SoldiersAngels.org

In March of 2003, I started sending care packages to the sons and daughters of of other Army Moms that I had met online, and to soldiers that we had heard were not receiving mail from home. My public work to support soldiers began in the fall of 2003 when I realized that I could no longer afford to continue to buy all the contents as well as pay for the postage for all the care packages I was sending out each week. I thought that if I could encourage people to donate the contents of packages, then I would be able to provide the postage and continue to reach out to soldiers whose names were never called at mail-call.   I have been gratified by the positive response and generous support I have received from people in Berkeley Heights, Gillette, New Providence and Chatham and have registered as a  non-profit organization as "Sent With Love From a Proud Army Mom" but have not yet obtained my tax exempt status, so donations toward postage are not currently tax deductible.

I am a member of three online Army Mom groups as well as the military support group, Soldiers Angels (soldiersangels.org).  I focus on sending snacks, magazines, paper back books and personal care items to soldiers that are submitted or submit themselves and their units through the Soldiers Angels website and are not getting mail or support from home, as well as units which need extra support since they are in locations without a PX.   Many of the soldiers I send books to have a platoon or unit under their command and distribute whatever is sent to all their soldiers (and there is a tradition that all the soldiers share with others that aren't getting mail).

What I have found most moving, is the gratitude that these soldiers express when they receive support from someone they have never met.  Many of these young men and women are not supported by friends and family members, so all their mail and packages come from people they don't know.  Your support  helps more of these wonderful soldiers know that they have not been forgotten.

Here are many comments and a letter sent to me from soldiers who have received books and care packages.

Following is a letter I received from the Commanding Officer of a young infantry soldier that I had been writing to and sending packages to in the summer of 2003. He didn't write back too often, but in one of his rare letters he wrote about how great it was to be getting support since his unit had just been "hit" by an RPG and he had lost several of his buddies.  He had a close call himself and was very shaken by the experience. He said that getting letters of support had helped him get through those difficult times.  In the spring of 2004, I received a note saying that his unit was leaving Baghdad and thanking me again for all the support (he also enclosed a snapshot so I could finally "meet" him).

Dec 18, 2003

Dear "Army Mom,"

 Just wanted to take a second to tell you what happened in Iraq today.  It was raining - and I was just coming in to my headquarters when when I passed by one of my newer soldiers - an immigrant from the former Soviet Union - and one of my BEST privates.

 I was stopped in my tracks, for behold - on such a dreary day he was smiling.  I was being funny (at first) and I said "awww you got a package with some goodies?  Who sent that to you?" And as I expected to hear him say "my mom (or something like that)" he turned his face to me and said "I don't know...." he had a smile on his face.....and as I saw his eyes glazing he said " ...that's why I was smiling" and at that my eyes began to glaze too.

I can never take for granted their service, not for one minute - not for one second.  And now...even in a hell like this - God has sent yet another Angel.

I'll bet you didn't know that did you?  How truly amazing - how close we come to God in such a far away place.

And how silly I am for thinking that this private's safety is for me only to keep.  Seems there are many who share this burden-and make me sleep sound.

You made one of my soldiers smile today - sitting there by himself - and for that, you have touched my soul.

I'd thank you, but that's not why Angels do what they do (I know).  So instead I'll just say - Well Done!  You can rest easy, message received.  And I'll do my best to bring them home.  I owe God one ;-)

Thank you from my soul,

PS From the Fourth Army son of a mom like you no doubt