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MILITARY ADOPTION PROGRAM (MAP)
A SAMPLE LETTER
By Michele Rahn, Ms Senior America 2004
Dear Jennie,
I am so excited to have been given your name in our Cameo Pen Pal Program! It is with my profound gratitude to you for serving during this particularly difficult time of our world! I would like to explain a little about me and this program and then get to know you a little bit.
I am a member of the Cameo group of Ms Senior America and, before you immediately begin to picture a "little old lady in a rocking chair", allow me to clarify! Yes, we Cameo members are all 60 years and above BUT we are representatives of positive aging and active in volunteerism and community service. Our organization is so much more than a 'beauty pageant' .... .it is a reaffirmation of life and self-worth, of laughter and tears, of inner beauty and outward charm. Senior America Inc. was founded in 1971 to advance a positive image of aging in America. (www.senioramerica.org)
And now to answer the question that you undoubtedly have in your mind: NO, there is not a swimsuit competition! Vie would never have a contestant nor would we ever have an audience! BUT we are judged in four categories: poise, talent, personal interview and philosophy of life. A fun bit of trivia for you is that our oldest contestant was Stella Vannew Kirkland from Pennsylvania entered the pageant at the marvelous age of99!! She learned to tap dance at age 80 .... .just proves that it is never too late to try something new that one has always wanted to do!
I am a retired teacher (28 years) from Jefferson County Schools in Littleton, Colorado. I taught music and directed musicals all those years. The past 8 years I have taught teachers 'discipline' (classroom management) in schools all over the United States. I love it and, truly, all I am teaching are 'good parenting skills' ..... "Say what you mean, mean what you say, follow through with a good or bad consequence and do it consistently" ..... the last part being the hardest! I am also a Mentor MOM for Mothers of Preschoolers which keeps me constantly aware as to how hard it is to be a mom today!
My family (husband, 2 daughters and husbands and 4 grandchildren) watched the Super Bowl recently. I loved the fact that both coaches are such great mentors for their players! Billy Joel sang the National Anthem and it was the first time that a performer has been asked twice to sing for the event. Of course, one of the most fun things was viewing the commercials and loved the fact that a freshman (age 19) college student from Wisconsin wrote the Chevy ad! Again, just shows what following one's dreams can do! Plus, I just traded my Taurus in for an HHR (dumb name for a car but love the car).
We haven't been to many of the new movies but we did see 'Little Miss Sunshine'. We loved it and felt the young star was perfect. The Oscars are coming up and it will be interesting to see what others think of this one.
Well, Jennie, it has been my pleasure to write to you today and I would be delighted to hear a bit about you, should you choose to share. Once again, I have such supreme respect for you! You are serving in an incredible valiant manner and my thanks from the deepest part of my heart.
Michelle Rahn,
Ms Senior America 2004
9255 S Cedar Hill Way
Littleton, Colorado 80124
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