My Celtic Treasures

http://WWW.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php - Ever wonder how to say thank you when you see a military person in uniform? See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing by. Please pass it on to family & friends

Note… It works!  As a US Navy soldier (in uniform) and his wife approached our booth at the Texas Scottish Festival, I motioned the symbol of gratitude.  His response was an expression of pride and thank you for the gesture.  It made me feel good that it made him feel good.  Our military folks are amazing and we owe them a million thanks for all they do.   

My Celtic Treasures’ Celtic Cross & Chain ”Gift Program” to US Celtic Soldiers

To show a small bit of our appreciation for their duty and tremendous sacrifice,  my kids and I Donate a Celtic Cross and Chain to one of our US Celtic Soldiers (any US military person currently serving), once per week OR as we have soldiers to send to.  

We are soliciting names and addresses of people you know that are in uniform, actively serving and would like to receive our gift.  Please help us out.  Please include a short little bio about the person and what they do along with their shipping address.

Thanks a million… Chris@MyCelticTreasures.com or Chris at 913-558-2275

If You, Yourself, would like to donate a Celtic Cross and Chain to a US military person serving overseas, just pick a Celtic Cross out from the following selection…    Click image to enlarge

… and order it.  Add $25 to the price of the cross for a 24″ rope chain that will go nicely with the Celtic cross.  We will pay for the shipping and handling.  Include the name and mailing address of the person along with a short bio.  I’ll post the details of your donation on this page.  Thanks a million!  The soldiers will love it!  If you do not have a person in mind, I’ll pick someone from the list of people I am soliciting from this site. 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

April 30, 2009 - This is a “SPECIAL” GIFT GIVING occasion… thanks to Pam Moritz and Vernita Runfeldt.  For the past two weekends My Celtic Treasures has been vending our fabulous Celtic Jewelry and Gifts at the Houston International Festival.  It is a really big festival and this year’s feature country was Ireland.  Knowing I might need some help in the booth, I called on my friend Pam Moritz (Operation Military Embrace), which lives in Houston to see if she and/or a couple of her friends might be interested in helping me out.  Well, as it ended up, the festival was very very busy.  Pam and her friend Vernita Runfeldt (Operation Military Embrace), both stepped up and helped me man the booth.  It was so busy I couldn’t of handled it on my own.  Thanks to the girls, everything went ”smooth as silk”.  Afterward, both refused any sort of compensation.  Therefore, as a way to say thanks to them for helping me…… I’m sending along 12 Celtic Crosses with chains to be distributed by Pam and/or Vernita to recovering soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Hospital.  Both of them volunteer their time and effort via Operation Military Embrace.  Check it out and feel free to help out a bit yourself.  Nobody deserves it more than our wounded soldiers.  Thanks a million! 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

April 14, 2009 - Today I sent a Celtic Cross and Chain to Sgt. Jon-Erik Tucker.  Following is how this came to be…

Hello, Chris,

My family met you at the Savannah Irish Festival and both my daughter and I now have Claddagh earrings! She has this most beautiful swarovski crystal bracelet her grandfather got for her, too! You told us at the time that you had the military donate a cross program.

My daughter’s boyfriend is deployed and stationed in the hotbed that is Mosul, Iraq. Five of our soldiers were killed there today by a suicide bomber. Our serviceman is scheduled to be there another 6 months, working with a helicopter attack and reconnaissance group. We would very much like it if he could be a recipient of your Celtic Cross program.

His name and address is:

Sgt. Tucker, Jon-Erik

I would really like him to receive a cross. He has just come through a most difficult and disappointing time both career-wise and personally. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Kristen Richards

Thank You Kristen!  It is my pleasure, all the way! 

Chris O.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

February 24, 2009 -  Just sent off 6 more Celtic Crosses and chains to be delivered to wounded soldiers at the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. My friend Pam Moritz (operation military embrace)should get them soon and deliver them to the soldiers sometime in March.  More info as to who received them later.

Don’t be shy to join me in donating a Celtic Cross or two to a soldier.  If you know someone…let me know.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

February 19, 2009 -  Vernita L Runfeldt has DONATED 3 Celtic Crosses with chains via our US Celtic Soldier Gift Program.  Give it up for Vernita!  This is absolutely fantastic!  Vernita found out about our gift program through our friends at Operation Military Embrace.  These Celtic Crosses will mean so much to the soldiers that receive them.  Two of the Celtic Crosses are going to San Antonio, TX, to the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and will be delivered by Pam Moritz of Operation Military Embrace.  Thanks a million Vernita! and thanks again Pam!

The third Celtic Cross and chain is going to Evan Kurimski, a second generation service member referred to me by his Aunt DeAdrea. Following is the email DeAdrea emailed me:

December 1, 2008 - update… here is a few pictures of soldiers which received our Celtic Crosses and chains on Pam Moritz’s November visit to the hospital.  As a reminder, Pam is with a fantastic organization called Operation Military Embrace.  On her most recent visit she presented 10 of our gifts.  Some of the soldiers wanted to remain unmentioned so I won’t mention them… but all were very thankful.  We wish them all the best and a giant thank you for serving our country.  

 Chris from Arkansas

 Terry and his girlfriend

 Lawrence from New Mexico

The news of your crosses had made it all the way to the day room!  They were really a buz about how great that was of you and your sons.  Martha will send me the pics and I will scan the consent forms and get it to you as soon as possible.  I came straight into court from the road but I wanted to write you and tell you the Marines/Army were sooo amazed at your kindness.  One young man named Andre, I will send you his pic was so down in the dumps we had to take several pics before he approved.  He said “I look so down, take another pic”.  He was there all alone, he is from Brooklyn New York and had no family with him.  We left the hospital and rushed over to the Walmart and bought him a portable dvd player and some dvds. This morning around 7am after their rool call we served both the Marine and Army a huge breakfast then we went back over to the hospital and checked on Andre.  His spirits were better but still no sleep.  The meds are keeping him up.  So I hope this note makes you feel wonderful because what you and your sons did was awesome!”
–
Pam Moritz
Help me raise money for our wounded soldiers.
Please donate to a 501c3 www.operationmilitaryembrace.com

Pam and the group of folks with Operation Military Embrace are so wonderful with what they do.  What they do makes a difference.  I’m so grateful to her and what she does.  Pam is planning another visit in November.  I have promised her another 10 Celtic Crosses and Chains to be gifted to the soldiers in recovery when she goes.   

I’ll post some pictures soon!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

July 29, 2008 - This weeks Celtic cross and chain is going out to LT Sarah Welser, USAF.  

LT Sarah Welser, USAF, is studying at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (the DoD Medical School).  She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and has wanted to be a military physician for many years.  She grew up in a military family, the youngest of four Welser children who all served the US Air Force.  Her parents, Major General (ret) William and Susan Welser, have instilled the AF values of “Integrity, Excellence and Service Before Self” in all four of their amazing children.  Although Sarah is still in training, it is likely that at some point in her future career, she will be forward deployed. 

Sarah’s favorite Aunt Laura, a customer of ours referred her to me this past weekend at the Dayton Celtic Festival in Dayton, OH.  Thanks Laura and thank you Sarah!

June 12, 2008 - Since March, we have not received any new names of “Celtic Soldiers” to send Celtic Crosses to… darn it.  I really enjoy and try sending them to soldiers that somehow know or are connected to people we meet at the Irish and Scottish festivals around the country we show our Celtic Treasures at.  You know, kids, brothers/sisters, uncles, aunts, moms, dads, friends, church members, etc…  For some reason we hit a bit of a dry spell…. until now. 

Recently, in San Antonio, Tx, an attorney I was chatting with on a plane flight last November, passed along information about our Celtic Cross program to Pam Moritz.  Pam is with a fantastic organization called “Operation Military Embrace” (click for their web site).  After exchanging a few emails, Pam and I agreed that our Celtic Crosses and Chains, in a small way, might help out the military people they meet in their work. 

This weekend,  we are sending the first 4 (of many, I hope) Celtic Crosses/Chains.  Pam is going to present them to some of the military folks in which her and “Operation Military Embrace” helps.  As she does, Pam will email us the soldier’s story for us to post here on the web site. 

About Pam - Pam Moritz:  Pam is a native Houstonian. She has worked for Harris County for 24 years in the court system.  She currently is the Court Coordinator for Judge Tad Halbach, Jr. in the 333rd Civil District Court.  She is a single mom to her son, Richard Dudman, and is constantly amazed at how wonderful he turned out.  She credits that to Lutheran schools and a belief that a firm hand of discipline is the only way to show true love to a child.

Pam came to Operation Military Embrace after her dear friends lost their son, LCpl. Ryan Adam Miller, in Iraq.  Her feelings were “It just couldn’t endthat way. I adore that family; they were my secondfamily growing up.” She found Operation Military Embrace from a donation to the Semper Fi Fund in Ryan’s name, and an office visit from an attorney and a former Marine, and a bit of Divine Guidance.  Pam says, “I love my visits to the BAMC.  I am hooked.  Seeing these kids and their positive attitudes are addicting, and I want to be there until I can’t take another step.”

Thanks a million Pam!

………………………………………………………………………………………………

March 6, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and chain is going out to Margaret’s nephew, Jeffery Lewis. Jeffery is now serving his second tour in Iraq. He
is a medic. Margaret is a happy customer which we met at the Missouri Tartan Day festival in St. Charles, a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for sending us Jeffrey’s name. The kids and I are honored to send him a Celtic Cross… and Thank you Jeffrey for serving our country as you do. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

February 20 & 28 2008 - We’re sending two week’s of Celtic Crosses and chains to US Celtic Soldiers which are “kindof” related and bothserving our country with pride… one Army, one Marines.  Melissa, one of my MySpace friends, proudly sent me info about her hubby andher cousin. Chris,Thanks for getting back to me. I’ve attached a picture of bothmy husband andmy cousin together. My husband, Sgt. Thomas McGinley (USMC), is rendering a salute to my cousin, 2nd Lt. Justin Newett(U.S. Army). This was last year after my cousin got through with his Officer’s training course and was promoted to 2ndLt. He wanted his “first salute” to come from my husband, andmy husbandwas honored to do it. My husband did two tours in Iraq, andmy cousin is currently on his first tour. We’re all very proud of them both!

Thanks Melissa and thanks to both of you guys for serving the way you do.  It’s an honor for the kids and I to send you Celtic Crosses. 

   Click on images to enlarge  

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

February 12, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and chain is going out to PFC Robert Hagen.  Robert’s proud father, Richard, sent me the following message: 

A member of our church (Shelley Moen) called today to tell us about how you send a Celtic cross to a soldier every week.  Your website says you are soliciting names and bio’s, so here is one I’m proud to send: My son is stationed outside Baghdad on his second tour to Iraq with the 101st Airborne. (platoon photo attached, Bob is second from right) Between tours he was married (wedding photo attached).  He will be home on leave this spring, but then goes back until re-deployed home to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in January, 2009.  Bob is a native Minnesotan who enlisted in the Army in 2002 and joined the 101st Airborne in 2006. 

 If you choose to send him a cross, and if you insert a note, please tell him that Emerson Church is keeping him in their prayers 24/7. 

You have my respect and admiration for what you are doing for the troops in your own way.  God Bless.

Richard G. Hagen

Bloomington, Minnesota

Thank you, Richard.  We are glad to send your son a small token of our appreciation for his service and sacrifice.  Thank you, Robert, for everything.  Good luck and all the best.

Chris Owings and Kids 

February 5, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain has gone out to CH CPT Phillip Rittermeyer.  He is serving his first year as unit chaplain. He has devoted his entire life to helping people and he’s certianly making a difference where he is stationed in Iraq.  Phil has also made great strides in progressing a program in the army that uses dogs as a comfort tools for the soldiers serving overseas.  Phil is from Missouri, but recently moved to Colorado where his wife currently resides.  CH CPT Phillip Rittermeyerwas also referred to us by our friend Laren Mahoney (read about her in the previous post).  Thanks! CH CPT Rittermeyer, from the Owings’ family.   

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

January 28, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain is going to CPT Tennaile Timbrook.  CPT Timbrook’s name andbio was given to us by our friend Laren Mahoney.  Larenis very involved with the Irish cultural events in the Kansas City area such as the KC St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Kansas City Irish Festival.  Thanks Laren!  Now, CPT Timbrook was born and raised in Independence and Kansas City, MO. She serves in Germany in the JAG corp. andhas been stationed near Frankfurt for the past three years. She recently purchased a home in Germany, where she resides withher best friend, and dog, Disco.  Thank you CPT Timbrook for serving our country as you do. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

January 12, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain is going to Jeremy Pelcher who is just on his way to Afghanistan with his Marine unit.  His mom sent us his name and is very proud of her son.  She sent the following:   Chris,  Thank you for sending a cross to my son. You asked for a little bit of information on Jeremy and, being his proud mom I have no problem talking about him. He is actually a Celtic soldier,his great-great grandmother came from county Cork, Ireland.   Jeremy has known ever since we can remember that he wanted to be a Marine.  He graduated high school in August of 2007 and became a US Marine on November 6, 2007.  He chose infantry because of a strong sense of right and wrong and believes that right is worth fighting for.  He will be leaving for Afghanistansoon and I plan on taking his cross to be blessed.  I will be taking it to him before he leaves andam comforted by the thought of him having it with him.  Again thank you  for the contribution you are making to our brave soldiers.      Kathy Pelcher
The Owings’ wish Jeremy all the best and thank him for serving our country.  You’re the best, Jeremy! 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

January 5, 2008 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain is going to Lcpl William B. Flippo.  He is serving in Iraq with the marines.  Lcpl Flippo is in 3 BN 2ND Marines.  He is of Scottish and Irish heritage andis hoping that soon after he returns to the states that he will be able to visit Scotland to see where his family comes from.  Lcpl Flippo is a part of the Scrimgeour Clan of Scotland and decendantof the standard bearers of Robert the Bruce of Scotland.  His unit serves near the Syrian border with his fellow marines and is finding that it may be difficult for him to be there but is proud because it makes the world safer for him and his family his mailing address is.  Thanks to all of our service men andwomen that have to spend time away from family and friends to ensure that we can live the way we do.  Good Luck and All the Best!

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

December 29, 2007 -  This week our Celtic Cross and Chain goes to another referral by my friend Tamara Carroll.  She is one of the organizers of the great Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival in San Antonio, TX.  FYI… This year this event will be held April 5 & 6th.  More info about the Games and Festival .

Sgt. Darryl Connor is serving in the US Army and was very recently deployed to Camp Anaconda in Iraq for a 15 month-long deployement.  His wife and baby remain in Texas.  Camp Anaconda is north of Baghdad and is one of the largest US facilities in Iraq. Unfortunately, Darryl will be spending most of his time at a Forward Operation Base somewhere closer to Tikrit.  He recently completed his first mission which included a trip into Tikrit.  Darryl says he has checked it off the places he has been to and also put it on the list of places he has no desire to go back to.  Please keep Darryl, his company, and his family in your throughts and prayers.

 ………………………………………………………………………………………………

December 21, 2007 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain is being sent a little early because of the Christmas holiday coming up.  It goes to the brother of last week’s gift, A1C Jacob Udell.  As with Josh, Jacob’s mom wrote me the following:  My younger son, Jacob, is active duty Air Force stationed at Minot AFB in North Dakota. He serves with the  91st Security Forces Group, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Tactical Response Force Team. He just asked me for a new Celtic cross as his was lost during a training mission at Camp Geurnsey, Wyoming.  “I am very proud of my sons for their courage, service and sacrifice.”  So are the Owings’.  We hope these crosses bring a bit of happiness, joy and strength to all of the brave US Celtic Soldiers.  We so appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that helps to protect us and our great country.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

December 14, 2007 - This week’s Celtic Cross and Chain is going to SGT Joshua Udell.  Josh’s mom wrote me the following:  My older son is Army Reserve and is training in California/Kentucky/Oklahoma for his 3rd deployment for the war. He leaves for his second tour in Iraqon 6 January 2008. He has made many personal sacrifices over the past 5 years in order to serve his country and protect us here at home. He has deferred entry in the New York State Police Academy twice due to deployment; his college education has been interrupted 3 times - he is an aviation major and plans to fly for the State Police. He arrives home for leave on 17 December 2007 prior to shipping overseas. Thank you Rebecca (Josh’s mom) and thank you Josh for all of your hard work and dedication.  We appreciate it a million times over.  PS. (from Rebecca) ”My great-grandmother was a Walsh, she came over from Irelandin the early 1900’s. My great-grandfather was a Borthwick from Scotland.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

December 7, 2007 - Tamara Carroll, one of the San Antonio Scottish Highland Games organizers, sent me the following US Celtic Soldier, which will be this week’s Celtic Cross and Chain recipient.  PFC Bryan Salge is a Combat Medic serving with the 82nd Airborne.  He is currently deployed in Afghanistan.  PFC Salge is from New Braunfels, TX.  Thank you for your service, Bryan.  

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

November 30, 2007 - This week our Celtic Cross and chain was sent to Ssgt Kenneth Wobse.  Kenny is in his 8th year in the United States Air Force. He is a firefighter and stationed in Korea for the last year. His wife and family are in South Carolina. After this tour he and his family will be stationed in Japan for 5 years. We are very proud of him and his family.  Thank you Chris, I truly appreciate you & your family!  Nancy Wobse, Kenny’s mom.  Thank you Nancy for sharing Kenny’s story and thank you Kenny for your service.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

CPT Mark Moore             Kosovo                            Letter to CPT Moore

November 21, 2007 - Celtic Cross and Chain being sent to Captain Mark Moore.  He lives in Kansas City Mo and is active in the Army Reserves.  He is on his second overseas tour, first to Iraq and now to Kosovo.  He has a wife and two nearly grown children that await his return.  Thank You Captain Moore for your service.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

November 15, 2007- Celtic Cross and Chain is in the process of being sent to Gage Skrdla $teele.  Thank you Gage for your service.  Good Luck and All the Best. 

Suzie Larson, a friend from my high school class of 1980, responded to my email looking for people to send a Cross and Chain to,with the following:

Chris,

I don’t know of anyone right now that is overseas but we just had a solider return wounded.  The story is below if interested, if you want or need anymore information I will be glad to help you out.  Hope you are doing fine and take care.

Suzie Larson

//SIGNED//
SUZETTE M. BAUMGARDNER, MSgt, KSANG
Base Functional Manager

Subject: FW: Bart and Traci $teele son Gage Skrdla “$teele”

For those that don’t know, Bart Steele is a TSgt in MXS

The Following is an update on the condition of Gage Skrdla “$teele” 
Bart and Traci’s son.

What happened? 

Bomb explodes near Green Zone

14/11/2007 17:12 - (SA)  

Baghdad - A roadside bomb has exploded next to a US military patrol  near Baghdad’s Green Zone early on Wednesday, killing one military and  wounding four.

Series of events:

Wednesday, All times are local

0617 - Traci and Bart received the phone call that identified Gage as  one of
the wounded soldiers.

0900 - Traci and Bart received a phone call from the Doctors and  nursing staff in Baghdad explaining Gages injuries and the plan to get him out of Iraq.  Gage lost sight in both eyes and shrapnel from the bomb is throughout his body.

1000 - The Commander of Gages unit calls from Iraq and explains in brief what happened.

1200 - Doctor and nursing staff call from Iraq and place Gage on the phone.  His voice is frantic and confused and he stated, “Mom I can’s see.”  In his next breathe, Gage explains his Lt was killed and breaks down in sorrow. 

2200 - Gages nurse from Iraq calls and states, “Gage is a very considerate and thoughtful young man.”  She also recommends a couple of different books on CD and tells us that Gage is on the way to Landstuhl, Germany. 

Thursday

We would receive updates from the US Army on his condition and movements.  We were able to speak with Gage and his spirits and understand of what happened were much better.

On Friday the US Army called with family invitations orders to Walter Reed
Army Hospital to visit Gage.  We will be departing for Washington DC on Saturday Morning and staying until about Sunday November 25, 2007. 

The Doctors will be trying to save the eye with the least amount of  damage.  We will keep you posted. 

The fact that we will be with Gage for Thanksgiving and that the Green Bay Packers are playing football that same day should make this a very memorable turkey day.