Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!


Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com


In searching for a New Year's poem to go with this post, I decided I liked this Tennyson poem the best........



In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]

by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

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Wishing all of my readers all the best in 2010! Thank you, for stopping by here to read :)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Wednesday Hero

Capt. Lyle L. Gordon
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott
U.S. Army

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott, a Multi-National Corps-Iraq human resources technician, poses with MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe after finishing the Bobby Crim 10-Miler Aug. 22, at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Elliott, a San Diego native, finished the race in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 57 seconds, earning her top female honors.

Photo Courtesy United States Army



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 site, you can go here.

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Monday, December 28, 2009

"We Will Remember Them"

A "must see' video, beautiful song....
and pass this on.........

(the URL for the video is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ektQbe-dOU )


On Sunday 1st November the recording of 'We Will Remember Them' took place at Abbey Road Studios with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Pipes & Drums from the Scottish Regiments. The website is http://www.wewillrememberthem.net/


Artists on the track include Michael Bolton, Robin Gibb, Paul Rodgers, Paul Carrack, Hayley Westenra, Mica Paris, Lee Mead, Liz McClarnon, Natasha Hamilton, Kenney Jones, Mark Read, Carol Decker, Sam Brown, Nell Bryden and The Carmel Thomas Youth Choir.

Jim Cregan produced, and Cliff Masterson conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in what was a remarkable full day session at Abbey Road Studios.

'We Will Remember Them' is an entirely Non Political benefit to say "Thank You" to all of our brave service men and women around the World who have served their Country for freedom and protection.

All proceeds from the Downloads / CD sales in the UK, will be paid directly to Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion

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

Update: The US link to order from Amazon.com is Here


Sunday, December 27, 2009

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

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Another 'surf' of the web for news by, and about,
Soldiers Angels

At the time that I'm posting this 'web surf',
there are 2,064 troops waiting for ' adoption '

After being a volunteer with Soldiers Angels since 2005, I know that after the holidays, there's usually a downturn in adoptions and the waiting list starts to climb....but unfortunately, this is the first year I've seen that trend start well Before the holiday season.

Times are tight, with the downturn in the economy, and while in my own house we've also had to cut back on the amount of support we can give to the troops ?
What I Do know is that we Won't stop supporting the troops, no matter how small our contribution may seem to be.

For myself and my family? volunteering with Soldiers Angels has changed our lives in ways we never could have foreseen or imagined, when I first joined . It has enriched and enhanced our lives immeasurably, through the Soldiers And Angels we've come to know along this journey.

And so, I decided that this week's 'surf' theme would be about the Angels out there that you may not have heard from.....the ordinary 'Adopters, and Bakers, and Blanket-Makers'....and maybe their stories will inspire You to consider becoming a part of Soldiers Angels.

From The Moore American in Oklahoma
Angel Asks for Volunteers to Support Soldiers


Leslie Chisholm from 'over the mountain' in my own neck of the woods, asks
Want to be an Angel?


from the Lexington Herald-Leader in KY
Georgetown girl makes troops' holidays brighter

from loudini.com here in Virginia
All Around Ashburn: Hillside Elementary Helps and Hears from Overseas Heroes


From A Little Glimpse up in MN, comes the post Cookies Galore


Penny Sanford Designs talks about The Joys of Broken Cookies

and from this link at The World News in Oregon (may have to scroll down)
Baker sweetens holidays for GIs

From TribToday.com in Ohio Women make blankets for soldiers

and lastly, from Dare to bee creative in FL
Simple flowers for Soldiers Angels


Check out their stories, then check out the Soldiers Angels website and see the many ways you can start your own journey as a volunteer and troop supporter


That's the surf.....Happy New Year!

Well.........darn......

One of the hallmarks of being a nurse,lol, is that you always know your weekends off about a year in advance (because quite often, one of the hallmarks of being a nurse is that you Work every other weekend:)

so today, I decided to check to see what my weekend schedule was for the month of April 2010.....because that's the month of the Milblog Conference (April 9th and 10th)
and also the month of the Face of America Bike Ride which my daughter and I have volunteered at for the past several years (April 23rd thru 25th)

you guessed it.......both of those are scheduled on my weekends to work.......darn!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Wednesday Hero

With only two days until Christmas, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and to remind you to keep our men and women that are not able to be with their friends and families this time of year in your thoughts a prayers. They do so much without ever asking for anything in return.

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 site, you can go here.

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing~Holiday Round-Up

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So, what did members of Soldiers Angels do for the troops to make their holiday season a little brighter?
A 'surf' around the web brings all kinds of holiday news......

From McAlester,OK Cards,gifts sent to troops

Broomfield,CO Broomfield woman,father aim to spread holiday cheer to troops

Albany,NY Students enlist in holiday salute to soldiers

San Antonio,TX Students complete blankets for wounded soldiers

From Princeton, MN Minnesota soldier has an angel in Princeton girl

Via Soldiers Angels Germany blog
Nevada Angels prepare over 2000 Christmas stockings for deployed troops


and lastly, while I'm sure there's much more out there on the web about packages and cards sent by Soldiers Angels, or sent by school or church groups via Soldiers Angels?

The mailing date has come and gone, and hopefully all that good will is wending it's way to our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, we'll end this web surf with this story from KSAT in San Antonio,TX
Soldiers’ Angels Shipping Care Packages Volunteers Rush To Meet Dec. 11 Christmas Deadline

That's the holiday 'surf'!

Finally got a copy of Doonesbury.com's The Sandbox:)

Woot! yesterday on the way home we stopped at the Green Valley Book Fair on the way home, and although we had stopped because we were "just looking" , I Did get myself a copy of
Doonesbury.com's The Sandbox: Dispatches from Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan


(and then, of course, when I started perusing the military aisle and said to my husband "Oh, look, there's like 5 books here that have been on my Amazon wishlist for the past few years"......That was when he said "Got to go now!" before I spent the Christmas budget on myself,LOL)

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested & Written By Greta



This week's Wednesday Hero is both an individual, and a group. The group we honor are the milblogs: the military blogs, spouse blogs, and support blogs who bring you the news and information you can get nowhere else. The information and news that matter to you. The individual we honor today is C. J. Grisham.

Army Master Sgt. C. J. Grisham has always led from the front, from combat that earned him the Bronze Star with V device, to doing right by the men he led. His honesty won him readership and respect, from the White House on down. Yet, when he stood up for his children in school, his command did not stand by him. You can read more at Military Times to get the full story.

Please donate via PayPal; or you can log into PayPal on your own, go to the send money page, and put in his email: dj_chcknhawk AT yahoo DOT com; or, you can send donations directly to:

Grisham Legal Fund
c/o Redstone Federal Credit Union
220 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, AL 35893
Please write "Grisham Legal Fund" in the memo line if you use this option.

Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to you. Today, many milblogs are gone and others are under attack from within and without. Today, you have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Make your voice heard by writing your congressional representatives and others, and by making donations as you see fit.

The battle for freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas is fought on many fronts and in many ways. Without your help, the battle may well be lost.


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 site, you can go here.

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White House policy: No letter to families of military suicides

This DOD news release Army Releases November Suicide Data reminded me that I have yet to post about this recent news story on CNN
White House policy: No letter to families of military suicides

As I have been part of the Soldiers Angels Living Legends Team for the past several years, this story appalled me. The Living Legends Team sends condolence cards on behalf of Soldiers Angels to the family of Every fallen Hero, regardless of the manner of their death.

Until this CNN report, I was not aware that the Commander in Chief did NOT do the same on behalf of our nation.


The CNN story links to the letter written by Mr.Keesling to President Obama.....please make sure you take the time to click the link in that story and read the letter. Mr.Keesling respectfully requests that the administration review the policy of not sending letters of condolence to the families of those servicemembers who die by suicide.......and I wish to add my voice to his, in requesting the same.

As you can see by the 405 comments on the CNN story, suicide raises quite a lot emotions and judgemental thoughts about those who take their own lives.

But as for me? I simply feel it is Not for Me to Judge, whether or not the family of a servicemember who takes their own life should receive a condolence card from me .

I only feel it is incumbent upon me to acknowledge their loss, and express my sympathy and support to that family.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Wreaths Across America 2009 at Staunton National Cemetery,Staunton,VA


Once again, my husband and I were privileged to attend the wreath laying ceremony for Wreaths Across America at Staunton National Cemetery in Staunton, VA which is about a half hour south of us.
My husband Tony took the pictures, I have them posted on Flickr ( but since my Photostream changes) I also have a link to the photo album of the pics on Facebook
The ceremony as always was moving, and the Civil Air Patrol again did a good job of being in charge of the ceremony.
The good folks from area VFW's donated 850 wreaths! so this was the first year since Wreaths Across America went local that the entire cemetery was blanketed with wreaths after the initial ceremony laying wreaths for each of the service branches, and in honor of the POW/MIA's.
(quite a difference from the very first year the wreath laying went local, when there were only 6 wreaths on the graves.)
A lot of folks showed up......everyone from veterans to active duty service members, to the Boy Scouts and the ladies of the VFW's.
After the ceremony, everyone pitched in to start placing the wreaths.......quietly, and reverently.
This ceremony is always a beautiful way to honor and remember those who have served our country and given their lives while doing so.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Wednesday Hero

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey
Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey
U.S. Navy

Abdul Rashid, a 5-year-old resident of the Nawa district of Afghanistan, receives a dressing for a wound on his face from Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, while a linguist translates at a medical aid station at Patrol Base Jaker Dec. 3. Rashid was injured by a motorcycle earlier that day. Navy hospital corpsmen like Elsey routinely see local residents and children here to treat their wounds.


Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps


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 site, you can go here.

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Tuesday, December 08, 2009

New Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army Invested

On the DOD website

New Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army Invested

Cool:) it's a small world.....T.Carter Melton was the administrator of our local hospital for years.

Congratulations! to Mr. Melton, and all the others who were invested.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Dec.7.....Remembering.....

I've been to visit the USS Arizona memorial twice in my life now, and each time I was struck by the solemnity and reverence that comes over those in the boat taking us out to the memorial as you get closer to it.......back on land at the gift shop, etc. there is lots of talking and noise.......but as you near the memorial and as you step onto it, the enormity of the loss that long ago day humbles and quiets you.

68 years later......whether we are there in Hawaii or far away, the nation still remembers......

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Michael P. Garton & Spc. Rolando R. Flores
Spc. Michael P. Garton & Spc. Rolando R. Flores
U.S. Army

Spc. Michael P. Garton, a gunner with the Personal Security Detachment, with the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, and a Texarkana, Texas, native, relaxes on a Humvee and shares a laugh with Spc. Rolando R. Flores, a gunner with the PSD and a San Antonio native, during a break in preparations for a mission Nov. 23 in the maintenance yard at Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq.


Photo Courtesy U.S. Army

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 site, you can go here.

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Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Rest in Peace,Sgt. Brandon T. Islip

Sad news this morning:

DoD Announces Change-In-Status of Army Soldier

The Department of Defense today announced the death of a soldier supporting Operation Enduring Freedom who was previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.

Sgt. Brandon T. Islip, 23, of Richmond, Va., had been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. His status was changed Nov. 29 to having died in a non-combat related incident.



From the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Chesterfield soldier’s body found in Afghanistan

Godspeed,Sgt. Islip, and we are holding his family and friends in our prayers.