Military Monday – We Have Contact Again!

Well, after a month of no contact I finally received a email from Cpl Honda. Yes, it is Cpl Honda. He was promoted on Feb 1! He said he feels like he can get on with his career now. Career is an important word because depending on the day you ask he would say he might want out or he might stay in. I’m sure other military families reading this will agree with that statement.

He also said they are making their way back to this side of the world and that makes this mommie very happy! There is nothing better than homecoming! I have only been to one and that was for my nephew, Sgt. Red. You literally can feel the happiness and excitement in the air.

So I guess I can start thinking about what I need to get done. Here’s hoping the deployment gremlins will leave me alone. So far, so good. Knock on wood. I think threatening to unleash the cat on them may have worked.

So, yes I will start the thinking!

Military Monday – Reenlistment

Today’s Military Monday is taking on a more personal note as it should because my son, Lcpl Honda reenlisted for another four years into the US Marine Corps!. He stood on the flight deck of the ship on which he is current deployed and to the oath and once again pledge to honor and defend his country.

This is important because not only are they willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us and their country, they also make many other sacrifices on a daily basis. From having to share living space with other people and be stationed away from family members for most of their service time.

Sometimes they are not also able to come home for holidays or special events. Cinderella will get married in two weeks and LCpl Honda will still be floating around the ocean somewhere. His cover and gloves will be gracing a pew in the church to honor his place in our family, but that is not the same.

Military families make these sacrifices too! Millions of mothers have lived through deployment. Even though LCpl Honda is not in a combat situation, it is still hard none the less. Also wives and children have to miss having their husbands and fathers, not to mention they have to live like single mothers for months on end.

So, yes these men and women should be commended for reenlisting and committing more time to the service of our country.

Thank You LCpl Honda. Your family is proud of you. You country is proud of you.

Military Monday – The 12 Days of Christmas

I found this story on Foxnews.com. Starting on December 8 this showcases 12 ideas for giving this Christmas season. Many involve the troops, their families, wounded warriors and veterans. I know I am a little late, but better late than never.

Day 12. Send a video message to the troops.

Ed Deet, owner of Video View Productions started this service for a friend who wanted to send a video to a buddy serving in Iraq. Go here to send a video.

Day 11. Offer comfort and support to families of fallen military.

TAPS, Tragedy assistance Program for Survivors helps families after the loss of their military loved one. Go here to find out how to donate to TAPS.

Day 10. Helping care for military wounded in battle.

Wounded Warriors Project help the wounded military with rehabilitation. The foundation helps military learn to ski amoung other things. Visit Wounded Warriors to help troops with rehabilitation.

Day 9.  Help build a home for a military member wounded in combat.

Homes for Troops is a relatively new charity that build “compatible homes” for wounded troops. It is important for a soldier with disabilities to have a home that will make life easier. To find out how you can help go here.

Day 8. Help build goodwill between troops and Iraqis.

Spirit of American give tools, books and cameras to the troop to help build goodwill and relationships with the Iraqi people. Visit Spirit of America to see how you can donate.

Day 7. Purchase two books that benefit cancer research.

“Why I Wore Lipstick” was written by Geralyn Lucas to share her story about surviving cancer.

“Robert’s Snow” was written by Grace Lin for her husband, Robert Mercer after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Day 6. Buy presents with a purpose.

Go to Presents with a Purpose and buy gifts that donate 25% of the sales to the charity that the customer can pick. This organization has donated over $40,000 to charities.

Day 5. Support women rebuilding their lives in war torn countries.

Women for Women helps women overcome the devastating effects of was by giving them tools to allow them to make a difference in their lives and their communities.

Day 4. Help families of fallen troops.

Jonathan Durand, a freelance artist from Michigan has designed a print called “Home of the Free,” as tribute to our soldiers in Iraq. He’s donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his print to military families who’ve had their loved ones killed or wounded in Iraq.

To order send $10.00 plus $3.00 for shipping to following address:

Home of the Brave LLC.
P.O. Box 12
Clawson, MI 48017

Day 3. Give gift baskets to seniors and disabled children.

Volunteers of America assembled hundreds of gift baskets for homebound seniors in the Denver area.

Replay for Kids collects toys and then repair and adapt toys for children with disabilities in Northeast Ohio.

Volunteers of America
2660 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205
For more information, call (303) 297-0408
http://www.voacolorado.org/

RePlay for Kids
600 W. Sturbridge Drive
Medina, OH 44256
For more information, call (866) 973-7529
http://www.replayforkids.org/

Day 2. Keep our deployed troops connected with their families at home.

Connecting Our Troops Campaign send phone cards to U.S. troops overseas.

To donate to the Connecting Our Troops Campaign — send checks payable to AT&T to the following address:

WNY AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation
295 Main Street, Room 832
Ellicott Square Building
Buffalo, NY 14203

For more information, call 716-852-0375.

Day 1.

Send care packages to the troops overseas.

There is nothing better than receiving a package from home. I know because I just spoke to my deployed son and he was thrilled to get his Christmas package, Here is a list of organization that send care packages to our troops.

Packed with Pride

Operation Gratitude

Homefront Hugs

Operation AC

Operation Sandbox

Like I said before not everything listed here is for troops but helping cancer victims (I know as my granddaughter, Butterfly survived cancer) or helping seniors, (my parents are seniors) I believe giving is part of the Christmas season. When you give, you receive so much in return.

Merry Christmas!

Military Family Month

I missed Military Monday because sometimes life just gets in the way. Along with ‘Dancing with the Stars’. 😉

I just read where President Obama has proclaimed November Military Family Month. Funny I first heard about this on Twitter from a military supporter. Seems this should have been on the news. Maybe it was and I just missed it. Anyway this should have been done a long time ago. I have found that a lot of people with military family members do not understand the scarifice of the family members. Even LCpl Honda has said he believes military life is harder on family members than the one actually serving. So read this procalamtion and while you are thanking a member of the miltary remember to thank their family members too.

“No one pays a higher price for our freedom than members of our Nation’s military and their families. As sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers are deployed, military families endure with exceptional resilience and courage. They provide our troops with invaluable encouragement and love, and serve our Nation in their own right. During Military Family Month, we honor the families of our Armed Forces and thank them for their dedication to our country.

“Though only a small percentage of our Nation’s population, our troops bear the great responsibility of protecting our people. They, along with their families, serve us every day with courage and dignity. Ensuring that military families receive the respect they deserve and the support they have earned is a top priority for my Administration.

“The strength of our Nation is measured not just by our success on the battlefield, but also by our ability to support those families who have made so many sacrifices for us. Time and again, military families have shown their heart in the face of adversity. We have a solemn obligation to ensure that while our men and women in uniform discharge their duties, we do all we can to promote and preserve the well-being of their families. We must also support the families of our wounded warriors and our fallen heroes who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.

“This month, we celebrate the tremendous contributions of military families, convey to them our deepest respect and appreciation, and recommit ourselves to their support.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as Military Family Month. I call on all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our Nation.”

Military Monday – Touring the USS Bonhomme Richard

I found this video of the USS Bonhomme Richard during Fleet Week in San Francisco 2008. It is quite long but it gives a good tour of the ship.

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.

Military Monday – Video New Marine Ad

I talked about the new Marine ad campaign in Friday’s post. The commercial is out and feel free to watch it Our.Marines.com. I tried to embed it but Woodpress just will not cooperate today.

Military Monday – Great Idea for 9/11

I wish I could take credit for this idea but I am happy to pass it on. I actually received this in an email and thought it would be a great Military Monday post.

We have about two weeks and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America.

If you send this in an email, blog or twitter to least 11 people and each of those people do the same … you get the idea.

 THE PROGRAM:

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country’s worst tragedies. We do this to honor  those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn’t take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds

 Action Plan:

 So, here’s what we need you to do .

 (1) Send this in an email, blog or Twitter about this program to everyone you know. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

 (2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don’t, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America!

 

Military Monday – LCpl Honda at Sea.

Here is a pic of LCpl Honda working on the flight deck in Combat Cargo. He is the one one the right. The Marines are moving a net that is used to transport cargo, food and other supplies from the the cargo ships and between the Navy ships. Combat Cargo also aids in assisting visitors or military personnel arriving and departing from the ship. It does not matter how high up in rank the visitor may be. Combat Cargo personnel is in charge on the flight deck.

LCpl Honda will be home on leave this weekend and then will deploy in Sept. It is going to be a long 7 months. He will however get to visit quite a few ports in many countries. Anyway, here he is:

 

God Bless our Troops. Happy Military Monday!

Military Monday – USS New York

The USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship, designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

It was christened by Dotty England, the wife of Associate Press Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Northrop Grumman shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, Louisiana to cast the ship’s bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, “Those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,” recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. “It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.” said Capt. Wensing.

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the “hair on my neck stood up.” “It had a big meaning to it for all of us,’” he said. “They knocked us down. They cannot keep us down. We’re going to be back.”

The ship’s motto?
‘Never Forget’

 To read more about the USS New York go here.