SA in action

Hello, Ally here. More about me later. Starting an experiment. I plan to write about SA things I spy in and around Fort Campbell KY. For your reading pleasure, I offer a moment out of a recent day on post . . .

There up ahead, it's one of our T shirts.
No, it can't be, the logo is ours but I have never seen that one for sale in the online store.
Wait, there is more written below the Angel wings but that stuff she is carrying blocks it.

"Hiya! Are you a fellow Angel?"

Okay, minor freak out. How do I respond to her answer? I will never have a perfect answer to that and I did NOT get all nosey . . . and her response is still making my week and putting lots of lift to my wings and dedication.

See, her husband was in Afghanistan. When he was shot, they cut off all his clothes. Someone gave him the T shirt. She has no idea if he also got one of our First Response Backpacks (seems even she hasn't got the whole story, bless em both) but he spent the next three days our T Shirt. She petted the shirt twice while we chatted and shared that every time she wears it, he reminds her that is HIS shirt. He is "okay" now.

Never did get to see the whole shirt front. It does not matter. I got to glimpse something much much better.

Our troops often make use of non-military skills when they are deployed. One Airman utilizes his carpentry knowledge for a somber, but important, project:

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan, June 14, 2011 – Some of the heat has burned off as the summer moon rises overhead. An airman labors over scrap wood in a makeshift workshop under a canopy of camouflage. Fitting pieces of wood together, the shape of a tiny coffin emerges.

Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Reininger builds a child-size coffin to be turned over to the hospital at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Reininger is an aerospace medical technician assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

When the contract providing coffins for deceased Afghans expired, members at the hospital here immediately began making alternative plans. Americans stepped in to continue the role after their British counterparts brought the deficiency to their attention.

"[British army Maj. Martin Smith] came asking to see if our airmen would help out," said Air Force Lt. Col. Barbara Persons, commander of the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detatchment 1 Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. "I didn't even hesitate. I knew my airmen would feel the same way as I did -- anything to preserve the dignity of an innocent child."

Read the whole thing.

Chaplains describe their work

Humvee Gift for Soldiers' Angels

Quite a donation to Soldiers' Angels that was announced today:

Soldiers’ Angels proudly announces receipt of the unique and historic Iraq Confidential Humvee from Jesse James, host of Monster Garage and owner of West Coast Choppers, Austin Speed Shop and Cisco Burgers. James recently donated the restored, combat-damaged Humvee, which was rebuilt in Iraq as part of James’ special visit with the 181st Transportation Battalion in 2006. The Humvee’s rebuild, conducted by James and the soldiers as a morale-builder, was documented on a video titled Iraq Confidential and later broadcast on the Military Channel.

When West Coast Choppers closed its California facility, James mentioned to a friend and Soldiers’ Angels staff member that he was looking for a way to use the Iraq Confidential Humvee to help the troops. Presented with the idea of donating it to Soldiers’ Angels, he welcomed the opportunity.

“Going to Iraq to do that build with the troops, being able to shake their hands and to tell them ‘thank you,’ was one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences in my life,” James says. “With all of their different programs providing support to the troops, veterans and their families, donating the Humvee to Soldiers' Angels brings it full circle, allowing it to continue to benefit those guys and gals and let them know how much I appreciate their service. "

In addition to the Humvee, James donated a semi-truck full of new copies of Garage magazine and sets of West Coast Choppers window stickers, which will be included in care packages for deployed troops. Donors to Soldiers’ Angels can also receive one copy of the magazine and sticker set as a gift with each online $10 donation when they enter “JJ” in the comments line.

Interested parties and potential buyers of the Humvee may contact the Executive Director of Soldiers’ Angels at tobynunn@soldiersangels.org.

Your Support Makes a Difference

Help us continue to support our troops. We appreciate the donations of time, talent and treasure that allows us to let them know we honor their service.

Thanks from Afghanistan

Soldiers' Angels recently received this note from a Staff Sergeant on a PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) in Afghanistan.

Dear Soldiers' Angels,

Thank you all very much for the package, especially the movies and MOOSE MUNCH (which was gone in less than a minute).

There are some times we get sad over here and think that people in the States don't really care about us, so when we get something like this it really boosts our morale. So this package, it really means a lot. On behalf of PRT Panjshir, we'd like to say thank you and God bless.

Attached is a picture of us for the greatest organization ever--Soldiers' Angels. You guys are the BEST! Thank you.

--SSgt R., US Air Force

PRTs are military teams that work with local government officials, U.S. government civilians and local military/police personnel to assist people in rebuilding or improving their neighborhoods. They spend a great deal of time away from the main bases and out in the countryside among the locals. This PRT, which is very isolated, received a large package from Soldiers' Angels while waiting to be adopted by individual Angel volunteers.

As of this writing, there are 1106 Heroes waiting to be adopted. You can help.

'Angels' Among Us

As Soldiers returned home to Ft. Campbell last weekend, they had an Angel among them.


To read the full story: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011101300333