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"Optimism (light) is the power that ultimately defeats fear (darkness)."

Tuesday, October 31, 2006


Get to Work! It's Valour-IT US Air Force Team!!!

I've joined the fight to get our injured soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines voice activated/controlled laptops! This is a GREAT project lead by the awesome folks over at Soldiers' Angels. You just can't go wrong helping us all make the lives of those who have fought to protect us and have paid the ultimate price - for us.

Please, if you have a moment, just click on the link to donate, just to the right near the top of my sidebar. This is a great inter-branch rivalry and we in the US Air Force team are trying to maintain control of the air!

So, donate, and give us the fuel to keep the US Air Force Team flying high!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006


Please Support Soldier's Angels and Soldier Ride

Soldiers' Angels supports Soldier Ride and lends it's support in the way of volunteers and money.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2006 -- Wounded servicemen and women cycling across the United States From Montauk, New York to San Diego, California to spread their inspirational message of courage and hope. The brave men and women participating in this event are cycling in support of their injured comrades recovering in military hospitals across the country. All of the participants are provided the adaptive equipment they need to cycle though missing one or more limbs.

Soldier Ride is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for our injured soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This organization is 100% non political. It's not about the war it's about the soldiers. Soldier Ride organizes cross country and local bicycle trips used as rehab opportunities for soldiers recovering from major injuries and also to raise awareness.

Funds raised go out to such organizations as the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and Disabled Sports USA (www.dsusa.org) You can learn more about us at www.soldierride.org or please feel free to contact Nick Kraus at 516 994 5907.

Soldier Ride began in East Hampton , NY as an effort to raise money and consciousness for soldiers who were severely wounded overseas. Last year Chris Carney a local bartender embarked on his second cross-country Soldier Ride, cycling from Los Angeles to Montauk, New York. Soldiers from the current conflict and veterans, both disabled and not, rode with Carney on Soldier Ride. Over the last two years Soldier Ride helped raise millions of dollars for the WWP. These funds are being used to:

  • Purchase thousands of comfort backpacks for wounded soldiers on their return (including guidebooks on discharge from service and entitlement benefits). These packs include such basic comfort items as phone cards, Fresh clothing, Portable CD players and small items that make a big impact for a returning injured soldier.
  • Hire full-time benefits counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical to distribute comfort backpacks to amputees.
  • Conduct adaptive sporting events and clinics to build self-esteem and independence for those who suffered catastrophic injuries, for example the Breckenridge Colorado Ski Spectacular and our recent Florida bicycle program.
  • Develop peer-mentoring programs where rehabbed soldiers can lend support to their newly injured comrades. Organize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symposia to help the estimated one in six soldiers who suffer from this disorder. Transport soldiers and their families between home and hospital, as well as purchase a van to transport soldiers to functions in the Washington D.C. area.


Soldier Ride has received extensive media coverage in The New York Times, New York Post, The New York Daily News, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Newsday. The project has also appeared on NBC's Today in New York, The O'Reilly Factor, Fox News Radio's Tony Snow Show, HBO's Inside the NFL and CNN's Larry King Live.

Several notable people have helped with Soldier Ride fundraising efforts, including Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi, Pat Lofaintane, Gary Sinise, Alec Baldwin, Tony Snow, Harris Yulin, Stephen Lang, Bill O'Reilly, Congressman Tim Bishop, Senator Bob Kerrey, and many more.

www.soldiersangels.org

Soldiers' Angels will be hosting the closing ceremonies and beach party for the riders at Semper Fi Park in San Clemente on July 29, 2006 at 3 pm. Adam's Attic, The Bader Band, and Jillian Russell will be performing at the beach party. Mayor Wayne Eggleston and the community are excited and happy to help Soldiers' Angels honor these riders. Please join us in welcoming the riders by lining the streets and showing your support as they ride into San Clemente.

Soldiers' Angels is an all volunteer, 501 (c) (3) non-profit based in Pasadena, Ca. Donations to help offset the costs of the closing ceremonies can be sent to:
Soldiers' Angels
150 North Loop 1604 West, Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248
Attn: Soldier Ride
Please make checks and money orders out to Soldiers' Angels. You can also donate on-line or adopt a soldier at www.soldiersangels.org. Include what your donation is for in the comments section.

Thursday, June 22, 2006


21-Day Salute to Honor America!

For Immediate Release
6/21/06

Contact:

Sara Horn, Publisher
AGreaterFreedom.com
sara@agreaterfreedom.com


AGreaterFreedom.com Announces 21-Day Salute to Honor America

AGreaterFreedom.com subscribers and readers are invited to participate in our first 21-Day Salute to Honor America!

In 1975, Congress declared that the period between June 14 (Flag Day) and July 4 (Independence Day) would be recognized as Honor America Days, a time for Americans to publicly celebrate America and the great ideals our country stands for.

We want to do our part in honoring America by inviting you to tell us, in 350 words or less, who you think is a Great American – someone you know who is going beyond the norm to make a difference in the life of their country and their fellow Americans.

Email us your letters between June 14 and July 4 to be included in the contest. We’ll choose the three best letters out of the ones we receive to receive a special gift, courtesy of AGreaterFreedom.com

Send your letters to info@agreaterfreedom.com today!

We Can’t Forget New Subscribers!

Sign up for our free monthly newsletter and we’ll enter your name into a drawing each week to receive a special gift. It’s our way of thanking you for showing your support of AGreaterFreedom.com by becoming a subscriber.

AGreaterFreedom.com
Where Faith and Service Come Together


The mission of AGreaterFreedom.com is to equip, inform and encourage members of the military and their families through the use of news, feature stories and commentary that will lead people to a more passionate faith in Jesus Christ.

Monday, March 20, 2006


US Military? Illinois? Get Your MBA FREE!!!

This is not a scam, I'm not on the take, and yes the title is true! If you want to get your MBA but have been hemmin'-N-hawin' about the cost, or the time, or which school, the answer is right here!: University of Illinois!

I was contacted by the Assistant Dean at the University of Illinois, Mr. Robert van der Hooning. They are actively recruiting for candidates to receive a FREE RIDE MBA! And, this offer is for US Military personnel. And, no, not from just today's active duty ranks but from Guard and Reserves as well. There is one hitch (uh-huh, you had that in the back of your head) and it is a small one: you must have been a resident of Illinois during your tour. That means you had to have lived in Illinois (like, you know, the IRS can find you in Illinois via an actual address!) six months prior and six months after your duty/tour.

Now, that really isn't a big deal, right?! That is YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE to getting an MBA! And, you don't have to pay for the MBA, it is already covered. Get it? Someone's got your six if you can say you had six-before and six-after!

Helll-oooo ... are you there ... ??? :)

Here is a link that provides the background on this program:

Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program

Here is the quick version of eligibility:

To be a qualified applicant, you must:
  • Have served at least one year of federal active duty service in the Armed Forces of the United States, unless you:
  • served in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country, or
  • were medically discharged and the medical reason for discharge was service related, or
  • were discharged prior to August 11, 1967.
  • Have received an honorable discharge for each period of federal active duty service, and/or be honorably serving.
  • Not be a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
  • Have resided in Illinois within six months before entering federal active duty service or within six months prior to entering the service.
  • Have returned or plan to return to Illinois within six months after leaving federal active duty service unless you are residing with a spouse in continued military service and establish or plan to establish Illinois residency within six months of his/her leaving federal active duty service.
  • Be enrolled at an Illinois public 2 or 4 year college.
  • Reside in Illinois unless you are serving federal active duty service at the time of enrollment in college or residing with a spouse in continued military service who is currently stationed outside of Illinois.
  • Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.
  • Maintain the minimum grade point average (GPA) required by your college.
If you are currently serving in the Illinois National Guard you may also be eligible for the Illinois National Guard Grant Program.

If you receive benefits from the IVG Program while serving federal active duty service, upon discharge you will be required to verify that your service has been characterized as honorable.

Now some of you may be asking, "But, isn't this a statewide program?"

Yeah, but I was contacted directly to help spread the word, by two very dedicated gentlemen looking to help our brave fighting men and women. I believe that the University of Illinois deserves the bulk of this post for that alone. It took a cold call to me, a short conversation, and some exchanging of LinkedIn connecting to seal the deal. No other college or university has done that with me, until now. Lion's share goes to the one to execute and follow through.

Ya know the saying, "To the victor goes the spoils."

I have all the contact information for the Assistant Dean, Mr. Robert van der Hooning. I've provided his name in case you already have contact information for the university. Since web-bots are disgusting and snag e-mail addresses out of blog content, I'll refrain from dropping his e-mail in this post. Please contact me directly and I'll get you alllll the info!

Oh, the other reason University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign is gettin' all the press here is because my heart has two special places for this effort: this program helps all US Military personnel and my best friend growing up is an Illini.

My best friend, in 7th Grade, was taking advanced courses at Cal Berkeley during the regular school year as well on his summer vacation. And, to top it all off, he was holding down a job working at Lawrence Livermore Lab during the summer months. Yeah, during middle school he was far beyond folks actively enrolled as freshmen at Cal. He went on to get tons of offers after he graduated Cal - he went to U of I in Urbana/Champaign.

His field, you might ask? Nuclear Astrophysics. No small feat, wouldn't ya say? :)

I remember the day I was in the Reserves and went to visit him at U of I. He took me to his lab where he had a "small" program running on the Cray. It wasn't too complex, he said, just begins with the formation of a small planetary body from particulate matter in space, drawn together. After years that I cannot count on fingers and toes, the body that he had formed, a star, then goes through the "death cycle" to final implosion. No biggie, we just need to come back and check all is well later after dinner and a few beers.

Found out later, he kinda "whacked" the Cray with his analysis and needed to schedule a new run. Seems the Cray had a little trouble with, time and space? :) Or, maybe it was fact that the heat coefficient function was too aggressive - I forget. One Cray down, two more to go! (I think they had three back then, I need to check on that)

Well, get on over and make yourself an Illini! You sacrificed your time and put your life on the line, the Great State of Illinois wants to pay you back. And, from my seat here in front of my computer, the University of Illinois should be your first stop!

(sorry Illini - I hunted all over the UIUC for a column!
I "borrowed" and "modified" to get this one)



Stay Tuned to ...

Friday, March 03, 2006


Get Your Pens and Paper Out, NOW!

Alright, I just got pinged on IM by CJ over at A Soldiers' Perspective. I'm the type to always answer the call from a fellow Milblogger. I am especially keen on answering when that Milblogger is still active duty, and needs my help!

This blog is dedicated to the positive. And, in that sense, I know that what CJ is all about right now is putting our best foot forward and making someone else's life better. In this case, it is a family of a fallen brother. This family is going through a very rough patch right now as they are being harassed by some protestors. The folks that don't like this war are around, and they have the freedom which we have fought and died for, to speak out and protest on their own issues, wants, and needs. But, when you raise your hand to someone that has risked their life for you to keep those freedoms, you make the hair on the back of my neck stand STRAIGHT UP!

I am thoroughly disgusted by the actions taken by the current batch of protestors, and one would think God fearing, Westboro Baptist Church. What on earth is going to be served by torturing this family in their hour of need? When there is a grieving family, do you in turn, egg their home and call them with disgusting comments like, "I'm glad your son is dead."?

My oh my. What evil have these people wrought?

In support of CJ, and Sgt. Rickey Jones' family, please take the time and join this letter writing campaign. As CJ puts it, so well:
"Let them know that we appreciate their son's service and mourn their loss. Let's show them what America is really made of. This isn't about whether or not you support the war. This is about common decency for a family that has suffered the ultimate sacrifice ... having to bury a child."
For the information contact, I'll include the paragraph from CJ's site, here:
"If you own a blog, please post this effort on your respective blogs and ask your readers to post it on their blogs. If you are as disgusted as I am and would like to write a letter to have delivered to this family, please email Lauren (MyWay716@aol.com) for more information. The good people over at Operation Military Pride are helping facilitate the delivery of these letters."
Get to work, folks. This is a good cause, and I know this group is full of caring people that know the commitment and honor that should be afforded to our fallen brother in arms.



UPDATE: Milblogs Linking Here
Euphoric Reality
Exile in Portales
You Betcha I'm a Proud Army Mom
Soldiers' Angels - New York
Big Dog's Weblog
Cao's Blog
And THAT is MY Opinion
A Lady's Ruminations
Gribbit's Word
Conservative Insurgent
Ms. Underestimated
Iraq War Today
Landrys Life
Yikes!
A Rose By Any Other Name
Sparks From the Anvil
Blackfive
Right Truth
Conservative Cogitation
WhenEvilProspers
No End But Victory
In Training
Milblogging.com
Knowledge is Power
Blonde Sagacity
Hick Politics


Stay Tuned to ...

Tuesday, February 28, 2006


Get the Good GWOT Gems!

Do you find that you just don't have the time to get to all those Milblogs out there? Does it seem like after you've read one, it's time to take out the garbage, or get the kids to bed, or GET OUT OF YOUR JAMMIES!!! And, once you've taken the time to read a few, and all you get is smack down and venting and rhetoric that'll give you curls like Lucy's?

Wanna just get to those blogs giving you the good news from the sandbox? Once in a while, do ya have a hankerin' to read a few great stories without all the 'tude?

Then ya wanna click on over to Phil of Camp Katrina fame's new site, MilTracker.com! He's taken the time to reach out to those bloggers that have the good stories, he compiles them into a quick list for us all, and gives ya the meat without all those annoying turnips!

I go there every day now. Hope you find what you are looking for there, as I do!


Stay Tuned to ...


Tornado Warning in California?

Just read, and heard, there is a tornado warning in Northern California. Near Travis AFB, in Solano County, they predict a tornado to hit around Suisun City (say it as Sih-soon City).

Take care everyone, and be safe!


Stay Tuned to ...



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