Posts Tagged ‘Supporting our Heroes’

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How do you scare an ELEPHANT?

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Taken on my humanitarian mission in South Africa, 2008

… With a mouse, of course.  🙂

Or in my case, it will be with what I have commonly referred to as “Rat Poisoning” in the past.   Until recently.  You see, I woke up on 10 May 2011, with what I thought was a Migraine Headache.  To date, that same intense pain has prevaded every aspect of my life.  It has been a LONG 254 days of praying, begging for relief, tears, frustration, joy in the simple things, arguments with doctors and insurance (over what treatment to try next), and FAITH.

Yesterday I told someone extremely close to me that I felt I have been in a spiritual warfare.  Satan has been attacking me on EVERY front.  Regardless of whether you believe in God or not, or whether you care to identify with your Creator or not, I ABSOLUTELY MUST.  You see, without my FAITH, I would not have gotten through the past 8 1/2 months of debilitating pain.  It is because I have believed that God has a plan, that I have been able to endure the pain.  Every single day that I have had to go to the hospital for treatments, or a new doctors office and fill out what seems hours of paperwork; I have thought about the Wounded Warriors that I have visited at Bethesda, Walter Reed, Brooke Army Medical Center, or those wonderful heroes I met at Knott’s Berry Farm in November of 2010.

Knott's Berry Farm with Wounded Warriors, November 2009

By reflecting on the memories of experiences others have had, and their sheer tenacity to endure … has gotten me through.  It would be a lie if I told you I have been strong through this entire process.  Lord only knows I have sobbed with pain and frustration.  Yes, I have said the words “why me”.  I stopped saying that in November when a dear friend of mine landed in the hospital … not to come out alive. (I sure do miss you, Ed Bahmer!)  You see, things can always be worse.  It freaks people out when I say “I look forward to dying”.  It is not that I want to die, please don’t get me wrong …. I just look forward to being reunited with my loved ones who were taken from this earth way too soon.  A place where there is no pain.

After my third trip to the emergency room last spring and summer, I stopped counting how many doctors, hospitals, and treatments I had endured.  There is a notebook that is at the foot of my bed right now, that chronicles every appointment and medication I have been put on.  At one point, I remember being on 13 medications at one time. In 5 months time, I had been on 35 different medications.  Every prescription putting me more and more in the hole financially.  There came a time when I had to regroup and remind myself of the very wise words of my primary care physician in Atlanta “You are your own best health advocate … no one knows your body better than YOU”.  When I chose to move back to Seattle in September (after months of not living at my place in Kentucky), I sought medical professionals who would not simply prescribe drugs to treat the symptoms.

In doing so, I also lost alot of faith in modern (western) medicine.  It became increasingly obvious to me that many doctors seem to get kick backs from the amount of prescriptions they write.  Please don’t get me wrong here … I did not lose faith in ALL physicians … just the ones who chose not to listen to me when I shared prior experiences and treatments.  What did and did not work.  And at the end of the day, I found that I had to babysit people to ensure they would do their jobs.  Dealing with insurance companies is a full time job … and when you have a migraine headache EVERY SINGLE DAY, that battle is not an easy one.

Have you ever heard the saying “mind over matter”?  Or “no pain, no gain”?  These are things I say to myself constantly.  It helps me to realize things HAVE TO GET BETTER.  A very long time ago, I discerned that I was not “normal” by human standards.  Honestly, I believe I was put on this earth to be different.  The Love I have in my heart for others is bigger than my emotions can control.  My blood seems to be infused with humanitarian desires.  Nothing brings me more joy than making a positive difference to someone else.  The words LOYAL and HONEST define me.  Often this leaves me feeling separate from other humans, because we truly live in a world where people are selfish.  And people can be outright mean and hateful.

But you know what has kept me sane through being forced to give up my own place, stay away from a career I felt was divinely chosen for me, going on food stamps, and learning to make ends meet when the disability check is not enough to cover regular expenses of life and additional prescription and medical challenges?  THE KINDNESS OF OTHERS.  It has been a time of me learning to RECEIVE rather than always being the one to give.  God is using this time to make me a better person (I thought I was pretty cool already.  haha) … and I will be honest, it hurts like hell.  It is by the grace of my amazing friends and family that I am able to endure.  (Thank you for accepting me exactly as I am … no matter where that may be, or how I may feel!)  I thank God for them daily, as do I do the valiant heroes who fight for my rights to think, feel, and be ME.

Swedish Hospital Pain & Headache Clinic, January 2012

Earlier today someone asked me “what do you do from day to day”?  Meaning “how do you spend your time”?  I responded “well, every day seems to revolve around whether I have a doctors appointment or not.”  Far cry from jet setting all over the globe and volunteering my time.  It is frustrating to me, because I feel like I should be doing something “more”.  In my mind, I should be making more money, sending more care packages to our troops, doing more for humanity.  Making a Difference (also known as going MAD) hehe.

And last weekend, when I celebrated my 50th birthday (really, I do feel MUCH younger!)  with dear family and friends in Southern California … an absolute transformation occurred in my mind.  Through the love in that house, I learned that no matter where I am, and no matter what I am doing, I am making a difference.  It’s just harder for me to do when I feel like I have no money and I am in constant pain.  Let’s say I have to work at it, when in the past, it has come naturally.  My heart just aches because others see pain in my eyes, and that hurts me.  But today I had this sense that I needed to sit down and write (sorry it has been so long since my last blog, by the way).  It is cathartic to me.  Maybe my words will help just one person to realize that they are not alone in their pain.

There are many, many times I have felt that way.  Like NO ONE understands.  No one else has had my life experiences, or overcome what I have, in order to get to where I am.  But they don’t have to … they just need to have compassion.  People need to have an ounce more understanding.  When someone is talking to you, PLEASE LISTEN to their words.  Do not be confused by someones inability to articulate how they feel.  Just having a friend reach out a hand and say “I’m here”, could make all the difference in the world.  (Thank you so very much to my friends, who always know how to make me smile … and just happen to be there, right when I need you the most!!!)

Just now I received a text message from a friend who asked me about the “elephant” (also known as THROB).  And for the first time in months, I can say that I actually have hope again for a treatment.  It may not help immediately (it could take months), but I was approved by insurance to receive Botox injections for the pain tomorrow morning.  31 injections sights in my head, neck, and shoulders.  Most people scare an elephant with a mouse.  Mine is so big … I have agreed to rat poisoning to get rid of mine.   lol

Here is the link http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/01/05/studies-botox-reduce-migraine-headaches/ for the treatment.  There are no guarantees … but the good news is, I have Tigger to keep me company (he had a blast with the IV today!), and the faith of a mustard seed that there are brighter days ahead.

Tigger and I were thinking of our troops today at the hospital ...

Do me a favor?  Appreciate the life you have …. because each day is a gift and we are blessed to be called to LIVE IT.

Always,

Robin

AKA “The Sky Angel”

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A case of mistaken identity … and a story of hope

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

As you all know, I have been “adopting” service members since September 11, 2001.  This has included supporting them through their deployments, helping family members cope with the absence of their loved ones, and being a support system to each of them (if need be) when they return.  In the past 10 years I have supported over 100 troops, this year having been a bit more of a challenge because of my medical condition (a tremendous headache since May that makes me feel like I have the weight of an elephant on my head 24 hours a day).  Most of the time it is difficult to concentrate, so I guess that will be my excuse for having made the mistake of an identity “mismatch”.  (or the one I am going to use.  lol).  Yesterday I was communicating with a “soldier” in Iraq, asking him if he would be coming home soon.  Early in the conversation, I was corrected with my mistake and was told an amazing story.  My friend gave me permission to share it with you … because I believe this is a story the entire world should read & know.  It will dispel any of the naysayers who believe we never should have invaded Iraq.  And it makes me so very proud of my friend, Fisher and our troops.  Please feel free comment on this blog, I know he and many of our troops will be reading your thoughts … and remember, we each can make a difference … one person, one breath, one smile, and one life at a time.

Robin (aka “The Sky Angel).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ohh I`m sorry Robin! you must have confused me with some other friend of yours!!! but I don`t blame you my friend, becouse I`ve  never had the chance to introduce myself to you properly!

I want to tell you my story instead of just telling you what my name is, and I`ll try to be as brief as possible… My name is Fisher… or thats the name I decided to be called, when I was asked to choose an American name by staff seargant Monley when I got a job with the U.S Army. I cannot tell you my real name because it would put me and my family in danger, so you can call me Fisher, lol. Its funny becouse if I wouldn`t have met that soldier in 2003 there wouldn’t be a story to be told, and you would never know about me.They say every thing happens for a reason, and maybe the reason why I met that soldier is to have a story and then tell it to you, or maybe the reason why I`m writting my story to you right now is that may be one day you will tell it to others! I was 23 years old when I quit college and decided to make my counry a better place after it was ruined by insurgents, when I decided to join the American forces to help fight those who wished to distroy what has left of my home, and make harm to my people. now I know you might be thinkin… I could have just joined the Iraqi Army to do that! but then again… if I would`ve, you wouldn`t be reading this story you are reading right now!

I grew up in a house where I was tought that there is no difference whatsoever between humanbeings, no matter what their sex or religoun might be. After operation Iraq Freedom in 2003 had occured, I was 17 years old when I met the first American soldier in a friendly football game between local Iraqies and young American soldiers. It was funny how me and that soldier could communicate with each other but non of us could speak each other`s  language! that poorly interactive conversation between us gave me the urge to learn to speak english. now as hard as I tried… I can`t remember his name, Its also funny how ppl we remember the least make the greatest impression on us!. So after that football game, I found myself reading Grammar books, and other books of self teaching english. I told my self the next american soldier I meet again will tell me his stories and I`ll be able to understand!

I kept studying and studying untill without knowing I realised I was the best student in english subject in my school, though that wasn`t my intention, and becouse of that I got accepted in English department in my college later on.  In 2007 insurgency was at its peak, and the insurgents killed every one who they suspected to work, or just spoke with the Americans. They were destroying my town, the place where I grew up in, my home… , and they were killing alot of ppl every day including old ppl, women and childern, and also Americans. I felt like I have to do something while I can, I felt that I wasn`t born to sit here and do nothing and watch Iraq tear itself apart, there was a war against terror going on and I wanted to be part of that war.

I knew english, and it was about choosing sides and I have already chosen mine… I wanted to be with the good guys and the good guys happened to be Americans, they happend to be the strongest also. So I thought of quitting college and join the U.S troops, I wanted to help make Iraq a good place again, I wanted to make an ending to this nightmare!. So I did, leave my college, friends and family and went to work with the U.S Army, I was attached to the infantary, I spent two years working with them, two years with two different units, one year with each unit.  when the first one left, I was recomended by them to work with the new one that had just arrived. At the beginning, my first days were full of awkwardness, I thought…  me being the only Iraqi kid with a bunch of American soulders in one tent, and being from a  different back ground concerning the cultural differnces, might have been a bad decision! but the way they let me blend in and kept on hooking me up made me believe that I was no longer a strainger, but a part of one team!

It was our lives on the line, but we didn`t care and we always made fun of it all the time. we use to say… we could die together in one mortar round if the insurgents get lucky, and that round landed on our tent! or WE can get lucky and that round could land somewhere else so we can live another day and eat another MRE!!! After two years of being away from my friends and family, I made alot of american friends, and Iraq kept on gettin better and better, and the insurgency faded away eventually as Iraq stood up on its feet. I was recomended by my team leader Cpt. Briten to  move and live in the states if Iraq stays a hostile environment for people like me. I`ve been working on my paper work to do that, but now that Iraq is fine( thanx for U.S troops ) I can choose whether to stay here with my friends and family, or to finish college and travel to join my brothers in arms again, but this time it`ll be on the land of freedom, and not on a battlefield.

I quit right after my second team went back home, I got back to college now, I  learned alot from my american friends and so did they from me, we shared some good and bad times that I will never forget as long as I live. I hope I didn`t bother you with this story of mine, but the only reason why I wrote it to you so that you can know about those who where influenced, and had thier lives transformed by american soldiers, like myself. and tell a story of a TERP who you never met, and might never will.

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Not now, I have a headache …

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Throughout my life I have the term “not now, I have a headache” and it would get them out of doing whatever it was they didn’t want to do.  Jokingly I had friends tell me they would tell their boyfriends or husbands this, in order to get out of having sex with their loved one.  My response to them was “you are CRAZY … it is the best medicine for a headache”.  Now I am starting to wonder if that is what I am lacking in my life??  lol

After all, I have tried everything else.

This past Saturday I had to go to an Independent Medical Exam set up by Sedgewick (the insurance company who handles disability payments for my employer).  It was one of the more challenging doctors appointments for me, because the first hour was spent listening to the doctor mumble into a tape recorder as he read from documentation he had been provided from Sedgewick regarding my medical history since May.  There were many times I had to correct him because he simply could not read one note or another and just “assumed” what he was saying was accurate.  Don’t people listen to their parents?  “Never Assume anything .. it makes an ass out of you and me”.

Weighing in the balance of what this one doctor ‘thinks’ or determines is whether or not I will be approved for long term disability … and then I will probably have to begin a treatment plan that Sedgewick will most likely set up for me to follow.  The maze of doctors I have gone to since 10May when all of this began is something like a blind man probably feels in a crowded room … overwhelmed, anxious, and incredibly exhausted at the end of the day.

Honestly, I have been on my knees crying to God to “please show me what it is that you want me to learn right now”.  He knows I feel completely broken as a human being at the present moment.  The Spirit that lives inside of me is stronger than ever, but I have been stripped of all things that bring a human being comfort.  When I did not get my disability check in September and Amy & I were moving”me” across country, I was forced to ask people for help.  Knowing I could never pay them back, I simply had to ask people to donate money towards my medical & moving expenses.  That made me uncomfortable and angry with myself.

You see, I am nearly 50 years old (I know, that is a complete shocker to me, too!!! hehehe) and I should not “have to” ask anyone to help take care of me.  If you know anything about me, you know I am a giver.  It is a rare day when I will ask for help, but if I do, that means I really, really, really need it.  Usually when I have asked for help in the past, it was not for my benefit.  It as always for a cause (like supporting the troops or the orphans I support in South Africa, or some humanitarian effort I am aiding in assisting) and I didn’t feel bad about educating people or asking for their help.

But God wanted to teach me the valuable gift of allowing other people to be blessed.  You see, when we don’t open our hearts to allowing other people to “do” for us, we are shutting off their ability to feel that beautiful and amazing feeling inside of being able to make a difference.  A very dear friend of mine calls that “going MAD”.  Since I have always believed we each can make a difference, one person, one life, and one smile at a time … God also found a way for me to do that on a much bigger playing field than what I could ever imagine.

A year or two ago I met someone who changed my life.  His name is Gilbert Martin, and he lives in South Africa.  He has a heart of gold, has a vision to shift this world into being a better place, by uniting us all by our giving.  Time, money, and energy …. in every aspect of humanity.  Gilbert started a foundation called “Raise Your Hand and Open Your Heart”.  He asked me to be a trustee on the board, and I was deeply honored.  The foundation provides the umbrella for charities to sign up to obtain donations, get volunteers, and will provide aid on every continent in the world.  It didn’t take long for me to start calling Gilbert “my kindred spirit”.  He truly is a man after my own heart … only thing is he is gay and he has not got a single brother .  lol

During the past five and a half months suffering from the most tremendous pressure on my head that I have a tough time believing anyone else can imagine, I have spent alot of sleepless nights wondering how my voice can be heard through the vibrations of my own heartbeat.  The symptoms I contend with on a minute by minute basis are a high pitched ringing in my ears, the weight of an elephant on the top of my head and the base of my skull, my head feeling like it is in a vice and my eyes are going to pop out of theie sockets, tremendous nausea that makes me throw up … (the list goes on and on sometimes) keep me from living life as I would like.

However, my constant companion has been the internet where I could check my email, connect with family and friends on Facebook & Skype,  and talk with the troops I support on instant messenger … and where I recently spent some time working on a project for Raise Your Hand and Open Your Heart.  It gave me something to focus on, other than my own pain.  It reminded me of my purpose here on earth … to make a difference.  🙂

Some people have asked me where I have found strength in being shuffled from doctor to doctor, getting as many different diagnosis as humanly possible, or how I cope with the plethora of medications prescribed.  One thing is for certain, the Wounded Warriors & every single service member in the world inspire me.  It is them that I think of every time I have blood drawn or an IV put in my arm.  You will see photos from time to time, where I am holding Tigger.  He has become my mascot … as my way of showing support to our valiant heroes.  I think of the orphans and people who live in third world countries who do not even know where there next meal is coming from.  They don’t have anything to live by other than the hope of a better tomorrow.  How dare I complain that I am suffering financially from not being able to work, when there are people who do not even have a roof over their heads?  You could say I give myself a “reality check” every single day.

It is in the little things I do every day, that I find strength.  What keeps me going is my faith.  I believe I am exactly where God wants me to be, doing exactly what He wants me to be doing.  He is in control, and when I am meant to be healed …  He will make it so.  If I didn’t believe that, I think I would go insane right now.  He knows my heart, my desires, and my vision to save His creations … and that is why He needed me to STOP, move out of the way, so He could continue to make me into the person He wants me to be for His glory.

When the day comes that I finally meet my knight in shining armor (not some prick in tin foil, as Gilbert says … hahaha), I pretty much can guarantee I will never use the words “not now honey, I have a headache” … because once this elephant is gone off my head, I will be ready to take on the world at large.

Thank you so much to every single person who shows your love, support, and encouragement by being a part of my life.  This year has been a challenge of mammoth (pardon the pun!) proportions … but one thing is for sure … I am becoming more and more that person God intended me to be.  Do you think you could say a prayer that will be a person OUT OF PAIN sooner rather than later, please?

PS.  For more information about Raise Your Hand and Open Your Heart, please go to:  http://www.raiseyourhand.org.za/

Thanks!

Always,

Robin

“The Sky Angel”

PO Box 449

Mercer Island, WA 98040

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List of items needed for Combat Surgical Hospital in Afghanistan

Saturday, October 29th, 2011
Every year since the war began in Afghanistan, I have been supporting the Combat Surgical Hospital (CSH) by sending them care packages, cards, and letters of support.  Today I received this list of items “needed” for the hospital.  My hope is to get some of the items donated for their holiday care packages.  If you can help in ANY WAY, please send to:
Robin Schmidt
PO Box 449
Mercer Island, WA 98040
If you would rather send items directly to the CSH, please let me know.  Thanks a million!
Always,
Robin
“The Sky Angel”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CSH – List:
100 Pillows with Vinyl covering for infection control
200 pairs of flip flops….I added from older email…
200 pair of non skid hospital socks
25 small fans
200 pairs of sweat pants  med and large  Draw strings
200 pairs of loose fitting gym shorts   med and large  Draw strings
1000 boxes or round tubes of baby wipes
200 wash cloths new dark color
100 liquid body soap  any kind
200 tooth brushes and paste
20 portable DVD players   send a few movies as well
20 Portable DSi ans PSP with a few games
100 reams of printing paper    If everyone send one ream in a flat rate box that would be great and save on shipping costs.
200 Crystal lite lemonade and pink lemonade drink mixes
100 car air fresheners  or any non aerosol type
Holiday Decor all seasons
25 canisters of flavored coffee creamers
200 blankets
10 webcams
10 head sets with micro phones
20 power converters 110/120v  British to US
200 small carpets  2′ x 3′  dark in color would be best
Things I am adding   snacks….
Slim Jims and Jerky
Candy, vending machine snacks like Toms crackers and cookies.
Lil Debbie snacks  they are individually wrapped
If you work in a Hospital  we need your support bad… The pillows and socks are tough for others to find.

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List of items needed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for our Wounded Warriors

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

Many of you have been asking me for a “needs” list for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) / Wounded Warrior Medical Center.  This is a list just sent by my friend who works at the hospital.  Please help where you can.  Thanks!  Robin (“The Sky Angel”) October 2011

PS.  If you want to send the items to me and have me send them on to LRMC I can do that, or you can send them directly to my friend.  Please let me know.  Thanks again!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Wounded Warrior
Ministry Center

Pastoral Services
Division – Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

The Wounded Warrior Ministry Center (WWMC) is an entity within LRMC Pastoral Services that cares for the humanitarian needs of wounded and ill Service Members evacuated from the theaters of operation.  The WWMC provides items of comfort to “fill
holes” until the service member’s personal items can catch up with them in the military healthcare system.

The WWMC services more than 750 service members each month.  Since the WWMC is a non-funded humanitarian entity within the Department of Defense, we rely on the generous donations of fellow Americans and others, both substantive and monetary, to provide these items.
We truly appreciate the efforts of each and every person willing to share “hugs from home” and words of encouragement with those who have given so much for the cause of Freedom in our world!

Below is a list of items Service Members typically request and take from the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center.

This list will be updated periodically. 

  • Winter Coats
  • Phone Cards – United States Domestic Only With No Expiration Date – 120
    Minutes
  • Black 30 Inch Duffel Bags (No Logos)
  • Men’sShoes – Size 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5 & 12
  • Bath Towels
  • Blankets (In Preparation For Winter Transport)
  • Long Sleeve T-Shirts/Shirts L-M-S-XL(In This Order)
  • Men’s Boxers L-XL-M-S (In This Order)
  • Men’s Slippers (Slip-On Non-Slip) Sizes 8-14
  • Men’s T-Shirts L-M-S (Not White Undershirts)
  • Sweat Pants L-M-S
  • Travel Pillows
  • iTunes® Cards
  • iPod Shuffles®
  • Nail Clippers
  • Men’s & Women’s Deodorant
  • Lip Balm/Chapstick®
  • Travel Size Shaving Cream
  • Travel Size Foot Powder (Ex: Gold Bond®)
  • Brushes (Not Combs)
  • Men’s Pajama Pants Sizes L-M-S-XXL-XL (In This Order)
  • Hand-Held Electronic Games
  • Healthy Snack Bars, Chocolate, And Candy
  • DVDs (No Extreme Violence Or Nudity – No VHS Tapes)

DO NOT send used items

Monetary donations to the WWMC fund for Warrior Programming, high-demand and seasonal items are acceptable (please make payable to: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center CTOF)

Thank you again for your assistance! Working together, we can make a huge difference in the lives and recuperation of our Heroes! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

WoundedWarriorMinistryCenter@yahoo.com

Updated 29 October 2011

 

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A letter that brings me tears of joy and gratitude …

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Last night I was unable to sleep a wink.  Yesterday I had an occipital spinal block & the pain in my head was as intense as the ringing in my ears.  For a good part of the night, I literally prayed these words “God, although I am not able to fly right now, can you please give me some kind of sign that I am still doing what you want me to be doing?  Just some little hint that I am right where you want me to be.”  You will never believe how He responded.

~~

Currently I am sitting at a Starbucks waiting for my doctors appointment, reading emails & responding to them.  For the past five minutes I have literally been blessed beyond measure and have such a flow of tears running down my face that all the other customers have left and the staff keeps asking me if I am ok.  But I just read this email and I can’t help but be filled with heart felt emotion … so much so, that I have to share it with you.

~

You see, I write to our troops every single week.  Sometimes it is just a postcard.  Sometimes I wonder if my letters matter.  But then I get something like this, and it just makes me see God smile.  I know He smiles at me daily, but sometimes I have blinders on.  Today I am stripped of all senses and my eyes are wide open.  You may need tissues like I did, before you read further.  Thank you for your support and encouragement, and please remember if you want to adopt your own service member to go to http://adoptahero.us/ .

Dear Robin Schmidt,

 

I read the following article about your good works supporting our troops while you have been a Delta Flight Attendant.  It was in a newsletter that I receive from one of the local Marine Corps League supporters in the Northern California area where I live.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/flight-attendant-serves-drinks-journals-soldiers/story?id=8872103

As a Veteran serving during the Vietnam War era (1966-1970), I remember the great treatment we service men received from the flight attendants on the planes we flew on going back home to the U.S.  Your article also reminded me of a female (an old girlfriend) friend of guy who became one of my  buddies that I had made while serving at a remote base in the Southern Philippines.  His ex-girlfriend became my pen pal who supported me while I was in the Philippines and Vietnam.  Her perfumed letters and words of encouragement and of everyday life back home helped me through those emotional times being single, 20/21, living in strange new lands where people had different lifestyles, weather climates and a war going on and missing home and my family.

You are an amazing lady.  Thank you for your support of our troops.  I wish you happiness and all the best that life can offer you.  “Thank You” to Delta Airlines for allowing you to do what you do.

Sincerely,

Marty De Venuta

Air Force Vet

Delta Skymiles Customer

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Mail Call for our Heroes 2011

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Santa Marcus ... with all those care packages ...

Since 2002 I have been ‘adopting’ troops who are on deployment in Iraq, Afghanistan, & other parts of the globe.  The service members have explained to me over and over again, the importance of receiving mail to help them cope with the time away from their loved ones back home.  In an effort to uplift spirits and boost morale over the holidays, “The Sky Angel” is doing my fourth annual “Mail Call for Our Heroes”.

My goal: To raise $4,000 for 45 AT&T Calling Cards (for our 1/6 “HARD” Marines), along with 4 Christmas trees with all the decorations for the 4 valiant heroes I am currently supporting in Iraq and Afghanistan (including the Combat Surgical Hospital in Afghanistan).  The money raised will also include the cost of postage to get the items to our deployed troops.  🙂 If you want to send calling cards to me, they must be AT&T and they must be for at least 500 minutes.

The second aspect of this project, is to collect 2,000 individual cards, letters, or notes so each service member in each unit I am supporting will have a piece of mail to open over the holidays.  It would be wonderful for you to express your thoughts to any of the service members in these units, so they feel a little less lonely as they serve our country far away from their loved ones.  Please get your childrens schools, girl/boy scouts, senior citizens homes, churches, social clubs, and families involved!

To be a part of this special project for our heroes away from home, please send donations (checks should be payable to Robin Schmidt) to the address below.  If you would like to use a credit card or make a donation online, you can do so via PayPal to the email address of supportourheroes@live.com (or clicking on the donate button at the top of the http://alwayssupportourheroes.com/ ) .

Last year the troops were ecstatic with how much I was able to send because of the generosity of everyone who got involved.  It was absolutely AMAZING to see how you all rallied with me at the last minute to take care of our 3/5 Marines.  Adopting the 1/6 “Hard” Marines is an extension of that commitment; one I do not take lightly.

After collecting enough money for the calling cards and decorations, I will “screen”  all the hand made cards & letters to make sure they are appropriate for our troops in harms way, or our Wounded Warriors.  My hope is to be able to visit with some of the Wounded at Bethesda, and Brooke Army Medical Center, like I did last year.  Actually as fate would have it, I was on a layover in Austin, TX Christmas day and delivered Christmas cards to the Wounded at BAMC.  It was probably one of the best Christmas’ I have ever had.  These Wounded Warriors need to be told face to face they are remembered, prayed for, and not broken.  I see them as whole individuals, who have sacrificed tremendously for our safety and freedoms.  Any extra cards will be hand delivered or mailed to those locations or sent to the Combat Surgical Hospital in Afghanistan.

Santa Sgt. Tim Gallagher delivering smiles to Task Force Dirigo ~ Dec 2009

It seems a little early to talk about the holidays; but I need to act on it quickly so the cards are received in Afghanistan before Thanksgiving and Christmas come to pass. It currently takes 3 to 4 weeks for some of the mail to get to one of the units in Afghanistan, which already puts time constraints on this project.  Yesterday I was actually told by one of the soldiers I support, that I have to have anything I am sending to her, mailed before 31October.  So please jump on this ASAP!  🙂

In order to get the holiday cards to Sgt. Hadzic and his 1/6 “Hard” Marine unit, the deadline for this project will be 11 November 2011. Perfect date to have everything to me by!  11/11/11 (Veteran’s Day).

If each of us takes action … we can change the world … one  life, one person at a time.

Thanks so much for helping make a difference for our valiant heroes and being a part of “Mail Call for Our Heroes 2011” !!  **If you have any other items you want me to include in the care packages, you can send them to the address below as well! (if you need a street address other than a PO Box, please let me know). Thanks again!**

Robin Schmidt

PO Box 449

Mercer Island, WA 98040

Angel

Always, Robin
“The Sky Angel”

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A Gift of Love …

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Devil Dogs of the 3/5 Marines ~ Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Have you ever received a gift that made your heart melt? One that every time you saw it, you got a lump in your throat?  Every time you tried to tell someone about it, you were filled with such emotion, your voice quivered and tears rolled down your cheeks?  Recently I received such a gift, but I continue to be at a loss for words.  Maybe it is just best  if I let the person who sent me the gift, explain...

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing FWD, Operation Enduring Freedom t-shirt

Dear Robin,

I will not lie to you and tell you that our time here was pleasant, however I would like to thank you for making our time here a little better with each care package we would receive.  I was extremely grateful to have been introduced to you, as I was always motivated to receive something from you, a care package from one of your friends, an email, the fudge and cookies, and those post cards, (I loved those!) and knowing that there was someone out there so giving, so caring, and willing to give
so much of her own time for me and more importantly my Marines, really gave me strength.
As well when I would tell my Marines about you, it would bring up their motivation (along with the treats), which is why they wanted you to have a unit T-shirt.  I flew a United States Flag for you, Robin, over our Camp here in Southern Afghanistan, where so many of us have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  I wanted you to have it being you are for sure one of the people we would gladly sacrifice for, you are a Great American and a wonderful person.
I will never be able to Thank you enough!
Master Sergeant Marcus R. Dawson USMC

 

Flags over Camp Leatherneck

 

My words continue to be caught up in the deep felt emotion I feel from this gift.  Believe it or not, I really am at a loss for the right words.  But I felt the need to write this blog not only to share the sentiment Marcus provided, but an extended “Thank You” to each of you who continue to help me to make a difference for Darkhorse & The Devil Dogs, and all of our valiant heroes.

 

United States Marine Corp Certificate

 


Marcus, it has been an absolute honor to support you and your Marines.  Thank you for the sacrifices you each continue to make daily for my freedoms.  When the time comes for you to come home, please know I look forward to the opportunity to salute each of you in person.  Thank you so very much for touching my life in such a profound manner, and helping me to see ‘what I do matters’.  Every time I look at your amazing gift, I feel as though God is smiling.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.  You each continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers …

Always,

Robin

 

The Sky Angel, and TIGGER, too! 🙂

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Feb & March Care packages to our Valiant Heroes …

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Someone was caught sneeking around for GREEN items for our valiant heroes ... hehehe

✬★✬ Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and I am happy to report the packages I sent with all of our heartfelt cards of love and appreciation are beginning to arrive on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan!  For those of you who have asked if you could help in March or April ~~ these are special requests directly from our troops: nuts, packaged tuna, chocolate covered raisins, Maxim, Muscle and Fitness, Muscle & Body, MMA News, funny movies,  the books “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell, “Three Cups of Tea“, “Stones into Schools” (both by Greg Mortenson) Photography magazines & Magazines about dogs.♥  The cut off date is 14Feb for me to receive these items for St. Patrick’s Day care packages … Any items not rec’d by 14Feb will be included in March care packages. ♥ (Last week I baked 28 dozen cookies for the 6 heroes & their units I am supporting, along with the Combat Surgical Hospital in Afghanistan. Earlier today I was found purchasing a bunch of GREEN fun to include with the requested items for March … so any of the items underlined above that you can help with would be greatly appreciated!)  … keep reading though … more ideas are in the following paragraphs!  Rolling on the floor laughing

Care package contents from Feb 2010 (last year)

✬★✬… Anybody out there live in New Orleans or going to Mardi Gras? … if so, I have a really special request for March  … can you get some beads, masks, hats, and green/purple boas, or anything FUN you can send me to include to our valiant heroes in March care packages???  My theme is Mardi Gras and Easter all in one! Thanks a million!!✬★✬

Another blog will be written for specific items requested for Easter after I get the Feb care packages sent, but for now, please remember .. the cut off for March care packages is 14March. ♥

Pillows & Easter Baskets to our troops, March 2010

Of course, to cut down on your costs, if you want to just send me a check, money order, gift card to WalMart, Big Lots, Costco, that would be fantastic .. or you simply click on the “donate” button in the upper right corner of my website : http://alwayssupportourheroes.com/

Another way you could help is shipping costs. If you can send an AmEx gift card or if the post office offers  gift cards, that would be MAGIFICENT!

My website (http://alwayssupportourheroes.com/ )  has recently been updated with links on how to “adopt a hero”, along with the most up-to-date details on  “how to ship” packages and “what to send” to our valiant heroes.  Please refer to the website BEFORE emailing me.  As the year progresses, I am committed  to focusing on my health, organizing my life, working full time job … and of course quality time with family & friends every month, as part of “Being Better”. Winking smile

The Sky Angel is always looking up ... hehehe

✬★✬For those of you who want to be involved with the very special journal project I am working on for the 3/5 Lima (Darkhorse) Marines, please click on this blog http://www.alwayssupportourheroes.com/WordPress/?p=443 for details.  ✬★✬

♥ Since my ultimate goal is to get every service member “adopted” for their deployment, if you can adopt your own service member or rally your friends to do this as a project together, you can sign up at: http://adoptahero.us/ … that would be AWESOME. ♥My address is:

Robin Schmidt

PO Box 122037

Covington, KY 41012-2037

Thanks everyone for your patience, understanding, and compassion!  May God bless America and the valiant heroes who protect our every day freedoms!  (and I promise I will keep the blog updated as much as possible with relevant information, as it always seems I am “up to something” … so stay tuned to http://www.alwayssupportourheroes.com/WordPress/ )  ♥

PS. Red heart For those of you on Facebook, PLEASE change your profile picture to a Superhero as a virtual Valentine to our Veteran’s and Active Military Personnel.   They need our support and this is a way to show them, without it costing a penny!   It is so great to see the support of my innovative idea & I cannot thank you enough for participating!  Please be sure to repost why you are changing your photo and ask your friends to do the same. Red heart

Always,

Angel

Robin

aka “The Sky Angel”


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A special gift for our 3/5 Darkhorse Marines … won’t you be a part of it???

Monday, February 7th, 2011

 
 

One of my heroes, reading his journals ...

As you may or may not know, one of the things I do for our troops is journals.  On my domestic flights I make an announcement asking passengers to “write words of encouragement, prayers, draw pictures, tell jokes or anything they would want to read if they were away from their loved ones for any length of time”.  This is what made me “famous” by most peoples standards.  Ironically, the journals  are just a small portion of what I do for our valiant heroes on a regular basis.  Some of the troops I have supported have never gotten a journal.  Those who have love them, but I am thankful there are those troops who realize the value of a care package, the sentiment of a letter, and the prayers I send up daily are also just as important.  Getting others involved in supporting our troops is my goal, so none of them will ever feel alone on the battlefield, or when they come home.  

 

That being said, every service member I have ever done the journals for has cherished them.  They have said “it is difficult for me to keep them in my hands, because my buddies always want to see what people have written”.  One of my heroes told me the journals meant more to him after he got home.  He still reads them three years later “as a way to deal with the fact that I was away from my son when he was 3 years old and I missed out on so many ‘firsts’ “.  Often times they tear pages of the journals out and carry a page with them on a mission.  Words from a complete stranger give hope.  Let that resonate for a moment and you know why the journals will always be special to myself and anyone who does them for our troops.  They are a beautiful way to rally people together ~~ and remind folks we have wars going on in two countries, and troops who need our support.   

 

As I was walking around the city of Brotherly love on my layover earlier, I was thinking about the 3/5 Darkhorse Marines I was asked to “adopt” in November 2010.  Reviewing stories that have been shared with me since writing that first email, and contemplating the beautiful gift they sent, that I got on my birthday.  (If I have not told you about that, look for an upcoming post about one of the most precious gifts I have ever received in all my days of existence.)   All of the sudden, as I took each step, an idea popped into my head.  An awesome idea, if I do say so myself.  hehehe  

You see, I am flying international trips right now, and cannot do the journals for our troops for various reasons.    I’ve been working extra hard to support this particular unit because of the vast amount of casualties.  That is why in mid January I came up with the innovative idea to ask Facebookers to change their profile picture to a Superhero in honor of our Veterans and Active Military who put their lives on the line every singe day for our every day freedoms.  (Please ask those people you know on Facebook to do this through 14Feb, as it is the only Valentine some of our troops will get!  Share with those you know who are deployed, so they know we are sending them this Virtual Valentine!  )

However, I want something tangible for these specific Marines.  Something to honor the sacrifices their battle buddies have endured, and to remember those who have given their lives to serve our nation.   

So this is what I am going to do.  As of today, I am going to ask you to write me letters (hand written or typed), send a card, photograph, anything you want me to put in a journal specifically for the 3/5 Darkhorse Marines.  What I plan to do with the items you send me, is make a journal for this unit.  The idea is spawned from what Hannahkohl did for our Wounded Warriors for Christmas, what I have done on the airplane for our troops for years now, and of course ~~ wanting them to have a keepsake like no other.   

General Amos & The Sky Angel ~ Bethesda, Oct 2010

Any cards or letters need to be on 5×7 paper or smaller if possible.  Although I have rec’d some items on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and will make them work, the smaller items will enable me to fit more of your words in the 20 page scrapbook I am making for this project.

It has been an honor to me to have been asked to support this unit, to boost morale over the holidays, when many of them were feeling the sadness of what was going on around them.  These are some of the bravest men you will ever come across.  The only ones I have ever met, are those who were in the hospitals at Bethesda, Walter Reed, or Brooke Army Medical.  Recently I was asked to attend a Memorial Service for the Fallen when the unit returns home from Afghanistan.  That is when I plan to give this particular gift to the 1stSgt I have been supporting.  Take time today to help me with this project for our 3/5 Darkhorse Marines … it is the least we can do for any one of them, and since I am not the most artistic person in the world … I need all the help I can get!   

Please help me … share your thoughts.  Email me :  supportourheroes@live.com  .. on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheSkyAngel or send a card , letter, or photograph (Please NO POSTCARDS as there is no way to present them so the front & back can be read) that you want me to include in the scrapbook to:  

Robin Schmidt  

PO Box 122037  

Covington, KY 41012-2037  

THE DEADLINE FOR ME TO RECEIVE YOUR ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE JOURNAL I AM MAKING IS 17th MARCH, 2011, 8AM.

Help me make this project special … because it is all about the honorable and valiant sacrifices these complete strangers have made for each and every one of us .. and that is why I call them HEROES.   

PS.  In my photos you often will see Tigger.  One of my heroes asked me to take photos of Tigger in my travels, as a way to honor our troops. So that is why you see him with me … all over the globe.  whooo whooo whoo  

The Sky Angel wore her tshirt in honor of the Marines she is supporting .. and gave Tigger to a little boy with leukemia. What an AMAZING day!!

Thank you to all of our valiant heroes serving our Nation and bringing the world hope!   

Always,  

Robin 

AKA … The Sky Angel

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