Mission 113-A

David Nelson Turning 78

About:  David A Nelson was born on Dec 1, 1946, in Dearborn, MI to Loren (aka: Bob) and Jean Nelson. They moved to California when he was still a baby, where he grew up and graduated High School. On Dec 7, 1964 David enlisted in the Navy. Over the next 25 years he served on 6 different ships, the USS Kitty Hawk, the USS Lynde McCormick, (1067-68 & 1983-87, the USS Schofield, the USS Rathburne and the USS William H Standley. On Dec 19, 1967, while off the coast of Vietnam and stationed aboard the McCormick the ship was fired upon, along with the USS Newport News, by 28 different on shore sites. Neither ship sustained injuries or damage. Davids shore duty included ETM A/C school, Mare Island, EW A/C school, Treasure Island, FCTCP, San Diego and FCSTUP, San Diego. In Dec 1990 David retired from the Navy and went on to jobs that followed his Navy training. He is Grandpa to 2 granddaughters, his 2 daughters live in Texas, where he will be spending this Thanksgiving/78th birthday celebration with. He is currently enjoying his full time retired life in coastal California.

Birthday: December 1

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  11/27/2024

Mailing Address: 

Rebecca Nelson

113 Sage Dr

Universal City, TX 78148

ATTN: David Nelson

Mission 113-B

Turning 80: Robert Keck

About:  Robert Keck Jr. is turning 80 on November 30 this year. He retired after 20 years in the US Navy as AK1. He enlisted on December 28, 1962, and went to boot camp at Great Lakes, which also was his first duty station. For there he went to A school at Memphis Tennessee, then to NAS North Island in FAAO Pac. Then on to Naples Italy and Cubi Point Philippines. At Moffet Field he was with VP 19, Big Red and deployed to the Philippines then U-Tapao, Thailand.

After Moffet field he was stationed NAF Washington DC where he met his wife, Aleta. His next to last duty station was with VF 143, The World Famous Pukin Dogs, stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They made two Med cruises and a South American cruise on the America and on the Eisenhower's first Med. cruise. His final duty station was NADC Warminster, PA where he retired from the Navy on November 1, 1982.

He went on to work for the Federal Government and retired from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland in May 2014. He enjoys hunting, his huge family and genealogy. He has recently joined the Sons of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. He and Aleta have four kids and will celebrate 50 years of marriage next April.

Birthday: November 30

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  11/30/24

Mailing Address: 

Robert L Keck, Jr

350 Glenwyn Drive

Littlestown, PA 17340

Mission 113-C

James Earl Street Turning 90

About:  James was born at home in Port Acres, Texas, on December 5, 1931. He joined the Air Force in August 1959 and served as a 2nd Lt. in the Medical Service Corps while at Lackland. Upon completing an internship at Lackland AFB Hospital, he received his Captain’s bars. He later received attaché training and was assigned to the American Embassy in Moscow for two years (1963-64). It was while Jim was stationed in Moscow that President Kennedy was assassinated and Gary Powers was released during a prisoner of war exchange. During his experience in Russia he medically treated heads of state, was involved in espionage and had the opportunity to learn the Russian language. He also met a few famous people such as Marlene Dietrich, Leontyne Price and the pianist Arthur Rubinstein. He also experienced no sunshine for four months during one of the years he was there. Captain James Street was honorably discharged February 5, 1965.

Jim continued his medical career as a civilian anesthesiologist in the US. He and his wife became short term missionaries making trips to Guatemala, Peru, Russia and India. Jim retired from his full time practice of medicine in 1997, and after retirement he and his wife established a medical mission in Guatemala where they brought teams of doctors and others down from the US to serve the rural communities in that country. Due to health issues Jim made his last trip to Guatemala in August 2017; the mission they established, however, remains open to this day, medically treating and serving the underserved people in Guatemala.

Birthday: December 5

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  12/5/2024

Mailing Address: 

Jim Street

111 Bellardia Ct.

Montgomery, TX 77316

Mission 113-D

Fred Ankney Turning 100

About:  Born in 1924 in Sturgis Michigan. His parents moved to Trenton, Michigan when he was 10. Upon graduating from Trenton HS, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Okinawa Japan from 1943-46. In 1952, he married his wife Helen ,who lived across the street from him in Trenton. They were married 52 years and had 4 children. He was an auto mechanic for 50 years, and retired in 1990.

Birthday: December 12

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  12/12/2024

Mailing Address: 

Fred Ankney

769 Park Place

Trenton, MI 48183

Mission 113-E

Robert Stangier Turning 101

About: 

· Home town: Pendleton Oregon

· Branch: Army Air Corp

· Rank: 1^st Lieutenant

· Where served: European Theater - Stationed in Corsica and Fanno Italy

· Position: B-25 pilot in the 381st bomb squadron, 310^th Bomb Group, 57^th Bomb Wing, 12^th Air corp.

· Time Served: August 1944 to June 1945

· Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross; Presidential Unit Citation; Air Medal – 9 cluster

· Notable Mission: Flew 70+ missions; Invasion Southern France; Battle of Rome; Battle Po River; Northern Italy, Battle of Balkens.

· Life after service: Bob returned to Pendleton and started a crop-dusting company. He married Mary Jane and they raised four children. Together they owned a children’s clothing store 12+ years and then they owned a Hallmark store for another 12+ years. Bob was very active volunteering in the community and recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He is still volunteering twice a week at the Pendleton Air Museum. He is the oldest living past director of the Pendleton Round Up and has been recognized for volunteering for over 90 years. He still works security at the Round Up store during the rodeo week.

Birthday: December 19

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  12/17/2024

Mailing Address: 

Robert Stangier

c/o Becky Dunlap

PO Box 505

Pendleton, OR 97801

Mission 111-B

Michael's 60th

"Here is Michael with his 253 cards thanks to all your followers he had declared this to be the best birthday ever!"

Mission 110-C

Dave's 77th

"Words cannot express the amount of joy this brought on Dave’s birthday. Each day he enjoyed his trip to the mailbox and would call me and inform me just how many cards were in his mailbox. There were so many beautiful and very thoughtful & emotional messages in each one. Also drawings & gifts, each special in their own way.

Dave received over 270 cards from all over the United States, I am sure the mailman wondered why the sudden increase in volume he was delivering. It certainly made this birthday a very special day to remember. Thank you to all that took time out of their busy days to send a card, it was greatly appreciated & a great surprise! Dave & Penny" 

Mission 110-G

Joseph's 78th

"Thank you so much for organizing the collection of birthday cards for my Vietnam Veteran Uncle Joe. It really, truly made his day. A total of 225 cards received from goodhearted folks all over the U.S., and including overseas locations of Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, and England. I'm grateful for you and your pro-veterans' program. Both my uncle and I are extremely appreciative!! "

Mission 111-D

Donald's 90th

"We had my dad's birthday celebration yesterday ahead of his 90th Birthday on 10/24. We had about 150 guests come and he was thrilled and touched by all the cards he received. Thank you for doing this.... what a wonderful and great program to honor and celebrate our veterans."

Mission 111-A

Joseph's 95th

"Joseph was thrilled each day to receive these cards. He read every one of them. He wants to thank all who sent the cards and wished him a happy 95th birthday. The outpouring of love, care, and letter writing. was inspiring. Thank you all so much from the family of Joe Coleman, Sr." 

Mission 111-C

Robert's 80th

Update: Robert's family got together to read his cards. Here is the photo and note that his brother shared. "We had a get together on my brother's birthday. We handed out all the cards to everyone and took turns reading them. We laughed, we cried, and we celebrated his life. We all said how amazed he would have been opening up all these cards even though we felt his presence in the room. The cards were amazing. The thought and effort that went into the cards just blew us away. Attached is a picture of us with all the cards. We have his daughters , Granddaughters and great granddaughters along with his brother. Just want to thank the team and yourself for making this happen. P.S. After reading the cards my wife told me that I need to up my game with the cards I've been sending. They were all that special"

Original Note: Sadly Robert passed away just two weeks shy of his 80th birthday (October 13). Although Robert did not get to read his cards, your efforts will certainly be a source of peace and comfort for his family. Here is a note from his brother: "His daughters are going to have a little get together on his birthday and open up his cards. He's gotten so many cards already. Your team is remarkable, and I thank every one of them. My brother would have had a smile from ear to ear opening them. Thanks so much again."

Mission 109-C Complete

Arlene's 98th

Arlene received 339 birthday cards, and is quite happy about it. Thank you all! 

Short Notice Mission Complete

Hugh's 97th

From his daughter: "Thank you everyone who made this birthday special for my Dad! Believe it or not, he got 97 cards for his 97th birthday! What a wonderful thing!"

Mission 109-F Complete

Miss Pat's 103rd

We have done missions for Miss Pat since she turned 100. I got to visit her a few days before her birthday.  Watch the video here. She showed me all the birthday cards from Janine’s Team, and said when she has a hard day, she re-reads them!  I sang the anthem for her fellow residents “the boys” as she calls them - all veterans - all decades younger than her. She said she is there to take care of them. They aptly call her “the Queen”. Very special thanks to Janine’s Team member Marty who took me over to see her. He and his wife Sherry have become great friends to Miss Pat over the years. Thank you to all who have been so faithful to these missions for our veterans. YOU are responsible for adding so much love and joy to their lives.

Mission 110-E Complete

Gail's 77th

From her friend: "Gail was quite surprised and very touched at the amazing gift of cards from so many Veteran supporters! Gail's granddaughter, JROTC Staff Sergeant Britney was the Chief Investigator in getting most of the info needed, so hats off to her as well. Thank you ALL!"

Mission 110-D Complete

Dr. Tom's 100th

He sent a video personally thanking everyone click to watch. A note from his niece:  “Our Uncle, Dr. Tom Fitzpatrick received over 235 birthday cards! He kept saying, "wow, wow, wow." Our family cannot thank you all enough for making his 100th more special, to each and every one of you, we salute you. 🇺🇸

Mission 110-C Complete

Paul Pette's 101st

"My Dad received over 150 cards for his birthday! Thank you very much for including my Dad on your mission."

Mission 110-B Complete

Paul Pette's 101st

It looked like Miracle on 34th St when they brought the cards in. He received so many cards and enjoyed every single one of them. He loved all the hand made ones! They did a special drive by his home over the weekend for him with all VETS. So wonderful what people do for our VETS! God bless them and YOU for doing all you do! So wonderful!

Mission 103-D Complete

Uncle Jiggs 98th

Thank you from our whole family for your continuing efforts to honor our WW II veterans. Back in December I wrote to you about “Uncle Jiggs”, the oldest living member of our family clan and a veteran who was turning 98 in January. You rallied your troops and he received over two hundred birthday cards and letters from complete strangers wishing him a happy birthday and thanking him for his service to our country. At our family reunion the last weekend in July, I had the chance to see all of the cards and letters sent to him, and I have to tell you I have never in my life seen something more heartwarming than that. My only regret was not having enough time to read each and every card and letter that he received. I had tears in my eyes reading the heartfelt letters written by grade school and high school students thanking him for his service. You certainly are doing Gods’ work here on earth, you should be proud of your efforts and know that they have made a difference. Once again, I can’t thank you enough for your efforts, all I can say is thanks and to keep up the great work you’re doing. Sincerely, Pete