Nevada Soldiers Angels VA Team

Welcome Home Event for OIF and OEF Veterans

2008-05-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

The Southern Nevada Healthcare system ( or Las Vegas VA) is hosting a Welcome Home event for Veterans of OIF and OEF This month.

When: May 16th, 2008

From: 09.00 to 17.00 hours

At: The Texas Station Casino
2101 Texas Star Lane
Las Vegas Nv 89032

In: The Dallas Ballroom

The Program will include:

VA benefits
VA Health Care
Job opportunities
Educational Opportunities
Housing and mortgage information

Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

For more information contact Cathine Sines at (702) 636-3000 Ext.4525

Spaghetti and Meatball Fundraiser to benefit the Blinded Veterans Assosciation

2008-04-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

The Nevada Silver State Regional Group of Blinded Veterans Assosciation are running their first annual fundraiser!

They are having a Spaghetti and meatball dinner at THE MARVELOUS, an Italian - American Supper club on Friday, May 30th 2008

The marvelous is located at:
2333 E. Sahara Ave (near Eastern Blvd)
The evening kicks off at 5 pm with a social hour and a no host bar, then dinner follows at 6pm.

Music is provided by Keith Jorgensen Music Center.

Theer is a requested donation of $15 per person, the donation will go towards locating Blinded veterans who need service and providing role models who can demostrate that the challenges of blindness can be successfully overcome.

See you there!

Unserviceable Flag Retirement Ceremony and Luncheon

2008-04-22T22:39:00.002-07:00

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Valley of Fire Chapter are holding a unserviceable Flag Retirement ceremony and Lucheon on
Saturday, May 3rd 2008 at 10.00 am

The ceremony will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetary in Boulder city.
All are welcome to attend!

Reno VA wish list for April

2008-04-22T22:39:00.001-07:00

The Reno VA wish list has bot changed much over the last couple of months. However they are requesting donations of season specific clothing, summer clothing and these requested items:

Personal Hygiene Items
Shampoo
Soaps
Lotions
Razors
Combs
Brushes
Nail Brushes
Nail clippers
Emory boards etc

Beverages

Teas
Coffees
Sugar
Sugar alternatives
Creamers
Cups
Spoons

Misc. Items
Socks (all sizes)
Underwear ( all sizes)

They also have a special request for prizes to give to volunteers who will be honored at the annual awards banquet. I have taken care of this request already however if you wish to donate gift cards for local restaurants or floral arrangements I am sure they would be gladly accepted.

Send all donations to :
Voluntary services
1000 Locust Street
Reno NV

Please make all checks payable to "agent cashier and mark in the memo space what you want the funds used for. For example "Beverages for Veterans" Also please include a note that you are part of Soldiers Angels so that SA can be "Credited" the donation from the VA.

Thank you for your support of this awesome

Las Vegas VA wishlist for April

2008-04-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

Hot Needs:

Summer clothing
Hats
sun screen
Drinking Water (bottled) For CBOC and Geriatrics

Needs:

Phone cards, Funds for bus passes, gas vouchers and money orders to Obtain DMV ID's.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

20 sets of Hand weights ( approx costs $12 per set)
30 sets of Wrists weights (Approx $10 per set)
50 sets of sweat bands
30 Arthritis Assosciation Excercise DVD's ( approx cost (15 per DVD)
10 Community gym Memberships
5 Excercise head phones and radio or MP3's ( approx cost $25-$300 each)
20 Clothing certificates ( approx cost ($30-$50 each)
300 Calorie king books (Aprrox $7 each book)
1000 Stickers (approx cost $24)

The special needs list is to support the brand new Healthy Veterans program called MOVE. The program is so new that the need for items is holding up classes being held due to lack of equipment.

If you can help with any of these items or wish to donate funds to support these projectssend direct to the VA at:

Voluntary services
South West clinic
3880 S. Jones Blvd Suite 2300
Las Vegas NV

Checks should be made payable to "agent cashier" and in the memo section mark what you want the funds to be used for. For example 1 set wrist weights. Please include a note that you are a Soldiers' Angel so that SA receieve "credit" for your donation from the VA.

Thank you.

Guidelines for Listening to War Veterans

2008-04-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

by Al Siebert, Ph.D., Director of The Resiliency Center
author of The Resiliency Advantage
The main problem for many war veterans and survivors of torturous experiences is not what they went through. Their problem is that very few people have the emotional strength to listen to them talk about what they went through. The poor relationships that survivors often have with spouses, children, relatives, neighbors, employers, and co-workers are not merely a result of delayed reactions to stress. The feelings of isolation and poor relationships with others are, in part, from having bad experiences with people who are poor listeners.

Pictures of the war in Iraq did not show the gruesome carnage caused by the bombing. "Most people would go weird," one combat veteran says, "when they hear about what I saw."

People who have survived highly distressing experiences will usually talk with a good listener who will take time to hear the whole story. If you are willing to listen to someone speak truthfully about all their experiences, here are useful guidelines to follow:

Don't ask about a person's experiences unless you can handle honest answers. When Vietnam combat veterans returned home they found that very few people had the emotional strength to listen to their stories. Don't open someone up and then "chicken out" when the story gets too rough. Tell yourself that a reasonably strong human being ought to be able to at least listen to what another person has lived through. Survivors of horrifying experiences will usually talk to a person who has the courage to listen.

Give the person lots of time. Vietnam veterans found that the average person could listen for only several minutes. When a veteran is willing to talk to you, it is important to allow him or her plenty of time to talk. Don't interrupt to state your feelings about the war. This is not a time for discussion! Plan to listen for hours. Expect to have some follow-up sessions. When people open themselves up to relive strong emotional experiences, additional details and feelings may flood into their minds in the days that follow. It is typical for combat veterans to have nightmares and periods of emotional turmoil.

Be an active listener. Ask for details. Ask about feelings. Ask questions when you feel puzzled about facts or incidents.

Remain quiet if he or she starts crying. It may help to touch or hold the person if it feels right to both of you. Don't tell the person to not feel what he's feeling. Don't suggest a better way to look at it. Leave his or her thoughts and feelings alone. Your quiet presence is more useful than anything else you can do.

Listen with empathy, but minimize sympathy. It is easier for combat veterans to reveal what they went through if they don't have to put up with sympathy. ("What a horrible experience! You poor man!") Survivors of horrible experiences talk more easily to a person with calm concern. Control your imagination and resist letting their feelings become your feelings. Don't make the veteran have to handle your emotional reactions as well as his or her own. If you need emotional support, seek it elsewhere.

Ask if he or she sees anything positive about being in combat. It is not accurate to think of most war veterans as having a post-traumatic stress disorder. Some do. The majority do not. Research shows that many who served in Vietnam became significantly more mature and developed a healthy personal identity. The same extreme circumstances that cause emotional trauma for some people cause others to become stronger.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Al Siebert has studied highly resilient survivors for over thirty years. He is author of the new book The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure and Bounce Back From Setbacks, andThe Survivor Personality: Why Some People Are Stronger, Smarter, and More Skillful at Handling Life's Difficulties...and How You Can Be, Too.

We met the Thunderbirds helping Veterans!

2008-04-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

The VA team really stuck gold this time. We had been trying to visit the VA hosiptal on Nellis Air Force Base for a while as you can imagine security is tight, but a good friend of the VA team sponsored us on base. We got to meet so many wonderful veterans Who were so excited that they had not just one vistor but three! Thw VA team arranged for Gina, from pin ups for vets to come along too, as we think she's lots of fun. The veterans loved her too. They also loved her calendar! Soldiers' Angels provided a vet pack for each of the veterans staying at the hospital and for the injured active miliatary service members. They were all thrilled! After our visit to the hospital , our contact Pamela Robinson, had arrqanged a very special suprise for us. A visit to the home of the Thunderbirds. We had a private tour around the museum, and then we were taken into the hanger to see the Thunderbirds! And after that we got to see the "perch" the very exclusive, not to be seen by the public, private Thunderbird bar. It was seriously cool!

Thank you Pamela for arranging the visit we really enjoyed our visit!

Soldiers Angels Visit the Armory

2008-04-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

The VA tean got invited to host a booth at the "In celebration of women in the Military" event. We went and gave out information about Soldiers' Angels, the VA team and talked to spouses of deployed service men and women. It was a fun day for all. And we are looking forward to next year!

A photo of the the Nevada Armory building

A photo of the Soldiers' Angels booth

Another photo of our booth and our poster boards explaining some of the Soldiers' Angels programs

Soldiers'Angels Jody S. and Lou K. Talking to a deployed servicemans wife. We have signed her husband up for much needed support and we offered the wife some too!

Soldiers' Angels Partners with The Catholic War Veterans

2008-04-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Soldiers angels and the Catholic War veterans came together to help local deployed airmen get adopted. Soldiers' Angels and the Catholic War Veterans have been working together on a few projects recently including the VA food pantry which they maintain and deliver to veterans in need.

On this night both Felicia Gaines and Lou Kastendick went to speak to the Catholic war veterans about Soldiers' Angels adn introduced ourselves adn the Soldiers' Angels programs to them. And then we met with the Ladies auxillary. The ladies wanted to adopt a group of service people for the duration of their deployemnt overseas. Soldiers' Angels arranged for them to "unofficially adopt" a group of 12 airmen currently deployed in the middle east. We know these men and women will be well cared for by this group.

A huge Thank you to Jim and Kelly M. From Catholic War Veterans for allowing us to come talk to your group. We look forward to working with you on many more veterans projects.

Las Vegas Angels help hungry Veterans.

2008-04-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

It came to our attention a few weeks ago that the VA food pantry was running low on supplies so the Vegas angels have been helping keep the pantry stocked. The food is donated by individuals and organizations such as Soldiers' Angels. It helped struggling veterans get food that they might have to go without if the pantry wasn't avaialble. When a veteran lets the Va know they have no money for food, they give a call to the pantry and a whole months worth of food is delivered. Too many veterans here in Nevada this is a real lifeline.

A special Thank you to Soldiers Angels for the latest donation and a huge Thank you for Lizz P. For helping me do the neccessary shopping to help the Vegas veterans.

The back of my car full of goodies for Vegas veterans.
Close up of all the good and healthy food for veterans.
The donation of food after being transferred to bigger vehicle!

2008-04-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

The first 100 Rub-a-dub-dub back packs were stuffed and delivered last week. Each back pack contained a blonaket of hope, personal hygiene items, clothing, cereal bars and cards and messages of support.

The first 100 back packs were donated to women veterans of Nevada, they were a huge success. The oldest female veteran in Nevada (at a sprightly 92 years old!) was so thrilled with her back pack she kept asking if it was for her!

The next round of Rub-a-dub-dub back packs will be ready by April 30th 2008 for the Las Vegas stand down. We are still in need of many items, especially toothbrushes, shampoo and soft soap. If you can help with any of these items email us direct at VACTLNV@gmail.com

A huge thank you to Patti Bader from Soldier's Angels for the donation of the camo back packs the veterans are loving them!

Lou

Volunteers needed for the Boulder City Retirement Home

2008-04-05T00:28:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention that the Boulder City Veterans retirement home in Nevada is in desparate need of volunteers to help out with various activites. Current Positions available are:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner serving assistance
Friday Mornings Coffee socials (at 9.00am -10.30 am)
1st Friday of the month Bingo! (1.30-3.30pm)
Gift shop volunteers
Chapel Volunteers
Day trip outing volunteers

The list goes on...............

If you would like to help out please email me direct at VACTLNV @ GMAIL.COM
so that I can send you out the application. There is a required background check and fingerprints will need to be taken, also a TB test, however there is no charge for any of these things for the volunteer. ALso please note that Reggy R. is the team leader for this for the angels who volunteer and there is a 6 month commitment requirement.

Thank you so much for helping Nevada's Veterans it is appreciated more than you know.

Lou.

America's Favorite Mom.... Patti Bader Patton from Soldiers' Angels?

2008-03-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

March 11, 2008, Pasadena, CA- The nation is patiently awaiting the results of the Teleflora America's Favorite Mom contest airing on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008 on NBC "The Today Show". Thousands of moms have already been nominated and anyone can vote for the nominees online at www.americasfavoritemom.com. Patti Patton - Bader, the founder of Soldiers' Angels is one of those moms that are patiently awaiting the results.

Bader's son, Brandon Varn recently nominated her for America's Favorite Mom for her innovation in starting the non-profit organization Soldiers' Angels in March 2003 to offer support to deployed and wounded service members. "My mom is one of the most amazing women in the world. She started an organization called Soldiers' Angels when I was deployed to Iraq. The organization is there to ensure "may no soldier go unloved." It is the largest non-profit independent military support organization that has started since the onset of 'The War on Terrorism.' She puts her whole self into helping Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, and Marines everyday." says Varn.

In the summer of 2003, Varn wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, Bader decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an internet community with over 200,000 Angels worldwide.

Now this ordinary mother's youngest son, Bretton Varn, is serving his country in Iraq as he continues his family's legacy of bravery, honor and commitment.

2008 is the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day and America's Favorite Mom contest is designed specifically by Telefora for this anniversary celebration. The top 15 nominees from the three categories (Most Humorous, Most Inspirational and Most Loved) will appear on NBC's "Today Show" and viewers will vote for their favorite at the end of each show. The top five finalists will appear on the "America's Favorite Mom" special, where the winner will be crowned.

The winner will have a rose named in her honor, and will receive thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including an 18-karat gold heart-shaped "America's Favorite Mom" pendant trimmed in diamonds. USAA, partnering with Telefora to help raise awareness about the contest in the military community, will give the winner a $2,500 cruise gift certificate from Explore Cruise Travel and a free yearlong financial strategies plan.

Why is it so important for Patti Patton Bader to win? The obvious reason is, she deserves it. The secondary reason is the funds go to the favorite charity of the winner, which obviously would be Soldiers' Angels! It also provides another level of public awareness for Soldiers' Angels at the national level.

Soldiers' Angels is recruiting all members and friends to go to America's Favorite Mom contest and vote for Patti Patton-Bader. Registered members may vote once a day in the Most Inspirational Mom online contest ending March 31 and the Most Loved online contest ending April 30, 2008. Don't delay, sign up and "Vote for Bader!" Soldiers' Angels celebrates its' 5th anniversary in the month of March. What a great gift this would be. www.americasfavoritemom.com

Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American service members stationed wherever the American flag is raised. Soldiers' Angels is dedicated in supporting the military during and after their deployment. In the time honored tradition of civilian support of American soldiers, Soldiers' Angels sponsors programs which provide support to American soldiers and their families. Soldiers' Angels' programs include first responder packs, support, and laptop computers to wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment at American military hospitals; care packages, letters, and support to deployed soldiers; armored blankets to military ambulances; items shipped for deployed soldiers to give children in the war zone; and memorial trees for the families of soldiers who have died in the service of their country. There are several ways to support our troops through Soldiers' Angels, for more information please go to our national website www.soldiersangels.org or contact Soldiers’ Angels at (615)676-0239 or soldiersangels @ gmail.com.

A tribute to all Moms from Teleflora: America's Favorite Mom is presented by Teleflora, America's leading floral wire service, known for the famous Teleflora Difference: Every bouquet is arranged and hand-delivered in a vase by a trusted local Teleflora florist. No overnight shipping, no boxes - just the freshest possible flowers delivered in the most delightful way.

"May no soldier go unloved, may no soldier walk alone, may no soldier be forgotten, until they all come home." ~ Patti Patton-Bader

Free Admission at Anheuser-Busch (Sea World) Theme Parks

2008-03-05T00:07:00.000-08:00

What: Free Day's Admission
Where: SeaWorld/Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks
When: Throughout 2008

"Here's to the Heroes" the military tribute program that provides free admission to SeaWorld and other Anheuser-Busch Worlds of Discovery parks, has been extended through 2008.

FREE DAY'S ADMISSION Here's to the Heroes provides a single day's free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or National Guardsman is entitled to complimentary admission under the program. He or she need only register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance plaza of a participating park, and show a Department of Defense photo ID. Also included in the offer are members of foreign military forces serving in the coalitions in Iraq or Afghanistan or attached to American units in the U.S. for training.

ANHEUSER BUSCH SAYS THANK YOU "This is our small way of paying tribute to the sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, soldiers and airmen for their dedicated service to our nation," Fichthorn said. "It is gratifying to all of us at that so many members of our armed forces have already taken advantage of this program and we're looking forward to them visiting again in 2008."

THE TRIBUTE PROGRAM The tribute program has provided free admission to nearly 4 million members of U.S. and coalition armed forces and their families. Anheuser-Busch launched "Here's to the Heroes" in February 2005 to acknowledge the service of military men and women and the sacrifices made by their families. Here's to the Heroes is the fourth tribute to military personnel offered by Anheuser-Busch since Yellow Ribbon Summer welcomed service members home from the Gulf War in 1991.
Inactive, standby and retired reserve members, military retirees, U.S. Merchant Marine and civilian Department of Defense workers are ineligible for the program. The program does not include Discovery Cove or SeaWorld's new water park, Aquatica.

Three Anheuser-Busch parks – SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld San Diego – operate year round. The company's remaining parks are seasonal, with varying opening dates this spring. Each park's operating schedule is available online. SeaWorld San Diego is one of 10 Worlds of Discovery parks operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation, the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Other Worlds of Discovery parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla. and Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park in Orlando; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (11)

2008-02-07T00:23:00.000-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (10)

2008-02-07T00:21:00.000-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (9)

2008-02-07T00:19:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (8)

2008-02-07T00:17:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (7)

2008-02-07T00:15:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (6)

2008-02-07T00:11:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (5)

2008-02-07T00:09:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (4)

2008-02-07T00:07:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (3)

2008-02-07T00:05:00.001-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (2)

2008-02-07T00:03:00.000-08:00

VA SUPERBOWL PARTY (1)

2008-02-06T23:57:00.000-08:00