Soldiers Angels founder Patti Patton Bader

It is always a pleasure to get the opportunity to talk with Patti Patton Bader about her amazing group of Soldiers Angels. Soldiers Angels has become a global organization of volunteers who give backs in all kinds of ways, large and small, to the men and women in uniform.

A great example of their impact came through the story of Kevin Dupont from Chicopee, MA. Kevin is a 52-year old Army National Guard soldier who volunteered to go to Afghanistan. Kevin was severely injured in an IED explosion while riding in a humvee. He has suffered expensive burns and he is fighting for life at US Army Burn Center at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Kevin’s friend, a Mass. State Police Sgt., emailed us about his situation. We invited him into the studio to tell us about Kevin. During one of the commericals, the Trooper tells me about all the Soldiers Angels at Brooke Army Hospital in TX and how they have reached out to the Dupont family. I was not surprised at all.

There is a charitable foundation set up to support Kevin’s long road to recovery. Here is the contact information.

Blue Skin Foundation
256 Doyle Road
Holden, MA 01520

As for Soldiers Angels, Patti told us she has more than 700 soldiers waiting to be “adopted”. What does that mean?

When you adopt you are committing to sending a card or letter each week, and a minimum of 1 or 2 care packages a month. This is one of the most important things that can be done to help bring home a healthy hero; it is so very important for each of them to know they are loved and supported, and your letters and care packages prove just that.

Care packages do not have to be expensive: you can put together your own (we have a detailed list of the most-requested items for you–snacks, hygiene products, and games or magazines). We have also have some exciting themed care packages in the Angel Store (they are sold at cost and shipped directly to your soldier, complete with a personal note from you).

To learn more about Soldiers Angels, visit them online at SoldiersAngels.org

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 8-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Patti Patton Bader and Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn of Soldiers Angels

Patti Patton Bader, the founder of Soldiers Angels returned to Pundit Review Radio last evening. As you will see at the beginning of the interview, it has been a while.

Joining Patti was Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn who was featured in the PBS documentary Bad Voodoos War. Toby is now working as part of Soldiers Angels and focusing on soldiers who return home with PTSD issues.

I can think of no better cause to support this holiday season than the great people who make up Soldiers Angels.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Someone You Should Know: “An Alamo with a Different Ending”; American heroes in Afghanistan

Bruce McQuain told us an amazing story of bravery tonight, that was spun as a defeat by the MSM, but was anything but. Bruce contrasts AP coverage of a recent attack on US troops in Afghanistan with the reporting of Steve Mraz of Stars & Stripes and Independent milblogger Jeff Emanuel, who sums it up this way,

Perhaps the most important takeaway from that encounter, though, is the one that the mainstream media couldn’t be bothered to pay attention long enough to learn: that, not for the first time, a contingent of American soldiers that was outnumbered by up to a twenty-to-one ratio soundly and completely repulsed a complex, pre-planned assault by those dedicated enough to their cause to kill themselves in its pursuit.

That kind of heroism and against-all-odds success is and has been a hallmark of America’s fighting men and women, and it is one that is worthy of all attention we can possibly give it.”

This is truly an amazing, inspirational and moving story about men with a level of bravery and courage that I will never be able to fully comprehend. You don’t want to miss this one.

A special thanks to Mary Ann of Soldiers Angels Germany for making us aware of this story.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Memorial Day reflections

From the Pundit Review Archives, honoring our veterans…

Someone You Should Know : amazing stories of bravery, courage and heroism from the war on terror. The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce McQuain, a Vietnam veteran who spent 28 years serving this country in the Army, is now on board and we are honored to have him as part of the show.

Soldiers Angels: an amazing group of volunteers who support the troops and the families they leave behind. If you are looking for ways to support the troops, pay them a visit.

The Walter Reed Interviews: what an honor to be able to go there and talk to our wounded warriors, their families and caregivers.

Navigating the VA: A Journey Without Maps: this is the unfortunate reality for too many military families.

Dylan Desilva and Cape Cod Cares for the Troops: a tireless, amazing young man who has inspired us to do more to support the troops.

Congratulations to Patti Patton Bader and Soldiers Angels

What great news, Patti Patton Bader, founder of Soldiers Angels, has been selected as America’s Favorite Mom. Patti is an amazing woman who has grown Soldiers Angels from an idea into a network of 200,000 volunteers who do numerous things large and small for the men and women serving and the families they leave behind.

On Mother’s Day 2006, Matt Burden, aka Blackfive, profiled Patti as part of our Someone You Should Know series

Soldiers’ Angels Founder is “America’s Favorite Mom”

Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” in a primetime television show Sunday night on NBC. Sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, the show highlighted fifteen outstanding mothers who had distinguished themselves in categories ranging from Working Moms to Military Moms and “Non-Mom” Moms.

Humbled by the honor, Patti is thrilled to be able to use it to continue the Soldiers’ Angels mission of “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” As the grand prize winner, she will receive $250,000, a set of household appliances, and other valuable items. Patti hopes to apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after deployments.

“I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life,” said Patti, 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.”

Patti is also excited about the opportunities this platform gives her to help people learn more about America’s military heroes and options for supporting them and their families. The attention she has received through the America’s Favorite Mom events has already drawn a number of new volunteers who want to use their talents and connections to help support the troops.

Soldiers Angels recognized by Veterans of Foreign Wars for their incredible work

Got some great news last night about Patti Patton Bader and Soldiers Angels.

For founding Soldiers Angels (www.soldiersangels.org) and other exemplary work that she does to make the world a better place Patti has just been notified that she is the recipient of the VFW 2008 James E. Van Zandt Citizenship Award.

“The VFW Citizenship Award - Awarded for outstanding service contrib to American citizenship. To recognize significant contribution to the spirit of service and dedication to the nation that inspires us to display better citizenship.”

From the VFW web site
“James E. “Jimmy” Van Zandt was Commander-in-Chief of the VFW three times, and a veteran of three wars (World War I, World War II, and the Korean War). He served as an enlisted man in World War I and retired as an admiral following the Korean War. Descended from a pioneer family in Blair County, Pennsylvania, Jimmy worked his way from newsboy to United States Congressman. Recipients of the award named in Van Zandt’s honor exemplify his dedication to public service, citizenship, and other admirable qualities.”

A few of the the others bestowed this honor during the 50 years it’s been given out include Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, Hubert Humphrey, John Connally, Sam Rayburn, Jeannie Kirkpatrick, William Bennett, and Barbara Bush.

Congratulations Patti and everyone associated with Soldiers Angels! You truly deserve such a great honor for all the incredible work you do around the world.

Vote for Patti

Patti Patton Bader’s son Brandon has nominated her for America’s Favorite Mom, a contest sponsored by Teleflora. Vote for Patti and she could get a chance to be on the Today show to publicize Soldiers Angels! Here is what Brandon wrote about his mom,

Is one of the most amazing woman in the world, literally. She has done more for me and the entire Military then another mother in the world. And I do mean that to be a fact, not a build up or over dramatic use of the word. She started a organization called Soldier’s Angels http://www.soldiersangels.com/ when I was in Iraq. The organization is there to ensure “may no soldier go unloved.” It is the largest non-profit Independent Military Organization that has come up since the beginning of ‘The War on Terrorism.’ She put’s her whole self into helping Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, and Marines everday. She is on the phone and computer as early as 4 a.m. and does …

You can vote for Patti here. Please do.