This was the first of several Yellow Ribbon events leading up to the deployment of soldiers from the 36th ID of the Texas Army National Guard from Camp Mabry. I arrived at the Renaissance Hotel here in Austin about 11:30. I knew I was in the right place when I saw the trees (thanks, Melissa, for thinking to take the picture!)
Thankfully, I found a parking space that wasn't too far away. I had my box of stuff to carry in for the table. I asked the doorman (or valet) if he could direct me to where the Yellow Ribbon event was taking place, so when I got inside, I didn't notice the welcome the hotel had posted (again, thanks, Melissa, for the photo!).
When I got there, I didn't see anyone I knew, so I just asked where I was to set up. Anywhere... I picked a table right inside the area they had for "exhibitors" and started to unload my box when Ellen found me and suggested I take the empty table next to the Red Cross. I'm glad I did move! Later in the afternoon, the gentleman at my first choice of table had to wear his sunglasses as to not be blinded by the sun!I saw Penny's From Heaven Foundation therapy dogs and chatted with founder Patsy Swendson. Patsy reminded me that Emmie of the Hike For Our Heroes is a certified therapy dog. I should have taken some photos of the many dogs in attendance with their "vests" with the Soldiers' Angels logo patches on them. Several handlers asked for Soldiers' Angels pins to add to the vests, as well.
The main reason for being there, of course, was to share about what Soldiers' Angels can provide to the soldiers and their families. Some had already heard of us (one guy said they ended up with tons of SA coffee mugs on his last deployment...) and others hadn't heard of us at all. We were able to give out lots of brochures, pins and bracelets, as well as just talk to people about all the different things Soldiers' Angels does.
There were single soldiers, married soldiers, spouses of soldiers (both husbands and wives), parents of soldiers, and even one nephew! At least one spouse I spoke to is expecting, and one female soldier has a small child, so I was able to tell them about Operation Top Knot. The head of the FRG (though I didn't know that's who I was talking to until after the fact) said they needed to get all their single soldiers signed up to be adopted.
One couple was there with their 3-month-old baby girl. The young wife is worried about something as simple as getting the groceries home to their second story apartment while also keeping an eye on the baby. I gave her my contact information, so hopefully she'll get in touch with me if she needs help. I told her I wouldn't be able to help all the time, but I'm sure I could lend a hand on occasion. I also mentioned Operation Outreach to her, since I think this will be her first deployment experience and she seems nervous about it, especially with the new baby.
Me and Melissa manning the tableParticipating in this Yellow Ribbon event was a positive experience. Thank you, Ellen, for letting me know about it, and thanks, too, to Melissa, for helping man the table. I look forward to representing Soldiers' Angels at future Yellow Ribbon events. If you are in the Austin area and would be interested in helping out, please contact me at blogs -at- soldiersangels -dot- org. Oh, and if you are a San Antonio area Angel, Patsy from Penny's From Heaven Foundation would love to hear from you, too!
Angel Ellen at the neighboring American Red Cross tableUpdate: Ellen sends a picture of the therapy dogs from Penny's From Heaven Foundation
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