Happy New Year! 2013

Comments by ZingerBug.com

Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year!

as I have for the past few years, posting a poem for you to ring in the new year

New Year

To leave the old with a burst of song;
To recall the right and forgive the wrong;
To forget the things that bind you fast
To the vain regrets of the year that's past;
To have the strength to let go your hold
Of the not worth while of the days grown old;
To dare go forth with a purpose true,
To the unknown task of the year that's new;
To help your brother along the road,
To do his work and lift his load;
To add your gift to the world's good cheer,
Is to have and to give a Happy New Year. - Author Unknown
-----------------------------------------------------

Thank you all, for taking the time to stop by this blog.
See you all next year!

And God bless our troops.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all my readers, and all our servicemen and women in the US Armed Forces, Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays!

From our house to yours.
 

Wednesday Hero

Anthony Seirafi & Ricsi   Marine Corps Police Department Officer Anthony Seirafi, a dog handler with MCPD’s K-9 unit aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow calls out for intruders with his dog, Ricsi, during a training exercise Nov. 9. Handlers train on a daily basis with their dogs to maximize the efficiency of their work aboard the base. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marines taken by Cpl. T. Allen Bricke

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
Seaman 1st Class James R. Ward 20 years old from Springfield, Ohio USS Oklahoma September 10, 1921 - December 7, 1941       This past Friday marked the 71 anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor. One of the ships that was destroyed in the attack was the battleship USS Oklahoma. On board the Oklahoma was a young man by he name of James Richard Ward who had only enlisted in the Navy a little more than a year before. When the attack happened, the Oklahoma was hit by three torpedoes and began to list dangerously. It quickly became apparent that she would capsize. The order was given to abandon ship. However, Ward stayed in his turret holding a flashlight so his fellow sailors could escape. He didn't make it out. For his actions that day, Sea1c Ward was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life. He was also honored with the destroyer escort USS J. Richard Ward (DE-243) being named after him.     These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Wednesday Hero

Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Vargas   Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Vargas, disaster preparedness officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, dressed in authentic Choctaw clothing, plays a Choctaw flute during a luncheon. The Native American Heritage celebration was hosted by Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 Detachment Jacksonville. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy taken by Matt Simons

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.
   

Wednesday Hero

Fisher House Foundation The Fisher House Foundation is a great charity that offers free housing for families of wounded service members to stay in while their loved one recuperates. The Fisher House Foundation was start in 1990 and has a least one house at every major military medical center. Since there is no cost to the families they rely on donations to continue operating. So, please, head over to their site and check them out. And if you're able to, please make a donation.     These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

 

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
Pfc. Charles George 20 years old Cherokee, North Carolina Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division August 23, 1932 - November 30, 1952     The name Charles George may sound familiar to some. That's because last week it was reported that two boys in New York were at a local antique shop looking for G.I. Joe's when they came across a number of military medals, Medal Of Honor, a Purple Heart, a bronze star and good conduct award, bearing the name Charles George. From Pfc. George's Medal Of Honor citation: Pfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of November 30, 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was subjected to intense mortar and machine gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and 2 comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to 1 comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The 2 soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George's indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service You can read more here and here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Want to send a Holiday card to a recovering wounded warrior? Holiday Mail for Heroes

In years past, there was always an email that got forwarded again and again starting about this time of year, along the lines of sending a wounded warrior a Christmas/holiday card at Walter Reed Army Medical center, and addressing it to Any Wounded Soldier.

Even though Walter Reed Army Medical Center no longer Exists (the new hospital that opened up to replace it is known as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center )...I still saw that viral email come up again in my inbox last year.

Which just makes me sad, because holiday cards addressed and sent like that will Never find their way to a wounded warrior.

However, there IS a way to send a holiday card to a recovering wounded warrior...via the American Red Cross, and the program is called   HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES

A quick recap of the guidelines:

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.

Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

• Ensure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.
• Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
• If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

The deadline for having cards to the P.O. Box is Friday, December 7th.
Holiday cards received after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery.
------------------
So please, take a few moments to send an extra card (or more!) to Holiday Mail for Heroes, to remind our nations recovering servicemen and women that they are not forgotten!!

And Thank you! to the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, for supporting our troops with this program!

 

 

Time to send Stripes Holiday Messages :)

Stars and Stripes is welcoming Holiday Messages from now until December 14.

Messages received by the November 26 deadline will appear in the newspaper edition of your choice (Europe, Mideast or Pacific) on December 15, right before the holidays!
 All messages received by December 14 will be viewable online.

Submit a greeting for your loved ones stationed or deployed overseas to find in the pages of Stars and Stripes!

To Submit Your Message, click the link  HERE
 

Wreaths Across America

Since 2006, my husband and I have participated in the wreath laying ceremony each year with
Wreaths Across America

 (except for 2010, when we attended his son's wedding :)

We've either assisted in wreath laying locally at Staunton National Cemetery

 

 

or we've traveled up to Arlington National Cemetery to help place wreaths there

 

This year, the Wreaths Across America Remembrance ceremony will be on

DECEMBER 15 at NOON (EST)

 

and you can find out if there is a ceremony at a location near you by checking HERE

 

 

Unfortunately for us, my husband will be having some surgery in early December, so we'll be unable to attend a ceremony this year....However....

 

there's still a way we could support the Wreaths Across America mission, and I wanted to share that in case you might also be interested.

 

You can  simply  Sponsor a Wreath 

 

or you can choose to purchase a wreath for yourself and at the same time sponsor a wreath, with either the Patriot Pair  or the Military Tribute Patriot Pair

 

 

Whether you choose to participate in a ceremony, or are able to sponsor a wreath, this is truly a beautiful way to honor and remember our fallen heroes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Organizations that Help send Holiday Gifts to the Troops

From the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch, and a Soldiers Angel member, comes a very helpful article

5 Organizations that help send Holiday gifts to the Troops






 

US Postal Service Christmas Mailing Dates for Military Mail

from this USPS bulletin

2012 International and APO/FPO/DPO Christmas Mailing Dates

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by December 25 to APO/FPO/DPO and international addresses over­seas, we suggest that mail be entered by the recommended mailing dates listed below. Beat the last-minute rush and take your mail to your U.S. Post Office^® by these suggested dates. And don’t forget you can print postage, labels, and Customs forms online 24/7 using Click-N-Ship^® service at www.usps.com/clicknship.

Remember, all mail addressed to military and diplomatic post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restric­tions regarding content, preparation, and handling. APO/FPO/DPO addresses generally require Customs forms. To see a table of active APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes™ and associated mailing restrictions, go to http://pe.usps.com and click Postal Bulletins in the blue sidebar. Go to the current issue and see the article “Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail.”

APO/FPO/DPO 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/DPO AE ZIPs 090–092	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec 3	Dec 3	Nov 30	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094–098	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIPs 340	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962–966	Dec 17	Dec 10	Dec 10	Dec 3	Nov 26	Nov 13

1 EMMS is available to selected military/diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office™ to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO/DPO of address.

2 PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3 SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Greta
Cpl. George Smith 90 years old from Sundance, New Mexico June 15, 1922 - October 31, 2012   There aren't many Code Talkers left so it's a true tragedy when we lose one. George Smith joined the United States Marines when he was 17, after lying about his age, becoming one of three brothers in his family to do so. He was trained as a rifleman then as a Code Talker serving in a Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946. You can read more on George Smith here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Veterans Day 2012

 

A Heartfelt 'Thank you' to all Veterans today!

 

and I'm also honoring the veterans in my life today

 

Dad

 

my Aunt Lynn

 

 

and my husband Tony

(and his younger brothers pictured with him above also served when they were older,too!)

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
SSgt. Hiroshi H. Miyamura 87 years old from Gallup, New Mexico Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 442nd Infantry Regiment   From then Cpl. Miyamura's Medal Of Honor citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service. After his actions that day, Cpl. Miyamura was taken prisoner by the Chinese. You can read more on SSgt. Miyamura here and here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

 

Wednesday Hero

George Lutz   George Lutz had the most horrible event a human can have happen in their lives happen to him. The loss of a child. His son, George Anthony Lutz II, was KIA in Fallujah, Iraq on December 29, 2005. Mr. Lutz almost let his son's loss beat him until he met a Mother, a few months later, who had lost her son as well. It was then that he realized that he could do something to help honor and remember the fallen. He set out on a mission to find a nationally recognized symbol for all fallen service members. You can read more about George Lutz here


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom.For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
Sgt. Darrell Cole 24 years old from Park Hills, Missouri 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines July 20, 1920 - February 19, 1945 Sgt. Darrell Cole joined the U.S. Marines in 1941 and appointed to the Field Music School because he knew how to play the French Horn. He wasn't happy with the assignment and applied to be a machine-gunner four times before he was finally approved. In his three years of service, Sgt. Cole saw action in Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Saipan and Iwo Jima. Sgt. Cole was KIA on February 19, 1945 in Iwo Jima when he was killed by an enemy grenade after he had single handily attacked two gun emplacements armed with only a pistol and one hand grenade.   For his actions that day Sgt. Darrell Cole was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Leader of a Machine-gun Section of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with one squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sergeant Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield Number One despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades two hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from three Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his one remaining machine gun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sergeant Cole, armed solely with a pistol and one grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his one grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sergeant Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sergeant Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." In March 11, 1996 he received the honor of having a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Cole (DDG-67), named after him. You can read more about Sgt. Darrell Cole here and here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Hurray! My Coin arrived!!

A few weeks ago, you may recall that I was a winner in yet another contest by Australian blogger friend and fellow Soldiers Angel , Pax over at Marion's Meepings

I turned 52 yesterday , and with extremely perfect timing, that's also when my coin arrived! :)

 

 

Thanks again, Pax !!

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By my Mom,thanks Mom!

Dan Carbonneau     A grenade explosion might have put an end to Dan Carbonneau's effort to serve his country, but he hasn't let it sway his determination to serve others. He found a new mission: training assistance dogs. The former Marine from Excelsior spends 20 hours a week at Can Do Canines in New Hope, teaching dogs to do everything from punch elevator call buttons to open kitchen drawers. "The dogs help people with disabilities," he said. "It's nice to know that you're doing something positive for the community." You Can Read More About Carbonneau Here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Wednesday Hero

Master Sgt. Nicole Culverhouse   Master Sgt. Nicole Culverhouse, 60th Medical Support Squadron element chief, was recently reunited with her family almost four decades after she was kidnapped as a child in Bogota, Colombia. You can read more about Master Sgt. Culverhouse here
Photo Taken By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem Courtesy U.S. Air Force

and there is a video of Master Sgt Culverhouse meeting her biological family here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

 

Interview with a Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Honoree

Back in April, I posted for the second year about the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

I was recently contacted about a chance to interview one of this year's honorees, and below is my interview with this inspiring young volunteer, Krystal Shirrell

Krystal Shirrell. Krystal, 18, of Brownsburg, Ind., a senior at Brownsburg High School, has engaged in a variety of activities to assist and support U.S. veterans and soldiers. While attending a workshop organized by her sister to make hats for cancer patients, Krystal heard someone talking about how patients undergoing kidney dialysis treatment often struggle to control their body temperature. Shortly afterward Krystal was at a Veterans Day banquet when she learned that many veterans need dialysis, and an idea took shape: she could make lap blankets to help kidney-damaged veterans stay warm during treatment. Krystal spent up to eight hours making each blanket. She also taught middle school students and senior citizens at a local nursing home how to make the blankets. So far, she has delivered more than 250 of them to the local VA hospital. On one visit, she learned about the VA’s domiciliary program for homeless vets, and immediately wanted to do something for these veterans as well. She conducted a collection drive that provided more than 5,000 needed items for vets in the program, and she hosts monthly bingo nights for them, too. In addition, Krystal designed a “thank-you” coloring sheet for elementary school students to send to veterans, and launched a campaign to send decorated Christmas trees and care packages with special gift items to troops over the holidays. Krystal says she wants to “let veterans know the younger generation has not forgotten them and is reaching out with thanks and support.

How young were you when you first began volunteering?

I can remember community service activities from a very early age. I remember collecting pop tabs as a preschooler and kindergarten student for the Ronald McDonald House and I made ornaments in Daisy Girl Scouts to hang on our town’s tree during the annual Christmas Sing. From there, many activities resulted in volunteering for various community service initiatives. During the past several years, my service to country and community further developed as the result of a passion I acquired for our military troops, veterans, wounded warriors and their families.

Why was volunteering important to you?

“I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.” This is the Girl Scout Law. For some, it is simply words. For me, one phrase, “make the world a better place,” has become a mission statement that has shaped my life and helped prepare me for the future.

I was brought up in a household where my parents always encouraged volunteerism. I am also a life time Girl Scout so service to others has always been an important aspect of my life and a strong emphasis for me and my sister. My older sister also set the stage. She started her own nonprofit organization called Hats of Hope which provides hand knitted hats to cancer patients. So basically I just followed her lead. I saw her do something really incredible and I wanted to do that too and I wanted to make a difference. I started with something small and it has really been incredible to see the effort grow.

What is the biggest change that volunteering has brought to your life?

Being a volunteer has changed my life immensely. Volunteering actually is what made me determine what I want to do with my life and what my future plans are hopefully going to be. For the longest time I thought I wanted to be an Athletic Trainer. However, after I started volunteering and working with veterans, I realized that is where my passion lies and that’s what I want to do with my life. So now I am in college to pursue a degree as a pharmacist and I would like to work at a veteran’s hospital. I just want to give back to those who have served for me and getting paid to do so is just a bonus.

Did your family have a military connection before you began volunteering to support veterans and the troops?

There is no immediate family military connection. I just looked around and saw the brave men and women who fight for our country and I wanted to do something of service for those who have served.

What would you say was the most challenging part of your volunteer work?

For me it has been difficult to deal with all my emotions and the emotions that come along with volunteering. I have spent a lot of time with homeless veterans and it breaks my heart to know that these men and women can go and fight and put their lives on the line for my freedom and come back to the states and have no place to call home. I think the easiest way to overcome this has been to allow myself to be emotional. Others do not see it as a weakness but rather it is me just putting my whole heart into what I am doing and how passionate I really am about helping. The veterans will give me a hug and thank me a hundred times for the smallest things I do even for something as small as just hanging out with them. It has also been difficult to come to grips with the fact I cannot help everyone – that’s probably the most challenging part of it all.

What advice would you give to someone your age looking for a volunteer opportunity?

Being a volunteer is something to be really proud of and even through the smallest acts of kindness you would be surprised at what a difference you can make and how big of an impact you can have on other people. Being really involved in your community or with service projects is not something to be embarrassed about; it is awesome and really something to value. It is easy to make a difference. Just look around and you will see endless opportunities to help. People often think they need a foundation or strong financial support to make a difference, when in fact, quite the opposite is true. All it takes is a little passion. Find something that interests you, develop a passion, and use that passion to do something outside yourself. Don’t give up on volunteering when things get rough because it is during those times that I have gotten to experience some of the most incredible things. There is nothing more personally rewarding than service to others and nothing more powerful than making a difference in the community.

What plans do you have for future volunteer work?

The results of my activities have further instilled in me the importance of making a positive contribution to society. I want to teach current and future generations the value of community service. Even though I am out of state at college, I am mentoring younger students back home to insure continuation of service to our veterans. I am involved in a leadership class at Iowa and our group has elected to expand the service efforts to our veterans in Iowa City. I have also just begun volunteering with the Domestic Violence Intervention Program with a few of my softball teammates.

Through contacts at the Indianapolis VA, I learned about an opportunity to organize a medical team to provide services in the Amazon. I have begun to lay ground work and look forward to making the trip in the next few years as a pharmacy student. After completing my degree, I envision myself working at a VA hospital or medical center as a pharmacist, perhaps specializing in oncology. I aspire to have a career of service and make a valuable contribution to society.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you, Krystal, for the interview!

 

And thank you to Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, for honoring young volunteers such as Krystal.

 

Do you perhaps know of a young volunteer who should apply for the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards? Applications can be found at their  website and must be completed by Nov.6 ,2012

 

 

 

 

Woo Hoo! I'm a winner:)

Pax in Australia has announced the winners of her poem contest, and one of them is..me!
And the Winners Are..

Thank you,Pax! this was great fun!


 

Wednesday Hero

Pfc. Richard Bigouette Bravo Company,  602nd Aviation Support Battalion   A 2nd Infantry Division Soldier gave the gift of life to a 9-year-old Korean girl when he saved her from drowning at Haeundae Beach in Busan June 13. Pfc. Richard Bigouette of Bravo Company, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, was swimming a little way from shore with Pfc. Joshua Davis, also of Bravo 602nd ASB. Suddenly, Bigouette heard frantic screams from people on the beach pointing to a place beyond the waves, more than 50 yards out into the water. A little girl was struggling for her life as she tried to remain above the water. Another girl, standing waist-deep in the choppy water between the waves, was crying for help. You can read more on Pfc. Bigouette here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

 

Going offline for a few days

while we finish moving:)

See you all later!

 

Wednesday Hero

Capt. Jennifer Curtis   In April 2011, Captain Jennifer Curtis received a short-notice deployment to Firebase Chamkani, Afghanistan, where she embedded with U.S. Army Special Forces to assist with village stability operations. Captain Curtis quickly realized that her deployment would be dangerous when she first arrived at the firebase located in the mountains on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan and her helicopter was targeted by mortar rounds. After being on the receiving end of more than 126 mortar rounds over the course of her deployment, Captain Curtis became accustomed to this hazardous way of life. One night, the mortars hit her encampment. "Rockets were shot and landed right in the middle of our compound," she said. "There was a lot of shrapnel wounds. People were unconscious". Because the camp was on lockdown, Curtis was the only medic on the scene for the first 20 minutes of the attack. She didn’t have much time to think. You can read more on Capt. Jennifer Curtis here and here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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