Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Wednesday Hero

Welcome to this week's installment where all the member bloggers of Wednesday Hero collectively honor many of the real hero's found in this country who's names and bio's have been provided to us for these humble tributes by blogroll creator Indian Chris @ Right Wing and Right Minded.


Many of them are those that have paid the ultimate price for our country protecting it both here and abroad from the many threats we face from our enemies wishing us and them harm, some are not. In either case they are the real American heroes of today and we now both salute and offer our prayers. To join us if you wish to please start by reading the post below.(Introduction courtesy of  Chicago Ray )
 
 

Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas R. Anderson

 

Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas R. Anderson 21 years old from Sauk City, Wisconsin 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force March 13, 2006
 
 
 Lance Cpl. Nicholas Anderson lost his life after the Humvee he was riding in rolled over as a group of Marines pursued a suspicious vehicle near Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
 
 He suffered head injuries in the crash and died as he was beingtransported to a hospital.
 
 
 Nicholas Anderson joined the Marines in January 2005 and began a six-month tour of Afghanistan two months ago with the 3rd Marines Weapons Platoon, his father, James Anderson said.
 
 
"I just know that he died fighting for what he believed in," he said. "He wanted to be a Marine and even though it was a major risk he just wanted to go."
 
 
James Anderson said his son, a 2003 Sauk Prairie High School graduate, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, lifting weights, going fishing and hanging out with friends.
 
He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard when he was 18, but an injured shoulder forced him to drop out. He then enlisted in the Marines.
 
 
"I was very nervous when he first joined the Marines because two words jumped into my head: Afghanistan and Iraq," his father said. "I just supported him and prayed that it would end before he had to go over."
 
 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

 

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

 

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Article in today's newspaper about our Army MP :)

Dustin McClenney, 20, of Harrisonburg kneels next to his truck. McClenney, who was known in high school as “Krunch,” will leave for his first tour to Iraq sometime next month.

Photo by Thomas J. Turney

 

Here's the link to the article:

Tough Guy Heads To Iraq By Heather Bowser

 

 

Monday, October 29, 2007

My first post is up!

over at Hooah Wife and Friends. Please go see what you think:)

 
 
 

Welcome to the Family!

To my beautiful new niece!

 
I sat here crying happy tears for my sister and brother-in-law. 
 
 

Sunday, October 28, 2007

I'll be Blogging over at Hooah Wife and Friends now,too!

Wow, that was quick!!  I posted my weekly Soldiers Angels Web Surf on Friday, got this comment on it from Greta from Hooah Wife and Friends:

Kathi - I can't thank you enough for doing this roundup. Please let me know when you will come join us at Hooah Wife - we need some roundup style blogging!
 
Emailed back and forth with her a bit, accepted her invitation, and come home this morning after work to This post over on Hooah Wife and Friends
 
 
So, Yay.....now I'll be part of a dysfunctional family :) 
 
(plus I already 'knew' Indian Chris over there, through being part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.....after the 3,000 emails I sent him while I was working on that Wednesday Hero slideshow retrospective, I believe he looks on me kind of like an annoying older sister anyway,lol.)
 
Seriously, I'm very excited about this! 
 
 I'll let y'all know when I get my first 'round-up' post over there :)
 
 

Friday, October 26, 2007

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

Light blogging this week, sorry about that. (and, par for the course...LATE on posting this today, lol :) 

Before I get to the usual post of news by and about  Soldiers Angels  out in the blogosphere, I wanted to tell you about a very cool  award contest that you can vote in.

Microsoft and the USO are sponsoring the first annual "Above and Beyond Awards" , which is...."recognizing the contributions of the military community - the friends, family, and other individuals who help brighten the lives of U.S. troops throughout the world "

Not only is the 'Head Angel', Patti Patton-Bader, one of the nominee's....but it  turns out that one of my good online friends, Paulette Nelson, is Also one of the nominee's!

Patti is up for the 'Effort' award (as is Marty Van Horn of   Anysoldier.com  )  and Paulette is nominated in the USO Promotion and Success Award.

I've mentioned Paulette's blog before, if you've never checked it out, stop by and take a look               Click here: Yahoo! 360° - My Rambling Mind

Altogether, there are 14 stellar troop supporters nominated for awards in several categories.  To check out their stories, and to vote, here's the link:

Click here: Microsoft and USO salute to our troops

Please go vote!  (and I think you know some of the votes I cast,LOL! )

---------------------------------

And now, to this week's   Soldiers Angels  web surf.

While the  Soldiers Angels Network  blog and the inestimable Shelle Michaels usually post most of the news stories I've come across about Soldiers Angels, this is one news article I didn't see posted on that blog, and it's a good one

 
 
Here's another 'new-to-me' Angel blogger
 
 
 
Soldiers Angels in Arizona has a cool post up
 
 
 
Butterfly Wife hits 500 :)
 
 
 
(and Soldiers Angels Germany had something very nice posted about that, too :)
 
 
 
And last, but Never 'least', Greta, who blogs at  Soldiers Angels Louisiana
Hooah Wife and Friends  , Kiss My Gumbo ,  (and I think I've missed some other places she blogs....why is she not up for 'Blogger of the Year"?  :) says it all once again with this post right here
 
 
Enjoy the 'surf', and don't forget to vote in the Above and Beyond Awards contest!
----------------
 
One more thing. This is WAY late, but Patti Patton-Bader celebrated a birthday last Sunday, which I missed making it onto the computer in time to post that day.  So, belatedly
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO AN ANGEL! :)
 
I feel pretty certain that she'd think an excellent way for someone to celebrate her birthday would be to go by the Soldiers Angels website
 
 
and see if there's a team you'd like to get involved with, and support our troops!
 
-----------
UPDATE   ArmyWifeToddlerMom sends this link for an interview done at SpouseBuzz radio, with Tim from the blog,Captain Patti The Sweetest Woman on the Planet Goes to Baghdad, and Matt of Blackfive, and Andi of SpouseBuzz (formerly blogging at Andi's World and the force behind the Milblog Conferences)
 
Soldiers Angels is spoken of fondly in the interview, and the whole thing is well worth the listen
 
 
Much Thanks,Rachelle, for sending me the link!
 
 

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

WEDNESDAY HERO- Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Welcome to this week's installment where all the member bloggers of Wednesday Hero collectively honor many of the real hero's found in this country who's names and bio's have been provided to us for these humble tributes by blogroll creator Indian Chris @ Right Wing and Right Minded.


Many of them are those that have paid the ultimate price for our country protecting it both here and abroad from the many threats we face from our enemies wishing us and them harm, some are not. In either case they are the real American heroes of today and we now both salute and offer our prayers. To join us if you wish to please start by reading the post below.(Introduction courtesy of  Chicago Ray )
 

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Cindy

 Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Lt. Michael P. Murphy 29 years old from Patchogue, New York SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 June 28, 2005
 
 
On Monday, Lt. Michael P. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor. His father was the one who accepted the award.
 
 Lt. Murphy will receive the award for his extraordinary, selfless heroism and steadfast courage while leading a four-man, special reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines east of Asadabad in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan June 27 to 28, 2005
 
"We are thrilled by the President's announcement today, especially because there is now a public recognition of what we knew all along about Michael's loyalty, devotion and sacrifice to his friends, family, country, and especially his SEAL teammates," the Murphy family said in a statement released earlier in the month. "The honor is not just about Michael, it is about his teammates and those who lost their lives that same day."
 
 
Murphy was the officer-in-charge of the SEAL element, which was tasked with locating a high- level Taliban militia leader to provide intelligence for a follow-on mission to capture or destroy the local leadership and disrupt enemy activity.
 
Taliban sympathizers discovered the SEAL unit and immediately revealed their position to Taliban fighters. The element was besieged on a mountaintop by scores of enemy fighters. The firefight that ensued pushed the element farther into enemy territory and left all four SEALs wounded. The SEALs fought with everything they had. despite being at a tactical disadvantage and outnumbered more than four to one.
 
Understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his men, Murphy, already wounded, deliberately and unhesitatingly moved from cover into the open where he took and returned fire while transmitting a call for help for his beleaguered teammates. Shot through the back while radioing for help, Murphy completed his transmission while returning fire.
 
The call ultimately led to the rescue of one severely wounded team member, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell, and the recovery of the remains of Murphy and Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson.
 
Eight more SEALs and eight Army "Nightstalker" special operations personnel comprising the initial reinforcement also lost their lives when their helicopter was shot down before they could engage the enemy.
 
Murphy was also inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon during a ceremony yesterday. His name was engraved beside the names of some 3,400 other service members who have also been awarded the nation’s highest honor.
 
 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

 

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

 

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Two Children of a Wounded Soldier are being laid to rest today

I had seen this story in posts on several blogs, and also via Soldiers Angels.  This is a tragedy too terrible to even contemplate, but the gist of it is that a wounded soldier who was recuperating at Brooke Army Medical Center in TX, Spc. John Austin Johnson, lost two of his three children in a car accident that occurred while his wife was driving the family to visit him, and the third child is on life support.

Today is the day they will bury their 2 and 5 year old.

The most up-to-date post I have seen about the story is here (along with a picture that will break your heart.)

 
The Patriot Guard Riders,Soldiers Angels, and many others have stepped up to help this family, but I feel certain they are in need of, and would appreciate, your prayers.
 
Please hold this family in your heart, today especially, and also in the days ahead....as I will be.
 

Saturday, October 20, 2007

A Tribute Song to Soldiers Angels from 1223 Music

1223 Music, who I've mentioned before for their great song 'Drive On", has done a beautiful song as a tribute to Soldiers Angels.

It's not available to add as a profile song yet, but you can stop by their MySpace profile and have a listen. It's called "Soldiers Angels Tribute."

www.myspace.com/1223music

These guys are Awesome.  Thank you! to Frank,Mr.Sylk, John-John and C-Whit, from a Soldiers Angel who is wiping tears from her eyes right now.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

Didn't know if I'd get this posted today, as the boyfriend's son, our Army MP

comes home this weekend, for leave before deploying.

While that is, of course, a Yay!:) I've got to work And finish getting the house cleaned up,Yikes!  (and I goofed around earlier today changing my  MySpace profile  , since I'm sure I'll be jockeying for computer time once Dustin gets here.  LOL,  I'm a procrastinator , but I had fun playing with my profile :)

The other totally cool thing that is happening this weekend (although Far away from me:) is that my youngest sis and her hubby Finally leave for China, to bring home their beautiful daughter, Charlotte!!

(and you can find their story here   Click here: A Red Thread to China  )

None of which, of course, has anything to do with Soldiers Angels Web Surfing.....but hey, this is how I wanted to segue into my post :)

And now,  this week's post of news by and about  Soldiers Angels 

(see how well that segue worked? LOL :)

 

Another new-to-me Angel blogger

Click here: My great escape....: "A-", 6 more soldiers, and a furbaby

 

(and remember, if you don't get enough Soldiers Angels stuff to check out from my posts every week.....the number of blogs I now have listed on my

Blogs by Members of Soldiers Angels 

    is up to over 70!  So there's a lot of Soldiers Angels out there who are blogging!  More, I'm sure, than I have listed...but it's a place to start checking them out :)

 

Holly Aho

Saw at the beginning of the week that Holly was starting to blog more often again

Click here: Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho - HOLIDAYS for HEROES 2007

and that was only the tip of the iceberg, as she has put up Numerous posts throughout the rest of the week. So, rather than list them all, I'll just say, make sure and stop by her blog for more!     Click here: Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho

(I sat one table away from Holly at the Milblog conference luncheon, and she's actually in Two of the only 6 pictures I took there, and I Still Never Talked to Her while there...because  I was intimidated that day at approaching all the 'big bloggers', to say "Hi, I'm a Z-list blogger!" LOL.  Missed opportunities, and now I ask myself  'Why was I such a chicken?"  :)

 

You never know Where you'll find a Soldiers Angel

This was a good story, kudos to Concrete Bob

 Click here: United Conservatives of Virginia: Jim Gilmore: Our next Senator?

(and just shows that my native cluelessness extends statewide, and not just here in my family,lol......but I'm consistent,at least, in that I never know what's going on.  Consistency is good,anyway....right?)

 

Send a letter to a Soldier for Thanksgiving....by Oct. 26th!!!!

Kat got asked to help with a very cool promotion in support of our troops

Click here: YIKES!: As promised... here is what I'm up to.

 

Sending Birthday Cakes to the Troops!

Laurie has news I hadn't heard yet (there I go again,lol)....which particularly caught my eye as we are working at eating up My birthday cake from yesterday:)

Click here: Soldiers Angels New York: Bake Me A Wish

 

and that's my post for this past week.  Wishing you all a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Today's my Day :)

On October 18 in 1960, I was born

(Grandad holding me)

I grew up in a fairly normal family.

And all of a sudden, I'm turning 47!

LOL...how did that happen so fast?!

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Wednesday Hero

Welcome to this week's installment where all the member bloggers of Wednesday Hero collectively honor many of the real hero's found in this country who's names and bio's have been provided to us for these humble tributes by blogroll creator Indian Chris @ Right Wing and Right Minded.


Many of them are those that have paid the ultimate price for our country protecting it both here and abroad from the many threats we face from our enemies wishing us and them harm, some are not. In either case they are the real American heroes of today and we now both salute and offer our prayers. To join us if you wish to please start by reading the post below.(Introduction courtesy of  Chicago Ray )
 
 

Sgt. Robert M. McDowell

Sgt. Robert M. McDowell 30 years old from Deer Park, Texas 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division April 01, 2007

 

 

Sgt. Robert M. McDowell was a military police noncommissioned officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

 

 Originally from Deer Park, Texas, he joined the Army in February 1998 and completed training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

 

 In June 1998 he was assignedto Fort Hood where he served until being reassigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment at Katterbach Kaserne in Germany in January 2003

 

.While a member of 1st Infantry Division, he served as an AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter repairman. McDowell was assigned to Fort Drum in March 2006 after completing military police reclassification training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

 

He was deployed to Bosnia from February to September 1999. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Army Aviator Badge.

 

 Sgt. McDowell was killed when an IED struck his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq. He is survived by his wife and son, of Evans Mills, N.Y., and a daughter, Madison McDowell, of New Mexico.

Also killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. David A. Mejias, Staff Sgt. Eric R. Vick and Sgt. William G. Bowling. You can find more information about them at this site.

 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Well, This Stinks

The longtime AOL Journals Editor, Joe, has been a casualty of the AOL layoffs.

 
I was lucky enough to meet Joe in person back when I went to the Milblog Conference.(and he has an absolutely hideous picture of me, with us standing together at the event,too, LOL, which I would Never link to, as I want to preserve some of my self-delusions, thank you very much:) I just went back and hunted the picture up, and screamed, if that helps describe how bad it was of me!)
 
He was as genuinely nice in person as he had always been online, and for myself and many others, he was 'the face' of AOL Journals.  His interactions with folks like me in the AOL Journals community was always courteous, kind, and helpful, and he has a great sense of humor,also.
 
I am only one of the many who will miss him a great deal, and feel pretty apprehensive about what lies ahead for the AOL Journals community.  They had replaced him as Editor at one time, and the fellow they put in his place never really had a chance, as Joe was a hard act to follow, so when AOL axed that guy in the layoffs Last year, Joe returned to that position, only to now lose it for good.
 
I feel certain that someone as talented and intelligent and nice as Joe will have a great future ahead of him, and I wish him all the best.
 
Fortunately, he is not 'lost' forever, as he is blogging here
 
and I hope you'll go by and give him a shout out, and wish him luck :)
 
I'll miss you here in J-Land, Joe!
 

Monday, October 15, 2007

Monday Morning Mishmash

Just a jumble of things to pass on :)

I live in a Patriotic State  

 Click here: Va. Guard recruiting goals right on target - News - inRich.com

This was extremely cool.

'Band of Brothers' Kinship Endures - AOL News

A great post

Click here: A Soldier’s Mind » In The Company Of Heroes

A great article.

Click here: In a Place of Pain and Recovery, Room to Romp - washingtonpost.com

------------------

Under the heading of 'You Never Know....", you never know if or when you'll ever hear back from a soldier you write to or send a care package to....so I was surprised and pleased not too long ago to receive a Thank You email from the commanding officer of a unit we had sent a Christmas package in 2005. (We got the address from Anysoldier.com )

He apologized for taking so long to send his Thanks, but said that while they'd been deployed, their operational situation had been such that it was difficult to send letters or emails individually to all their supporters.

The main reason I'm passing this on is because of one paragraph in his email:

 I just want to say from the bottom of my heart how much I appreciated
your gifts, care packages, DVDs, and prayers.  They were life savers
and a great reminder to us all of the love and support our fellow
Americans had for us and the mission.

Because those words are the reason we troop supporters write the letters we write, send the cards, and send the care packages.

We don't expect, want, or need their thanks. (although it's always a boost to receive it:) We just want to send that love and support.

---------------

Another message I recently received came in a note of thanks I received from a family I'd sent a condolence card as part of  Soldiers Angels Living Legends Team

I'm always touched to receive a note from one of the families, by their taking time to send a Thank You to a complete stranger, in the midst of their grief. (And always slightly uncomfortable....I hope they didn't feel obligated to send a note, when all I wanted as part of the team was to express my sympathy and support?)

What made this note stand out was one line.

We will be Soldiers Angels soon.

That filled me with awe. That folks who have just lost a loved one could turn around and reach out to others as their response to their loss.

Being a troop supporter sure has given me exposure to many amazing and wonderful people.

-------------

That's my 'mishmash' I wanted to pass on this Monday. Wishing all of you a Wonderful Week.

 


 

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Support for Military Spouses

You may have already heard of it?

But a friend reminded me of it, so time to mention it again. There's an awesome military spouse support forum for military spouses

 
So, if you're a military spouse? wanted to pass on the word for you to stop by and check it out :)
 
Military spouses, the husbands And wives, are sometimes the forgotten heroes. Our military men and women could not do what they do, without the ones holding things down on the homefront!
 

Saturday, October 13, 2007

"Friday Night Lights"

(This is a switch from my usual blogging, but I posted this on my 'family' blog, so I thought I'd share the link over here.)

 
 

A Friend lost her Father

This is belated, and I'm sorry I missed seeing this earlier this week, but friend Robin unexpectedly lost her father this week.

 
Please take a moment to go by and let her know she's being thought of during this difficult time.
 

Friday, October 12, 2007

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

Lots of links by and about   Soldiers Angels   to pass on this week :)

I'll begin with this post by auntybrat at Tanker Brothers, because it involves a TV show that's on Tonight.

Click here: Tanker Brothers - Two Soldiers In The War On Terror

 

Soldiers Angel Holly Aho explains why she has been silent for awhile.

Click here: Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho - When it's hard to post

and I hope things are going better now.

 

I've got Four posts from Soldiers Angels Texas that seemed noteworthy:

Click here: SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS: Young Hero in More Than One Way

Click here: SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS: Most-deployed brigade coming home from Iraq

 
 
Willie in Germany has Two posts I wanted to pass on
 

Where did the week go?

After JP so nicely claimed that I 'keep up' with things on Milblogging.com And in the milblogosphere,LOL, I completely fell down on getting any more posts up after Weds. This week just seemed both extra long, and also seemed to fly by way too fast.

I did see a few things while web surfing that I wanted to pass on, the first one being that yes, Sack Did run the Chicago Marathon. I Totally forgot, after promoting his run way back when he was in Iraq, to check his blog Before the race.

He only has his pre-race post up thus far, but per the comments, he finished the race.

Click here: Half a World Away: Hey There

Which means, if you recall, that the Fisher House foundation got $2,237.00 from the pledges that all You fine folks made......Just Awesome!

I also said earlier this week that Eric Edmundson's CaringBridge page would surely have an update about his key ceremony for his family's new home....and it's up now, please go by and check it out.

Eric Edmundson

Soldier's Angel Holly Aho, who's been MIA for a bit, popped back up to mention, among other things, that her son started a blog

Click here: Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho - My son started a blog

and here is his blog

Click here: blogger USA

Because I was specifically trying to mark important milblog posts to pass on, so as not to make JP look like a liar, LOL, I just wanted to say that this blog is Always a good read

Click here: The D-Ring

This combat medic has one of the best posts up I've seen in a long time

Click here: Far From Perfect

Blackfive is up for a scholarship, and you can vote to help him get it, to which I was first alerted by this blog post

Click here: J’s Cafe Nette » Blog Archive » 2007 Blogger Scholarship Finalist Ballot

and everyone is gearing up for Valour IT competition again.

Click here: 2007 ValOUR-IT Dates Set - 10/28 - 11/13/2007! - - It’s not random, it’s CHAOS!

Lastly, there's a blog conference coming up (that I sure wish I could attend!:)

BlogWorld & New Media Expo is proud to welcome Milbloggers and readers of Milblogging.com!

We here are, as I may or may not have mentioned, getting ready for our MP to come home for a few weeks prior to his deployment. Only one more week till he gets here:)And now, I'm going to post the weekly Soldiers Angels web surfing, and then get some Much needed sleep, since I worked night shift last night.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Hey,Golfers!!

Check this out. An EBay auction for a round of golf for two with Rory Sabbatini

PATRIOT FEST CHARITY GOLF EVENT

AUCTION TO WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR TWO WITH

PGA PRO RORY SABBATINI

SATURDAY, OCT 20th, 8:30am

FLINTROCK FALLS GOLF COURSE

LAKEWAY, TX

--------------------------

Here's the link to the eBay auction

Click here: Golf with PGA Pro Rory Sabbatini for Wounded Heroes - (eBay item 250174641622 end time Oct-17-07 10:34:41 PDT)

 

The Auction started TODAY,and closes Oct. 17.

PGA Pro Rory Sabbatini and Chad Snowden, a recovering
disabled Iraq Veteran, will be there on Oct. 20 to help raise money for
severely wounded soldiers from the Global War on Terrorism.
100% of the money from the winning bid will go towards the purchase of an iBOT Mobility
System from Johnson & Johnson for a wounded hero. The donation is tax deductible through
the America’s Huey 091 Foundation, a Texas non-profit, 501 (c) (3) educational organization,
Tax ID #36-4605639

----------

Here's a link to the golf course, BEAUTIFUL!

 

Click here: The Hills Country Club

 

Spread the word to all the golfers you know, please....how cool, get a round of golf with a PGA Pro AND help a wounded soldier!

 

Wednesday Hero

Welcome to this week's installment where all the member bloggers of Wednesday Hero collectively honor many of the real hero's found in this country who's names and bio's have been provided to us for these humble tributes by blogroll creator Indian Chris @ Right Wing and Right Minded.


Many of them are those that have paid the ultimate price for our country protecting it both here and abroad from the many threats we face from our enemies wishing us and them harm, some are not. In either case they are the real American heroes of today and we now both salute and offer our prayers. To join us if you wish to please start by reading the post below.(Introduction courtesy of  Chicago Ray )

 

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Beth

 

 Holly Holeman

 

Her name is Holly Holeman. Her job is working at a flower shop. And her mission to make sure soldiers are never forgotten.

 

Which is why she's out at Arlington National Cemetery every week putting flowers around the headstones. She usually does this alone, but on a bitter cold day in February of 2007 she was met with family members of fallen soldiers buried in Section 60 of the cemetery who helped her to place the roses.

 To read the rest of Holly's story, you can go here.

 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

 

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

 

 This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

 

Sunday, October 7, 2007

This is just 'Random",LOL

In conversations with my 15 year old, she continually accuses me of being 'random', i.e. I will suddenly veer off conversationally into a completely different subject that's unrelated to what we were talking about it.

I admit it, I Am 'random',LOL:)  And so is this blog post, since it's just pulling together some odds and ends that pretty much don't have anything to do with each other.

First of all, Yay! I finally got a   Milblogging.com   T-shirt (as modeled by 'me on pain meds' in the lovely photo below,lol:)

I also got a  Bad Voodoo Platoon  T-shirt  (which I'm only showing you a shot of the logo, as I look even Worse in That picture, if that's possibly conceivable,ha ha:)

I'd really like to tell you how you could order one of these for yourself....but, when I went back to the Bad Voodoo website? the 'Store' link was 'under construction', and there wasn't a link anymore on Toby's  Northern Exposure  blog, so I remain clueless as to exactly how I ever ordered this in the first place.  If I ever find out, I'll be sure to pass the word along :)  UPDATE  Now the link to the Bad Voodoo Platoon Store has magically reappeared on   Milblogging.com  in the upper right-hand corner.  (and yikes, my picture has also appeared on Milblogging.com in a blog post. Thanks,JP!...I think. Geez, wish I'd picked a better picture of me modeling the shirt. LOL:)  

Moving along randomly, one benefit of my recuperation is that I got caught up on several books I've been wanting to read, the main one being

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

(yes, I tend to read bestsellers several years after everyone else)  The book was fantastic, I can see why it was a bestseller for so long, and if you haven't read it yet, you should really consider doing so.  A 'must read'.

I also read a couple of Dean Koontz books (one of my fave authors)

Click here: Amazon.com: By the Light of the Moon: Books: Dean Koontz

 
I remembered   a promise  to go back and find out the winner's of two contests I promoted on this blog, so here are the winners
 
Click here: Folgers Sweepstakes—Winners  (the soldier I asked y'all to vote for was a Weekly winner, but not the Grand Prize winner)
 
and no, Christian Bagge didn't win this one, either  
 
I heard from JP over at Milblogging.com that he missed seeing Chuck Norris by One Day while Norris was in Iraq! but if you want to read Chuck's own words about his trip, here's a link
 
 
JP also rated a mention from a milblogger that I had first come across when He was Aso in Afghanistan back in '05, and then had lost track of and just stumbled across again the other day
 
ah, how time marches on, Sonny has been promoted (and mea culpa, I saw it somewhere in the archives when I 're-found' his blog, and can't recall his rank) and ole 'Spc' Borda is now a Sgt.  Once again, he and Sonny (a 'Virginia Boy',ya'll,although does 'Northern Virginia' Really count?) are in the same country, and blogging...as Sonny said 'small world'.
 
Yesterday was the Key Presentation for the Home for  Eric Edmundson , keep your eye on his site as I'm sure they'll post updates and pics soon....Congratulations! Eric and Stephanie and Gracie, and God Bless your new home!
 
My sis and brother-in-law have booked their tickets for China, Yay!
 
 
 
and,last in my random post, here's the reason that everyone is urging you to 'think Christmas' in October:
 
 
BRINGING THE HOLIDAYS TO MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN
Postal Service outlines guidelines for shipping to military installations overseas

Washington, DC - Military families and organizations across the country preparing care packages to mail to service members overseas for the holidays need to mark Nov. 12 on their calendars.

Packages being sent by Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) ZIP Codes should be mailed no later than Saturday, Nov. 12, to reach troops stationed overseas in time for the holidays. Letters and cards sent by First-Class Mail should be posted no later than Dec. 10. There are more than 80 military installations worldwide.

"We are asking families and supporters to mail and ship early this year to insure a happy holiday for our troops," said John E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service"

To address current demand, the Postal Service has created a special "kit" that contains the necessary mailing materials based on the most popular items ordered to send care packages to the troops.

This kit may be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and requesting CAREKIT04. The kit contains 10 Priority Mail boxes, five "Mili-Pacs," one roll of Priority Mail tape, and 10 customs forms with envelopes. There is no charge for the kit.

Mili-Pacs, developed with the Military Postal Service Agency, are Tyvek envelopes with Old Glory on one side and feature detailed addressing information. It is encouraged that this process be followed for all mail destined for military units overseas. The address block on the Mili-Pac accommodates service member's full name, rank or rating, military organization or unit, APO/FPO with 9-digit ZIP Code.

All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, in accordance with U.S. Department of Defense regulations.

All military units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP code and in many cases that ZIP Code travels with the unit. The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines and military service aircraft to reach armed services members overseas as quickly as possible.

MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES

Military Mail Addressed To Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1 First-Class Mail® Letters/Cards Priority Mail® Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2 Space Available Mail (SAM)3 Parcel Post®
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092    Dec 19 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 3 Nov 26 Nov 12
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 N/A Dec 5 Dec 5 Dec 3 Nov 26 Nov 12
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 Dec 19 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 3 Nov 26 Nov 12
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 Dec 19 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 3 Nov 26 Nov 12
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 Dec 19 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 3 Nov 26 Nov 12



That's all for today,folks :)
 

Friday, October 5, 2007

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

My surgery Wednesday went well, and I wanted to say a big Thank You, to all of you who sent well-wishes and remembered me in your prayers, I really appreciated it! :)

There's lots of posts by and about   Soldiers Angels  this past week, so, without further ado.........

Those VA Team Angels are just starting blogs all over the place:) a big welcome to the latest addition, Nevada!

Click here: Nevada Soldiers Angels VA Team

 

Soldiers Angels Texas has some good news

Click here: SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS: DFW Soldiers Angels

and some sad news

Click here: SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS: Lubbock Corpsman killed in Afghanistan

 

Holly Aho has news about a Texas BBQ

Click here: Soldiers' Angel - Holly Aho - Soldiers Angels Texas BBQ

 

More from the VA team, about a Special Mission

Click here: Soldiers' Angels VA Team: SPECIAL MISSION

 

Soldiers Angels Network passes on Soldiers Angels mentions in the News

Click here: Soldiers Angels Network: Soldiers' Angels spread tidings of good cheer | SavannahNow.com

 

Here's someone 'opening' a place to shop and have the proceeds go to Soldiers Angels

 
 
BattleKittie shows us what happens when Angels are 'crafty' :)
 
 
 
A Proud Army Mom continues to spread the word to knitters and crocheters
 
 
 
And MaryAnn at Soldiers Angels Germany has a great post up,too:)
 
 
 
On Yahoo 360 and MySpace, we've got two Angels posting about homecomings
 
 
 
 
Well, that's the 'surf' for this past week, please check out all the links!
 

Monday, October 1, 2007

WEDNESDAY HERO

Welcome to this week's installment where all the member bloggers of Wednesday Hero collectively honor many of the real hero's found in this country who's names and bio's have been provided to us for these humble tributes by blogroll creator Indian Chris @ Right Wing and Right Minded.


Many of them are those that have paid the ultimate price for our country protecting it both here and abroad from the many threats we face from our enemies wishing us and them harm, some are not. In either case they are the real American heroes of today and we now both salute and offer our prayers. To join us if you wish to please start by reading the post below.(Introduction courtesy of  Chicago Ray )

 

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Greta, Who Is Herself A Solders' Angel

Lance Cpl. Cory Jamieson

May Not Solder Go Unloved

 

Back in 2003, self-described "ordinary mother", Patti Patton-Bader, started an organization called

Solders' Angels

because her son, Sgt. Brandon Varn, wrote her a letter from Iraq in which he showed concern that some of the brave men and women there weren't receiving any mail or support from back home.

Well, she wasn't going to allow this. She called a few friends and family asking them if they would write to some of the soldiers. They'd never metthem. Didn't know who they were, but they wrote.

 And in a few short months, Solders' Angles went from an idea an "ordinary mother" had to having chapters all over the country and thousands of angels all over the world letting soldiers know that they were loved and respected by writing hundreds of thousands of letters, sending care packages, medical supplies, body armor and lending comfort and support to military families.

Solder's Angels and the people who run and support it are heroes in the truest sense.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

 We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Blogging will be Light this week

I'm having some outpatient surgery done Weds, and am not sure how I'll feel afterwards. So I'll post the Wednesday Hero today, and see y'all when I get back