The ugly truth

So many people in this world aren't truly aware of the nightmare our military face once they return home from war.  I stay close to this mainly because I feel such a connection with all the young men that served with Chad and those that are still serving.  Trust me, I was one of those people that truly did not understand what our veterans deal with as well as those that are still serving once they have experienced war.  I started educating myself when my son, CPL Chad S Wade, enlisted and had his first deployment to Iraq.  I prayed every day he was in Iraq that he would come back the same young man who left.  I was always more worried about his mental state and his heart while deployed that first time than his actual physical safety.  I can't explain why, but that's how it was.  Now, once he deployed to Afghanistan, I will admit my fears were equally shared between the mental and physical safety and at the time I couldn't really explain to myself let alone others as to why I felt that way, but it's apparent now that the Lord was preparing me for the worst.  We were fortunate that Chad had no mental issues after Iraq and he seemed to re-acclimate back into the "real" world pretty well.  He had some adjustments to make right at first, but the Marine Corps and his buddies helped each other through those bumps in the road and made a huge difference.  In addition, Chad not only had an amazing family to support, love, and encourage him he also had his upcoming wedding to focus on.  I do believe all those elements helped him not dwell on what he had experienced in Iraq, but to stay focused on the here and now as well as building a future.  I'm grateful for that.  However, Afghanistan was a different story.  I had a horrible feeling about this deployment from the very beginning and apparently rightfully so.  He had been in his final destination there for 5 weeks when he stepped on an IED and died. I knew his brothers in arms would need their families even more now once they returned to the states (this is when our foundation was born) www.wingsforourtroops.com.  When I read this article today http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/opinion/sunday/kristof-a-veterans-death-the-nations-shame.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&smid=fb-share it broke my heart.  I want to do something to help these men and women, but I have no clue what to do or how to start so if there are any suggestions out there please share.  My heart is just full of love and pride for these men and women and I just feel like I need to do more to help them.  Even if it's just listening to them, I need to do something to help them.

On line acution - Huge success!

For all that participated in the FB online auction through After Glow Beads, THANK YOU!  You all raised $1,275.00 for Wings for Our Troops "in loving memory of CPL Chad S Wade".  WOW!  I'm just blown away by the support, love, and encouragement our troops must be feeling to know this many people are behind them. 
We are hoping to have some very good and exciting news to share with you very soon.  More coming.  After Glow Beads is planning to host another FB online auction so if you weren't able to participate the last time, you will have another chance in about a month or so.  Stay tuned! 
If you haven't visited these two ladies that have been so instrumental in supporting our troops and Wings for Our Troops please do.  Check out http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150619305953217.411902.314762198216&type=1for After Glow Beads and http://www.daisyandelm.com/ for Daisy and Elm Jewelry & Rosaries.  You will be amazed at what these women can do. 
Help support the small businesses and in the meantime continue to help support our military troops.  It's the very least we can do with the sacrifices they are making for us each and every day.

Don't forget to wear your RED on Fridays for Remember Everyone Deployed!  Always remember that any given day there are American troops on the ground, sea, and in the air fighting in a dangerous war to ensure our freedom. 

Thank you again for all your support and feel good knowing you just helped some Marines get home before and/or after deployment.

R.E.D. Friday jewelry (sample) from Daisy and Elm Jewelry & Rosaries (check out more on her site)

R.E.D. Friday necklace (sample) from After Glow Beads (check out more on her site)

KISS looking to hire military veteran!

How amazing to see the band KISS looking to hire one of America's true heroes as a roadie for their summer tour with Motley Crew.  Of course I'm hoping they hire one of "my" heroes, but any military veteran they hire will be amazing.  I'm just glad to see people out there supporting our military once they re-enter the civilian workforce.  So many of Chad's buddies are still looking for work since getting out of the Marine Corps and I would love nothing more than other companies/people get behind our military men and women and give them a job or a career.  Check out what KISS is doing and if you ever get the chance to personally thank them, please do and never forget to thank our troops (past or present) for all they do for us all!

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-looking-to-hire-a-military-veteran-as-roadie-for-summer-tour/



KISS (courtesy of ultimate classic rock.com)



Soldiers Deck of Cards... via YouTube

There is no introduction or explanation required.  Just check out this YouTube video.  My aunt sent this to me and it is so worth watching.  Always remember our soldiers.

Soldiers Deck of Cards - YouTube

Scentsy Fundraiser for Wings for Our Troops

If you love the scentsy items and you love our troops, this is the fundraiser for you!  M.J. Schutz is hosting a fundraiser and 25% of the sales of her patriotic scentsy items will go to Wings for Our Troops.  Also, if you would like to jsut show your support to our troops that are deployed, you can purchase car scents (they are called Scent Circles) and they will be sent overseas to our troops.  "It's amazing what a clean smell will do for the troops!"  M.J.'s husband was in the Army and he always requested air fresheners when he was deployed.  It's just a small token to show them how much we appreciate them. 

If you would like to order and help support our troops and help towards the Wings for Our Troops foundation you can go to https://mjschutz.scentsy.us/Scentsy and choose the Wings Fundraiser link.

We are sending some of the car scents to CPL Joseph Snow, USMC and his unit so if you would like to join us in sending a smell good care package to these troops in Afghanistan you can email M.J. at mjconerly@yahoo.com and she will add your order to ours and save you the shipping!  Let's give these guys a little home comfort and make them feel good while they are fighthing this war for us! 

Thank you in advance for your support!



Patriotic Scentsy... 25% goes to Wings for Our Troops "in loving memory of CPL Chad S Wade"



Wings for Our Troops "in loving memory of CPL Chad S Wade" appreciates journalists

Wings for Our Troops "in loving memory of CPL Chad S Wade" appreciates journalists

Let us always remember...

Especially to my son (CPL Chad S Wade, USMC) and all other fallen soldiers, and my bonus kids (his brothers forever) we will ALWAYS remember....  Love, Momma Bear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP_9fBANm0w&feature=related