Melanie Morgan

The most wonderful news has just landed in my e-mail! I am so thrilled and proud of Patti Patton- Bader, founder of Soldiers Angels.

Move America Forward, the largest grassroots pro-troops organization in the country, used our e-mail list to acknowledge Patti for her amazing efforts. But I doubt she needed our help, because her story is so phenomenal, that even the MSM couldn't deny her a richly deserved honor.

May 11, 2008, PASADENA, CA –Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader was named "America’s Favorite Mom" in a primetime television show Sunday night on NBC. Sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, the show highlighted fifteen outstanding mothers who had distinguished themselves in categories ranging from Working Moms to Military Moms and "Non-Mom" Moms.

Humbled by the honor, Patton-Bader is thrilled to be able to use it to continue the Soldiers’ Angels mission of "May No Soldier Go Unloved." As the grand prize winner, she will receive $250,000, a set of household appliances, and other valuable items. Patton-Bader hopes to apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after deployments.

"I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life," said Patton-Bader, who herself has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. "Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this America’s Favorite Mom program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me."

Patton-Bader is also excited about the opportunities this platform gives her to help people learn more about America’s military heroes and options for supporting them and their families. The attention she has received through the America’s Favorite Mom events has already drawn a number of new volunteers who want to use their talents and connections to help support the troops.

In a nationwide online poll last March, Patton-Bader was voted "America’s Most Inspirational Mom" after having been nominated by her eldest son for founding and leading Soldiers’ Angels. On May 5, 2008 she appeared on the Today show as one of three selected finalists in the "Favorite Military Mom" category. A nationwide online poll was again conducted, and the results were announced on May 11, 2008 with Patton-Bader being named winner in both the "Favorite Military Mom" and "America’s Favorite Mom" categories. More information is available at www.americasfavoritemom.com.

Soldiers’ Angels is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of around 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs with unique and effective ways to support members of the U.S. military. Soldiers’ Angels operates internationally to provide letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support for their families at home. They also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call (615) 676-0239.

America's Favorite Mom was presented by NBC Television and Teleflora, America's leading source of hand-arranged floral bouquets, plants, and gift baskets. For more information, see www.americasfavoritemom.com.

While Bay Area readers are waiting for the fun photos (with proper text. and plenty of pictures with names) from the SMASHINGLY SUCCESSFUL luncheon in San Francisco yesterday (my fault, I sent the pictures in a confusing fashion) I thought I would let you know how my Mother's day is going.

Things started out pretty slowly. My husband is in Arizona right now, taking his final exam for Flight Instructor Certification. But he did send me flowers on Friday, and a mash note via e-mail. That perked me up.

My youngest son spent the weekend with his best friend Devon, who turned 17 today. Happy Birthday Devon Swift! I have loved that kid since the 2nd grade, when the boys started tearing things apart (including my furniture, and electronic gear, but boys will be boys.)

However, I have tons of embarrassing pictures locked away in the vault for black-mail purposes later in life.

Heh. 

So, C.J. was gone this morning, therefore I decided to treat myself to brunch. Yummy pasta puttenesca ...more, please!

When I got home, the teen-age unit was baking cookies for me. And the laundry was done. And he turned the TV to CSI, my favorite show, so we could watch together. And tomorrow, he is making dinner. Who knew the boy could cook? Thunderstruck, I decided this Mother's Day is pretty darn good.

 #1 son Greg checked in. Greg and his wife Shelley called on their way to Disneyland with Mother's Day wishes. I'm feelin' the love!

Now I'm going to call my own Mom --and thank her for turning me into a conservative. (Not really. She's a screaming liberal and I don't want to put a damper on the day.)

I'll just blow her a big kiss and a hug.

I want to leave you with one important thought (which is about all I am capable of now.)

When I was at an American base outside of Kuwait a few months ago, I made a special point of talking with female GI's. I sat my butt down next to them at the Mess Hall, and pummeled them with questions about what was like for them serving so far from family. I was shocked to learn that many (if not most) had children home in America while they were serving. They spoke of the incredible hardship of being away from their babies, and how the older kids suffered so much without their Mommys around.. At one dinner, two women, who had seven children between them, discussed the tricky guardianship issues, how they communicate (via e-mail and video link-up's) and the stress on all of them.

They also told me that many female soldiers deliberately get pregnant to get out of the military, in order to get home to their families. (This is something that the U.S. Military needs to look at carefully.)

This Mother's Day is dedicated to all female soldiers (and their own mothers) on this day. God Bless All of You.

A sunny Saturday in San Francisco brought out so many passionate supporters of KSFO Radio, and Move America Forward.

We had a delicious lunch at Fior d’Italia, the oldest Italian restaurant in America, with the tastiest food.


Bob Larive, who hosted the tribute to yours truly, in order to benefit the work we do at Move America Forward to support our troops, is pictured here.

He gave me lots of presents. I like presents. I like Bob more.

Bohdan Papara, super supporter! He has been at almost all our events over the years, with his generous support.

You can see why from this picture. He loves our troops.


Lou and Paulette Bevilacqua (Patty to her friends) joined us on this Mother’s Day weekend. In the middle is Mr. Global Hoaxing, or Brian Sussman to his millions of listeners at KSFO radio. 'Sussdude' is a great friend, and I am honored to know him. Oops, the tears are starting to well up. I miss Brian and all of my pals at KSFO.

Mike and Annette DeNunzio are some of the warmest, most generous conservatives and all around 'great people.'

Mike is running for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Vote for Mike!

Katie Boyd came to our event. She is a new friend (since 2007) who is spirited, powerful, and a go-to person for Republicans.I wish I had her rolodex!  Also, Katie has a very cultured voice that is a pure joy to listen to.

These photos are from our general admission event, that was also very well attended.

Above photo is of Cinnamon Stillwell, a contributor to SFGate.com and conservative blogger. She is kind, smart and a talented writer whom I admire very much.

See how conservatives honor our country when the national anthem is sung? Barack Obama could learn a few lessons from our people.

And our last photo from a smashing event is a gentleman who wanted his picture taken with me because his twin brother is VERY liberal, and he wanted a photo to show his family. My memory is a bit sketchy after meeting so many people, but I believe this terrific guy is Hugh Thompson, of Mountain View, Ca.

Here ya go!

UPDATE!

Happy Mother's Day Everyone, including my own Mommy in little ole Halfway, Missouri!

The Fior d'Italia event in San Francisco was a tremendous success, with so many people attending or donating online to Move America Forward. The pictures are coming soon..maybe even tonight.

Meanwhile, thank-you to tons of friends and supporters of KSFO, Move America Forward and me, Mel Morgan!

My colleagues at Move America Forward are sending out the word of the BIG party in San Francisco this Saturday to raise funds for our summer activities to fight against the anti-war Left.

It’s a great chance for me to thank all the listeners of KSFO Radio after 14 years of shared passion for our conservative causes. I hope you can come. The handsome and talented Brian Sussman of KSFO is going to join us, too!

Joe, Danny, Ryan, Cat, Mary, and Sal at Move America Forward wrote this e-mail called “A Trip Down Memory Lane.”

It made me a bit sad that I am not on the radio every day with my friends, but also thankful for my time on the radio with you.

And it reminded me yet again that the fight against the Islamo-fascists is far from over. And my profound gratitude to the warriors in this global struggle.

God Bless,

Melanie

ARE YOU COMING?

I hope so, because it's a fund-raiser for Move America Forward and I want all my friends to come.

So consider this a personal invitation from me, Mel Morgan, to come and join together with KSFO's Brian Sussman (Mr. Global Hoaxing) and my favorite comedian/talk-show host Michael Graham, with whom I traveled to Iraq in 2005.

He has flown in all the way from Boston to be with us. (Man, his arms must be tired.) Oh, jeez criminy, it's an oldie but goodie, folks!

Anyone who has ever listened to me at KSFO Radio for the past 14 years, or supported our unending efforts to support our young men and women in harm's way, or even if you are just curious about whether I am as nutball crazy as all the left-wingers say (short answer, yes) come out to Fior d'Italia restaurant in San Francisco.

 TICKETS AT THE DOOR STILL AVAILABLE!

www.moveamericaforward.com has all the details