Thousands of soldiers and airmen have deployed from Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base this year. While a portion of the service members are married with families, the majority are single. Many of these soldiers and airmen have parents and family members from their hometowns supporting them with care packages and mail overseas; yet, there are too many who are forgotten about once they leave the United States. Luckily there are multiple organizations that make it their goal to let no service member feel forgotten.

The motto of the nonprofit organization Soldiers’ Angels is “May no soldier go unloved.”  Soldiers’ Angels has over 200,000 volunteers nationwide.  Volunteers work with all branches of the armed forces caring for troops both at home and deployed and host over 25 different support teams. Teams include Adopt a Soldier, which provides individualized support throughout deployments; Angel Bakers, who bake homemade baked goods; three different blanket making groups that show support, give comfort to hospitalized veterans, and for the recently wounded; and teams that support local heroes stateside such as the Community Team Leaders.

There are an estimated 1,948 soldiers, airmen, Marines, and sailors going without mail and care packages while deployed. An SOS has been sent out asking for volunteers to adopt these brave heroes. When a volunteer signs up to adopt a soldier he or she is pledging to give a set amount of time and effort. According to soldiersangels.com, “Each Angel who adopts a soldier commits to sending at least one letter a week and at least one care package a month.”

“These letters and packages affect morale in a way that none of the Angels will ever truly be able to realize. It’s people like you that keep the fighting spirit in the American soldier,” said Spec. D, who is serving in Afghanistan. The Soldiers’ Angels Web site is full of comments from troops overseas thanking the program participants for their constant support. Capt. O in Iraq said, “Soldiers’ Angels has been there for my men (and for me) during our darkest hours and in our moments of triumph.  You are all Angels in the truest sense.”

On Oct. 27, 2009, Soldiers’ Angels received the prestigious Spirit of Hope award in Washington, D.C., from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In September, the Washington State Chapter donated all of the games and prizes for the Fort Lewis Warrior Transition Battalion Fun Day. The chapter also recently participated in a Flag Day event that benefited local veterans and the Fisher House program. 

To volunteer for one of the multiple teams that Soldiers’ Angels host or to adopt a service member, e-mail the Washington Chapter at soldiersangelswaevents@gmail.com or visit the national blog at http://www.soldiersangels.org/.