Got Your Back hosts 2nd Evening with the Anaheim Angels

Our second Evening with the Angels was awesome!  The kids met a few more players, made a few more memories and had a great time!  This time Megan along with her son Corey and Jennifer with her daughter Kathryn attended.  We had such a great time.  The kids met 9 or 10 players along with Angels manager Mike Sciocia!  Each player happily took photos and signed autographs for the children.  It’s amazing to see the smiles and excitement on their faces when players walk right up to them and ask how THEY are doing. 

Anyone who knows Corey knows that smiling in a photo is a tough one to catch BUT we got quite a few of Corey grinning ear to ear Thursday night!  Kathryn is an awesome young lady and now an Angels convert.  She is a shy girl but was all smiles and sassiness at the game – I LOVE it!

 

LONG night for Corey... out just after the 7th inning stretch

I look forward to our next game night on July 23 (the night before my 34^th birthday!) and the families that will be in attendance… I think this one is already a full house.  YAY!

When they come back WE GIVE BACK - Boot Campaign

I am so excited to share with you my boot shoot for the Boot Campaign. I am over the moon excited to be part of this movement. I was introduced to the Boot Girls a few months ago and after talking to Christina for 10 minutes I was attached. 5 women started a movement that is now reaching globally with their boot sales and support is no short order and one I am very proud to support. Being able to strap on my boots under such a beautiful gown and supporting our military in this unique way was awesome! I even had to enlist the help of my Soldier husband to properly lace my boots - his best advice was left in a note on the fridge "I know it's uncomfortable but DONT forget to tuck your laces!" As Christina, Gwen and Megan at the Boot Campaign have told me... think about grabbing your boots instead of your heels to support our troops. YES, I will be doing that this year!

When you purchase a pair of boots from the Boot Campaign website the money goes directly to a program to assist wounded military or families of fallen military. They are currently in the process of planning their next great event, Boots on Broadway, to include families of our fallen, at an upcoming Broadway show – I am SO excited to help with this event along with their families of the fallen initiatives.

I’m looking towards a partnership between the Boot Campaign and Got Your Back this year!

About the Boot Campaign
The Boot Campaign is a grassroots initiative started by five women from Texas known as the Boot Girls. The campaign encourages everyone to “get their boots on”providing an easy and tangible way for Americans to show appreciation for troops, cultivate awareness of the challenges they face upon return and raise funds for military programs meeting the physical and emotional needs of our heroes.

What better way to say “Thank You” to our troops than wearing a pair of boots just like theirs? Join in the growing chorus of musicians, entertainers, athletes and other celebrities and get YOUR boots on!

We Cultivate Awareness:

We believe the first step in making a difference is to understand the need and to make people aware of that need. The Boot Campaign was developed to bridge the gap between American society and the warriors that protect her. The contrast of wearing combat boots with everyday clothes starts a conversation. When you put your boots on, people want to know what you’re up to! More often than not they also decide to join you. Before you know it, your act of wearing boots influences those around you to do the same. Our goal is to see 1.4 million Americans with their boots on thanking 1.4 million active duty military serving in 150 countries globally and stateside.

Life is 2/3 Planning

To quote my husband, “Everything is 2/3 planning with 1/3 execution” which is a concept that I have chuckled at more often than not simply thinking it was his military brain rational but not reality.  The more involved I have become with various non-profit organizations and events I realize that non-profit work is just that – far more planning than execution.  Currently I am in the midst of being on planning committees for two major events for Got Your Back, our annual Project Gratitude event with Miss America as well as Martini’s & Makeovers which is our only fundraising event.  This is in addition to coordinating 4 separate nights with the Anaheim Angels for Got Your Back Heroes and being on the committee for an upcoming Portrait of the Fallen art show. 

Being part of these wonderful organizations that give so much back to honor our fallen service members and their families is a joy that is indescribable.  The upcoming events are ones that I have enjoyed immensely in the past; whether it has been the planning, the execution or seeing the visible aftermath in smiles, each moment is worth it.  I wanted to better describe some of our events as they are so important to each family that attends.

These smiles make every moment of planning worth it!

Project Gratitudeis an annual VIP event to honor and celebrate surviving spouses and daughters of our fallen heroes in collaboration with the Department of Defense, Miss America Organization as well as celebrities and corporations. This event starts 3 days before Miss America with daily excursions and fun for both mom and daughter. This trip provides a great opportunity to further increase the bond between parent/child, the children and their moms.

Martini’s& Makeoversis the only fundraiser for Got Your Back Network each year. In 2012 I Co-Produced this event as our first on the West Coast. 10 Surviving Spouses of our fallen were treated to makeovers by 3 salons; they were the VIP honored guests for the evening. This event raised $10,000 for programs and services provided by the Got Your Back Network

Portraits of the Fallenis an organization that commemorates the sacrifice if those America military service members from California who have died while serving our country during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization pairs a grieving family with an artist to render an image as a creative means for remembrance and healing.

Nights with the Angelsis such a fun night! For the past 2 years Got Your Back Heroes has coordinated these nights with the Anaheim Angels major league baseball team for a night of simple giggles. This is one of our smaller events because the intimacy of it keeps ‘once in a lifetime moment’ therefore each of 4 nights per season includes 5 families of the fallen. The families are able to attend batting practice on the field, meet some of the players as well as attend the game. We have had a great time with this event each year. Last season one of our families was also invited to throw out the first pitch on Memorial Day – which was something I was so humbled to be a part of as I couldn't have picked a better family to honor their father in this way.

I never imagined that I would admit that my husband was right, but the man and his military brain make sense more commonly than I will admit to him. I’m lucky that I get to learn from the best!

Another WONDERFUL Ducks night

“We must not be defined by what we do, but we must be what and who we are, then only happen to do what we do!”
― C. JoyBell C.

Being the West Coast events coordinator for the Got Your Back Heroes has proved to be one of my favorite hats. I have the ability to talk to our families and see what events they want to do and ones that they would find beneficial. From fun nights like the ones we do with our local sports teams or local businesses to our upcoming Financial Literacy Program I am amazed by the opportunities that we are able to provide.
I absolutely love supporting our home town sports teams, especially when they support the Got Your Back Network and families of our fallen so purely. On Wednesday, March 6, the Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks donated another suite for 5 families to enjoy another hockey game. We were able to meet a new family, Rachel and her awesome son. Spending time together and watching the other families welcome Rachel and provide her with information is what we do. Something that makes it a little extra special for me is when my daughter is able to join us.

Enjoying time with Dala & Jace, Rachel & Christian, Sandra & Lily as well as Salina and my daughter Krystina.

We look forward to more nights like these... nights where we are able to be moms, providing needed bonding time; Nights where we are there for each other as women and military wives. Once a military spouse, always a military spouse.
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Sister time in LA and the Anaheim Ducks

Being crowned is such a wonderful moment and being crowned with wonderful sister titleholders just adds icing to the cake.  I have been blessed with 2 sister queens who are hard working and sweet.  Tiffany, Miss California, and I have forged an amazing bond through this experience.  I have been blessed to get a chance to get to know her through our 2 hour phone calls and regular text messages.  But nothing beats in person... so we met up for a day of shopping in Los Angeles.
After walking through many stores, having a good laugh and just spending time together we met with Daniel at Claire's Collection for some good old fashion gown shopping.  What a wonderful day.  I am grateful to have had this time with her and look forward to seeing her at the Bakersfield Pageant in just a few weeks.

After our shopping day I headed home to meet up with 10 Got Your Back families for a night with the Anaheim Ducks.  I LOVE hockey and am so excited to share that love with others.  The Ducks graciously donated 2 suites for us to enjoy the game and boy did we ever!  The kids enjoyed the game and the TV intermittently and the moms all enjoyed each other.  Several of them had never been to a hockey game which made this a little more sweet.

Just getting together warms everyone’s heart, reaffirms their friendships and bonds as well offers a new experience with new memories.

Krystina and Corey enjoying the game

Karen and I are part of the cool glasses club

Salina & Karen

Kylynn & Salina (It was Salina's first game)

Cindy and Andrew

The silly group during intermission

Ducks beat Columbus!!

Understanding & Supporting families of our fallen

I think it’s very important for our community and country to know about surviving families – families who have lost their service member to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Often times families feel ostracized after a loss even saying that it seems that others feel that being a widow is contagious. Sometimes moving to new communities that don’t know how to react to such loss even going as far as demanding that their husband be present for certain transactions (obviously not understanding what it means to be widowed). There are unique challenges to being the surviving spouse and family of a fallen service member. 

Having worked with the surviving spouse/family community for the past several years I have learned so much. I have listened to stories about their amazing husbands (and ones that involved leaving socks on the floor), stories about children missing daddy and schools that just don’t get it. Sadly from the moment they learn of their loved ones death there are decisions to be made and changes to learn. 

Recently I asked several spouses to tell me the things that they wanted others to know about them as a community. I asked about their needs, stigmas that they don’t like and just some much needed information to share. I remember the first time I met 10 surviving family, and wondering how to act or respond. I learned very quickly that it’s ok to talk about their husband/fathers, it’s ok to ask about his life and it’s ok to cry. It’s funny conversations about life that lead to learning about men that I will never have the pleasure of meeting. Through friendships I have learned so many cool things about our fallen service members. I laugh with Patty that Mark is just like Grant, both soldiers to the Nth degree and that David had a great sense of humor, loved to make people laugh (evident in Salina’s stories). I also learned that so many service members don’t want to ask for help, don’t realize they need it until it’s too late. I have learned about suicide and PTSD from speaking to Megan, Jennifer and Kylynn about their husband’s struggles.

Several spouses told me that people need to realize that their smiles and humor is how they cope; what some may think is an odd conversation they find comforting. I was also told that they want people to talk about their husbands, remember their sacrifice not clam up and act like they didn't exist. These men were human being’s, these couples had dreams and goals for their lives and even though their lives were cut short they are no less important and should be talked about. 

With the total service members killed in action being over 6600 and the number of those committing suicide growing we need to take care of each family. When we each sit down to our dinner tables at night, take a moment and say a prayer for those that aren't home for dinner... our military that is fighting for our freedoms, our military that are in hospitals with injuries and our military that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Project Gratitude & our Honorary Miss America's

It's an absolutely humbling experience to have literally hundreds of people looking at you with their eyes telling a story of thei

r own hopes and dreams.... There's a feeling that what you have attained for yourself--although only relatively short-lived, for a year--is a lifetime venture. It's a feeling of destiny.  Laurel Lee Schaefer Miss America 1972

Each year I am part of a team that spends MONTHS planning 1 event however this one event is worth every bit of it.  Each year the Got Your Back Network takes 8-10 families of surviving spouses and daughters of our fallen heroes to Las Vegas for 4 days with the culmination of the trip being the Miss America pageant.  This is my 3^rd year as part of this trip and each year my role has grown.  The first year I felt that I was there more as a volunteer and observer however this year I was a larger part of the planning, the family contact and each event in Las Vegas.  I must say that calling each family to invite them was a highlight; one family cried then another just screamed – I can’t stop smiling just thinking about those calls.

Our guests and volunteers traveled from around the country into Las Vegas Thursday January 10, courtesy of American Airlines. Each family stayed at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, home of the Miss America Pageant (and to one young ladies excitement, Coco from Ice T and Coco was there as well).  At our Thursday night dinner we were treated by a special guest, Chris Harrison from The Bachelor and 3 service members from the Joint Chiefs of Staff office as well as 2 local Miss America and MAOT titleholders.  A great way to get to meet each other face to face and see the excitement for what was coming next.     

On Friday each family participated in a photoshoot at the El Dorado Mines in Nelson, NV.  We had such a good time touring the mines, then each mother and daughter had their hair and makeup done before their individual photo shoots.  The town has been host to photo shoots and video shoots for Luke Bryan and Beyonce!   Cheyane, daughter of 2^nd LT Mark Gelina, recreated the cover shot of Luke Bryan’s CD with the help of Joe-Bec whose family owns and operates the mines. 

Friday night after a wonderful dinner at the Rattlecan, a wonderful restaurant inside of the Venetian the mom’s and older girls were treated to the Rock of Ages musical show while our younger princesses took part in a Princess Pajama party.  Everyone had such a wonderful time and we were passing cell phones of pictures down the line to show each mom the fun her daughter was having. This was another late night but seeing the smiles and hearing all the laughter makes it worth it... besides it’s VEGAS!

Former Miss America's, honored families of our fallen on stage for a group picture

Our VIP families were then royally pampered Saturday at the Canyon Ranch Spa, had a mini trunk show of gowns, received gift bags of donations from some amazing companies just before each young lady was crowned.  Then off to change and head to Miss America for another big surprise...each family was honored in the Miss America preshow!  They walked across the Miss America stage while a short biography was read about their loved one, they received a special coin from Col Henderson and LTC Forbes and were then ‘pinned’ as an honorary Miss America.  The audience listened to each introduction so intently and I was humbled and proud of each families strength.  As the families made their way back to our AWESOME seats they were met with another standing ovation... I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

After the pageant and our good-byes (everyone had different flights out Sunday), Kathleen and I headed out to enjoy the sights in Vegas a bit.  We met up with a few friends and next thing we knew we were taking photos with the new Miss America Mallory Hagen!  First I want to say that she is the sweetest young woman and seems incredibly down to earth, second of all we had no intention of meeting anyone besides our friends we had dressed down for the night and here we were taking a photo in our JEANS!  Good grief!  We also ran into Janice McQueen my friend and director of the Mrs CA & NV United States Pageant, then Gaspar Cruz and Miss WY Lexie Madden (another young lady that seems you could meet up with for a burger or a black tie gala).   Kathleen and I along with the COL and LT Col were attended the ‘Formers’ get together where I was excited to meet Lee Meriwether and Leanza Cornett along with Heather French and many others; I may not have to point this out however this was a pageant girls DREAM as I watched so many of these women get crowned and looked up to them.

I left Las Vegas bright and early Sunday morning, flew home and then drove 2 hours to central California to be part of my husband’s Army promotion.

As with each year I am so grateful to be part of an organization that makes events like this possible, being able to meet so many wonderful women and their daughters and knowing in my heart that my family just got a little bit bigger.  I am also thankful to all of our wonderful and generous sponsors each year because without you no part of this would be possible.  I am already planning ideas for NEXT YEAR!  I wish our new Miss America, Mallory Hagen, a wonderful year of memories and service.

Cheyane meeting Coco and her sister at Planet Hollywood

Chris Harrison and I at Thursday night's dinner

with their Girl ExtraOrdinaire gift bags

November photos

“What i like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
― Karl Lagerfeld

November was such a great month.  It was full of work, fun and kids... each event was wonderful in it's own right and each one providing something different.  Please enjoy a few photos from my third month as Mrs. California International

Congratulations SWAT (Soccer With A 'Tude) on your accomplishment!  Such a proud mommy.

The Murrieta Field of Honor

A high school friend - The Murrieta Field of Honor

USS Iowa for the Veteran's Appreciation Festival

Our booth to raise community awareness at the Veteran's Appreciation Festival

Gold Star Wives Kylynn and Salina



Former Miss CA Intl Dedria Brunette and I back stage

Studio Channel Islands Fashion Show with Miss CA Global Nations, former Miss CA Intl and Jr Teen Ventura County Intl

crowning Bri - her father Aaron White was killed in action in Iraq

She is going to be a star... no kidding! Snowball Express send off

Medal of Honor recipient John Baca

Kylynn, Salina and I standing in the rain at the Snowball Express Send off