Cooking with the Troops !(via Blackfive) Nasdaq Opening Bell Ceremony
and over at Soldiers Angels, to Toby, Ann, and Lance!
Soldiers' Angels Continues Growth in Supporting Troops
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wreaths Across America~Help Sponsor a Wreath for Section 60 at Arlington
For the past several years my husband and I have participated both locally and at Arlington
in Wreaths Across America
(2007 Staunton National Cemetery)
(2008 Arlington National Cemetery)
On December 11th at noon this year, volunteers all over our country will once again be laying wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes. (we will be unable this year to participate, we'll be attending my stepson's wedding)
To find a location near you where you can volunteer to participate, you can click on this link at the
Wreaths Across America website.
and also check out the tenative schedule for the 2010 Escort to Arlington The Patriot Guard Riders will be joining in the escort.
But the main reason I'm posting is that on this Update on Section 60 the total number of wreaths sponsored for section 60 is 4800...of the 9,000 needed. Section 60 is the section of Arlington where many of our fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan lie, and this year Wreaths Across America had hoped to have wreaths sponsored for Section 60 WishUponAHero
The cut-off for sponsoring a wreath has been extended to Nov. 29, you can see the sponsorship options here
Spread the word, will you?
in Wreaths Across America
(2007 Staunton National Cemetery)
(2008 Arlington National Cemetery)
(2009 Staunton National Cemetery)
To find a location near you where you can volunteer to participate, you can click on this link at the
Wreaths Across America website.
and also check out the tenative schedule for the 2010 Escort to Arlington The Patriot Guard Riders will be joining in the escort.
But the main reason I'm posting is that on this Update on Section 60 the total number of wreaths sponsored for section 60 is 4800...of the 9,000 needed. Section 60 is the section of Arlington where many of our fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan lie, and this year Wreaths Across America had hoped to have wreaths sponsored for Section 60 WishUponAHero
The cut-off for sponsoring a wreath has been extended to Nov. 29, you can see the sponsorship options here
Spread the word, will you?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
"So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.”
Arthur Guiterman
I'm Thankful for all those who take the time to stop by here,
and wishing each of you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
Comments by ZingerBug.com
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday Hero
This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth
PFC Chance Phelps
19 years old from Dubois, Wyoming
3 Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
April 9, 2004
"I don't think anything can prepare you for two young men standing in the living room telling you your son’s been killed," said Gretchen Mack, mother of PFC Chance Phelps. "It's just surreal. They were crying." The last time she had talked her to son was a few days before his death. "He said, 'Mom, I'm fine.' He sounded great. It was really good to be able to talk to him. It made us feel better."
PFC Phelps was KIA while battling insurgents just outside of Baghdad, Iraq.
Friends recall Phelps as a fun-loving, hard-nosed kid. "He was big but didn't throw his size around to intimidate people", said Jarod Estey. "He was probably the toughest kid I knew growing up in grade school. He was probably the biggest kid, too — well-built and strong. But he was real easy going. He always had a smile on his face."
"He was very in tune politically," said his mother. "He knew what he wanted for this country. ... He told me after 9/11, 'I absolutely have to go. I've got to do something.'" But joining the military isn't anything new for the family. His father, John Phelps, is a Vietnam veteran. And his sister, Kelley, works at the Pentagon and is engaged to an Army sergeant.
"He had an unusual amount of zest," said his mother. "He just possessed this quality that he had to be in the thick of things all the time. He was very, very positive, very funny. ... His main thing in life was making people laugh."
You can read more 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 site, you can go here. 
19 years old from Dubois, Wyoming
3 Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
April 9, 2004
"I don't think anything can prepare you for two young men standing in the living room telling you your son’s been killed," said Gretchen Mack, mother of PFC Chance Phelps. "It's just surreal. They were crying." The last time she had talked her to son was a few days before his death. "He said, 'Mom, I'm fine.' He sounded great. It was really good to be able to talk to him. It made us feel better."
PFC Phelps was KIA while battling insurgents just outside of Baghdad, Iraq.
Friends recall Phelps as a fun-loving, hard-nosed kid. "He was big but didn't throw his size around to intimidate people", said Jarod Estey. "He was probably the toughest kid I knew growing up in grade school. He was probably the biggest kid, too — well-built and strong. But he was real easy going. He always had a smile on his face."
"He was very in tune politically," said his mother. "He knew what he wanted for this country. ... He told me after 9/11, 'I absolutely have to go. I've got to do something.'" But joining the military isn't anything new for the family. His father, John Phelps, is a Vietnam veteran. And his sister, Kelley, works at the Pentagon and is engaged to an Army sergeant.
"He had an unusual amount of zest," said his mother. "He just possessed this quality that he had to be in the thick of things all the time. He was very, very positive, very funny. ... His main thing in life was making people laugh."
You can read more here.
Fallen Hero Memorial Arrives....With Several Errors
Back in October, I posted Sadly, Controversy Surrounds a Memorial for a Local Fallen Hero
The questions being asked at the time of Clayton Murwin, "where is the memorial? or where is the money that was donated for the memorial?" have now been answered.
The memorial is here.....
It just, sadly, has several errors (from the WHSV TV story)
Long-Awaited Memorial Arrives with Multiple Errors
The word 'commemorated' is misspelled on the front of the memorial,and the Turner Ashby high school name is transposed into "Ashby Turner High School" in the list of donors on the back.
Now, Clayton Murwin is NOT responsible for the spelling errors on the memorial,
but he Is responsible for Commissioning a memorial, that was Paid for by donors from the Broadway and surrounding communities.
Via the Daily News-Record (behind a subscription wall) is this story
Memorial Arrives-Misspelled
Mr. Murwin's attorney in the above newspaper article, says that" a bronze plaque will be placed over the engraved text to cover up the spelling mistake on the front", but apparently nothing can be done to rectify the mistake on the donor list.
After my original post about this issue, I chose to say nothing further until our community saw If and When the memorial arrived. The entire issue of this memorial seemed to have degenerated into some of the nastiest commenting back and forth that I have ever seen on the Internet, and it seemed pointless to get involved in all that ugliness when time would tell whether a memorial had ever actually been ordered.
Time has indeed proved the friends of Mr. Muwin correct, that the memorial would arrive.
It's just a memorial ,paid for with $6800.00 of donated money, that has mistakes engraved on granite which will be partially fixed by covering up the text on the front with a bronze plaque, and not fixed at all in the donor list.
And Rockingham County schools say it cannot be placed on Broadway High School grounds until the errors are fixed.
This whole situation would seem to have verged into farce....if it were not just so unutterably sad.
The questions being asked at the time of Clayton Murwin, "where is the memorial? or where is the money that was donated for the memorial?" have now been answered.
The memorial is here.....
It just, sadly, has several errors (from the WHSV TV story)
Long-Awaited Memorial Arrives with Multiple Errors
The word 'commemorated' is misspelled on the front of the memorial,and the Turner Ashby high school name is transposed into "Ashby Turner High School" in the list of donors on the back.
Now, Clayton Murwin is NOT responsible for the spelling errors on the memorial,
but he Is responsible for Commissioning a memorial, that was Paid for by donors from the Broadway and surrounding communities.
Via the Daily News-Record (behind a subscription wall) is this story
Memorial Arrives-Misspelled
Mr. Murwin's attorney in the above newspaper article, says that" a bronze plaque will be placed over the engraved text to cover up the spelling mistake on the front", but apparently nothing can be done to rectify the mistake on the donor list.
After my original post about this issue, I chose to say nothing further until our community saw If and When the memorial arrived. The entire issue of this memorial seemed to have degenerated into some of the nastiest commenting back and forth that I have ever seen on the Internet, and it seemed pointless to get involved in all that ugliness when time would tell whether a memorial had ever actually been ordered.
Time has indeed proved the friends of Mr. Muwin correct, that the memorial would arrive.
It's just a memorial ,paid for with $6800.00 of donated money, that has mistakes engraved on granite which will be partially fixed by covering up the text on the front with a bronze plaque, and not fixed at all in the donor list.
And Rockingham County schools say it cannot be placed on Broadway High School grounds until the errors are fixed.
This whole situation would seem to have verged into farce....if it were not just so unutterably sad.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Minnesotans remembering their Fallen Heroes.....
....and money raised will go toward a $2 million pledge for the construction of the
Fisher House at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center
My Mom sent this article from the Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune
State's fallen get tribute in calendar by Mark Brunswick
which led me to this website (the link in the article seemed to be incorrect?)
Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation
and there's more about the calendar project on the Minnesota National Guard website Here
Fisher House at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center
My Mom sent this article from the Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune
State's fallen get tribute in calendar by Mark Brunswick
which led me to this website (the link in the article seemed to be incorrect?)
Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation
and there's more about the calendar project on the Minnesota National Guard website Here
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Soldiers Angels Web Surfing
Time for a 'surf' of the web for news by, or about,
Soldiers Angels
and there's lots of holiday news, with the USPS Military shipping deadlines
fast approaching the cut-off dates to get packages to our troops before Christmas.
First up, from the Ft.Campbell Courier
Soldiers’ Angels’ sends packages on wings of love
Then, from the University of North Alabama
UPC to Hold Veterans Ball to Benefit Deployed Soldiers
Via the Pasadena,CA Star-News
Montebello YMCA care packages on their way to overseas troops
This Australian 'Angel' is sending cool gifts:) from Marion's Meepings
Pax'ing Presents
From TCPalm in Florida
Soldiers phone home for the holidays
and lastly, from the Seacoastonline.com in Maine,
Former first lady Laura Bush to headline 'sweet' event
That's the 'surf'! Glad to see so many folks sending 'Happy Holidays' to our troops:)
When you stop by the Soldiers Angels website, check out the
12 Days of Christmas in November for easy ways to support our troops!
Wounded EOD Tech is an inspiration,IMHO
This story Wounded EOD Technician Shares Experience, Choice from 10News.com.
is about a relative by marriage, of a relative of mine (are you following all that?)
I think that John is truly an inspiration, and am awed by his courage and his attitude.......and then, in reading the comments on the story? sort of torqued off that more people seemed concerned about correcting the facts and grammer they felt were wrong in the story, than in commenting about a truly heroic young man.
Who among us, if we had lost both our legs while doing our job, would say 'I want to go Back?"......I'm not sure I could....but whether I could or not, it doesn't seem to me that the appropriate place to have a hissy fit over grammer is in the comment section of a story about someone who Did.
so please, consider taking the time to leave a comment on the story saluting the courage, bravery,aand attitude of John Kremer.
and, after that, perhaps you might want to check out the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation website.
God Bless Our Troops, and God Bless John and his family.
is about a relative by marriage, of a relative of mine (are you following all that?)
I think that John is truly an inspiration, and am awed by his courage and his attitude.......and then, in reading the comments on the story? sort of torqued off that more people seemed concerned about correcting the facts and grammer they felt were wrong in the story, than in commenting about a truly heroic young man.
Who among us, if we had lost both our legs while doing our job, would say 'I want to go Back?"......I'm not sure I could....but whether I could or not, it doesn't seem to me that the appropriate place to have a hissy fit over grammer is in the comment section of a story about someone who Did.
so please, consider taking the time to leave a comment on the story saluting the courage, bravery,aand attitude of John Kremer.
and, after that, perhaps you might want to check out the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation website.
God Bless Our Troops, and God Bless John and his family.
Came across two great blogs this past week
The first one, via The Sandbox is called The Sand Docs
The second, via a post on Michael Yon's Facebook page is called One Life to Give
Well worth checking out!
The second, via a post on Michael Yon's Facebook page is called One Life to Give
Well worth checking out!
Friday, November 19, 2010
CwtT 2011 Calendar Cooking with the Troops
United Conservatives of Virginia: CwtT 2011 Calendar Cooking with the Troops
(ConcreteBob beat me to this,it was on my list of 'things to blog this evening'.....spread the word about this calendar, looks like it would make a great gift!:)
and after you check out the calendar? check out the rest of the
Cooking with the Troops store
(ConcreteBob beat me to this,it was on my list of 'things to blog this evening'.....spread the word about this calendar, looks like it would make a great gift!:)
and after you check out the calendar? check out the rest of the
Cooking with the Troops store
Do you know the Medal of Honor recipients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Guinta is the most recent recipient, of course.....but, how many ordinary citizens know the names of the 7 other men who have been recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor
since Army SFC Paul R. Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2005, for actions in Iraq in 2003?
Did you know that two years later in 2007, Marine Cpl. Jason L. Dunham was also posthumously awarded the Medal?
When you hear the names of Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy ,
Navy PO2 Michael A. Monsoor ,
Army PFC Ross A. McGinnis ,
Army SFC Jared C. Monti ,
and Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller .......do you instantly know "oh,yes, Medal of Honor"?
We all should, you know.....we should know the names, and the stories, of those who have been considered worthy of the highest honor our nation can bestow on those serving our country, particularly in these days of war.
since Army SFC Paul R. Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2005, for actions in Iraq in 2003?
Did you know that two years later in 2007, Marine Cpl. Jason L. Dunham was also posthumously awarded the Medal?
When you hear the names of Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy ,
Navy PO2 Michael A. Monsoor ,
Army PFC Ross A. McGinnis ,
Army SFC Jared C. Monti ,
and Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller .......do you instantly know "oh,yes, Medal of Honor"?
We all should, you know.....we should know the names, and the stories, of those who have been considered worthy of the highest honor our nation can bestow on those serving our country, particularly in these days of war.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday Hero
This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy
SSgt. Salvatore Giunta
25 years old from Ceder Rapid, Iowa
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Yesterday, SSgt. Salvatore Giunta became the first living recipient of the Medal Of Honor since the Vietnam War.
From the official citation:
Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007. When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta’s squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.”
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.
25 years old from Ceder Rapid, Iowa
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Yesterday, SSgt. Salvatore Giunta became the first living recipient of the Medal Of Honor since the Vietnam War.
From the official citation:
Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007. When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta’s squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.”
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Spread the Word about Mission:ABLE
From the Paralyzed Veterans of America
"Did you know that?
More than 44,000 American veterans live with paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries cost up to $3 million per person in healthcare expenses, yet veterans' benefits aren’t always guaranteed.
An estimated $25 billion in veterans’ benefits dollars goes unclaimed every year"
This is an introduction to Mission:ABLE
Paralyzed Veterans is leading the mission to make sure our veterans are:
Able to receive the benefits they've earned
Able to access the quality of care they need to live a full life
Able to get job training and opportunities for new careers
Able to enjoy competition and camaraderie though sports
See this video from the Band OAR in support of Mission: Able
and then check out this worthy cause for yourself!
Thank You.
"Did you know that?
More than 44,000 American veterans live with paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries cost up to $3 million per person in healthcare expenses, yet veterans' benefits aren’t always guaranteed.
An estimated $25 billion in veterans’ benefits dollars goes unclaimed every year"
This is an introduction to Mission:ABLE
Paralyzed Veterans is leading the mission to make sure our veterans are:
Able to receive the benefits they've earned
Able to access the quality of care they need to live a full life
Able to get job training and opportunities for new careers
Able to enjoy competition and camaraderie though sports
See this video from the Band OAR in support of Mission: Able
and then check out this worthy cause for yourself!
Thank You.
Update on the AmericInn Troop Giveback
The AmericInn™ Troop Giveback Concludes Reaching its Goal of 15 Care Packages.
AmericInn Troop Giveback reaches hundreds of soldiers serving in Afghanistan with supplies and recreational items
The program was met with an outpouring of support from hotel owners, guests and soldiers’ families
CHANHASSEN, Minn. – Nov. 11, 2010 – When AmericInn Hotels kicked off its Troop Giveback in October, the company knew the campaign to send care packages to troops serving in Afghanistan would be well-received by its supportive and patriotic guests and hotel owners. But the hotel chain did not expect such an outpouring of support and success that greeted the introduction of the month-long effort.
Each time a member of AmericInn’s Easy Rewards loyalty program stayed with the hotel chain during the month of October, that guest contributed to the delivery of another care package. When the AmericInn Troop Giveback program was introduced, the company was flooded with words of appreciation from hotel owners who have been running their own care-package programs for troops, thanks from employees with relatives who received some of the care packages, and guests who offered supplies to include in the care packages. AmericInn even received a letter of thanks from American Red Cross staff working at an airfield in Afghanistan.
“I can barely begin to express how much I appreciate the AmericInn Troop Giveback program,” said Jodi McClellan, owner and manager of the AmericInn Lodge and Suites of Borger, Texas. “As someone who regularly sends out care packages with help from friends and groups in our community, it means the world to me that AmericInn is supporting our troops.”
In all, AmericInn guests and hotel owners helped the chain meet its goal of delivering 15 large care packages – each including enough food, personal care, communication and recreation items for about two dozen troops – to bases across Afghanistan. Those care packages provided supplies for about 350 troops.
AmericInn, a national hotel chain with more than 215 locations nationwide, developed the Troop Giveback program with the help of an employee who served in Iraq for a year. His stories about the heart-warming impact of receiving mail and care packages – from family and strangers alike – helped AmericInn arrive at the idea for the Troop Giveback program.
“The care packages we sent will reach hundreds of troops with supplies that might help make their day a little easier and a little brighter. It’s a token of our appreciation for the sacrifices they make in service to our country,” said Mike Strong, director of marketing at AmericInn. “With thousands of guests taking part in the program, I hope we’ve made people take a second to appreciate everything our soldiers do for us.”
AmericInn Troop Giveback reaches hundreds of soldiers serving in Afghanistan with supplies and recreational items
The program was met with an outpouring of support from hotel owners, guests and soldiers’ families
CHANHASSEN, Minn. – Nov. 11, 2010 – When AmericInn Hotels kicked off its Troop Giveback in October, the company knew the campaign to send care packages to troops serving in Afghanistan would be well-received by its supportive and patriotic guests and hotel owners. But the hotel chain did not expect such an outpouring of support and success that greeted the introduction of the month-long effort.
Each time a member of AmericInn’s Easy Rewards loyalty program stayed with the hotel chain during the month of October, that guest contributed to the delivery of another care package. When the AmericInn Troop Giveback program was introduced, the company was flooded with words of appreciation from hotel owners who have been running their own care-package programs for troops, thanks from employees with relatives who received some of the care packages, and guests who offered supplies to include in the care packages. AmericInn even received a letter of thanks from American Red Cross staff working at an airfield in Afghanistan.
“I can barely begin to express how much I appreciate the AmericInn Troop Giveback program,” said Jodi McClellan, owner and manager of the AmericInn Lodge and Suites of Borger, Texas. “As someone who regularly sends out care packages with help from friends and groups in our community, it means the world to me that AmericInn is supporting our troops.”
In all, AmericInn guests and hotel owners helped the chain meet its goal of delivering 15 large care packages – each including enough food, personal care, communication and recreation items for about two dozen troops – to bases across Afghanistan. Those care packages provided supplies for about 350 troops.
AmericInn, a national hotel chain with more than 215 locations nationwide, developed the Troop Giveback program with the help of an employee who served in Iraq for a year. His stories about the heart-warming impact of receiving mail and care packages – from family and strangers alike – helped AmericInn arrive at the idea for the Troop Giveback program.
“The care packages we sent will reach hundreds of troops with supplies that might help make their day a little easier and a little brighter. It’s a token of our appreciation for the sacrifices they make in service to our country,” said Mike Strong, director of marketing at AmericInn. “With thousands of guests taking part in the program, I hope we’ve made people take a second to appreciate everything our soldiers do for us.”
Also, don't forget Carol For A Cause contest......
The deadline to submit your videos is fast approaching, don't for the contest!
Carol For A Cause
Carol For A Cause
North Platte Canteen
Got the video link in an email, and was blown away by the story, which I hadn't heard before. Found the website
North Platte Canteen
and found out there was a book written about it,also:
North Platte Canteen
and found out there was a book written about it,also:
Royal College of Nursing Pays Tribute to Bravery of Defence Nurses
As both a nurse, and a supporter of our troops, this story touched my heart.
RCN pays tribute to bravery of defence nurses
and be sure to check out the Home page of the Royal College of Nursing , to see the video interview with Ethel Lote, a nurse who served in WW II.
God bless Dr. Yvonne McEwen , an "historian and former nurse" for spending over 10 years completing the lists........
and God Bless my fellow nurses who've served in wartime over the years.
---------------------
RCN pays tribute to bravery of defence nurses
and be sure to check out the Home page of the Royal College of Nursing , to see the video interview with Ethel Lote, a nurse who served in WW II.
God bless Dr. Yvonne McEwen , an "historian and former nurse" for spending over 10 years completing the lists........
and God Bless my fellow nurses who've served in wartime over the years.
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