I have had the distinct pleasure of being a military wife and encountering some of the greatest heroes our nation has ever produced. This has inspired me to organize a group called the H.O.T. Patriots (Helping Our Troops). We have approximately 60 members from across the country who donate items or funds to help ship care packages to our troops overseas. I have also been inspired to make memory photo quilts for our nation's Gold Star families who have lost a loved one to war. In the past, I have worked with the Boot Campaign to initiate their Gratitude Boots program so that Gold Star families who wish to honor their loved one by wearing a pair of Boot Campaign boots will have no cost involved to them. The blessings and friendships forged through these endeavors have been too innumerable to measure.