Posted on 04/15/2008 6:51:23 PM PDT by SandRat
4/15/2008 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working the Tyndall Air Force Base air show Saturday recently an unexpected surprise that caught many off guard. Hard at work on the flightline in the blazing sun, many troops were stopped by the voice of an 11-year-old girl thanking each military member for his or her service. Along with the "thank-you" came a goodie bag.
The little girl handing out the "doses of appreciation" was Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, an organization based on recognizing and appreciating America's troops. Hero Hugs is part of America Supports You, a Department of Defense organization connecting citizens and organizations with military members and their families serving here and abroad.
Hero Hugs was started by Bailey, with the help of her family, roughly four years ago. In those years, they have sent care packages to Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea, and they have visited military events to show their appreciation for America's troops.
More than 26,000 packages, 10,000 goodie bags and five air shows later, Bailey showed up here to share her gratitude with Tyndall Airmen.
Bailey, along with her mother, Diane Reese, and her 16-year-old brother Tim Calvert, spent the entire day passing more than 600 goodie bags comprising granola bars, candy bars, hard candy, powdered drink mix and hand wipes.
Bailey explained she began Hero Hugs after Hurricane Ivan, when she witnessed servicemembers who were providing humanitarian help being treated poorly.
"I saw people yelling at the (troops) at the checkpoint where (Soldiers and Airmen) were giving out ice and water," said Bailey. "I didn't hear anyone say thank you to them." Bailey said she went home and made thank you cards for the servicemembers. She recalled how the cards brought tears to their eyes and how rewarding it was to know they felt appreciated.
When she started Hero Hugs, she sent about 100 packages out each month, said her mom. Now, due to extra support, the organization sends about 1,000 packages monthly.
"We raise money by fundraisers, collecting donations and selling 'Support our Troops' magnets," said Diana Reese. "We also have received some donations from corporations and businesses."
During the air show, many people heard Bailey's heart-warming story. The story, along with the goodie bags and the many thanks, brought out positive reactions from the servicemembers.
Elementary school classes, scout troops and volunteers from across the United States also have helped by decorating packages and conducting fund-raisers.
"I thought it was outstanding," said Capt. August Pfluger, 325th Fighter Wing Operations Support Squadron F-15 simulators chief, air show chairman and recipient of one of Bailey's goodie bags. "I heard nothing but good things (about her) from everyone in uniform. They were surprised and very appreciative of the support they received."
Some troops thanked her with a unit coin or patch.
"I'll do this for as long as I can," said Bailey. "It felt really good when (the troops) said thank you. I knew they all really appreciated it."
Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, meets Col. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander, during the recent open house at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Bailey, with the help of her family, started Hero Hugs four years ago to recognize and show appreciation for America's servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson)
Atta Girl!!!
What a selfless young lady. Know that her parents are proud.
Now there’s a great American.
Even children know enough to appreciate our Troops.. and most Liberals don’t!
Impressive family!
wish there were more like ‘em. Impressive is right.
Impressive Resume. The GOP should try to recruit her to be one of their young leaders.
2007 American Girl 2007 Real Girl of the Year Award - Bailey Reese
2007 Tarlavsky-Price Youth Leadership Award
2007 Hero Hugs Named “Disney Adventure All Stars”
2007 Angel Soft “Angels in Action” Grand Prize Award Winner - Tim Calvert
2006 Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero - Bailey Reese
2006 Kohl’s Kids Who Care Store-Level Winner
2005 Angel Soft “Angels in Action” Grand Prize Award Winner - Bailey Reese
2005 Southern Linc Southern Hero Award - Bailey Reese
2005 Kmart National Class Acts Award - Bailey Reese
2004 Southern Linc Southern Hero Award - Tim Calvert
2004 Build-A-Bear Huggable Heroes Grand Prize Group Winner
Perhaps she will be our first woman president. She’d be a good one.
...at the age of seven. While most kids her age were begging Mom and Dad for more Barbies or Pokeman cards, this little doll was making hundreds of cards by hand to show her appreciation to our military heroes. Bless her precious heart.
Many years ago, I saw a picture made during the Berlin airlift. It was of two American pilots standing next to their cargo aircraft, after having flown relief supplies in to the starving Berliners.
In front of them was a small German girl in a tattered dress, offering up to the American flyers perhaps her only possession, a dirty cloth doll, as a thank you for their efforts.
The looks on their faces were indescribable.
I haven’t seen that picture since.
Whatta girl!!! I’ll be contacting my Chief’s AFSA to find out why they haven’t been running a fundraiser for that lass!!
mrs
Any ideas or perhaps in the vast Canteen Vault?
Sometimes just a cookie means the most.
bump
Not the same.
That's the closest I can get!!
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