1st Annual Surviving Families Holiday Party

Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”

Amanda Bradley

I will say that many of my appearances, events or gatherings are as Shana, Got Your Back Board Member not as Shana, Mrs. California International.  This is not because I am not proud of or don’t love my title, its based on the appropriateness for each event.  Many of our surviving family events are about THEM, about their journey and their experiences with our organization and eachother... If I feel that wearing my crown/sash would overshadow that experience I choose not to wear it however I always bring it for the bling and our little girls.  This was the case with Wreaths Across America and our holiday party.  Many of the little girls met me at the Snowball send off so they remembered the Princess, so out came the crown and sash for their rhinestoned enjoyment... then the adults got in on the action. 

I LOVE the holidays and all they represent.  Giving to others, helping others in need and family.... it’s such a magical time of year.  This year was our First Annual Got Your Back Network Holiday party... what a WONDERFUL evening.  We had 18 families of our fallen heroes join us at the Pacific View Events Center on Camp Pendleton for food, fun and a visit from Mrs. Claus and her special Elf... Santa was VERY busy at the North Pole helping get toys ready for Christmas so he sent his wife, the next best thing (she talks to Santa you know).  I was able to meet several new families at this event, getting to know them and their children was very special.  It was also a great time for families to meet each other and start to form new bonds there as well.    

When each child met with Mrs. Claus, they were provided with a perfect gift just for them – I am thankful to our many donors this year for their help in providing this magical evening.  Thank you to the San Juan Capistrano Women’s Auxiliary for providing toys, our special Got Your Back Volunteer Susan Bien and her wonderful husband for obtaining donations, Leif Manson the Elf for providing the answers to life’s many questions such as why not ALL elves have pointy ears (Thank you Avery for your questions), and Mrs. Claus for her story and time with each child.

Until next year! 

 

Wreaths Across America



Los Angeles National Cemetery - Wreaths have been placed.  Such a beautiful sight



















For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.  It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag. – Zell Miller

 You know those days, events or moment where there are just no words?  I am never one to be speechless, sadly if I’m nervous I usually make a joke however this day even that didn’t come to me.  On December 15 I volunteered to lay wreaths at the graves of our fallen service members as part of Wreaths Across America at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.  Wreaths Across America’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

In the days leading up to Saturday I received several emails from the volunteer coordinator with wreath counts asking for additional publicity and donations to bring in as many wreaths as possible this year.  The Los Angeles National Cemetery was dedicated in 1889, with over 114 acres and 85000 graves, from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and other American conflicts the goal is to cover every one with a beautiful wreath.  When I showed up I was told that LANC had received 950 wreaths to be laid which is almost 700 more than last year thanks to donations.  As I walked towards the stage I saw Debra, Salina and Kylynn, both women I have learned so much from.  They told me that I would be riding along with the Patriot Guard Riders to lay 60 wreaths.  I had no idea what was next and I can be honest in saying that my level of respect and pride increased exponentially over the next 4 hours.

While most volunteers, gently laid the wreaths and went onto the next headstone the Patriot Guard Riders read short bios on each veteran we laid a wreath for, gave them each full respect and salute; if family was present they also spoke about their loved one.  I met several Gold Star Moms there to lay wreaths for their sons and heard some great stories about these young men.  I saw pictures, heard stories and hugged more people in one day than in my entire life.  I wish more people saw the faces of our fallen versus just their name – I met the mother of Army Staff Sgt. Curreri a young man that attended USC and qualified for the 2000 Olympic trials before September 11 changed his path.  His photo was on his headstone along with many of the other young men buried there.  I could have talked to the moms for hours about their sons, their grandchildren and their daughters in laws.   

During the opening ceremony we were asked to take note of the names of the veterans who’s name headstone we laid the wreath at.  To go home and look him/her up and learn a little about them... make them more than a passing moment on your Saturday morning.  I laid several wreaths that Saturday, Sergeant Christopher Dwayne Young Company C, 3rd Battalion 160th Infantry a National Guard soldier killed in 2007, an unknown soldier from Vietnam and Sgt Charles I Sprague a WWI Soldier who died in 1949.  Standing at the graves of a true heroes, with my hand upon my heart saying thank you was indescribable.

It took us almost 3 hours to lay our 60 wreaths, 3 hours of learning, thanking and honoring each man and woman laid to rest at LA National Cemetery.  When it seemed that we were the only volunteers left in the cemetery, the feeling of love was all surrounding. That was all I needed to satisfy my holiday’s – I already have the daughter and husband I always wanted this was the icing on the cake.  As we were leaving Debra, a Gold Star Wife that I met at Snowball Express handed me a gift as a thank you for being there.  I teared up instantly as being there was my thank you to her for all she has endured... in the box was a beautiful spun glass Christmas tree with a tiny gold star on the top.  This has become one of my most cherished things – it’s a representative of so much that I can’t explain.  Long after Christmas this will sit on my desk at work as a reminder of this journey. 

The Patriotic Pair wreath on our door honoring our men & women in uniform

The Patriot Guard Riders were lined up and ready

Debra, Salina (President of CA Gold Star Wives org) and Kylynn

Sgt Charles Sprague - World War I

 

Tis a reason for this season

Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.
Evelyn Glennie

December is my FAVORITE month of the year!  I love all the goodies, the friends and family, the weather... it’s just a heartwarming month!  It has  also been a great month to share my message and platform with so many people – people that want to help and want to be a part of something.  Tis the season of giving and working for a nonprofit I get to see the faces of those that receive which makes all the hard work worth it.

On December 2 I was asked to attend the La Jolla Holiday Parade with my beautiful daughter.  La Jolla is part of northern San Diego, with such a huge military community it’s always an honor to do anything down there.  Walking around and meeting other titleholders, moms and military families is always a fun and a great learning experience for Krystina.  Going down the parade route my platform was talked about many times by the announcers along with how to get in touch with the Got Your Back Network which is what it’s all about.  At the end of the parade I took photos with many little princesses and their mom’s... it’s cute to play around and talk Santa with these little girls.  I also enjoy talking to their moms about pageants, platforms, how pageants have evolved and hopefully get a few of these accomplished women signed up for next year!

My first real article came out in the Orange County Register on December 3.  I was honored to say the least as they dedicated a spot on the front page as well as the entire ‘Local’ section to my platform and assisting families of our fallen.  The support was overwhelming and I couldn’t be any more proud to be Mrs. California International.  To know that many people read my article and cared enough to email me and voice their support of our families will always be something I am proud of.  I went to Grant’s holiday party for work this past Friday and was congratulated by so many people which gave me another opportunity to talk about and educate people on the need to support the families of our fallen military.  It was funny as I went as his ‘arm candy’ yet everyone was so interested in talking to his wife about all she is doing.  FANTASTIC!

I said at the beginning of my reign that soccer mom came first and that I didn’t schedule things on Monday/Thursday nights or Saturday mornings.  Knowing that soccer was over around Thanksgiving I scheduled a few events on December 8 however unfortunately due to rain and delay Krystina’s last soccer tournaments were rescheduled the same day and daddy was at drill!  I had to balance out 2 events AND 2 soccer games for my little one in true mommy fashion.  Grammy to the rescue for game one!

In the morning I attended the Fullerton Kiwanis’ holiday shop with a child at Kohl’s in La Habra.  The children were bused in from local Boys and Girls Clubs as well as a transitional living center to shop for some wardrobe.  I was paired up with a beautiful little 7 year old girl, Brianna.  What a sweet child and so much fun!  We had one hour and $100 to shop for clothes/shoes for her.  A girl after my own heart, we started in shoes.  She got the cutest little sequined moccasins and purple shiny boots (noted to self to go back and grab a pair for Krystina), then off to clothes.  An hour later she had her 2 pairs of shoes 3 pairs of jeans, 2 full outfits with leggings and a few shirts.  Thank you to the Fullerton Kiwanis for the gracious invitation and Kohl’s for supporting this event and these children – all were overly appreciative as they carried out their multiple bags of clothes!!

Off to Laguna Niguel I went for the holiday parade – I spoke to the parade planner and rode with a group that was about 130 spots closer to the beginning than I so that I could make it for game 2 of the soccer tournament (they understood and actually thanked me for putting mommy first).  A WONDERFUL parade by their committee which was themed Honoring our Heroes.  Thank you to the Porsche Club of America chapter for being so gracious and sweet by letting me ride with them.  BEAUTIFUL cars and I learned that 1/3 of all Porsche’s sold nationwide are sold right here in Orange County.   Then headed to the soccer game in full pageant hair and makeup and a dress which was quickly changed to my team SWAT t-shirt and capris and my hair in a bun while I cheered on our girls.  They ultimately lost both games BUT they handled the losses with grace and good sportsmanship for which I was extremely proud.   

I have had a WONDERFUL first half of my month.  I also participated in Wreaths Across America this past Saturday at Los Angeles National Cemetery, memories that were so easily made with 3 Gold Star Wives and the Patriot Guard Riders.  That will be a separate post all together because I have so many things to say about that day, the organization, the event, the people... the list goes on!

Regardless of your passion or mission in life – remember those less fortunate this holiday season and if you can take a few moments to bring a smile to their face.