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Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are. - Squire Bill Widener |
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⭐️ Janine's Team Mission #106 ⭐️
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Hello!
We have a 102nd, two 78th, 96th, and an 81st Birthday -and a Honor Flight mail request for April!!
Scroll all the way down on this email to see pics and notes from missions that were recently completed. See the video recap of our first 100 missions on facebook or on instagram. There are a number of photos from past missions here as well.
+++ Notes +++ To contribute a veteran's birthday, kindly send us an email with a minimum of 8 weeks' notice. We'll respond with the necessary mission details, so keep an eye out for our reply. If requests come in with less than 8 weeks' notice, I'll make an effort to post it on my social media. Be sure to follow me on social media and enable notifications to see those updates. You'll find all the links in the header bar above. 👆
Your assistance in streamlining the process and limiting the frequency of these emails to once a month is greatly appreciated. 🙏
Last but not least, if you are new here, thank you for joining! I hope you find this to be a fulfilling and meaningful way to do what you can, with what you've got, from where you are!
...and now that all that housekeeping is over with, we're on to the fun part - the birthdays!! 🥳
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Mission 106-A
Turning 102: Peggy Lutz
About:
Notable Missions: WWII WAVE Peggy Lutz was born April 10, 1922. She served 1943-45 in Astoria Oregon as a Petty Officer 3rd Class Specialist Control Tower Operator (PO 3C SpY) and held certifications from the FAA and FCC. ATC Peggy shares this statement: “I experienced my ‘life defining moment’. I landed a lost TBM pilot and passenger, in inky blackout, 35 minutes after he was due to run out of fuel. I talked him in by the sound of his engine. His running lights as he hit the runway, bounced three times then went off....out of fuel. God was his co-pilot, and mine as well.”
Peggy adds: “My Discharge Paper has no DD214 printed down in the bottom left corner. Instead, in the upper right hand text line is the word, ‘Separation.’ That word meant we were not released; we were just allowed to be free of uniform until a potential crisis when our country would need us back on duty.” (Submitter note: She’s thought recently of visiting the Navy recruiting office!)
Life after service: Peggy enjoyed professional career as a high school language arts teacher, as well as a proofreader for the newspaper—publishing four books and collections after the age of 80. Two were about WWII ‘Women in Uniform,’ including her autobiography ‘Never Salute with a Broken Garter’ and two about end of life caretaking.
Birthday: April 10
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 8
Mailing Address:
WWII Wave Peggy Lutz c/o Barbara Jensen 2635 NE 44th Avenue Portland, OR 97213
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Mission 106-B
Turning 78: Vincent (Skip) W Mikuls Jr.
About: Vincent W Mikuls Jr, aka: Skip, was born in Brooklyn, NY to Vincent Sr and Dorothy Hyde Mikuls. At the age of 6 his family settled in El Paso, TX where he grew up and graduated from Irvin High School.He enlisted in the Navy On November 26, 1968, graduating from Basic training in San Diego,CA and went on to serve in many duty stations, NCS Puerto Rico, Naval Advisory Group Vietnam, Treasure Island, San Francisco, USS Hoel, Fleet Combat Training Center San Diego, USS O'Callahan, NAS North Island, and the USS Alamo. On Sept 30, 1993, after 25 years of service, Skip retired as a Chief Electronics Technician while attached to the USS Alamo. He spent the next 25 years between the University of San Diego and Ametek Programmable Power before permanently Retiring in Dec 2021 at the age of 75. These days he plays in the yard wrangles his 4 dogs and keeps his wife of 40 years entertained. He's a loving Dad to 6 kids and a Papa to 8 grandchildren.
Birthday: April 19
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 19
Mailing Address:
Skip Mikuls
1130 Flamingo Ave
El Cajon, CA 92021
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Mission 106-C
Turning 78: Gerald (Jay) Co-Wallis
About: "Jay is a Vietnam Veteran and a long-time Miami Dolphins fan. One of their biggest fans in my opinion. He even dyes his hair aqua and orange to show off the the team's colors. He served in the US Army as a medic in the Vietnam War. Even then he was a jokester; in those rare moments he shares about his time in the service and training in Texas. My dad has a great sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. He loves rock and roll music and even has a few dance moves up his sleeves. He loves dogs especially yellow labs. He is a Fur Dad to a cat who absolutely adores him. She's like a mini dog and follows him all over the place. She can even sense when he's getting ready to pull in the driveway when he gets home and will run to the door to greet him."
Birthday: April 20
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 20
Mailing Address:
Gerald (Jay) Co-Wallis
597 Monponsett Street
Halifax, MA 02338
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Mission 106-D
Honor Flight Mail Request: Michael Bishop
About: Michael's son is requesting Welcome Home and Thank you cards for his father. They will be on the Talon's Out Honor Flight and mail will be given to him on the flight. Please note: No glitter on the cards/letters and nothing bigger than a letter.
A bit about Mike "Papa Bear":
He is a Vietnam Veteran. He served from 1970-1971. He was discharged on September 27th 1971 at Ft. Louis in Seattle Washington. He kissed the ground when he got off the plane. He was happy to be back home. Others however, were not so happy to see him. They spit at him and called him many names, names I am too much of a gentleman to repeat. He did not understand this, after all, he had been protecting their freedom. He was drafted and was only doing what his country asked of him. To serve in the United States Army in the 23rd Infantry America Division, an Artillery Gunman on a 155 cannon.
From the time he was asked to served, he knew life would never be the same. I never got a chance to meet the man he was before he did his duty. I only know him after. I can tell you he is a proud veteran and if asked would do it all over again for God and Country. He wears a Vietnam Veteran hat everywhere he goes and has many of his brothers come up to him and welcome him home. I am proud of my father and the man he is.
I am sure you have heard the phrase, “Though I have left Vietnam, Vietnam has not left me.” These last 50 years have had their share of challenges, struggles, many surgeries, and he is a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Survivor.
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 20
Mailing Address:
Talons Out Honor Flight
c/o Mail Call: Mike Bishop
P.O. Box 280
Portage, MI 49081
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Mission 106-E
Turning 96: Andy Scialdone
About: S/Sgt Andy Scialdone served in the US Air Force from 1947 thru 1951 during the Korean War. He was stationed Ft Warren AF Base as an instructor in carrier/ repeater equipment maintenance as a S/Sgt and was honorably discharged.
Birthday: April 21
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 21
Mailing Address:
Andy Scialdone
39 Mynderse St.
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
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Mission 106-F
Turning 81: George A. Hussey
About: George A. Hussey was born on April 28, 1943. He is a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. His family doesn't have too much info on his service, because like many Vietnam Vets, he doesn't talk about it a lot. Please send him warm birthday and welcome home wishes.
Birthday: April 28
Send in time to arrive on or before: April 28
Mailing Address:
George Hussey
883 Rt 2
Winn, ME 04495
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Interested in booking Janine Stange to speak at your corporate, school, or organization's virtual - or in-person event?
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Watch a recap of our first 100 missions
on facebook or instagram.
Below are updates on recent past missions:
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Mission 105-A Complete:
Bruce's 75th
A note from Bruce's wife: Janine! His celebration was fabulous! As I have told you, I’ve been part of your team for years but to experience this overwhelming love and generosity first hand was beyond expectations! Bruce received almost 300 cards and is truly humbled as he opens and reads each one. The beautiful cards and beautifully written sentiments is proof, if proof is needed, that patriotism is alive and well in our great United States of America! Bruce sends his profound thank you to you and your fine organization!
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Mission 104-D Complete:
John's 77th
A note from John: My wife surprised me with your very kind gesture for all vets. I received over 200 cards and I read each and every one and all the heartfelt greetings in each. I will never be able to top this birthday. Thanks to you and everyone who participated.
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Mission 104-B Complete:
Carl's 75th
A note from Carl: Thank you Janine and all those that sent cards. They really made 75 a special birthday. It warms my heart to see, in this day and age, that there are truly wonderful caring people still here in this country. I received more cards this year, than in my first 74 years combined! From the bottom of my heart “Thank you” from an old 1st Cavalry Infantryman.
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Mission 104-C Complete:
PJ Dahl's 101st
A note from his friend: So far - 300+ cards have arrived. The 475th family were all there in spirit! A very special thanks to his daughter Jody- and to PJ's remarkable neighbors, Roxane and Gene. Thank you Janine for your support and to all those around the world who made this birthday for America's oldest living P-38 ace- one for the books! Including his pet monkey-Ormoc! - 475th FG Historical Foundation
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Mission 104-A Complete:
Robert McWhirter's 100th
A note from his son: A BIG "Thank You" goes out to Janine's Team for the over 260 birthday cards my father, Robert McWhirter, received for his 100th birthday. He was amazed that all of these people that don't know him would take the time to send birthday well wishes to him. He opened and read each and every one of them. He enjoyed reading the stories which accompanied some of the cards, the hand made cards, and the pictures, bookmarks, and retired stars from flags that can no longer fly. He jokingly said this birthday was worth waiting for!
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Mission 103-E Complete:
Tom William's 80th
A note from his wife: I am writing a huge THANK YOU to everyone who responded and sent birthday cards for Tom's 80th birthday. The response was unbelievable. He received almost 300 cards from 41 states. There were handmade cards, cards from other Veterans, cards from children, cards from DAR Chapters and other lineage societies, and all were from fellow Americans who love our country. Many of the cards expressed not only appreciation for his service but for his ministry and community work. Many of the cards told of other's family members that had served. Interestingly enough, many cards were addressed to Mr. Tom, which is what many call him. Quite a few cards contained items of appreciation.... prayer cards, Veteran's appreciation cards, pins, and stars cut from retired flags. One 5th grader expressed this in his card "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. This nation will remain the land of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave. Valor is stability not of legs and arms but of courage and the soul. Have a great day." While this child probably copied this quote and may not truly understand what it means, it meant a lot to an 80-year-old Veteran, who, along with many others willingly went to Vietnam and served our country at a time when it was not popular to do so. He is so appreciative and humbled by this outpouring of honor for his service and celebration of his birthday. Thank you for this avenue that you and your team provide fellow Americans and patriots as a way to honor our country's finest heroes.
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Mission 103-F Complete:
Carl Rush's 100th
A note from his friend: Please thank the folks who sent Art a card. Between your efforts, local news stations, and the 351st Bomb Group, there were almost 600 cards waiting for him. He was shocked to say the least. Thank you for your support in honoring this American treasure.
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Mission 103-C Complete:
Carl Rush's 100th
A note from his family: Over 200 cards have been received (so far). My siblings and I have taken turns reading the cards and hand written messages. Some have brought tears to our eyes. Dad was amazed with the messages and from so many places of the USA. He commented, “It was very nice for all these people to take time out of their day to wish me a happy birthday. It is wonderful.” We were impressed with so many cards from veterans and DAR chapters. We thank every one for sending our dad the cards and notes. It brought us all joy. Sincerely, Valerie, Tom, Bill, Patrice, and Rob. Children of Carl Rush.
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Mission 103-AComplete:
George Cunyus' 94th
A note from his family: What a wonderful service Janine's team provides. George got to celebrate his 94th birthday with all three of his sons at his side. Almost 200 cards were received from all over the country and Puerto Rico. Each and every one of them will be read to him over the coming weeks. He especially enjoyed being called "Dear Hero" - even though he doesn't remember much of the here and now - his time in the "3rd Infantry" is ever present. Thank you all for making his birthday so special!
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Want to see more pics from past missions? |
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National Anthem Girl Documentary |
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In 2014, Long Island native, Janine Stange, became the first person in history to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in all 50 U.S. states. This documentary chronicles her inspiring journey, promoting patriotism and generating gratitude for our troops, from pro baseball parks in Ohio, to donkey basketball games in West Virginia, to a battleship in Hawaii, and all states in between. Available on Amazon Prime and PureFlix. |
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Click image above to watch on |
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Amazon Prime |
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