Christmas for our combat wounded & the Marine 5th Regiment

Christmas for our combat wounded & the Marine 5th Regiment

Our 4th annual Christmas project was again a huge success! We can't thank all of those who participated this year! From our corporate sponsors to the volunteers who helped pack, load and deliver! Even though we gave gifts to over 225 of our heroes at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA and to over 250 of the 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, the true gifts received were the smiles, handshakes, hugs and chats our brave men & women gave to us in return!

Enjoy our Christmas 2010 in pictures!

Megan & Debbie on guard at Balboa Naval Hospital while we unload!



Actor Nick Searcy, tar FX Justified greets the 5th Marines



Omar Searcy surrounded by true American Heroes



Annie Nelson, Nick Searcy, Omar Searcy & Carol Nelson with the 5th Semper Fi



The Marines had to teach Annie how to shoot

Annie places a memorial wreath at the Memorial Wall for the 5th for those lost in Iraq & Afghanistan



Omar gets his target!




Seargant Major, Nick Searcy, Annie & Colonel Buhl





Volunteers at work stuffing the Christmas coolers for our heroes









The group at the Microsoft Store after all 500 coolers were stuffed!



Military Appreciation Day Labor Day 2010 @ Del Mar Races, CA

On Labor Day Sept 6th, 2010 a group of several patriotic thoroughbred race horse owners
(Bob Bone, Scott Gunther, Jim Robinson, Ron (Yogi) Brewer, and Pablo Suarez) are having thier 3rd Military Appreciation Day to be held in the Seabiscuit Room at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar CA. http://www.dmtc.com/ This year they have partnered with the American Soldier Network for this very special day!

 We are hosting 150 men and women from our armed forces. In past years they hosted all Marines but this year we invited several from the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, who may be from any branch of the US armed forces. It will be a special group of brave young men and women. Our goal is to make sure they have a great day at the races and to show our appreciation for what they do for us.

If involved in racing, there will be a donation jar in the paymasters office at Del Mar where you can donate. Please make checks out to the American Soldier Network, a 501c3 tax exempt organization, your generous donations may written off. The donations will go to helping make this very speial day happen for our brave men and women, as well as raise money for local organizations who are supporting them throughout the year. (the owners are picking up the majority of the actual expenses). They will be providing  a great buffet and drinks in addition to other goodies for our heroes. The troops are put into teams of which are headed by several race track personalities. We have a handicapping tournament, take the teams to the paddock to share in the "owner" experience of saddeling a horse prior to the race followed by the winners circle for the amazing experience of the WIN. In beween races we will have the entire group line the finish line for a short ceremony so all of the public audience can pay tribute to our countries finest and much more. It is a real nice day for them. Any money left over will be donated to a few wonderful organizations supporting our heroes. The last few years the owners we were able to make a sizable donation to the Semper Fi Fund.

Please help pass the word around. Your support is greatly appreciated! If any of you will be at the races on the 6th and you can shake a hand or two. Here are a few photos from years past!

FOR DONATIONS, VIA http://www.americansoldiernetwok.org/  cick on DONATE NOW

WE ACCEPT VISA/MASTERCARD OR DISCOVER  
BE SURE TO PUT IN "Del Mar Day" in comments for your funds to be specificaly designated for this wonderful day!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

Military Aprreciation Day 2008

Honoring America's Brave, Spreading an attitude of Gratitude!

Christmas Stockings for Soldiers, Our Annual holiday drive!

BE SANTAS HELPERS! HO HO HO it's right around the corner! It's time to roll up our sleeves and gather goods for our Stockings for Soldiers Our goal this year is 400! These will be delivered to our combat wounded who are hospitalized as well as to homeless/disabled Vietnam Veterans!

YOU CAN HELP BY:

Sponsoring a stocking or two, or three....

Blast out this blog to everyone, you never know who may be in a position to have their company donate 400 items to go in the stockings. Or who may want to contribute gifts in kind or funds for this project!

WHO: American Soldier Network

WHAT: Stockings campaign

WHERE: Send all donations or stocking sponsor funds to

American Soldier Network

24000 Alicia Parkway #17 Suite 244

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

WHEN: By Thanksgiving 11/26/09

HOW:

We need everyone's help! Stockings cost approx $25.00 each

WHAT TYPE OF ITEMS?

• Christmas stockings
• pocket games
• playing cards
• small electronic games
• batteries for electronic games
• cd's
• dvd's
• small books
• calendars for 2010
• fun novelty items
• non chocolate candy
• non peanut snacks
• game books
• puzzle books
• pencils, pens for the game books
• items to help pass time while hospitalized

Please let us know! Email us if you or someone you know is sending goodies so we can get receipt letters and coordinate!

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE WE ARE A 501C3 TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION

LET'S ALL GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR ALL

With deep heart felt gratitude, thank you!

Annie Nelson

Founder

Navy Cross Marine Jeremiah Workman throws out first pitch at the LA Angels of Anaheim game Sept. 11, 2009

Over a year ago while attending the GI Film Festival in Washington DC, I met Staff Sergant Jeremiah Workman. Decorated with the Navy Cross a honor of valor second only to the Medal of Honor, for his efforts in Iraq while serving the contry and the Marines. Jeremiah and I had an intstant connection . Our mutual passions for raising awareness for our troops and changing the attitude of our nation. Jeremiah soon became an advisory board member of my American Soldier Network. Together we travel this nation raising awareness for PTSD, wounded warriors, veterans, our charity American Soldier Network and now his book which will release on 9/15/09 on random house "Shadow of the Sword". This is a powerful account of his journey to Iraq and back. The emotional battlefield he had to live through, his family life, his military life and battling PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

This Friday 9/11/09 as we recogonize the day that changed our nation forever the LA Angels of Anaheim have invited Jeremiah to come throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their game against the Chicago White Sox. Jeremiah and I, will be once again together, raising awareness for our organization's efforts as well as introducing his book "Shadow of the Sword" to the people of Southern California.

Come out to the game and say "hello". We both would love to say hello! Be sure weather you can get out to the game or not to always say thank you to our veterans and troops! They all deserve our gratitude no matter what your views on politics are. As one of our nations great leaders said long long ago, "Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." A. Lincoln God bless America and our troops! Blogg by American Soldier Network founder Annie Nelson Photo below: Annie Nelson & Jeremiah Workman http://www.jeremiahworkmam.com/ http://www.americansoldiernetwork.org/

American Soldier Network in 2009

Greetings! It has truly been a busy 2009. We have launched a face book page American Soldier Network. We have all of the photos of our events currently posted there. There you will find the photos from our night with Gary Sinsie and the Lt. Dan Band at the Coach House. It was a very special evening and Gary Sinise is a great man. That was followed by a day for our donors on the set of CSI NY. Gary donated a day on the set as a live auction item for our Cowboy Country event last Dec. and we finally made that day a reality! It was a magical day! Ben, Gary's long time make up artist was a most gracious co-host while Gary was doing his scenes. Then in April we were invited by Le Tip International and the Housewives of the OC to be a part of their networking mixer. A fun evening had by all. We continue to focus the bulk of our efforts on securing funding for our Project Welcome Home. Thank you to all who support us. Our veterans and presently serving men and women and amazing and their dedication and sacrifice is to be honored 24/7.

A Peter White's Christmas Jazz Concert

Music made a magical night of thanks and appreciation. We were able to host a group of our Army and their wives at a Peter Whites Christmas Concert at the Grove of Anaheim on 12/23/08! Thank you to Mr. Derek Quinn of www.DQPRo.com & www.GreenSceneJazzSeries.com for your gracious donation of the tickets for our heroes. They had a night away from work and to just absorb some wonderful music, family, friends and fun!

08 Christmas Stockings for Soldiers Project

MISSION COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did it! Over 300+ stuffed Christmas stockings went to our nations heroes! We delivered over 250 to our combat wounded at Baloba Naval Hospital, we shipped 60+ to our deployed special operations men in the middle east and we delivered 50+ to our homeless Vietnam Veterans at the VA in Los Angeles. Thank you to all who gave of their time, finances, product and prayers! This was truly a huge success and we touched so many lives of those who have given so much for us! Freedom is not free and to be able to give a small token of our appreciation to those who silently sacrifice so much was a true gift! The men and women who proudly wear our nation's uniforms to serve and protect each of us and our freedoms are amazing people who deserve our deepest gratitude! Enjoy the photos below of this amazing project and again thank you!

2008 Cowboy Country Event

Howdy Ya'll.... On Saturday 12/6/08 we had a Celebrate our troops and the holidays fund raiser at http://www.cowboycountry.mu/ in Long Beach, CA. It was a great time had by all. We had a 3.5 foot tall balloon cowboy boot that we had a "fill this boot with cash" fund raiser, actor Gary Sinise matched every dollar raised by the boot. The boot raised $ 1,050.00 AND with Gary's match it really raised $ 2,100.00!!!!! Thank you Gary! We also had a live auction, opportunity drawing and Cowboy Country had a shooter bar upstairs that gave $1.00 per shot sold. Overall it was a great success for us! It helped our 2008 Christmas Stockings for our Soldiers project! Thanks to all who donated goodies for the stockings, bought drawing tickets, bought live auction items, threw $$ in the boot and to those who bought shots at the shooter bar! Also many thanks to those who volunteered their time to help make the night such a special evening. Below are some fun pics from that night! Yee haw!