Another belated congratulation. If you're a regular reader, you know I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Soldiers' Angels. Maybe I even persuaded you to contribute a few bucks to the annual Project Valour-IT fundraising contest in the last couple of years. Well, on Sunday, May 11, Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader was named "America's Favorite Mom" for the great work she does:
"I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life," said Patton-Bader, who herself has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. "Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this America's Favorite Mom program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me."
…In a nationwide online poll last March, Patton-Bader was voted "America's Most Inspirational Mom" after having been nominated by her eldest son for founding and leading Soldiers' Angels. On May 5, 2008 she appeared on the Today show as one of three selected finalists in the "Favorite Military Mom" category. A nationwide online poll was again conducted, and the results were announced on May 11, 2008 with Patton-Bader being named winner in both the "Favorite Military Mom" and "America's Favorite Mom" categories.
Patton-Bader's son, SSGT Brandon Varn, eloquently described why she deserved the honor:
When I went to Iraq in 2003 my mom started sending me care packages everyday. When I told her some deployed soldiers weren't receiving anything and I was sharing my packages with them she started Soldiers Angels (www.soldiersangels.org) now the nations largest all volunteer military support organization that has adopted over 200,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. My mom has hepatitis C and fibrosis of the liver and is in pain most waking hours and does all of this from her bed. She works as a mom for all the military and their families from the time she arises early in the morning until the time she falls asleep from exhaustion. … She like the rest of the volunteers at Soldiers Angels takes no money or compensation – she does all of this because she cares. … My mom is not only a great mom for my sister, my brother and me, but is a mother to anyone who wears a uniform and is truly America's favorite mom.
Soldiers' Angels is a huge organization sponsoring more than two dozen separate projects. Countless volunteers and contributors make these efforts possible. But the organization came into existence and continues its fine work today because of the vision and dedication of Patti Patton-Bader. Why not drop by the Soldiers' Angels site and offer your congratulations and support?
"May no soldier go unloved, may no soldier walk alone, may no soldier be forgotten, until they all come home."
— Patti Patton-Bader
