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WASHINGTON D.C. (May 22, 2008) - Two of America's favorite
siblings bestowed a very special honor on the founder of a
grassroots troop-support group recently.
Donnie and Marie Osmond named Patti Patton-Bader as "America's
Favorite Mom" on the May 11 "America's Favorite Mom" program
presented by Teleflora and NBC.
"I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life," said
Patton-Bader, who has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed
to Iraq. "Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the
amazing mothers here on this 'America's Favorite Mom' program, I am
honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also
am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me."
She said she's thrilled to be able to use it to continue the
mission of her group, "Soldiers' Angels," to make sure no soldier
goes unloved. The organization operates internationally to provide
letters, care packages, and comfort items to deployed troops and
support for their families at home. The group also provides
assistance to veterans and wounded servicemembers.
She said she's excited about the opportunities this platform
provides her to help people learn more about America's military
heroes and options for supporting them and their families. The
attention she has received through the "America's Favorite Mom"
events already has drawn a number of new volunteers who want to
support the troops.
Soldiers' Angels is a supporter of America Supports You, a
Defense department program connecting citizens and companies with
servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
As the grand prize winner, Patton-Bader will receive $250,000, a
set of household appliances, and other items. She said she hopes to
apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow
newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after
deployments.
Her path to becoming America's Favorite Mom began when her
eldest son nominated her for "America's Most Inspirational Mom"
through a nationwide online poll in March 2007. He nominated
because of her efforts supporting the troops through Soldiers'
Angels.
She appeared on the Today show May 5 as one of three selected
finalists in the "Favorite Military Mom" category. A nationwide
online poll led to the announcement on Mother's Day that
Patton-Bader won both the "Favorite Military Mom" and "America's
Favorite Mom" categories.
Before announcing the winners, the show highlighted fifteen
outstanding mothers who distinguished themselves in categories
ranging from working moms to military moms and "non-mom" moms.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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