WNY lives up to generous reputation!!

(This letter to the Editor was published in the Clarence Bee).

Once again the people of Western New York have lived up to their reputation as being some of the most generous people in America.
As New York State Manager of Soldiers' Angels (www.soldiersangels.com) I initiated a donation drive to send stockings to our soldiers overseas for Christmas. Thank you so much to the Clarence Public Library. They offered to be a drop-off site for the donations. In a time of fiscal uncertainty and many library closings this shows how much a part of the community our libraries are!
It was amazing and touching to see the support given for the soldiers. There were letters and cards from cub scout troops, churches, classrooms, individuals, brownie groups, and many others! The generosity of everyone was OVERWHELMING!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I was able to fill 50 stockings AND send another 50 boxes to our heroes overseas!

God bless each of you and have a Merry Christmas! I know our soldiers will!

Cheryl Bayer
Clarence NY

Merry Christmas to All!!

Wishing everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Ben will be home from U of Albany on the 23rd, Britt is done for this semester, and Bethany and Nick just returned from a funfilled weekend in NYC!! Baby Bella will celebrate her 1st Christmas with Natie, Mommy and Daddy and all the rest of the family!!

I have been working 2 jobs and am a little crazy!

James (Bucky) will be coming home for a visit on February 22. His birthday is the next day so we will be having a huge birthday/Thanksgiving/Christmas party for him!!

....AND the best news of all.......Chris arrives back in the US from Iraq!! I am so grateful that he is coming home! Julie, Calli, Beth and I will be driving down to welcome his whole platoon of heroes home!! He will be at Ft. Bragg NC for a short time and then will be able to come home to NY for a couple of weeks!!!!!

What a great way to end this crazy year!!!!!

Hoo-yah!!!

Wounded Staff Sargeant

Please go to the link and read about Staff Sgt Jarod Behee. One of many stories about our brave men and women who represent our country.

http://www.jarodbehee.com

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

The donation drive for the soldiers is over and I am OVERWHELMED by the generosity of the Western New York people. There are so many items that were donated!!

Thank you for your support of our soldiers and I will let you know when I hear anything back!

HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

I found a picture of Chris!!!!

I was so excited when I found this picture....check it out..........

http://www.defendamerica.gov/photoessays/nov2005/p111405a3.html

Looking for that perfect gift?

Here is a great site to buy those special gifts...and you don't even have to fight the traffic or use that expensive gas.

This site has patriotic items, angel items, Disney princess items, collectibles, and many other items you may be looking for:

http://www.lovemgifts.com

Photo Journalist w/2/325

Check out the blog of Bill Putnam, a photo journalist who is with Chris' group for awhile. He will be posting some pictures shortly.

http://billputnam.blogspot.com

Donation Drive for Soldiers Overseas

I am holding a donation drive (soldiers' angels) to collect items for stockings to send to some of our troops! The Clarence Public Library has offered to be a collection spot! They are located at: Three Town Place Clarence NY 14031. The hours of collection are: Mon, Tues, Thurs - 10 a -9p; Wed 10 a - 6 p; Fri & Sat 10 a - 5p. ALL ITEMS MUST BE DROPPED OFF BY NOV. 19, 2005. If you have any questions, please email me at: armymomcher@gmail.com

UPDATE

Chris is presently in Iraq with the Bravo Co 2/325 of the 82nd airborne. So far all is going well. Please keep him and all the other troops in your prayers!

James is still in Korea and he hopes he is able to be transferred to the states sometime after October. He will have been in Korea for 1 year as of October 11! He and his wife, Lauren, celebrated their 1st anniversay on Sept. 10 (apart). It would be great if they could be together somewhere in the USA!

Aimee had a baby girl, Isabella, on Aug. 25. They are all doing well.

I have decided to postpone moving south until sometime in the future. I need to be here with my family right now.

Ben (U of Albany) and Britt (Buff State) are doing great at college.

Bethany and Nick are remodeling their house and they are very busy. Beth is presently working 2 jobs (way to go, girl)! Jeff and his family are doing well in S. Carolina.

You can always email me with any concerns or questions: armymomcher@gmail.com

Have a great day!!

Sad note: This drill sgt was recently killed in a car accident!

Chris receiving his blue cord from the Drill Sargeant. Chris also was given an award for excellence in the PT phase.

Graduation Jan. 21, 2005

Chris and some of his buddies right after graduation!

Chris and his "battle buddy" whom Calli called "party boy", and the mother and sister of "party boy"!

Calli was able to sit inside a Bradley after the graduation ceremonies.

The barracks where Chris stayed and site of "turning blue" ceremony on Jan. 20 (Ft. Benning GA).

Calli is proud of her dad after he graduated from basic training on Jan. 21, 2005 at Ft. Benning, Georgia!

Do you like space travel??

Interactive Mars habitat - great learning tool for all ages! http://exploremarsnow.org

Georgia on my mind!!

It was great to have Dan & Billy Fecher, Andrew, and Sabo show up in Georgia for Chris' graduation (although a little late)! Thanks for taking some of our luggage home...Calli's bag we checked ended up in Rochester!! We have to pick it up tomorrow! It was great to be where the snow was not!

Congratulations, Christopher Bayer, on a job well done! On to the next task......

Cheryl interviewed by Ch. 2 News

Read the article (from interview done by Ch. 2) that is posted on the WGRZ website regarding soldiers' angels.
http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=25630

ANYONE WANTING TO DONATE ANY ITEMS, JOIN AS AN ANGEL, OR JUST HAS A QUESTION, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT (located at the bottom of this section) AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU!

Salute to those who serve from WNY area

The sacrifice of many of our servicemen and women does not go unnoticed. They are heroes to all of us! The price of freedom is not free. We weep with all the families. Please check out this website that is dedicated to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for you and me, and those that are still serving us! www.wgrz.com/news/troops.aspx

Cool sites for free things!!!!

http://www.thefreesite.com

http://www.weeklyfreebie.com

http://www.freakyfreddies.com/index.html

http://www.mycoupons.com

http://freestuffpage.com

http://www.floras-hideout.com

Nathan and Aunt Bethy share fun while opening presents! 

Calli, Aimee, and "the boy" on Rachel's lap - 

Bethany and Chris - showing her his shiny nail!! 

Chris and Calli wrestle! 

Ben and Rachel (food is always involved where ever Ben is)!

Chris and and his sister, Bethany. Jay looks on. 

Calli playing the recorder for her adoring fan, cousin Nathan! 

Missing Jeff & family and Bucky & Lauren!

Rachel, Ben Bayer, Calli Bayer, Chris Bayer, Nathan, Jay, Brittany Bayer, Bethany Bayer, Aimee Bayer

Calli and Nathan 

Uncle Chris & Nathan watch the Buffalo Bills!!

Chris and Nathan - passing on the football!

The "Boys"

Christopher Bayer, Baby Nate(Aimee's little one), James Bayer III, Benjamin Bayer, and Jordan (nephew)