Connecting Deployed Troops with the Homefront

What a great idea, from Dell and Operation Homelink The Mission Operation Homelink™ provides refurbished computers to the spouses or parents of junior enlisted (E1 –E5) U.S. deployed service men and women enabling email communication with their loved one deployed overseas. We offer this service on behalf of our donor corporations as a way to demonstrate their support of our brave men and women serving our country. Read how the program works here. If you'd like to donate either computers or funds to help this great effort, check out the options on the Donate page. H/T to Blackfive.

Support Project Valour-IT

The milblogs are once again raising funds in support of Soldiers' Angels : Project Valour-IT. Project Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include: •Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery. •Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities). •Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD. The project starts Oct. 26th, and continues through Veteran's Day. As in previous years, we are using a little healthy inter-service rivalry to help keep our competitive spirit high. I have joined the Army team, led by Blackfive - which happens to one of the first milblogs I started reading. Jump right in, donate, and help spread the word. Show our wounded troops how much you care, and help them to enjoy things we take for granted each day. Just click on the widget there in the right-hand column - it's easy! Check back daily, as there will be an auction with very special items, and other unique options on occasion!

Patriot Golf Day / Weekend is coming up!

Planning to golf this weekend? If so, then you can add a few extra dollars to those greens fees to help the Folds of Honor foundation provide scholarships for the children and spouses of fallen and wounded service members. Thanks to Veteran Dan Rooney, the Patriot Golf Day program was created to allow golfers to donate easily to the program. Dan's original vision was a single designated day, but the program has been expanded to cover the whole Labor Day weekend. It's simple to take part. Locate a participating golf course using the search tool, then make your tee-time. When you show up to play, add your desired donation to the golfing fees, and the course will take care of forwarding it to the Folds of Honor foundation. By the way - If your favorite course is not listed in the tool, then call the course and check with them directly. Some courses may not have opted to be listed on the search site, or may not have been added to the list. The Hubster and I plan to hit two different courses. I know, it's a tough job ... but somebody has to do it!

Adopt a Hero

Thanks to Chuck for the reminder that this is National Miliary Appreciation Month. And the best way to show your appreciation for the military is to adopt one of our deployed troops. Go to Soldiers' Angels now to adopt one of the waiting Heroes. There are hundreds of deployed men and women who need, now more than ever, to know their sacrifice and separation from their family and friends is appreciated. To quote Chuck: To Adopt-A-Hero go to the website www.SoldiersAngels.org and click on the ADOPT button. Your commitment each month is simply a letter a week and a small package each month. Join our team. Our nation's heroes need you.

Celebrating Real Americans

Thanks to Max for the heads-up on this one ... "On call 24 hours a day, for the past five years, a group of senior citizens have made history by greeting almost 700,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Maine. The Way We Get By is a raw and intimate look at three of these troop greeters as they confront their own health problems, depression, financial debt, and the loss of meaning in their lives. Facing issues common to the nation’s ever-growing population of seniors, Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet, and Jerry Mundy find the strength to overcome their personal battles and transform their lives. This inspirational story will shatter the stereotypes of senior citizens today. Growing old will never be the same." *Update* For screening information, check the official web site. Take a look at the trailer ... If you are interested in a local screening, be sure to visit their site and provide your locale to let the film makers know. And follow either the Facebook group or the Blog to catch the news. Kudos to Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly and Dan Ferrigan for creating a story about these real Americans and their devotion to our military men and women!

Why donate to Valour-IT?

I'm glad to see that the teams are mixing it up well - with Fuzzybear Lioness hijacking the Castle to post for the Marine team. (Run, Fuzzy, Run!) Still, the Army team is currently holding a decent lead in the inter-service rivalry. Go Army! Beat Navy!!! Fun aside, there are many reasons to support Project Valour-IT. When it was created, the concept was simple - provide a laptop and voice-activated software to allow wounded servicemembers to communicate with their loved ones. To give them a means of interaction that didn't require someone else at the controls, and to give them a tool for further independence. If you need help understanding how much it means to have this, be sure to try Chuck's visualization exercise. Go ahead and come back, I'll wait. ... So, did you cheat? Now, imagine that you *couldn't* cheat. Because your arms are too hurt and encased in bandages, or maybe one or both are gone. Imagine how you would stay in touch with your buddies back in the sandbox, or with your family and friends back home. Over the past three years more than 2700 laptops have been distributed, to men and women like Lieutenant Colonel X : I don't know where to start. I was thrilled and truly appreciative of the laptop donation that Soldiers Angels sent. My neurology team is ecstatic with the progress that I have made, yet we all temper our excitement as I still have a long recovery ahead. Due to the great hearts (sponsors, donors, volunteers and others too numerous to mention) within Soldiers Angels I have become more mobile in my rehabilitation and the laptop is absolutely one of the tools that I have in my recovery toolbox. I use it to keep current on my schedule and have several applications that assist with recovery. I know that my recovery has been aided by the cards, letters, and notes sent by your Angels. I love to read them and have started to send Thank You's to many of them. I just want you and everyone to know that your organization is a Godsend to Soldiers. Please send this note of Thanks to the appropriate personnel, and if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. God Bless You and God Bless America. Lieutenant Colonel X Amen to that, sir. Each year the project has improved, and this year, new technologies have been added for even more impact. One big change is the partnership between Project Valour-IT and the CAP program of the DoD : Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software that accompanies the laptops, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying patients in need of laptops and other technological support for their recovery. The program is great, but ... there isn't enough money to meet the needs. As Chuck explains, they need our help. Give up some lattes or mochas, and go pop a few dollars in the pot to keep this program going strong. Help to ensure that all of our injured troops who can benefit from this program get hooked up - with the technology that will help them recover and stay connected to the world around them. Oh - and make sure you donate right here!

Veteran's Day and a Call to Action

Today is set aside to honor our Veterans, those men and women who have served, and those who are serving, offering their lives in defense of the United States of America. It's really something we should do every day - take a minute to thank the Vets around you for their service, send cards / letters through Soldiers' Angels, AnySoldier or Books for Soldiers, stop at a VA facility and brighten someone's day -- whatever way works for you. But at least, take the time today to seek out and thank as many Veterans as you can. Thanks to John and SWWBO, Bill, Dusty, Sgt B, Keith, Heartless Libertarian, ChuckZ, Neptunus Lex, Doc in the Box, Maj Pain and America's Son. Thank you to the whole gang at Blackfive, Greyhawk, Michael Yon, Army Girl, Allie, Joel, MacGyver, and so many others I have met through blogging. And thank you to Max (both of you!), Wendell, Sneddy, Rob, and countless more who I've met over the years. Thank You - You guys and gals ROCK! Today is also the perfect day to launch this year's Project Valour-IT event. That's right, it's time to use a little of that inter-service rivalry for a great cause ... the 2008 Valour-IT fundraiser! Project Valour-IT (formerly Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops) In memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss It was the first time I felt whole since I’d woken up wounded in Landstuhl. –Major Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, on using a voice-controlled laptop Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes: •Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery. •Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions. •Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to TBI and severe PTSD. The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops and other technologies can be to a wounded service member's recovery . As a Denizen of Argghhh!, I am joining the Army team ... Check back for updates! Meanwhile - go read more at the Soldiers Angels site. And then donate to the ARMY team!

Sgt B is boots-on-the-ground

I was so wrapped up in election angst that I missed Sgt B posting! He is now boots-on-the-ground in Iraq, and has recognized he isn't in Kansas (or eastern Washington) any more. Godzilla's fangs are exposed ... hoping for quiet, but ready for the alternative. I'm pretty sure I speak for the Denizennes when I say, we fervently hope it's a boring rotation. With Sgt B and Bill both lounging in Iraq, quiet and boring would suit us just fine! Speaking of Bill - his latest edition of Argghhh-onauts is up. Keep 'em coming, Bill!

Going to Vegas

It's a sure thing - BCR and I are heading down to Vegas in September for the MilBlog Conference portion of the BlogWorld Expo. I'm looking forward to some very interesting panels and lively discussion, and generally to meeting up with many blog friends - many of them for the first time. Click the banner at the top of the right hand sidebar to read more about the Conference. If you want info on registering as a Milblog / supporter ... Greyhawk has the details here. Hope to see you there!

Web-a-Thon for the troops!

Here it is, folks. A chance to show how much we care about our troops, but joining in to donate to this historic fund-raising event! May 26, 2008— 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 (Source Link). Organizers similarly won’t settle for just the 10,000 packages shipped as part of an impressive effort undertaken by the Nevada Girl Scouts (Source Link). 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 (Source Link). 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. Read more about it here : http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/FullNewsItem/news_tease_history_making_push_for_us_troops/

Li'l bits

Yes, I know posting has been light almost non-existent around here for a while. Deal with it. But I have been trying to keep up on reading, and in finding interesting things, I decided to share. My friend Atheist Crusader has some comments regarding Congress and the Religion of Pieces. In the H&I post yesterday at Castle Argghhh, FbL pointed out an important note from Soldiers' Angels. To wit: No Slump for our Troops. "Soldiers' Angels commit to sending support to our troops all year long, not just at the holidays, or around certain patriotic holidays. Troop rotations mean we have a lot of new troops signing up with us, but the slump means we don't have as many people signing up to adopt them. If you are currently an angel, can you adopt another? If you have never adopted, why don't you give it a try? If you are a blogger, can you help spread the word? Our troops deserve our support, and we don't want to keep them waiting." Spread the word, and take up the challenge. If you want alternatives, go check out AnySoldier or any of the other support organizations I have listed at the right.

Send Thanks to the Troops!

How do you plan to give Thanks this year? Here's an easy way to have a direct impact on the morale of our troops... THE ASY GIVING THANKS CAMPAIGN This holiday season, America Supports You is giving you a new way to send your thanks to the troops - by text message! When you send your message of thanks to 89279 (TXASY) between November 17th and 22nd, you'll receive a special thanks in return. Also, we'll be displaying those messages on our ASY Giving Thanks widget far and wide across the internet. Just another way that you can support our brave military men and women serving in 177 countries across the world. Since Blogger hates embedding certain objects in posts, I've propped the widget into the top of the sidebar for easy access. Hop to it, folks! Thanks to my buddy Val for the hat tip.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

It's time to focus some attention on Project Valour-IT, as we approach Veterans Day. For anyone not already familiar with the program, here is the blurb from the Project Valour-IT web site: Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled and adaptive laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field. The experience of MAJ Charles “Chuck” Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops can be to a wounded service member's recovery. As in previous years, the fund-raising efforts are set up as a team competition, to add a little fun, and allow for some serious inter-service snarkage. Who: Bloggers of any and all stripes who support the U.S. Military What: Raising $240,000 ($60,000/team) for Project Valour-IT, the non-profit Soldiers' Angels program that helps supply voice-controlled and other adapted laptops to severely-wounded troops. Where: Starting on the blogs, then spreading through your community and into major media When: Monday, 29 October through Saturday, 11 November (Veterans Day) Why: Because reconnecting the wounded with the world is a vital part of their recovery How: Signing up for your favorite military branch, blogging, auctioning, emailing, and spreading the news Here are the Team Leaders: Blackfive - Army Chaotic Synaptic Activity - Navy/Coast Guard Mudville Gazette - Air Force SA Holly Aho - Marine Corps I'm a proud member of the ARMY team - as you can tell by the donation block at the top of the right hand sidebar. Please spread the word, send email, tell your friends, and consider a donation - no matter how small. It all adds up, and the impact is huge.

Freedom Walk 2007

The local chapter of Operation Homefront organized the regional Freedom Walk event in Lakewood this evening. For those not familiar with the area, Lakewood is a community near Fort Lewis and McChord AFB, and home to a large contingent of veterans (such as fellow blogger Echo9er) and military families. There were several speeches and presentations, by Lakewood mayor Claudia Thomas and Operation Homefront chapter president Janice Buckley. I also enjoyed listening to LTG Charles Jacoby, the commander of I-Corps, and to Lt. Judith Lemley (a self described Sand Sailor), who was present through the DoD 'Why We Serve" program. And I was surprised to discover that the man sitting in a wheelchair near the speakers was none other than Gen. Shalikashvili! I was riveted, however, by the speech presented by retired Marine LtCol. Mark Wriggle. As the speakers finished, and the walk proper began, I hung back so that I could shake Mark's hand and thank him for speaking. I asked him for a favor, and he very generously provided the text of his speech, so that I could share it here. FREEDOM WALK 2007 TODAY MARKS THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK OF SEPT 11TH 2001. I SUSPECT THAT ALL OF US REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE WE WERE AND WHAT WE WERE DOING THOSE FATEFUL MOMENTS WHEN SOME 3000 PEOPLE PERISHED BY HORRIFIC AND UNIMAGINABLE MEANS IN BARELY 100 MINUTES OF THIS NATION’S HISTORY. HOMEGROWN HERE IN LAKEWOOD, HAVING RECEIVED MY PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS OF THIS DISTRICT THROUGH MY GRADUATION IN 1974, I AM HONORED TO BE AFFORDED THIS OPPORTUNITY JANICE TO TALK WITH MY FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF ABSENCE. AND REALLY, THE REASON FOR MY ABSENCE BROUGHT ME TO THIS PLACE TODAY. YOU SEE, I AM A RETIRED MARINE WHO HAS INTIMATE EXPERIENCE IN FIGHTING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR. I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO YOU, WITH TWO COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS TO OIF’S I AND II, HAVING BEEN IN RAMADI AND FALLUJAH JUST PRIOR TO MY RETIREMENT EARLY LAST YEAR, AND A DEPLOYMENT TO DESERT SHIELD AND STORM IN THE EARLY 90’S, THAT THE FACE,…AND RESOLVE [MIND YOU]…OF OUR FOE, IS QUITE REAL. IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE, THEN I HAVE DONE MY BIDDING. PRIOR TO MY SPEECH LAST YEAR, I RESEARCHED THE WEB. AS I WAS PERUSING THAT SPEECH IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY, I DECIDED THAT THE FACTS I PRESENTED THEN ARE EVER MORESO RELEVANT TODAY. WE TRULY ARE STILL FIGHTING FOR OUR PRESENT (AND FUTURE) EXISTENCE. SO, WHAT’S “THIS” ALL ABOUT? LET ME SHARE THE PURPOSE OF THE FREEDOM WALK WITH YOU; IT ESTABLISHES A NATIONAL TRADITION TO REFLECT ON THE LIVES LOST ON SEPTEMBER 11, RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM AND THE VALUES OF OUR COUNTRY, AND TO HONOR OUR VETERANS, PAST AND PRESENT.” THEREFORE, I OFFER YOU THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: THE WORLD TRADE CENTER WAS COMPOSED OF MORE THAN 200,000 TONS OF STEEL, 425,000 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE (WHICH IS ENOUGH TO BUILD A FIVE-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK FROM NEW YORK CITY TO WASHINGTON, D.C.), HAD 43,600 WINDOWS WITH MORE THAN 600,000 SQUARE FEET OF SURFACE AREA, HAD A 60,000 TON COOLING CAPACITY (THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD), 239 ELEVATORS AND 71 ESCALATORS. OF THE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 PEOPLE THAT DIED THAT DAY: • OVER 400 EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL DIED • 60 WTC COMPANIES LOST PEOPLE • 1,402 EMPLOYEES DIED IN TOWER ONE • 614 EMPLOYEES DIED IN TOWER TWO • AGE OF THE GREATEST NUMBER WHO DIED: BETWEEN 35 AND 39 • 289 BODIES WERE FOUND "INTACT" • 19,858 BODY PARTS WERE FOUND • 1,717 FAMILIES DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REMAINS • 1,609 PEOPLE LOST A SPOUSE OR PARTNER IN THE ATTACKS • 3,051 CHILDREN LOST A PARENT • 20% OF AMERICANS KNEW SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED IN THE ATTACKS • 98 FDNY VEHICLES DESTROYED • 1.5M TONS OF DEBRIS REMOVED FROM SITE • 99 DAYS FIRES CONTINUED TO BURN AFTER THE ATTACK • THERE WERE 146,100 JOBS LOST IN NEW YORK OWING TO THE ATTACKS • DAYS THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WAS CLOSED: 6 • POINT DROP IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WHEN THE NYSE REOPENED: 684.81 • ECONOMIC LOSS TO NEW YORK IN MONTH FOLLOWING THE ATTACKS: $105B • ESTIMATED COST OF CLEANUP WAS $600M • $970M OF FEMA MONEY SPENT ON THE EMERGENCY • APPROXIMATELY $1.4B WAS DONATED TO 9/11 CHARITIES • ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF INSURANCE PAID WORLDWIDE RELATED TO 9/11: $40.2B • ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED TO OVERHAUL LOWER-MANHATTAN SUBWAYS: $7.5B • ESTIMATED $500M RAISED FOR FUNDS DEDICATED TO NYPD AND FDNY FAMILIES • PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN CIA APPLICATIONS FROM 2001 TO 2002: 50 • 1.4M AMERICANS CHANGED THEIR 2001 HOLIDAY-TRAVEL PLANS FROM PLANE TO TRAIN OR CAR ARE WE AT WAR OR NOT? WHAT OTHER EVIDENCE DO YOU REQUIRE? IN 1978, A YOUNG MAN HAD RECENTLY FINISHED HIS FIRST ENLISTMENT IN THE MARINES, AND ANOTHER MAN, SADDAM HUSSEIN HAD LED THE BAATH PARTY IN A COUP TO TAKE OVER IRAQ. WHILE IN COLLEGE, THE YOUNG MAN DECIDED TO FOLLOW HIS CALLING AND BECAME A MARINE OFFICER. SINCE HIS COMMISSIONING IN 1983, WELL OVER 150 SEPARATE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND KNOWN SUBSIDIARIES, THE WORLD OVER, HAVE BEEN FOUND TO EXIST. TERRORISM HAS EXISTED, IN FACT, MUCH LONGER THAN THIS COUNTRY. I WOULD HOWEVER, LIKE TO OFFER SOME MORE RECENT EVENTS SINCE THAT PINNACLE YEAR OF 1983. LET ME NAME SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE ATTACKS OF THE 100’S THAT HAVE OCCURRED. CHRONOLOGICALLY: THE MARINE BARRACKS IN BEIRUT 1983 (WHILE I WAS AT TBS) THE SS ACHILLE LAURO 1985 TWA FLIGHT 847 HIJACKING 1985, SEAMAN ROBERT STETHEM ROME AND VIENNA ATTACKS 1985 TWA FLIGHT 840 BOMBING 1986 THE BERLIN DISCOTHEQUE 1986 KAL FLT 858 1987 PAN AM FLT 103 1988 ISREALI EMBASSY BOMBING IN BUENOS AIRES 1992 WORLD TRADE CENTER 1993 TOKYO SUBWAY SARIN GAS ATTACK (WHILE I WAS STATIONED AT ATSUGI NAF) 1995 THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING 1995 DERAILED TRAIN IN PALO VERDE, AZ 1995 KHOBAR TOWERS 1996 JAPANESE EMBASSY IN LIMA, PERU 1996-1997 U.S. EMBASSY IN KENYA 1998 (I SPENT SIX MONTHS THERE IN 2003 AFTER OIF I) THE U.S.S. COLE 2000 ANTHRAX ATTACKS ON CONGRESS & NEW YORK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 2001 THE LAX EQYPTIAN GUNMAN 2002 BALI 2002 CASABLANCA 2003 MOSCOW CITY BOMBINGS 2003-2004 PHILIPPINES SUPERFERRY BOMBING 2004 SPAIN’S COMMUTER TRAIN BOMBING 2004 AND LONDON’S DOUBLE-DECKER BUS AND TRAIN STATION BOMBINGS 2005 PALESTINIAN KASSAM ROCKET ATTACKS ON GAZA 2006 DAHAB, EGYPT RESORT 2006 TEL AVIV RESTAURANT BOMBING 2006 PHILIPPINES BOMBINGS 2007 AL QAEDA ALGIERS BOMBING 2007 THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER ATTACKS NOT SO POPULARIZED AND SEVERAL RECENTLY FOILED ATTEMPTS AS WELL. MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE: “WHAT ADDITIONAL PROOF DO YOU NEED?” THE LATEST STATISTICS REGARDING OUR SERVICEMEMBERS AND WHAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO DATE ARE: DEATHS - 3,774 WIA - 27,186 HOW MANY MORE CASUALTIES ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS COUNTRY TO SURVIVE? MY ANSWER IS: AS MANY AS IT TAKES. FOR MY CHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN, FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR CHILDRENS’ CHILDREN. FREEDOM, VALUES, AND THOSE WHO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM’S WAY TO PROTECT US. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE HERE FOR. OUR COUNTRY IS FIGHTING FOR ITS EXISTENCE. WHAT ARE WE ALL GOING TO DO TO INSURE ITS SURVIVAL? WHETHER WE CARE TO ADMIT IT OR NOT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A CLASH OF CULTURES. MY DAD ONCE SAID TO ME AS A YOUNG TEEN, “AS LONG AS THERE ARE TWO MEN ON THE PLANET, ONE WILL HAVE TO DOMINATE AND THE OTHER WILL SUBMIT.” WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT TO BE? TODAY, WE ALL WALK FOR FREEDOM. LET EVERY STEP WE TAKE TODAY MOVE US CLOSER TO FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL, THE PHILOSOPHY WHICH THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS WAS FOUNDED. THANK YOU I wish you could hear it the same way that I did, and hear the passion and intensity in his voice as he spoke. He told me that it could be made more flowery, but that some things just have to be said ... popular or not. Couldn't agree more. I think it's just right, as is. [Bio on Mark from the Clover Park School District site: Mark Wriggle recently retired from the Marines after 26 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He returned to Lakewood where he attended Clover Park Schools from elementary through high school graduation at Lakes. His three sons currently attend Clover Park High School. Wriggle is involved in international business development activities, is an Advisory Board member for Operation Homefront helping wounded veterans and their families, and is a of the Clover Park Rotary, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Corps League. He is working towards his MBA in Global Entrepreneurship and plans to make Lakewood his long-term home. He is committed to a quality education for the students of our community while building a safer and increasingly-involved community.]

Backpacks for the kids

Operation Homefront organizes a Back-To-School backpack giveaway for military dependents. The Washington state chapter got together on Fort Lewis last weekend to hand out backpacks, loaded with supplies such as notebooks and pens/pencils, notecards, rulers, even crayons for the younger crowd. We started off bright and early - I had to be at the base by 7am to join the caravan to the community center. Since I live an hour's drive north of the base, I was up way early. Good thing they provided coffee and donuts as promised, though! We had plenty of Operation Homefront volunteers ... And the 'customers' sure seemed happy ... ... Although many times the Moms looked much happier about the whole Back To School thing than the kids did ... *grin*. We handed out backpacks from about 8am till 2:30 pm. There were moments of heavy scurrying, separated by periods where we wondered if we were taking hundreds of backpacks home with us! But at the end of the day, we packed the lack 20 or so into a car to be delivered to another post. Counting the 35 or so that were loaded up for one of the Navy base units, that means we handed out about 500 backpacks. *whew* We had a blast. The chance to give back something tangible was wonderful. And the look on some of the parents faces as they realized that the backpacks were truly free -AND- came with supplies, was precious. But my favorite moment happened when one of the Moms realized her phone was ringing. It was her husband, currently deployed in Iraq! She finished signing for the backpacks for her two girls, and they talked for a bit. Then he talked to the girls - who happily told Daddy all about their neat new backpacks. Their excitement absolutely made my day complete.

Catching Up

I finally got to meet the Ziegenfusses (Ziegenfi?) here in Seattle yesterday {happy dance}! Chuck and Carren are much fun to spend time with, and I was only sorry that we had limited time to spend. (Hope you two had fun at the Space Needle!) Ever since Chuck blogged about coming to Fort Lewis for the summer, I've been trying to figure out how to hook up with him. So it was ironic that I discovered Chuck was trying to reach me by reading this post ... before I checked my cell phone! Other items that I have been slack on posting about: Vets for Freedom Week 6: "Cost of Defeat" Call in Campaign YouTube Smackdown (H/T to Castle Argghhh!) Maj Pain is starting up a One Marine's View mailing list - join up! Views from Ground Level: Greyhawk Michael Yon Go Jack Army Fightin 6th Marines Francis Marion Joel Maxwell

Sending cards to the Troops

Have you joined the ranks of Soldiers' Angels? If not, go visit Castle Argghhh or The Middle Ground to read about the need for a Surge in Angels! If you are an Angel, or an AnySoldier or BooksforSoldiers volunteer, or you have family or friends deployed, you know that it is sometimes a challenge to find a card that hits the right tone. Luckily for me (and for the troops on my writing list!), the good folks at Hallmark have a line of cards which is perfect for the task. Continued Demand for Cards for Military Brings "America's Heroes" In response to a need for cards to send to Americans serving in the military, Hallmark offers America's Heroes – a line of cards first introduced in 2004 specifically for those in the military and others who protect and serve. When Hallmark learned from Hallmark Gold Crown® retailers that consumers were asking for patriotic and military themed cards throughout the year – not just for Veterans Day – America's Heroes From Hallmark was created to fill that need. Using information from retailers, Hallmark's employee idea submission bank, and the Idea Exchange (on-line consumer groups that provide opinions to Hallmark), artists and writers learned the kinds of cards people wanted to give. America's Heroes From Hallmark features 28 greeting cards. The most popular cards in the group express missing you, thinking of you, thanks and appreciation, and love. The line provides a mix of humorous, light-hearted and serious cards, including religious messages. In addition to being perfect for military personnel, most of the cards also are appropriate for those who serve in other ways, such as police or firefighters. Some cards are meant for anyone who is patriotic or supports those in the military or their families. One such card features a flag and fireworks, and simply says: Congratulations!...You deserve to be celebrated! America's Heroes cards are available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide, as well as in military outlets at home and abroad. Do I have to send a fancy card each time I write to a troop?? Not at all. But what a nice way to introduce myself to a new contact - someone who doesn't yet know my love for this country, and for the men and women who go out to serve it every day. There's a bigger picture here as well. We need to vote with our checkbooks (figuratively) to let businesses know that they are doing the Right Thing. If we don't generate sales for these beautiful cards, then Hallmark will do the normal business thing, and remove them from the shelves. So make sure to check for them in your local Hallmark store, and if they aren't in view - ask for them. Let's send the right message to Hallmark - and to our men and women in uniform!

Kaziah's Gift

Artist Kaziah Hancock gives her talents and time to honor fallen troops by painting portraits for their families. I was introduced to her efforts by this video (thanks for the link, Beck!). She has completed almost 200 paintings since 2003, and does it all without accepting any payment from the families themselves. This is her Thank You gift to our fallen heroes, and to their loved ones. Here's one example of her talent and devotion ... Marine Sgt. Adam Cann was killed in Iraq in January of 2006, but he is alive in the hearts of his friends and family, and again in this portrait. Artists like Kaziah, and like Michael Reagan, who I profiled last year, give freely of their talents and their time to keep alive the spirit of these fallen heroes. Neither of them will accept money from the families who request the portraits, so if you have a few dollars to spare, visit Kaziah and Michael to help them continue in their missions: Kaziah - Portraits of Heroes Michael - Fallen Heroes Project

Marines of the Fighting 6th need You!

How can you help the Marines of Regimental Combat Team 6? I'm glad you asked! How about starting out with an email to tell them you support them... We have a golden opportunity to make a direction connection with the help of Grim and Blackfive (with a tip of the hat to Kat), you can even do it right from your computer. How easy is that?! Just sit down and tell these warriors at the tip of the spear that you care, and that you support them and their mission. These are our Marines, putting it all on the line every day - thousands of miles from their homes and families. So take 10 minutes of your day to tell them you care. Then send another email to all of your friends and family who support the troops. And tell them to do the same thing. Let's make certain that these Marines know we support them, and completely flood their email box!

Happy Birthday, US Army - and Happy Flag Day

This date has dual significance to US citizens. First, it is the 232nd birthday of the US Army. June 14, 1775 - Recognizing the need to form a unified army to fight Great Britain, the Continental Congress creates the Continental Army and unanimously votes George Washington of Virginia as its commander. Organizing the army from the militia units gathered outside Boston, Washington led the Continental Army for the duration of the war. Following the Treaty of Paris in 1783, most of the army was disbanded. The following year on June 3, Congress authorized the formation of United States Army to take the place of its revolutionary predecessor. (From About.Com : Military History) Today is also Flag Day, in honor of which I offer you my own flag. I'm working today, but I have a special event planned for Friday. If you're curious, the details are at the American Legion of Washington site. I won't actually be on base at Fort Lewis, just close to it. But I expect to get to meet 'n' greet some soldiers. If I get pics (and permission), I'll post them up this weekend. Hope you all have fun as well! *** UPDATE *** Yippee! I just found out that Walt Gaya will be at the golf event tomorrow, to take pictures. Yay! If that name doesn't ring any bells, you need to read Mike Yon's post Americans Among Us and Angels Among Us for lunch, and then read A Piece of Cake for desert. I will be honored to once again get to see and talk with Walt.