Before I became involved in Soldiers’ Angels, I mostly never noticed the Veterans among us. My Father was a Navy Vet and I knew some of my Brothers’ friends had served, but I never thought much of it.

So, how did I wind up an active member of Soldiers’ Angels? Oddly enough, I started by reading an article in “Popular Mechanics” about the DustOff  Pilots and the Medivac operations in Iraq. That took me link by link around the internet until I landed on the Soldiers’ Angels site. And, I adopted my first soldier.

Today is Veterans Day.  Thank a Veteran, hug a Veteran, take a Veteran to lunch!! I did all three today!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

From Mike the Marine

1. Giving and receiving a bear hug from one of “my” Marines. (Thank You Justine – I really needed that hug!!)
2. Seeing a smile on a formerly grumpy face when I say “Thank You for Your Service”.
3. Getting a letter back from someone I don’t even know in response to a note I wrote them.  I know military personnel that are deployed are BUSY, and it means a lot to hear from them.
4. Having a whole houseful of people I don’t know show up to pack boxes to send overseas.
5. Getting offers of help from people I meet while standing in line at the Post Office.
6. People that, when I ask for one small thing for the troops, go over and above, not only giving what I ask, but more.
7. The community of bloggers that work so hard to promote the Valour-IT fundraiser and let me participate, even though I am nowhere near the caliber of writer that they are.
8. The great support from our whole community for our troops.
9. Knowing that the little things we do will have a positive affect on the morale and well-being of our deployed troops and their families.
10. Seeing the fund raising thermometer go UPPPPP!!!! Go Marine Team!!!!