Waiting for the Light Again

I wrote a post a while back about waiting for my cell phone light to flash. When it flashes I know I have email. That is my primary communication with my son, Cpl Honda. The last email was January 5. Yea, one month today. Sigh.

I am calling him Cpl Honda because he was supposed to be promoted on Feb 1, but I do not know for sure. I could not find any pictures of promotion ceremonies anywhere, so I will have to wait. Again.

I did read where the cast and director of Avatar visited the ship. Very exciting for them I am sure!. I have not seen it yet, but I saw a preview and it looks quite spectacular! I like to see Hollywood supporting our military. I know there are quite a few that do such as Gary Sinise, Kid Rock and Dennis Miller to name a few.

Reminder. Don’t forget to check juliannahbydesign for my upcoming giveaway.

Any who, I guess I will just sit here and stare down my cell phone while singing, This little light of mine…

Military Monday – Make a Difference Day

On October 24 will be Make a Difference Day. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox with devote the whole week to airing messages about volunteering. USA Weekend Magazine and The Entertainment Industry Foundation are also working together get the message out about Make a Difference Day.

Everyone can participate. For example, I am a member of the Patriot Guard. We stand for those who have stood for us and given the ultimate sacrifice. We also go to military send offs and welcome home those military members who have been deployed. Sometimes it is very hard to go to funerals, but it means so much to family members to know that people appreciate the sacrifice of their loved one.

Gary Sinise is just one entertainer that I admire. He works tirelessly for the USO. He has been to Iraq four times and Afghanistan once entertaining the troops with his Lt. Dan Band. He also visits wounded troops and will return to Afghanistan over the Thanksgiving holiday. Gary Sinise does not have to do this. He wants to do it.

Now we cannot all do what Gary Sinise does but there are many ways to help. Sending a care package to deployed troops is very easy and much appriecated. Writing letters is another way to touch a military member serving so far away from home. Sending school supplies, toys and candy so the troops can hand these items out to the children.

Go to iparticipateusa.org to find out how you can help. You will find many other people just like Gary Sinise who have joined this cause. Be sure and watch for the messages on October 24. It only takes a little to make a big difference.

Working for our Wounded Vets – IraqStar.Org

There are so many great charities helping our wounded military. I recently heard about IraqStar.org while listening to Dennis Miller on the radio. Mr. Miller is a great supporter of our military as well as a renowned comedian and outspoken political speaker.

 The military provides replacement of missing limbs with prosthetic devices. They also perform surgery to close wounds and graft skin to replace burned flesh. The military tries hard to help our military heal and return to a normal way of life but the military is not always able to return these heroes to fully functional people.

This is where IraqStar.org comes in. This non-profit foundation dedicated to providing our wounded military from not only Iraq but Afghanistan as well, with surgeries for scarring from wounds, shrapnel and burns and they are determined to help wounded military regain their lives, pre-war wounds, and help them to have fully functional lives.

Maggie Lockridge, R.N. founded Iraq Star. She joined the United States Air Force Nurse Corps in 1966. In 1987, she became the owner and administrator of Shanteque, a recovery retreat for patients of cosmetic surgery. She has also dedicated 100% of the proceeds from the sale of her book Facelift Hotel to IraqStar.org.

On October 4, 2009 a fundraiser, A Night of Honour, will be held to benefit the IraqStar Foundation. Dr. Phil McGraw will host the all-star event with appearances by Tom Selleck, Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, and Dennis Miller along with many more. This will be a major Red Carpet event. The event also includes an auction where a custom IraqStar chopper provided by Orange County Choppers is up for auction.

To find out more please visit IraqStar.org. I am never ceased to be amazed at the generosity of the American people towards our military. As a military mom, I am always touched each time I learn of a new charity or group going the extra mile to serve those who serve us.