An unintended consequence of Susie’s involvement with Soldier’s Angels is the effect she’s having on her family. Her mom, who lives in Oklahoma, now volunteers with the Soldiers’ Angels chaplain support team.

Closer to home, Susie and her husband, who supports her volunteer work, also model troop support to their six-year-old son, Braden.

"My son saw me writing letters and filling care packages," she said. "He asked what I was doing. After I explained this is a way we can show our appreciation to the troops, he wanted to help. He was only four when I first volunteered, but he likes to draw pictures and use a stamp pad to make designs on the cards, and he can put postage stamps on the envelopes and help pack boxes."

Braden has adopted the troops, too. Last year Braden was eager to sign troop Christmas cards. He said, "This will be good for our soldiers." And whenever Susie purchases something out of the normal, Braden asks, "Is that for our soldiers?"

Susie recalled the day she tried to figure out why Braden depicted their family dressed predominately in browns, blacks and grays. "It clicked they were all camouflage colors when he said, ‘Mama, my pages aren’t big enough.’ He wanted to draw all our adopted troops as part of our family."

Braden has observed Susie thanking our men and women in uniform and has asked her what she’s doing. Susie said, "He’s a little shy with strangers yet, but when we were at the Fair Grounds, he shocked me when he approached two recruiters and said, ‘Thank you.’ The young recruiters seemed shocked, too. I explained to them that Braden was thanking them for their service to our country. It’s something you’ll seldom see adults do, much less a child."

Susie has not only seen a positive impact on her son but on other boys and girls involved with the Soldiers’ Angels volunteers she mentors. "Most often a Soldier adoption is a family effort. One of our Angels also volunteers as a Big Sister. Her Little Sister helps her collect and pack care packages for an adopted Soldier."

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to sign up. Younger volunteers must have parental permission. Susie has seen Soldiers’ Angels from different generations–from as young as 12 to those in their 80's.

She said, "Volunteering with Soldiers’ Angels also been an excellent opportunity to teach my son respect for our armed forces and their sacrifices. Those in uniform don’t know us, yet they don’t question their jobs–they just do their jobs. My six-year-old son has respect for everything they do."