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Ladies of Liberty- Soldiers' Angels Supports the Female Freedom Fighters

Soldiers' Angels has found a new niche in assisting our deployed servicemembers with a team called Ladies of Liberty. This team focuses on the needs of deployed female servicemembers. Our organization understands that females are instrumental in the current war (as in the past) and make special efforts to support them in their missions while showcasing our appreciation for their service. We assist with supplies for their unique health and hygiene needs and help them experience a few pampering moments to rejuvenate.

In sheer numbers, women are essential to the American military effort in Iraq and Afghanistan; playing a bigger role than in any previous U.S. conflict. Historically, women's involvement in the military has surged in wartime. Almost two million women in America's history have been veterans. From the American Revolution to Panama, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, women have served in some way in every American conflict. Thirty-three thousand women served in WWI, and almost 500,000 took part in WWII. During the Korean era, 120,000 women were in uniform, and 7,000 were deployed in-theater during Vietnam. In Desert Storm, seven percent of the total U.S. forces deployed were women - over 40,000 personnel.

In terms of the scope of women serving our country, Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom are no different than past conflicts. At least 160,000 female servicemembers have fought or are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today's heroic deployed women-whose patriotism, courage and perseverance are shaping the nation on a daily basis-are in the same tradition of strength as those who served previously in this special sisterhood.

American women in uniform patrol bomb-ridden highways, stand duty at checkpoints shouldering M-16s and raid houses in insurgent-contested towns. These Ladies of Liberty are our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and best friends. True to all teams that are formed within the Soldiers' Angels organization, we are committed to make our service members feel the appreciation and gratitude of a nation.

Team leader, Shelle Michaels states that, "This idea originated in a University of North Dakota Women's Studies class that I taught in the 2006 summer session. My students originally adopted 24 females from the North Dakota Army National Guard (1-188th ADA JLENS and SECFOR). I am proud of the Ladies of Liberty and this is project is not only endearing to me but it is exciting to know the magnitude of help that we can provide for our deployed female freedom fighters."

There are many ways for individuals and businesses to get involved with the Ladies of Liberty team support, including providing items for personal care, pampering items, hair care, leisure materials.

If you would like to become a Ladies of Liberty supporter please contact Shelle Michaels - shellemichaels@msn.com or (218) 779-7271. More information can be located on the Soldiers' Angels website.

Soldiers' Angels request that servicemembers who are helped by Ladies of Liberty supporters also register to become officially adopted by Soldiers' Angels. Please write "Ladies of Liberty" in the comments section of the adoption forms at www.soldiersangels.org.

Soldiers' Angels is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs with unique and effective ways to support members of the U.S. military. Soldiers' Angels operates internationally to provide letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support for their families at home. They also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen and immediate response to unique difficulties. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call (615) 676-0239.