Major Maria K redeploys to Afghanistan in 2012

Major Maria K is returning to Afghanistan in January of 2012 along with 3,500 fellow soldiers. The Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas have been blessed to have supported Maria during previous deployments, and will do so again in 2012. Below is Maria's letter as published in a newsletter of the Association of VA Social Workers.

To Whom It May Concern,

I just wanted to explain why I voted for the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas by sharing an article I wrote for WE ...

Nancy Carter is a Delta Airlines Flight Attendant; however, she is not just a flight attendant. Nancy is also a devoted wife, loving mother of two, and an outstanding volunteer. In 2005, Nancy founded the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas (ACT), a non-profit charity that supports military members deployed to such remote locations as Afghanistan and Iraq. Nancy and the Angels support military members by mailing them care packages filled with a variety of comfort items from World War II style pogey bait to more modern Bath and Body Works products.

Since 2005, Nancy has recruited over 100-Angels that now make-up the ACT. Nancy has also solicited over $150,000 in monetary donations, $600,000 in in-kind donations, and has mailed over 7,000 care packages to military members. Nancy has accomplished this all from her small town of Carrollton, Texas.

Though at this time, Nancy and the Angels have been recognized by many organizations and have appeared in numerous media outlets, I would like to personally recognize Nancy for her outstanding volunteerism and inspiration.

Nancy and I first met while I was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment (3d ACR). As an Army licensed clinical social worker, I was providing behavioral health care to the 3d ACR military members that included approximately 3,500 Soldiers, and I was attempting to be creative in reference to boosting their morale and decreasing their anxiety and stress in reference to the everyday toils of the combat environment.

Initially, I advertised myself on AnySoldier.com in attempt to receive comfort items I could deliver to military members during my aggressive outreach missions. I thought by delivering comfort items to Soldiers, would if nothing else, let them know they were not forgotten and someone was concerned about their well-being while being deployed to such an environment.

Within a matter of weeks, Nancy located me on AnySoldier.com and started communicating with me via email. Shortly after establishing an email-based relationship, I began receiving care packages from Nancy and the Angels. I continued to receive hundreds of care packages while deployed to Iraq and I would open all the care packages, redistribute the comforts items in to what I referred to as self-care packages, and then deliver them to military members assigned to the most remote locations in our area of operations in Iraq.

Decorating Beautiful Pillow Cases for Troops Overseas

A huge "THANK YOU" to Daisy Troop #3828 for packing awesome care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan and for decorating fabulous pillow cases to help kick off our "Operation Pleasant Dreams" campaign.  The pillow cases will be included in care packages to remind our troops serving in harm's way that they are remembered and loved.

Think how comforting it would be to come back to base after a hard day of work and fall asleep on a beautiful pillow case decorated with love from a child back home.  If you would like to send us your decorated pillow case, we would be happy to include it in a care package. This is a great project for schools, youth groups and churches. Feel free to contact us should you need additional information on this campaign.  Won't you help a soldier sleep soundly while away from home and give them pleasant dreams?

Thanks for donations to care packages

Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas would like to recognize some of the companies and organizations that have recently donated goods for our soldiers care packages. Blistex (lip balm), Mountain House (freeze dried meals and snacks), Associated Wholesale Grocers (toiletries), Zipfizz (healthy energy drink-mix), H.K. Anderson (pretzels), Blockbuster (DVD's), Game Origin (used video games), Wonder Wafers (air fresheners), and Support Our Troops (popcorn) have generously donated to the troops.

The ladies from the Carrollton Senior Center have done an amazing job of sewing blankets, bed caddies, helmet liners and other much-appreciated items. Also, The Colony Crafters made over 100 stockings and collected shampoo, body wash and other items for our Christmas care packages for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A huge "Thank You" also to the North Texas Stitchers who continue to supply us with cool neckties, neck pillows and soap on a rope.  The hand made treasures that each group supplies are heartwarming and constant reminders to our troops that they are not forgotten. Many thanks for your continued support!!!

Care package letters from our troops

Nancy,
Thank you so much for this, we are starting up a small camp in Northern Iraq and we do not have a PX set up yet. The items will be a tremendous moral booster.  Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.
Ken
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Nancy,
WOW another 27 boxes, utterly amazing.  Can't wait to see all the decorations.  Halloween is actually my holiday and i'm really bummed i missing it with my kids.  oh well at least your boxes of goodies will make for a better time out here.  thanks a million for the rice cooker.
Anthony
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Hi Nancy,
We received the boxes.  THANK YOU ALL so much!  It was a very much needed morale boost as we're facing so much uncertainty here in Iraq.  Thanks again,
Patrina