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A few months ago, I had the pleasure of "meeting" Wing-sister Michelle Villers through another Wing-sister online in our Air Force Moms and Dads support group. One of the benefits I have gained from the Military is meeting other moms and families all across the US and having an instant connection because they "Get it". Michelle comes from an extensive Military Family. Her Grandfather Sam Smith served in the Army. All three of his
sons served – Joe in the
Air Force (during the Korean War), Kaye in the Navy & Army and her dad in the Army. Michelle's brother followed in
their footsteps serving in the Army. She is very proud of each of them and their service
to our great country.
But the affiliation that touches my
heart the most is Michelle's daughter, Paige R.
Villers, who was an Airman in the Air Force. Paige died shortly after graduating and becoming an Airman.
Though her career in the Air Force was
very short, she exemplified what a true Airman
is. She was also the first woman in Michelle's family to serve in the
military.
Michelle loves to spend her time with family and friends, making new
friends, and sharing her faith in Jesus. Also reading,
writing, making & preserving good memories, and listening to music. Taking her sweet little Daisy (her white poodle) for walks, is a pleasure! Things that turn Michelle off are when people take advantage of others, and
when people take people for granted or people who are selfish and self-centered.
It was through my Wing-sister that Michelle became acquainted with me and Military Apparel Company. Our Mission:
“Change the World one creation at a time by creating custom, meaningful bags and accessories crafted from
personal military uniforms while
giving back to the Military and their families.” spoke volumes to Michelle as it does for me.
In Michelle's words:
What is there
not to love! A military
uniform represents the great men and women who willingly give of themselves to serve the people of
the United States. Every person who
joins the military is aware that this service could mean laying down their lives not only figuratively
but literally. Yet they willingly agree to
do this. Those who serve in the military deserve our respect and our sincere appreciation for doing this. The
uniform they proudly wear makes us aware
that we are in the presence of some of our finest and bravest people in America. It’s not the uniform in and of itself that we honor – but who it represents. In particular, I know that
Paige was so proud to wear the
uniform. And I am proud of her for earning the privilege
to wear it.
For the
families of the military, the uniforms that our loved ones wear are also very important to us. It’s
symbolic of their willingness to work hard, to
serve, to protect and sometimes give the ultimate sacrifice – their life. Loved ones of military personnel
pay a price as well. They are separated
from not only their military person but from other family members – sometimes for long periods
of time. Sometimes they are separated
from that person until they greet them in Heaven.
The uniform
is a tangible piece of our military person. It is something we know they are proud to wear and it identifies
them as someone who said I am willing
to lay down my life for my brother. It is sad to think of how many of these symbolic pieces of honor would
end up “abandoned in attics, isolated
in closets, retired, forgotten…” or dropped off at a Goodwill without a second thought.
I love that
Eve had a dream and a vision to give uniforms a “second chance”. She has given us a way to “wear” our loved one’s
uniform with as much pride as they
themselves wore it. Eve is using her amazing gift and creativity to give back to the families of those serving.
It gives us a tangible reminder of
the pride we feel for our military. Wearing and using our military apparel custom creations also allows us to
“brag” about our heroes as many people have
asked me about my creations.
Paige’s
uniforms were neatly tucked away in her room and I could barely bring myself to look at them, knowing the
sacrifice she paid to wear them. But
when I found Military Apparel Co. through my friend Deb Estep, I knew that I wanted to have something special from her
uniforms. I knew that I wanted to
display with pride my daughter’s legacy.
But Eve has
gone beyond providing a treasure for us, she gives back to the military - by donating 10% of her proceeds to organizations that support the military! In all that Eve does she
shows her passion and commitment to
serving military families. Like I first said, what is there not to love about Military Apparel Company.
From the moment I first contacted Military Apparel Company I
feel like I became a part of their
family. My rep, Lori Thueme, contacted me very quickly
and offered her assistance to me. Before we even got into the handbags, she asked me with sincere
interest about Paige. Nothing does a
grieving mother’s heart good than when she gets to talk about the child she lost. It really made me feel
connected to her right away.
There are so many beautiful handbags I
had a hard time choosing. But after
considering the details of each one I had it narrowed down to a few. After describing my “purse preferences”
Lori guided me to the perfect one.
But my bigger struggle was letting go of Paige’s uniform. Sending it in the mail really scared me. What if it
got damaged? Or worse – lost! Lori assured
me that they never had a problem getting a package and that I could track it.
It was
exciting to give my input on my creation as well. I had some ideas of what I wanted but really left it up to the
creative designers at Military Apparel Company. I tracked my
package to Eve’s doorstep and waited anxiously for my priceless creations. Eve and company were excellent at
keeping in touch and keeping me
posted on things. Eve also talked with me about Paige and it really touched my heart. After she got them in the
mail on their way back to me I got
a sneak peak on Facebook. It was so great seeing them and made me all the more excited to receive them. Surprisingly,
they were made much quicker than I
anticipated.
When I
received the items in the mail I was overwhelmed. The quality of work was unsurpassed and every detail I had
requested plus some were carefully
crafted out of Paige’s uniform. I had something that not only could I be proud of because it belonged to my
special hero, but was a high quality
item, too.
Now, instead
of Paige’s uniforms being packed away and unseen, I carry them with me everywhere I go. Paige’s uniforms,
now transformed into usable works
of art, are with me constantly and I can share the pride I have of her with others.
I have the
Companion for my laptop, Tenderness is my everyday handbag, and Connection for my keys. I had a heart pin made to embellish my Companion bag. There are
more pieces I plan to get.
I love my
creations so much that I was excited to share with others who love and miss Paige so much. I had a Success
wallet and Connection key chain made
for her dad, a Success wallet for her brother, a Success wallet for her papa and a Beauty bag for her
mema. I had Hope change purse and
Connection key chain made for my sister, Paige’s aunt. I had Connection key chains made for Paige’s
closest friends. My sister Christina loved
her items so much she had some more made. It’s been such a blessing to be able to share something
Paige was so proud of with her family and
friends. All of this has been made sweeter by the relationship and connection I’ve made with Lori, Eve
and company. I hope to meet them
in person someday!
The photos in the collage are Paige in her blues for the first
time, trying them on in preparation
for graduation. She was so proud to put these on; Paige after she came out of a coma for 30 days.
Miraculously she had no brain damage
and, what we thought, was on her way to recovery. Photo of Michelle with her creations…..proudly displaying Companion laptop bag, Tenderness purse, and Connection key ring.
When Paige was a senior in high school she got pregnant.
Initially, I was shocked and upset. Eventually we pulled together as a family
and worked through a difficult situation. The young man that Paige was with was
not in a position in his life to be a parent. Paige, on the other hand, wanted
nothing more than to raise her son. She was in love with him early on. However,
Paige came from a broken home and I was a single mom for several years before
her wonderful dad came in the picture. But this experience showed Paige that,
even though she could love her son enough, he needed a father who could love
him as much, too. As Paige worked her way through her senior year while being
pregnant, she came to the decision of choosing adoption for her son. Though it
broke her heart she knew it was what was best for him. She loved him enough to
give him what she couldn’t. What surprised and upset Paige, was how many of her
peers expressed that they could never give their baby for adoption and would
choose abortion.
On June 6,
2006, Paige proudly walked across the graduation stage, (I should say waddled
across), to receive the diploma she worked hard for. Three days later, on June
9, 2006, she delivered her beautiful, perfect son. For three days, they spent
every moment together in that hospital room. She adored him and poured all her
love into him. On the third day Paige did the most difficult thing in her life
– she handed over her son to someone else to be his parents.
Paige grieved this loss, knowing that she was giving him the
very best. She reflected on her life and how she got to the place of getting
pregnant and the consequences she faced as a result. She knew firsthand how
painful this was. She decided that she would do something with her life to make
a difference so that other young women wouldn’t have to go through the same
pain that she did. She wanted to go to college to become a counselor to help
young women make better choices and have a better chance at having a successful
life. She also wanted to do something with her life that her son could be very
proud of her someday. She also told me that she wanted to give back to the
country that she loved and was grateful to live in. Joining the military was
the answer to all of her goals.
Paige came to
me and her father that September and said she wanted to join the Air Force. I
was a little surprised but we have many military members/veterans in our family
and have always had a love and respect for our military. She would be our first
woman in the family to join.
On March 13th, 2007, Paige was flown to Lackland
Air Force Base in San Antonio to start her basic training. When she was finally
allowed to contact us she was so excited and so proud of what she was doing.
She loved being in the military.
Paige started
getting sick a few weeks before graduation. At first the doctor thought it was allergies,
then a bad cold. Soon she was rushed to the hospital and admitted for 3 days.
They diagnosed her with mononucleosis. They released her to med-holding (the
place they assign all the trainees who are sick, injured, or trying to find a
way home). She did not want to be there. All she wanted was to graduate and get
on with her career in the Air Force.
While in
med-holding she was instructed no exercise, no strenuous activity at all. That
didn’t stop Paige. If she couldn’t keep training she was going to help others
get through it. Her Training Instructor informed us that he had to keep an eye
on her so that she would stay in resting status but it was difficult because
she was out there with her comrades cheering them on and telling them they
could do it.
Instead of
getting better Paige got worse. On May 16th, 2007, I received a
phone call from her that she was rushed to Wilford Hall Medical Center and they
said she had pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by very rare virus – adenovirus 14. I
refused to worry because pneumonia only killed the elderly, not strong, healthy
19 year olds. Shortly after her phone call, the ER doctor called to tell me
that it was life and death serious and I needed to get there as soon as
possible. They had to put her in a coma in order to put her on a specialized
ventilator because her oxygen levels had dropped so low. The earliest flight I
could get from Cleveland to San Antonio was the next morning at 6 am. I
couldn’t get there faster if I drove. My sister scheduled a flight as well, and
my husband stayed home with our son. I thought, “She’ll get better, she’ll get
over this bad hump and I’ll be home soon.”
I couldn’t
believe what I saw when I got there. It didn’t even look like Paige. The next
30 days were very touch and go – every day. After several aggressive,
unconventional medical procedures, they were able to bring her out of the coma
on June 22nd. The concern at that point was brain damage from lack
of oxygen. But Paige was completely there and remembered everything up to the
point at being in the ER. Everyone was pleasantly surprised.
Paige’s first
question after she became alert and coherent was, “Mom, am I still in the Air
Force?” and I told her yes and told her where she was. Then she asked, “Am I
going to graduate”. I told her we would work on that. Paige did
graduate as an airman on July 20th, 2007. I couldn’t have been more
proud of her (for the second time). Not only did she graduate but she was the
youngest Airmen to receive the Air Force Achievement Medal. The Air Force was
going to medically retire her for 5 years and then reevaluate her to see if she
could stay in. That’s what she wanted. She wanted to remain in the AF and get
better and come back stronger.
We made plans
for her to come home and be rehabilitated. Unfortunately, on July 22nd she started having
seizures. The medical staff was baffled. They had to put her back in a coma and
it took them 3 days to finally diagnose her. She suffered from another very
rare disease – demyelination. On August 7, 2007, the doctors made the decision
to remove the ventilator and Paige passed into the arms of Jesus 40 minutes
later. She took a piece of my heart with her.
Paige is the
bravest, strongest, most determined person I’ve ever had the privilege of
knowing - much braver and stronger than I could ever hope to be. She had a
dream – to help others not suffer the pain that she did. I wanted to make her
dream come true. When I made the decision that I needed to do this but didn’t
know how, God began opening doors for me. He dropped into my lap a non-profit
organization – already set up with the State of Ohio and the IRS – that was needing
reorganization and the people who established it were ready to turn it over to
someone who could use it to help others once again. I filed the necessary
amendments to make it the P.A.I.G.E. Foundation. My sister was on board without
a second thought and came up with an acronym for Paige and our purpose - Pregnancy Adoption Information Guidance and Education. Paige’s dream continued on. Three of Paige’s closest
friends jumped on board shortly after and the P.A.I.G.E. Foundation was in full
force. Our goal is to educate young women to make better choices in their life,
to help young women who are pregnant and aren’t ready for the responsibility
know all their options, to reduce (or eliminate abortion), and ultimately, by
achieving these goals there will be less poverty, more opportunities for people
to achieve their life goals, fewer abortions and stronger families.
Through fundraising, the generosity of
our donors, and the commitment of our volunteers we’ve been able to raise money
to help young women who are dealing with unexpected pregnancies. We’ve provided
clothing, cribs, car seats, food, and financial help to several young women.
And as we continue to grow and God leads us we hope to get Paige’s message to
young girls before they make choices that could affect them the rest of their
lives. It’s my honor to carry on my daughter’s dream.
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