MORE Support for the Troops... [Archive]

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 12:58 pm

In defense of the troops in Attleboro
BY BRETT CORRIGAN / FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE
Monday, April 7, 2008 1:17 AM EDT

ATTLEBORO - "No matter the war. No matter where or when. There are always a small number of individuals who pay the price. Who sacrifice." These words resounded through downtown Attleboro Sunday as upwards of 150 people came together for a fifth year in a "Support The Troops" rally in Gilbert-Perry Square.

Among the supporters were veterans from past wars as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, family and friends of those currently serving, politicians and local residents. They huddled together in the chilly weather, determined to honor troops who have lost their lives, and to garner support for those currently deployed.

The ceremony began with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boston, North End Post 144 marching towards the square with red, white and blue balloons and signs reading "We Support Our Troops."

"My heart is just blessed by everyone that came," said Martin Feist of Attleboro, whose two sons recently served in Iraq. "We cannot for one moment stop believing in and praying for their love," said Attleboro City Councilor George Ross.

The heart of the rally, however, was found in attendees who said supporting the troops is critical, no matter what one's stance on the war.

"I think its great that people show up," said Janice Kalliavas of Norfolk, whose son Cpl. John Kalliavas is currently serving in the Marines, on his way back to the Persian Gulf from Africa.

Others urged for greater support both locally and nationally.

"I would have liked to see an even larger turnout. I admire and respect the troops...I'm behind and pray for all of them," said Shirley Derisscher or Plainville.

As the rally closed with the singing of "God Bless America," the supporters raised their flags and cheered.

"We're here to support the troops, that's it, that's why we're here," said Donald Langlais, from North End Post 144.

:flag: :flag: :flag:

Read the whole article here: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/04/07/news/3012823.txt

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 12:59 pm

Sweet thread, AEO, great to see such support for our troops! :clap:

God bless our troops!!! :flag:

Amen! :pray:

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 1:07 pm

Supporting the troops in IN, CT and CA:

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/NEWS01/804060308/1008

http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/News_1/Sotheby_s_C_Hugh_Hidesley_to_conduct_benefit_aucti on_in_Greenwich_on_May_92099.shtml

http://www.granitebaypt.com/detail/81047.html

:clap: :clap: :clap:

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 5:38 pm

Simi family is touched by the support

By Jake Finch
Correspondent
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

It was a hard day when Heather and Wolfgang Knabe said goodbye to their 19-year-old son, Travis, a Marine who left to serve in Iraq.

The day ended on an easier note when they returned to their Simi Valley cul-de-sac to find every house flying the American flag and each mailbox decorated with yellow ribbons.

It was their Copley Street neighbors' way of telling the family they were praying for Travis and proud of his service.

"I broke down before we even drove into the driveway," Heather Knabe said. "The outpouring of support from my neighbors was really, truly overwhelming."

The simple idea for the Knabe's heart salve came from neighbors Linda Moak and Shirley McMullin. The two women talked about what the family faces with their youngest son fighting in Iraq.

Moak, who took Knabe to the hospital when she was in labor with Travis, said she watched the 19-year-old grow up and is very touched by him.

"He came over to say goodbye to us and was in his uniform, and it really hit us," she said. "I felt so much for his family. We're a close-knit group here at the cul-de-sac, and I thought we needed to show some support."

The plan is to keep the flags flying in front of each of the six houses until Travis returns from his tour in Ramadi.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

Read the rest here: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/apr/02/simi-family-is-touched-by-the-support/

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 5:53 pm

Rokita Delivers Phone Cards to U.S. Troops

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita has delivered the final batch of more than 408,000 donated phone card minutes to wounded troops in Germany. The cards were donated by Indiana residents to help wounded troops call home from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

"From the time we first mentioned the need for phone cards for wounded troops at Landstuhl, my office witnessed an outpouring of support from Hoosiers who collected and sent thousands of phone cards," said Secretary Rokita. "I was honored to deliver the last shipment of phone cards to troops at Landstuhl while in Germany last week."

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the whole article here: http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=28758

Loyal American

April 8th, 2008, 6:05 pm

Go Hoosiers! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

:D ......... ;)

AEOakley

April 8th, 2008, 6:06 pm

Toshiba, Crutchfield Provide DVD Players For U.S. Troops
By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 4/7/2008

BAGHDAD, IRAQ — For the past three years Toshiba and Crutchfield have worked together to provide entertainment to U.S. troops based in Iraq.

Beginning with the 2005 holiday season and continuing each year since, Toshiba has donated portable DVD players to U.S. forces here, while Crutchfield, the direct-sell retailer, has partnered in the effort by shipping them.

"Toshiba is happy to provide the players to the troops," said Jodi Sally, marketing VP of Toshiba's digital A/V group. "We want to show our appreciation for these brave men and women by giving something back to them."

In a thank-you address, Lt. Col. Peter Garner, U.S. Air Force, said, "Knowing that we have the backing of people back home is an important force-multiplier in our mission here."

:flag: :flag: :flag:

You can read the rest here: http://www.twice.com/article/CA6548456.html?industryid=23098

Broncos98

April 9th, 2008, 12:01 am

it's a shame that the entire country can't come together & support the troops & their mission in Iraq. everytime when i see a military person come into Wal-Mart where i work, i always tell them that there doing a great job in Afghannistan & Iraq & they thank me.

Loyal American

April 9th, 2008, 8:56 am

Event or Advisory: Assistance Dogs for Military Personnel

Start Date & Time: Mon., Apr. 7, 1:00 PM
End Date & Time: Wed., Apr. 30, 1:00 PM

Location: Texas Hearing & Service Dogs

Summary: ASSISTANCE DOGS RETURN INDEPENDENCE TO
INJURED TEXAS MILITARY PERSONNEL Nonprofit Texas
Hearing & Service Dogs, which has trained and provided
Assistance Dogs for hundreds of disabled Texans for 20
years, has debuted a new program, Assistance Dogs for
Military Personnel to train dogs specifically for
military personnel injured during deployment to Iraq
or Afghanistan. THSD provides the dogs and extensive
customized training free of charge. THSD is currently
seeking applicants for dog

More Info:ASSISTANCE DOGS RETURN
INDEPENDENCE.doc
Submitted by: Sheri Soltes
Organization: Texas Hearing & Service Dogs
Phone: 512-891-9090
Email: sheri@servicedogs.org (http://mailcenter2.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/47FCACD500000B10000031A422070029539D019B0C0E000E02 020E080A089B?cmd=ComposeTo&adr=sheri%40servicedogs%2Eorg&sid=c0)
Associated Website: www.servicedogs.org (http://www.servicedogs.org/)

AEOakley

April 9th, 2008, 1:30 pm

Vets for Freedom Revitalizes Support for Victory
by Ericka Andersen
Posted: 04/09/2008

On a gray Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill Sen. John McCain addressed several hundred members of Vets for Freedom -- the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ organizations in the country. In DC’s upper Senate Park, McCain and other pro-victory Senators and Congressmen rallied for success in Iraq.

The event was timed to support the same day U.S. Commander in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker returned to Washington to present their latest progress reports.

Washington was one of VFF’s last stops in the three-week National Heroes Tour, on which members spoke to and encouraged crowds in key U.S. cities not to submit to defeat in Iraq by pulling out troops without respect for the certain consequences.

Senators Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman(I-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and seven-year former POW in Vietnam with McCain, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Tex.), crowded the stage behind Executive Director Pete Hegseth, a former Army Captain and Co-Founder David Bellavia, a former Army Staff Sergeant, as they introduced the politically star-studded lineup of speakers.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the rest here: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=25928

AEOakley

April 9th, 2008, 1:37 pm

Eastside students support troops with donations, letters and a special wall
By Christina Wilson
Published: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 | Updated: 4:42 pm

Rallying around graduate and former wresting star Brent McCorkle, now a soldier serving in Iraq, Eastside High School students are supporting the troops with continued donations, letters and a special Hero Wall.

The effort, spearheaded in part by McCorkle's mom Brenda Cisson, a special education teacher at the school, included collecting and shipping 35 boxes of canned goods and personal hygiene supplies to soldiers in housing off-base south of Baghdad in Arabjabour.

"We took advantage of the rivalry between Eastside and Wade Hampton to collect the goods," said head coach Jack Kosmick, who helped coordinate the dual-school service project with Wade Hampton coach Jeff Neal, member of the Sons of the Civil War.

McCorkle was on-leave and present at the January event, the largest attended wrestling match of the season. Attendees were asked to bring and donate dry goods, phone cards and money for the troops.

"I don't think there's any more heated or eventful rivalry between our two schools than with the wrestling teams," Kosmick said. "It was a good way to draw attention to our military and that they need our support. We hope we can make this an annual event - but not for too many more years."

In an effort to connect even greater numbers of students to the ongoing war effort, the school started a Hero Wall, organized by assistant wrestling coach David Maholtz. He got the idea from social studies teacher Debra Barton, who had a similar project in her classroom called a Wall of Peace.

"Students love to share and talk about themselves and their families," Barton said. "One of the ways to reach out to a student is to get them talking about the war and family members."

Started in November, the Hero Wall now has hundreds of certificates honoring students' family members and friends who have served in current and former wars.

"I was really impressed with the number of kids who came in with certificates for great grandfathers in the Civil War," Maholtz said. "I had assumed they would be more Vietnam or recent Iraqi war."

He said the level of respect students have for the veterans is evident by their leaving the wall display intact. "Usually things on walls will get defaced or torn. It just really shows the students' appreciation for these soldiers that they have left it alone."

McCorkle stopped by the school and looked at the wall when he was on leave.

"He saw a picture of one of his fellow servicemen on the wall who had been killed and it really struck him," said Cisson, adviser of the Beta Club. The organization raised money to help mail the packages by selling coupon books. "He saw his own picture there, too, but was more pleased to see the other soldier."

Another ongoing soldier support effort is Barton's students independently e-mailing soldiers, what she calls "modern-day pen pals."

"The English Department is also looking at a freshman writing project called 'Letters From Home,' " she said.

Cisson stressed the efforts are about more than just her son, a two-time state wrestling champion and 2000 South Carolina wrestler of the year.

"He's one of 75 soldiers living in a fortified house purchased from Iraqi citizens where they only get one hot meal a day because it's too dangerous to transport any more than that. They all look for these single serving snacks and foods and built storage for the excess stuff like soap and other goods they'd be able to purchase it they're on a base that isn't provided for them," she said.

Soldiers also share their supplies with villagers, and give away toothbrushes and other products along with tips for good hygiene.

She said the level of support she's received from faulty and staff at the school has been overwhelming.

"If you don't live on a military base there's no support system for people whose family members are serving in Iraq," Cisson said. "I have found this school and my church and friends and neighbors so supportive of me and constantly asking about Brent and how he is."

McCorkle, an Army lieutenant, is due home in August following 15 months of service that started in May 2007. Cisson said he's proud of his role there.

"He's very positive," she said. "He thinks what they're doing is purposeful."

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Found here: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080408/NEWS/789/1051/NEWS01

Loyal American

April 9th, 2008, 3:45 pm

Group Rides to Support Wounded Vets

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 – Wounded veterans recovering in some California Veterans Affairs facilities hear some of their visitors long before they see them.

Blue Star Riders is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who visit with veterans recovering at the Palo Alto, Livermore, Martinez and San Francisco Veterans Affairs facilities at least once a month, said Richard Hamilton, the group’s founder and president.

“(Blue Star Riders) are dedicated to supporting our troops and veterans, as well as honoring all wounded troops and fallen heroes,” said Hamilton, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran.

Members of the group visit with as many veterans as possible during each of their visits. “If there is family present, we … ascertain whether there is anything they need,” he said.

Often, when veterans move to California from military medical facilities on the East Coast, their families have used up many of their resources or are unable to get around, Hamilton explained. Blue Star Riders help in any way they can, including providing transportation, he said.

The group also sends requested items to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Germany.

Blue Star Riders is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

The group hopes its affiliation with America Supports You will increase awareness that hospitalized veterans would enjoy having visitors, Hamilton said, and that the affiliation will “bring a focus on the families of our wounded active military and their sacrifices while attending to their loved ones, and their need for support.”

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49516

Blue Star site:
http://www.bluestarriders.com/

AEOakley

April 9th, 2008, 5:40 pm

Support is ‘popping’ for U.S. troops in Iraq
POSTED: April 9, 2008

ESCANABA — Over a half million dollars worth of support has recently been shipped to our troops in Iraq, according to a report released April 4 by SupportOurTroops.org.

“It’s time to show them how much we care,” said Support Our Troops Chairman Martin C. Boire.

And what form did this support take? The answer is tasty. Four full 40-foot cargo containers carrying 6,249 cases weighing a combined 60 tons of popcorn was sent as a good-will gift to Army men and women stationed in Iraq. That equals 445,698 servings, $572,007 dollars worth, of the tasty treat. Each case was labeled with thank-you signs from people here at home.

“We’re glad to give them a simple taste of home,” said Boire. “What a fun way to show them how much we think of them.”

SupportOurTroops.org, the Boy Scouts of America and the Trail’s End Popcorn Company teamed up to pull this off. The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts went door to door across America and asked people if they would like to donate $25 of popcorn treats to the troops.

The popcorn sent was Trail’s End, synonymous with Boy Scouts and produced by Weaver Popcorn Co. An 80-year-old, family-owned company in Indiana, Weaver Popcorn’s products are distributed in over 90 countries. For this occasion, the popcorn was palletized, plastic-wrapped and loaded into a 40-foot overseas metal cargo container and trucked to a sea port to be shipped by freighter to the U. S. Army troops stationed in Iraq.

Support Our Troops is a patriotic family organization aimed at protecting the well-being of the troops and their families. The civilian-led group welcomes civilians, active-duty families, veterans and people from all political parties. The organization offers easy, everyday methods through which people can stick up for those who stick up for them — official license plates, ribbons, magnets, apparel and accessories — all to benefit the deployed troops, who are our neighbors, friends and families. Support Our Troops is a nation-wide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with chapters in 37 states. Donating to SupportOurTroops.org helps the organization make such gestures as the shipping of popcorn to the troops.

Those wanting to offer support may go online to SupportOurTroops.org, call (877) 879-8882 or e-mail PR@supportourtroops.org.

All of a sudden, I'm hungry! :D

Article found here: http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/502671.html

L.A. -- I'm noticing a TREND with all the Hoosier support for the troops! :clap:

Loyal American

April 9th, 2008, 6:01 pm

All of a sudden, I'm hungry! :D

Article found here: http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/502671.html

L.A. -- I'm noticing a TREND with all the Hoosier support for the troops! :clap:
Ahhhh, I haven't seen that article yet!

AEO they have the best popcorn in the world, I just mailed some out to my adopted on Monday. You can get a box with 15 microwave bags in it for $2.50 at Walmart and it's really good too!

Hoosiers love our troops!

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/PopWeaver-1.jpg

Go Pop Weaver! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

April 10th, 2008, 2:47 pm

SANTA CLARA: POST OFFICE READIES FOR SHIPMENT OF 140,000 TEDDY BEARS

SANTA CLARA (BCN)

Military care package program volunteers plan to mail 140,000 special teddy bears to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan from a Santa Clara post office this weekend.

The Bear Hug campaign will send packages that include a 5-inch blue plush teddy bear with red and white stitching with the message, "We support and hug you."

The nonprofit group Operation: Care and Comfort has organized 100 volunteers to package the bears at the Navy Operational Support Center in San Jose. The packages will then be taken to Santa Clara's main post office at Franklin Mall, which is normally closed on Saturdays, where more volunteers, including the post office staff, will label and mail the packages, according to Julie DeMaria, cofounder of Operation: Care and Comfort.

"We'll be their only customer that day," DeMaria said.

An additional 90,000 Bear Hugs will be distributed to patients in veterans' hospitals throughout the county, and 70,000 will be shipped to troops through a Southern California group, Operation Gratitude.

The Bear Hug campaign was developed and financed by David Hamblett, a retired East Coast businessman, who invested $400,000 of his own money to fund the project. Hamblett wanted a way for people who can't afford large donations to be able to provide a tangible thank you to the troops, DeMaria said.

"He wanted a sweet little thing, a touch of home. He wanted to make sure (the troops) didn't feel forgotten," she said.

Many bears are accompanied by handwritten notes from children and senior citizens who donated $1 for a bear. Several Girl Scout troops, retirement homes, churches, and schools have participated in raising money.

:flag::flag::flag:

Read the rest here: http://cbs5.com/localwire/22.0.html?type=bcn&item=TEDDY-BEARS-TROOPS

AEOakley

April 10th, 2008, 3:15 pm

Girls Scout Cookies from IL...
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/040908142841OperationCarePackageCoo.jpg
COOKIES BY THE TRUCKLOAD - On Saturday, Apr. 5, 2008, Operation Care Package received a donation of 10,500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, worth about $42,000. Each box will be sent to deployed servicemembers with a personal color page or thank you note attached. The cookies were collected by Girl Scouts from the Fox Valley Council in Geneva, Ill. and driven in a donated moving van to Operation Care Package in nearby Joliet, Ill. Courtesy photo

And more from OH...
Community Sends Girl Scout Cookies to Troops
By American Forces Press Service
CINCINNATI, April 10, 2008 - It’s reasonable to think servicemembers deployed the world over might be missing Girl Scout cookies again this year, but that’s not necessarily the case.

More than 150 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines soon will be enjoying Girl Scout cookies and other goodies thanks to the Thank You Foundation and several members of the greater Cincinnati community.

“This was a real community effort,” said John Guinn, president and founder of the Thank You Foundation. “Students from St. Margaret of York [School] collected items, and several Girl Scout troops donated cookies. Senior citizens from the Lebanon Country Manor helped pack up the boxes.”

Seventh-grade students at St. Margaret of York in Loveland, Ohio, spent two weeks last month collecting care package items for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our U.S. troops in Iraq have sacrificed so much for our country's freedom so it was a wonderful feeling for me to have the opportunity to be able to give back to them,” said Marisa Pike, one of the seventh-graders who participated. “It's great to be part of a school that encourages students to serve others in their need.”

Her classmates agreed the project has given them a new appreciation and perspective for the sacrifices servicemembers make, as well as the importance of volunteerism.

“This project really helped me understand that one person can really make a difference,” said Sarah Wandtke, also a seventh-grader at the school. “It feels really great to know that you are helping someone. I hope we can do this again next year."

In addition to the items collected by the school, Girl Scout Troop 8238 in Landen donated 300 boxes of cookies, and Troop 41865 of Bethany School in Glendale added at least another 50 boxes, Guinn said.

Kim Robinson, a Lebanon Country Manor employee, has both a son and son-in-law in Iraq. She, along with the seniors from the manor and her daughter and daughter-in-law, helped pack the boxes for the Thank You Foundation.

"I know personally what it means to the men and women serving over there to get these packages from home,” Robinson said. “We try to do all we can to let them know they are loved and in our thoughts and prayers.”

Over the last several months, the Thank You Foundation has sent several hundred care packages to troops and has worked with other groups in the Cincinnati area to send clothing, school supplies, and toys to children in Iraq.

In addition, the foundation has focused efforts on providing financial support for the families of wounded and disabled soldiers in Cincinnati and across the country. In January that support helped a disabled Vietnam veteran visit his dying mother in Texas.

"We do what we can to help where other organizations can't,” Guinn said. “Care packages are really just a small part of the many things we try to do to say thank you.”

(From a Thank You Foundation news release.)
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Found here: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44971973

AEOakley

April 12th, 2008, 9:49 pm

Gorton students, faculty mount 'operation gratitude' for troops in Iraq
Written by FAVICCHIO, MICHAEL & GIANA CAMPANALE

In their own strategic mission called “Operation Gratitude” the faculty, students and their families created and sent 150 drawstring bags filled with items ranging from beverage mixes to socks to the 82nd Airborne Division serving in Iraq. The school came in communication with this unit through Meredith McSwiggan, a case manager at Gorton with the help of her father Wayne McSwiggan with connections to West Point.

“We made stockings for the soldiers last year,” said Donna Murgo, a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Gorton. “This year, because we heard that the troops aren’t really being remembered after the holidays we sent them later instead.”

In fact, they sent 13 boxes that weighed more than 400 pounds on Jan. 30. They have not heard back from the troops yet. The student council paid for the $500 in postage.

Murgo says nearly everyone in the school was involved with the operation.

Students in Murgo’s Family and Consumer Science class sewed the drawstring bags out of military camouflage fabric she bought from Recycling for Rhode Island Education, a nonprofit organization that collects and recycles non-toxic by-products from local manufacturing facilities. The seventh and eighth grade students worked on creating the bags for a few weeks.

“We wanted to give them the comforts of home and make them feel that what they are doing is important,” said Murgo. “Students enjoy the project because they know what the goal was.”

:flag: :clap: :flag:

Read the whole article here: http://warwickonline.com/warwickonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36707&Itemid=30

AEOakley

April 12th, 2008, 11:43 pm

Thanks to Loyal American for pointing out this story to me. I think it's worth sharing here...

Slain soldier’s parents vow to help fund homecoming party
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, April 12, 2008

Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski can’t welcome home their son, but they at least can work to welcome home his warrior brothers, they say.

The Cheboygan, Mich., couple are spearheading a drive in the States to raise money for a welcome home event for the soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team — even though Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Dean Blaskowski, killed in September by small-arms fire, won’t be among those returning from Afghanistan.

At first, the couple thought the Army had no plans for an official welcoming ceremony when the soldiers return late this summer, prompting the Blaskowskis to launch the drive. But since learning differently, they and a group of friends and supporters are continuing efforts to raise money, either to be spent in conjunction with the Army’s celebration or to augment the festivities, Cheryl Blaskowski said.

“We want to have a down-home celebration in conjunction with their efforts,” she said. If possible, they’ll be present in Europe to welcome home their son’s comrades.

“In the past, when Matthew left for deployment, the only thing to bring peace in our hearts was to think about his safe return,” Terry Blaskowski wrote in a letter explaining the fundraising efforts. “We know that won’t be happening now. However, Matthew and us have an extended family that reaches far beyond this place.”

The homecoming for the 173rd presents some challenges in that it’s the only split brigade combat team in the Army, with units stationed in Schweinfurt and Bamberg in Germany and Vicenza in Italy, said Lt. Col. Todd Johnston, the 173rd rear detachment commander.

“But we’ll be doing some things to be sure. Now, we still are in the planning stages,” he said.

He’s working details, such as whether to hold a memorial service as part of the official military welcoming home observance. The team has lost 30 soldiers in Afghanistan.

“At the moment, we’re looking at two military ceremonies, one in the north (Germany) and one in the south (Italy), but we may do two in Germany,” he said. “We’d like to do a military ceremony in the morning and family appreciation day in the afternoon.”

The unit is working with the local offices of the United Service Organizations and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to plan the ceremonies, which will take place after the units’ routine 30-day block leave after returning from the combat zone, Johnston said.

The Blaskowskis will forward the money they raise to the unit headquarters in Vicenza. Their news release about the drive states Army rules prohibit any one person or organization from donating more than $1,000 to any single Family Readiness Group, or FRG.

Donations can be made to the unit’s FRG or mailed to Michigan to the Welcome Home Celebration Fund, in care of Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski, P.O. Box 164, Cheboygan, MI 49721.

:flag::flag::flag:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=53998

AEOakley

April 13th, 2008, 5:38 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/20080409_011131_TN09-COOk_400.jpg
Sailor Dave Tomzik, left, hands a case of cookies to Jordan Buckner, a member of the Angeles Council of Girl Scouts, as they and other members of the U.S. military and Girl Scouts work to ensure that U.S. soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen will have plenty of cookies when they visit the Bob Hope USO at LAX. (Robert Casillas / Staff Photographer)

Operation Cookie Drop

By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 04/08/2008 11:08:27 PM PDT

Nine-year-old Alayzia Moore quietly handed a box of Thin Mint cookies to a newly trained Marine as he got off a bus at the USO office at Los Angeles International Airport.

The fresh-faced recruit had just completed boot camp at Camp Pendleton and was getting ready to ship out to his first overseas assignment. He looked down at Alayzia, smiled and thanked her as he took the box.

"They protect us, so this is our way to thank them," said Alayzia, a Girl Scout from Inglewood's Troop 1150. "It's something special. Just for them."

One by one, cases of cookies were passed along a human conveyer belt of Marines from Twentynine Palms, and other military personnel, and more than two dozen Girl Scouts from Torrance, Inglewood, Westchester and Manhattan Beach.

In total, 45,000 boxes of cookies were collected by local Girl Scouts as part of "Operation Cookie Drop." Included were the brisk flavor of the ever-popular Thin Mint cookies, the crunchy peanut butter taste of Do-Si-Dos, the ooey-gooey caramel goodness of the Samoa cookies.

About 12,000 boxes of the tasty treats will be kept at the USO office and distributed to sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines headed overseas or returning home from a deployment. The rest will be placed in care packages delivered to military personnel already serving overseas as part of the USO's Operation Gratitude Care Package program.

"It makes such a big difference to these guys and gals," said Michael Teilmann, executive director of the Southern California USO, which serves more than 40,000 troops annually at LAX.

"Many of them are far from home for the very first time," Teilmann said. "And yet, when they see the Girl Scout cookies, it makes them feel a lot more comfortable because it's a reminder of something they grew up with."

Operation Cookie Drop was launched in 2004, when six Girl Scout troops banded together to collect 804 boxes of cookies as a way to serve up a taste of home for U.S. troops stationed in far-flung locales across the globe.

The program was expanded the following year to all 750 Girl Scout troops that compose the Angeles Council, and donations have steadily increased ever since.

"It all started because a few girls were concerned that their military brothers and sisters weren't going to have cookies," said Kenya Yarbrough, a spokeswoman for the Angeles Council. "And now it's turned into a successful program that has gained a lot of community support."

Girl Scout Troop 513 from Manhattan Beach collected the most donations in the Angeles Council, netting 1,577 boxes of cookies. Westchester-based Troop 918 came in second, with 1,273 donated boxes.

"I think it's really important because the soldiers are working so hard overseas, so we should give them a little piece of home," Maggie Talbot, 11, of Westchester's Troop 918 said as she passed a case of cookies to a Marine.

The Girl Scouts started collecting donations for the $4 boxes of cookies when sales began on Feb. 29. Several Girl Scouts came up with creative ways to attract attention to Operation Cookie Drop, such as drawing elaborate banners and crafting eye-catching collection jars.

"The girls really come up with some clever ways to collect the donations," Yarbrough said. "But the effort also comes from the community who find it in their hearts to donate to the military."
:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8858619

nortman

April 13th, 2008, 5:46 pm

Illinois State?

Crap, now I have to think nice things about one of Youngstown State's football conference rivals.

AEOakley

April 14th, 2008, 3:17 pm

Illinois State?

Crap, now I have to think nice things about one of Youngstown State's football conference rivals.

:lol:

You sure do....better yet, continue the rivalry and come up with an even bigger, better way for Youngstown State to support the troops!

Loyal American -- I'm beginning to think the the State of Indiana has the MOST ACTIVE and MOST PATRIOTIC citizens in all the U.S. -- here is YET ANOTHER group of Hoosiers who came together (yesterday) for a rally and march...:clap: :clap: :clap:

WHAT'S HAPPENING: Support the Troops Rally and March

To honor our military and civil servants and their families who have given much for our security and safety. Assemble at the Freedom Fountain for rally and formation at 3 p.m. March to New Life Church of the Nazarene begins at 3:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided for those who cannot march (please don’t drive in the procession).

Special service at 4 p.m. with guest speaker Loren Minnix, deputy chaplain for the Marine Corps League and Coordinator for Indiana Yellow Ribbon. Service vendors will be at the church to help with specials requests such as sending videos, CDs and care packages to troops stationed abroad.

3 p.m. Sunday, April 13 Freedom Fountain, Richmond

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080413/UPDATES/80413005

AEOakley

April 14th, 2008, 11:37 pm

From the Blackfive blog:

Notes on Supporting the Troops
Posted By Grim

Two projects you may not have heard about:

Brigade America is an organization that is trying to find ways to support the troops against slander and abuse -- for example, in working to organizae a boycott of Berkeley, CA. Many of you are affiliated with similar organizations, and may find here another ally. If you haven't heard of them before, drop by and see what they're doing. I gather they'd like to hear from anyone who can help, or who is doing similar things.

Jim Cannon of "Thinking Right" is doing another "letters from home" project, this time in support of the crew of the USS Russell DDG-59. He'd like to ask you to write a letter (which he will compile and send to the crew, so as not to create strain for them -- remember how we sent tens of thousands of letters to RCT-6, that had to be printed out and distributed, and created a serious strain on their bandwidth?).

Please write to:

letters@thinking-right.com

Jim asks that you put "Letters from Home" in the subject line.

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2008/04/notes-on-suppor.html#comments

:flag: :flag: :flag:

http://www.brigadeamerica.com/

AEOakley

April 14th, 2008, 11:55 pm

Marshfield resident wins award for supporting the troops

By Sydney Schwartz
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Apr 14, 2008 @ 03:13 PM

MARSHFIELD, MA—When the war started in Iraq five years ago, Marshfield resident Irene Carriere knew she had to do something.

Carriere, a librarian at the South River Elementary School and a religious education teacher at St. Christine’s Church, started collecting supplies for the soldiers.

And in the past five years, she’s conducted several care package drives at her school and church and collected countless items – from baby wipes to Life Savers to Sunday comics – for the troops.

She also spoke at the fall 2007 special town meeting in support of a part-time position in the veterans agent’s office – at a time when the budget was tight.

This week, for her support of the soldiers and the veterans agent’s office, Carriere received the fifth annual Bugle Community Service Award from selectmen.

“Just her attitude of support is way beyond the usual and the ordinary,” Veterans Agent Richard Martin said. “We’ve had a lot of stuff here from South River – way beyond any other school – due to her initiative,” Martin said.

“We felt that she’s a good example to hold up to the community, hopefully, to inspire the other schools to do the same thing.”

Martin said he initiated the Bugle Award five years ago after two Marshfield mothers started Operation Hope, Marshfield’s gifts-for-service-members program. The award is named after the Marshfield Bugle, the quarterly newsletter for veterans.

“It’s a way of saying that this is important, so listen up,” Martin said. “I intended to give it every year if we had someone that we needed to honor, someone who had done an outstanding service to the veterans.”

Martin said the Bugle Award Committee unanimously selected Carriere, whose “example of community outreach is in keeping with American homefront traditions of World War II.”

Carriere started out by buying items for soldiers with change collected during a school book fair and sending them on her own. She started working with Martin when she realized that his office shipped packages.

In church, she said, she asked classes to bring in items. She also started a drive among teachers at the South River School.

Carriere corresponds with Marshfield soldier Phil Belmont, a medic stationed in Iraq.

“I just had this need to do something, just walking around here so safe and secure and lucky,” she said. “I’m very fortunate – my two sons are not over there. They’re safe and secure like a lot of other people.”

Carriere said she was inspired to get involved in the war effort because of her father, a World War II Navy veteran who was “always very proud of having served our country.” She said her 74-year-old sister-in-law, who lives in Norwood, stores supplies for troops in her dining room and has sent about 200 packages.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x195828893

AEOakley

April 15th, 2008, 12:45 pm

Here is the link:
http://truelemon.com/sample.html

Every time we get a request for free samples of True Lemon from a new customer, we will donate 10 packets of True Lemon to Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization providing care packages to U.S. Troops.

It costs you nothing, It means so much to our service members. Make a little True Lemon go a long way. Our deployed troops will thank you for it.

http://aslightdare.blogspot.com/2008/04/true-lemon-try-it-free.html

AEOakley

April 15th, 2008, 1:55 pm

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Program & Entertainment Begins at 5PM
A gathering of hundreds of thousands of grateful citizens - American Patriots - in Washington, DC to show real, tangible support and appreciation to those members of the United States Armed Forces who have bravely stood in harms way to protect our freedoms and to keep us safe since 9/11.

TOP NOTCH Entertainment, moving tributes and a powerful multi-media presentation on two 8 foot towers of high-def LCD screens celebrating the many stories of hope and opportunity made possible by the American Military - stories that are rarely reported on here at home. A Really Big Show with Big Names from Hollywood, Country and Rock Music is in the works! All for FREE!!!

An Opportunity for Patriotic Americans, from sea to shining sea, to gather in great numbers - to counter the mixed messages of impatience, failure and defeatism - and to send a clear message to our troops at home and abroad - that they are appreciated, their sacrifices are recognized and we are a grateful nation.

No one is pro-war. But freedom isn't free, and when duty calls, as it did on 9/11, it is the duty of those of us on the home front to encourage and support our warriors.

Get Involved - There are endless possibilities for corporations, non-profit organizations, veteran's groups, community and civic organizations as well as for individual citizens - to be a part of this important event.

Learn more about the charitable activity of The National Remember Our Troops Campaign on our website at: www.nrotc.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION: please call 410-687-3568

:flag: :flag: :flag:

http://www.patriotsrally.org/

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AEOakley

April 15th, 2008, 5:47 pm

Operation Support Our Troops and KVI Talk Radio in Puyallup, WA...

Friday, April 18, 2008
10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Military Appreciation Day in Puyallup

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KVI will be joined by Operation Support Our Troops during Military Appreciation Day at the Spring Fair in Puyallup on Friday, April 18, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. We will be collecting new and used DVD movies (no copied DVD movies, please) to send to our Troops overseas. KVI's Matt Haver from Kirby and Company will be there from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

So come by the KVI booth and donate your DVD movies and check out the Spring Fair in Puyallup.

Gate admission is FREE on Friday, April 18 to all active, reserve, and retired military and National Guard and their dependents, plus disabled veterans with valid military ID at any Fair gate.

Parking is Free!

Address:
Puyallup Fair & Events Center
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup, WA 98371
http://www.thefair.com/spring-fair/

Directions: http://www.thefair.com/spring-fair/visitor-info/getting-here.php

AEOakley

April 16th, 2008, 3:10 pm

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Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, meets Col. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander, during the recent open house at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Bailey, with the help of her family, started Hero Hugs four years ago to recognize and show appreciation for America's servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson)

Never too young to be a hero
by Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/15/2008 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines working the Tyndall Air Force Base air show Saturday recently an unexpected surprise that caught many off guard. Hard at work on the flightline in the blazing sun, many troops were stopped by the voice of an 11-year-old girl thanking each military member for his or her service. Along with the "thank-you" came a goodie bag.

The little girl handing out the "doses of appreciation" was Bailey Reese, founder and president of Hero Hugs, an organization based on recognizing and appreciating America's troops. Hero Hugs is part of America Supports You, a Department of Defense organization connecting citizens and organizations with military members and their families serving here and abroad.

Hero Hugs was started by Bailey, with the help of her family, roughly four years ago. In those years, they have sent care packages to Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea, and they have visited military events to show their appreciation for America's troops.

More than 26,000 packages, 10,000 goodie bags and five air shows later, Bailey showed up here to share her gratitude with Tyndall Airmen.

Bailey, along with her mother, Diane Reese, and her 16-year-old brother Tim Calvert, spent the entire day passing more than 600 goodie bags comprising granola bars, candy bars, hard candy, powdered drink mix and hand wipes.

Bailey explained she began Hero Hugs after Hurricane Ivan, when she witnessed servicemembers who were providing humanitarian help being treated poorly.

"I saw people yelling at the (troops) at the checkpoint where (Soldiers and Airmen) were giving out ice and water," said Bailey. "I didn't hear anyone say thank you to them."
Bailey said she went home and made thank you cards for the servicemembers. She recalled how the cards brought tears to their eyes and how rewarding it was to know they felt appreciated.

When she started Hero Hugs, she sent about 100 packages out each month, said her mom. Now, due to extra support, the organization sends about 1,000 packages monthly.

"We raise money by fundraisers, collecting donations and selling 'Support our Troops' magnets," said Diana Reese. "We also have received some donations from corporations and businesses."

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Read the rest here: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123094471

AEOakley

April 18th, 2008, 12:14 pm

From the excellent BADGERS FORWARD blog:

16 April 2008
You Shook Me All Night Long

Last night we were visited by Tour de Force, the Australian Defence Forces equivalent of our USO. It was a great show, probably the best I have seen in Iraq.

First up was the Royal Australian Navy Band preforming as the Blues Brothers. Really the Blues Brothers routine never gets old and these Australian sailors did it well. I would note that although there were a large number of Americans there, this tour was by and primarily for the Australians serving here. It is interesting then that they chose such an American theme for their show.

The Sailors playing Jake and Elwood Blues were more clearly Sailors dressed in costumes, however the young lady that joined them, who I wrongly assumed to be a civilian entertainer turned out to be Able Seaman Belinda Marks. That is her in the center with the Blues Brothers below. She was very good and quite entertaining. The quality of her performance as well as all the other Sailors was professional and fun.

The Blues Brothers were followed by an in introduction to our MC for the evening, Tania Zaetta. Ms. Zaetta is a television presenter in Australia and had made a name for herself earlier in the day when she was waling around the DFAC at lunch in a backless top and tight pants personally inviting many people to the show. Having seen several events here on post, many of them sparsely attended, I am quite sure her personal invitation swelled the crowd.

Tania introduced Brielle Davis. My understanding is that she started out as an alt.country singer and transitioned to pop music. Brielle wore this black leather strapless dress with a zipper down the front. She has a great voice and a lot of energy. She sang several numbers, Seraial Thriller and Take It Off. Looking at her picture below you can only imagine the reaction of the mostly male crowd when she introduced the tune. Ms. Davis is worth both the listen and the look. She was very pleasant and took all the pictures people wanted after the show.

:clap: THANK YOU to the Australians for providing such great entertainment for our troops! :clap:

Read the whole post and see the linked photos here: http://badgersforward.blogspot.com/2008/04/you-shook-me-all-night-long.html

AEOakley

April 21st, 2008, 9:00 pm

Latham man's letters boost soldiers' spirits

By TERRY BROWN, Staff writer
First published: Saturday, April 19, 2008

After Jeffrey Slayburgh of Latham went online a couple of months ago to find information on one of his heroes, Gen. George Patton, the browser became an angel of sorts. Slaybaugh became a Soldiers' Angel.

When he typed Patton into the Google search engine, he found a story on the World War II general's great niece Patti Patton-Bader of Pasadena, Calif., who founded Soldiers' Angels, which provides a variety of support to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2003 while on duty in Iraq, her son, Army Sgt. Brandon Varn, wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers in his unit did not receive any mail or support from home.

Patton-Bader contacted friends and relatives and asked them to write to soldiers in the combat zone. Within several months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few letters to an Internet community with thousands of angels worldwide, she said.

Slaybaugh visited the organization's Web site, where he was able to immediately volunteer to adopt a soldier.

"I could see there is something I could do on a personal nature and connect with a soldier or soldiers," he said.

Through the organization, Slaybaugh and his wife, Lauri, became members of an Adopt a Soldier team. They adopted an Army specialist serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq.

"I had been looking for a way to do national service in support of our troops," said Slaybaugh, a stay-at-home dad whose feet prevented him from enlisting in the military. "My dad had served in the Korean War and told me how sad troops were when they didn't receive any letters during mail call."

Now, he and his wife write letters and send care packages to the specialist and other soldiers. Slaybaugh said the 10th Mountain soldier had told him and his wife that he had felt forgotten until mail and packages lifted his spirits.

The Slaybaughs have connected with several other soldiers by being members of Soldiers' Angels Chaplain Support Team. They write letters expressing support and encouragement. Those letters are sent to a military chaplain, who gives the letters to lonely troops in Iraq.

"My contact with the troops is on a personal level and has been one in which I have discovered how many of them feel unloved, forgotten or simply alone as they serve so far away from loved ones and friends," he said.

"Every time you hear about war, one should think about the real people (troops) who are making sacrifices," said Slaybaugh, who stays home with an autistic son, Vincent, 9, and his daughter, Gabriel, 4, as his wife works at the State Insurance Fund. Slaybaugh works part-time at Cracker Barrel in Clifton Park.

Soldiers' Angels also has teams that send baked goods, others that send cards and still others that sew and knit clothing.

Since he became a Soldiers' Angel, Slaybaugh said he has been surprised by as many as 50 people who expressed interest in helping and supporting the troops but were unsure of how or where they can turn for information.

Slaybaugh has guided them to Soldiers' Angels. He also is ready to help others who want to help.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the rest here:
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=682090&category=REGION&newsdate=4/19/2008&TextPage=2

Loyal American

April 21st, 2008, 10:36 pm

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Volunteers help pack boxes during the Jack Daniel's-United Service Organizations’ "Toast to the Troops" stuffing party at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., on April 19, 2008. The event resulted in more than 10,000 care packages for the USO Care Package

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Bill Stang, a World War II Marine veteran, practiced what his shirt said when he volunteered to pack boxes during the Jack Daniel's-United Service Organizations’ "Toast to the Troops" care package stuffing event

America Supports You: Jack Daniel’s Toasts Troops with Care Packages, Concert

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2008 – More than 200 volunteers took the opportunity to support the troops here April 19 during the Jack Daniel’s-United Services Organizations’ “Toast to the Troops” care package stuffing party.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery hosted the event in conjunction with the USO, which left the event with more than 10,000 care packages to send to troops through its USO Care Package Program. It’s not the first time the two organizations have paired up to toast the troops in this manner.

“We’ve done six of (these parties) at bases throughout the country,” said Elizabeth Conway, Jack Daniel’s public relations manager. “We include in each care package a personalized post card with a little message to the troops that we call a ‘Toast to the Troops.’”

The note is just one of many items boxed up for the troops. One volunteer said he’d have very happy to get one of those care packages when he served.

“On the island I was on, we’d have been too glad to have one of those things, a little package like that,” said Bill Stang, a World War II Marine veteran.

Stang was referring to Guadalcanal, where he and his comrades served after participating in the initial landing on the island. He said they ran out of everything while they “existed” there.

He said he believes today’s troops will appreciate each box they get, though they might be just a bit disappointed.

“Each time they open one of those packages, they’re going to look for a little bottle of Jack Daniel’s, but it’s not going to be there!” he said with a laugh.

Another volunteer agreed with the potential for disappointment, but knows for a fact today’s troops will appreciate the other goodies.

“I know exactly what they need over there, and the stuff that I saw that was in the bags, it was like perfect,” said former Army Sgt. Michael Cain.

The former soldier, who lost his right leg below the knee when his vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Tikrit, Iraq, on Aug. 7, 2003, is medically retired.

Read more, CLICK on Craig Morgan's photo:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080419-D-8901Q-003a-1.jpg (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49643)
Country star Craig Morgan prepares to perform for volunteers who stuffed more than 10,000 care packages for deployed troops during the Jack Daniel's-United Service Organizations’ "Toast to the Troops" stuffing party on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., on April 19, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by Amy K. Mitchell

AEOakley

April 22nd, 2008, 6:21 pm

A yard sale for the troops: OTS plans to outdo itself this year

By Cathryn Keefe O’Hare / Danvers Herald
Tue Apr 22, 2008, 03:40 PM EDT

Swampscott - Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan need white socks, lip balm, clean sheets, notes from home and packages all year long that let them know they are not forgotten.

That’s what Operation Troop Support is all about. And, to keep up the good work, the charitable organization founded by Dick and Christine Moody needs money — for postage, for speakers, for urgently needed items. To serve the cause, there will be a gigantic — really gigantic — yard sale, this Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Holten-Richmond Middle School in Danvers.

“It’s not just a yard sale,” said volunteer Donna Vallis. “It’s a yard sale for our troops.”

Operation Troop Support is Danvers-based, but reaches out to anyone and everyone who has a loved one serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or who has served there, or who is on the verge of deployment.

The group spends $800 a week in postage, Moody explained last week while showing off some of the items stored for the yard sale at Easi-Storage in Salem. That money is just to get the items to New York for the APO (Army Post Office) or to San Diego for the FPO (Fleet Post Office). It’s free from that point, Moody explained.

:flag::clap::flag:

Read the REST here: http://www.wickedlocal.com/swampscott/homepage/x1319858009

AEOakley

April 22nd, 2008, 6:30 pm

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Club executive Rick Schlesinger, Jeff and Dana Suppan, SSG William Becker and Sgt. Jeffrey Semrow stand behind the Soup's Troops seats. (Scott Paulus/Brewers)

Suppan starts Soup's Troops program
U.S. military personnel will receive great seats and more
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers starter Jeff Suppan is doing even more this season to throw his support behind United States military personnel.

The right-hander on Monday helped introduce Soup's Troops, a partnership with the team and the USO of Wisconsin to benefit the men and women of the U.S. military during the final 75 Brewers home games at Miller Park. The Brewers will donate four field-level seats to active members of the military and to families of fallen soldiers, and Suppan and his wife, Dana, will pick up the tab for $200 of concessions and merchandise vouchers for each group.

"We are truly thankful and have tremendous respect for all of the heroic efforts demonstrated by our active military, veterans and their families," Suppan said. "Their services and sacrifices are an inspiration, and we all benefit from their dedication to our country."

The Soup's Troops program comes in addition to Suppan's other community efforts, for which he was honored last season as the Brewers' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. He also has pledged $100 for every strikeout to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, an organization which benefits families of U.S. military personnel killed in action, and Brewers Charities matches each $100 gift.

Information about the new program was sent to Wisconsin military personnel, and within the first few days, the USO (the private, non-profit United Service Organizations) said it received more than 1,100 ticket requests. Given that demand, Brewers Charities announced it would donate additional tickets through the "Brewers Buddies" ticket program, which gets its stock from Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio, season-ticket holders, sponsors, players and other fans.

"The ability for us to take our loved ones to a baseball game and to have some of the best seats in the house is really special," Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Semrow of the U.S. Marine Corps said in a statement. "For all the members of the military, we want to say thanks."

SSG William Becker of Kenosha, Wis., and three guests were the first to occupy the Soup's Troops seats. Sgt. Becker is with the 257th Brigade Support Battalion, U.S. Army National Guard.

Throughout the season, the Brewers also provide tickets to members of the Armed Forces through Stars and Stripes Sundays, when the team offers two free terrace level tickets to active and military personnel with valid identification. The offer applies to all branches of the military and is based on ticket availability.

In addition, military personnel can obtain discounted tickets for Armed Forces Day on May 10 against the Cardinals. Tickets are available through the Armed Forces Committee, and interested parties can contact John Downing at the United States Coast Guard office at (414) 747-7151 for ticket information. A portion of the sale benefits the Armed Forces Committee.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080421&content_id=2565782&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

AEOakley

April 23rd, 2008, 1:40 pm

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Club executive Rick Schlesinger, Jeff and Dana Suppan, SSG William Becker and Sgt. Jeffrey Semrow stand behind the Soup's Troops seats. (Scott Paulus/Brewers)

Suppan starts Soup's Troops program
U.S. military personnel will receive great seats and more
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

:flag::clap::flag:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080421&content_id=2565782&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

More support from Major League Baseball...I missed this story from last week --

Lidge proud to support troops, band
Drowning Pool's song 'Soliders' has special meaning to closer
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- The song that fires up Brad Lidge for home save situations is more than a heavy metal tune.

He enters to "Soldiers," by Dallas-based Drowning Pool, and thinks of two people close to him who have fought in Iraq. Brother-in-law Matt Littrell has served two tours with the Marines, and plans to go back as a chopper pilot. And Lidge's best friend, Brian Mack, is at the Air Force Academy.

"They have some pretty amazing stories, and I have so much respect for what they've done," Lidge said. "It's awesome. What Drowning Pool is doing, playing concerts [in Iraq] ... for me, that's important, because they're not just a rock band. They have a cause, so it's exciting to be a part of that."

Drowning Pool has played in Iraq twice -- in November 2005 and December 2006, and their experiences interacting with the soldiers led to the song, which became a hit in the summer of 2007.

The four members of the band spent Thursday morning at Citizens Bank Park hanging out with Lidge and Brett Myers, who uses the song "Enemy" while warming up for his starts. The band was in town Thursday morning before playing a show in Atlantic City, N.J., later that night, as part of their "This is For the Soldiers" tour to support expanded health care for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We've done some big festivals in Europe in front of 80,000 people, but nothing compares to the 4,000 troops over there," lead singer Ryan McCombs said. "For two hours, you can see it in their eyes. They're back at home at a rock show. It's the most humbling experience any of us have ever had."

Lidge, of course, is pleased to hear that. The Phillies closer has visited troops regularly at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and gives his time whenever he can.

"That's eye-opening and moving," Lidge said. "We visited people who had limbs taken off and they are so upbeat about what they're doing. When I find out some of the things the band is doing for the soldiers, it sends chills down my spine. It's one of the reasons I have so much respect for them."

Supporting the troops is not up for debate to Lidge.

:flag::flag::flag:

Read the rest here: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080417&content_id=2540669&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

Rhonda

April 24th, 2008, 12:30 am

More support from Major League Baseball...I missed this story from last week --

Lidge proud to support troops, band
Drowning Pool's song 'Soliders' has special meaning to closer
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

:flag::flag::flag:

Read the rest here: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080417&content_id=2540669&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

Supporting the Troops is indeed not up for debate..thanks for the post AEOakley...I salute you and LA for all these awsome stories you post..you are great Americans and I admire you both very much

God Bless our Troops

AEOakley

April 24th, 2008, 2:17 pm

Supporting the Troops is indeed not up for debate..thanks for the post AEOakley...I salute you and LA for all these awsome stories you post..you are great Americans and I admire you both very much

God Bless our Troops

Amen!

And thank you, Rhonda! I know I can speak for L.A. when I tell you that we both admire you as well -- the feeling is mutual! Keep fighting the good fight to get the good news out AND support our wonderful military! :flag:

AEOakley

April 24th, 2008, 2:43 pm

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OPERATION GRATITUDE 2008 Schedule
Patriotic Drive April 28-June 6

We welcome every Volunteer to join us on as many days and for as many hours as you are available and comfortable--during both the Prep and Assembly days! Please feel free to stay longer than your assigned shift on the Assembly days. As in the past, we welcome children ages 12 and older; those ages 12-16 must have a responsible adult on the premises. Due to insurance, liability and safety concerns, we must strictly adhere to these rules-there are no exceptions.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Visit the website for more information and specific details:
http://www.opgratitude.com/volunteer_hours.php

AEOakley

April 24th, 2008, 8:26 pm

Four States woman says troops abroad are in need of more support

A Columbus, Kansas woman is part of a nationwide program called Adopt-A-Platoon. Doris Cole says there are too many soldiers signed up and not enough people adopting them.

It is a non-profit organization which sends letters, cards and care packages to deployed troops.

Cole's been helping support the troops through Adopt-A-Platoon for eight years.

She says it does not take much, you must write a letter or send a card to your soldier once a week and send a small care package once a month.

You must be 18 years old, or have a parents approval.

Cole says you can adopt a whole platoon, like she has done, or focus on one soldier.

Either way, she says it makes a huge difference because she says mail call is one of the troops' major highlights.

"Some of them are young ones that just went away for the first time and don't have anybody writing to them, they're homesick they are having a hard time so a little letter from home it helps out alot," Cole says.

To learn how you can help, visit http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/

http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8217295

Rhonda

April 24th, 2008, 8:30 pm

http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8217295

Perfect post..thanks AEOakley! And if you cannot adopt a Platoon...you can opt to adopt an individual Soldier...it is sooo easy

also you can ask your Church or neighborhood to become involved have some sort of neighborhood yard sale and raise money for the neighborhood or the Church to adopt a Platoon...it will make you feel wonderful

I have asked a few Chuches to do that...and they not only have continual prayer for the platoon and individual Soldiers...they also have opted to do the above

AEOakley

April 25th, 2008, 3:48 pm

Haverhill students join national 'red shirt' support of troops Former student who's now an Army sergeant returns to school
By Mike LaBella
Staff Writer

HAVERHILL — To say Army Sgt. Kevin Menzie was seeing red would be an understatement.

He gazed out at the 150 students in the Walnut Square Elementary School auditorium — a sea of red thanks to the same-colored shirts they wore — and wondered why they were all dressed that way.

The answer: They have joined a movement that is gaining popularity nationwide.

It's called Red Shirt Friday and is aimed at giving students a chance to show their support for American troops overseas. Schools across the country have joined the movement.

"We're wearing red every Friday for the rest of the year to let soldiers know we are thinking about them," first-grader Sarah Staples told Menzie, 26, who was visiting the school that he attended as a child. "We want you to know we care about you and that we love you."

Menzie has been serving in Baghdad for the last six months. Walnut Square students sent gift packages to him in December when he was in Iraq. He has two cousins at the school, first-grader Maggie McGonagle and kindergartner Colin McGonagle.

"It means a lot to us to know you are supporting us," Menzie told the red-shirted students. "We always appreciate your support."

Red Shirt Friday seems to be sweeping the nation as a show of solidarity with troops, said Walnut Square first-grade teacher Judith Reilly, who helped orchestrate Red Shirt Friday at the school.

Home on a two-week vacation, Menzie wanted to thank children for their kindness and answer questions they had about his work in Iraq. He arrived at the school with his mother, Kathy McGonagle, and his grandmother, Hazel McGonagle, both of Haverhill.

Dressed in his camouflage fatigues, Menzie stood at the front of the school's third-floor auditorium, where he was peppered with questions like why he wants to "save all of the countries" and "What is it like to be in war?"

"We want everyone to be free," he responded. "Being in a war can be very scary as not everyone in that country is nice."

Children shouted out flattering comments.

"You're like a superhero," announced kindergarten student Michael Simmons.

"Red is the color of bravery," proclaimed first-grader Tyler Banks.

Read the rest here: http://www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_116002755.html?keyword=secondarystory

:flag: :clap: :flag:

Loyal American

April 28th, 2008, 2:19 pm

‘Adopt a Platoon’ Still Thrives After 10 Years

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2008 – Ida Hagg knows all about care packages; in fact, after 10 years of sending them out, she's pretty much an expert.

"The troops appreciate beef jerky, sunflower seeds, movies, DVDs,” she said. “In the outlying areas, they appreciate receiving baby wipes and socks and hygiene products -- and all this is topped off with tons of cookies."

Hagg first realized the importance of care packages when her own son was deployed to the Balkans, she explained during an “ASY Live” BlogTalkRadio interview. The online radio program is an extension of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home or abroad.

"In every letter he would send, he would talk about how nine out of 10 of his buddies did not receive regular mail," Hagg said.

Since 1998, her organization, “Adopt a Platoon,” has been sending out thousands of care packages to let U.S. troops know they care. In fact, she said, the group sends out about 30,000 pieces of mail and care packages a month.

"It is my experience," Hagg said, "that Americans want to support the troops, but unless they have a deployed servicemember -- a spouse or a son or daughter in the military -- … they don’t know how. … For this reason, we rely greatly on our ‘platoon moms and dads.’"

The group also works closely with combat hospitals and gets word from chaplains who tell them what items the troops need the most.

One of Adopt a Platoon’s current projects, "Operation Don't Bug Me," stemmed from one of these requests. The group sends mosquito repellent during the summer months. Other operations range from supplying soldiers with sunglasses, to seasonal moral boosters such as "Operation Holiday Stocking" and even a special campaign called "Operation Underwear."

"Only American mothers truly care and understand the most important needs that you wouldn't normally think about," she said.

The group’s “Operation Crayon” started in 1999 in the Balkans to help out with humanitarian missions in Bosnia and in Kosovo. Today, it serves areas in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Now, while our troops help with reconstruction efforts, we can provide the writing tablets and supplies for the schools," Hagg said.

READ MUCH MORE IN LINK:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49703

Rhonda

April 28th, 2008, 2:35 pm

READ MUCH MORE IN LINK:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49703

Yes adopt a platoon is what I talk to Churches about...instead of spending money on a weekend retreat or something selfish..some Churches have opted to adopt a platoon instead :flag:

AEOakley

April 28th, 2008, 8:57 pm

...and -- if you live in the D.C. or Toms River, NJ-areas -- more ways to show support for the troops:

May 03, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Remodeling Walter Reed Army Medical Center
On Saturday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m., the Armed Forces Foundation, in conjunction with Walter Reed Army Medical Center, will be remodeling several surgical waiting rooms and nurses break stations and are looking for volunteers to assist in decorating rooms and help move and assemble furniture and appliances. For more information or to become a volunteer, please call Karen at (202) 547-4713.

May 04, 2008
TOMS RIVER, N.J.
The 4E Network Dinner and Dance
The 4E Network, a N.J. nonprofit corporation, will be holding a dinner and dance fundraiser in the Versailles Grand Ballroom at the Ramada Inn & Suites of Toms River, 2373 Route 9 North, Toms River, N.J. The event will be held to support wounded servicemembers. There will be a cash bar, door prize, and silent auction, as well as dance music and vocals by the Peter Lieberman Ballroom, swing and rock and roll. Reservations are required. For prices and other information, please contact Ronnie at (732) 864-0778, email to veronica@4enet.org or visit www.4enet.org.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/events.aspx

AEOakley

April 29th, 2008, 8:06 pm

Wooster student gets an executive order, meets President Bush
Pawling teen devoted to helping U.S. troops told to meet president at Bradley airport
By Eileen FitzGerald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 04/29/2008 07:23:44 AM EDT

Kevin Eberly Jr. started his day at 4 a.m. Friday, driving from his Pawling, N.Y., home to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks to begin what he calls the best day of his life.

The 17-year-old Wooster School junior met President Bush and spent a few minutes talking to him on the tarmac. They ended their visit with a hug and a thumbs up.

This was Eberly's reward, of sorts, from the person who inspired him to do what he could to support American troops for the last five years.

Eberly has raised $16,000 for telephone cards so troops can call home, sent care packages and letters to 350 soldiers, and has spearheaded more than half a dozen initiatives to help servicemen and women and their families.

"It was amazing for me to see Air Force One coasting up. It didn't really hit me until the door opened and the president came out and waved to the people," Eberly said Monday. "That's when it really hit me that I'm meeting the president of the United States."

Eberly said he didn't know why the White House called him last Wednesday to ask him to meet Bush at the airport, but he was thrilled.

He joined Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Windsor Locks First Selectman Steven Wawruck Jr. and Thaddeus Martin, the adjutant general of the Connecticut Military Department on the tarmac.

Bush shook his hand and thanked him for all he has done for the country, and Eberly said he told Bush that he was the one who set him on his path.

"I told him how he inspired me to do what I could do for the servicemen," Eberly said.

When Eberly was in seventh grade and concerned with the growing opposition to the war in Iraq, he wrote a poem called "Soldier." He sent it to Bush, asking him to pass it on to the troops, and decided to find a way for young people to show their support.

Bush wrote back and told him to continue his work in the community and his support of the soldiers.

"I've taken it on. I've devoted my life to help the servicemen overseas for these last five years," Eberly said Monday.

Bush took Eberly's face in his two hands, told him what a great job he was doing, and gave him a thumbs up as he left in the limousine.

"I'll be honest. It was the most amazing day of my life. Nothing compares to meeting ... the president. I went through all the emotions. I'm still blown away," Eberly said.

"A little kid raising money for phone cards for soldiers gets to meet the president and to affect the lives of so many people."

Eberly's mother, Joni, became emotional while talking about seeing her son with the president.

"I was really overwhelmed, so filled with pride, having witnessed what he has done and read letters to him from servicepeople overseas, and knowing what President Bush said to Kevin to put him on his path," she said. "He has touched so many people. I can't wrap my arms around that."

Eberly's efforts on behalf of the troops continue in many ways.

He wrote another poem called "Remember our Fallen Soldiers" that has been adopted as the official poem of the Armed Forces Memorial Tribute Flag and is read at memorial services in Iraq and across the U.S.

He spearheaded a campaign that raised more than $7,300 to help soldiers who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.

Eberly, his family and the Citarella family co-founded a nonprofit organization called United in their Honor to support troops. As its youth director, Eberly speaks to community groups and coordinates supply drives for care packages at area schools.

He also adopted 300 soldiers in a battalion commanded by 1985 Wooster School alumni Bill Seely, sending them 300 phone cards and letters for Christmas.

Seely visited Wooster School last year and the two met.

"He said he had lost three soldiers, and because of my phone cards they were able to talk to their families one more time before they died," Eberly said.

"None of this is ever about politics. It's about supporting our soldiers, our men and women who are putting their lives on the line for us."

:clap::clap::clap:

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9093256?source=most_emailed

AEOakley

April 30th, 2008, 1:13 pm

Megastar Toby Keith Set to Return to Persian Gulf and Visit America's Heroes on Sixth USO Tour

ARLINGTON, Va., April 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith will soon return to the Persian Gulf region to perform for the troops as part of a USO/MNC-I expeditionary/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Participating in what will be his sixth USO tour, Keith plans to visit small, remote forward operating bases, greet newly deployed service members and perform 18 shows in 10 days. He will also sign autographs, pose for pictures and express his gratitude to America's armed forces.

Keith has repeatedly taken time out of his schedule to tour with the USO, performing more than 100 shows, traveling to more than 10 countries multiple times and entertaining more than 118,000 service members. Coming down the pike this summer is the release of his latest hits collection, "Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits." The highly anticipated two-disc album will be in stores May 6, and will feature all of Keith's chart-topping songs that span his career as well as his new hit single, "She's A Hottie." He also recently wrapped up the filming of his second feature film, "Beer For My Horses," debuting in theaters this summer. Keith not only portrays the film's main character but also wrote the screenplay and produced the motion picture.

"There's no denying I am definitely busy these days but no matter how busy I am, I always make the time to visit our nation's troops," says Keith. "They all mean a lot to me and my trips overseas to visit them is what I look forward to every year. I only wish everyone had the opportunity to travel with the USO. It's been the experience of a lifetime for me."

Keith's commitment and devotion to the U.S. military extends far beyond annual USO entertainment tours. Whether distributing free concert tickets to service members, providing military discounts for his growing chain of restaurants, visiting wounded troops or advocating for veterans in the media, Keith's support is ongoing. His dedication was perhaps best exemplified when, during his 2007 tour to Afghanistan, he recognized the need to deliver the day-to-day comforts of home to troops stationed far away from main bases and USO centers. His idea became the "USO To Go" program, which sends much-needed electronics, entertainment and personal care items to troops in remote locations.

In times of peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women since 1941. USO entertainment tours are essential to fulfilling the USO's mission of boosting troop morale. In 2007, the USO produced 74 tours and staged 453 special events, to include music concerts, autograph signings, hospital visits and movie screenings.

AT&T, Inc., is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. For a list of USO tours, visit http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment. To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops, visit http://www.uso.org/.

:clap::clap::clap:

http://uso.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=724
http://www.uso.org/

AEOakley

April 30th, 2008, 7:51 pm

Sesame Street Coaches Kids Through Parent’s Deployments, Returns
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., April 29, 2008 – Following a workshop that helped children cope with a military parent’s deployment, the familiar, furry denizens of Sesame Street are starring in a new program focusing on multiple deployments and family adjustments upon a parent’s return.

Sesame Workshop, the makers of Sesame Street, today released “Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployment, Homecoming, Changes,” a video workshop that aims to aid children in understanding and unbundling the tangle of complex emotions many feel in the midst of a mother’s or father’s tours of duty away from home, and even broaches the difficult subject of dealing with a parent’s debilitating war injury.

“This follow-on DVD to talk about the changes, dealing with new medical injuries -- living in the ‘new normal’ -- is tremendously important,” Army Col. Loree K. Sutton, chief of the newly created Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, said here during the workshop launch at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

More than 80 percent of those surveyed said the first installment of Sesame Workshop’s military outreach effort -- which covered all phases of deployment -- was incredibly effective, Gary E. Knell, president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop. “And they really wanted us to also go to the next step to deal with two issues,” he added, referring to multiple deployments and changes, especially mental or physical injuries parents suffer while deployed.

Read the rest here: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49721

AEOakley

May 1st, 2008, 4:27 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/1Caribou0502.jpg
Managers Kevin Miles (in the baseball cap) and Jake Miller pack boxes with coffee beans donated by Caribou Coffee customers. The 350 pounds of beans are being sent to Minnesota National Guard troops who are serving in Iraq.

Memo to Guard troops in Iraq: Beans incoming
Members of the Minnesota National Guard and other military members affiliated with the state serving in the Middle East will soon be getting a large shipment of coffee beans, courtesy of 13 downtown Minneapolis Caribou Coffee shops and the customers who donated them.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Last update: May 1, 2008 - 1:11 PM

Members of the Minnesota National Guard and other military members affiliated with the state serving in the Middle East will soon receive a large shipment of coffee beans, courtesy of 13 downtown Minneapolis Caribou Coffee shops and customers who donated them.

Jake Miller, who manages the Caribou on the skyway level of Gaviidae Common next to Sack's Fifth Avenue, spent Wednesday packing the last of 60 boxes containing 350 pounds of beans that will be shipped to the troops by the end of the week.

"We want to support the troops any way we can," said Miller. "In a word, this is a 'way to go' for the troops fighting in Iraq."

Miller came up with the idea when he learned that three of his regular customers had husbands overseas. He figured other customers were in the same plight, so he organized the collection.

"They help me, so I wanted to help them," Miller said. "And no better place to do something than where people gather for coffee. After all everybody needs to be caffeinated."

Customers at 13 downtown Caribou stores purchased a variety of blends during a two-week donation period held in April. Caribou is paying the approximately $540 to mail the donated beans to Iraq and other points.

The husband of one of Miller's regulars will receive the shipments and coordinate dispersal on that end.

So, soldiers, "Keep your eyes open for coffee," Miller said. As far as grinders for the beans, "they are on their own."

:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.startribune.com/local/18453304.html

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Let's hope these troops get the grinders, too! :) THANK YOU to these customers and the Minneapolis Caribou Coffee shops for supporting the MN National Guard!! :)

AEOakley

May 2nd, 2008, 12:51 pm

804 boxes Girl Scout cookies headed to troops overseas
Staff and Wire Reports • May 2, 2008

Members of a local soldier support group shipped 804 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to troops stationed overseas last week.

Don Lindsay of May No Soldier Go Unloved and Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka of the Nevada Army National Guard helped Web of Support founder P.J. Degross transport 11 storage boxes packed with goodies from local chapters of the Girl Scouts of America to the Carson City Post Office on Roop Street.

For four years, Web of Support has enabled families to "adopt" soldiers working overseas, sending them gifts and treats throughout their deployments, Degross said.

"Right now, I have some soldiers that could really use the support," she said.

For more information about Web of Support, visit http://webofsupport.com or call 887-1767.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080502/CARSON/805020335/1003

Loyal American

May 2nd, 2008, 12:58 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080502-O-9999F-002.jpg

America Supports You: Organizations Join Forces for Military Families

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2008 – Gift cards can make a stay away from home while a loved one recovers easier for servicemembers and their families

The Fisher House Foundation, which provides living quarters at or near major military medical facilities for families visiting hospitalized servicemembers, frequently provides its residents with such cards, using donated money to purchase them.

“We have purchased American Express, (Army and Airforce Exchange Service), CertifiChecks, Target, Wal-Mart, Giant and Safeway [cards],” said Jim Weiskopf, executive vice president of communications for Fisher House Foundation. “As you know, some of these gift cards have fees associated with them.”

This fact meant that a portion of the donations used to purchase gift cards was used to cover fees that can run about $4.95 for a $100 card.

“We wanted either a Visa or a MasterCard debit card for universal use and found no way to avoid the service fees,” Weiskopf said.

In fact, the foundation capitalized on an American Express special platinum card, which waived processing fees. The foundation purchased a large quantity of the cards, saving a substantial amount of money. But specials like that don’t happen frequently enough to truly benefit organizations like the Fisher House, Weiskopf said.

Now, Bank of America’s Military Segment is helping fix that problem for the Fisher House Foundation.

As part of its continued support of the foundation, the bank has agreed to cover the cost of processing fees, setup charges and shipping fees on cards purchased by the Fisher House Foundation.

“The key point is that for donors, a dollar donated is worth a dollar given to a servicemember or his or her family,” Weiskopf said. “There are no administrative fees.”

Through the partnership, the Fisher House Foundation initially provided the four Fisher Houses at Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with 400 gift cards, each worth $50. Since that distribution, the Fisher House Foundation has bought an additional $220,000 worth of Bank of America gift cards and is in the process of distributing them.

“We continually look for ways to assist our military servicemembers and their families, and this is just one example of our continued commitment,” said Pat Rainey, Bank of America’s senior Military Segment executive.

The Fisher House Foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Bank of America is a corporate supporter of the Defense Department program.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49757

:clap::flag::clap::flag:

Loyal American

May 2nd, 2008, 8:12 pm

Ahhh look AEO the Sesame Street Workshop made S&S, it's an awesome little program that I got to see in action myself while in Germany!

They are doing a great job for the kids!!! :clap::flag::clap::flag:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/webart0503-1.jpg
Staff Sgt. Ramon Padilla, his wife Judith and daughter Emily pose with Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita at a press event for the unveiling of the Sesame Workshop’s new specials designed to help children deal with multiple deployments. The Padillas are one of several military families featured in the program.

New videos of Elmo and gang help military families cope

By Leo Shane III (shanel@stripes.osd.mil), Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, May 3, 2008

WASHINGTON — Elmo’s dad is headed back downrange.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit group behind Sesame Street, is releasing new videos for military families with young children, this time targeting the difficulties of multiple deployments and adjustments after homecomings.

Last year, the organization’s “Talk, Listen, Connect” project — highlighted by a special in which Elmo deals with his father heading off to war — earned praise and even an Emmy nomination for helping military families with young children talk about expectations and difficulties during deployment.

Spokeswoman Pam Hacker said the videos were the next logical step for the project.

In one video, Elmo’s family deals with changes since his father has been gone — Mom reads the bedtime stories now — and how to cope when his unit gets sent overseas again.

In another, Elmo’s friend Rosita adjusts to her father returning from duty in a wheelchair and the changes that creates in their lives.

Accompanying videos for parents outline the message and suggest other activities to help children cope.

Funding for the new videos came from the Department of Defense, Hacker said. Videos and other promotional material will be distributed through bases and through Military OneSource outlets.

Both the old and new videos are available online at sesameworkshop .org/tlc, where military parents can also request a free DVD as well as other handouts for children.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54505

AEOakley

May 3rd, 2008, 12:48 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/WBBM0502garysinise.jpg
Gary Sinise surprised volunteers putting together care packages for U.S. troops at a Lisle, Ill., warehouse May 2. (Photo: CBS)

CSI: NY Star Surprises Volunteers Helping Troops
Reporting Mike Puccinelli

LISLE, Ill. (CBS) ― CSI: New York star Gary Sinise is on a mission. The Chicago-native is back at home to help the troops serving in Iraq.

CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports Sinise, the star of one of the most-watched television shows in the world, surprised volunteers of Operation Support Out Troops at a Lisle warehouse Friday.

"Never take for granted that those gestures that you make by sending these supplies to them mean a whole lot and it can brighten their day and change their lives over there," Sinise said.

And that's the goal of the 300 member volunteer based organization – to change the lives of soldiers, one care package at a time.

The packages are sent overseas to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Josie Martinez's son is in the Army and is an Iraq War veteran. She says the packages boost the morale of America's fighting men and women.

It means a lot to them," Martinez said. "It gives them the desire to just continue and do what they're doing their mission that they have."

Since Operation Support Our Troops started back in 2003 the group has sent out more than 16,000 25-pound boxes.

Each week 230 more boxes are sent out.

Sinise has traveled to Iraq to perform for the troops with his Lieutenant Dan Band, so he's seen how much the care packages are appreciated by the troops.

"Just knowing that America cares and that America is not forgetting them is going to get them through the day and get them home safely," Sinise said.

Sinise is also trying to get out the word about his big summer concert – Rockin' For the Troops, with his Lieutenant Dan Band.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

I'm a huge Gary Sinise fan -- he does SO MUCH for our deployed troops!! :clap:

Read the story and see the video version here: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/gary.sinise.troops.2.714913.html

:flag: :clap: :flag:

AEOakley

May 5th, 2008, 1:57 pm

GOLFERS GATHERING DONATIONS FOR TROOPS

The Ohio Valley Golf Association is working with Support 4 Troops and Military Support Connection on a project titled Operation Sand Save that will collect donations to be sent to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During May, the OVGA will accept golf equipment, sports bottles, powdered sports drink mixes, body powder, foot powder, bug spray (non-aerosol; with Deet is best), fly tapes, sun screen, freezer pops and white sports socks to send to the troops.

A large portion of the donations will be sent to troops currently living in a remote area in tents with no air conditioning.

The collection drive runs through June 7 at each of the OVGA's golf tournament sites - Beckett Ridge Country Club, The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, The Golf Club at Legendary Run and Eagle Creek Country Club - and at the Casey McAlister Classic at Sharon Woods Golf Club. There will be a collection box at the sign-in table for these events.

The dates and starting times for the tournaments are as follows: Beckett Ridge Country Club, West Chester, May 10 at 1 p.m.; The Golf Club at Yankee Trace, Centerville, May 11 at noon; The Golf Club at Legendary Run, Cincinnati, May 17 at noon; Eagle Creek Country Club, Crittenden, May 24 at 10:30 a.m.; and Sharon Woods Golf Club, Sharonville, June 1 at 11:30 a.m.

Read the rest and get contact info here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/SPT/805040452/1062

AEOakley

May 6th, 2008, 1:15 pm

America Supports You: Chrysler Kicks Off Military Appreciation Month
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

DETROIT, May 5, 2008 – Patriotism was in full gear at the Chrysler headquarters today, as hundreds gathered inside the star-spangled atrium of the automaker’s main hub to honor America’s men and women in uniform.

On the tiered floors of the glass-enclosed plaza here, employees hung over railings to watch while their chief executive kicked off Military Appreciation Month by signing an agreement strengthening Chrysler’s ties to Reserve and National Guard troops, and recognizing past and present servicemembers on the automaker’s roster.

“I just want to thank all the men and women who give of themselves, who are apart from their families, who are enduring tremendous hardship to maintain the freedom the democracy on which this country was founded,” said Robert Nardelli, Chrysler’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We are truly blessed.”

As an expression of Chrysler’s gratitude to servicemembers’ sacrifice, Nardelli today signed a 5-Star Military Support Agreement. The document promises Chrysler’s commitment to continue supporting employees who are called into active military service.

“A lot of times people ask, ‘Gee Bob, isn’t that an expense?’” Nardelli said of the pledge. “But I think it’s an investment. People say, ‘Well, isn’t this a burden?’ I say, ‘It’s a responsibility.’

“So today,” he continued, “it is really demonstrating that personal commitment to our men and women in uniform.”

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee agreement signed today follows Chrysler’s recent decision to partner with America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

“Today was above and beyond any corporate event I’ve seen to honor our men and women in the military,” said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, and the architect of America Supports You. “Chrysler is a terrific America Supports You partner and a great example to other corporations that tell the full story.”

Read the rest here: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49783

AEOakley

May 6th, 2008, 8:34 pm

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Northeast Air Defense Sector Security Force Airmen walk through a sea of American flags held by the Patriot Riders, a local group who supports veterans, May 2. The sector held a welcome home ceremony honoring the 30 Airmen who deployed to Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan for six months. (Photo by Master Sgt. David Bishop)

Welcome home ceremony pays tribute to New York Airmen, local community
By Maj. Leo Devine, Northeast Air Defense Sector Public Affairs
May 6, 2008 - 12:25:55 PM

ROME, N.Y. -- Welcome home.

Those two emotion-filled words echoed throughout the auditorium May 2 as 30 New York Air National Guard members of the Northeast Air Defense Sector's security forces were formally united with their family, friends and coworkers after a six-month deployment to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.

As the returning security force members entered the ceremony through a flag-lined path, manned by the veteran's support organization Patriot Riders, they were greeted by cheers and wishes of thanks for their service to the nation.

During the past six months, security force members were part of the 376 Air Expeditionary Wing at Manas Air Base. While deployed, the NEADS members joined a diverse international team at the base including service members from Australia, France, Netherlands, Germany, Afghanistan, Canada, South Korea, and Spain.

Based on their active support abroad in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 30 returning Airmen were awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Each Airman was presented their award by Col. John Bartholf, commander of NEADS.

"It is a tremendous honor for me to present these awards to each of you," Colonel Bartholf reflected. "I know the sacrifices you and your families have made and how difficult it has been during the last six months. We are all very proud of you and your contributions to defending our country and her allies."

This was not only a time to welcome home the Airmen - the unit expressed their thanks to the community members and organizations that supported the security force members and their families throughout the deployment. During the ceremony, plaques of recognition were presented to representatives from O'Brien & Gere, The America Legion, Adirondack Bank, Strough Elementary School, Embroiders Guild of America and New York State Family Readiness. In addition, Lynette Bartholf and Merry Speicher were honored for their contributions to the NEADS Family Support Center.

While the Central New York community banded together to support the deployment, the NEADS security force members in Kyrgyzstan volunteered their time and energy to make a positive difference in the area surrounding Manas Air Base. During their tour of duty in the former Soviet republic, the Airmen delivered food and blankets to the elderly, purchased three tons of coal to heat the local nursery school, repaired 22 computers for the village school, and raised money to purchase a water supply pump and a power transformer.

While the deployment brought together a community of support for the Security Force members, the overall mission of NEADS to provide air sovereignty and execute counter-air operations over the eastern United States in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S.

Northern Command Homeland Defense Missions carried on.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

AEOakley

May 7th, 2008, 11:19 am

Operation Gratitude Celebrates Military Appreciation Month With Shipment of 350,000th Care Package
By Carolyn Blashek
May 6, 2008 - 4:18:33 AM

ENCINO, CA - Throughout the month of May, designated by Congress as Military Appreciation Month, Operation Gratitude will prepare and ship tens of thousands of care packages to U.S. Troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea. Working 7 days a week all month, the tireless volunteers will sort, inspect and organize the millions of donated items to ready them for two energy-filled weekends of Assembly Line action on May 17-18 and May 24-25.

"This will be the fastest paced Care Package Drive we have ever undertaken" declared Charlie Othold, Director of Operations. "We only have two weekends of Prep Work and two weekends of Assembling, but we will get a package shipped to every service member whose name we receive" he promised.

More than 500 Volunteers flocked to the Armory during "Big Sunday Weekend," May 3-4, as part of this renowned Los Angeles City-Wide volunteerism event. The amazing efforts of the dedicated crowd ensured that the Operation Gratitude volunteers will be able to accomplish Othold's goal by the end of May.

In observance of Memorial Day on Saturday May 24, the organization will pay tribute to Wounded Warriors with a screening of the documentary "Warriors...in their own Words" trailer. On the same day, Operation Gratitude will celebrate the shipment of its 350,000th Care Package, the contents of which will remain a secret until the moment the box hits the Assembly Line! The last three milestone Operation Gratitude Care Packages contained the keys to new Dodge or Jeep vehicles.

Stung by the recent Postal Service rate increase of ~10%, Bill Van Trump, Development Director, is encouraging supporters to donate funds to pay postage costs, rather than purchase items for the packages. "We have been extremely fortunate to receive very generous product donations from our Corporate Sponsors this year" explained Van Trump. "Our biggest needs now are funds and personal hand-written letters."

WHAT: Operation Gratitude 2008 Patriotic Drive

WHEN: May 17-18 and May 24-25

WHERE: California Army National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard; Van Nuys, CA 91436

Media and press are invited to attend all weekends.

Volunteers 12 years and older are welcome to participate at the Armory.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

Read the rest here:
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/living/Operation-Gratitude-Celebrates-Military-Appreciation-Month-With-Shipment-of-350-000th-Care-Package16282.shtml

AEOakley

May 9th, 2008, 12:11 pm

...in Pittsgrove Township, NJ --

Pittsgrove helps troops
Thursday, May 08, 2008

Special to the News

PITTSGROVE TWP. -- "Support The Troops NJ" will have a booth at Pittsgrove Day, Saturday, May 17, in order to accept donations of supplies to send to our troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and on U.S. Navy ships in the area.

They will also be accepting donations for postage and providing information about how to support our troops.

Donated items can include small and individual-sized microwaveable foods, powdered drink mix singles, snack foods, toiletries and activity materials.

Visitors to the "Support The Troops NJ" booth will also be able to sign get-well cards for wounded troops around the country and abroad.

Pittsgrove Day is also Armed Forces Day, which was established by President Harry S. Truman for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

"Support The Troops NJ" hopes visitors will honor this day by donating supplies for our current armed forces.

Launched in October 2007 by Pittsgrove Township couple Regina and Jim Shuster, "Support The Troops NJ" has mailed more than 70 packages to the troops.

For a complete list of acceptable donations and other helpful information, go to the Shuster's Web site at www.SupportTheTroopsNJ.org. Monetary donations can be sent to "Support The Troops NJ," P.O. Box 381, Franklinville, NJ 08322.

For more information or to learn how you can help, call 358-7193 or e-mail SupportTheTroopsNJ@comcast.net.

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1210224329258660.xml&coll=10

And in time for Mother's Day: :clap:
U.S. Troops in Iraq Connect With Family and Friends via TelePresence
Marketwire
Cisco, Verizon Business and Wal-Mart Team With SkyPort and the USO to Help Troops Speak to and See Loved Ones at Home

Read the story here: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0395035.htm

And here:
http://newsblaze.com/story/2008050805032400007.pnw/newsblaze/IRAQ0001/Iraq.html

:flag: :clap: :flag:

hawaii-jason luis rivera

May 9th, 2008, 12:25 pm

AEOakley

May 12th, 2008, 9:27 pm

The larger our army, the less the enemy, and the friends of our enemy will be able to use a multfaceted, multi front tactic in order to thin U.S. out. Let U.S. be the worlds largest military. GOD bless every troop, that rise to the ocasion or, sadly, tearfully, have fallen.
I love you wariors.

Thanks for the comment.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Here's another story...unfortunately photobucket is down right now so I can't post the photo here...it's very sweet and worth seeing, IMO!

On a mission for the troops
BY SARAH HARDEE | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR

FORT THOMAS - While first-grader Spencer Macke will never get to meet the hero he's prayed for over the past four years, the Moyer Elementary School student will pay tribute to the fallen soldier this week by supporting the organization that was established in his honor.

Spencer has been busy making ribbons this month for a five-day project that will benefit the Yellow Ribbon Support Center - the Eastgate-based organization created by Keith and Carolyn Maupin, parents of Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, who was captured in 2004 while serving in Iraq.

After four years, the Maupins learned March 30 that their son's body was found in Iraq.

Spencer knows the story of Matt Maupin and the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, and decided he wanted to help the Maupin family support the troops.

His first thought was a lemonade stand, but he later decided selling homemade yellow ribbons to raise funds for the center was a better idea.

"Spencer loves 'army men,' as he calls them, and wanted to do something to help," said Spencer's mother, Tricia Macke. "He wanted to come up with his own way to help the Maupin family."

This week, he is setting up a stand before and after school, Monday through Friday, and will hit all five schools in the Fort Thomas Independent School District. He will sell his ribbons for $1 each, and donate the money to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center. Spencer also is planning to collect items for soldiers that can be shipped overseas.

On Monday, Spencer will kick off his project at Moyer Elementary. He'll then be at Woodfill Elementary on Tuesday, Johnson Elementary on Wednesday, Highlands Middle School on Thursday and Highlands High School on Friday. His stand will be set up 7:30-8 a.m. and 3-3:30 p.m.

Spencer said he wants to help the center support soldiers and plans to sell "lots and lots of ribbons."

"(Soldiers) help keep us safe," he said. "I want to help them."

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Read the story and see the photo here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080511/NEWS0103/805110390/1058/NEWS01

Loyal American

May 13th, 2008, 1:03 am

AEO, the Macke's have to be so proud of Spencer! How beautiful is that child and his endeavor? God bless his heart! :flag:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/bilde.jpg
Spencer gets some help from sister Piper, 6, on his project to sell ribbons in Fort Thomas schools to benefit the organization whose main goal is to raise the morale of troops serving overseas.

Sneaky SF Dude

May 13th, 2008, 1:10 am

Excellent thread ladies. Well done.

AEOakley

May 13th, 2008, 2:59 pm

Excellent thread ladies. Well done.

Thanks, Sneaky. :)

Here's a story about some military moms -- I'd say they're the polar opposite of another group (which shall remain nameless) made famous by protesting Marines in Berkeley...

Military moms march for troops
Event sponsored by group that supports area military families

By Megin Potter
mpotter@poststar.com
Published: Monday, May 12, 2008

GLENS FALLS -- "They also serve who only stand and wait."

This final line of John Milton's poem "On His Blindness" hit home for Dana Marcotte, who has two sons serving in the National Guard.

She is at home, but it is not in her nature to stand and wait, she said, so she joined the Glens Falls Family Readiness Group because the group provides support to the soldiers -- and support for the families as well.

The group, made up of family members and friends of deployed troops, holds meetings at the armory on Warren Street to provide practical advice to one another and to share stories about how to adjust to military deployments and separations.

On Sunday, the group held a Mother's Day March for Deployed Soldiers to raise awareness for the troops that are still fighting.

About 30 people took part in the march, some wearing navy blue T-shirts declaring in bold letters, "Support Our Troops." Some were pushing strollers; one was in a wheelchair. Some of the children were skipping along the route, while others trod solemnly with their heads down. Some were waving American flags, and nearly everyone displayed a yellow ribbon as a sign of remembrance for their absent loved ones.

Marcotte said she didn't encourage her sons to sign up to serve, but that she couldn't discourage it either.

"It's something they chose to do," said Marcotte. "We didn't discourage it. It's a noble thing."

Marcotte said even though she supported her sons' decision to join the Guard, it has been difficult on her.

"It's hard. It's difficult when they're away, of course," said Marcotte. "The group helps you keep busy when they're away."

Marcotte works as an audio-visual technical support aide at Corinth Central School but comes to the group because it is a positive way to fill her free time. That helps her worry less about her sons and helps her sons worry less about her while they are away, she said.

"Everyone has had their crying moments," said Marcotte. "But we try not to dwell on it. We try to be positive and move on."

Her positive outlook stems, in part, from the positive experiences that her family has enjoyed.

"My family has had nothing but good experiences with the National Guard," said Marcotte.

The march route took participants down Warren Street, then along Glen Street to Crandall Park. Cars honked their horns in a show of support and marchers waved their flags.

Hot dogs, baked goods and refreshments were available for hungry marchers once they arrived at the park.

Any money raised by the event will be used to send packages to troops deployed in Afghanistan, said National Guard recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Coon.

In a short speech at the park, Coon honored Dana Marcotte's sons, 25-year-old Mathew Marcotte, who served in Iraq, and 21-year-old Gregory Marcotte, who was home from Afghanistan for two weeks of rest and relaxation.

Like most of the marchers, Gregory Marcotte said he took part in the event to support the family and friends that are still there.

Read article and see photos here: http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/05/12/news/local/13587058.txt

Loyal American

May 14th, 2008, 1:06 pm

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Bootcamp’ Gives Vets Entrepreneurial Edge

BROOKS CITY-BASE, Texas, May 14, 2008 – Starting your own business can be a daunting venture, even under the best of circumstances. But add to that the challenges of being a service-disabled veteran, and the experience can be overwhelming.

That scenario troubled Mike Haynie, a former Air Force major. A few months after beginning his new career as assistant professor of entrepreneurship and emerging enterprise at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management in upstate New York, Haynie set out to help those veterans.

He felt “very linked in and connected to what was going on in the military, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said, and had read newspaper articles about the challenges servicemen and women face when they return home with a disability as a result of their military service.

“At the same time, I had been doing some academic research on why people choose small-business ownership and entrepreneurship as a career,” Haynie said. He found that people who are disadvantaged -- whether socially, economically or physically -- are drawn to business ownership and entrepreneurship.

“People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be self-employed than the general population in the U.S.,” he said. “It occurred to me that here I am, at the No. 1 ranked entrepreneurship program in the country as a professor and a background in entrepreneurship -- why couldn’t we do something? So I took that to my dean, who is a Vietnam-era vet. And before I even got halfway through my pitch, he stopped me and said, ‘We’re doing this.’”

“This” is the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, a free program that began at Syracuse University in 2007 and is expanding this summer to three other campuses: UCLA Anderson School of Management, Florida State University’s College of Business, and Mays Business School at Texas A&M.
Read much more in link:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49866

AWESOME!!! :clap::flag::clap::flag:

Loyal American

May 14th, 2008, 1:29 pm

Historical Group Continues Serving U.S. Troops

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – Through three military conflicts, beginning with the Civil War, a group of women contributed to the war effort by making bandages for the troops.

While they no longer make bandages, the Virginia-based United Daughters of the Confederacy strives to support the country’s servicemembers through historical, educational, benevolent, memorial and patriotic means.

“Since we are a country at war against terrorism, the patriotic objective is the one being focused upon at the present time,” said Sherry Davis, chairman of patriotic activities for the general, or national, organization.

The organization meets its goals of patriotic outreach in many ways, Davis said. The members offer prayers for servicemembers and the country’s leaders, and sends care packages, phone cards, air conditioners and letters. They also send Christmas cards to the troops, with one chapter sending 10,000 cards one holiday season.

United Daughters of the Confederacy also supports the wounded, sending civilian clothing to Germany for those recuperating from injuries.

Appreciation for their support is evident in e-mails members receive from troops serving overseas. A young Marine, Patrick Fike, acted as a mailman of sorts while serving in Baghdad. He received packages from United Daughters of the Confederacy chapters and passed them out to those who got little or no mail.

“We were so blessed to know Patrick and have him do this for us,” Davis said. “I certainly didn’t ask [him] to send me messages, as he had his family and girlfriend to send to, but he took time to send many to me.”

A new supporter of the “America Supports You” program, United Daughters of the Confederacy is hoping to give more to the program than it receives.

America Supports You, a Defense Department program, connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

“We want to give support to our troops and our veterans as we have for all the years since we were organized in 1894,” Davis said. “Our efforts warm our hearts and that is the reward received.”

Perhaps the affiliation will help to inform the American public about what United Daughters of the Confederacy is undertaking and afford it a new credibility, she added.

“Credibility may come when people learn of the [United Daughters of the Confederacy’s] current efforts and know that this organization is not refighting a 150-year-old conflict,” Davis said.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49868

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 14th, 2008, 5:03 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080513-F-4335C-200.jpg

Read much more in link:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49866

AWESOME!!! :clap::flag::clap::flag:

Great posts, L.A.! Thanks!!

AEOakley

May 15th, 2008, 1:45 pm

America Supports You: Anheuser-Busch Offers Free Theme Park Admission
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2008 – For the rest of this year, sitting in Shamu the killer whale’s “splash zone” or talking turkey with a big yellow bird are just two activities servicemembers and their families can enjoy for free at Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks.

Through its “Here’s to the Heroes” program, which began in 2005, the brewing company is offering free tickets to its theme parks for servicemembers and up to three family members to thank them for all they do in service to the country.

“It’s important to us for all the reasons you can probably predict,” said Fred Jacobs, vice president of communications for Anheuser-Busch. “[This] is a great way for them to reconnect, particularly if they’ve been separated.”

Jacobs knows the program is living up to the company’s goals when he sees letters like one an airman wrote.

Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Huffman said in his letter that he didn’t join the service for applause or to become a hero, but is simply serving his country as his father and grandfather did.

In his 26 years of service, Huffman said, he’s seen the pendulum of public support swing from the more negative end of the spectrum to where it is today.

“I see the people express their support, and while I do appreciate it, I never really gave it much thought … until I sat through the opening video of the whale show at Sea World,” he said in the letter to Anheuser-Busch. “There before [everyone] was your CEO expressing his gratitude to me. Sure, it wasn’t directed solely at me, … [but] I felt a pride in serving that I had forgotten was in me. I had become so complacent.

“For that alone, I owe you thanks,” Huffman added. “The free admission and opportunity to enjoy some high-quality family time was icing on the cake.”

Active-duty servicemembers, activated or drilling reservists from all five branches of service, and National Guardsmen are eligible for the program.

All servicemembers need do is register online, print and sign the form and bring it with them. If the form can’t be printed, it can be filled out upon arrival at the park. Every person over 10 participating in this program must present valid active-duty military or service identification.

Each pass is valid for a one-day admission per person per year to five of Anheuser-Busch’s seven theme park brands. Visitors may choose Sea World Orlando, San Diego or San Antonio; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Williamsburg; Pennsylvania’s Sesame Place; Florida’s Adventure Island; or Virginia’s Water Country USA. Discovery Cove and Aquatica parks are not included in this offer.

Anheuser-Bush is a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49885
http://www.herosalute.com/

AEOakley

May 15th, 2008, 4:34 pm

'Support Our Troops' events set for Saturday
By KATHARINE HARMON
Evening Sun Reporter
Article Launched: 05/15/2008 07:44:57 AM EDT

Having a yellow ribbon up at Battlefield Harley-Davidson for the five years since U.S. troops stepped foot in Iraq wasn't enough for Jennifer LeVan.

She wanted to do more for the men and women fighting overseas and that tradition will continue with Saturday's Second Annual Support Our Troops.

Saturday's event will include speakers, music, color guards and most importantly, veterans.

Deborah Higgins, who is the mother of fallen Marine Lance Cpl. James W. Higgins, will speak at the event on behalf of the National Fallen Heroes Memorial.

"Her way of coping with the loss is to work tirelessly to create the memorial," LeVan said of Deborah Higgins.

Higgins will also have information about fundraising and planning for the Frederick, Md., memorial, which was her son's idea before his death.

Two representatives from the Disabled American Veterans Association will be at Battlefield Harley-Davidson all day to provide counseling and claim-filling assistance to veterans.

"Navigating the V.A. (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs) isn't always easy," LeVan said, adding that the counseling will be free of charge.

The representatives are schooled in the full range of benefits for military veterans and retirees. LeVan suggested that those with existing medical claims bring their information.

The program starts at 1 p.m. but LeVan urged that people arrive around noon to find parking.

The Mason-Dixon chapter of the American Bikers Advocating Training and Education (ABATE) will kick off the event as they ride in with large flags on the back of their motorcycles, LeVan said.

The U.S. Vets Motorcycle Club will bring soldiers from Walter Reed Memorial Hospital and the Bethesda Naval Hospital to Gettysburg Saturday.

Anyone who wants to speak during the event is welcome to do so and LeVan said there will be a sign-up sheet.

Those who attend Support Our Troops are asked to bring donations for birthday gift boxes to send to the troops. The Remember the Heroes of America Project will also be collecting the names and addresses of local troops to send them gift boxes as well, LeVan said.

The proceeds from the event will go to the U.S. Vets Motorcycle Club to purchase items for recovering soldiers at the hospitals.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_9267393
http://www.nationalfallenheroes.org/

Battlefield Harley-Davidson
21 Cavalry Field Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325

AEOakley

May 15th, 2008, 11:05 pm

OUR MISSION:

A Million Thanks is a year-round campaign to show our U.S. Military Men and Women, past and present, our appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country through our letters, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts.

http://www.amillionthanks.org/

RULES and GUIDELINES

* All letters and/or cards will be screened for security reasons.
* IF YOU ARE SENDING MORE THAN ONE LETTER/CARD DO NOT PLACE IN INDIVIDUAL ENVELOPES.
* We reserve the right to eliminate those messages that are political in nature and that do not reflect a positive message in the spirit of National Military Appreciation Month.
* Handmade cards are preferred but please follow the guidelines below.
* If you are mailing letters/cards in bulk ( 100 or more from a school, company or organization), BUNDLE them in units of 100 using two rubber bands wrapped one lengthwise and the other widthwise. This aids us in sorting.

GUIDELINES FOR HANDMADE THANK YOU/APPRECIATION CARDS

* Any size card will be accepted.
* Please do not use glitter on cards
* Unfortunately, candy or other food items cannot be accepted and should not be included or attached to cards.
* Military personnel love to communicate with us! You can include your name, address or email address if you so desire.
* Photos of the sender, sender’s family, church, or classroom participants can add a personal touch to your card. Photos must be appropriate.
* The more positive the message the better! Care should be taken not to refer to anything that may cause grief or uneasiness to the military reader who may be serving active duty. (i.e., “I hope you don’t get killed” or “Do you miss your family?”)

CARDS/LETTERS THAT ARE NOT SENT PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES ABOVE MAY NOT BE DELIVERED. FOLLOW THE RULES CAREFULLY!!

Rhonda

May 16th, 2008, 12:27 am

http://www.amillionthanks.org/

This is great AEOakley...the Soldiers love something that has been made and written with human hands.

You are a great American..thank you for all you do

God Bless our Troops

AEOakley

May 16th, 2008, 11:29 am

This is great AEOakley...the Soldiers love something that has been made and written with human hands.

You are a great American..thank you for all you do

God Bless our Troops

Thank YOU, Rhonda! Here's another story about some patriotic students who recognize that soldiers need to know they're not forgotten...:clap:

Students show appreciation for the military
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Friends Ashley Cooke and Heather Tomaszewski baked snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies on Monday and delivered them to the Simi Valley Police.

So went a typical day for students in leadership class at Sinaloa Middle School.

English teacher Jennifer Healy guides the class, which encourages students to participate in community service activities- from baking goodies during Police Appreciation Week to writing cards for U.S. soldiers abroad during Military Appreciation Month.

Leadership tries to organize at least one activity a month, and Healy makes sure a variety of events are in the mix.

"We do a lot of stuff. This is really a fun class," said Ashley, 14, an eighth-grader who is the leadership class president. "We help out with school activities, dances and with the Renaissance program. Leadership is a good way to help our community and get our school involved and make sure school's a fun place to be."

Renaissance is a program that celebrates students' academic achievement.

Renaissance students, who carry a 3.0 GPA or higher or improve their GPA by 0.5 from the previous quarter, are recognized at pep rallies and through weekly awards. The leadership class also hands out weekly prizes for those who qualify, which is about half the student body.

During lunch last week, about 100 students wrote cards for members of the armed forces.

The cards were sent to Operation Gratitude, a charity which will distribute the cards to troops.

"I think it's really important that our troops know that no one has forgotten about them," said Heather, 14, an eighth-grader and vice president of the leadership class. "I think it's great that they're going to receive letters that kids have written."

Leadership students created announcements and posters for the event, encouraging classmates to write little notes of thanks.

The class is organizing a Share our Soles shoe drive for May 19 to 23.

Students will be asked to donate new or gently used shoes for children in other countries who have nothing to protect their feet.

For Teacher Appreciation Week recently, students gave small gifts of candy or other surprises to teachers.

Healy thinks it's important to teach youngsters the importance of community service.

"I definitely want our kids to have the opportunity to reach out and help," she said. "I think at their age, it's critical to have that foundation.

"I tell my students, you don't have to go to a foreign country to serve. There are little ways to serve people all around. You can do something simple, like bring people shoes or sign a card or buy a keychain with the money that goes (to people in need). It might not be huge, but it's really going to impact people."

:clap::clap::clap:

http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2008/0516/schools/051.html

Loyal American

May 16th, 2008, 3:37 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_20080511-A-4153D-002.jpg
Jeff Nelson, a former New York Yankees relief pitcher, signs a baseball for a fan at a Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored event at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 11, 2008. The Heroes of the Diamond Tour brought four retired Major League Baseball players to visit with deployed servicemembers.

Retired Baseball Players Visit Troops in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 16, 2008 – The Heroes of the Diamond Tour brought four retired Major League Baseball players to visit servicemembers here May 11.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored event featured Tim Salmon, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim right fielder; Dean Palmer, Detroit Tigers third baseman; Mike Remlinger, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher; and Jeff Nelson, New York Yankees relief pitcher.

“We were glad that these players came, because a few were fresh out of the league,” said Brian P. Lee, director and tour manager.

Lee said he sought players that servicemembers could recognize. For one soldier, Lee’s pick in ball players was right on the money.

“I have been watching Tim Salmon since I was a kid,” Army Sgt. Jeff M. Lucenti said. “This is the first person I have been excited to see, and it means a lot because I was at the last game he played in.”

Lucenti said he was honored to meet one of his childhood heroes. Others shared the sentiment, as well.

“We really appreciate the players coming out and sharing with us,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Rob Rocco. “Today is Mother’s Day, and yet they sacrifice time to be here with us.”

The major leaguers said the feelings were reciprocal.

“We wanted to come and show how much we support you,” Remlinger said. “Being here with these soldiers and listening to their stories makes me realize how real this war is.”

Palmer agreed and said that being able to talk with the servicemembers and listening to the things they have experienced has been one of the best experiences of his life.

The players autographed photos, papers and other memorabilia members brought in.

Some, like Rocco, plan on sending their new “treasures” home.

“What is more American than baseball?” asked Rocco, who added that he was very excited about sending his daughter a baseball that all the “heroes” signed. “This event was great.”

A newly arrived airman also shared his reaction to the event.

“I haven’t been here 24 hours,” said Air Force Capt. Andres Munera. “This really is a huge morale builder for me, since this is a fresh beginning for me, and my son is going to love this ball they all signed.”

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49902

There are more photo's in the above link! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

May 16th, 2008, 7:52 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080516-D-8901Q-009.jpg
Bob Nardelli, Chrysler chairman and CEO, talks with Marian Watt of Operation Quiet Comfort on May 16, 2008. Nardelli was at the Pentagon to talk with senior defense officials regarding his company's military-support initiatives. He visited representatives of some 38 troop-support groups who were participating in the 4th Annual America Supports You Salute to Our Military Men and Women.

America Supports You: Chrysler Initiatives an ‘Investment in Freedom’

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 – The support Chrysler LLC offers the military is “an investment in freedom,” the company’s chief executive officer said today.

Bob Nardelli, Chrysler’s top official, was at the Pentagon today to discuss his company’s initiatives with senior defense officials.

The visit comes on the heels of the car maker’s official kick off of its “Honoring Those Who Serve” program.

“We’re here to talk about basically a three-pronged program,” Nardelli said. “What we’re trying to promote here is an awareness of the importance of, first of all, creating jobs.”

There is nothing better to do for the self-esteem of servicemembers than to create job opportunities, Nardelli said. In working to make that happen, the corporation has reached out to its 3,500 dealers across the country, and all of them are on board, he said.

To support this aspect of the initiative, Chrysler is putting training programs online so when servicemembers are discharged they can already be certified, qualified and aware of opportunities available to them.

The company also offers sound financial support to its employees who are National Guardsmen and reservists.

“We make up any gap in payroll, [and] we continue to support all of their benefits [while they are activated],” Nardelli said. “Beyond that, we also have a transportation program where we offer not only active men and women, but retirees, a substantial reduction in the cost of owning any Chrysler vehicle [and] services.”

In addition, Chrysler, working with home-front groups, has sent more than 300,000 care packages to deployed troops and has contributed to the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

“Those are the kinds of things we’re actively involved in [to show] our kind of support, our recognition, our appreciation for these brave men and women,” Nardelli said. “I think there’s no higher calling than to serve their country.

“I don’t think we can thank them enough,” he added. “I don’t think we can honor them enough.”

Before departing the Pentagon, Nardelli took in some of the performance by the “Lt. Dan Band.” The band, co-founded by actor Gary Sinise, plays mostly for military audiences and was on hand for the 4th Annual America Supports You Salute to Our Military Men and Women.

Nardelli also took time to stop and talk with representatives of 38 home-front groups that attended the event to show their support of troops and share information about their groups’ activities.

Chrysler is a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080516-D-8901Q-010.jpg
Bob Nardelli, Chrysler chairman and CEO, writes a message of support to the troops while visiting with representatives of Operation from the Heart on May 16,2008.

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 17th, 2008, 1:04 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/Sinise.jpg

CSI NY Sinise Rocks Pentagon, Supports Troops

By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 - Award-winning actor and part-time rocker Gary Sinise and the "Lt. Dan Band" jammed for a standing-room-only crowd in the courtyard of the Pentagon.

"Rocking at the Pentagon," Sinise exclaimed mid-set for a much-appreciative audience.

The band played for the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert as part of Military Appreciation Month celebrations. The event was televised live to troops overseas via American Forces Network.

"The opportunity to reach out and make a difference, just for a few minutes if for nothing else, in the lives of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen deployed all around the world is something that is very special and a great opportunity," said Marine Gen. General James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The crowd was packed with soldiers, family members, civilians and veterans. Overcast skies eventually gave way to the sun, and the audience warmed up to the mix of rock, pop, and country music by clapping, waving their arms and tapping their feet on the ground muddied by an overnight rain.

Sinise and his band have toured military bases in Europe, and he has performed in Iraq three times. He heads back for his fourth trip this summer. Stateside, the band tours bases and plays on weekends when Sinise is not filming his hit TV drama, "CSI NY." Sinise has played at about 75 installations worldwide.

"It's very, very important that you know you are appreciated and that we're grateful and that we're not going to forget the sacrifices that you and your families make for our nation," he said. "We want everybody who is watching this around the world to know that we're here supporting you. We believe in you. We are depending on you. You are our volunteer defenders, and we never take that for granted."

Toward the end of the concert, Sinise broke from the stage and went into the crowd, dancing and playing with members of the audience. He sat next to wounded warrior Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Stengel sitting in the front row and, while playing, asked how Stengel was recovering. The Marine said the concert was a good break from his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. Stengel was injured in Iraq on Feb. 2, 2007, by a roadside bomb,

"I thought it was awesome. I thought it was amazing," Stengel said. "It's a break for us to get away from the hospital scene. We're at the hospital going through therapy day in and day out. We kind of need a break."

Sinise also sidled next to Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rene Rubiella, from 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Rubiella joined in with a little "air" guitar of his own.

Rubiella was at the Pentagon following a ceremony in which he received the President's Volunteer Service Award. "It's extraordinary. We commit our lives to freedom and supporting the Constitution," he said. "It's people like Gary that turn around and make us feel that we are appreciated and that we are loved and that there is a commitment from our nation that we are not forgotten," Rubiella said.

This was Rubiella's first time at the Pentagon. He has volunteered for multiple tours to Iraq. "I am so grateful that people take the time to commit, to volunteer their time and put on these events for our entertainment. I had a ball," he said. "It just means the world to you. It reaches your heart."

One of the most vocal members of the crowd, delivering several loud, appreciative "whoops" of support at the end of the show as the band played the finale "Proud to be an American," was Army Lt. Col. Scott Turner.

"I just think it's great what Gary does. I think he's a true patriot," Turner said. "I'm very hopeful that he's reflective of all the men and women of the nation. And it's just great that he would take his time to come out and support the troops."

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.australia.to/story/0,25197,23040467-057,00,00.html

Loyal American

May 18th, 2008, 7:14 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080518-D-8901Q-001.jpg
Mindy Andrews, right hand raised, takes the oath of enlistment from U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana during a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Andrews was one of 55 Hoosiers to take part in the annual "Bump Day" tradition.

Indy Motor Speedway Salutes New Recruits

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

INDIANAPOLIS, May 18, 2008 – While race car drivers sped around the track trying to bump slower competitors out of next week’s 92nd Indianapolis 500 lineup, 55 military recruits took a step to shift their lives into high gear.

Coinciding with “Bump Day,” the last day of timed driver qualifications, the track hosted its Armed Forces Day celebration. The day included a military band, an F-16 flyover by the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard and the annual trackside enlistment ceremony.

“Our armed forces have the … ability to make a supreme difference,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, who administered the oath of enlistment. “I thank these young people for their service every day.”

Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison, offered her thanks and encouragement as well.

“At no time in our nation’s history have we seen more support for our men and women in the military than we do today,” she told the recruits and their families and friends. “That’s a good news story for all of us.”

Barber went on to tell the recruits about a friend who originally enlisted in the Army with thoughts of serving for just a few years. Just last week that friend was promoted to the rank of general.

“She’s an example of what Abraham Lincoln meant when he said, ‘Whatever you are, be a good one,’” Barber said. “Whether you’re joining for a few years or if you’re going to stay to be a general, I ask you to be a good one.”

Mindy Andrews said she’s joining the Navy to be a better mom to her 17-month-old daughter.

“I’m a single mom,” the 26-year-old from Shelbyville, Ind., said. “I have a little girl [and] I want her to have a real positive, strong, female role model.”

Other recruits said they realized the military was the right choice for them and now was the right time to enlist.

“Things at home were kind of slowing down,” said Jerad Maxwell, who chose to join the Coast Guard. “I’m not really getting anywhere with school or my job, so I figured I better go in the military.”

The Fort Wayne, Ind., volunteer firefighter enjoys responding to emergency situations and staying in the country was important to him. “So I kind of figured the Coast Guard was for me,” he said.

One recruit in particular said had always known he wanted to enlist in the Army. He just had to wait until he was old enough.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the Army, ever since I was in first grade with my friend … We’d play Army in the backyard,” said Devon Pollard, an Army National Guard enlistee from Indianapolis. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Pollard, who enlisted through the Delayed Entry Program, will spend the summer before his high school senior year in basic training at Fort Benning, Ga.

He’s not bemoaning the fact, though. In fact, Pollard was so enthusiastic about the enlistment ceremony that he had trouble finding words to express himself. “I’m honored. I’m actually speechless,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say.”

Nickolas Stafford of Martinsville, Ind., who enlisted in the Marine Corps today, didn’t have that problem.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t pass it up,” he said, adding that the ceremony was his first trip to the Indianapolis track. “It’s really quite awesome.”

Today’s ceremony concluded with a medley of the service anthems before cars reemerged on the track to continue their dizzying laps.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080518-D-8901Q-002.jpg
During a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 55 recruits from the Hoosier state took the oath of enlistment. The enlistment ceremony is an annual "Bump Day" tradition at the speedway.

Several additional photo's in link:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49921

:flag:

AEOakley

May 19th, 2008, 6:29 pm

Quilts for the troops: Coverings show students' appreciation for soldiers' sacrifices

By Erica Hobbs, staff writer
Hillsdale Daily News
Posted May 17, 2008 @ 10:58 AM

Hillsdale, Mich. — You’re never too young to support our troops.

Just ask the students of Mrs. Annette Van Aken’s class at Bailey Elementary School.

The first-graders collaborated with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust to create quilts and send them to soldiers from Hillsdale County in Iraq.

The students gathered Wednesday morning to give the quilts to National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Gary Easterling and his son Pvt. Michael Easterling.

Ann-Marie Bentley, the bank’s Hillsdale regional branch manager came up with the idea after seeing a desire in the community to show support for troops in Iraq.

“We had one of our customers have a soldier that was wounded in Iraq,” she said, “ and it brought so much recognition in the community, we wanted to help with that and show our support for all of them who were serving.”

Bentley stumbled upon the quilt idea in a magazine and thought it would be a great way to send a positive message.

The 32-by-48-inch quilts are made up of 24 8-inch white squares tied together in the corners with ribbons. Each square is decorated individually by community members.

The bank created two quilts with the help of its customers and community members but wanted to involve local children as well. Bank employee Karen Christensen’s son, Caleb, is a student in. Van Aken’s class, and thought it was a great opportunity to expand the project.

“It’s the patriotism that’s just so important,” she said.

Van Aken thought it was a great idea that fit into her class’s philanthropic philosophy, “smiles are contagious.”

“(Even) when you’re small you can make a difference,” she said. “Hopefully the quilt we’re making will make somebody smile.”

Students showed off their individual squares to the soldiers, explaining the reasons for their designs. One child held up a picture of a snowman, because it is hot in Iraq and he thought the soldiers might have missed winter. Another little girl showed off a bouquet of flowers, because it is spring time and “everyone likes flowers.”

Gary and Michael Easterling thanked them for the quilts and spoke about what it feels like to receive this kind of support from home.

“I can tell you, when you get quilts like that it is amazing,” Gary Easterling said. “It brightens your day...when you receive stuff from the community it just makes you feel good.”

Gary Easterling plans to send the quilts immediately to the troops in Iraq and will ensure that they go to soldiers from Hillsdale County.

As the morning wound down, students’ hands shot in the air, peppering the Easterlings with all sorts of questions about what it was like in the military. As the Easterlings responded to an array of questions about tanks and guns, Niya Phillips in the back corner was called on to ask her unexpected “question.”

The little girl stood up and looked the Easterlings directly in the face.

“Thank you for keeping our state safe.”

:flag::clap::flag:

Go here to see photos of the quilts: http://www.hillsdale.net/news/x1946826639/Quilts-for-the-troops

Loyal American

May 20th, 2008, 11:04 am

Webcasts to Allow Deployed Parents to Watch Graduations

WIESBADEN, Germany, May 20, 2008 – Hundreds of troops deployed from Europe will be able to see their children’s high school graduation ceremonies via live webcasts, Department of Defense Dependents Schools Europe officials announced.

DoDDS Europe, U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army 5th Signal Command have combined assets, talents and technologies to enable the live webcasts. The effort will allow at least 18 graduation ceremonies to be viewed by an estimated 211 deployed parents in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world.

The first graduation ceremony will be webcast June 5; 10 graduation ceremonies will take place simultaneously on June 6; and the last ceremony will be webcast June 13. Schools identified as having students with deployed parents are:

-- June 5: Hanau and Bamberg, Germany;

-- June 6: Naples, Italy; Heidelberg, Hohenfels, Kaiserslautern, Ansbach, Baumholder, Ramstein and Vilsek, Germany; Lakenheath, England; and Aviano, Italy;

-- June 7: Mannheim, Germany; and Rota, Spain;

-- June 8: Patch High School, in Stuttgart, Germany; H.H. Arnold High School, in Wiesbaden, Germany; and Vicenza, Italy; and

-- June 13: AFNORTH International High School, in Brunssum, Belgium.

Deployed parents will be able to see their graduating seniors cross the stage and view student messages recorded for the occasion.

This is the fifth year the effort has been undertaken. Diana Ohman, director of DoDDS Europe, who has been involved with each of the yearly webcasts, said that although it is a monumental technical challenge, these webcasts are emotionally significant to the students and the deployed parents.

“There is no room for error; it is too important,” she said. “It is important to the graduating senior that he or she be able to share the event with their parents, as well as for the deployed parent to be able to view their son or daughter crossing the stage.”

Planning for this year’s webcast began in January. Seniors who had or anticipated having parents deployed at graduation were identified through the high schools.

Sweet! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

May 20th, 2008, 12:16 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080519-F-8733W-078.jpg
Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders Jessie, Sarah, Amanda, Peyton and Bailey perform a dance routine during the cheerleaders’ performance at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 19, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Combined Joint Task Force 101

Vikings Cheerleaders Visit Bagram Air Base

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 20, 2008 – Historically speaking, Vikings and Afghanistan don’t have much in common, but all that changed yesterday when five cheerleaders from the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings pumped up a standing-room-only crowd of servicemembers here.

The event started with songs, dancing and cheers intended to vitalize the troops’ spirits, Vikings cheerleader Peyton said. Team policy is to use only cheerleaders’ first names.

“We are all very glad to be here, and we are going to put on a great show,” Peyton said as she warmed up before the event. “This is our last show in Afghanistan, and we want to make this a night the troops will remember.”

With a promise to give the night their all, the cheerleaders went backstage and the event coordinators began letting in the men and women who were anxiously waiting outside.

First through the door was U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Oscar Bruck, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron phase crew chief. “I’ve been waiting here since 6:20 (p.m.),” said Bruck, a Marlett, Mich., native deployed from the Royal Air Force base at Lakenheath, England. The event did not start until 8 p.m., but waiting nearly two hours didn’t bother Bruck. “I wanted a front-row seat to make sure I got good photos,” he said.

Good photos were not all Bruck received. He also got picked to come onstage, meet the cheerleaders and challenge 19 other servicemembers to a push-up contest.

Bruck did not win the contest, as his skills were no match for Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Gilbert Corpuz, who knocked out 103 regulation push-ups in a minute. For his victory, Corpuz was rewarded with a Vikings calendar, autographed by all the cheerleaders.

After the push-up contest was finished, the cheerleaders performed another routine, and then they picked 10 servicemembers to join them on stage for a game of “Cheerleader Says,” modelled after the classic children’s game “Simon Says.”

Once again, the stage was speckled with an array of U.S. uniforms, and a Polish soldier also joined the ranks. The Polish soldier and two U.S. soldiers were eliminated in the first round. Two airmen and two more soldiers fell in the second round. Four rounds later, a tie was called as Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Winger and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Billy Grant refused to be outsmarted.

A fair mix of rivalry and camaraderie added to the evening’s excitement, one coalition NCO said. “I like American football; it is tough, yet fun. This is like the feeling of the people here -- keyed up and still having fun,” French army Sgt. Domera Phelippon said. “I know the Minnesota Vikings because I saw them on TV. Still, I didn’t imagine the cheerleaders would be this pretty. I am glad I came.”

What Phelippon may or may not have known was that the cheerleaders were equally as pleased to meet him and the other men and women in attendance.

“My favorite part of the tour is meeting so many people from so many places and hearing all their different stories,” said Payton, whose brother serves aboard the world’s first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. Another cheerleader, Amanda, said her father retired from the Air Force.

The team’s captain, Sarah, said that although she doesn’t have family in the military, she has spent a great deal of time with servicemembers lately. She volunteered for the Super Sunday Tour in Iraq in February and said she feels blessed to have the opportunity to travel to military bases through the Vikings, she said.

After the performance, a line of men and women stretched around the Morale, Welfare and Recreation clamshell here, as the cheerleaders volunteered to pose for individual photos and sign autographs for the servicemembers.

“I had a blast here,” said Pfc. Ryan Clement, a route-clearance soldier and Earlham, Iowa, native. “Not only did I get to see a fine performance, I got to come up on stage and embarrass myself in the ‘Cheerleader Says’ competition.” Clement only made it to the third round, but that did not abate his mood at all.

“I’ve been out at the [forward operating bases] and on patrols outside the wire since I came here,” he said. “To see this event and the energy these ladies put in on our behalf helps out a lot. It really boosts our morale.”

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080519-F-8733W-069.jpg
Sarah and Bailey, two of five Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders who toured and performed at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 19, 2008, display their Army T-shirts as they share words of encouragement to a standing-room-only crowd of servicemembers. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Combined Joint Task Force 101

Many more photo's in link:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49934

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 21st, 2008, 12:33 am

B-roll of country singer Granger Smith performing for troops. Provided by 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) Public Affairs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6ZWcUjRK8c

:clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 21st, 2008, 12:13 pm

'Angels' pitch in to support the troops
Sheriff's station volunteers gather goodies for U.S. military in Iraq
By Sandra T. Molina, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/20/2008 09:42:41 PM PDT

SOUTH WHITTIER - Wanda Smith and her "angels" were at it again Tuesday, loading thousands of pounds of goods for military personnel and their families.

Smith, 72, has lived in South Whittier since 1966 and has volunteered at the Los Angeles County sheriff's Norwalk Station for seven years. She started collecting food, toiletries and special sundries for servicemen and women three months after the Iraq War started in 2003.

"I stepped up to help them because I knew (President) Bush wouldn't," she said.

Borrowing from Oprah Winfrey, Smith began calling those who helped collect and distribute the items her "angels."

"I don't know where they come from, but without them, I couldn't help out our service people," she said.

Twice a year, Smith and her angels deliver items to Camp Pendleton and its Wounded Warriors program and an Oceanside organization, Operation Interdependence, which ships the goods overseas.

Most of the angels are her fellow volunteers from the sheriff's station. Their operation is part of the sheriff's volunteer program.

One of the volunteers, Julie Goulet, 68, doesn't remember how she joined the team.

"Wanda just recruited me," she said. "She can be very persuasive."

Smith is also a good baker. Her homemade banana bread and different varieties of cookies are treasured by both the volunteers and military personnel alike.

Those baked goodies were loaded by the angels along with items such as candy, beef jerky, lip balm, sunscreen and other luxuries from home, onto a sheriff's 2-ton truck and Ford van Tuesday morning.

"We have about 8,500 pounds of goods here," estimated Deputy Frank Barragan.

All the volunteers, including Don Jones of Rancho Cucamonga, Sgt. Tom McNeal, Larry Arellano , of Norwalk, and Sgt. Brian Doyle, don't have family members in the military.

"We do what we can because it's the right thing to do," Doyle said.

Anyone interested in donating their time or goods can call Smith at (562) 944-6072.

http://www2.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_9328350

:clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 21st, 2008, 7:51 pm

Boca Java, Inc. Serves Up Five Million Cups to the Troops

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - (Business Wire) In 2003, Boca Java, Inc. began an initiative to donate their fresh-roasted coffee to U.S. troops serving around the world. What became “Operation Million Cup” was such an overwhelming success that it grew into a goal to serve not just one million cups, but rather five million cups. The company now has met and exceeded that goal and the program continues to garner major support from Boca Java customers.

“We’re thrilled to announce that we have served well over five million cups of coffee to the brave men and women serving our country far away from home,” said Kevin Holbrook, President, Boca Java, Inc. “With the help of our customers, together we made this program grow into an amazing, productive gesture of good will, and the feedback and letters of thanks from our soldiers have been heartfelt and many times very emotional,” he added. “You have no idea what such a simple gesture can do for someone living under extreme and dangerous circumstances. We now hope to deliver ten million cups to our soldiers!”

The company matches customer donations of coffee and ships not only coffee, but also cocoa and coffee grinders. They even have their own coffee blend dedicated to U.S. troops, named “Brew of Bravery.” The responses from the service people continue to roll in on a daily basis. Soldiers often express their surprise and gratitude for the unexpected coffee packages. In the words of Lt. Col. Mitch B., “There are two things I look forward to in the morning: a good cup of Joe and no reports of injuries during the night.”

For more details about the Operation 5 Million Cup or to make a donation, visit https://www.bocajava.com/support_the_troops.jsp.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/boca-java-inc-serves-up-five-million-cups-to-the-troops,400202.shtml

AEOakley

May 22nd, 2008, 2:45 pm

Support Our Troops Through Community Coffee Company's Military Match Program

BATON ROUGE, La., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Coffee Company is demonstrating its support of U.S. military service members serving overseas by offering a "Military Match Gift Box." The Military Match program provides an opportunity for friends and family to purchase four bags of traditional Red Bag(TM) 16 oz. or 13 oz. Community ground roast coffee, and in turn, the company will match the order with four bags free.

"We are grateful to U.S. military service members, at home and abroad, who protect the freedoms and privileges enjoyed by all Americans," said Matt Saurage, president and fourth-generation family owner of Community Coffee Company. "The Military Match program is our way of demonstrating support for those serving overseas, and who are away from home, family and friends during this time."

Community Coffee Company has been doubling orders of coffee sent to troops for over two years. With the upcoming patriotic holidays of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, customers may want to send coffee care packages to show support for family and friends stationed abroad with either APO or FPO addresses.

"My wife recently shipped me some Community Coffee, and we were both excited to learn about the Military Match promotion," said Thomas Biggerstaff, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Baghdad. "My fellow servicemen and I really enjoy Community Coffee, and it is an honor to have the company's support while we are serving our nation here in Iraq. Thank you for making my time in Iraq a little more bearable with Community Coffee's comforting taste of home."

Community Coffee Company was founded in 1919 in Baton Rouge by Henry Norman "Cap" Saurage. Today, the company is still family owned and operated and is the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in America. Community(R) brand products are available in Louisiana, Texas and the Southeast in grocery stores, offices, restaurants, hotels and convenience stores. Specialty quality Private Reserve(R) coffees can be found at CC's Community Coffee House(TM) locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans as well as in grocery stores in the area and through CommunityCoffee.com. Community proudly roasts and packages its fine coffees locally, here in Louisiana. For more information, visit CommunityCoffee.com, call 1-800-525-5583 or write Community Coffee Company, Post Office Box 791, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Website: http://www.CommunityCoffee.com/

:flag::clap::flag:

http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20080521/LAW009A21052008-1.html

AEOakley

May 22nd, 2008, 2:59 pm

Memorial Day encourages residents to support troops
By JENNIFER SUMMER
05/20/2008

Originally called Decoration Day in 1911, the last Monday in May has been the day Americans commemorate those who have lost their lives fighting in military services.

Now an official holiday and known as Memorial Day (and for many the start to the summer season), local celebrations will take place May 26 to honor the warriors of the past and present.

Ever since 9/11, the Lords and Ramirezes have flown the American flag in their yard in support of troops and to show terrorists the families will not stand down.

“When we first put up the flags, we had neighbors who are in the Marines and were shipping out. They came over to our house and thanked us for flying the flags and told us how much they appreciated them, so we have kept them flying ever since,” Chris Lord said.

The two families have gone to houses on their street and around their Kenswick subdivision to place flags to make yards look more patriotic and show their support.

“There is no greater feeling than on a clear day, looking down our street and seeing all of the flags blowing in the wind. This helps the community to band together in support of our troops and remember those who have since lost their lives,” Lord said.

Joe Ramirez is responsible for building and installing the bracket on the mailbox to secure the flag while Lord got the flags and places them in the holders. Visitors to the neighborhood have commented on the flags and have a deep appreciation for the patriotism.

“We would always be more than willing to go around the community to place flags in their yards. We have been inspired by the troops and everything they have done for us. What better way to show respect and support than a flag in your yard?” Lord said.

The neighborhood does not just fly their flags on special holidays; they keep the flags flying all year long, lining the street in red, white and blue.

The Roman Forest Memorial Day Observance will begin with a flag ceremony and remembrance followed by special activities for the whole family to enjoy.

“Memorial Day is a time when all of us honor those who have served our country. We are hosting our first Memorial Day Observance to raise money for our 2009 July 4 activities and to remember those who have served our country,” Roman Forest Special Events Committee member Jerry Reasner said.

From a hot dog decorating contest to vendor booths and all the soda one can drink, in addition to the Classic Car show, guests can have a day of fun in Roman Forest.

“We still have a lot of work to do to get ready for this but we are excited because it is our first time for a Memorial Day event. People from outlying cities are welcome to come join us for this event,” Reasner said.

Those wishing to decorate their hot dog patriotically or use things other than mustard and ketchup must bring their own materials to compete.

There is a small registration fee and hot dogs will be judged for originality, presentation and most importantly, if the hot dogs can be eaten after they are decorated.

“We will also have a fireworks show, which is probably the only one around East Montgomery County. We want everyone to get involved in the celebration and enjoy it all. We are planning to have many different events in the future to get people together and involved and reach out to others,” Reasner said.

There are still spaces available for rent for vendors, and businesses wishing to sponsor may still do so; their name will appear on signage at the Memorial Day Observance.

The Houston National Cemetery on Veterans Memorial Boulevard will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony May 26 at 10 a.m. to honor soldiers buried in the cemetery and those who lost their lives in the military.

There will be many local groups, including the Blue Star Moms - Houston Chapter in attendance to pay their respects and remembrance.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19705821&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=635652&rfi=6

AEOakley

May 23rd, 2008, 1:44 pm

High school teacher selling shirts to support American troops
By: Sean Dieterich, The Independent
05/23/2008

SHOW LOW - A high school science teacher is starting a campaign to turn Fridays in the community into a sea of red to support the troops.

Wendy Woodward and the science club she advises is selling red T-shirts emblazoned with words of thanks for American servicemen and servicewomen. Proceeds for the sale of the shirts also goes toward a charity that provides homes for injured troops.

Woodward said every American - red or blue, liberal or conservative - should always support those fighting for them. "The idea is to, no matter what your political affiliation or your opinion on the wars, support the troops," she said.

Woodward said she got the idea after her mom sent her an e-mail detailing different ways people can show support for the troops. She said at the bottom of the mail, she saw a paragraph explaining "Red Shirt Friday" and the idea people should wear red on Fridays. Woodward said she went to her 10 science club students and they were receptive.

"All my students liked the idea," she said. After approval from high school principal Farrell Adams, Woodward went to Petersen Screenprinting and Signs to have the shirts made. She told the business what she wanted to do and they were onboard with the idea. She said the business made the shirts at their cost and personally delivered them to her at the school. They also allowed Woodward to make the payment whenever she was able.

"They have been so good to work with," she said.

Woodward said she started selling the shirts at the beginning of May, starting out with 113. After half a month, she said she has under 30 left.

The shirts Woodward and the science club are selling cost $10, $5 for the cost of the shirt and $5 to go toward the charity, Homes for our Troops. She said she would like to present the charity with an $1,000 check, meaning she has to sell 200 shirts.

"They (Homes for our Troops) have two purposes. One is to get housing for soldiers and the other is to go in and make the housing accessible for wounded and handicapped soldiers," she said. "It's a worthwhile endeavor."

Woodward said she anticipates a snowball effect with her campaign. She said people in the community will see others wearing red shirts and then will want to find out why and perhaps buy one themselves.

"It's a very non-political way to show your patriotism," she said.

As to why the color of choice is red, Woodward said the answer is simple. "They bleed red, so we wear red." Woodward said she will keep selling the shirts as long as there is an interest within the community. She will present her campaign at the Veteran of Foreign Wars hall in Show Low next month and will make the shirts available to new high school faculty in the fall, even if eight of her 10 science club members will have graduated.

"I'd like to carry this on through the beginning of the (next school) year," she said. "This is a cool thing."

People interested in buying a shirt will have to go through Woodward and the high school. For more information or to buy a shirt, e-mail wendyw@show-low.k12.az.us. For more information on the Homes for our Troops charity, visit www.homesforourtroops.org.
:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19713952&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=505965&rfi=6

Loyal American

May 23rd, 2008, 1:52 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080522-D-1852B-005.jpg
Wynonna Rocks Inspirational Performance at Walter Reed

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 – When country music star Wynonna Judd stepped on stage in the Wagner Sports Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday, it was all about the love.

“Over a year ago, she said, ‘What can I do for the Army, and in particular what can I do for Walter Reed?’” said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody as he was introducing the megastar known across the industry as simply “Wynonna.”

“I said, ‘Just come up and tell them you love them,’” he said.

And so she did, in song and in speech.

Half the songs Wynonna performed had the word ‘love’ penned in their titles. In the others, love was a staple of their prose.

“Out of all the flags I've flown, one flies high and stands alone,” sang the Grammy-award-winning artist. “Only love.”

She spent the hours before the concert meeting with staff and wounded warriors. Then to the hundreds who packed into the auditorium, Wynonna belted out in powerful, bluesy vocals, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and proclaimed “Love Can Build a Bridge,” and later transformed into a “Hunk of Hunk of Burning Love.”

It was just the inspirational ticket the appreciative audience was looking for. The staff of the hospital has spent more than a year in the nation’s hot spotlight after reports surfaced of poor outpatient conditions at the center. Morale also has suffered as the closing of the historical hospital also nears under the base realignment and closure plan, and many staff members are uncertain about their future. And the wounded warriors there spend days, months and even years recovering from horrific wounds rendered by the hands of hate.

“Thanks to you all, … my mother and my sister, we live on a farm together and we sleep at night [because] we know that you all are putting your butts on the line for us,” Wynonna told the crowd. “And I just want you to know that today is just a very small composite of how I feel about you.

“We love you, and we support you,” she said.

MUCH, much, much more in link and it's worth your time to read it:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49990

So Sweet!!! :clap::flag::clap::flag:

Loyal American

May 23rd, 2008, 2:17 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080523-O-9999C-001.jpg
The Grateful American coin is presented in the tradition of military challenge coins. With the five service insignia on one side and the phrase “Thank you for your service from a grateful American” on the other, it’s meant to be a tangible form of gratitude for the recipient. Net proceeds from sale of the coins help support two nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping wounded servicemembers and their families. Photo courtesy of Grateful American Coin Inc.

America Supports You: Challenge Coins Thank Vets, Help Nonprofit Groups

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 – Searching for a tangible way to help Americans express their deep gratitude to servicemembers for their sacrifices, a Tampa, Fla., couple has designed their own challenge coin.

“As Americans, we should honor and acknowledge the sacrifices of members of the U.S. military,” said Deb Benson, who co-founded Grateful American Coin Inc. with her husband. “In doing so, we should individually do what we can, however small, to help those servicemen and women who have sustained the most severe injuries.”

The Bensons are doing just that with their organization’s new coins. The tangible “thank you” bears the five service insignia on one side and the phrase “Thank you for your service from a grateful American” on the other.

Grateful American coins are available for purchase from the organization’s site. While purchasers are presenting them to veterans with a heartfelt “thank you,” something they’ve done 2,894 times since December, the net proceeds from their purchase are being donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and America’s Vet Dogs.

Both organizations support America’s wounded servicemembers.

“Our goal is to write our first checks to these two organizations on our one-year anniversary in November,” Benson said.

Grateful American Coin is a supporter of America Supports You, as are its two beneficiary organizations. America Supports You, a Defense Department program, connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

“The America Supports You [relationship] means a lot to our organization,” Benson said. “[It] assists with credibility for our young organization while at the same time assisting with exposure for our program.”

The work America Supports You does is valuable and needed for organizations like Grateful American Coin, she added.

Military challenge coins, typically bearing a unit’s insignia, date back to World War I. Legend has it that a coin identifying the squadron of a pilot shot down and captured behind enemy lines saved him from being executed by the French as a spy. He provided his coin, the only personal property his enemy captors hadn’t confiscated, as proof of his identity.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49991

I love this idea!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

-google.

May 23rd, 2008, 2:55 pm

Lowe’s, Home Depot offering discounts

Two national home-improvement retail chains are again offering a 10 percent in-store Memorial Day discount to active-duty personnel, reservists, retirees, and honorably discharged veterans and their immediate family members.

The retailers are offering the discount through Monday, May 26.

• Lowe’s will offer the discount on in-stock purchases of up to $5,000, for a total savings of up to $500. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service, such as a membership card from the VFW or other veteran’s organization, or discharge papers.

Excluded from the discount are online sales, previous sales, special order items, installation and delivery fees, extended protection plans, gift cards, certain Fisher & Paykel appliances, all Electrolux major kitchen appliances, and John Deere products.

• Home Depot stores are offering the 10 percent discount on purchases up to $2,000, for a total savings of up to $200, with valid military ID.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/military_discounts_052208w/

Loyal American

May 23rd, 2008, 7:51 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/55045_523172037.jpg
Marine Staff Sgt. Todd Goldstein and (standing) Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., listen to organizers from the Armed Forces Foundation on Thursday talk about the free trip to Las Vegas this weekend. Goldstein was one of 40 wounded veterans and troops offered a free trip to Nevada.

Wounded veterans hit jackpot with free trip to Las Vegas

WASHINGTON — Army veteran Rob Kislow wanted to drive out to Maryland for an afternoon this weekend just see something different.

Instead, on Thursday he got a surprise free trip to Las Vegas.

"I’ve never been there before," he said. "This is a lot better than what I had planned."

Kislow, who lost his lower right leg in a firefight in Iraq two years ago, was one of 40 wounded veterans and servicemembers treated to a private plane flight, a free hotel suite and an all-expenses-paid extravaganza courtesy of Sheldon Adelson, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The weekend schedule included free tickets to several shows on the famous Vegas Strip, a free dinner from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, private pools and spas at the Venetian hotel, and a host of other gifts from the billionaire.

Representatives for Adelson, a veteran himself, said the goal was to thank just a few servicemembers for their bravery and sacrifice. Members of the Armed Forces Foundation tagged along for the trip, helping the troops and their guests navigate the journey from Washington to Sin City. They also organized a send-off party on Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon, where several politicians voiced their thanks and jealousy.

"I’ve never been able to afford to stay in the Venetian," joked Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young, R-Fla. "So make sure you all have fun out there."

Patricia Driscoll, president of the Armed Forces Foundation, said her group has assisted with hundreds of charitable events for servicemembers but never seen as expensive an endeavor as Adelson’s gift. And the CEO has hinted he may hold more outings in the future, she said.

Only a handful of the troops on this trip had visited Las Vegas before. Marine Staff Sgt. Todd Goldstein, wounded last fall in Iraq, said he was excited but a little apprehensive about his fellow travelers.

"I don’t know how the Army does it, but when you give free reign to a Marine it’s never a good idea," he said, laughing. "This might be too much."

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55045

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

free2B

May 23rd, 2008, 11:20 pm

AEOakley

May 25th, 2008, 8:32 pm

great thread oakley:clap: let's all show our love and support for the brave Americans who give up the easy life here at home to keep our great Country free and safe. God Bless and Protect our Troops on this Memorial Day weekend, and on everyday that they put their lives on the line in harm's way to protect US!:flag::flag:

Amen, free! I agree that these brave men and women deserve our love and support for all they do on our behalf!

P.S. Thanks to -google and L.A. for all the excellent posts. :)

AEOakley

May 25th, 2008, 8:38 pm

Support for troops very appreciated
Published: 5/24/200 11:04 AM

My name is Ashley Ritchey, and I am a first lieutenant in the Army currently in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

I have been the incredibly grateful recipient of many packages from Fox Valley Troop Support. When I told them I had a platoon of 48 soldiers and NCOs, they sent a package for each and everyone, no questions asked, even though only one of my soldiers is from the Fox Valley area.

They have been so generous, and I am glad to see that they are getting positive public attention for the wonderful things they do for those of us over here.

I am starting my 13th month over here and cannot tell you how excited I am to eventually make it back home.

But while I'm here, there are organizations like Fox Valley Troop Support, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, the church I grew up in (Geneva United Methodist), Katie Clark's class at Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Ralph Gebes and the Batavia VFW, and others that have shown an outpouring of generosity and care that I am incredibly grateful for.

So, thank you for letting your readers see just what sorts of wonderful things that people are capable of. My older sister has also been receiving packages from these same groups. She is a captain currently deployed with the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq, and I can say that Fox Valley Troop Support and sister organizations mean the world to us and all deployed soldiers.

Thanks for your kind article about these great Americans.

Ashley Ritchey
Batavia By way of Afghanistan

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Lt. Ritchey, THANK YOU for your service!!

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=196671&src=

AEOakley

May 25th, 2008, 8:46 pm

Returning soldier offers perspective on Iraq war
By LARRY ESKRIDGE/of the Daily Ledger
Published: Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:25 AM CDT

FARMINGTON -- Major Ron Zessin returned from Iraq to a hero's welcome.

A motorcade, including representatives of local fire departments, was waiting to escort him home to Farmington from the Peoria airport. As he drove into town, citizens lined the streets, waiving flags and cheering as the motorcade passed.

Two days later, Zessin was installing a new water heater at home.

"My wife had a big honey-do list for me," he laughs.

But the excitement of his homecoming has not dimmed. "It felt great coming back," he says. "The welcome home was astounding. I couldn't have asked for anything better."

That hometown feeling was not just confined to his return. "I had great community support," Zessin remembers, "emails, cards. My church (First United Methodist Church of Farmington) was super. Every holiday someone sent me cards or letters."

Support from home is very important for troop morale, Zessin feels. Two organizations he specifically mentions are Support Our Troops and Operation Gratitude. "They sent us care packages, and the ones that received them helped distribute things to the rest of the troops. Most of the 18 National Guard members I was with had outstanding support."

Zessin said morale was great where he was stationed, a place called Ad Diwaniyah some 150 miles south of Baghdad, where he was Division Chief of air operations. Zessin was in charge of the air space, all aircraft (helicopters) coming in and going out, coordination of the air fields, and communication with the Air Force. He notes his unit did not have any casualties, and the worst part was being separated from family and friends.

Part of the multi-national force in Iraq, Zessin had two Polish officers assisting him as he supported the Polish division he was integrated with. Other troops stationed in the area came from Rumania, the Ukraine, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Bosnia, and Mongolia, in addition to troops from El Salvador, Denmark and Pakistan.

"We never had any problems between the troops," says Zessin. "The integration was great, everyone pitched in and worked together outstandingly. They all looked to the U.S. for information."

Troops in other portions of Iraq came from Great Britain, Australia, and Korea, Zessin says. He remarks he has spoken to many different groups since he returned and notes most of them are surprised to learn how many other nations are taking part in the conflict. "We are in the majority there, but it is not just an American war," he notes.

That is not the only misconception Zessin finds at home about the conflict.

"When I was there I was not fighting an 'Iraq war,'" he says. "I was fighting a war against terrorism. The people of Iraq, at least where I was stationed, wanted us there, loved what was happening."

Zessin remembers a tire factory had opened about a year before in the area he was in. There were difficulties upgrading the equipment, and corruption was a problem.

"We drove out the terrorists, we got rid of the corruption," Zessin says. "The people felt safe and they started trusting the Iraqi police."

Zessin sees this legacy of corruption inherited from Saddam Hussein as a major problem in Iraq.

"The militias are made up of very poor Iraqis, and are paid by Syria and Iran," he says. "Before, the senior leaders, government agencies took care of themselves, not the needs of the people, like safety, schools, water, sewers. The oil money should have been used for development. Instead, Hussein took the money and built palaces instead of giving it to the people.

"It's not like our country, where the system takes care of the people. The Iraqi people see that they can be taken care of and they like that. And it's not a religious war. We respected their holidays. It's about democracy."

Zessin feels that no matter if we think going into Iraq was right or wrong, the fact we are there now means we should finish what we started, not just leave the Iraqi people with what he terms "a mess."

He remembers having his church send school supplies to the area and helped push the local government to improve the schools. When he visited the school again, it was repainted, repaired, and upgraded. "The kids were really happy," he says. "Education is not like it is here. The classes are large, there is no technology. It's like going back to the 1800s."

In addition to speaking to local groups and organizations, Zessin was asked by State Representative Mike Smith (D-Canton) and State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) to come to Springfield to represent both returning veterans and members of local government. While there he met with Lt. Governor Pat Quinn to talk about veterans affairs in Illinois as well as the situation in Iraq. Zessin says the major problems facing veterans are the need for extended care and improved health care facilities. Overall, however, Zessin feels the military offers great benefits such as education for servicemen and women.

When asked what he wanted people here to remember this Memorial Day, Zessin asks that we remember the soldiers stationed overseas.

"Family and community support is very important," he says. "It helps keep the morale up. It's not hard to send a card or an email to say 'just thinking about you.'"

The second is to know that what the U.S. is doing over there is positive. "The soldiers are over there because they feel it is their job," he says.

"The most discouraging thing that happened while I was over there came when protesters in Peoria were interviewed," he remembers. "Some of them were parents of soldiers here who said their sons joined for the benefits, not to go to another country. When the regular soldiers in Iraq heard that, they were upset. They joined because it was their job, what they wanted to do for patriotism and citizenship, not just for the benefits."

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Welcome home, Major Zessin, and thank you.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.cantondailyledger.com/articles/2008/05/24/news/news01.txt

AEOakley

May 26th, 2008, 10:30 pm

Historic Effort to Help Our Troops
Monday, May 26, 2008 1:21 AM

A team of patriotic leaders are working together in a historic undertaking with the goal of sending the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in American history.

The care package drive will result in the shipment of not just 1,000 care packages -- a feat accomplished by the Grand Ole Opry in October 2007. Organizers similarly won't settle for just the 10,000 packages shipped as part of an impressive effort undertaken by the Nevada Girl Scouts. And they plan to surpass the efforts of the terrific organization, Operation Gratitude, which undertook a multi-day effort to pack and ship 50,000 care packages last year.

Move America Forward, the nation's largest pro-troop organization, has launched this historic drive to rally Americans to show our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan just how much support they have from the American people back home. The effort kicked off today, Memorial Day - and will run through the months of May and June.

The grand finale for the push will take place on June 26th when a Jerry Lewis style 8-hour Internet Telethon ("From the Frontlines") will take place. This cutting edge production “From The Frontlines” will be broadcast live online by UStream.tv and hosted by Melanie Morgan & Michelle Malkin. Live and taped reports will be broadcast from our troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan during the historic 8-hour event.

The Jelly Belly candy company (maker of President Ronald Reagan's favorite candy) has donated 100,000 bags of their gourmet jelly beans that will be included in the care packages to assist in the effort. While the jelly beans shipped in the past were warmly received by the troops, military members say their real value comes in being able to hand out the candy to the children of the war-torn nations in which they are serving.

These 100,000 bags of gourmet jelly beans are now being used to launch a “Candy Diplomacy” program as gifts to Iraqi and Afghani children. Each bag is printed with the following message (in both English & Arabic): “A gift from the American people in hopes that your country will one day enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have in the United States.”

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/care_packages_troops/2008/05/26/98849.html

AEOakley

May 27th, 2008, 2:46 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/image_7105700.jpg
Pine Tree sixth-grader Andrea Presley, from left, and fifth-graders Gloria Gonzalez, Hannah Ritch and Spencer Parker listen to World War II veteran Jack Bowen of Carthage. Bowen, who was a prisoner of war in World War II, spoke to the Patriotism PLUS team and shared his experiences.

Students learn lessons in patriotism, gratitude

By MAGGIE SOUZA
Monday, May 26, 2008

Appreciation for the country's veterans isn't easily taught in books. As 50 local students will attest, such appreciation comes more from personal encounters with men and women who served in the armed forces. Hearing veterans' stories is what made a difference for them.

Pine Tree Middle 5/6 students in the Academically Gifted Minor program say they learned a lot during their year-long community problem-solving project, titled Patriotism PLUS

Pine Tree sixth-grader Andrea Presley, from left, and fifth-graders Gloria Gonzalez, Hannah Ritch and Spencer Parker listen to World War II veteran Jack Bowen of Carthage. Bowen, who was a prisoner of war in World War II, spoke to the Patriotism PLUS team and shared his experiences.

"By participating in this project, we have learned stories and memories that might not be around much longer," said 12-year-old Amy Johns, one of a handful of students interviewed Tuesday about the project.

"Just by sitting down and taking the time to listen, we have all gained a deeper understanding of what these soldiers went through, that none of us have experienced," said Amy, a sixth-grader.

She and her classmates started the project in September with a vote. The class had brainstormed several areas to focus on, but ultimately chose Patriotism PLUS.

"The challenges of everyday life, such as providing for a family, keep people from remembering that patriotism should be a reality in everyone's lives," the class wrote in its project overview. "The days go by without considering how thankful we, as Americans, should be."

With a goal of preserving veterans' stories in mind, the students set out mailing letters to people throughout the country asking for anecdotes and advice.

In the end, the class put together and published a book with the help and guidance of Michael Powell with To Be Read Aloud Publishing.

The book, "Voices of Freedom, A Collection of Letters from American Veterans," has accounts from 25 veterans, along with drawings by students.

The Patriotism PLUS group also started a video documentary with interviews of veterans, which will be continued in the 2008-09 school year.

"I'm glad this was our project this year," said Christina Nelson, 12, a sixth-grader. "It is nice knowing that we can help preserve the heroic stories of veterans who risked their lives for us in major wars."

Patriotism PLUS was not limited to honoring past members of the military. The project included a number of activities to encourage and thank troops.

The class sold "spirit bands" to raise money for care packages.

Working with Marine Moms and Operation Appreciation, Pine Tree students sent off various cards and goodies to hospitalized Marines and deployed soldiers.

Like many of her classmates, 12-year-old Allison Steele said she was pleased with the focus of the project.

"These men and women are so brave, and they fight for our country to keep us safe," Allison, a sixth-grader said.

"I loved the incredible people we were able to speak to. We are free because of the brave."

Kenneth Smith, a retired senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, was one of several guest speakers who visited the students as part of their project. He and other veterans noted the enthusiasm and attentiveness of the class.

"I was really impressed with the kids there," said Smith, 69, of Louisiana. "They asked some hard questions."

Smith said he shared some war stories with the class and also tried to impart the importance of voting and the role of Congress in wars.

"If they came away with anything with my speech, it is the fact that you send us to war," Smith said. "You're the one that sends elected officials to Congress."

Smith and other visitors spoke of the respect shown by the Pine Tree student, and expressed gratefulness for the opportunity to share their knowledge.

"I was proud to be a part of it," Smith said.

*****

Patriotism PLUS (Patriotism and Liberties Uniting Soldiers and Students)

What it is: A year-long community problem solving project by 50 fifth- and sixth-grade Pine Tree students. Teachers Crista Black, sixth grade, and JoLynn McKnight, fifth grade, oversaw the project.

Resolution: "We the people of Patriotism PLUS make this document in order to commit ourselves to the preservation of the veteran community. We would also like to establish loyalty to our troops in war and our veterans who have served in former wars. We would like to promote the support of past and present American soldiers and secure the stories of their bravery for ourselves and our community. We desire to put forth a sense of honor in this community and beyond for the heroes of America."

How it started: The students brainstormed at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year and decided to focus on a project to preserve the stories of the people who have served in the military.

What it included: Rising fundsfor care packages for soldiers in Iraq; sending letters to soldiers stationed in the United States and overseas; visiting veterans in the hospital/nursing home; creating a video of veterans telling their stories; documenting letters sent by veterans telling their military experiences; inviting guest speakers; holding a Veteran's Day reception.

The final product: "Voices of Freedom, A Collection of Letters from American Veterans," with contributions from 25 veterans. The book will be submitted to the Library of Congress, and copies will be donated to local organizations.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the rest here: http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/05/26/05262008_patriotism_plus.html

AEOakley

May 27th, 2008, 2:50 pm

OpGrat sent out its 350,000th care package this Memorial Day weekend! :clap:

http://ws.mymovo.com/Search/servlet/PlayServlet?reqsrc=RSS&title=Operation+Gratitude&providerName=FOX+News

Loyal American

May 27th, 2008, 2:54 pm

OpGrat sent out its 350,000th care package this Memorial Day weekend! :clap:

http://ws.mymovo.com/Search/servlet/PlayServlet?reqsrc=RSS&title=Operation+Gratitude&providerName=FOX+News
WHOA, I LOVE OPERATION GRATITUDE! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

May 27th, 2008, 5:00 pm

WHOA, I LOVE OPERATION GRATITUDE! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Me, too!! :)

Here's an old story...but this work is still on-going, 300 days a year...Truly, these people are GREAT AMERICANS!

Burt Brady and a cast of individuals, greet returning soldiers at DFW every morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaeuIY1JZdw

Loyal American

May 28th, 2008, 3:48 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080527-D-8901Q-002.jpg

Tiger’s Tournament Salutes Military

BETHESDA, Md., May 28, 2008 – Professional golfer Tiger Woods understands the sacrifices military families make and the importance of acknowledging those sacrifices.

“I was raised in a military family,” said Woods, whose late father, Earl, retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel. “I know what it takes, the dedication it takes. They don't get enough thanks. And we're here to do that. We're here to say thank you.”

He will say “thank you,” this Fourth of July holiday when he hosts the second AT&T National golf tournament at Congressional Country Club here.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can to showcase the military and basically give thanks,” Woods said in an interview before the news conference.

This year that includes making 30,000 tickets available to servicemembers. Active-duty troops, reservists and National Guardsmen, retired servicemembers, and Defense Department civilian personnel are eligible for two tickets per person per day of the July 2-July 6 tournament.

The tournament also is offering a one-time 10 percent discount on merchandise, though the discount does not apply at Congressional Golf Shop adjacent to the clubhouse, however. In addition, each day will be dedicated to one of the five services.

Honoring the military and their families doesn’t stop there, Woods said.

Twenty-five military children will accompany Woods to the first tee July 2, where two of them will take ceremonial first shots. But not before servicemembers deployed overseas have taken their swings.

Nike has provided drivers and golf balls that are being shipped to six military locations around the globe. A servicemember at each location will hit the ball, which will then be returned along with video of those shots.

Woods, who has a great respect for the military, said his father, and the military values he adhered to, have greatly shaped both his view of family and his direction in life. He’s taken that to heart at home as well as on a global scale, hoping to be the same kind of father for his daughter, Samantha, that Earl Woods was to him.

“Family comes first,” Woods said in the pre-conference interview. “My dad … always made time for me. I’m looking back upon that, [and] that shaped me in the fact that I want to be there for Sam all the time,” he said.

His dad also taught him about success, being a leader, and the responsibilities that come with that role. That lesson was the foundation upon which he and his father created the Tiger Woods Foundation in 1996.

“My dad, I won’t say pushed me, but he always made sure I understood what it took to be a leader, the responsibilities you have to accept -- and sometimes it’s not always easy,” Woods said. “That’s hard for kids to understand who have never experienced it before.”

This lack of leadership and role models for children is not just a local phenomenon, he said. It’s global.

“We have so many people around this world who need help, and we’re going to do that,” he said.

The foundation already has helped 10 million children through its character-development programs, scholarships, grants, junior golf teams, and the Tiger Woods Learning Center. And the gratitude he receives from the kids who are helped by the foundation is his greatest reward, he said.

“Golf is just what I do. It’s not who I am,” Woods said. “Having kids write letters and say, ‘Thank you. I’m going to college. I’m doing things that I never thought I could do in my life,’ gives me chills just thinking about it. That’s the impact that everyone should have in life.”

Proceeds from the 2008 AT&T National will benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation and its desire to expand its programs to the greater Washington area. The hope is to continue positively impacting the lives of future generations for years to come, according to a statement on the AT&T National site.

Fans can affect lives, as well. When purchasing a ticket on the AT&T National Web site, they can choose to make a donation to one of six charitable organizations benefiting military families.

Proceeds from the “Click and Donate Program” will be equally distributed among the Fisher House Foundation, Military Officers of America’s Scholarship Fund, National Military Family Association, Our Military Kids, United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington, and Yellow Ribbon Fund.

All six organizations are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. The title sponsor of the tournament, AT&T, is a corporate supporter of the Defense Department program, as well.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50026

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AEOakley

May 29th, 2008, 5:44 pm

Rockland salutes troops, past and present

By Mikaela Slaney
Wed May 28, 2008, 05:08 PM EDT

Rockland - Just minutes before Rockland’s Memorial Day parade made its way around the bend, children played on the library grass to assuage the anticipation, parents and grandparents lined up folding chairs in what was left of the shady areas, and dogs decked out in red, white and blue handkerchiefs strained against their leashes and panted in the summer-like heat.

It was a scene worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting taking place on Union Street in downtown Rockland.

The number of spectators was impressive, especially for a small town. And the enthusiasm was almost tangible.

Shirley Kenniston traveled from Springfield to attend Monday’s festivities, joining several friends and her boyfriend, who live in the area.

Kenniston was wearing Army fatigue pants, an Army cap and a T-shirt that showed support for female veterans. She explained how watching the parade was a personal experience for her.

Kenniston held up her hand displaying a finger, which ended where her top knuckle would be. She said she had been working as a loadmaster with the Air Force based in New Jersey during the 1980s when a 10,000-pound crate of cargo fell on her hand during transport.

Her injury did not deter her from serving her country, and she continued transporting cargo at a loading station in Chicopee, Massachusetts during Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the early 1990s.

During this time, she was injured again, this time by falling and hurting her back. But once more, she was not deterred.

“I continued on,” she said, “then I got deactivated (from service) and that was it.”

Kenniston is now part of the Club for Riders Chapter 12, rooted out of Chicopee, as well as a member of the women’s auxiliary.

“I think it’s important to support the troops,” Kenniston said. “It doesn’t matter what our policy is (on war), but we always have to support our troops and their families.”

Supporting the troops was a common theme amongst most people interviewed in the crowd during Monday’s parade, including Rockland resident Christine Ceurvels, whose 24-year-old son Timothy serves in the Army Reserves, stationed out of the Cape.

Rockland resident Patty Cadogan brought her 2-year-old daughter Jaclyn to the parade. The two of them were relaxing in the shade at the Rockland library while other children were scurrying about.

Cadogan said she brought her daughter to the parade because she thought it would be a positive family experience for Jaclyn.

“I want for her to get to see different aspects of the military, so she can see what it means to be free in this country, and to get a little entertainment,” Cadogan said.

Lifelong Rockland resident Colleen Geary also brought along her three children to the parade, Renee, 12, Hope, 8, and Sean, 3.

“We come every year, stand up at the library and bring the kids to support my town and the veterans,” Geary said. “We live in a great country and we want to support the people who fight for our country.”

:clap: :flag: :clap:

Read the REST here: http://www.wickedlocal.com/rockland/news/x1870878389/Rockland-salutes-troops-past-and-present

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Loyal American

May 29th, 2008, 6:25 pm

Troop-Support Group Added to ‘Top-Rated’ Charities
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2008 – After stringent review by one of the country’s premier charity watchdogs, a Massachusetts-based troop-support group has been added to a list of top-rated charities. The American Institute of Philanthropy has reviewed Homes for Our Troops’ finances and included the group in their “Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities” listing.

Homes for Our Troops is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

“Homes for Our Troops is proud to be included in [American Institute of Philanthropy’s] list of top rated veterans and military charities,” said Tom Benoit, vice president and chief financial officer of Homes for Our Troops. “Our dedicated staff has worked tirelessly to efficiently raise the funds needed to build homes across the country for severely injured veterans.

“The support we receive from our corporate partners and from individuals and companies across the country made it possible for Homes for Our Troops to spend only 7 percent on administration and fundraising in our fiscal year [ending] Sept. 30, 2007, and to complete 11 homes in 2007,” he added. “Our goal is to complete 30 homes in 2008.”

Founded in 2004, Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing specially adapted homes to servicemembers severely injured while fighting in the global war on terrorism. The organization has provided 25 veterans and their families with homes suited to meet the each veteran’s individual challenges. Over the next few years, Homes for Our Troops is committed to providing at least 100 additional homes for injured troops, organization officials said.

Only five of the 32 veterans charities listed in the American Institute of Philanthropy’s most recent report are included in the top-rated category, according to institute officials.

The watchdog’s review process focuses on the percent of costs spent on “program service costs” and the efficiency of organizations in raising funds.

Rather than just using figures reported by charities in financial disclosure forms, the institute adjusts for direct mail, telemarketing and solicitation costs that are sometimes allocated to program service costs. It also excludes the value of donated goods and services, which can be difficult to measure.

Because of their thorough review process, the institute was described as “the pit bull of watchdogs” by the New York Times. Newsweek said, "It's the toughest of the bunch. Because it disregards certain, potentially suspect, expenses and donations, it fails some nonprofits that the other raters approve."

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50039

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Loyal American

June 2nd, 2008, 12:49 pm

Military Kids Create Flurry of New Memories

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2008 – For the past two years, one troop-support organization has made sure children of fallen servicemembers have an avalanche of fun.

“Snowball Express” began in December 2006 with the mission of providing hope and new memories to military children who have lost a parent since 9/11.

“The belief is these children should never be forgotten by a grateful nation,” said Roy White, the group’s chairman of the board and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. “Snowball Express accomplishes its mission by providing an all-expense paid, multi-day fun experience for eligible children [18 and younger] who are joined by the surviving parent [or] legal guardian.”

Since its beginning, the Snowball Express event has been held in Orange County, Calif. This year will be no different, White said.

“This year, new and returning families will be treated to a new experience with a trip to Universal Studios and ‘A Day in the Life of California,’ being planned by the employees of Oakley and many other corporate partners,” he said. “A return trip to Disneyland completes this unique experience, along with a few special surprises along the way for these children who pay the price of freedom for all Americans every day.”

Beyond the fun, however, there is a serious purpose to the event, and that is the relationships that are forged among not only the adults who discover they’re not alone, but also the children.

“The greatest benefits are the children being with other children who understand their emotions and thoughts,” White said. “It’s these new relationships that build hope for the future and create new memories and a network for these children.”

More than 1,000 volunteers from across the country are helping to make this endeavor possible. Not included among these volunteers are the people who make donations to make the five-day event possible.

“We know Americans want to help these children, and Snowball Express has become a conduit for all Americans to help by donating frequent flyer miles, organizing local events for the families and providing financial contributions to his main event in December,” said Jim Palmersheim, a Snowball Express board member and an American Airlines captain. “I’m proud that my fellow American Airline pilots and flight attendants worked for free to bring these children to Snowball Express last year, and we are honored to do it again this year.”

Other corporate sponsors offer everything from lodging and transportation to meals, tickets and myriad other goodies.

Those involved with Snowball Express said the group’s new affiliation with the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program will help spread the word and get other sponsors involved, as well.

America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

“Very little money is spent on overhead costs such as advertising or fundraising,” said Bill Mimiaga, Snowball Express’ secretary and a trustee as well as a retired Marine major. “Being recognized by ASY will give us increased exposure to corporations and, more importantly, to families who may not know about us.

“If even one family learns of Snowball Express because of this affiliation, those children’s lives and the subsequent changes in their lives because of their Snowball Express experience will make it all worthwhile,” he added.

This year’s Snowball Express event will be held Dec. 16-20. Plans are under way to hold Snowball Express 2009 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. More information and eligibility rules are available on the group’s Web site.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50073

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AEOakley

June 2nd, 2008, 5:45 pm

This is such a great idea for a city to do for its employees...

Austin military ombudsman connects city with vets, deployed workers
Ceremony today marks rehabilitation of Vietnam veterans memorial

By Katie Humphrey
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, June 02, 2008

Allen Bergeron's e-mail comes in from Iraq and Afghanistan.

City of Austin employees serving in the military have questions about pay, benefits and the latest news from home. Bergeron, a 47-year-old retired Marine, is the guy with the answers.

Since November, he has been the City of Austin's military ombudsman, filling a position created at the urging of Council Member Lee Leffingwell to support city employees with military ties and their families.

"They're already giving a lot by leaving their homes and family and jobs by going on active duty," Leffingwell said. "We want to try to ease that for them."

Bergeron helps employees who are veterans or active in the military to find services, such as counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder. He also serves as a link between the city and the employees in the military. About 10 percent of the city's approximately 13,000 employees are veterans. About 20 of the 120 employees still active in the military are currently deployed.

Bergeron's work also reaches the community, where he has led Veterans Day events, attended job fairs for veterans and found lodging for troops stranded or delayed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

One of the projects coordinated by Bergeron, the refurbishment of the Vietnam veterans memorial at Interstate 35 and East Cesar Chavez Street, will be celebrated today.

The East Austin Lions Club established the granite memorial in the 1970s, at a time when it was unpopular to show support for troops, club member Nash Martinez said. Members rededicated it to founding Lions Club member and Marine veteran Jesse Torres in November. But the club had trouble with people stealing flags, and some veterans told the city the memorial was falling into disrepair.

Bergeron rallied five city departments to put down new sod, clean up the monument and install a sprinkler system and a light for the flags. To make sure the new flags stay put, the city put a locked box on the flagpole.

"We couldn't have anybody within our club to orchestrate all that. I think it's great that the city decided to kick in," Martinez said.

Bergeron, who retired from the Marines after 20 years, said he knew immediately that the ombudsman job was a perfect fit. He knows what military life is like and in a previous job had helped Marines transition back to the civilian world. His cubicle at the city has pictures and mementos from his military days, a stress-relieving toy shaped like a hand grenade and a comic book that illustrates the challenges and resources for veterans coming home.

"It's easy to hide the internal wounds," Bergeron said, noting that returning troops and employers need to be educated about the effects of traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Before city employees leave for military service, Bergeron sits down with them to discuss benefit and pay options, assuring them they will have a job when they return and making sure the city meets the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

During their deployments, he stays in touch via e-mail, sending care packages from co-workers and finding solutions to whatever problems arise. When they get home, he helps them get used to civilian life again.

"For us to reach out and support troops is going out on a limb, but so far it has been well received because we've made it crystal clear it's not about politics," Bergeron said. "It's out of compassion for troops."

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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/06/02/0602bergeron.html

AEOakley

June 3rd, 2008, 2:24 pm

Support The Troops With Open Arms

OCEAN COUNTY - American Recreational Military Services (ARMS), a nonprofit organization that honors our armed services serving overseas, is conducting Operation Open Arms. Our goal is to provide comfort packages to all the branches of the military to show our support of these brave men and women. We would like to make life more comfortable during their time overseas and send them a big thank you for their sacrifices.

The following items are needed for our troops overseas: Peanut butter, ChapStick, Q-Tips (small packs), suntan lotion/bug wipes, socks, small drink mixes (to be added to water, ie. Crystal Light), snack food (popcorn, chips, etc.), protein bars/ granola bars, toilet paper, fly paper, toothbrushes, foot powder/spray, gum/breath mints, cookies (small packs), Slim Jims/ beef jerky, deodorant, microwavable soups, shaving cream and small cereal. There is especially a need for razors, batteries (all sizes), microwavable food (cans or boxes), eye drops, mouthwash (small bottles) and coffee/tea.

If you would like to help, please drop off donated items to: Corsi's Pizza, 153 Newtons Corner Road, Howell, 732-840- 0044.

http://tomsrivertimes.micromediapubs.com/news/2008/0604/community_news/034.html
http://www.supportarms.org/Help.html

Loyal American

June 3rd, 2008, 6:01 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080222-D-3737K-003.jpg

College Basketball Champ Kansas Jayhawks Visit Wounded Warriors

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2008 – The University of Kansas national champion men's basketball team began their victory lap in the nation’s capital yesterday by visiting wounded warriors and signing autographs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.

Towering players in blue warm-up suits and members of the Jayhawks coaching staff mixed among a dozen camo-clad soldiers in the lobby of the main building for a brief ceremony before visiting injured troops in two hospital wards.

“We’ve labeled today as ‘national champions meet national heroes,’” said Army Secretary Pete Geren. “Your visit means a lot to the [wounded warriors], but I’m confident that your opportunity to visit with them meant a lot to you, as well.

“They’re an inspiring bunch of soldiers,” he added. “I’m confident you’ll walk away feeling uplifted.”

Before ushering Kansas head coach Bill Self to the podium, Geren presented him with a commemorative plaque and thanked the team for spending time with the recovering troops.

“We have looked so forward to our trip to Washington,” Self said of the two-day visit that included a meeting today with President Bush at the White House.

“I think our visit to the Walter Reed Medical Center will be a major highlight of the trip,” Self continued. “We take for granted so much the gifts that we have, and then to see people that are out there doing things that really matter in life -- protecting us so we have an opportunity to do such things,” he continued. “It is very humbling, rewarding, and certainly something I think we will get a lot out of. It is our privilege … to be here today.”

Chase Buford, a freshman guard on the Kansas squad, said it was an honor to talk with wounded troops -- even the soldier who razzed the Jayhawks for defeating his beloved North Carolina Tar Heels in the men’s college basketball semifinals last season.

“It’s pretty neat to see all these guys who have been through so much,” he told American Forces Press Service. “The fact is, we’re just as proud of them as they are of us.”

Army Col. Patricia Horoho, commander of the Walter Reed Health Care System, told the crowd that sports and wounded warrior rehabilitation both require endurance and perseverance in the face of difficult challenges.

“So it means a tremendous amount when you all take the time to talk with them,” she told the players. “Ask them how they got injured [and] how they’re doing, because part of their healing is being able to share that story.”

One soldier attached to a warrior transition brigade here is Jerrod Hays, a staff sergeant in the Kansas National Guard. He had been with his brigade in Iraq for 10 months and was wounded when his convoy drove over two armor-piercing charges buried in the road.

Hays showed a picture that his deployed brigade in Iraq sent him: it showed several of his battle buddies posing in front of their barracks, clutching a University of Kansas flag. “It’s like I told Coach Self: you guys have given us some good bragging rights,” Hays said, an autographed basketball tucked under his arm.

Asked if the visit from the team boosted his morale, he replied, “Oh yeah, especially because they’re my hometown boys. This is good stuff.”

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50090

SWEET! :flag::clap::clap::flag:

AEOakley

June 4th, 2008, 10:45 pm

Reconciliation Used to Support US Troops

Posted: June 4, 2008 01:57 PM

Both sides of a famous family feud will stand together in a show of support for U.S. troops. Waynesboro businessman Reo Hatfield negotiated the truce between the Hatfields and McCoys in 2003. That's the same year the War on Terror started.

Hatfield and members of the McCoys will present a shotgun to President Bush and the governors of West Virginia and Kentucky. Hatfield says the families want to show even they can come together for the soldiers fighting in Iraq.

"We want to remind people, no matter how much all of us hate the war, we still should defend our troops and be patriotic," stated Hatfield.

The three signers of the Hatfield-McCoy truce will present their symbolic gifts next weekend at a reunion in Kentucky.

Reported by Matt Talhelm

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http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=8432319

AEOakley

June 4th, 2008, 10:50 pm

This site has a long list of links and "how to support the troops" ideas --

http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops

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AEOakley

June 6th, 2008, 2:33 pm

Helping troops "phone home"
By Diane Saunders and Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
Published: Thursday, June 5, 2008 5:37 PM CDT

Area resident helps phone card drive grow into a statewide campaign

Renee Miles just wanted to show support for members of the United States military by organizing a phone card drive in conjunction with the Safford Saturday Night Stampede.

What has happened, though, is statewide support for the phone card drive via requests from communities and the news media to join the effort.

Several locations in Willcox have agreed to be collection points for phone cards that will ultimately end up in the hands of U.S. soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Willcox, the drive begins on Monday, June 9.

Those who want to support the troops by donating a phone card may drop off the cards in designated containers at Simflo, Valley Telecom, Safeway, Sierra Lumber, GM Propane, Willcox Department of Public Safety, and Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, through Monday, Aug. 1.

The phone cards will be stored in the vault at Chase Bank of Willcox until Aug. 16, Miles said.

Children can participate in supporting the troops by writing letters or drawing pictures that will be delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A separate barrel only for pictures and letters only will be at the Arizona Range News, 122 S. Haskell Ave., Willcox.

People may sign up their loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan to receive phone cards by sending an e-mail to Miles at rmiles@vtc.net.

The criterion to receive phone cards is that the troops have to be actively deployed, Miles said.

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Read the rest here: http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news04.txt

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Loyal American

June 11th, 2008, 3:09 pm

America Supports You: Patriotic Hearts Care for Military, Families

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2008 – Servicemembers, veterans and their families going through problems related to deployments can get help from a California-based troop-support organization.

Members of the group, called Patriotic Hearts, have developed a plan to help families navigate the sometimes-unexpected issues they may face when a loved one returns from the front lines.

The plan involves working with spouses of deployed servicemembers to map out welcome-home parties, helping veterans find jobs, and hosting military marriage-enrichment weekends.

“This three-point plan also addresses the needs of the military children, who endure tremendous stresses,” Mark Baird, president of Patriotic Hearts, said.

Welcome home parties, the first part of the plan, play an important and vital role in helping military families start over again when a spouse returns from deployment, he said. Held in a large picnic area on or near military facilities, the parties provide a day of fun, music, food and laughter.

These events, while being especially beneficial for the children, help the whole family close the book on a stressful chapter in their lives, Baird said.

“It is our conviction that welcome-home parties are cathartic, and that they play an important first step in increasing psychological, emotional and marital well-being among our troops and their families,” he said. “The celebration completes the cycle.”

HirePatriots.com -- a free, online job posting and search board for troops, spouses and veterans -- works to help with the second phase of Patriotic Hearts’ plan. It was created in response to an injured Marine’s need for work after returning from deployment to find his family’s car had been repossessed.

In San Diego, where the program originated, more than 2,000 members of the military community find employment each month.

Keeping families together and lessening the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder are ancillary effects that HirePatriots.com creates, Baird said.

Financial stress is a big factor in many divorces, he noted.

“When added to the extraordinary stresses of the military and multiple combat deployments, the lack of enough money can be lethal [for marriages],” he said, adding that finding employment also can remove a stress factor that can contribute to PTSD.

The third way Patriotic Hearts has to help military families is its military marriage-enrichment weekends. The program provides all-expenses-paid, off-installation marriage retreats for current troops and recent veterans.

“The first to be invited are the wounded warriors from base hospitals,” Baird said. “But all troops and [recent] veterans are welcome to attend.”

This is the least servicemembers returning from deployment and their families deserve, he added.

Patriotic Hearts is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50171

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Loyal American

June 13th, 2008, 10:50 am

NBA dance team entertains, shows appreciation for troops (Tikrit)

TIKRIT, Iraq – The Seattle SuperSonics Dance Team visited troops deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, located in Tikrit, Iraq, June 11.

The dance team wanted to show their appreciation for the military and decided to partake in their own deployment experiences.

“My passion is dancing and performing,” said Pilita, a first-year dance team member. “This is the least I could do for the Soldiers. It’s a privilege to be here. I’ve learned a lot.”

Not only has this experience been good for the troops, but the dancers have benefited as well in the short amount of time they have spent at COB Speicher.

“Every day, this place and the Soldiers, everyone, has exceeded the expectations that I had,” explained Jillian, one of the Sonics dancers. “I have learned so much [more] by talking with a Soldier for one minute than when I listened to news stations or radio stations.”

The dance team motivated the crowd and invited several servicemembers to participate in dance challenges and games in-between dance routines.

“This is fun,” said Airman 1st Class Alana Fowler, a security forces patrol officer, “You sort of wake up in the same place, doing the same thing every day. It’s good to see something besides everyone in uniforms, military uniforms. It’s different, and it breaks up the daily routine.”

Many dance team members agreed this experience taught them many things about life in general and about why there is still a military presence in Iraq.

“Everything that we see in the United States and everything we learn is completely opposite,” said Sabrina, the dance team coach. “It’s the stories that we see through the eyes of the Soldiers. Seeing how things are done from day to day to seeing how they are actually working with the country to build it up and working with their Soldiers. We never hear those things and so, for us, it’s just been a really growing experience.”

“We don’t want to forget any moment, it’s overwhelming really,” said Sabrina. “I feel like a new person.”

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20349&Itemid=128

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/eagle.jpg

American Eagle

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders hold a push-up competition during their routine for service members, June 7, 2008. The five cheerleaders are touring Iraq to show their support for the troops and to help boost morale. Photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Medina, 1st Marine Logistic Group Public Affairs.

Photo enlarged:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=&g2_itemId=5009

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AEOakley

June 13th, 2008, 11:48 am

Hanover Township hosts marathon to support troops, veterans
By Yeji Shim | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 6/12/2008 12:09 AM

It's time to gather a little bit of home and send it to the other side of the world.

The Hanover Township clerk's office will host its fourth annual Support Our Troops Marathon Friday and Saturday. The event is intended to support those currently serving overseas in the armed forces while also honoring local veterans.

The township is working with Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, an organization dedicated to sending care packages to members of the military deployed abroad.

The donations will be packaged and sent to American soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among the suggested items for donation during the marathon are canned snack items, athletic tube socks, pocket-size tissues, batteries, sunscreen, disposable cameras and fly swatters.

Deputy Hanover Township Clerk Mary Jo Imperato said usually about 500 people come to the event. She said their donations filled up more than two full trailers last year.

"People have brought beautiful things. They've made blankets and cards," she said. "Why would (soldiers) want blankets in Iraq? They make them feel as if they're home. One person brought bath towels."

Though the marathon has in the past run a full 24 hours, this year's event will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to accepting donations during those hours, a number of special activities are planned.

A classic car show with DJ Tony Adelfio runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.

Saturday's events include face-painting, a free car wash, a moonwalk and crafts to prepare for the troops.

Also Saturday, and new this year, is Touch-a-Truck, where many municipalities are bringing SWAT, DARE and other vehicles for children to see.

There will also be refreshments to purchase and a raffle.

The event will also honor members of the Hanover Township Honor Roll Veterans, a program recognizing township residents who have served in the military. A reception for veterans will start the marathon at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by a flag ceremony at 5 p.m.

Imperato said local veterans groups give presentations every year for the honor roll induction.

"It's just really something that means so much to them," she said. "So they come, and we do it every year."

If you go

What: Hanover Township Fourth Annual Support Our Troops Marathon

When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, with car show 5-9 p.m.; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, with many family activities Saturday

Where: Hanover Township, 150 S. Route 59, Bartlett
Admission: Free but donations for troops requested
Contact: (630) 837-0301

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http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=206464&src=1

Loyal American

June 15th, 2008, 5:26 pm

D.C. United Soccer Team Honors Troops, Veterans

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2008 – Hundreds of troops and their families were treated to a professional soccer match on Flag Day during D.C. United’s 9th Annual Armed Forces and Veteran’s Appreciation Day at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the nation’s capital.

“A whole night dedicated to servicemembers makes me feel good,” said Army Spec. Devin Calcote, a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” who presented the nation’s colors at the beginning of the match between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls.

The team provided 1,000 free tickets for active-duty servicemembers. Discounted tickets for military identification card holders and their families were also available.

“It is a privilege and an honor for D.C. United to host a special night for military personnel and veterans each season,” said Stephen Zack, D.C. United’s executive vice president. “We respect the courage and commitment these individuals display and hope to share with them our support.”

Support was on display in the stadium parking before the game. Military recruiters, the U.S.O. and America Supports You greeted troops and soccer fans on their walk from the parking lot.

“I wrote thank you for being in the troops and keeping our nation safe,” said D.C. United fan Timothy Murnin, 12, describing what he wrote on a greeting card to the troops at the Department of Defense America Supports You booth.

America Supports you is a Department of Defense program that connects individual citizens, troop-support organizations and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. America Supports you and its local, non-profit homefront groups have been involved with D.C. United’s Military Appreciation Night for the past two years.

Before the game, thousands of soccer fans witnessed a swearing-in ceremony for some two dozen new recruits headed into the Marine Corps, Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Coast Guard.

“It’s great to be honored here on Flag Day and to enlist some youngsters. The support tonight for servicemembers from all branches in unbelievable,” said Marine Lt. Gen. Ronald Coleman, deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs for the U.S. Marine Corps, before he administered the oath of enlistment.

For one new recruit who will report to the Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island, S.C., on June 23, being enlisted into the Marine Corps by a three-star general, in front of thousands of people, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“It hit me right in the heart. I really felt like America appreciated me, and I couldn’t believe that all those clapping hands were for me,” said Dayron Nibblins, an aspiring aviation electrical technician.

A driving rain began pouring down in the minutes between the enlistment ceremony and kickoff, but that didn’t stop the action on the field. Some military spectators from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Wounded Warrior Battalion stayed out of the rain and enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the game from the Champion’s Club overlooking the field.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to come here and relax with my family. I know a good part of the country is behind the soldiers because everywhere I go I get that sentiment, people are positive,” said Army Maj. David Hanes, an armor officer.

Hanes was a victim of a roadside bomb in October 2006, and has suffered through a litany of broken screws and plates, along with an infection in his right femur.

“The good news is that I hope to be going back on duty in the next month or two,” said Hanes as his son, Colin, clung to his side.

For men and women like Hanes eager to serve their country, appreciation for their service can be summed up with the sage words of a an 11-year old soccer fan.

“The troops are fighting for our country and making us free. I want to make them feel appreciated,” said Danny Zilevicius as he filled out an America Supports You greeting card for the troops.

By the end of the night, D.C. United and its fans were rewarded for their appreciation of the armed forces and veterans with a 4-1 win over New York.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50217

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

RotorHead

June 16th, 2008, 5:22 am

This place is like being in the twighlight zone sometimes

AEOakley

June 16th, 2008, 11:46 am

Girl Scouts resupply the troops - with cookies

By Leah Rae
The Journal News • June 15, 2008

VALHALLA - Hundreds of Girl Scouts reported yesterday for their latest deployment in Operation Cookie Drop, a supply mission meant to give U.S. troops a taste of easier times.

The girls landed by minivan at the parking lot of the New York State National Guard Armory off Route 9A, and hoisted about 40,000 boxes of donated Girl Scout cookies collected from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess counties.

The effort, now 6 years old, brings e-mails of gratitude each year from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Their favorites?

"Anything with chocolate in it," said Alison Bergman, an Ardsley mother who organized the local mission in 2002.

Trefoils, Lemon Chalet Cremes and All Abouts were stacked up as a couple of large military trailers rolled in. Lt. j.g. Todd Stevens tossed boxes of Do-Si-Dos along a bucket brigade. He is a reservist with Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 8, based at Fort Dix, N.J.

"I'm a Tagalongs guy," he said. "I'm on a diet now, so I'm trying to forget I'm moving cookies. Pretending it's lima beans."

The mission has outgrown air shipments and now goes by ship.

Troop 2408 in Briarcliff Manor sent homemade teddy bears for children affected by the war. That led to conversations about the recipients.

"They couldn't believe that this is maybe the only stuffed animal the kids have ever had," said Rachel Diller, whose 6-year-old daughter, Emma, took part.

"I hope you appreciate this bear and have fun," said one child's note, decorated with peace signs.

Lauren Mazzella and Gabriel Branciforti, 9-year-olds from Troop 2887 in Yorktown, read aloud some of the notes kids had written.

From one signed "Janna," age 12: "Dear Soldier, thank you for keeping us safe and preserving our freedom. Because of you our world isn't turned upside down. My brother was in the war but is now safely home. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't thinking of him. I was so happy when he came back, as I know your family will be. We are all so proud of you and lucky that you have the courage and bravery to help us. Thank you."

:clap::clap::clap:

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/NEWS01/806150372/-1/SPORTS

Loyal American

June 16th, 2008, 4:53 pm

‘GI Java’ Supports Foundation

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2008 – The relationship between servicemembers and their coffee is so storied that the hot black liquid has a role in nearly every war movie ever made.

With a desire to support the troops and an understanding of that relationship, the mother and daughter team of Tamra Gravitt and Crystal Espiritu started GI Java. The coffee shop serves its brew to each customer with honor, integrity and excellence above the call of duty, according to a news release from the coffee shop.

The company, with five locations in Washington state, offers coffee in military-themed sizes: the small is called a private, and the large is a sergeant. A portion of all sales goes to U.S. Wounded Soldiers Foundation, and donations for the foundation are accepted in all five shops.

U.S. Wounded Soldiers Foundation provides for the needs of servicemembers wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50225

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

June 16th, 2008, 8:14 pm

City firefighters wear red in solidarity with troops

By Bill McCarthy
bmccarthy@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE -- City firefighters looked like they were out of uniform on Friday.

But they were making a statement with their new red shirts in place of the traditional blue that the department wears every other day of the week.

It is a statement of solidarity with others who put their lives on the line every day for their fellow citizens -- soldiers.

Cheyenne Fire and Rescue is joining four other departments in Wyoming and thousands of union firefighters across the U.S. and Canada in wearing red T-shirts on Fridays to show support for troops overseas.

Many of Cheyenne's firefighters have been in the military.

"We want to show that we support and appreciate the troops and their service," said firefighter Jarrett DeMello.

He is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Wyoming Air National Guard who did two tours in Baghdad, Iraq.

"Also their families," added Jim Townsend, a firefighter who served four years in the U.S. Air Force. "We want them to know that we are thinking about them."

DeMello said that he knows from experience that the word gets to the soldiers overseas when there is a symbolic gesture, and it lifts spirits.

Cheyenne firefighters are joining units from Sheridan, Laramie and Rock Springs in showing support not only for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan but worldwide, said Jon Narva, president of the Cheyenne Professional Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local No. 279.

The union bought the red T-shirts for about $800 and distributed them to all members of the fire department to wear on Fridays. That show of support will continue until the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan conclude.

The mayor, fire chief and other city officials approved of the action, Narva added.

Townsend was a firefighter in the military. He said since firefighters work in 24-hour shifts during which they live together and respond to dangerous situations, they have a lot in common with the soldiers.

"Except here, the bullets aren't flying by."

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2008/06/14/local_news_updates/19local_06-14-08.txt

AEOakley

June 21st, 2008, 6:21 pm

Arctic Thunder 2008 prepares for kick off

by Master Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny
3rd Wing Public Affairs

6/20/2008 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The jets are back. Watch them roll through non-stop action-packed skies over Anchorage and experience the exhilarating aerial performances of this year's Arctic Thunder 2008 air show and open house here June 28-29.

This year's air show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Parachute Team, the U.S. Air Force Reserve Jet Car and more than 10 other civilian and military aerial performers. The air show is free to the public.

Historically the largest two-day event in Alaska, the air show is a way to demonstrate appreciation to the Alaskan community for their support and partnership with the Airmen at Elmendorf as they provide "Top Cover for North America."

"If you love aviation, military jets, war birds, or country music, this weekend is made for you," said Maj. Kyle Anderson, Arctic Thunder 2008 director. "We have hit the mark providing entertainment, flying, food and fun for everyone."

The base will open for the community to witness spectacular displays of Air Force, Joint Military Forces in Alaska, and some of the finest civilian and military performers' flying expertise while showcasing military and aviation heritage. The show is meant to entertain and educate the public about the military's mission and aviation and recruit people interested in volunteering to serve in the armed forces.

In addition to the aerial demonstrations, during the air show there will be plenty to see on the ground, including more than 50 static displays, many vendors with food and other items for sale, a hangar full of activities for the family, and many other events.

In conjunction with the air show, there will be a free concert June 27 in Hangar 2 at 7 p.m. to kick off Alaska's "We're In Weekend" celebration. The gate opens to the public at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The concert -- "Alaska's Operation Gratitude" -- is a gift to the military, as well as Alaskans. The country music's Wynonna Judd is the featured performer. Concert is presented by the Anchorage Statehood Celebration Committee, AT&T Alascom, Anchorage Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Elmendorf AFB, and supported by the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The concert starts at 7 p.m. in Hangar 2 with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific "Alaskan Express" and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Band "Reserve Generation" opening for Wynonna's band that starts at 8:30 p.m. The performance will end with an aircraft flyover and bonfire.

Podcasts of the concert will be available on the AT&T Alascom web site and the concert will be streamed through local NBC affiliate KTUU throughout Alaska and Armed Forces Network to locations around the globe where U.S. Armed Forces members are currently serving in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Military members attending the concert are encouraged to wear their uniform.

These events will begin Alaska's 50th Anniversary of admission as the 49th state of the United States of America celebration commemorating the "We're In" theme and Alaska's road to statehood.

More than 50 members of the air show committee put a lot of hard work and energy into making this show the greatest "Arctic Thunder" Alaska has ever seen.

"This year's show is special as it observes Alaska's 50 years of statehood and Elmendorf's 68th Anniversary," said Tech. Sgt. Francesca Popp, publicity and media director for the show.

"Each person on the committee is responsible for a small section of the big picture," she added. "Without their contributions and expertise, there wouldn't be a show."

Major Anderson agreed. "Base involvement goes much deeper than those 50 people and involves almost every unit and countless volunteers," said Major Anderson.
"Fort Richardson and the Anchorage Municipality have provided vital logistic support with buses, parking and funds," he added.

The local community is also supporting the air show. The Anchorage Fire Department is providing manpower for emergency response and many local businesses are providing monetary donations through the Alaska Air Show Association that paid for civilian aerobatic performances and static displays.

Base officials are expecting more than 150,000 visitors to attend. Extensive plans for traffic, parking, and security are being implemented to accommodate these visitors.

http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123103764

cc08

June 21st, 2008, 6:31 pm

Heheheh, I'll watch them out my window!

I have been to shows at Elmendorf and they always draw a big crowd. Now, lets hope the weather is good :)

:flag::flag::flag:

goeagles

June 21st, 2008, 6:33 pm

Arctic Thunder 2008 prepares for kick off

http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123103764
Sounds great, Annie Oakley.
Even if it isn't the Blue Angels.:razz:

AEOakley

June 21st, 2008, 6:33 pm

Special ‘Support the Troops’ Telethon June 26
Watch on UStream.tv
Catherine Moy, Special to the Union
Published: June 19, 2008

SACRAMENTO – Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Lt. Col. Oliver North, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, comedian Jackie Mason, Mark Levin, Miss Florida 2007 and Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik and former First Lady Nancy Reagan are among the many stars and heroes joining a Sacramento-based nonprofit in a historic push to send the single largest shipment of care packages in history to American troops overseas.

Move America Forward, (located online at www.MoveAmericaForward.org) the nation’s largest pro-troop, grassroots organization, is hosting “From the Front Lines,” an eight-hour Internet telethon fashioned after Jerry Lewis’s famous telethons, but with a high-tech twist. The June 26 event (which runs from 1:00pm – 9:00pm) will feature U.S. troops on the front lines, families of those who gave their lives in the War on Terror, top radio talkers, high-ranking military officials, celebrities and musical talent.

The event will air on the Web through the cutting-edge technology donated and operated by UStream.tv and will be co-hosted by MAF Chairman Melanie Morgan and renowned blogger Michelle Malkin.

The sometimes-competitive world of talk radio will become a unified front, as the kings and queens of talk radio unite for this effort. The roster of radio hosts signed up for shifts on the telethon include Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Mike Gallagher, Monica Crowley, Melanie Morgan, Roger Hedge****, Michael Graham, Mark Williams, Brian Sussman, Martha Zoller, and Andrea Shea-King.

They’ll be joined by NBC’s designated “America’s Favorite Mom” Patti Patton-Bader (mother of two sons in the military including one stationed in Iraq right now). Also participating will be an array of military bloggers and a special report from the office of Gen. David Petraeus, the architect of “the surge” which has helped stabilize Iraq.

“We are deeply honored that so many busy people are donating their time and efforts to send packages to our troops,” MAF’s Melanie Morgan said.

Thousands of Americans have already sponsored packages through MAF’s website and a giant database of names and addresses of U.S. troops in Iraq & Afghanistan is being built—so that the packages can reach our military men and women in time for the 4th of July holiday. MAF would like all families with loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan to send addresses and names to ensure all troops benefit from the overwhelming support of a grateful nation, Morgan said.

Local businesses have stepped up for the cause. Sacramento-based coffee roaster, Cornerstone Coffee, is a principal supplier of the coffee included in the care packages. And the old Travelodge hotel on 11th & H donated offices used for preparing the care packages prior to shipping. The Travelodge has been refurbished into the new work/loft office complex known as “Retrolodge.”

The Fairfield-based Jelly Belly Co., which makes the gourmet Jelly Belly beans made famous by President Ronald Reagan, has donated 100,000 bags of their gourmet jelly beans that will be included in the care packages to assist in the effort.

“This effort has stuck a nerve with people from across the nation and here in Sacramento,” Morgan said. “I am personally ecstatic about the love the American people have for our troops.”

Families of troops have already sent thankful notes to MAF, explaining how the men and women on the frontlines of the war against radical Islam appreciate every note, every package from home.

Jeff Via Sr., a Vietnam veteran, sent the address of his son, who is serving in Afghanistan.

“Thanks so much for the support. He graduated from college and decided that the military was what he wanted to do. He didn’t even go in to be an officer. He decided instead to be enlisted first so that, if and when he decides to go be an officer, he will know what it was like to be enlisted,” Via Sr. said. “Once again, thanks for the support. I know from experience how much it means to the troops.”

Roger Quarton is a minister whose son is fighting for the United States.

“My son is serving with the Marines in Iraq, and I’d like to pass along his address to you, so he might be able to receive a package,” Quarton wrote.” “I know it would be a huge “pick-me-up’ for him and his buddies! Thanks for your help and encouragement to him, and myself!”

Morgan said she is humbled by the simple messages from families who give so much when their loved ones are serving in the military.

“We love all of them and we want them to know that the American people are behind them all the way,” Morgan said.

For more information on the telethon, or to sponsor care packages for our troops go to www.MoveAmericaForward.org.

Sacramento residents who want to donate items or make a financial contribution to the care package drive can do so by emailing Ryan Gill at Ryan@MoveAmericaForward.org (Move America Forward is accepting coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, lip balm, sunblock, insect repellant, foot powder, personal fans, and wet wipes for the care packages).

Residents should send names and addresses of troops to Poohdo@aol.com.
:flag::clap::flag:
http://www.sacunion.com/pages/sacramento/articles/9974/

AEOakley

June 21st, 2008, 11:31 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/sfs2_judy-seale_13jun08_1.jpg
Judy Seale poses in a tank at Camp Q-West, Iraq in November 2007, during a tour with country music star Aaron Tippin

Stars For Stripes Entertains Troops in Remote Locations
By Mike Osborne
Nashville
13 June 2008

While the Iraq War continues to divide the nation, Americans are united in their support for the troops deployed to the Middle East. That's evident from slogans on bumper stickers to organized efforts to send "care packages" overseas. Reporter Mike Osborne introduces us to a woman who is personally delivering some unexpected gifts from home.

Judy Seale has toured American military bases so remote even the Pentagon might have trouble finding them. She isn't a soldier and doesn't carry a gun, but she has it on good authority that her visits do save lives. She recalls, "We had a colonel tell us on the first tour, he said, 'Tonight you boosted morale and low morale kills my soldiers, so you saved lives tonight.'"

Seale is a veteran booking agent and show promoter who's been arranging overseas tours for American celebrities for years, including a lot of shows designed to entertain U.S. troops. Most of those tours involved big artists doing big shows at big bases. "But then I would meet people who would say, ''We're at some little base or camp and we read about them going to Baghdad all the time but we never get anything here. Why can't somebody come see us?'" In 2003, Seale formed a charity to meet that need. She named it Stars for Stripes.

"I'll email the people on the ground in Afghanistan or Iraq and say, 'Can't you just chopper me and the celebrity with a guitar or a fiddle player, whatever?'" she explains. "And we ask to go to the really small camps that don't normally get entertainment from the bigger artists. And we've gotten in to some places that have never had civilian visits before and those are the best," she says with a laugh.

The artists who travel with Stars for Stripes do so without pay. Most are American country music artists, old friends that Seale has worked with in the past. "But I do some classic rock and [I'm] getting into a little heavy metal," she says, adding "I've taken some NFL players, I took a comedy tour last year."

One recent Stars for Stripes performers was recording artist and American Idol finalist Bo Bice. Initially, the southern rocker says, he and his band members had some reservations about touring a war zone. "I said to them, 'Y'know, these people we're going over to entertain and to meet, they don't have any choice and they have families too. And these people are dying?for us. The least we can do?you know, we ain't gotta carry a gun or crawl through a ditch! We're just goin' over there to play a guitar and say thank you'."

His favorite memory of the tour is the evening he spent with the troops in their recreation hall singing karaoke together. "When you're standing up on stage and you're there performing for them, you're still--there's some kind of distance. They look at you as you are on TV. But I think once you put your hand in theirs and let 'em know how appreciative you are? I think that meant more to them than me coming over there and playing guitar and puttin' on a show for 45 minutes or whatever, y'know." Bice and his band enjoyed their first tour so much, on the trip home he made arrangements with Seale to go back again this fall.

But getting to know the soldiers so well can lead to heartbreak for Judy Seale and the artists she recruits. She recalls a night when country music star Chely Wright met an especially memorable young soldier while signing autographs. "After the show a guy came up to her and said his [last] name was Henry. And she said, 'My mother's maiden name was Henry. We may be related!' And he goes, 'Oh man! Does that mean we can't date?' And they talked and chatted and the next day we flew to Taji and I had an e-mail from the commander of the camp and he said, 'I've had a really hard day today. I lost one of my soldiers.'" It was the young trooper Chely Wright had laughed and chatted with just hours earlier.

But Judy Seale has no intention of stopping. She holds America's fighting men and women in far too high a regard to stop now. "They're just the finest human beings. We're gonna look back on this and know that these were the finest men and women ever to serve our country. So, I mean, it's life changing for me. I'm so blessed and so lucky to get to do this." She adds with a laugh, "If I didn't have to work for a living, this is all I would do, take entertainment to the troops!"

Stars for Stripes has completed 23 tours in just four years and has more tours planned this fall.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/sfs3_bo-bice_13jun08.jpg
Bo Bice gives a thumbs up from the C-17 during the flight from Kuwait to Afghanistan

http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-06-13-voa29.cfm

:clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

June 23rd, 2008, 7:59 pm

America Supports You: Group Helps Family Members With Education

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2008 – Military family members looking to further their education have a friend in a support organization called Thanks USA.

“So many spouses appreciate the opportunity to go back to school and finish their education,” explained Carolyn Ferek, Thanks USA’s board secretary, said in an “ASY Live” interview on BlogTalkRadio.

“ASY Live” is part of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Thanks USA is an America Supports You supporter.

Ferek said the focus of Thanks USA is different from that of many other scholarship-based organizations, because while it does focus on providing assistance to military dependents, it also uniquely gears a lot of its funding toward spouses.

“It’s not just for dependents,” she said. “It’s for spouses, because we feel like so many times the spouses are at home taking care of the families, and they are forced to put their career on hold.”

When the organization was founded, Ferek explained, she could not find many organizations that focused on providing for spouses and dependents of current servicemembers based on their need. “Some offered them to military families if there was a death or an injury, but ours isn’t like that,” she said. “We offer it as a need-based scholarship; we have educational scholarships for any branch of the military for college, technical and vocational schools.”

Ferek cited a couple of people the organization has helped.

“I remember one person that wrote to us saying that she would be the first one in her family to have a college education thanks to our program,” Ferek said. “Another woman we helped down in Florida had just had a lung transplant, and still really wanted to go to college. She was just trying to get herself healthy, but she was just so positive and optimistic about her future and wanting to make a difference. So many of the scholarship winners want to give back to the community.”

The organization has raised nearly $4 million and we has awarded more than 1,350 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 dollars. “We have given scholarships to military families all across the United States in all 50 states,” Ferek said.

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

June 24th, 2008, 12:07 am

Bikers rally in Berkeley to support military

Elizabeth Fernandez, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, June 22, 2008

As a "built in the womb" Marine who was born and raised on military bases, Robert Duke was hell-bent on attending a bikers' rally in Berkeley on Saturday outside the Marine Corps recruiting station that has been the focus of a municipal dustup for months.

"We're here to support the troops," said the 49-year-old Brentwood man who works as a pipe fitter and welder.

:flag::clap::flag:

Read the rest here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/22/BACL11D7JV.DTL

:flag::flag::flag:

Local 4-H Club and church team up to support troops

MARION - Members of the Marion County Rough Riders 4-H Club and Central Christian Church recently collaborated to collect approximately 250 pounds of food and supplies for troops with local ties who are serving overseas. The congregation also donated $110 in cash - enough to cover the postage to send a soldier a package from home every month for a year.

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Read the rest here:

http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/UPDATES01/806220312/1002/NEWS01

Loyal American

June 24th, 2008, 6:37 pm

America Supports You: Lake Michigan Cruise Recognizes Veterans

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2008 – Veterans can once again enjoy an afternoon cruising Lake Michigan, sharing tributes and building relationships thanks to one Illinois group.

Kup’s Purple Heart Cruises began in 1945 when Irv Kupcinet also known as “Kup,” a Chicago Sun Times columnist, wanted to do something for servicemembers coming back from World War II.

The 50-year tradition ended with its last cruise in 1995. Twelve years later, David Kupcinet decided to re-launch his grandfather’s renowned Kup’s Purple Heart Cruises.

After fours year of planning the successfully re-launched cruise took place July 31, 2007.

Kupcinet said the cruise is a way to show appreciation to veterans for their service to the country.

Kup’s Purple Heart Cruise is an “effort to highlight citizen support for our military men and women and communicate that support to the members of our armed forces at home and abroad,” according to a news release from the group.

Last year, Kupcinet said, it took three and a half months to fill the 500 spots on the cruise, but “it was so successful last year it took three and a half weeks to hit capacity this year.”

The cruise is not only for veterans but also active-duty servicemembers. Kupcinet said veterans range in age from 19 to 91.

“The most interesting thing was seeing the relationships built between old time veterans and [Afghanistan and Iraq] veterans,” Kupcinet said. “The connection between … veterans in their 20s and a guy from World War II, for example, is really a pretty amazing thing to see.”

“These relationships are long-lasting relationships,” said Dan Casara, a Purple Heart recipient and participant in Kup’s Purple Heart Cruise. He was wounded Sept. 23, 2005, when a roadside bomb flipped his tank. He said he tries to use such events to network, meet new people, and build lasting relationships that will turn into friendships.

Kupcinet said it is a great experience to see both young and older veterans interacting and still holding on to deep military ties and traditions, including the playful arguments over which branch of the military is the strongest.

“It’s also very funny to see the branches still mess with each other even so many years after they’ve been in service,” Kupcinet said. “We had an 89-year-old Marine and 90-year-old sailor in the Navy, and at those ages they were still messing with each other about who was tougher.”

The Purple Heart Cruise event takes place in two parts. The first part is the pierside send-off ceremony that includes presentations and speeches from the honorary chairman as well as dignitaries. There also are military and Defense Department tributes to the veterans, Kupcinet said.

The cruise itself is the second part of the event; it is a four-hour cruise on Lake Michigan that includes of food, entertainment and camaraderie.

“It was really nice,” Casara said. “It was refreshing to see other Purple Heart recipients, … whether they were of this conflict or prior conflicts, to come out and enjoy themselves.”

This year’s Kup’s Purple Heart Cruise will take place July 31 at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Kup’s Purple Heart Foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that seeks to focus public support for the men and women in the military.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50308

NICE VIDEO ON THIS:

http://www.kupspurpleheartfoundation.org/

SWEET! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

June 25th, 2008, 12:26 am

America Supports You: Lake Michigan Cruise Recognizes Veterans

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50308

NICE VIDEO ON THIS:

http://www.kupspurpleheartfoundation.org/

SWEET! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

How wonderful -- thanks for sharing about this, L.A.! :clap:

Loyal American

June 26th, 2008, 6:17 pm

Elmo Visits Military Kids to Help With Deployment Stress

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080626-D-8901Q-003.jpghttp://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080626-D-8901Q-002-1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080626-D-8901Q-006.jpghttp://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080626-D-8901Q-001.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080626-D-8901Q-002a-1.jpg

THOUGHT IS WAS A GOOD TIME FOR AN ELMO UPDATE!
CHECK OUT WHAT HE'S UP TO! ;)

[CLICK HERE FOR STORY] (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50335)

Loyal American

June 26th, 2008, 9:01 pm

Home-Front Support is Key to Success, Soldier Says

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008 – Support from their fellow citizens is vital to the success of servicemembers fighting the war on terror, a soldier who earned the Bronze Star Medal in Iraq said today.

“Support means everything,” Army Staff Sgt. John Aughtman saidin an interview on the “ASY Live” program on BlogTalkRadio. “A letter, a care package, a telephone call, a visit, a blanket -- anything means everything.”

“ASY Live” is part of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

As a squad leader, Aughtman earned the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership after an attack in Tikrit. He cared for his soldiers and led them to safety before taking care of his own injuries. He has served three combat deployments, and plans to go back.

“I’ve had some good times and bad times, and I can’t wait to get back in,” he said.

Aughtman talked about his time being deployed before his injury, and emphasized the importance of support organizations that helped to keep him connected to what was going on back home.

“The home-front groups go above and beyond, doing great things for us,” he said. “It may not be a lot, but it is something when they are far away from home.”

In particular, Aughtman said, care packages, letters from people around the country and notes from elementary school children really warmed his heart. “They would send care packages and movies around the holidays – it kind of warms you up when you get something like that and have been deployed for awhile,” he said.

On April 22 2007, the day he was injured, Aughtman was on a routine patrol returning to his forward operating base when his vehicle was struck by a grenade. He was knocked unconscious for about a minute and a half.

“When I woke up,” he said, “I started testing the other soldiers for injuries, and I found that one soldier had shrapnel wounds to about 90 percent of his right leg and one soldier had internal injuries.” Without hesitation, Aughtman treated the soldier with the shrapnel wounds and kept the other soldier conscious before deciding to get back to the forward operating base on a “self-medevac” to get attention for his own injuries.

Although many would agree that Aughtman is a hero, he doesn’t view himself that way. “I am just doing my job and doing what I am supposed to do. … The men to your left and right are going to do anything and everything to help you out as long as you do the same,” he said. “I lost a friend in Iraq. “He paid the ultimate sacrifice and is a true hero.”

While recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, Aughtman received a wide variety of care and support that he credits with assisting in his speedy recovery.

“I received blankets clothes, money, letters everything you think you would need while you are in the hospital,” he explained. “One group gave us a credit card to buy clothes, because we didn’t have any when we had to self-medevac. Another group gave me a handmade quilt that is very nice and warm.

“The thing that stands out the most,” he continued, “were the people at Walter Reed. They came around every day to check on me and talk to me and see how I was doing. They were just there to talk and make the experience a little better.”

To support groups that work tirelessly to provide for servicemembers, Aughtman had words of encouragement to offer. “Continue your support, and don’t forget about us,” he said.

I think this shows just how important our support is, major or small, it means a great deal to our troops!

Take a look at the links in my signature and think about communicating with a Soldier, Marine or Airman! Adopt a service member or send a card to say thank you to somebody at Walter Reed. Just do it, it takes only a minute of your time and it means a lot!

Loyal American

June 27th, 2008, 2:12 pm

America Supports You: Wounded Soldier Gets Canine Companion

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080620-F-9208L-285.jpg

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., June 27, 2008 – On Aug. 19, 2006, the life of Army Capt. James Barclay IV changed forever.

He was in the lead vehicle of a convoy in a remote area of Afghanistan when a roadside bomb tore through his vehicle. Barclay survived, but suffered burns over 40 percent of his body.

Barclay’s life changed again June 24, but this time for the better.

Marc Illman, owner of The Pet Resort at Greensprings here, reunited Barclay with Bryant, a chocolate Labrador retriever specially trained for hunting. Illman spent the last three months training the dog while Barclay underwent treatment for his injuries.

Bryant and Barclay’s story began shortly after Barclay started his recovery at the Wounded Warrior Center at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. A long-time outdoorsman, Barclay was eager to return to hunting, his favorite pastime. He adopted Bryant in August, but soon found that his injuries prevented him from properly caring for the pooch.

“I had him for about three weeks,” he said. “Due to the surgeries, I wasn’t going to able to do what I wanted to do with him, and spend as much time as I should with him, so I sent him to my dad’s house.”

In March, Barclay’s father, Army Brig. Gen. James Barclay III, former director of U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Center for Operational Analysis, brought Bryant and another pet to Illman for boarding. When Illman found out about the situation, he volunteered to help train Bryant free of charge.

“I’m thrilled to do this, and I hope the dog works out for him and his family,” Illman said. “These young men in the armed services really don’t have a choice. They’re where they’re told to go, when they’re told to go there, and no matter what your political ideals are, they’re committed to serve the armed services, and it’s important they know that when they come home, as opposed to other wars we’ve had, that they have some support.”

Bryant’s training began with basic obedience training and socialization. Illman then moved on to more hunting and outdoor-specific training such as running through deep undergrowth and proper reaction to gunfire. He specifically trained the pup to hunt both water fowl and upland birds such as quail and pheasant. Illman said Bryant took easily to the training.

“What makes him really special is that, sometimes you have a dog that’s great around people [and] becomes a great house dog. We call them ‘couch potatoes,’ Illman said. “But he also has the ability to switch that off and become a great field-trial hunting dog.”

The elder Barclay, who recently left JFCom to become commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala., said he’s grateful not only for Illman’s help, but also for everyone who reaches out to wounded servicemembers in need.

“It’s great to have Americans who support our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and he is prime example of that kind of support that is willing to give and do things for these kids,” the general said. “We’ve got great Americans out there that show their support in different ways for our kids. I think it’s wonderful, and folks like that need recognition.”

As Barclay reunited with his old friend, the two recognized each other right away and were inseparable from the moment they were reunited.

“It really means a lot to see that people here support me and the soldiers out here,” Barclay said. “Hopefully, [Bryant will] be my right-hand man.”

In addition to Bryant, Barclay received a free one-year supply of dog food and a weekend hunting trip at a resort in Montana.

With Bryant in tow, Barclay will head back to San Antonio to continue his recovery. He said he hopes to be better in time for the bird-hunting season in the fall.

“Once I get back, I’ll start working with him right away to try and create that bond you need in a hunting dog,” Barclay said.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50342

So sweet!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

June 27th, 2008, 6:18 pm

America Supports You: Wounded Soldier Gets Canine Companion

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080620-F-9208L-285.jpg

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50342

So sweet!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Another great story of how our awesome troops (and their families) are getting support before, during and after their service! Thanks for sharing this, L.A.! :clap:

AEOakley

June 28th, 2008, 6:58 pm

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Riders enter Wolverine Harley Davidson at the end of the 60-mile Ride for Freedom on June 22. (Source photo by Debra Kaszubski)

60-mile ride supports troops

By DEBRA KASZUBSKI
Contributing Writer

It was quite a site - and quite deafening - as roughly 750 motorcycles pulled into Wolverine Harley-Davidson in Clinton Township on June 22 at the end of the sixth annual Ride for Freedom. The 60-mile ride through Macomb and St. Clair counties raised more than $50,000 for Selfridge Air National Guard Base military troops and their families.

Participants, who paid $30 per rider or $20 per passenger, were treated to a police escort in which all roads, including major streets like Gratiot Avenue, were closed during the nonstop morning ride. Riders also received a continental breakfast, safety tips and a blessing of the bikes at the base before the ride, and lunch and entertainment at the end at Wolverine. The U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal, Wolverine Harley-Davidson and several other businesses sponsored the event.

“The day has gone extremely well. The weather has held out, and everyone is having a good time and supporting our military,” said Heather Eckman, the Army’s Ride for Freedom project coordinator.

The ride was successful, in part, due to the large number of participants from Wolverine’s H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter, one of the largest in the country, according to Adrienne Nutter, marketing event coordinator, and Jolene Gang, general sales manager at Wolverine.

“Our customers and many riders support the military, so it seemed natural for us to help our neighbors through this event,” said Nutter, who coordinates various community support events for Wolverine. “This is our biggest, most popular event, with many riders willing to get on their bikes and ride for the troops.”

Steve Krystoff of Rochester Hills rode his patriotic red, white and blue Harley that is adorned with U.S. flags. He said he participated for one simple reason: “For freedom,” he said. “I’ll support anything that’s for our troops.”

Denis and Ginger Blaquiere of Clarkston rode their 2005 Harley Road King Classic during the event, their first Ride for Freedom. The couple, who take pleasure in rides and recently participated in a California-based event with 10,000 bikers, said they enjoyed the event and were especially pleased to see spectators along the road holding flags in support of riders.

“I always come out for this. It’s for a good cause - the service members who are putting themselves on the line out there for us,” said Shelby Township resident Angelo Castiglione, who rode his 2005 Harley Ultra Classic.

Logan Flynn, 11, of Clarkston, was among the youngest riders, having sat on the back of his uncle’s Harley 1200 Custom Sportster. He described the ride, his first, as “fast and fun.”

At seven months pregnant, Denise Immel of Howell was not your typical rider. To avoid falling, Immel rode a Can-Am Spyder, a unique cycle with added stability and safety features. Immel’s husband, Jeff, general sales manager at K&W Motorcycle in Shelby Township, participated in the ride not only to support the troops, but also to show off the unique bright yellow bike, which caught the attention of many.

“There were so many heads turning when we rode by,” Jeff Immel said.

Joe Stockslager, marketing specialist at Selfridge, said all of the proceeds from the ride will be used to support various programs at the base that boost troop morale, such as holiday-themed parties. Proceeds will also cover the cost of phone cards for troops who are overseas.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/stories/062908/loc_story4001.shtml

AEOakley

June 30th, 2008, 10:10 am

4th Stryker BCT to uncase colors at Fort Lewis

Staff report
Posted : Sunday Jun 29, 2008 8:51:42 EDT

Soldiers from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, will be welcomed home during a ceremony Tuesday at Fort Lewis, Wash.

The brigade, known as the Dragoon Raider brigade, was deployed from April 2007 through June 2008.

During the ceremony, the brigade will uncase its colors to signify the completion of its deployment and its return to Fort Lewis. Silver Star awards will be presented to several soldiers during the awards portion of the ceremony.

Also during the ceremony, representatives from Operation Gratitude and Chrysler will present a 2008 Jeep Liberty to Spc. Michael Gallagher, who received the keys to the sport utility vehicle in Operation Gratitude’s 300,000th care package while he was deployed.

Gallagher designed a mural for the SUV to honor fallen soldiers from his unit, and the customized SUV will be unveiled during the presentation.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/army_lewis_062708/

AEOakley

June 30th, 2008, 10:16 am

If there ever was a taste of Chicago, deep dish pizza would be it, and it's a taste that retired Air Force Sgt. Mark Evans wants to share with soldiers on duty in the Middle East.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=269266

Less than a week after a retired Air Force Sergeant's son cooked up the idea, pizzas intended to bring a slice of home to soldiers are on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=270344

:flag::clap::flag:

Loyal American

June 30th, 2008, 1:12 pm

America Supports You: ‘Hire A Hero’ Launches Campaign to Thank Troops

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2008 – The goal of a troop-support group’s new Web-based campaign is simple: tell the troops “thank you” a million times over, starting today.

Hire A Hero, which works to connect military job seekers and military-friendly employers, has created the “One Million Thank Yous” campaign to do just that.

“We … know that servicemembers are not aware of the tremendous amount of support that exists for them,” said Brac Selph, executive director of Hire A Hero. “We want servicemembers to have a virtual place they can go to remind themselves that what they are doing is appreciated and necessary for Americans to live the way they live.”

Though a beta version on the “One Million Thank Yous” Web site launched on Memorial Day, the campaign officially launches today, Selph said. Americans are encouraged to help Hire A Hero thank servicemembers by submitting a “thank you” e-mail through the Hire A Hero Web site through Veterans Day to help reach the 1 million “thank you” goal.

Troops and their families can read the messages already received online at the “One Million Thank Yous” section of Hire A Hero’s Web site, www.hireahero.org.

The organization is looking not only for more creative ways to get the messages in front of servicemembers, but also for partners in this endeavor.

“Some ideas that have been suggested [include] monitors playing the messages as troops disembark, printed booklets with several hundred of the messages to be distributed to the troops [or] an art project to memorialize the messages in the real world,” Selph said. “We are still trying to finalize this part of the project.”

The “One Million Thank Yous” project, though relatively straight-forward, has a secondary goal to solidify the distinction between supporting the troops and political opinion of the war, Selph added.

“Most everyone we speak to, regardless of political affiliation or opinion about the war, supports our troops,” he said.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50358

Send your thank your message today!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

July 2nd, 2008, 1:52 pm

Here's more on the Fort Lewis soldier, Specialist Michael Gallagher:

A soldier from the 4th Stryker Brigade just back from Iraq paid special tribute to the members of his unit who didn't come home Tuesday. Specialist Michael Gallagher turned a huge gift into a fitting memorial to fallen soldiers.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.komonews.com/news/22794864.html?video=YHI&t=a

Loyal American

July 2nd, 2008, 2:01 pm

Here's more on the Fort Lewis soldier, Specialist Michael Gallagher:

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.komonews.com/news/22794864.html?video=YHI&t=a

OK, that made me cry! :cry:

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! :flag:

AEOakley

July 2nd, 2008, 4:14 pm

OK, that made me cry! :cry:

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS! :flag:

http://www.komonews.com/news/2279486...?video=YHI&t=a

Amen! :pray:

AEOakley

July 2nd, 2008, 11:18 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/home-topper.jpg
Pfc. Justin Gindhart of Warminster, Pa., hugs his father, Mark, as they leave Philadelphia International Airport last Father's Day. His mother Lisa Gindhart looks on. (By Jim Graham for USA TODAY)

In this war, troops get a rousing welcome home

By Rick Hampson, USA TODAY

WARMINSTER, Pa. — The young soldier hadn't slept in 48 hours or bathed in 72. Now that he was finally back from Iraq, all Pfc. Justin Gindhart wanted was a hot shower and a soft bed.

But these days, Gindhart discovered, a soldier's homecoming isn't always that simple.

To his surprise, there was a troop of motorcycle-riding Vietnam vets to greet him at the airport; a police-escorted motorcade, past blocked-off intersections and highway entrances, that backed up traffic for miles; an appearance at a support-the-troops rally; a gathering of neighbors and friends, alerted by fire and ambulance sirens, outside his family's house. And the biggest shock of all — a reunion with a disabled comrade whose life he'd helped save in Iraq.

"Wow! I thought I was just gonna come home," the startled private told the crowd that spilled across his lawn and into the street on Father's Day. "I didn't expect anything like this!"

He should have. Troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan are being welcomed with celebrations that are increasingly elaborate, frequently surreptitious and occasionally over-the-top.

Like many of those who are greeted like latter-day Caesars, Gindhart was quick to point out that he wasn't exceptional. He was a 20-year-old medic who'd spent eight months in Iraq and hadn't been seriously wounded or highly decorated. He was home only on an 18-day leave.

For many communities, nothing is too good when it comes to showing support for returning troops.

"He really deserved something special," says Gindhart's mother, Lisa, who had only 18 hours to complete arrangements after learning of her son's scheduled arrival at the Philadelphia airport. "This is the happiest day of my life."

She, like many other Americans, says any military homecoming — for temporary leave or to stay home for good — deserves major festivities.

Celebrations such as Gindhart's reflect a renewed national appreciation of those who serve, says Morten Ender, a sociologist at the U.S. Military Academy.

One reason, he says, is that the home front is asked to sacrifice relatively little for the war effort — no tax surcharges, rationing or draft. So some civilians show their patriotism by how they honor the troops.

"The (Bush) administration has set the tone of going about our normal lives, but people aren't necessarily comfortable with that," Ender says. "They want to do something to show their appreciation."

Sarah Schoen of Port Clinton, Ohio, says that partly explains the elaborate homecoming reception she planned for her boyfriend, Army Sgt. Travis McCleary: "There is a war going on, and we're here back home, just hangin' out. This was a way of doing something."

Diane Mazur, a University of Florida law professor and former Air Force officer, goes further: "What motivates these ostentatious displays is the unspoken, almost unconscious guilt over the way military service works now. A narrow slice of Americans serve again and again. It's as if we're saying, 'We will engage in these very public displays of worship, provided you don't ask us to serve.' "

And there's something else. Talk to those who stage these welcome celebrations, and it becomes clear that it's not only about the reception these troops deserve, but also about the reception another generation of returning veterans deserved, and did not get.

It's about Vietnam.

An egg and a parade

In February, El Paso announced plans for a "Welcome Home Heroes Parade" to mark the return to Fort Bliss of a unit of the First Cavalry Division.

The parade wasn't expected to be much of a draw. It would be held on a weekday and feature no floats, pop stars or beauty queens — just the 4,000 soldiers and 31 riderless horses to mark those who did not come back.

About 12,000 people showed up, lining the mile-long route and making the parade the Iraq war's largest civilian-planned homecoming celebration so far.

The unit commander, Col. Stephen Twitty, was shocked by the turnout. He said it showed that regardless of how people feel about the war, "they still support the troops."

Tellingly, the El Paso event's roots go back to 1970, during the Vietnam War. A just-discharged Army officer named John Cook stepped through the gate at Fort Lewis in Washington state and, he says, was hit by an egg thrown by a war protester.

Cook is now mayor of El Paso. "That was my welcome home to civilian life," he says.

He vowed to do better for veterans who followed. The parade, 38 years later, was a result.

:flag::clap::flag:

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-07-02-cominghome_N.htm

Loyal American

July 3rd, 2008, 1:49 pm

America Supports You: PGA Tour Hosts Wounded Warriors at Barbecue

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Pro golfer Charles Howell III chats with wounded warrior Army Sgt. Ron Frye during a barbecue hosted by the PGA Tour on July 2,2008, at Mologne House, on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080702-A-7377C-001.jpg
Air Force Airman 1st Class Craig Larcenaire, a wounded warrior rehabilitating at Mologne House on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus in Washington, D.C., gets a few putts in on the practice green during a barbecue hosted by the PGA Tour at Mologne House on July 2, 2008.

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2008 – Wounded warriors and the PGA tour kicked off their Independence Day celebration a couple of days early with food and festivities yesterday at Mologne House, on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus here.

The event was sponsored by the PGA’s “Birdies for the Brave” program, which falls under PGA Tour Charity Inc. and is the tour’s primary program for supporting military members and their families.

More than 200 recovering servicemembers and their families attended the celebration and were treated to the traditional holiday grub of burgers and hot dogs. Troops showcased their golf skills, or lack thereof, teeing off in practice nets and putting on practice greens. They also received hats, golf towels, ball markers, and other PGA logo apparel and souvenirs.

Several big names in golf, including PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, made the trip down from the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, Md., to show their support and appreciation for the troops.

“Support for the military is a big part of what the PGA Tour is all about,” said Finchem, who’s been working with the Defense Department’s America Supports You program and other home-front organizations for the past few years. “All of us at the tour are privileged to help out and show our support any way we can.”

READ more and see additional photo's in link:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50402

AWESOME!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

July 3rd, 2008, 5:58 pm

Tucson troops show appreciation for care packages

By Jim Edwards, Fox 11 News

The local senior living community Atria Bell Court Gardens has included dozens of T-shirts in weekly care packages sent to Arizona servicemen and servicewomen serving in Iraq. The shirts were sent by the Gardens’ Support Our Troops organization in partnership with Captain Richard Harper of the Tucson Police Department, and were designed and paid for by TPD.

Harper recently received a gesture of appreciation from the troops in the form of a photograph taken by the 56th Signal Company and the 54th Signal Battalion at Camp Arifjan, Iraq. “The photograph is not only a testament to the bonds shared by those who place their lives on the line, but also to the generous spirit that unites our local heroes,” said David Edwards, Engage Life Director at Atria Bell Court Gardens.

Since launching the Support Our Troops program over two years ago, residents and staff at Atria Bell Court Gardens have shipped hundreds of care packages to troops overseas.

http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/KMSB_20080702_jh_atria.1955b723.html

:clap::flag::clap:

Support troops this July 4th

Reported by: Paige Kornblue

BOCA RATON, FL -- Many people will gather Friday to celebrate a day off from work and more importantly, celebrate the nation.

On this July 4th, many people will be also be celebrating our servicemen and women with patriotic displays and gestures.

Local companies and organizations continue to support the troops this time of year.

Boca Java, an online coffee company that started in Boca Raton and is now located in Deerfield Beach, is hoping people can support its 'Operation Million Cup' program.

Boca Java’s coffee-for-the-troops-program started in October of 2003 with one goal: to get one million cups of coffee to the troops.

The program was a success and the operation has continued.

Over the years, the online coffee and tea company and its customers have provided troops with over 5 million cups of coffee.

Boca Java matches donations bag for bag.

---

Shopping for Soldiers will be kicking off its Holiday Gift program in Delray Beach Friday.

The Delray-based non-profit assists injured soldiers, their families, and the families of fallen soldiers.

The organization hopes to send 100,000 gifts to injured troops and fallen soldiers family members this holiday season.

Shopping for Soldiers will be passing out New York franks, doughnuts and coffee in exchange for donations.

The Shopping for Soldiers team will be passing out coffee, doughnuts, and New York Sabretts franks at their booth throughout the day Friday.

The booth will be located at the Atlantic Plaza at 777 East Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach next to Veterans Park from 9am - 1pm and in the Atlantic Plaza tent on Ocean Ave where Atlantic Ave. meets Ocean Ave. in Delray Beach adjacent to the Marriott Hotel from 4pm - 9pm.

People will be saluting our troops and supporting Forgotten Soldiers Outreach in West Palm Beach and Delray Beach this holiday weekend too. For the second year, people have sponsored American flags that will be displayed at the July 4th celebrations.

All proceeds will support Boynton Beach-based Forgotten Soldiers Outreach.

The non-profit organization sends monthly care packages and letters to the troops.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=bffb670a-318b-487f-a6fd-e4861f70f611

AEOakley

July 3rd, 2008, 6:12 pm

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides college scholarship grants, based on need, along with financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel who were killed in an operational mission or training accident.

A specific fundraiser for this organization...

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Your donation goes directly to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, to the children of our Heroes. This ride is in memory of my son, Capt. Derek Argel, USAF CCT, KIA, Memorial Day, 2005. It is also in memory of Major Brian Downs, SSGT Casey Crate, Capt. Jeremy Fresques, and Capt. Ali Abass who went on their last mission together. It is in memory of all of those who have laid down their lives for freedom.

My husband and I will ride 6,000 miles this summer. We will start on August 15, and return home on Sept. 15. Along the way, we will visit planned stops to spread the word about what the Special Operations Warrior Foundation does. We will visit the cadets at the USAF Academy on the way home. We can't think of a better way to help the Special Ops Warrior Foundation to raise money. Our little grandson Logan, as well as so many other children will qualify for help from this organization when he is ready for college. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been funding and providing assistance to children for over 27 years. They have earned the highest rating of four stars on the Charity Navigator. Within 30 days of the notification to families of fallen warriors, the SOWF is in contact, providing counseling and assistance to their children. We will be wearing the Special Operations Warrior Foundation logo, throughout our trip, to remind people and raise awareness of the elite Special Forces that perform the nation's most dangerous missions. Please remember the Warriors who gave all to this country, and to the children for which they would provide.

* Special Thanks to FAMILIES UNITED FOR OUR TROOPS, who is sponsoring our gasoline for the trip!

For more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/debbieargel
http://www.specialops.org/

debargel

July 3rd, 2008, 7:46 pm

A specific fundraiser for this organization...

For more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/debbieargel
http://www.specialops.org/

Thanks for posting this again. I'll be starting my ride in your neck of the woods. I appreciate it! Deb

Loyal American

July 4th, 2008, 3:13 pm

Thanks for posting this again. I'll be starting my ride in your neck of the woods. I appreciate it! Deb
Best wishes for MAXIMUM SUCCESS, Deb! http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/ththththafro-29.gif Thank you for taking on such an honorable endeavor to help the children of our Fallen heroes! You are a great Amerian! :flag:

I am still put out that you aren't coming to Hoosier land! :( Maybe next time! ;)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/untitled.jpg

AEOakley

July 5th, 2008, 11:03 am

Moment Of Thanks To Send 100,000 Messages of Support to US Troops

SheZoom.com Launches New Website Sponsored by KODAK Gallery in Affiliation with Soldiers’ Angels

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moment of Thanks, a national initiative to provide an easy way to say thank you to the men and women of the Armed Forces, today announced it will send at least 100,000 messages of support to US troops via the new Website MomentOfThanks.com. To kick off the Independence Day launch, Abigail Breslin, Peyton Manning, Tommy Lasorda, New York Governor David Paterson, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, NBA stars Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant, among others, have recorded special thank you messages that can be seen at www.momentofthanks.com.

Moment of Thanks transcends politics and encourages Americans to join together in a demonstration of gratitude for the service of the men and women in the US Armed Forces. Anyone can simply go to www.momentofthanks.com and follow the directions to upload videos, photos, or write a message to the troops. By visiting www.momentofthanks.com, people at home and abroad can share their heartfelt wishes with the military, whether they are sharing a photo album that may be of interest to a family member on a current tour of duty, or creating a message to show their support of soldiers from their home state.

KODAK Gallery, the leading online photo service and lead sponsor for the effort and the non-profit military support organization Soldiers’ Angels (www.soldiersangels.org) are encouraging Americans to post their messages.

“The men and women of our military are doing such incredibly important and selfless work so that we can enjoy the freedoms we so deeply cherish,” said Stacey Artandi, founder of Moment of Thanks and CEO of SheZoom. “This initiative encourages everyone to take a moment to express their appreciation and to let the troops know that we have complete support and respect for them and are wishing them a safe and rapid return home.”

“Kodak is pleased to support Moment of Thanks in this very important initiative,” said Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chief Business Development Officer and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “Kodak has a long history of sharing meaningful moments with America, and we believe showing our appreciation for our military personnel is important and something everyone can do.”

“A program like this is wonderful for troop morale,” said Patti Patton-Bader, founder and CEO of Soldiers’ Angels. “It touches my heart when great companies like SheZoom and Kodak step up to help make a difference in our heroes’ lives. Moment of Thanks fits beautifully with our mission of ensuring that ‘No Soldier Go Unloved,’ and we are proud to add our support to this terrific project.”

About SheZoom

SheZoom.com is a video Website that targets women with a diverse range of programming, seamlessly combining originally produced content with partner and user generated content. An upbeat and engaging community, SheZoom encourages women to laugh, learn, share and connect. SheZoom partners with experts in fields such as weight loss, fashion, finance, food, parenting and technology in order to deliver positive, credible information that women can use in their daily lives. Founded by Stacey Artandi, SheZoom.com provides a forum for women everywhere to share common ground and to showcase their talents. Moment of Thanks is a wholly owned subsidiary of SheZoom. For more information, call (212) 708-0841.

About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com, and our blogs: 1000words.kodak.com, PluggedIn.kodak.com, and GrowYourBiz.kodak.com.

Editor’s Note: Kodak corporate news releases are now offered via RSS feeds. To subscribe, visit www.kodak.com/go/RSS and look for the RSS symbol. In addition, Kodak podcasts are viewable at www.kodak.com/go/podcasts. Our podcasts may be downloaded for viewing on iTunes, Quicktime, or other PC-based media players. Users may also subscribe to Kodak podcasts via the iTunes application if already installed on your computer. From the iTunes store, type “Kodak podcast” in the search field to view all of our podcast offerings.

About Soldiers’ Angels

Soldiers’ Angels is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of nearly 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs with unique and effective ways to support members of the U.S. military. Operating internationally, Soldiers’ Angels provides letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support for their families at home. They also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call (615) 676-0239.

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http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080704005071&newsLang=en
www.momentofthanks.com

Loyal American

July 7th, 2008, 12:03 pm

America Supports You: Organizations Join to Help Veterans, Families

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2008 – AMVETS, one of the nation’s leading veterans service organizations, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness signed a memorandum of understanding last week at the alliance’s Virginia headquarters in Arlington.

The memorandum allows AMVETS and NAMI to share resources to assist veterans and their families in identifying and coping with mental illness. Together, the two organizations have more than 2,500 locations where veterans and their families can go to learn more about readjustment issues and mental illness.

“When troops come home from war, they just want to go home. They often don’t want to admit that they’re having issues readjusting,” said John P. Brown III, AMVETS national commander. “By partnering with NAMI, AMVETS will help teach families about some of the warning signs of mental illness and show them where to get help for their loved ones.”

A recent report by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, found that nearly 300,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 potentially suffer from traumatic brain injuries, according to the report.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged some of these veterans aren’t within commuting distance of VA health care facilities, which creates gaps in available care. While VA takes steps to bridge these gaps, AMVETS and NAMI are taking steps of their own to provide assistance.

The NAMI partnership, which developed out of AMVETS’ “National Symposium on the Needs of Young Veterans,” will help families of deployed servicemembers to identify warning signs of potential mental health problems once their loved ones return from combat.

AMVETS is uniquely poised to offer assistance to servicemembers and their families through a 2005 memorandum of understanding with the National Guard Bureau, which allows AMVETS posts and departments to work directly with National Guard units across the country.

To date, AMVETS has provided thousands of man-hours in support of the National Guard. The new partnership with NAMI will augment the kind of support that AMVETS offers to recently returned veterans facing a potentially difficult transition.

AMVETS also will work with NAMI to dispel the negative stigma surrounding post-combat mental health issues, something the Rand study suggests keeps many veterans from seeking treatment. However, AMVETS is looking to teach that the human reaction to combat experience is natural and can be addressed through proper mental health channels.

AMVETS is a supporter of America Support You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50424

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Loyal American

July 8th, 2008, 11:26 am

America Supports You: Blockbuster, USO Join Forces for Troops

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2008 – Movies and games have always been popular among deployed troops, providing a break from the intense daily realities of their duties and a way to fill downtime while away from their loved ones.

With that in mind, Blockbuster stores nationwide, in partnership with United Service Organizations, are making it easy for Americans to donate video games and DVDs to deployed forces.

“The DVD and game drive is a way for Blockbuster stores and the American public to make life a little better for U.S. servicemen and women when they’re so far away from home,” Larcine Bland, Blockbuster’s vice president for community affairs, said.

Customers simply purchase new or previously viewed DVDs and games at participating Blockbuster stores, then drop them into convenient USO drop boxes. For security reasons, Bland emphasized, the USO can accept only DVDs and games originating from participating Blockbuster stores in this program.

The entertainment retailer will match donations made at its stores - up to 20,000 DVDs - and work with the USO to distribute them to troops stationed across the world.

"We are excited to work with Blockbuster to continue to boost the morale of our men and women in uniform and their families around the world," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and chief executive officer.

Over the last 10 years, Blockbuster has regularly provided entertainment for military personnel by donating movies, games and home entertainment equipment to the USO.

To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50438

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Loyal American

July 9th, 2008, 11:06 am

America Supports You: Fund Assists Severely Injured Veterans

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 – An organization that focuses on helping severely injured veterans channels its efforts toward providing the kinds of assistance they don’t otherwise get.

The Independence Fund provides “the tools, therapies and guidance that they are otherwise not receiving,” said Steve Danyluk, the organization’s president.

The Independence Fund, he explained, is built upon three pillars of support. These pillars, according to the Independence Fund Web site, include providing specialized tools and therapies to troops and veterans, promoting the overall well-being of severely injured veterans through physical and leisure activity, and providing advocacy and guidance through veterans and family members who have experienced similar events and injuries.

For example, the Independence Fund provides assistance such as iBot wheelchairs and sports equipment that has been modified so disabled veterans can take part in athletic pursuits or leisure sports.

The fund also provides two different types of therapies to injured troops.

“Sports and art therapy are the two big programs we champion,” Danyluk said. “Some of the art has become part of our traveling art exhibit, which is steadily growing and been displayed, most recently at the Indianapolis [Veterans Affairs] hospital, and next at the Arlington Art Center in Virginia.”

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans can apply for funding through the Independence Fund’s Web site, where a downloadable document also is available, Danyluk said.

Once an application is accepted, an Independence Fund case director conducts an interview, and a grant funding board then reviews the application to determine whether the candidate receives a grant, Danyluk explained. The funding for grants distributed through the Independence Fund comes mostly in the form of donations, he added.

The Independence Fund is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50444

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BrokenRoad

July 10th, 2008, 4:44 am

The past 2 nights, at the end of Sean's radio show, I've heard an ad for a website that has T-shirts that thank the troops. I thought it was www.truelight.net But that site is in some Asian language. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? :question::question::question:

Loyal American

July 10th, 2008, 1:10 pm

The past 2 nights, at the end of Sean's radio show, I've heard an ad for a website that has T-shirts that thank the troops. I thought it was www.truelight.net (http://www.truelight.net) But that site is in some Asian language. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? :question::question::question:Ahhh, no, not sure but I'm trying to find out for you!

Loyal American

July 10th, 2008, 1:11 pm

America Supports You: Restored 1931 Buick Showcases ‘Faces of Valor’

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ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 10, 2008 – Patriotism runs high at Chick and Ruth’s Delly, a mainstay along the Maryland capital’s Main Street. Ted Levitt, the deli’s owner, starts each morning leading patrons as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A huge flag hovers high over the lunch counter, and yellow-and-orange walls are covered with photos of troops in uniform

Now Levitt has a new addition: a fully restored 1931 Buick, airbrushed with the faces of 43 heroes who have served the country in the armed forces or as police officers, firefighters and other first responders.

Levitt hopes to use his labor of love, which he’s named “Faces of Valor USA,” to raise money for scholarships and financial assistance for or in honor of those wounded or killed while performing their duty.

The red, white and blue car took two and a half years to restore and made its debut appearance during Annapolis’ Fourth of July Parade. Now Levitt is lining up events where he can showcase the car to raise funds to help those who have sacrificed for their country and the families some of them left behind.

Levitt said he got the idea to personalize his project after the parents of Marine Capt. Ben Sammis stopped into his deli to tell him that their son had been killed conducting helicopter rescues in Iraq. Sammis graduated from The Citadel in South Carolina, but met Levitt when he frequented Chick and Ruth’s Delly while attending a U.S. Naval Academy program.

Devastated to hear of his death, Levitt asked Beth and Steve Sammis for permission to use their son’s face on his car.

Levitt took the project farther, ultimately choosing 43 people to depict on his car and bring faces to the concepts of sacrifice and service. In addition to 15 firefighters killed in New York during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Faces of Valor project highlights troops who have served in
operations from the Vietnam War to the war in Iraq.

Levitt knows all but the New York firefighters personally, from his cousin, Army Chief Warrant Officer Stewart Goldberg, who was killed when his helicopter was shot down in Vietnam in July 1969, to Master Sgt. Karl Allen, a local businessman who retired from the reserve components after three deployments.

The face of Army Capt. D.J. Skelton, a Chick and Ruth’s Delly patron, appears with his left eye closed; he lost it during a rocket-propelled-grenade attack while serving with 25th Infantry Division in Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004.

But Levitt said he intentionally chose to use not only faces of those wounded or killed in the line of duty.

“This is a tribute, not a memorial,” he said of the Faces of Valor project. “A lot of people think you have to have been killed to be honored, but that’s not the point here. What matters is that these people put their lives on the line every day to protect us. It’s because of them that we get to live the lives we live.”

Levitt said he wants people who see the car to focus on each face and recognize the sacrifices so many people make so Americans can live in safety and enjoy freedoms some only dream about.

“These are the men and women who allow us to live in freedom, to do any kind of job we want and allow our constitution to live on,” he said. “It’s because of them that we get to do what we do.”

At age 51, Levitt said, he remembers the protests and abuse that awaited many Vietnam veterans when they returned from that war, and said he wants to ensure that never happens to today’s returning troops.

“They need to be treated as heroes,” he said. “And for those who need help, they need to know that they will be taken care of. We owe them that.”

MORE photo's in link, CLICK on them and they'll enlarge!
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50460

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Loyal American

July 14th, 2008, 1:13 pm

America Supports You: Airgas, Operation Homefront Bond to Help Vets

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2008 – In the next three years, an untold number of veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit from a new partnership between two organizations who share only geographic proximity and a desire to honor servicemembers.

Airgas, a distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases, and welding and safety products, recently launched what its chairman and chief executive officer described as a long-term program.

“We’re kicking off a three-year program the way we look at it,” Peter McCausland said, “but we’re thinking that it’s going to be a long-term program for Airgas.”

The program began with Airgas’ pledge to donate $100,000 a year for three years to Operation Homefront, a troop-support organization. The guidelines for the use of the funding stipulate that 70 percent of the funds must directly benefit wounded veterans or their families, McCausland said.

Another piece of the program is the company’s commitment to hire 100 veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in conjunction with Operation Homefront.

“We have over 15,000 employees, and the least we can do is make room for 100 veterans,” McCausland said. “We felt like we wanted to do something tangible for individuals, and we have a lot of veterans in Airgas, so we know that they’ll be happy.”

For veterans who think they might be interested in learning the welding trade, Airgas also is offering its “Welding 101” course. While the company doesn’t actually do welding, it also has the facilities, courses and certified welding engineers needed to offer the two days of classroom instruction and hands-on experience that serve as a good way to gauge interest in pursuing the trade further.

“The two days can get them started, and then we can direct them from there to the American Welding Society and other kinds of resources,” McCausland said. “A lot of big companies run welding schools.”

Operation Homefront is pleased with the opportunities the new partnership offers veterans, said Amy Palmer, the troop-support organization’s chief operating officer.

“Airgas’ ‘Welding 101’ is a significant training opportunity for many wounded warriors who need help finding a lucrative and steady job as they enter the civilian world,” she said. “We appreciate Airgas’ generous support for our job placement efforts for injured veterans who are transitioning to the civilian world.”

At the community level, each of Airgas’ 22 operating units across the country will develop relationships with local Operation Homefront representatives to work on events to support the organization through fundraising, direct assistance to veterans and other programs, he added.

The idea for the program grew from McCausland’s wife’s philanthropic activities benefitting veterans. Her work with veterans’ causes may be a direct correlation to their son’s service in Iraq. The former Marine’s four-month deployment began on the fifth day of the war.

“My wife was very concerned about veterans from these two wars and the toll that it’s taken them and their families,” the Airgas chairman said. “We started to look for organizations around the country that would be [a good] fit for Airgas and that are providing services to veterans of these two conflicts and their families.

“Operation Homefront was one of about four or five of these organizations that we vetted, and we felt that it came out way ahead,” McCausland added.

While Airgas is just kicking off the program with Operation Homefront, McCausland said his company is approaching it as a long-term commitment.

“We’re very grateful for what these people and their families have done for the country, and this is just a way for Airgas to give back and show our collective support,” he said.

Eligible veterans interested in participating in Airgas’ welding training course or possible employment with Airgas should contact Operation Homefront, McCausland added.

Operation Homefront is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50492

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opsyscw

July 14th, 2008, 2:01 pm

On July 3rd, Georgies Alibi's and serveral other gay businesses in Ft. Lauderdale held fund raising events for our troops in Iraq and Afganistain. They solicited DVD's, food, clothes, personal care products, etc. From what I hear, the gay community responded enthusitically and it was a big success. A lot of items were collected and sent to the troops.

I'd put up some links about this event but because they reference mainly gay sites, I thought it better not to. But you can google for information about the event.

AEOakley

July 15th, 2008, 11:31 am

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Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will return to Wheaton Saturday for Rockin' for the Troops 2008.

Gary Sinise to perform in Wheaton

By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff

One mystery Gary Sinise hasn't had any trouble solving is how he can support troops and their families.

The "CSI: New York" star and Chicago-area native will be back in town this weekend for the third annual Operation Support Our Troops Illinois' Rockin' for the Troops concert.

The event will be Saturday at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Gates open at noon and performances begin at 4 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon there will be vendors, children's activities, a World War II display and Windy City Skydivers parachute jump.

Beatles tribute band American English takes the stage at 4 p.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m., comedian Tom Dreesen at 7 p.m. and Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the concert are $25 and must be purchased in advance at area Jewel grocery stores or online at www.osotil.org.

Proceeds from the concert will go to Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, which sends care packages to troops overseas. The group already has sent more than 16,000 packages.

Sinise recently talked with the Daily Herald about his scheduled performance and his dedication to helping the troops.

Q. What brings you back to this show year after year?

A. It's one of the concerts I look forward to every year. The first one was terrific and we went back the second year. There were 5,000 to 6,000 people the first year. Then 10,000 to 12,000. It seems like it's becoming a nice annual summer event and certainly helps out a great organization.

These folks at Operation Support Our Troops Illinois are doing terrific support work for our troops and I'm thrilled I got to be able to help them out and have some fun at the same time.

Q. What can we expect from this year's show?

A. Tom Dreesen is coming who is a friend of mine. (He's) a great, great comedian who is going to perform. There's a Beatles (tribute) band coming, too. The size of the crowd last year was so big and went back so far that I suggested to them this year they get a Jumbotron screen so folks all the way back there could see a little bit. They're bringing in some screens and going to make it even better for the folks in the far back. I think it's going to be terrific show.

Q. What band would you like to be part of if you had the chance?

A. This band. My own band. I love all the people I play with. I don't do it because I'm an aspiring songwriter or somebody who is a frustrated musician doing acting work on the side. This is just something I enjoy doing. I used to play (bass) as a kid and would have fantasized about playing in front of big crowds and everything like that. Now, because I think the place I am in the movie business and coupled with the fact the band is really good, makes it possible for me to actually live out those fantasies a little bit.

I enjoy playing in front of these great crowds. The most important aspect to me is that the audience is having fun and what I'm doing with the band is actually helping several charities and helping support our troops and entertain them and their families. About 75 percent of our shows are either for the troops or troop support organizations or - to raise money for charity.

So the band is a fun thing for me. It's not something I'm trying to make a lot of money on, it's something I'm enjoying doing and the best part of it is that I can use it to help various organizations and military folks out.

Q. How did you become so passionate about military causes?

A. I've been very involved locally in the Chicago area in Steppenwolf with Vietnam veterans groups. In the early '80s we started something with local veterans organizations that has become a tradition at Steppenwolf, which is the final dress rehearsal of the show before we go into previews and is open for free for veterans. We've done this since 1982.

It's something I've been involved in because I have Vietnam veterans on my wife's side of the family. On the other hand, I'm an American citizen who values the fact that we have all-volunteer armed forces and with our active duty service members, I want to make sure they understand they are appreciated and that this volunteer service they've chosen is not taken for granted. It's a dangerous world out there and we're lucky to have people that want to defend our country.

Q. You've made several trips to Iraq. What were those experiences like?

A. It's fantastic. When I go on these trips we try to get to as many places as physically possible in the time I have. (We're) constantly moving, shaking hands and signing autographs for as many troops as we can fit into the time allotted. It keeps me pretty busy but it's all worth it. The brief moment you get to spend with one of these troops can mean a great deal to them.

Some of the troops I've met over the years have not made it. Just recently I met a family who came up to me at a military event I was attending and told me I had met their son in Afghanistan and he called them immediately and told them and was excited he got to meet me. I talked to him and had gotten a picture taken with him. A month later he was killed. I met his family just this past May and they were there because they wanted to tell me it meant a lot I had come to visit.

You never know what's going to happen to anybody you're going to meet. I'm sure that's not the only time that's happened because I've been on so many bases and met so many troops over the years. I know my being there, as brief as it might be for whoever I met, it might be a positive thing for them and could help them. They are in a dangerous business. I think it's strengthening and helpful for them to know there are Americans who appreciate them. It's good for their families to know that as well.

Q. Is there a message you'd like to get across in Saturday's show?

A. I want them to have a good time. Quite a bit of the time I'm not necessarily playing for the troops but for their families - who are at home waiting out the long deployments so we can bring joy into folks' lives and make them feel better. It's quite rewarding.

Q. Is there a presidential candidate who you think would best handle the war?

A. I'd prefer to keep the interview focused on the troops and leave that out of it.

Q. OK, then, one Chicago question before we go. When you're in town, is there somewhere you have to visit when you get the chance?

A. This trip is going to be tight because I'm coming in on the 16th from Kuwait. I'll spend the rest of that day adjusting. The next day, the 17th, I'll probably see a play at Steppenwolf, which I founded as a theater years ago and usually try to check in there. On the 18th the band plays at the Great Lakes Naval base. It's our fourth or fifth time there. The (Operation Support Our Troops Illinois) show is the 19th. I leave on the 20th. If I had more time, which you never know, I might show up at Wrigley Field. I might pop over to Gibsons. Who knows.

If you go

What: Rockin' for the Troops concert

When: Gates open at noon, performances begin at 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

Tickets: $25. Must be purchased in advance at Jewel grocery stores or www.osotil.org

Info: www.osotil.org

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http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=217108&src=2

Loyal American

July 16th, 2008, 12:00 pm

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Rock Band Sevendust Performs for Bagram Troops

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 16, 2008 – Modern-rock band Sevendust put on a performance like no other for servicemembers here July 12 at the final stop on their first United Service Organizations tour.

Although the band is not known for playing acoustic sets, they still managed to put out a diverse sound that left rock fans wanting more.

“I never thought anybody could ‘jam out’ acoustically like they did,” said Army Sgt. Mark Decker, of Company B, 101st Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion.

After the performance, Sevendust let a soldier from the crowd come up on stage and smash a guitar. They also gave him one of their guitars and gave other servicemembers a set of bongos and another guitar, practically giving away their entire set of instruments.

“I think they were awesome,” said Air Force Capt. Vanessa Mahan, 455th Aerial Expeditionary Wing. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a hardcore band here, so it’s kind of refreshing. “

The band gave thanks and saluted the servicemembers for serving in the military.

“If it wasn’t for you guys over here, [the Taliban] would be over there, [in the United States],” Lajon “LJ” Witherspoon, Sevendust’s lead singer, said during the performance.

The band stuck around to ensure everyone who wanted an autograph, a free copy of their new CD or a picture with the band got one.

The members of Sevendust said they plan on doing another USO tour in the future.

“This, to us, has been the best thing that’s ever happened in our lives,” Witherspoon said. “As soon as you guys will have us back, we’ll be back.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50515

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Loyal American

July 16th, 2008, 12:01 pm

America Supports You: Holistic Support Helps Wounded Vets Reintegrate

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2008 – Wounded veterans and their families looking for help reentering civilian life can turn to an organization in Huntsville, Ala., that takes a holistic approach to that task.

“Still Serving Veterans” enables and empowers wounded veterans and their families by helping them reintegrate into the work force and community via counseling, coaching, guiding, job transition, and assistance in obtaining all Veterans Affairs benefits to which they are entitled, Werner W. Baker, the organization’s executive director, said.

This holistic approach begins with a case manager, who documents individual needs, desires, abilities and limitations of the veteran or spouse, Baker explained. Those notations help case managers offer career development guidance and determine any other needed courses of action.

“We work with other organizations … to help provide and coordinate our services to veterans,” Baker said. “We also seek out grants in the accomplishment of these efforts.”

Since the organization’s start in 2006, Still Serving Veterans has worked with more than 500 veterans and families in need of counseling, job development, training and employment, with priority given to severely wounded veterans. All of those services have been provided at no cost to the participants.

Still Serving Veterans is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

The organization hopes this affiliation will help spread the word. “[The hope is it] will allow Still Serving Veterans more visibility across the nation, thus having more veterans in need of services avail themselves [of our] services,” Baker said.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50514

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Loyal American

July 17th, 2008, 2:54 pm

Apartments near Walter Reed give space to wounded and their families

By Leo Shane III (shanel@stripes.osd.mil), Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 17, 2008

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Christopher Payne Jr., five-year-old son of wounded Army Staff Sgt. Chris Payne, shows off his new bedroom to reporters on Tuesday. The apartment is one of 15 being furnished by Operation Homefront for use by families of rehabbing soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

READ THE STORY, SEE PHOTOS AND BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE END:

See story (http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56205)

AWESOME!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

July 21st, 2008, 4:02 pm

America Supports You: Troops Get Support From Pennsylvania Team

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2008 – For deployed troops, hearing about support from back home can do wonders for morale, but getting a big box full of goodies and necessities is even better.

“The ‘American Troop Support Team’ has been formed to provide tangible support to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, particularly those currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Joseph Natale, the team’s founder, said. “They deserve to know that we, at the grassroots level, are here for them.”

The packages, full of donated snacks, personal hygiene items, reading material and the occasional special request, all are packed in Natale’s Pennsylvania basement. In addition to the goodies, each box includes letters expressing support for the troops.

The American Troop Support Team’s goal is to send as many boxes as it can, and this will be its only project until the need for care packages isn’t so great, Natale said. The group does hold fundraisers throughout the year to pay for supplies and shipping costs.

“When the need for our boxes diminishes, we will be establishing an annual scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled [servicemembers],” he said.
A new supporter of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, American Troop Support Team hopes the affiliation will offer national exposure and, consequently, more troops to whom the members can send their packages of support, Natale said.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50553

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AEOakley

July 22nd, 2008, 11:17 am

Footage of actor Gary Sinise visiting service members at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Scenes include Sinise eating at the dining facility, shaking hands and signing autographs with service members. Provided by I Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd).

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5WUDY2coDo

Loyal American

July 22nd, 2008, 10:25 pm

America Supports You: Military Couples to Wed with Hollywood’s Help

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2008 – After matching servicemembers re-entering the civilian work force with military friendly employers, “Hire a Hero” is stepping outside its box and trying some matchmaking of a different kind.

The troop-support organization has teamed with Dreamworks Television and Mark Burnett Productions to help two deserving military couples have their dream weddings. The gesture is a thank you for their service and commitment to the country, according to the Hire a Hero Web site.

“Providing something like this is just great,” said Rob Barr, a Hire a Hero representative. “It’s showing support for the troops, and it’s kind of giving them hope that there are really people out there that care.”

The next step to helping two couples live happily ever after begins at the Hire a Hero Web site. Military couples who plan on marrying later this year can fill out the entry and share the challenges they’ve faced while trying to plan a wedding with at least one spouse serving their country.

Just the distance during a deployment, for example, can make things nearly impossible, Barr said. Then the occasional tour extension crops up and completely undoes what the couple may have managed to get done.

“Little things like that,” he said. “But they’re also looking for military spouses that just said, ‘OK. You know what? We’re going to go to the courthouse, get married and have a wedding later.’”

Once the midnight July 28 entry deadline passes, it’s all up to the Hollywood folks to choose the two lucky couples for the big “Wedding Day” program that will air on a major TV network this fall, Barr said, adding that he has no idea what’s in store for the couples chosen.

“They’re kind of keeping that top secret information,” he said. “All I was told was that they’re going to get … to have their dream wedding.”

Barr said he thinks Hire a Hero was approached to help find couples because of the group’s involvement with helping former “Apprentice” winner Kelly Perdew find applicants to be his assistant.

“To my knowledge, I think they got our information from someone … who said, ‘Hey, use “Hire a Hero” to look for this kind of person,’” he said.

Hire a Hero is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50559

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Loyal American

July 23rd, 2008, 1:33 pm

Sneaky has a thread on this but it belongs in this thread too! ;)

Scout plans sidewalk memorial for 3rd Group

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When a passer-by walks along the sidewalk beside the 3rd Special Forces Group building on Fort Bragg, they see just that: a sidewalk.

But 14-year-old Jacob Netzel sees a memorial honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers from the unit since its re-activation in 1990.

Jacob, a member of Boy Scout Troop 40 of Hope Mills, is attempting to earn his Eagle Scout rank by raising $40,000 for a memorial walkway to be constructed near the unit’s offices.

To attain Eagle Scout status, the highest rank a Scout can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America, he must complete a service project that benefits the community.

“I wanted a way to honor those who gave their lives to defend our country,” said the Gray’s Creek High School sophomore.

Raising thousands of dollars is a daunting task, but Jacob said the hardest part of the project is already behind him: the information packet required for approval of his project.
Prospective Eagle Scouts are required to submit a detailed report describing their project. Jacob rewrote his three times before finally submitting it.

“It jumped from 19 pages to 27,” he said.

The report contains drawings and descriptions of the proposed memorial.
“I had help,” Jacob said, smiling and nodding toward his father, Army Maj. Thomas Netzel who is Troop 40’s scoutmaster.

Although 3rd Special Forces Group is still compiling a list of those to be honored in the memorial, Jacob is planning for 40 memorial stones with 20 lining each side of a 120-foot stretch of sidewalk.

The stones will be placed in order of the soldiers’ deaths and each will bear a soldier’s name and any awards they earned.

The stones will be laid facing the sidewalk. White rocks will fill the space between them.

Jacob has spent the past four months planning the project.

To raise money, he recently mailed letters to local businesses, explaining the project and asking for their help. He also made fliers with pictures of the potential memorial.

As of last week, Jacob had raised about $2,600.

Jacob said that even some strangers have donated to his cause.
“They say, ‘I was an Eagle Scout, too, and I know what you’re going through,’” he said.

He said he hoped to come ever closer to his $40,000 goal at a 3rd Special Forces Group get-together at the unit’s Organization Day on July 12. Jacob plans to raise the funds by the first week of August and dedicate the memorial in early December.

“Soldiers appreciate being recognized,” said Staff Sgt. Marie Schult, a spokeswoman for 3rd Special Forces Group. “For this young man to choose this as his Eagle Scout project is a great honor to them.”

Those interesting in donating to the memorial walkway may mail donations to Jacob Netzel at 5216 Pride Lane, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

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Do believe I'll be sending a little donation! ;)

Rhonda

July 23rd, 2008, 1:40 pm

Sneaky has a thread on this but it belongs in this thread too! ;)

Scout plans sidewalk memorial for 3rd Group

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/3f10723kac-scaled.jpg

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

Do believe I'll be sending a little donation! ;)

awsome story...this is soooo encouraging..God Bless that little Patriot

In the meantime I am sending a donation..and will pray for his success in his stated goal

Patriotic Teen

July 23rd, 2008, 7:44 pm

I just want to say something. The troops have support. Despite what some people may say, people who are against the war do support the troops. You don't have to support the war to support the troops. Perhaps it is supporting the troops to speak out against a war you don't believe in. Just something I thought needed to be said.

Loyal American

July 24th, 2008, 1:40 am

Walking for the troops

By Patrick Dickson, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, July 24, 2008

WASHINGTON — There are a lot of individuals doing a lot of things to show their support for the troops, but not many like Mike Cox.

The Kirkwood, Mo., native is walking 850 miles, from his hometown to Washington to raise money for two purposes: $35,000 to put new computers in the USO facility at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and $25,000 to help build a Fisher House in nearby St. Louis.

Cox has already walked out of Missouri, through Illinois and Indiana and into Ohio.

He’s been interrupted by severe weather a few times, as the Midwest endures one of the rainiest years in decades.

Cox will start the 428 miles of his last leg through Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia, and into D.C. as weather permits.

Walking along Route 50 has not been easy, especially in the driving rain, with 18-wheelers passing him as he walks along the shoulder of the road.

He plans to arrive in Washington by Aug. 9. For information and ways you can support Cox’s effort, go to http://850miles.com (http://850miles.com/).

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56326

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Loyal American

July 24th, 2008, 2:04 pm

America Supports You: Contest Brings Kudos to Teen, Support Group

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Dallas is Love co-founders Patrick Foster and his older sister, Tania, display part of a large shipment of Sally Hansen beauty products that they will send to deployed soldiers. Tania also will be featured in the September issue of Glamour magazine as one of five winners of the Sally Hansen “Best of You” contest. She was chosen for the honor because of her work with Dallas is Love.

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2008 – The founder of a Texas-based troop-support group proved volunteer work can be glamorous when she was chosen as one of five winners of a contest to honor women involved in their communities.

Tania Foster, founder of “Dallas is Love,” was flipping through a magazine when she saw information about the contest.

“I have a subscription to Glamour magazine, and about a year ago I applied for a contest listed in the magazine for the Sally Hansen [beauty products company’s] ‘Best of You’ contest,” she said. “Sally Hansen sponsored the award and partnered with Glamour to fly all five winners to New York to participate in a photo shoot and meet representatives from both Glamour and Sally Hansen.”

The trip to the “Big Apple” wasn’t all business, however. Foster and her mother took time to see “Chicago” on Broadway and do a little shopping before heading home.

“I would have to say the best part was being able to share the experience with the other four winners, as well as meeting the amazing people from Glamour and Sally Hansen,” she said.

That opinion might change once the September issue featuring the winners hits the newsstands.

“Through our trip to New York, Dallas is Love gained a … sponsorship from Sally Hansen, and hopefully the article in Glamour reaches many people that don’t know about Dallas is Love,” Foster said. “[I hope] we will reach our goal of being nationwide.”

The sponsorship resulted in a large donation of Sally Hansen products to Dallas is Love, which will get them into the hands of deployed servicewomen. That will be in addition to the organization’s regular mission of providing Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift cards to deployed servicemembers.

The organization is preparing for the upcoming holiday season and is hoping for public support so it can send “tons of AAFES gift cards to troops worldwide,” Foster said.

The organization is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

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Loyal American

July 25th, 2008, 12:58 pm

America Supports You: Organization Addresses Vets’ Housing Challenges
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2008 – Veterans transitioning from war to peace may need a place to call home, whether it’s for the long or short term, the executive director of a North Carolina-based program that offers them that and a good bit more said.

“The needs we are addressing all, in some way, revolve around temporary and long-term living arrangements that are appropriate for the various challenges that our active duty and military veterans face,” Lance Orndorff said about “Americans Heroes Return.”

“Camp Hero” is an integral part of American Heroes Return, which, in turn, is part of the Virginia-based “Place of Solace, Inc.”

The camp offers a phased living environment at no cost to active-duty servicemembers or veterans, he said. Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or permanent disability and in need of long-term care have access to the home-style camp that offers a mixed-use residential environment with shopping and social and recreational opportunities.

Active-duty servicemembers simply looking for someplace to hang out while they’re home for rest and recuperation can stay in simple cabins and take in all that Camp Hero has to offer.

“Active-duty military on terminal leave and veterans post-active duty have a difficult time finding a ‘landing zone’ when returning to the states or leaving the base,” Orndorff said. “They usually need just one to three months of living accommodations, as well as job location and training assistance, to get them reestablished in the civilian sector.

“This is where they can choose from either the rural farm or in-town contemporary housing experience, where they work with others like themselves who are transitioning back into civilian life,” he added.

American Heroes Return is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

The organization’s America Supports You affiliation is helping bridge the gap between its efforts to support both active-duty servicemembers and veterans, Orndorff said.

“I’m finding that my own review of other [America Supports You-affiliated] organizations … is leading me to begin thinking about ways to network and partner,” he added. “There may be portions of programs that we had intended to establish on our own that we can better accomplish by partnering with a group already accomplishing that task.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50599

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Loyal American

July 29th, 2008, 11:42 am

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Wheelchair Games Provide Therapy, Fun for Disabled Vets

OMAHA, Neb., July 29, 2008 – About 500 disabled veterans, including recently wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan, are entering their final day of competition here today at the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

The event is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports competition. It brings together veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations or other mobility or neurological conditions to compete in 17 different events.

Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake, who opened the competition July 25, called it a big part of the veterans’ rehabilitation and said the games provide “a therapeutic extension” of the top-notch health care veterans receive in VA medical centers.

"Rehabilitation is crucial to living a full life following an injury,” Peake said. “I applaud all of the veterans participating as they strive to achieve their goals during this week of athletic competition.”

Competition was running fierce during the third day of competition yesterday, with participants fanned out to venues across Omaha to compete in swimming, basketball, track, weight lifting, softball, air guns, quad rugby, nine-ball billiards, field events, bowling, table tennis, archery, hand cycling, wheelchair slalom, trapshooting, a motorized wheelchair relay, and power soccer.

In addition, athletes with prostheses had the option of competing in several stand-up events.

Airmen 1st Class Silvia Lisseth and Crystal Holk, both active-duty airmen at nearby Offutt Air Force Base served as volunteers at a platform in the Qwest Center, where winners received their medals.

Lisseth said she was blown away by the veterans’ enthusiasm for the games.

“It’s amazing to see how much they put into this and how much heart they have in it,” she said. Holk said she felt honored to announce each winner’s awards before the medal presentations. “It’s really inspiring to see how motivated they are to come and win these, and then to see the big smiles when they wear those medals,” she said.

But Randy L. Pleva Sr., president of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, which cosponsors the games, said the games are about much more than medals. “They’re a mix of camaraderie, competition and courage,” he said. “And they’re rehabilitation at its best for our paralyzed veterans.”

Tiffany Smith, a recreational therapist from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, brought five patients to the games, three of them for the first time. “It’s a real morale boost for them to come here and get challenges personally outside the hospital setting,” she said.

The games “bring back their competitive streak and show them that they are able to return to what they used to do in a competitive way,” Smith said. Meanwhile, they provide a forum for building leadership, self-esteem and a sense of teamwork, she said.

Participating in the games “opens a whole doorway for them,” said Steve Zaracki, a sports coordinator who works for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. “You see their spirit open up. It’s inspiring.”

Zaracki said it’s particularly gratifying to work with recent combat veterans who still are adjusting to their wounds.

“It makes you really want to provide for them because of all that they have done for us,” he said. “You want to motivate them. You want to push them. You want to inspire them to say, ‘Look, I can do this. There is life in a wheelchair.’”

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080728-d1052-001.jpg

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50624

THANK YOU! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

July 29th, 2008, 12:36 pm

America Supports You: Songwriting Contest for GIs Yields 18 Winners

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 – A Marine in Fallujah pens a song about standing watch. A sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a lullaby for his son while in the Iraqi desert. A soldier raps into a tape recorder to entertain his unit. Songwriters like these servicemembers were among the many who submitted their original songs to this year’s “Songs From the Soul of Service” songwriting contest.

Now in its third year, the amateur songwriting contest is a collaborative effort between the Dallas Songwriter Association and the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which highlights corporate and grassroots support for U.S. servicemembers and their families.

Judges select winners and runners-up in each of 18 categories, which include Afghanistan and Iraq, country, hip-hop, inspirational, instrumental and pop/rock. They then select three of the category winners for grand prizes.

The top three songs for 2008 are:

-- First Place: “Ask Me To” by Air Force Capt. Steven Wilson, which took top pop/rock honors;

-- Second Place: “If Tomorrow Were a Dream” by Army National Guard Spc. Greg Pritchard, which was the contest’s top country song; and

-- Third Place: “I Can’t Wait to Love You” by Jill Charles, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Charles, the top song in the inspirational category.

“Every military conflict from the American Revolution to the Civil War to the first Gulf War has spawned music that reflected the moods, emotions and sentiments of the nation’s fighting men and women,” said William Brown, Dallas Songwriter Association board member and committee chairman for Songs From the Soul of Service.

“Songs From the Soul of Service serves to capture some of this history,” he continued, “while providing recognition to talented songwriters and diversion and entertainment to participants and nonparticipants alike.”

Wilson, who earned the top grand prize, said his own life provides his songwriting inspiration.

“Over the years, writing music has been so autobiographical,” he said. “It’s so honest and personal. I think this contest truly personalizes the image of the military. It shows civilians that as ‘the troops’ we represent so much more than uniforms and duty. This contest gives us the chance to showcase what might otherwise remain silent or be forgotten.”

The contest is open exclusively to amateur songwriters currently serving in the U.S. military and those currently inactive due to injury or disability suffered after the start of the war in Afghanistan. Eligible participants may submit songs on behalf of an immediate family member, a fallen comrade or a fallen comrade's immediate family member.

Brown said he thinks the contest is an excellent outlet for servicemembers.

“These songs provided respite, unit bonding and an expressive outlet during trying times,” he explained. “In some cases, these songs will transcend their times and become permanent fixtures in the nation’s patriotic songbook.”

Wilson, along with the other winners of each category, will be included on a compilation CD provided to radio and music industry professionals, as well as to the contest participants. The first-place grand prize includes a weekend stay at the Gaylord Texan Hotel.

Public events to showcase the winning songs and songwriters are in the planning stages. The events will culminate with a concert at the end of the year, headlined by well-known recording artists.

A complete list of the winners and runners-up is available at www.songssoulservice.org (http://www.songssoulservice.org).
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50628

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Loyal American

July 30th, 2008, 1:43 pm

America Supports You: Unusual Fundraiser Helps Group Benefit Troops

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 – “The Gigantic Garage Sale” at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Palm Beach County July 26 proved to be not only fun for shoppers, but also was lucrative for “Forgotten Soldier Outreach,” a care package organization.

“The United Way of Palm Beach County and the South Florida Fair … do this once a year,” said Sue Beard, Forgotten Soldier Outreach’s Palm Beach County manager. “It was great! We got $500 for a day’s work.”

The group began soliciting donations for the sale earlier this month. Contributions included jewelry, lamps, candles, collectibles and “re-gift” items, which Beard described as the gift sets typically available for major holidays.

Only clothing, furniture and stuffed animals were turned down. Those items would have taken up too much room in the group’s allotted space, she said.

As it turned out, jewelry, the gift sets and toys and games were the three top-selling categories.

The $500 raised surpassed the organization’s expectations for its first-time participation in the garage sale. “I thought maybe $300,” Beard said.

The funds raised will cover postage to ship packages to servicemembers on a monthly basis.

“During the summer months, funds tend to dwindle, but our cause and mission continues to grow,” said Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar, Forgotten Soldier Outreach’s founder and executive director, in a statement. “This [helped] us raise much-needed funds in order for FSO to be able to continue our mission this summer by sending a little bit of home to our soldiers overseas to assure they’re not forgotten.”

In addition to the money raised through the garage sale, Forgotten Soldier Outreach was the beneficiary of Florida Power & Light’s third annual collection drive and fundraiser to benefit the organization.

Throughout June, the company’s employees donated CDs, DVDs and calling cards for troops. An annual “Jeans Day,” which allowed employees to wear jeans to work for a $5 donation, raised $5,300 for the organization.

“This fundraiser could not [have] come at a better time. … Unfortunately, funds have been at a shortfall,” Zelnar said. “It’s so wonderful to see a local corporation, such as Florida Power & Light and their employees, continue to show their support of our troops overseas.”

Forgotten Soldier Outreach is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50642

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Loyal American

August 1st, 2008, 12:11 pm

America Supports You: Happy Notes Reach Troops From Minnesota

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2008 – Letters a Minnesota couple has received thanking them for musical instruments they’ve sent to deployed troops show that just a simple note can change the atmosphere in the desert.

“The purpose of these … instruments is to relieve stress and raise morale,” said Barb Baker, one of the founders of Operation Happy Note. “According to the letters we receive, music is a great stress reliever.”

Operation Happy Note sends free musical instruments to deployed servicemembers wherever they’re stationed.

Baker and her husband, Steve, owners of Fergus Music in Fergus, Minn., unwittingly started Operation Happy Note in March 2005 when they sent her son a guitar for his birthday. He was serving overseas with 134th Signal Battalion at the time.

“He had a buddy who saw it and wanted one, and then another buddy,” Baker said. “It was decided [we would] hold a fundraiser so we could send more guitars to his unit, and we just never quit.”

The organization kept right on growing and garnered national attention with mentions in national news programs and periodicals. To date, the organization has sent more than 2,500 instruments to servicemembers, including guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, horns and harmonicas. Anything that makes music is fair game; Steve Baker even wrote a lesson program that includes a CD for those who don’t know how to play an instrument.

More than 1,300 troops are on the waiting list for instruments. The organization has a large inventory of instruments, but it lacks the funds to ship them.

“It costs an average of $15 to $30 to ship an instrument,” Baker said. “Our last inventory shows that it would take $34,000 to send the instruments we have on hand.”

Operation Happy Note is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.[/b]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50664

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Loyal American

August 4th, 2008, 6:21 pm

America Supports You: Scholarship Keeps Military Families ‘In the Fold’

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2008 – A military child’s education is one of many things a servicemember’s injury or death in the line of duty could jeopardize.

To make sure that never happens, retired Air National Guard F-16 pilot and Iraq War veteran Maj. Dan Rooney created Oklahoma-based “Folds of Honor.”

“Folds of Honor is dedicated to providing deserving families with tailored, effective, lasting change through education,” said Jason Ohrenberger, the organization’s senior vice president for future development. “[It] provides current- and future-use educational scholarships for spouses and children of military servicemembers killed or disabled in action in Iraq or Afghanistan.”

For spouses, who in many cases become the primary breadwinner, these scholarships can help pave the road to a better job. It also can offer them peace of mind about paying for their children’s college educations even if they’re not ready to head off for college just yet.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must include copies of the servicemember’s discharge paperwork, certificate of death or disability or proof of prisoner-of-war or missing-in-action status, proof of dependency and a family photo, all in digital format. Newspaper clippings or official paperwork on the incident involving the servicemember also may be submitted.

To date, Folds of Honor has presented more than 200 scholarships totaling nearly $1.1 million. Partnerships with the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, the U.S. Golf Association, TaylorMade Adidas Golf, and the Air National Guard have helped make that possible.

Folds of Honor is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. The organization’s affiliation with the Defense Department program will help further its goals, Ohrenberger said.

“Deserving families need to know about Folds of Honor, its mission and the educational scholarships available to them and how they can apply,” Ohrenberger said. “America Supports You’s reputation and significant contact with prospective applicants will significantly advance the mission.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50683

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Loyal American

August 5th, 2008, 3:48 pm

America Supports You: Mobile Memorial Honors Fallen Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2008 – A California troop-support group is paying tribute to servicemembers who died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with a mobile memorial.

The Fueled by the Fallen Memorial Race Car Team -- a trio of cars bearing the names of Marines who died in Iraq -- makes appearances around the country to raise awareness of the sacrifices made in defense of the United States.

Fueled by the Fallen also strives to provide support for the families of fallen heroes and to support and raise awareness for those who are afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder, Ken Horkavy, the organization’s vice president, said. “We try to find every possible way we can to help ensure that the transition back into civilian life as painless as possible,” he said.

The organization, created by actor Kevyn Major Howard of “Full Metal Jacket” fame, has the goal of converting cars to honor the fallen of all the military branches, according to its Web site. Those cars, when they’re complete, would join the original three, touring the country and raising awareness of the sacrifices servicemembers have made on the country’s behalf.

Fueled by the Fallen is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Organization officials say they hope affiliation with the Defense Department program will add to the program’s credibility. They also hope to gain networking and fundraising opportunities so Fueled by the Fallen can continue helping families of fallen servicemembers.

“The project itself is unique in concept and appearance,” Horkavy said. “As Kevyn Major Howard said, ‘You can get a 2-year-old to look at a race car and you can get a 92-year-old to look at it.’”

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50699

Go in this link and watch the video to see the cars for our Fallen Marines. Awesome, made me cry! They want to make such for the other service branches too!
9 minutes 16 seconds of your time!!!
Never Forget!!!

http://www.fueledbythefallen.com/index.htm

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AEOakley

August 5th, 2008, 6:29 pm

In December 2004, Linda Swinford's daughter learned that a former classmate of hers was stationed in Iraq. He described the sub-zero wind chills in the desert in the winter and how cold the troops were, especially when riding in open humvees at 60 mph. Linda knitted him a helmetliner, known as a "wooly pulley" by our Armed Forces, and asked him for suggestions. She revised the pattern accordingly.

These wool caps are worn under the helmet, but do not restrict vision. They help to trap the body-heat lost through the head -- a serious winter problem for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and South Korea, as well as many parts of the United States. Linda told me, "I was frustrated by not being able to knit thousands of helmetliners, so each of our troops would have one to stay warm."

So, in April 2005, Linda began to write articles for publication to inform knitters of our troops' need for helmetliners. She also formed Operation Helmetliner, a not-for-profit corporation, to coordinate receiving and shipping to our Armed Forces who are serving in war zones. When I read about the need for helmetliners, I remembered that my mother had knit them during World War I -- so I began knitting for our troops, told my local knitting guild about the need, and became involved in Operation Helmetliner.

As a result of volunteers throughout the U.S. knitting and crocheting these 100% soft wool helmetliners, Operation Helmetliner has shipped 14,000 helmet-liners and a total of 45,000 pieces of cold and hot weather gear since it began three years ago. 100% of all donations go for the benefit of our troops including paying the postage to ship the "Genuine, Home-Issued Gear."

Linda reports that entire battalions are asking for these wool helmetliners and scarves for this winter. There are soldiers in the mountains of Afghanistan who are already experiencing extremely cold weather.

Linda and her husband, Bob, will continue Operation Helmetliner for as long as our Armed Forces are deployed in war zones. Not only does our "Genuine, Home-Issued Gear" help them physically withstand the harsh weather conditions, but it lets them know that folks back home care about them and that they are not forgotten.

:flag::clap::flag:

MORE INFO HERE:

http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/
http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/lionbrand/displayCustomerProjects.fcgi?projectKey=36623&displayType=story

Loyal American

August 11th, 2008, 1:38 pm

Troops Offered Chance to Gain Civilian Work Experience
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2008 – A California group is offering active-duty servicemembers the chance to secure a key component to finding a job before they reenter civilian life: experience.

The group, Military Civilian Experience, created by active-duty servicemembers for their fellow troops, was partly inspired by the military’s practice of thoroughly training servicemembers before sending them to the battlefield, according to the organization’s Web site. The group’s officials feel it shouldn’t stop there, and they’re working to give servicemembers a head start on finding their civilian careers.

“In our spare time since 2006, we have helped 96 servicemembers obtain civilian career experience or some kind of civilian career counseling,” said Navy Cmdr. Calvin Hill, the organization’s chief executive officer. “Once active-duty members sign up at MilCivEx.org, we match them with a local civilian company according to the information that is given in the application.”

Conversely, the organization is always seeking civilian companies offering on-the-job training, internships or volunteer opportunities, he said.

The organization also has decided to turn its fundraiser into a reality TV series. Members of each branch of military service would compete for the honor of being chosen as top man and woman of each service earning the title of being called Mr. or Mrs. Army, for instance.

“The best thing about it is that America’s votes will determine the winners,” Hill said.

Military Civilian Experience is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

“I believe our group will benefit from any networking, exposure, and credibility that [America Supports You] will bring our way,” Hill said. “All of it will be greatly appreciated.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50760
:flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

August 11th, 2008, 1:39 pm

Native American Tribe Supports Troops, Families
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2008 – During World War I, the Choctaw Nation began a long tradition of service to the country when a group of Choctaws volunteered as “code talkers,” sending messages for the military in a code derived from their own language to confuse German spies.

Today, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma continues that tradition of service, extending it to include support of its members and employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves and families of military members. The organization is being recognized for its efforts with the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Serving in the military and supporting others who serve come naturally for the people of the Choctaw Nation because they have strong ties to the country and are passionate about protecting their families and homes, said Gregory Pyle, chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

“There’s a basic principle we have here that you always support your military,” Pyle said. “They’re literally fighting for our freedom, and many lose their lives, so it’s the least we can do.”

The Choctaw Nation is sovereign, and therefore exempt from legal requirements to support its employees in the National Guard and reserves, but it voluntarily complies with those laws. The Choctaw Nation provides full pay and benefits for its Guard and reserve members and provides emergency assistance for their families while military members are on deployment.

The Choctaw Nation also supports its members who have served in the military with its veterans advocacy program, and it supports local military units. Last year during the holiday season, the Choctaw Nation chartered 14 buses to provide free round-trip transportation for Oklahoma National Guard members training at Fort Bliss, Texas, so they could spend time with their families.

It’s this kind of support that motivated Anton Pavlovsky, Pyle’s son-in-law, to nominate the Choctaw Nation for the Freedom Award. Pavlovsky served in the Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq in 2003. During his deployment, the Choctaw Nation sent him many care packages, he said, and even sent crucial equipment for his unit. Pavlovsky was a truck driver whose unit transported heavy equipment, and in the searing desert temperatures, he and his colleagues found their gloves wearing out very quickly. When Pyle heard about their situation, he coordinated an effort to send over six cases of gloves.

The Choctaw Nation also has sent to Iraq walkie-talkies to help units communicate in the thick dust and an ultrasound machine to help troops in the field detect shrapnel. The Choctaw Nation also provides mailing service, complete with paid postage, for anyone who wants to send a care package to troops serving overseas.

“Chief Pyle and the people of the Choctaw Nation are amazing patriots,” Pavlovsky said. “They have done so much throughout the course of this conflict.”

Pavlovsky said that, as a family member, he has seen firsthand the willingness of the Choctaw Nation to support not only its members, but also family members and friends who serve in the military. He specifically praised Pyle for his dedication to the troops.

“He truly is a person who wakes up in the morning and goes to bed at night thinking about the soldiers serving our country,” Pavlovsky said of the chief.

For his part, Pyle said that he and the rest of the Choctaw Nation are just doing what they feel is their duty, and they were very surprised to be recognized for their efforts. “It’s a huge honor; … it was overwhelming for many of our tribal members,” he said. “It’s nice for the Indian people that have fought for so many years to be recognized.”

Pavlovsky said he was thrilled to hear the Choctaw Nation would receive the Freedom Award. When he heard the news, he had a “grin from ear to ear,” he said.

“I think it’s amazing,” Pavlovsky said. “They truly are doing wonderful things for military members and veterans in Oklahoma and in the area.”

The Choctaw Nation will continue to do what it can to support military members and their families, Pyle said. “Whatever comes up, we’re happy to help,” he said.

The Choctaw Nation will be honored along with 14 other companies receiving the Freedom Award in a ceremony Sept. 18 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50759

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

coyote1880

August 11th, 2008, 3:11 pm

Loyal American

August 14th, 2008, 4:46 pm

The Choctaw Code Talkers is an interesting story.

They began very close to the end of WWI so there was not much of using them.

But it was from them that it gave Philip Johnston the idea for using Navajo in this way.

My cousins are very often not required to serve.

But they are more likely to serve.

During WWII nearly one fifth of Navajo males served.

All volunarily.
Thanks for this information Coyote, I thought you'd like the post! I am just grateful so many decide to serve and that there are those who show them and their families such support, in appreciation.

God bless all our troops! :flag:

Loyal American

August 14th, 2008, 4:47 pm

America Supports You: Groups Help the Few, the Proud, the Expecting

Many of the expectant mothers helped by the two groups -- North Star Group and Operation Showers of Appreciation -- have spouses who are deployed and will not be home for the birth of their new babies.

“Military Showers of Appreciation assists active-duty military families from all branches that are expecting new babies with various items they will need to care for their new baby,” said Mandy Sims, vice president of the North Star Group. “Because many of these pregnant mothers have babies alone with new fathers deployed, we pay special attention to pampering these spouses and supporting them positively during this time.”

The North Star Group -- a home-front supporter of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program -- has been hosting “Military Showers of Appreciation” since 2006. The group decided to make this event one of their various military programs after a North Star Group volunteer and military veteran had her baby alone during her husband’s deployment.

“This shower shed a little sunlight on a difficult time that many military spouses experience during constant deployments,” Sims said. “Many people do not realize the sacrifices the entire military family makes during a deployment. It is important to the North Star Group that military families know they are appreciated and that they are not alone.”

The baby showers are held quarterly, and applications are accepted on a first-come, most-needed basis. Twenty to 25 spouses are honored per shower each quarter.

At the most recent baby shower, held in July, the North Star Group and Operation Showers of Appreciation honored the 100th family assisted. Families at the special shower received lunch, gifts, massages, mini-makeovers and professional family portraits.

“I received a lot of baby necessities,” said Ashley Ruiz, who attended the July 27 shower. “Everything from baby bottles to a bassinet, the gifts helped us out a lot. The entire event was just a very supportive, caring atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. The baby shower also provided me an opportunity to meet and make new friends with other pregnant military moms.”

North Star Group plans to work with Operation Showers of Appreciation again in planning the next “Military Showers of Appreciation” event, scheduled Dec. 6 for 20 expectant mothers at Camp Pendleton. Military families are informed about these baby showers through information and application flyers and news releases distributed on bases and posted online at the North Star Group and Operation Showers of Appreciation Web sites.

“We will make every attempt to do something special for expecting families even if they miss the shower cut-off dates,” Sims said. “These quarterly showers are currently held at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, California, base locations, with plans of expanding to bases in other states in the future. All military servicemembers in California willing to travel to the shower from any military bases in the area are welcome to apply.”

To be considered, applicants must provide a valid active-duty military ID, current leave and earnings statement, proof of pregnancy and a completed application.

The North Star Group, which also offers information referral services to these mothers, is a supporter of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

August 18th, 2008, 12:20 pm

America Supports You: Volunteers Unite to Serve Hospitalized Veterans
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2008 – For more than 60 years, a group of California-based volunteers has worked to ensure that no hospitalized veteran anywhere in the country making a worthwhile request gets “no” for an answer.

“United Voluntary Services is a national organization committed to recruiting volunteers and raising funds to help meet the needs of hospitalized veterans in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers,” said Mary Lee, the organization’s national president. “We have 43 units in 20 VA medical centers, with over 600 volunteers conducting varied programs for veterans that the hospitals do not and cannot financially afford.”

United Voluntary Services helps veterans out in financial emergencies by paying electric or phone bills. Not all of their efforts are along those lines, however. The volunteers also hold barbecues and ice cream socials in addition to arranging outings to restaurants, sporting events and even local fishing holes, as well as “many more activities that could fill a book,” Lee said.

Sometimes it’s as simple as reading to patients, helping them call home or just visiting with them for a little while, she added.

All that’s required of a volunteer is a willingness to serve, Lee said. “We have a large contingent of young people who volunteer for us in the summer,” she noted.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50843

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

August 19th, 2008, 1:15 pm

America Supports You: Kids Turn Tart Drink Into Sweet Support for Troops

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080813-O-9999L-001.jpg

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2008 – One Florida neighborhood’s younger residents recently turned a simple lemonade stand, the ages-old financial bastion of kids looking to make some pocket change, into a fundraiser to help out an area troop-support group.

“I remember when I first got an e-mail saying that the children of this Wellington neighborhood wanted to hold a fundraiser to sponsor [our] ‘We Care’ packages by having a neighborhood lemonade stand,” said Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar, executive director of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. “These children are truly setting an example to the American public, and their humanitarian spirit is certainly a reflection on their parents and their upbringing.

“I truly hope that this sets a precedent for others in our community and throughout our country,” she added. “What a terrific act of humanity and community service.”

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a supporter of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, sends “We Care” goodie boxes to deployed servicemembers. America Supports You connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

The kids distributed fliers advertising the weekend-long event along with a Forgotten Soldiers Outreach brochure.

“We had donations from sheriffs that drove by, dog walkers, joggers, landscapers and various service companies,” said Sharon Boland, a neighborhood mother who helped plan the event. “Everyone was walking and talking proud.”

Those who stopped by also had the opportunity to write letters for inclusion in the care packages.

The kids’ efforts raised $200, which they presented to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach on Aug. 13.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50860

SO SWEET! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

August 26th, 2008, 12:37 pm

ELMO UPDATE! :mrgreen:

America Supports You: Elmo and Friends Entertain, Educate Families

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/lrs_080810-d-9999h-002.jpg

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 26, 2008 – Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the program “Sesame Street,” and the United Service Organizations joined forces to bring “The Sesame Street Experience for Military Families” to 43 installations across the country.

“The tour travels for four months, and is for military families only,” Kelly Mariska, tour manager, said during the show’s visit here. “The ‘Talk, Listen, Connect’ theme helps kids learn to cope with a deployed parent and how to adapt to a family member being away. Also, it deals with their emotions when that person returns home.”

The free tour held performances here Aug. 10 and 11. The 60-minute experience consisted of a 25-minute mini-show and opportunities for military families to connect with outreach organizations.

Show preparations started with a set-up that involved an extreme makeover. What once looked like an auditorium began to look like something right off Broadway. Spotlights went up, enormous speakers were stacked and tested, and a backdrop was hoisted.

Even the cast and crew’s bus driver went to work hooking up spotlights. Lewis the driver, as he is known, said, “I am the least-hardest-working person here. I only drive the bus, but help out when I can.”

CLICK on photo to read more:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/scr_080810-d-9999h-001.jpg (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50930)

THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

September 3rd, 2008, 4:04 pm

America Supports You: Horses Help Veterans Earn Their Spurs

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2008 – Based on the idea that with their grace, elegance and unconditional acceptance, horses may be just what many servicemembers and veterans need, a former Marine has formed an organization to introduce them to what he calls “the power of partnership with horses.”

“Horses have an incredible way of teaching and healing humans,” said Brad Myers, president of Operation Silver Spurs.

A third-generation veteran, Myers started the endeavor after consulting with a master therapeutic riding instructor. Operation Silver Spurs is open not only to all veterans, but also to active-duty personnel, reservists, Guardsmen and their families. It provides opportunities for these groups to benefit from interaction with the horses through seminars and demonstration events.

The organization also plans to host retreats and workshops for those interested in furthering their equine experience.

“One of the intangible results we have seen from our program has been the very unique networking and friendships formed [that bridge] generations of veterans,” Myers said. “We have several different generations in our organization, and they like to think of our program as ‘veterans helping veterans.’”

Operation Silver Spurs is a new supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51019

http://www.loneeagleranch.com/

:flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

September 11th, 2008, 3:13 pm

America Supports You: ‘Widow Project’ Documentary Release Nears
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008 – A 75-minute documentary that focuses on the lives of six military widows from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will start making the rounds this month at military bases and Veterans of Foreign Wars halls across the country.

“In the documentary, the women speak about everything from how they met their husbands to when they received that dreaded knock on the door,” said Taryn Davis, founder and president of the American Widow Project. “Their stories and experiences have been made into this film.”

Davis started filming this documentary a year ago and finished in April. On July 12, 2008, she screened the film for more than 30 military widows from all over the country.

“As I sat in the theater, I heard them cry, cheer and even laugh,” Davis said. “I saw the film doing what it was meant to do - allowing them to work through their grief and mourning by hearing the candid stories of those who have and are going through the same thing.”

Davis said she completed the documentary to reach out to the widows and widowers who are not aware of the American Widow Project, a home-front group of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, and to raise awareness of the organization as a whole.

“When I lost my husband, Cpl. Michael Davis, on May 21, 2007, I found very few resources that spoke to me,” Davis said. “I wanted something that would candidly tell me which obstacles I would face in the next weeks, months and years - something that would tell me what to do with his belongings, how to celebrate anniversaries and inspire me to take on this new world without my husband,” she said.

In talking with other widows, Davis said, she realized she was not alone in her feelings and started the American Widow Project to help herself and others like her. The project boasts 140 friends, all military widows, on its “widows-only” MySpace page.

Davis also hopes, through the American Widow Project, to offer a hotline for widows to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With other widows taking calls, she envisions the hotline as a networking system to connect widows to people in their communities who would like to volunteer their time and services - whether it be babysitting or counseling - to show their thanks and appreciation for the sacrifice their loved ones made.

The American Widow Project documentary will be sent free of charge to all military widows and widowers. The public also can buy the DVD, with all the proceeds going back into the organization.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51126

THANK YOU! :flag:

Loyal American

September 25th, 2008, 2:04 pm

America Supports You: MLB Players Find Silver Lining in Strikeouts
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2008 – The 132 strikeouts Major League pitchers threw during baseball games played on Patriot Day were bittersweet.

Generally, strikeouts are a pitcher’s goal. But for those who participate in the Strikeouts for Troops program, the words, “you’re out” equal cold, hard cash to support wounded warriors.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito founded the nonprofit in April 2005 to benefit wounded troops recovering at military hospitals nationwide. Players from several sports have volunteered to make contributions based on their on-field performances. The athletes racked up a donation of $66,000 for the troops; and USAA, a financial services company for military members, added $100,000.

“The men and women of the military continually go above and beyond for our country so USAA is pleased to contribute $100,000 to Strikeouts For Troops,” said Barbara Gentry, USAA’s senior vice president of community affairs. “We are extremely proud of the work Barry Zito is doing and our association with Strikeouts For Troops.

“USAA and Strikeouts For Troops both want our men and women – both those in uniform and the families that support them – to know their selflessness is appreciated and does not go unnoticed.”

USAA presented its donation to Strikeouts For Troops players Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres and Matt Cain of the Giants on Sept. 14, as part of the Padres “Salute to Veterans” game.

Zito, who started in that game, could only watch the presentation as he warmed up. The 30 servicemembers he’d invited from Balboa Naval Medical Center kept him in good company.

This marks the second year the USAA and Strikeouts For Troops have joined forces on Patriot Day.

Strikeouts For Troops is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. USAA is a corporate supporter of the America Supports You program.

SO SWEET, THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

September 29th, 2008, 4:26 pm

America Supports You: Construction Starts on Rehab Center
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2008 – Construction began last week in Gardner, Mass., on an $8 million live-in rehabilitation center for wounded warriors.

The Northeast Veteran Training and Rehabilitation Center will be built on the main campus of Mount Wachusett Community College.

The facility will include 10 duplex housing units and a rehabilitation center to serve veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder or disfiguring burns.

Veteran Homestead, a nonprofit organization providing housing, hospice care, rehabilitation and counseling services to veterans, funded the project through grants and private donations.

“One of the reasons that this facility is needed is that there are many veterans in rural areas with no access to services,” said Leslie Lightfoot, the organization’s chief executive officer and founder.

Lightfoot said the facility will incorporate individual and family counseling, education, rehabilitation and job-placement assistance.

In August, the Massachusetts legislature approved a bill allowing Mount Wachusett Community College to lease 10 acres on its 269-acre campus to Veteran Homestead to build the center.

Veterans and their families will have free access to the college’s academic programs as well as use of campus amenities, including the fitness center, swimming pool and theater. In lieu of payment for the lease, Veteran Homestead is providing the college with internship opportunities for students enrolled in nursing and allied health programs. The 30-year lease includes options for two 10-year extensions.

Janice O’Connor, director of public relations for Mount Wachusett Community College, said she considers the center a model because “it combines an academic component while being located on a college campus.”

Officials expect the center to be completed by January 2010.

THANK YOU! :flag::flag::flag::flag:

Loyal American

October 2nd, 2008, 12:18 pm

Visiting cartoonists draw on troops’ experiences

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/photos%203/57833_10118408.jpg

By Steve Mraz (mrazs@estripes.osd.mil), Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, October 2, 2008

LANDSTUHL, Germany — The funnies came to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Eight cartoonists on a United Service Organizations tour used their pens and sketch pads to brighten the day of troops recovering at the hospital.

The group included internationally syndicated cartoonists, military cartoonists, editorial cartoonists and award-winning caricaturists from around America who are all members of the National Cartoonist Society.

From Jeff Keane of "Family Circus" fame to Chip Bok, an editorial cartoonist at the Akron Beacon-Journal, the group brought enthusiasm and sincerity for its visit.

"I think it’s just kind of our way of paying back what the soldiers have done for us," said Bruce Higdon of "Punderstatements." "It’s just a small thing to be able to come and draw a picture, draw a caricature or draw something, just shake their hand and tell them thank you."

Rick Kirkman of the "Baby Blues" comic strip had high hopes for how the wounded would react to the drawings they planned to hand out.

"We hope they don’t laugh enough to split their stitches," he said.
The group started its visit at the Landstuhl dining facility, where it ran into Army Lt. Gen. Ken Hunzeker, V Corps commander.

Several of the cartoonists drew sketches of the shaved-headed general while they chatted during lunch. Bok took time to pen a caricature of a wounded Romanian soldier, who was confined to a wheelchair and eating lunch with his wife.

When it came time for the cartoonists to visit the wounded on the wards, they split into groups of four. The men fanned out at the foot of the hospital beds with their pens and pads in hand and engaged the wounded in conversation.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Mike Peters of "Mother Goose and Grimm" got Army Sgt. Jesse Stephenson to open up. Peters, who served as an artist for an Army psychological operations unit in the late 1960s, spent so much time talking to the soldier he hurried to finish his sketch.

Stephenson, who took shrapnel in his legs after an ammunition accident in Iraq and arrived at Landstuhl on Wednesday morning, told the men about his 1-month-old daughter, Ruby. As the artists peered at Stephenson for their drawings, the soldier said his wife would get a kick out of their work because she is a graphic designer.

When the cartoonists were finished with their pieces, they handed them over to Stephenson, individually thanking him for his service and shaking his hand. Stephenson broke into a wide grin.

"You guys are awesome," Stephenson said. "You guys are awesome."

"You’re awesome," Peters said.

FANTASTIC! :hug: THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

October 11th, 2008, 12:17 pm

Group Helps Deployed Troops Enjoy Movies
By Sharon Foster/American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2008 - Microwavable popcorn, theater-style candy, sweetened powdered drink mix, a letter of support and a DVD are what deployed troops find when they open a “movie box” from Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies.

Bernie and Kathy Hintzke of Milwaukee started the project when their son, Adam, was deployed to Iraq in 2004, to bring a piece of “back home” to troops who are deployed to war zones.

Originally, they were hoping to collect enough movie boxes for their son’s battalion. In the process, they received requests from other family members to send movie boxes to their military relatives as well. Today, the group sends boxes to troops in all service branches.

“Since then, due to the continued generosity of people from all across the U.S., we have sent out over 45,000 movie packages to troops serving in the Middle East, from all branches of service,” Kathy Hintzke said.

Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies provides a way for troops to deal with anxieties and loneliness through watching movies, she added.

“Our desire is to be able to provide a ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’ experience to as many troops as possible,” she said. “They’re working between 12- and 18-hour days, with sometimes only a few hours to kick back and relax. A movie fits this time frame perfectly and allows their minds to travel to another place and time.”

To receive movie boxes, troops or family members go to the Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies Web site to make a request. Based upon availability of supplies, the home-front group schedules production and shipment. To date, the group has sent movie boxes to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, South Korea and north of the Arctic Circle.

Troops accustomed to receiving everything from foot powder to mosquito repellant are excited about their movie boxes.

“We are going to love this,” Army Pfc. Michael Hilty wrote to the group after receiving a movie box in Iraq. “We get to enjoy the whole experience with the popcorn and the candy! I appreciate you so much! Thank you so much for the service you provide! I am going to order some movie decorations from Party Pro and set the whole scene up!”

Operation: Take a Soldier to the Movies is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

:flag: :clap: :flag:

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/Content.aspx?ID=44987492

http://www.soldiertomovies.org/

AEOakley

November 5th, 2008, 2:10 pm

In honor of Veterans' Day next week, the Rogers Family Company -- www.rogersfamilyco.com -- in partnership with Operation Gratitude -- www.operationgratitude.com -- is sponsoring a "Letters to Our Troops" contest that encourages Americans to write letters to our deployed service members for the holidays and at the same time earn fun prizes for themselves and much-needed money for their favorite schools!!

The purpose of the "Letters to Our Troops" campaign is to send a heartfelt note of thanks to the men and women who serve our country overseas. Some sample salutations include: Dear Hero, Dear Service Member, Dear Brave One, etc. Don't forget to sign your letter with your name and email and/or mailing address.

http://dearhero.opgratitude.com/about

AEOakley

November 5th, 2008, 5:29 pm

In honor of Veterans' Day next week, the Rogers Family Company -- www.rogersfamilyco.com -- in partnership with Operation Gratitude -- www.operationgratitude.com -- is sponsoring a "Letters to Our Troops" contest that encourages Americans to write letters to our deployed service members for the holidays and at the same time earn fun prizes for themselves and much-needed money for their favorite schools!!

http://dearhero.opgratitude.com/about

"Sometimes, the gesture that touches a Soldier, Marine, Airman or Sailor the most is a simple, heartfelt thank-you," said Rogers Family Co. President Jon B. Rogers, who served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

Press release about the contest, how to enter and prize details:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=prnw.20081103.AQM014&show_article=1

AEOakley

November 7th, 2008, 8:07 pm

Another way to support U.S. troops...

With this documentary, photo exhibit and book our aim is to raise funding for and awareness of the men and women warriors that have given so much to protect our freedoms. Freedom is not free.

http://www.warriorsthefilm.com/events.html <-- link to info about the Los Angeles premiere, at a benefit hosted by Kelsey Grammer...
http://www.warriorsthefilm.com/Movie.html <--trailer

AEOakley

November 8th, 2008, 7:04 pm

The Los Angeles Clippers will host a special afternoon for U.S. servicemen and their families during the Clippers home game against the Dallas Mavericks.

THE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AND KRLA 870 ARE PROUD TO PRESENT: MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

The Los Angeles Clippers would like to honor the service men and women of the U.S. Military when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, November 9th for a matinee game at 12:30 pm.

Members of ths U.S. Military and their families can enjoy an afternoon at STAPLES Center together by taking advantage of these exclusive discounted prices....

All the info is here:
http://www.nba.com/clippers/groups/militaryappday081109_KRLA.html

http://krla870.townhall.com/pages/Clippers08

:flag::clap::flag:

AEOakley

November 17th, 2008, 1:52 pm

Care packages on way to troops
By Sue Doyle, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 11/16/2008 11:23:25 PM PST

ENCINO - Tammie Silva whipped off letters inside care packages for U.S. troops overseas Sunday, admonishing soldiers to be safe, then signing, "a proud Army wife."

Silva's husband Chris had just left Saturday for his second deployment to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard and will be gone for one year.

The Santa Clarita woman joined hundreds of volunteers Sunday at the California Army National Guard Armory in Encino to pack and mail thousands of boxes of books, CDs, toothbrushes, T-shirts and cookies to the U.S. military in a morale-lifting holiday drive through Operation Gratitude, an Encino-based nonprofit.

"If I can do anything to support the soldiers the way we've been supported, I will," said Silva, 37, adding that neighbors have invited her family over for Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas dinners and even summer vacations while her husband is in the Middle East.

Closing in on care package No. 400,000, Operation Gratitude typically sends 110,000 each year to American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Guantanamo Bay and to ships sailing through international waters, said Carolyn Blashek, who started the nonprofit from her garage in March 2003.

Moved by 9-11, the Encino mother of two and former lawyer had yearned to help America.

Then her life changed forever in 2003 after she met a soldier at Los Angeles International Airport who was leaving for Army deployment overseas and had no living relatives in the United States.

"It made me realize what it takes to survive. It's knowing that someone cares," said Blashek. "I never knew who he was. Never saw him again."

But his words set Blashek on a gratitude mission to reach out to as many U.S. troops as possible and let them know they are cherished and supported.

Twice a year, Blashek spearheads two care package drives in a volunteer-based operation that quickly outgrew her garage and now fills a massive room inside the National Guard building on Victory Boulevard.

Through the 6,000 volunteers helping year-round, packages - just larger than shoeboxes - are assembled and loaded with $150 worth of toiletries, snacks, batteries and entertainment goodies.

Each box holds about 50 items, with families, churches, Boy and Girl Scout troops and corporations making most of the donations. The nonprofit raises funds for postage, with each package costing $10 to mail.

Hauling boxes of espionage and mystery books on Sunday, Don Farr of Newhall volunteers at Operation Gratitude nearly every weekend to thank the military for helping him pay for college, where he earned a doctorate degree in psychology.

"The service was so good to me," said the 75-year-old Navy veteran. "This is payback."

Sitting with friends from Girl Scout troop 715, Mikhaila Silva, 13, drew holly in green marker on a festive holiday card headed for the U.S. military.

Daughter of Tammie and Chris Silva, the seventh-grader thinks of her father as she designs the cards.

"Sometimes I wonder if the cards are going to him," she said with a grin.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_11001577

Loyal American

November 17th, 2008, 2:00 pm

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/scr_081117-O-9999O-001.jpg

Music Industry Sings Military’s Praises for Second Year

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2008 – Just in time for Thanksgiving, 14 musical acts are showing just how thankful they are for what the military does for everyone back home.

Led by John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting, the musicians lent their hit talents to “For the Troops II,” a CD featuring 14 hit singles covering the spectrum of musical genres.

The songs are some of the biggest hits yet for the participating artists, but the music is secondary to the CD’s message, the performers said.

“At the end of the day, it’s really not even about the songs,” Ondrasik said. “It’s about the gesture of thanks and support and appreciation. I salute all these artists who did that.”

Ondrasik started the project last year with the help of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and the Recording Industry Association of America. That original CD, “For the Troops,” was downloaded more than 350,000 times and another 200,000 servicemembers and retirees worldwide received hard copies of the disc.

The sequel was somewhat easier to pull off because they already had channels open to the recording companies, Ondrasik said. On the other hand, he said, he exhausted “some friendship cards” and had to look for different talent.

“This time I wanted a whole new line up of artists, and with the exception of Josh Groban, who’s on here again just because the military wives love Josh, everybody’s new,” Ondrasik added. “So, I didn’t have those relationships. We just started reaching out to anybody and everybody.”

That method netted the participation of groups like 3 Doors Down, Good Charlotte, Daughtry, and Maroon 5. Individual musicians who lent their crooning to the project include Gretchen Wilson, Jude, Joe Perry, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins. The late Isaac Hayes also gave a song to the project before he passed away.

“We have a Roy Orbison [song], which is really cool,” Ondrasik said. “Roy’s wife, Barbara, gave us a song.

“Roy Orbison adds a certain stature to this CD,” he added. “We’ve got a legend of legends on here.”

As long as he receives positive feedback from the troops, Ondrasik said, he’s more than willing to keep the project going in the future, though there may be a twist to “For the Troops III,” he hinted. Regardless of what’s on this CD or the next, it all boils down to one thing for Ondrasik.

“We can’t lose sight of what’s going on,” he said. “We can’t lose sight of who protects us, and I think, now more than ever, we need to keep the troops in our hearts and our minds.”

A complete list of song titles is available on www.cdforthetroops.com (http://www.cdforthetroops.com). The tunes will be available for those with valid military identification, including veterans, to download beginning Thanksgiving Day and will remain available through mid-March, Ondrasik said. The entire CD, as well as individual songs, can be downloaded at no charge.

If problems are encountered in the downloading process, Ondrasik suggested contacting Operation Homefront or contact CD For the Troops through the Web site.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51959

Thank you!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

December 4th, 2008, 4:53 pm

Operation Gratitude Hits Unprecedented Milestone
Will Send Last Batch of Packages to Reach Troops in Time for Christmas
Blackanthem Military News

VAN NUYS, CA. - Following the assembly of over 50,000 care packages in just seven days, Operation Gratitude Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, announced today that the organization will reach a major milestone on Saturday, December 13, 2008: The shipment of its 400,000th CARE PACKAGE.

Othold expects the 400,000th package to hit the Assembly Line between 11:00am-11:30am on Saturday, December 13th.

In addition to regular Wish List items and personal letters provided by more than 150 Corporate Sponsors and Friends, and by tens of thousands of individual donors across the country, the 400,000th Care Package will include several surprise gifts. A special delivery of the 400,000th package is being arranged.

Three previous Operation Gratitude milestone packages contained the keys to new vehicles. The 300,000th package was delivered personally in Iraq by Othold and founder Carolyn Blashek.

The winners of the online "Letters to Our Troops" Contest, sponsored by Rogers Family Coffee Company will also be announced and the Grand Prize Winning Letter will be read and placed into the 400,000th package.

An additional 12-15,000 care packages will be assembled and shipped during the December 13-14 weekend. "This is the last weekend to mail packages that can still reach the troops in time for Christmas," stated Robert Bender, Operation Gratitude Logistics Coordinator. "We intend to get out as many packages as is humanly possible," he added.

Military and Political dignitaries, along with representatives from many of the organization's Corporate Sponsors will join celebrities and cast members from popular TV shows to assist the Operation Gratitude volunteers assemble thousands of troop gifts, in addition to the 400,000th Care Package. Fun activities, delicious product samples and a hearty lunch will be provided by Corporate donors.

Media and press are invited to attend the Milestone Celebration and the Lunch following the ceremony

:clap::clap::clap:

http://www.blackanthem.com/News/living/Operation-Gratitude-Hits-Unprecedented-Milestone-December-1318981.shtml

The troops express their appreciation for Operation Gratitude Care Packages through a constant flow of letters, e-mails and pictures, as seen in the Mail Call and Photo Gallery sections of the www.operationgratitude.com website.

"On the morning of Thanksgiving we were all a little down. Then later that day, we received your boxes. I can't begin to tell you the gratitude we all felt and the smiles that it put on the faces of all the soldiers here. But the thing that touched us the most wasn't the content of the boxes. The thing we were most proud of and what touched us all the most was the enclosed card with a picture off all the great Americans there waving and smiling at us. The entire mood changed and our Thanksgiving was Thanksgiving again. We all ate 'Army Food' for Thanksgiving and talked about everything you guys sent, but again the talk kept going back to the card and the obvious support and love and care that your group sent. We noticed young, old, disabled, moms, dads, sons, and daughters. And we could also pick out the ones that have even served themselves, they just have that look!! Please tell all of them from the bottom of the heart of many soldiers located in an isolated forward operating base in Iraq, we received their gratitude on Thanksgiving day when we needed it the most. We may be serving here in Iraq but you guys are the Heroes. Thank You Again with the deepest Respect, Major K.O."

"I just received your package. I wanted to take this time to thank you for your thoughts, and more importantly your time. We are doing a job that our country has called us to do, and you are making that job easier. I am not much of a "candy man." However, I wanted you to know that I put it to good use. Today, on mission, I took the candy and gave it to as many children as I saw. You can not imagine the smiles of these kids who have nothing, and surely have never had candy. My heart nearly melted completely, when a little girl from Kirkuk blew me a kiss and said thank you!!!! It is the little things in life that make the difference. Keep up the work and know that it is making a difference!!! Thanks again!! Sincerely, Specialist B.Q."

AEOakley

December 15th, 2008, 3:12 pm

Footage of a country music star visiting with troops and performing a concert. Scenes include shots of the singer with troops and footage of his concert on the base. Provided by Regimental Combat Team 1.

:flag::clap::flag:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwv4JjxBm4&feature=channel_page

AEOakley

December 15th, 2008, 8:45 pm

This was his second visit to the armory...and I didn't get to be there -- again! :boohoo:

Ben Affleck Encourages Americans to Donate to Operation Gratitude
Monday December 15, 2008

Ben Affleck joined hundreds of volunteers on Sunday to help assemble and send care packages to troops oversees through Operation Gratitude.

The non-profit sends out 100,000 boxes of goodies and letters to U.S. service members deployed in hostile regions each year.

Affleck -- who wore a green "Operation Gratitude" T-shirt while filling packages with candy in Van Nuys, California -- was presented with an American flag flown in his honor in Iraq.

An Operation Gratitude spokesperson said that Affleck expressed the importance of saying "thank you" to our troops, especially during the holidays when they are far away from home and loved ones.

The organization has already sent more than 400,000 packages and still hopes to raise an additional $200,000 before Dec. 31 to send the remaining 20,000 care packages. As each package costs $10 to ship, Affleck encouraged all Americans to donate to the cause.

:clap::clap::clap:

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/ben-affleck-encourages-americans-to-donate-to-operation-gratitude

AEOakley

December 17th, 2008, 1:13 pm

The host of the History Channel's "Mail Call" visited Iraq with gifts and words of encouragement:

Package about R. Lee Ermey visiting service members at Camp Victory. Provided by Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq.

:clap: :flag: :clap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJu3MswUqSc&feature=channel_page

AEOakley

December 27th, 2008, 5:57 pm

Happy Holidays From the Bel-Air Country Club
34th Combat Aviation Brigade
27 Dec 2008 US

Celebrities send holiday greetings from Bel-Air Country Club to deployed troops. Produced by Sgt. Lynette Hoke.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=52007

AEOakley

January 3rd, 2009, 11:36 pm

The things we take for granted here are wonderful treats for our deployed troops!

Check out this video from Joint Base Balad in Iraq...

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=52487

MANY THANKS to QuikTrip Convenience Stores and Continental Carbonic Products, Inc. for their generous support of our troops!!! :clap::clap::clap:

Larry, Curly & Mohamed

January 5th, 2009, 1:50 pm

“UFC Fight For The Troops” Event Rases Over $4 Million For Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund’s

http://media-newswire.com/release_1083108.html

New York, New York – Spike TV and Ultimate Fighting Championship® today announced that its “UFC Fight for the Troops” event last week in Fayetteville, NC in front of 15,000 Ft. Bragg troops raised over $4 million for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund’s new medical center to be built in Bethesda.

Continue at the link

Loyal American

January 12th, 2009, 11:39 am

Operation Healing Angel Gears Up for New Year

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2009 – A troop-support organization is gearing up for the early part of the new year, collecting Valentine, Easter and St. Patrick Day cards and gifts for servicemembers and the health professionals who take care of them.

“The response is tremendous during [the Christmas holiday] for sending cards and gifts, but the need is just as great when this holiday ends,” said Alessandra Kellermann, founder of Homefront Hugs USA, the group that manages the Operation Healing Angel program. “We run 365 days of the year. It’s important for us to keep in contact with the troops throughout the year. Cards are a wonderful way to say thanks to those who sacrifice so much every day.”

Operation Healing Angel’s mission is not only to provide support to servicemembers at home and abroad, but also to reach out to health care professionals who take care of them when they are injured, Kellermann said. The program’s volunteers collect items such as cards, pens, travel games, mini flashlights, alarm clocks and handkerchiefs for health care professionals in hospitals overseas and at home. Care packages for servicemembers include cards, U-shaped neck pillows, CDs and DVDs.

“What I love about this mission is that we include the caregivers -- the medical personnel too often forgotten,” Kellermann said. “I once worked in an emergency room and intensive care unit, so I know the stress and toll of dealing with traumatic events and the need for a morale boost whenever possible. The coffee, blankets and soft music is received with much gratitude and appreciation.”

Air Force Senior Airman Mackenzie Schroeder took time to express her gratitude upon completion of her tour in a military hospital in Iraq. “As my tour comes to an end,” she wrote, “I just want to extend another thank you for all the care packages that you have sent to me, my coworkers and the men and women who come through this [hospital] daily. Your gifts, thoughts and prayers are much appreciated from everyone.”

A medic stationed in Germany wrote to Kellermann three years ago, requesting support for a soldier he was treating. She knew then that she wanted to do something to uplift the spirits of both the medic and the injured soldier.

“The word spread quickly as we began to send cards, accompanied by care packages filled with blankets, cozy socks, spiritual books, bathrobes - anything the medical personnel or chaplains could give to these wounded troops,” she said.

The majority of Operation Healing Angel cards and care packages go to Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals in Washington, D.C., Florida and Hawaii. Packages also go to military hospitals in Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The need is great, as it reminds our heroes who care for our wounded and those injured that during their struggle to get better, they are never forgotten and someone is thinking of them, praying and hoping they know we are grateful for their sacrifices,” Kellermann said.
Related Sites:
Homefront Hugs (http://www.homefronthugs.com/)

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52636

THANK YOU!!! :clap::flag::clap::flag:

AEOakley

January 24th, 2009, 3:36 pm

Posted: 01.24.2009 06:32

B-roll of the band "Lonestar" performing for Troops in Iraq. Also includes interviews with two band members. Produced by Spc. Derick Call.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=53416

AEOakley

January 26th, 2009, 8:52 pm

GalleryCollection.com donated 100,000 Thank You cards to the Troops and Michelle Obama showed up to help out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1MHMXmfi3k&feature=channel_page

:clap::flag::clap:

An AmeriCorps NCCC member talks about the Inaugural service event held at RFK stadium in Washington, DC. Over 12,000 volunteers "stuffed" over 80,000 care packages for US troops serving abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan at the event, sponsored by Serve DC, Operation Gratitude, Target, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaBU1oeFl64&feature=channel_page

Loyal American

February 5th, 2009, 11:13 am

Troop-support Group Specializes in Adaptive Clothing

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/lrs_090204-A-0000x-001a.jpg

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2009 – A troop-support group that provides clothing specially adapted for wounded troops recovering in military hospitals, will roll out a new line of garments later this year.

“We are working on wheelchair garments and halo shirts,” Michele Cuppy, president of Sew Much Comfort, said. “We are also working on dress pants that will look more like off-the-rack pants. With the talented seamstresses we have, we will be taking special requests for these items.”

Since 2004, Sew Much Comfort, based in Burnsville, Minn., has provided adaptive clothing and comfort accessories to injured servicemembers throughout the United States, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The clothing, made using fabric-fastener openings, allows injured servicemembers to dress themselves easily and provides ready access to the injury or wound area by the servicemember, medical staff or family.

In 2006, Sew Much Comfort volunteers received top honors from the “Newman’s Own Awards” program and were invited to the White House by then-President George W. Bush.

The groups’ major focus this year is to incorporate wheelchair and dress pants garments into their clothing line, as well as to become more “visible and available” at all the major military hospitals across the world, Cuppy said.

“We want to make sure, no matter what the wound or injury is, troops know that there is clothing available for them,” she said. “We believe these new garments will allow injured servicemembers to easily dress themselves and feel more comfortable in public. All garments appear as normal civilian attire, which makes possible a more natural and comfortable recovery.”

Lisa Schroeder of Beaumont, Calif., whose son, Army Sgt. Christopher Schroeder, broke his arm in Iraq, said she was very pleased with the clothing her son received last year.

“Our son broke his right elbow and left wrist in Iraq and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for surgeries,” Schroeder said. “My worries were for his recovery and how soon we could arrive to help him. We had no time to think of practicalities like clothing. Sew Much Comfort adaptive shirts were one of the biggest blessings for him. He wanted some ‘real’ shirts to wear while recovering, and we were so happy when someone brought the care package of shirts to his room.”

With the help of more than 1,500 volunteer seamstresses, Sew Much Comfort made nearly 30,000 pieces of adaptive clothing and comfort accessories last year. Cuppy said the program’s seamstresses are the driving force behind her organization.

Sew Much Comfort volunteers include ambassadors who deliver the clothing to the hospitals. Medical personnel also call and request clothing to be sent to them, Cuppy noted. This year, Sew Much Comfort has added an online order form on its Web site so servicemembers can order clothing directly.

“With our distribution facility, we are able to grab from the shelves and ship in two to three days,” Cuppy said.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/BarbOOOO2/photos%202/scr_090204-A-0000x-002.jpg

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52961

SOOOO SWEET, THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

February 19th, 2009, 11:32 am

‘Adopt a U.S. Soldier’ Links Volunteers With Deployed Troops

Since its inception four years ago, “Adopt a U.S. Soldier” has connected more than 100,000 servicemembers to 265,000 supportive Americans who have sent them regular care packages, wrote letters and, on occasion, run errands for family members.

“It’s been such a privilege to work with this organization and see it grow to what it is today,” Ann Johnson, the group’s founder and chief executive officer, said. “We are committed to our soldiers. We love them. We will continue to do this work for them and their families.”

Johnson started the group when her son, Paul, was stationed in Iraq. She asked her friends if they would help to support his unit. They agreed and sent nearly $3,000 of care-package items. Johnson extended her support to other deployed troops, and the program began.

Jacob Poehls,8, and his mother, Nora Hall -- both group volunteers -- were featured recently on the NBC Today Show, along with their adopted servicemember, Marine Corps Sgt. Balthazar Pineda.

Hall said it was a privilege for her son, who has a learning disability, to have a Marine pen pal. The experience has given him confidence as well as a reason to work on his reading and writing skills, she said.

Beth Ann Alitt, of Encinitas, Calif., who also has adopted several soldiers over the years, said she feels as if she is now an official “Army mom.”

“Since I’ve started, I’ve met so many soldiers and their families,” she said. “You adopt one. He returns home. Then you adopt another and another. You send care packages. You e-mail. You do things with their kids; you just instantly become a part of their family.”

Satin Modesitt of Vero Beach, Fla., said the program establishes a lasting connection to the soldier.

“It is so rewarding when your soldier comes home,” Modesitt said. “You are just so relieved. You just feel like it is your son, brother, daughter or sister. This has just been an amazing thing for my family. We have grown, along with the military families we’ve touched.”

To join the group, volunteers can register online at the Adopt a U.S. Soldier Web site.

“We try to make the process as easy as possible,” Johnson said. “The great thing about this is you can adopt more than one soldier, and many soldiers are adopted by others so you can share in your commitment.”

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53151

Adopt your Soldier today!!! :flag:

Adopt a U.S. Soldier (http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/)

AEOakley

February 23rd, 2009, 4:45 pm

‘Adopt a U.S. Soldier’ Links Volunteers With Deployed Troops

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53151

Adopt your Soldier today!!! :flag:

Adopt a U.S. Soldier (http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/)

:clap: Excellent, L.A.!! Here's another story about supporting our awesome troops:

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Video by Pfc. Rebekah Lampman
Date Taken: 02.23.2009
Posted: 02.23.2009 01:10

Package about an Army Sgt. who had a birthday and was able to celebrate it with the band Lonestar. Produced by Spc. Rebekah Lampman.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=55011

AEOakley

February 25th, 2009, 5:39 pm

:clap: Excellent, L.A.!! Here's another story about supporting our awesome troops:

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=55011

And here's another video about Lonestar performing in Iraq:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LTBW4QS_Lk&feature=channel_page

"...a little entertainment...a little happiness...a little taste of home..." -- Lonestar continues its tour of Iraq...this time they were at Camp Stryker. :flag:

:clap::clap::clap:

AEOakley

March 15th, 2009, 12:42 pm

Video about St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders visiting troops in Kirkuk, Iraq. Provided by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.

:dance: :clap: :dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fpnysENyOg&feature=channel_page

AEOakley

March 15th, 2009, 8:51 pm

Deployed Troops to Receive Sweet Treat Overseas
March 13, 2009
By Sharon Foster

WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – Deployed servicemembers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo and Kuwait will not miss out on Girl Scout cookies this year, thanks to the troop-support group “Hugs for Our Soldiers.”

The group’s first Girl Scout cookie drive was in 2004. Five years later, the group continues to partner with Gwen Lawrence and her Brownie Troop 61 to collect cookies for “Operation: Taste of Home.”

“I currently have possession of more than 1,000 Girl Scout cookie boxes that have been donated by churches, civic organizations or placed in donation boxes in various locations,” Kathy Orcutt, president of Hugs for Our Soldiers, said. “The big numbers will roll in next weekend when the service units complete their sales. I expect at least 3,000 more boxes.”

As community members purchase their favorite box of cookies, they are encouraged to show support to local servicemembers and their local Girl Scouts by purchasing an extra box or two for deployed troops so they can enjoy a taste of home.

The cookie drive will end March 22.

“Most of the cookies will be shipped to our troops,” Orcutt said. “At least a thousand of them will be used here, at home, to support our ‘Welcome Home’ program. We'll place them in the barracks rooms of single soldiers who will be returning from deployment at the end of this month and in April. What a big surprise they will have -- to see that they didn't miss Girl Scout cookies this year!”

MaKayla White, 10, a member of the Tennessee Junior Troop 741 of the Little River Service Unit, collects cookies for Orcutt’s group, and said she is glad to be participating in the cookie drive.

“It just makes me feel really good to do something for them,” MaKayla said. “They are so far away. It’s good to make sure the troops have some snacks. The troops always love our Girl Scout cookies. We are just so proud of them.”

Orcutt said she believes Girl Scout cookies are among the most requested snack items for deployed servicemembers.

“Everyone looks forward to this once-a-year sale ... soldiers included,” Orcutt said. “From the comments and thank yous we've received, it's apparent to me that when a soldier opens a box of Girl Scout cookies, takes his first bite, a memory of home enters his mind.”

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.army.com/news/item/4925

AEOakley

March 16th, 2009, 5:37 pm

Video about about the United Service Organizations (USO) bringing comedy shows to several bases throughout the middle east. Produced by Sen. Airman Benjamin Hayes.

:clap::flag::clap:

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=56335

liljoshwright

March 19th, 2009, 7:37 pm

Hello

Soon the 1/5 Marines will deploy out to Afghanistan, taking part in the War On Terror. They will be replacing the 3/8 if I understand right.

My buddy who is a Sgt in H&S Company 1/5 Marines has requested support. Before the 1/5 deploys out .... I am planing a care package run down to Camp Pendleton, Ca, to the 1/5 HQ building. I will be personally dropping of the care packages and supplies to the Marines.

If you would like to take part in the convoy run down to Camp Pendleton please contact me. If you have supplies you would like to send down, but may not be able to go...... contact me. I have a GMC extra cab truck .....I can hold a lot of stuff. { it's just an idea if you would like to save a few dollars. }

I am sure at that time I will get the FPO / APO for the 1/5, as well as a person of contact.

http://www.myspace.com/lildevilmarine
http://devildogswar.blogspot.com

liljoshwright

March 19th, 2009, 8:26 pm

AEOakley

March 19th, 2009, 8:36 pm

:flag:

items requested by my Sgt Buddy to send ......... SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, TRAVEL SIZE SNACKS, TRAIL MIX, BATTERIES, FLASHLIGHT'S, DVD'S, NERF TOYS { very small footballs ...etc. } , DIED FRUIT, SNACKS {cookies, granola bars, cheez-it's }, TUNA SNACK KITS,

:flag:

Josh, it's wonderful that you're organizing support for your buddy and his fellow Marines like this -- but are you positive they'll be able to take these items with them to Afghanistan? If you deliver them to Pendleton, I wonder if they'll have to stay there -- these guys are often super-limited with the space they have when they travel. I'd hate for you to go to all that time and trouble for nothing...

On another "support the troops" subject, please consider passing along the OpGrat link (www.opgratitude.com) to your friend and the rest of the 1/5 -- I hope they'll look into Operation Gratitude before they go (a totally non-profit troop support group) and will sign themselves up to receive care packages while they're deployed. Many of the "wish list" items you mentioned -- socks, batteries, small toys, DVDs, snacks, etc. -- are the very things OpGrat puts in their boxes, along with coffee, CDs, phone cards, magazines and more. And each Marine can receive his/her own, individually-addressed box. Very cool.

Starting in April there will be opportunities to volunteer with OpGrat as they begin their "Patriotic Drive". You can check for information on the website if you'd like to participate...

AEOakley

March 25th, 2009, 2:29 pm

This man has done SO MUCH for our troops! Here's info, courtesy of Michael Yon's excellent blog --

Gary has been supporting troops for more than two decades not just in word, but in a long stream of deeds. Our troops post his photos on headquarters walls in Iraq and Afghanistan. I recall during the darkest days of the Iraq war, Gary Sinise and Laura Hillebrand were helping big-hearted American donors to send millions of dollars worth of supplies to Iraqi kids. During stints between the war, I even flew out to Kansas City just to visit the warehouse of Operation Iraqi Children, and there were pallets upon pallets of those same supplies that I had been seeing soldiers distribute to smiling Iraqi kids. Americans at home were a big part of relieving the plight of those children, and helping turn the war around, and Gary and Laura were important “go betweens.”

And Gary continues his quest to help the troops. He continues a global journey to entertain troops who are away from loved ones, often traveling into the wars, or in bases around the world. I asked Gary yesterday to send his upcoming schedule of his “Lt. Dan Band.” Even I had no idea how busy he stays.

The band website is: www.ltdanband.com

:clap::flag::clap:
For the list of base shows, go to this link and scroll down:

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/gary-sinise-to-continue-long-march.htm

Loyal American

March 31st, 2009, 12:27 pm

Circus Helps Group Ship Care Packages to Deployed Troops

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus recently presented a $12,636 check to American Recreational Military Services to help the troop-support group ship care packages overseas to deployed servicemembers.

The check included a $10,000 donation and a portion of the circus’s four opening-night proceeds from performances in New Jersey and New York earlier this month.

“We had been scrambling for months to cover costs as donor fatigue and the economic decline had cut into our donations,” Ronnie Micciulla, executive director at American Recreational Military Services, said. “The average cost for shipping an individual box overseas is $10. We are very thankful for this support.”

The American Recreational Military Services goal this year is to provide a care package for every tri-state area servicemember, Micciulla added.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus learned about the New York group’s woes from an employee while riding in a New York cab. After hearing about the group’s struggles from a media news story, the employee started thinking of ways she could possibly help.

“I have a brother who fought in Iraqi Freedom, so I know first-hand how important it is for the troops to receive these packages,” Amy Alter, director of marketing for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, said. “When I heard about this group having all these packages stored in a warehouse, but no funds to ship them, I knew we had to do something. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

Throughout the four circus performances, American Recreational Military Services had 90-second spots at each show to say something about the group and serve as the guest ringmaster. The group also was allowed to set up a table at each event to hand out pamphlets about the group and talk about how Americans can support the nation’s troops.

“All the money raised will be going to either shipping packages to our troops or buying supplies that our troops need and can't get,” Micciulla said. “We also will use the money to take care of the families back home, … helping to pay bills they can't pay, helping when a disaster hits a family and running a food pantry so our families don't have to go without.” http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53714

THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

April 8th, 2009, 11:34 am

Group Donates Easter Baskets for Month of Military Child

WASHINGTON - A California based troop-support group has collected and mailed more than 600 Easter baskets as part of April's observance of the Month of the Military Child.

"Because the Easter bunny and children go hand-in-hand, our Easter project was directly targeted to the children," said Karla Davis, Pennsylvania state coordinator for Soldiers' Angels. "We were blessed enough with support for sending out over 610 Easter baskets this year. There were also several hundred gift cards sent with the baskets to help the parents in purchasing Easter dinner."

The majority of the baskets went directly to Fisher Houses and military bases to be distributed to military children.

"Fisher Houses and military bases have contacted me already, to say, 'Wow, we received the Easter baskets,'" Caren Vink, vice president of Soldiers' Angels, said. "They say, 'This was awfully nice of Soldiers' Angels outreach to honor our families.' This mission focused on supporting military families with children here at home for the Easter holidays."

Soldiers' Angels collected Easter items by posting a letter of invitation on the group's Web site several months ago, asking Americans to support military families with children for the Easter holiday. Americans were asked to drop off Easter baskets at different Soldiers' Angels locations.

"We had such a great outpouring by our donors and angels," Vink said. "We had many donors that were prepared to send pre-filled Easter baskets, sealed bags of Easter candy and gift cards across the country to these kids."

Military families not at Fisher Houses or military bases were able to request Easter baskets via e-mail.

In the past, Davis said, Soldiers' Angels had received many requests for help with purchasing Easter baskets and felt honored to reach out to military families during the Month of the Military Child.

"These children are making as many sacrifices for our country as our heroes," she said. "They are lending their hero to the entire world. Soldiers' Angels has always paid particular attention to military children during this month and every month."

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=32153

GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

AEOakley

April 28th, 2009, 12:43 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/168284.jpg

Toby Keith Entertains Troops in Afghanistan

Story by Capt. Michael Greenberger
Date: 04.28.2009

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Country singer and troop supporter Toby Keith finished up a 15-show tour in Afghanistan April 27 as he drew near the end of his seventh tour with the United Service Organizations.

Keith spent five days criss-crossing the war-torn country visiting bases large and small in a whirlwind of handshakes, autographs, photo-ops and of course – country music shows.

Whether it's hundreds of Marines at Camp Bastion or a crowd of thousands at Kandahar Air Field, countless hours of preparation and manpower go into making each show special.

"It's a three-pronged attack," said Rachel Tischler, USO vice president of entertainment operations. "The crews get to work setting everything up for the larger shows as most of the band goes to see people at the larger bases. While they are doing that, [Toby] and a few others visit the more remote locations."

Keith's tour visited Forward Operating Bases Tillman and Boris, near the Pakistan border, in addition to the larger bases, like FOBs Sharana and Salerno.

"It was important to Toby and the crew to visit as many of the smaller, remote locations as possible," said Tischler. "Never mind getting entertainers – some of them don't have running water!"

Keith, was taught early on to respect the military and those who serve in it.

"My father was a Soldier. He taught his kids to respect veterans," said Keith. "It's that respect and the thank you that we have a military that's in place and ready to defend our nation; our freedom."

Since 2002, Keith and company have visited war zones, military bases and ships at sea to bring a little levity and light into the lives of those in harm's way. He loves his job, he said.

"It's a break from the monotony in their life," Keith said of his duty to the troops. "They're under fire and tremendous workloads trying to accomplish their goals, so when we show up, it changes that for a little while. We try to put smiles on their faces."

According to the roaring crowd in the "clamshell tent" on Bagram, he succeeded.

"The energy level was so high," said Army Spc. Jennifer Cook. "It brought all the Soldiers in, no matter what kind of music they liked."

Keith's forte is playing country music. He's been doing it for more than 23 years. Some of the hits he poured into the night sky over Afghanistan have been staples of country music for years – as well as favorites of those in uniform, such as "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" and "American Soldier."

Written after his first visit to Iraq, "American Soldier" is a tribute to service members everywhere. Keith salutes military mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters -- ordinary people all over who volunteer to serve their country and give their lives for it if necessary. Keith took many of his first interactions with the military in Iraq, such as a remembrance ceremony for a fallen service member, and turned it into something many could understand.

"Those kinds of things just bore into your soul," Keith said. "I would have never been able to complete 'American Soldier' if it weren't for the experiences I had."

The troops appreciate Keith just as much as he appreciated them.

"This show was awesome," said Air Force Senior Airman Patrick McGuire. "I saw Toby Keith stateside and it was smoky and the crowd was just different. Here, it's like he was here for us, not just a show. It just felt like he was here for us."

Keith doesn't just raise spirits though, he raises awareness too.

"It's great to be supported by someone in the music business," Cook said. "It also keeps us on people's minds back home."

Keith ended more than an hour of guitar whompin', foot stompin' music with a promise he's echoed over 150 times: "I'll see you next year."

After departing Afghanistan, Keith and company head to Italy to finish their seventh USO tour.

:clap::flag::clap:

THANK YOU, Mr. Keith and all who joined you on this tour!!

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=32945

Loyal American

April 28th, 2009, 6:17 pm

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t175/aeoakley/168284.jpg

Toby Keith Entertains Troops in Afghanistan

:clap::flag::clap:

THANK YOU, Mr. Keith and all who joined you on this tour!!

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=32945

This was Toby's 7th USO tour and I love that he goes out to the tiny little FOB's to see the troops! He's such a patriot!!!:flag:

Annie, Toby puts on a fantastic show for our troops! My kids have missed him on all their deployments, they leave before he gets there or they get there right after he's gone. :frown: They really want to see him someday. ;)

They pointed out to me that DOD has this story today and it has a SPECIAL entry to it! Lots more photos and write-ups, take a look at all the great pics! CLICK on Special:

Special (http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_TobyKeith/)

AEOakley

May 2nd, 2009, 12:40 pm

This was Toby's 7th USO tour and I love that he goes out to the tiny little FOB's to see the troops! He's such a patriot!!!:flag:

Annie, Toby puts on a fantastic show for our troops! My kids have missed him on all their deployments, they leave before he gets there or they get there right after he's gone. :frown: They really want to see him someday. ;)

They pointed out to me that DOD has this story today and it has a SPECIAL entry to it! Lots more photos and write-ups, take a look at all the great pics! CLICK on Special:

Special (http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_TobyKeith/)

Wow, L.A. -- that really is fantastic! What a great morale boost for the troops! Thanks so much for sharing the link. And again, THANKS to Toby Keith for all he does!! :clap:

AEOakley

May 4th, 2009, 4:20 pm

Loyal American

May 5th, 2009, 5:34 pm

Airline Offers $1 Military Fares

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009 – In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, JetBlue is offering active duty military personnel $1 fares for domestic, nonstop flights, for a limited time, departing from the two JetBlue cities nearest to the nation’s capital: Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., and Richmond International Airport in Richmond, Va.

The airline also will donate $15,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that honors and empowers wounded warriors.

To take advantage of the offer, servicemembers must book between today and May 7, or while seats last, for travel between May 8 and May 31 from Dulles or Richmond to any JetBlue destination in the continental United States served nonstop from those airports. Proof of eligibility is required. The fare is available to active-duty servicemembers only; retirees, reservists and military families are not eligible for this offer.

Nonstop destinations served by JetBlue from Dulles include Boston; Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland, Calif.; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; and New York/JFK. Nonstop destinations from Richmond include: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and New York/JFK.

Upon check-in, military travelers must present a valid Department of Defense common access card and official documentation at the JetBlue service counter verifying authorized leave from duty to show proof of active status. Travel booked with this offer is not eligible for online flight check-in or at an airport kiosk. Failure to present these documents will void the reservation, officials said.

Officials emphasized that tickets for the special fare cannot be purchased online or at the airport service counter. Servicemembers are responsible for applicable taxes and fees.

To book the $1 fare, call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and select Option 4. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54205

AWESOME, THANK YOU!!! :flag::clap::flag::clap:

Loyal American

May 5th, 2009, 6:35 pm

NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
MAY, 2009

A DOZEN WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY!

#1 Call or email your representative and ask them to sponser the new NMAM Concurrent Resolution (H.CON.RES 84) (http://www.nmam.org/HConRes84.htm)

#2 FLY THE FLAG ON YOUR HOUSE, CAR, or BUSINESS DURING MAY

#3 SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO A SOLDIER THROUGH USOCARES (http://www.usocares.org/)

#4 ORGANIZE AN EVENT IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY, AND AT YOUR WORKPLACE

#5 ASK YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS TO RECOGNIZE OUR MILITARY

#6 SEND AN EMAIL OR LETTER OF THANKS THROUGH A Million Thanks (http://www.amillionthanks.org/)

#7 ADOPT A HERO AT SOLDIERS' ANGELS! (http://www.soldiersangels.org/)

#8 ASK LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN RECOGNIZING OUR ARMED FORCES

#9 ASK LOCAL MEDIA (TV, RADIO, NEWSPAPER) TO FEATURE

#10 WHEN YOU SEE A PERSON IN A MILITARY UNIFORM, SHAKE THEIR HAND AND SAY, "THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY"

#11 WEAR A SUPPORT OUR TROOPS WRISTBAND OR SHIRT

#12 HIRE A VETERAN - VISIT HIRE A VET FIRST (http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/) FOR MORE INFORMATION

http://www.nmam.org/ (http://www.nmam.org/)

AEOakley

May 13th, 2009, 4:30 pm

THANK YOU to Target, and to EVERYONE who helps OpGrat with votes in the "Bullseye Gives" competition....every vote helps send another care package!

Operation Gratitude needs votes for prize
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Operation Gratitude, which sends some 100,000 care packages downrange each year, is asking for a little something back — via Facebook.

The charity is one of 10 organizations "competing" for votes in a program sponsored by Target and called "Bullseye Gives."

Whichever organization receives the most votes on Facebook receives the largest share of the $3 million being donated by Target. The voting already has begun and runs through May 25. The Web site can be found at www.facebook.com/target.

"The timing of Bullseye Gives is perfect for Operation Gratitude," Carolyn Blashek, the Operation Gratitude founder, was quoted as saying in a news release.

"The campaign is taking place during Military Appreciation Month, when we hold our annual Patriotic Drive to assemble and ship 40,000+ care packages to our military men and women in harm’s way."

Operation Gratitude was founded in March 2003 and has since sent some 430,000 packages downrange. The care packages contain items ranging from snack foods to entertainment items and hygiene products, along with personal letters of appreciation.

According to Blashek, the funds raised through the Bullseye Gives campaign will be used to pay the $1.2 million in postage expenses needed to send 100,000 care packages.

The other nine charities in the running are the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Feeding America, HandsOn Network Generated by Points of Light Institute, Kids In Need, Parent Teacher Association, National Park Foundation, Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Salvation Army USA.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62632