Our Angels in and Out of Uniform

Adjoa Mante
Staff Writer

Since 9/11, when the twin towers were attacked, the national news has been focused on ¬terrorism and the wars we have begun in order to combat it. Through the past few years, we, here at home, have watched on TV as the al-Qaeda was determined to be the source of the attacks, as we chased Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, and as we fought wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq. We saw the statistics flash across television screens indicating thousands of civilians and soldiers injured. Yet, while we watched and waited, they fought for us. They lived through the bombings and killings that made us shake our heads in awe as we watched. These people, these soldiers have fought for us, and now, we have an opportunity to give back.

“May no soldier go unloved.
May no soldier walk alone.
May no soldier be forgotten,
Until they all come home.”

Soldiers’ Angels, who possesse the motto above, is an organization that does all it can to “support those who serve America in every branch of the Armed Forces.” The non-profit group was founded in 2003 by Patti Patton Bader, the mother of two US soldiers, when she learned that those fighting alongside her son were not receiving the encouragement they needed. She made it so that regardless of the amount of money or time you have, you can still find some way to give through the Soldiers Angels program. Contributions to Soldiers’ Angels can be made in many ways: monetary donations; care packages; shopping online through “shop to earn” or buying a bracelet at GI-Bracelet.org; using “GoodSearch” as a search engine; or even donating an old car, boat or RV. Soldiers’ Angels gives 90-100% of each dollar donated to the addresses given on their website to US soldiers. Other programs available at Soldiers’ Angels are Angel Bakers, baking homemade treats for troops, the Letter Writing Team, writing letters to soldiers or even Adopt a Soldier, giving support to a specific soldier, in addition to the option of donating to these specific teams and activities.
Using the donations received from the many projects available, Soldiers’ Angels has “supplied the wounded with our First Response Packs directly at the Combat Support Hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan and the major military hospital in Germany, as well as provided care and comfort to those in stateside military and VA facilities; we have provided emergency aid to military families in need” as well has provided flights to soldiers in emergencies, necessary technology for soldiers undergoing treatment and armored blankets to ensue the protection of our troops. Because of the work done by Soldiers’ Angels and its volunteers, the Adopt a Soldier program has gained 22,045 more members. Over 250,000 care packages have been mailed, 100,000 have been scarves given out and 60,000 phone cards have been bought for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. And in regard to the season, over 75,000 Holiday presents have been sent. Soldiers’ Angels has not gone unrewarded for its beneficial work. The organization has received the James Cvan Zandt Citizenship Award, Microsoft Above and Beyond Extra Effort Award and its founder was named America’s Favorite Mom by NBC.
Soldiers’ Angels is a great reminder that anyone can make a difference. Although we often make excuses for ignoring the needs of our soldiers, through Soldiers’ Angels, we can make a difference by doing small things, like using goodsearch.org or recycling our electronics. After all, soldiers are important, devoted people and we owe them for their commitment to our safety.
“If anybody is wondering: Where are the young idealists? Where are the people willing to devote themselves to causes larger than themselves? They are in uniform in Iraq [and Afghanistan], straddling the divide between insanity and order.” — NY Times Columnist David Brooks.