Operation Circle of Love

It's funny how things happen in life.It's even more significant when you think how one person CAN touch another's life.It was because of Jeff Bates, the members of the band, and their music, that many of us fans, known as People on a Mission (POAMs), found ourselves at a country fair in Dunbar , Pennsylvania . It was because of the county fair, that Staff Sergeant Al Stenzel, Jr. and his family were able to "discover" Jeff, become a "fans for life,” and in turn, get to know the POAMs in attendance. It was because of the friendship that developed with Al Jr. (as he is affectionately known as to us) that we found out in December 2004 about the 27 men of the 1st Detachment, Company C, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry, Mechanized from Canonsburg and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania who were called up to go to Mississippi, California and then Iraq. It was because of these 27 men that men, women, and children from all over the United States (some who have never met each other and whose only commonality was their love for Jeff and the guys) are banding together to work on Operation Circle of Love .Operation Circle of Love is a project established by the fans of Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard, Don Bradley, Wesley Pryor, Joel Van Tassle, and Jimmy Yeary. Their mission, as well as that of their friends who have joined them, is to provide friendship, support, love, and prayers to the 27 members of the Army National Guard, who are Al Jr.'s "extended family." These highly motivated and creative individuals have adopted the 27 soldiers and have pledged to provide whatever support is required during the soldiers' 18-month tour of duty. Whether it be writing letters, creating poems and logos, finding companies to donate items, making key chains with the soldiers' names on them, collecting funds, or sending goodie boxes, this group of caring people is on a mission -- a mission of love for their fellow man!Why the name Operation Circle of Love ? What better way to express our feelings for our fellow man than to lift a lyric from Jeff's first hit! ! ! “The Love Song” contains a reference to the Circle of Love in the final stanza of the song. The song is basically about a little boy growing through the years and discovering the various ways that he encountered love – from his momma being there when he was scared from a nightmare to finding a bride and getting married. In the final stanza, his wife is getting ready to deliver a baby.Then it took on a brand new meaning,When the doctor said: "It's time to watch your miracle arrive."Thank the Lord, cut the cord.Take her home, help her grow.And complete the circle of love.Love.That's the circle of love.May our circle be unbroken and may God keep all these men in the palm of His hand and bring them all safely home to their families and us again! ******************************************** Our group has grown considerably from the initial 27. We branched out to other soldiers. It continues to grow and with use of this we'd like to share part of our "stories", support for those whether or not they're in "our group" and going further out to the families. Some of the archive specials have been posted from the beginning - to share now with a bigger "audience." Besides the orginal Jeff Bates fans there are now fans of Stephen Cochran, Darryl Worley, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Mark Wills and many more artists welcomed and supporting the troops - and more to follow. (And there's some of us who love all these entertainers!) We are here to support the soldiers who give their time, and sometimes their lives, to defending our freedoms as well as the families. In our time since inception we've felt the loss directly, with two of "our soldiers" lost in Iraq and several others with connections to the group. They are our heroes. They would not say that of themselves, and many of you who are serving now reading this would not think so either. But as Americans, we owe you and it's not taken for granted. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!