the Rolling Thunder BBQ for the Memphis VAMC. Great time had serving our veterans!

Written by Melissa Allie, Memphis VA Team Leader

BLANKETS, BLANKETS, and MORE BLANKETS

2008-07-30T19:29:00.004-04:00

Do you know all of the different BLANKETS that SOLDIERS ANGELS make happen for our troops and veterans? Here is a glimpse of the BLANKET DRIVES, but be sure to go to the main page of http://www.soldiersangels.org/ and look into for yourself, and your friends who can help us accomplish our mission!

BLANKETS OF BELIEF-This winter, an estimated 180,000 U.S. military personnel will be serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and other locations around the world, in combat environments or in support of combat operations. Some will be on their 3rd or 4th 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 wrap our arms around them in person to show how much we love and appreciate them, our goal is to wrap all 180,000 of our deployed service members in blankets representative of our support and faith in them, Blankets of Belief.

BLANKETS OF GRATITUDE-Please join us in wrapping our beloved Veterans in love and gratitude. We have 25,000 lap robes to make, and we need your help! 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 past service. The lap robes will be a physical reminder that they are not alone during the Holidays. When a veteran receives a Blanket of Gratitude, he or she will know that somebody remembered them, that somebody labored over a handmade robe with thoughts of them and hopes or prayers for their health and comfort.

BLANKETS OF HOPE-The Blankets of Hope team creates unique, handmade blankets to send hope, support and gratitude to America's wounded and veterans. Used on hospital beds, wheelchairs, and transport litters on medevac flights, Blankets of Hope bring the message that each servicemember is loved and not forgotten. They are included in our First Response Backpacks and Vet Packs sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the war zones, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and selected military hospitals and veterans centers here at home.

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

2008-07-30T19:04:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day weekend saw lots of Angel activity at our VAs here in Tennessee. Memphis VA ANGELS helped out at the BBQ event for the veterans there. Rolling Thunder was there, along with a band and a great time was had by all. Mountain Home VA had a ceremony attended by over 450 people at the Mountain Home Cemetary. Special guest was David Davis, US House of Representatives. What an honor to be part of these celebrations of our honored Veterans!

FLIGHT TO THE WALL 2008

2008-07-30T18:55:00.005-04:00

May 19th- The Memphis VA Team, led by Melissa Allie, along with Ryan, Shannon, Brenda, and Viola, got a wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with Flying Thunder on their way to the VietNam Wall in Washington, DC .

This was a fabulous opportunity to see a Vietnam-era helicopter and meet with the Veterans, especially the Rolling Thunder, which they work alongside at other events at our Memphis VA Hospital

MEMPHIS VA WELCOME HOME

2008-07-30T17:41:00.005-04:00

Good morning angels, he is a photograph from the Welcome Home party on May 10th. I want to thank Amy, (pictured) and Shannon for coming out and participating at the event and also thank Brenda and Ryan for all the help behind the scenes. All your hard work is deeply appreciated and I am so thankful to have you guys on this team.

During the Welcome Home event, we were invited by the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle group to attend a function they will be holding in October. We will be able to have another booth, with all kinds of goodies and information about SA. As time draws near, I will for sure let everyone know about the event and I am so thankful that Rolling Thunder invited us.

At the event we were able to converse with Vets, soldiers that are still serving and many family members of the soldiers. We also did a bit of networking with other organizations and offered our assistance if anyone needs anything at all.

Everyone loved our table and I have to say, the cookies were a HUGE hit. We had so much fun at the event.
(article written by Melissa Allie, Memphis VA Team Leader)

GOLDEN WINGTIP AWARD

2008-05-02T07:59:00.003-04:00

SOLDIERS ANGELS was awarded a grant from WAL-MART SUPERCENTER in Newport, TN in the amount of $200. WAL-MART is very active in our community in East TN, yet stipulates that the monies must be used in Cocke County. I am presently working with the 3 nursing homes in Newport to arrange some encouragement for our 35 veterans living in long-term care in honor of NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH. Of course, we Angels give back, so I awarded them with a GOLDEN WINGTIP AWARD! (They said that they give out a lot of grants, but they had never received an award back!) Isn't Angeling great!

VETERAN JERRY REED ROLLS OUT NEW ALBUM TO BENEFIT VETERANS

2008-05-02T07:54:00.003-04:00

MURFREESBORO — Jerry Reed — singer, songwriter, musician and actor — has vowed to do all he can for Middle Tennessee veterans.
At the Alvin C. York Veterans Affairs Medical Center, he rolled out his new album The Gallant Few, filled with songs that honor those who have served. Sales will benefit wounded veterans.
"I want to help you help yourselves," Reed said Friday at the York Center. "I want (Middle Tennessee) to be the seed where this starts and grows across the country."
Reed, known for his role in the Smokey and the Bandit movies and such songs as "East Bound and Down," "Amos Moses" and "A Thing Called Love," is a veteran himself, having served in the Army from 1959-1961.
Two years ago, he told Rosetta Fisher-Oliver, volunteer services manager for Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, that he would write a song for veterans. He said it bothered him that many singers promise to do that but don't.
He wrote a song, and through many meetings with veterans at the York Center, one song compelled him to write another. And that led to a full album.
"They took to him and he took to them," Fisher-Oliver said of the former service members Reed calls "veteran warriors."
Joining Reed at Friday's ceremony were Music City radio veterans Carl P. Mayfield and Bill Cody. Reed said that all the participants on The Gallant Few knew they wouldn't be paid — and didn't want to be.
Article by Melissa Coker, THE TENNESSEAN, 4-20-08
For purchase information, visit www.thegallantfew.com. I ordered some for gifts..and myself!

MORRISTOWN OUTPATIENT CLINIC OPENING

2008-04-12T10:11:00.008-04:00

James H Quillen VAMC, located in Mountain Home, TN has just opened it's first Outpatient Clinic in Morristown, TN yesterday, 4-11-08, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. (The Knoxville Outpatient Clinic was transferred from the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System to the Quillen VAMC in October 2007). It will start serving veterans on Monday, April 14th. The clinic is designed to service approximately 3000 veterans when fully activated. Soldiers Angels is one of the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service Organizations, and we continue to have opportunities to serve our Veteran community in this are of Tennessee. There will be posting of any available needs, or wants of this facility.

SA COOKBOOK ENTRIES NEEDED

2008-04-12T10:05:00.002-04:00

Dear Angels,
Thank you for embracing this new project! It is so good to hear from you and to read (no, I do not do a test kitchen thing) these recipes!To clarify -- I thought that the Living Legends Team would like a way to continue to honor our Fallen Warriors. BUT -- you can submit a recipe for your adopted hero (still deployed or home), a veteran (deceased or alive) from any war, all veterans, all heroes and warriors, any one, or no one. Your choice. If you are on the LL Team, please note that in your name. If you are on the VA Team, likewise, please note it. You may submit up to 20 recipes. They can all be dedicated to the same person, different people, no one, etc... Wouldn't it be great to have a recipe for each of our Fallen Warriors and one dedicated to each of our fantastic VA Hospitals!The template cannot be attached, and I wish it could! Please email me for it (it must be emailed, PM won't work!).
As for the other question -- the Cookie Cook Book...I cannot wait to see it and I assure you that the minute it is for sale, you will know! And, yes, the real food cook book will be for sale, too. I am hoping that your good work will translate into money for SA to continue its good work.In the meanwhile, please, vote for Patti. With 28,000 of us, we can win that $25,000. Thank you again for your help.
My email is fmawriter@aol.com
the categories are:
Hors d'Oeuvres
Breakfast Foods (Eggs, Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, and Cereals)
BreadsSoupsSalads (Green, Vegetable, Bean, Chicken, Seafood, Fruit, Slaws)
VegetablesPotatoes (Hot, Hash Browns, French Fries, Potato Salad)
Pasta, Rice, and GrainsMeat (Beef, Lamb, Pork, Veal)
Poultry (Chicken, Turkey, Duck)
Game (Meat, Bird)
Fish and ShellfishVegetarian
Main Courses
Desserts (Fruit, Custards and Puddings, Gelatin, Ice Cream and Ices)
Cakes
Pies and Tarts
Cookies and Candy
DrinksSalsas, Sauces, Dips, and DunksAgain

'rules' for celebrity recipes stipulate that you must send proof that celebrity okays use of name in SA cookbook. Please do NOT simply go to the Internet and copy recipes. Provide me your full name, city, and state (or combinatiion thereof) how you want your name to be printed in the cook book.
LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSIONS IS 31 MAY 2008 AT 12 MIDNIGHT CALIFORNIA TIME!Kind regards,MaryAnn

MEMPHIS ANGELS ON THE TOWN

2008-04-07T14:16:00.003-04:00

Need something to do on Memphis on a Thursday nite? How about a place to hang-out and make plans to help our Veterans at the same time? You got it when you see these Angels together! Ryan, Melissa, Shannon, and Brenda Hale, all on the Memphis SA VA Team got together for just that last Thursday, 4/3, to brainstorm for the Memphis Vets. They had such a great time, they are going to do it again this Thursday. (Contact Melissa Allie, if interested on the details) There are LOTS of things happening in Memphis and all over TN for the veterans. Contact your SA VA Team if you need more info on how you can make things happen for our vets too!

JERRY REED AT MURFREESBORO VAMC FOR CD RELEASE PARTY

2008-04-05T23:34:00.002-04:00

Jerry Reed's Salute to our Nation's Heroes CD Release Party

Friday, April 18, 2008, 12 noon

ALVIN C YORK CAMPUS
AUDITORIUM, Bldg 107

Murfreesboro, TN

Come and help us celebrate Jerry's support of our Nation's Heroes

Our Veterans, current Military and their families.

RSVP to Karen Carnes at 615-327-5347

Seating limited to the first 200 that respond.

Full Military and/or Veteran Service Organization attire.

TENNESSEE ANGEL OPPORTUNITIES

2008-04-05T23:21:00.003-04:00

If you have a little time to spare and a lot of love in your hearts for our Veterans in Tennessee, consider being a VA team angel. We have teams in Memphis, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Johnson City, and smaller teams forming in the Knoxville/East TN area. Lots of angel tasks to do........write letters or cards, visit the veterans, sewing, collecting donations for the veterans, volunteer at the VAs doing all kinds of things, attending Soldiers Angels events, and helping to brainstorm for new ideas to serve our Heroes! If you are great at organizing, or networking, consider being a CONTACT ANGEL for the Murfreesboro or James H Quillen VAMC team. For any more information, email Brenda at bflyr@yahoo.com

NATIONWIDE SOLDIERS ANGELS VA TEAM FUNDRAISER

2008-04-05T23:14:00.003-04:00

You can help by inviting your friends and family from coast to coast to support our group by purchasing their favorite magazine subscriptions online. They'll save up to 85% on more than 650 titles while our group keeps 40% of each purchase amount! For you Angels, you can order magazines that your Adopted Soldier would like to read. Even though the magazines can not be sent directly to them you could still put them in their carepackages.

Go to link http://www.magfundraising.com/noneforgotten

EASY ONLINE VOTE FOR COMPUTER LAB FOR OUR VETERANS

2008-03-05T17:28:00.003-05:00

UPDATE!!!!!! Thanks for all the votes/comments. 236 to be exact! Now cross your fingers! The winners will be announced by May 15th! Keep posted.................

HELLOOOOO ANGELS!!!!!!!!

This is the moment we have been waiting for! The Hambuger Helper Hometown grant that I applied for on behalf of the Veterans in the Domiciliary at Mountain Home, TN VAMC has posted. NOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE this happen!
Go to this website, and just post a comment on why that would be great for the veterans. It does not have to say anything in particlular, just a comment. The posts with the most interest are the ones that win the grant $. I can't think of a greater way to help our homeless and returning vet population more.
http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?tell=2&id=37409

Let me know if you have any questions or comments, and thanks in advance. I think we have about a week to post. (Brenda at bflyr@yahoo.com)

NEW SA VETERANS SUPPORT WEBSITE!!!

2008-03-05T17:24:00.003-05:00

It just keeps getting better and better! Be sure and go to this new website and be able to share more about our Veterans and Soldiers Angels in the rest of these Great 50 States!

http://www.freewebs.com/soldiersangelsveteranssupport/

NATIONAL HOSPITALIZED VETERAN SALUTE WEEK

2008-03-05T16:57:00.003-05:00

The week of February 10-16 was a busy one here in Tennessee at our VAMCs. Our SOLDIERS ANGEL teams participated in all of the observances. The team at James H Quillen VAMC, (pic above: Beth, Denise, and Cathy, and another volunteer), had the following report of events by one of our SA, Denise. "We were constantly following Miss Johnson City around and were being followed ourselves by a group of ROTC cadets (28 of them!). And the Shriners had been there earlier. I've never seen so many visitor cars there! Cathy was gracious enough to knit a lap blanket which she was able to hand deliver to a gentleman in the nursing home that the nurses said was cold natured and they thought he would really appreciate it. It was awesome! We were able to catch him and his wife just as he was coming back from a radiation treatment. So needless to say, we were blessed to be the Valentine's of alot of people yesterday (even if we did have to follow behind Miss Johnson City! Next time we're going to bring tiara's....lol!)"
Alvin C York VAMC had our SA Candace attend. She got to walk around to visit the vets with a group of active duty soldiers!. She brought along with her some 70 Valentines Day cards made by her school children, to pass out. The veterans at the nursing home loved it!
Memphis VAMC had a ceremony that was attended by our SA Ryan. He did not go empty handed though. He brought with him some cards that our SA Brenda made, and some that Amy's Girl Scout troop had put together for him. Ryan got to pass them out and visit with the vets after the ceremony. NASHVILLE VAMC also had Lisa and Patti, our SA there to pass out cards and visit with the veterans. I don't know who got the most out of the celebrations?! The veterans or the angels.

NASHVILLE MEETS SOLDIERS AT MEET&GREET!

2008-02-09T19:35:00.001-05:00

Mary Morris, (left), SAs contact angel at the Nashville VAMC said "It was great!" Patti, and a New angel, Lisa came to the Opry Mills Food Court for the Meet and Greet on Saturday, Feb 2nd. "To our surpise, there were 3 soldiers there. We invited to come over and eat with us.We gave them info on SOLDIERS ANGELS and exchanged emails" Of course they got pictures. (Patti, and Lisa in the one above) Fun was had by all, and as Mary says, "We served our purpose. These soldiers are from a National Guard unit in Nashville and deploy soon. We were definitely in the right place at the right time"
The Nashville team were also able to meet a woman who was attracted to our ANGELS by seeing a SA shirt! Come to find out, her son is in IRAQ and they were able to give her a packet of info on SA also. WAY TO BE THERE NASHVILLE!
Patti and Lisa will represent the team at the NASHVILLE VA this week in giving out Valentines for the National Hospitalized Veterans Salute week.

TN VA WISHLISTS and FORUM FAIRY CHALLENGE (IT'S STILL ON....)

2008-02-09T19:23:00.001-05:00

TENNESSEE ANGELS..... The new TN VA LISTS are posted, so here is a wonderful time to take the FORUM FAIRY up on her offer! Have a great time with National Hopsitalized Veterans Salute this coming week! Soldiers Angels is ALWAYS a win-win situation!!

THE FORUM FAIRY WROTE>>>>>>>>>Ummmm, a VA Contest!Tis a win - win situation!!You win because one of your soldiers win, and our VA Hospitals win!!All you have to do is send a $35 value or more care package in needed items (you may check the VA Hospital section on the forum for NEEDED things) to any VA hospital. I will see that a small care package will be shipped to your soldier. The following information is necessary: your name, address, forum name, items listed & dollar value, which VA Hospital you are supporting, and when you are sending to the VA. Email this information to me, the forumfairy2007 @ yahoo.com (no spaces). Please, please, please, Angels, NO PMS or PMs Fairy kisses!!!

Go the the Soldiers Angel Forum with the link below to see what each of our VAs need.....

http://www.soldiersangelsforum.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=263

NATIONAL SALUTE TO HOSPITALIZED VETS

2008-01-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Feb. 10-16 is the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans week. You are invited to visit your local VA hospital and spread some Valentine Angel Love!! Organize a group and call the Volunteer Services office and let them know you are coming. It is such a fulfilling thing and just think about how many lives you will touch! Be sure to check with your VA State Leader (listed on the VA/None Forgotten forum) and see if there is a contact angel at your nearest facility. They might have something organized already and would LOVE to have your help! Be sure to not forget our VA Nursing Homes. Be careful though...that group has a tendency to steal YOUR heart and keep it forever!! If there is no contact angel...visit anyway! This is an open invitation from the VA to visit!! And if there isn't a contact angel there, be sure to tell Volunteer Services allllllll about SA!! You can give them my information if you would like and I will be more than happy to fill them in!
Go here to read about it: http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/nshv.cfm
written by Lori Tucker, Southeastern VA Region Team Leader

CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE>>>>>

2008-01-07T21:43:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I am very proud to let everyone know that our Nashville VA Christmas party, on Dec 14th, was a great success! and not only for our Veterans... Gift Bags were passed out. Lots of food, fellowship, and yes, a few tears of joy, were shared by all. I want to especially thank angels, Patti, Kim, and Brandy for coming and showing their support for our vets. We have let people know SA are here to stay and assist anyway we can! I want to thank Brandy, and her husband, an "unofficial angel, "so much for rescuing us with drinks. You're the best! (pictured are Brandy, Mary, Kim and Patricia)

submitted by Mary Morris, Nashville VA contact angel

OUR VERY OWN MURFREESBORO ANGEL MADE IT!!

2008-01-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

ROBYN DIEZ, our very own contact angel for the MURFREESBORO VA, celebrated on Dec 15, 2007.

She graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a concentration of Pre-Law and a minor in Women's Studies. She intends on pursing a Master's at TSU.

(Of course, Robyn would have not been able to do this without her daughter Isabella by her side ;-)

SANTA WORKS WITH SOLDIERS ANGELS AT JAMES H QUILLEN VA

2008-01-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

The parties at Mountain Home were great! Being a 1st timer there, Ann took me and a 1st timer Santa (who I swear may have been the real deal) around to all of the parties there at the nursing home, the inpatient facilities and the domiciliary. It was a wonderful experience!! I got to meet so many great people, deliver a lot of gifts and Christmas goodies and see lots of smiles brighten up faces everywhere. (Ya just gotta love Santa!!) Each of the patients received gifts (I know some of them received SA vet packs with all kinds of neat stuff in them), some recieved some handmade blankets from our SA Hugs for Heros, and there was plenty of food and good cheer! Beautiful Christmas music was also provided by an instrumental trio that traveled to each of the areas.
submitted by Denise Fisher-Jones, SA

CHRISTMAS AT THE MEMPHIS VA !!

2008-01-07T20:51:00.000-05:00

Just want to let you know that the Christmas party for Ouptatients on Dec 8th was a huge success! The VA had cakes, cookies, drinks, goody bags and of course fellowship. There was a turn out of approximately 125 Vets and the VA had a chorus that sang christmas songs. Ryan, Leah and I helped stuff bags before the event and Ryan and I stayed to help pass out the goody bags and also test out the cookies LOL!! It was a great day. Ryan took pictures with his camera, as I forgot to bring mine with me, but will pass on the pictures to you angels as soon as I can. Cary, (the VA volunteer coordinator), wanted to extend a thank you to all of us and wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Also, Rolling Thunder and other several biker groups also showed up to the Christmas party and donated money to the VA. We were able to visit with several of the guys and they are a great group.

The inpatient christmas party on Dec 16th was a great time! You will have to forgive me as I forgot my camera and didn't take any photographs. Ryan, Leah and I helped stuff bags before handing them out to the patients. The bags contained all kinds of goodies from christmas candy, to cards,calling cards, hats, clocks and etc. Ryan and I joined a group of other volunteers and took presents the guys at the spinal cord floor. The guys were so happy to not only recieve all the gifts but that someone though enough of them to wish them a merry christmas. Their faces were all lite up and they were so excited to look into the bags. The whole experience just warmed my heart and made me thankful for everyone that is in my life.
submitted by Melissa Allie, Memphis VA Team Contact Angel

SOLDIERS ANGELS HOLIDAY CARD PROJECT

2007-12-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

DID YOU KNOW THAT EACH OF THE TENNESSEE VA TEAMS HAD A HAND IN SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT WITH HOLIDAY CARDS???? Our awesome angels start with Candace Collins from the Murfreesboro Team. She had 3 schools participating. Mary Morris from Nashville sent in 100 for her team, collected from schools in White House. Another 60 were sent in from Jenece in Spring Hill, also near Nashville. Melissa Allie sent in 50 from Memphis, and Mary Beth Trent sent in 162 from Johnson City, TN!

WAY TO GO ANGELS!!!!!!!!!!!! We covered all the TN bases!

Veterans Day in Tennessee........

2007-11-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

With Veteran's Day comes a promise from our team to let NO SOLDIER BE FORGOTTEN! There were flag ceremonies,parades, and recognition events all over the state, and they were well attended by military and civilians alike. The Memphis VA Team had some members attend the Marine Corp BDay event in Millington, and even drove in the parade, (yes Jacque) on Veterans Day! The Mountain Home Team had some members attend the VA Flag ceremony, and sign cards that were given to veterans in local nursing homes in East Tennessee with their Veterans Day celebrations. Murfreesboro members attended the MTSU Homecoming and Salute to the Veterans. The Nashville Team had one of its own Angels, Patti Oldham, marching in the Veterans Day parade there with the American Legion, which she is a member of the auxilary. They also are already working ahead on Christmas Cards to let our heros know they are just that...OUR HEROS!

MEMPHIS VA TEAM MEET & GREET

2007-11-05T17:13:00.000-05:00

The Memphis VA team angels; Ryan, Melissa, Selena and Leah, met at Boscos on Saturday afternoon, November 3, 2007. A NEW ANGEL, Ryan McGee, also joined our group, and of course we welcomed him with open arms!! We discussed the upcoming WELCOME HOME party which will be at the Memphis Zoo on November 17, 2007 @ 9:00am. We also got a chance to talk about Holiday activities to take place in December. We scheduled another Memphis VA SA team meeting for January 19, 2008. The place will be scheduled closer to the date of meeting.
Cary Curd, Memphis VA volunteer coordinator, attended the meet and greet and gave us an overview of the VA activities, donations and information on the WELCOME HOME party. All attendees to the meet and greet had a great time and we enjoyed each others company as well as great food. I sincerely thank the angels that attended and look forward to meeting more of the Memphis VA SA team at coming activities, or at the get together in January.

Lots of Love...Melissa Allie, Memphis VA Team Contact Angel

WELCOME HOME at JAMES H QUILLEN VA

2007-11-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

It was a day for firsts! Novemeber 3, 2007 was the first Welcome Home sponsored by the James H Quillen VAMC, and it was also the first event for the Mountain Home Soldiers Angels VA Team! The honorees of the event were the OIF/OEF veterans returning home after their deployments, and their families. There were many groups and agencies represented to provide information on the benefits and services available to these families. There was an awe-inspiring ceremony to start out the day, with guest speakers to include Congressman David Davis, and Tennessee's very own General Osbourne of the TN Army Reserves. (We were later informed that when General Osborne was asked who should be invited to this WELCOME HOME event, he stated "to be sure that Soldiers Angels are there. They are a great support to the troops." WOW!! We were so honored, and humbled to be one of the front runners!

Our new team, pictured above, (Mary Beth Trent, Brenda Messer, and Denise Light), "angeled" our booth. We provided general information about Soldiers Angels, Holidays for Heros, VET PACKS, and VA Team happenings in TN. We had AWESOME Welcome Home Cards to give out to our desrving Veterans. These were so heartfelt, as they were proveded by Soldiers Angels all over the country for our event. We also gave out patriotic coloring sheets, stickers, and colors for the kids, along with candy and pencils , and an opportunity for our OIF/OEF veterans and their families to sign VETERANS DAY CARDS that will be distributed to vets living in nursing home facilities on Veterans Day.

As Angels, we had the chance to meet other organizations and agencies of the VA there that we may be able to work with in the future to help our vets. Conversations with veterans and their families topped our day off.........as did our opportunity to finally meet each other on the team, and begin plans for the future of the VA team there. A wonderful day was had by everyone in attendance!

ARE YOU WATCHING??

2007-10-31T15:39:00.001-04:00

Be sure and keep up with THE ANGEL SPOT OF THE WEEK at the bottom of the blogspot! Each week a new Soldiers Angels VA Team member will be featured. What a great way to connect............This week it's Selena, on the Memphis Team!! (Read more at the bottom of the page)

DID YOU KNOW?????

2007-10-31T15:31:00.000-04:00

Did you know that Tennessee VA Medical Centers have over 1600 beds for our Veterans? Here is the breakdown. We have four VAMCs in our state. This includes Moutain Home, Memphis, Nashville, and Murfreesboro. Inpatient hospital beds total 950. There are 365 nursing home beds in two different locations , and the Domiciliary in Mountain Home provides 295 beds for our veterans. Plenty of opportunity to serve our brave and courageous Veterans!!

MEET N GREET EVENT AT MURFREESBORO VAMC

2007-10-24T23:47:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER 15th 2007 was a great day in Murfreesboro for Soldiers Angels! Through lots of brainstorming on the SA Forum, 8 Angels came together for a day of fun, and serving our Veterans. We met for an early morning meeting to discuss future plans for our areas, potential projects, and past packages and events that had the possiblity to be recreated. (Brenda and Robyn came to the Alvin C. York VA on the 14th, and were given an amazing tour of the HOPTEL facility that is being renovated.)

Our team of 8 TN angels, (Robyn-Murfreesboro, Judy-VA, Amanda-Knoxville, Marge-Bon Aqua, Candace,-Columbia, Brenda-Newport, Amber-Lebanon, Tracy- Lawrenceburg, Bonnie-AL!), brought with us donations that we had collected for the Murfreesboro VA. Theses items were obtained especially to meet some of the needs listed on this VA's Wish list. Together, through donations we bought, brought for others not able to be there, and even some through loving labors of being hand made, turned out to be enough to fill one of the side rooms of the Volunteer Service office! (We were especially blessed to be able to present 20 VetPacks donated by Soldiers Angels). Rosetta Fisher-Oliver, Judy Campbell, and Lucille Beland, Volunteer Coordinator and Specialists, were very receptive to all items recieved-and made huge praises for the entire SA organization.

We were able to visit with the Veterans for 2 hours in the common rooms and in their personal rooms. We had the privilege of handing out Thank You for your Service cards, Hearts for Heros supplied by Linda Weeks, and some of the walker bags and lap robes we brought for them. Of course, conversations were had and as love and admiration would have it, tears flowed. It was an amazing experience for all involved!!

OPERATION SOLDIERS ANGELS HUG-A-HERO!!

2007-10-23T16:44:00.000-04:00

Patti has requested from our VA Crochet Team that they provide 20,000 (YES TWENTY THOUSAND) blankets for the VA's across our country!! These blankets can be crocheted, knitted, loomed, quilted or the fleece tie blankets. The measurements are: 36 x 45 for afghans/lap blankets45 x 60 for othersThe blankets should be individually wrapped in Christmas paper and a note should be attached stating who created the blanket and that they are a member of Soldiers' Angels. Once you are finished with the blanket you should email Terri Hansen at: shansenfamily @ embarqmail.comIn the email please include the size of the item and the quantities and also if it is gender specific. Once Terri receives your email she will send you an address of a VA facility. If you want to choose a VA facility yourself, please let Terri know and she will send the mailing address for that facility. Mail out day will be Dec. 1st. You can get your church involved, youth groups, sewing circles, Girl/Boy Scouts, family and friends!! We need your help to acheive this goal!! Please pass this information along to anyone who would be interested in helping with this most special project!!Any questions? Email Terri Hansen or you can email Toni, Twyla or myself at: sa.veterans @ gmail.com

Holidays for Heros

2007-10-22T16:18:00.000-04:00

In homes across America, there is an empty chair this Christmas. The man or woman usually sitting in that chair is in the military, serving overseas. There is no family Christmas for those brave soldiers. We at the SA "Family" are committed to making sure every soldier has at least some kind of Christmas.Soldiers' Angels is asking for your help during the upcoming season. The United States military has roughly 120,000 deployed troops throughout the world. It is our intention to get a care pack or goodie bag into the hands of all deployed personnel this holiday season.Please donate to sponsor a "Holiday Gift Bag" for a deployed soldier. Each gift bag contains either a Soldiers' Angels stainless steel mug or a Christmas stocking, with white socks, a 150 minute International Pre-Paid phone card, hot cocoa mix, hot cider mix, power bar, candy, and a hand-written Christmas card. The cost is $10 per mug or stocking, or $25 with goodies and overseas shipping included. Can you sponsor one or a few? Can you send a holiday card with a personal note? If you are interested in helping, please download and order form right now.Thank you and we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!Are you interested in helping? Would you like to send a "Holiday Gift Bag" to a hero deployed overseas?
NEW HOLIDAY FOR HEROES ITEM IN STORE.We are in the process of adding a Holiday for Heroes item in the Soldiers' Angels store at http://www.angelsstore.org/. This will hopefully be available within the week.