Valour IT is still ongoing and Team Army still needs your help to kick some serious a*** . From Blackfive some 'motivational' posters:
USAF Nancies in the crosshairs
There are more of these, and you can find them at B5 here. When you get through laughing, you know what to do...
And just to prove that Team Army is equal opportunity, how about this video of Marines (H/T Matt Burden, Team Army leader):
All joking aside, our wounded from ALL branches of our military benefit from every dime (in any currency..lol) donated to the Valour-IT programme. Even if you donate to Team Army (is there any other team????????) these special laptops are given to ANY wounded hero. You know what to do...
Brides Across America was born on a realization that our country needs to do more to support our troops and their families.
After reading an article on NPR about how the troops in Afhganistan feel forgotten, it was time to do our part and give our support.
Bringing bridal and military together is a marriage made in heaven! Bridal salons are uniting across America to donate and giving away wedding gowns to qualified military brides. The wedding industry is making a difference and giving brides to be the opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams as well as aleviate some of the financial stess of purchasing a wedding gown.
Each store will be preparing a select number of gown to give away. Most othe gowns are samples and overstocks and are worth approximately $500 to $3000. Dresses range in sizes from 4-22 and will be given away on a first-come, first serve basis as long as you qualify.
Brides Across America is dedicated to make military brides dreams come true while, anxiously waiting the arrival of thier loved one from overseas. You too can make a difference by sending in a donation to support Homes For Our Troops.
For more information email us at info@bridesacrossamerica.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More Free Gowns to Military Brides
In honor of Veteran’s Day, Brides Across America will be giving away free wedding gowns to military brides-to-be Nationwide—
News 10-21-2009, Brides Across America, a nationwide charity dedicated to providing free wedding gowns for military brides, announced today that their bridal store partners will be giving away free designer wedding gowns on November 11, 2009.
Bridal salons across the country are pleased to reward the military personnel who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or whose fiancé’s are on active duty in these areas with this special Veteran’s Day event. Wedding gown manufacturers and designers including Impression Bridal, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, and many more are donating sample wedding gowns to Brides Across America.
“With the economy at its lowest and military couples are struggling to afford a wedding, it is important that we come together to show our appreciation for their brave service and commitment to our country.” “Every little bit helps”, said Heidi Janson, founder of Brides Across America. “Many soldiers come back injured and take severe pay cuts. It makes it very difficult to make ends meet not to mention have a dream wedding. The least we can do is to help them have a magical day!” she said.
Brides Across America and its partners have given over 1500 wedding gowns nationwide since its inception and are striving to double that figure by the end of the year.
To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military, or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place. Each event has limited amounts of gowns and the event is on a first come first serve basis.
No schools without security. This is such a simple concept, yet many times I have had discussions with people who are vehemently opposed to any of our troops being in Iraq or Afghanistan. Canada's troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan in 2011, but now I hear the Prime Minister qualifying that with : "the combat role of Canadian troops will be over in 2011. There will still be Canadian troops there, in supportive roles," or some bafflegab like that. Politics at its not so finest.
Those who scream the loudest that Canada is a peace-keeping nation seem to miss the part of the scenario that in order to have peace, the brutal regimes have to be eradicated first. Impossible to build schools, etc when the bullying neanderthals are adamantly opposed to education for girls, micro businesses for the locals, hospitals, roads, running water etc etc - twenty-first century basics that you and I take for granted.
As always, a military man gets to the heart of the matter. As always, one of our warriors eloquently sets out the faulty logic of the simpleton, "no war" folks, who only see as far as building the schools, whilst ignoring the marauding thugs who kill routinely to try and stop the tangible progress being made for the locals.
Do you ever sit back in amazement at how short-sighted some people can be. How they can make a fluid and seamless argument with even the most illogical information. I know I should be surprised, but I'm just not anymore.
Today in the New York Times, Nicholas D Kristof discussed his column from yesterday, "More Schools, Not Troops." He is idealistic in his Op-Ed and unfortunately just plain wrong. While no-one argues that building schools is a bad thing, and very honestly is an imperative along with other parts of development, you can not build critical infastructure without security.
He builds his arguement around this point:
The hawks respond: It’s naïve to think that you can sprinkle a bit of education on a war-torn society. It’s impossible to build schools now because the Taliban will blow them up.
In fact, it’s still quite possible to operate schools in Afghanistan — particularly when there’s a strong “buy-in” from the local community.
Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea,” has now built 39 schools in Afghanistan and 92 in Pakistan — and not one has been burned down or closed. The aid organization CARE has 295 schools educating 50,000 girls in Afghanistan, and not a single one has been closed or burned by the Taliban. The Afghan Institute of Learning, another aid group, has 32 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with none closed by the Taliban (although local communities have temporarily suspended three for security reasons).
Very simply, you're wrong Nicholas. First off, sometimes the Taliban do not attack the school directly. Sometimes they just drive by the girls going to school and throw acid upon them; or beat them and rape them. All for the price of trying to go to school. ...
"More schools, Not Troops" is not only idealistic, it is dangerously naive. All well and good for sheltered op/ed writers to prove how clueless they are, but it is the local people in these ravaged lands who know the idiocy of such pronoucements. Men like Major C know the truth, because they have been there, done that.
As you will see, I wrote this a while back, but this week I have had more than a few reasons to revisit this particular "f" word.. Seemed a good time to share it here. Read on:
The other week I came home to hear those words sung on my answering machine; yes, to the tune of “Tommy” by The Who. It made me smile – I take it as a point of pride that the bratchild knows that song. Means I did a great job raising her in my humble opinion. (And no, you really haven’t lived until you have seen The Who perform Tommy live – which I have!)
A few days later, when I was at the beach, I heard a young eagle calling to HER mother. As I listened, I noticed in a tall tree further back from the beach, within clear view of baby, mummy was sitting majestically, watching, attentive.
Days on from that, a friend called me. She told me how she had driven, in the dark, to a neighbourhood she was unfamiliar with, because she had to get to a family member immediately.
These three incidents reminded me about the importance of faith. Yep – that’s the ‘f’ word the title refers to. (You surely weren’t thinking I meant the infamous four letter ‘f’ word were you? Gasp!)
Faith. Such a simple word, such a simple concept, but how many of us forget to have faith. For me, my faith keeps me going when the road gets rocky. I have seen, had proved, that by hanging on to my faith, I CAN get through anything.
When bratchild left that message on my machine, she absolutely knew, that even though she couldn’t see me, I would hear her. Without ever having to discuss it, she has absolute faith.
The baby eagle calling to her mummy. She may not have seen her mother on the other tree, but she KNEW that mum was close by. Mum was sitting silently, but the baby eagle knew, as did I, that mum would soar into action if she felt that’s what was required.
The friend driving unfamiliar streets in the dark. I had talked to her prior to that trip and she had told me that she was fearful that she would not arrive in time. (In time for what doesn’t matter here. She knows and I know, her family knows and yes, God surely knows.) She made the trip, her faith in a higher power at work overriding her fear of the unknown streets. She did get there in time, of course (g), and we talked when she returned home, about how her faith had propelled her on.
Faith really CAN move mountains. For me, my faith in my God means I do things that, in my pre-faith days, I would never have considered. My faith assures me, that no matter where I go, what I do, everything will fall into place, as it is meant to. Just as with bratchild, the baby eagle and my friend, faith is a knowing, even when we cannot see the bigger picture.
Do I stumble, lose faith in myself? You know I do. Is part of being human. But, I get back on track, and re-focus on my journey. (And yes – ‘focus’ is another ‘f’ word. More on that one another time!) My faith gets me over any roadblock; reminds me, as I pick myself up, dust myself off, that every challenge is part of my life plan; a life plan that will ALWAYS succeed, even if I, the human, am not always aware of each success.
The other day, just to press home that point? I turned on the radio and what was the first song I heard? “Have a little faith in ME”. Honest! You may have heard me howling with laughter.
U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Württemberg Command Sgt. Maj. Annette R. Weber congratulates retired Staff Sgt. Alfred Pankey Jr. for his service after he was presented the Bronze Star with Valor during the annual U.S. Army Europe and USAG Heidelberg (Germany) Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 17.
Vietnam veteran receives Bronze Star for Valor for actions in 1967
HEIDELBERG, Germany -- A Vietnam veteran was honored for his valor in combat with the presentation of a Bronze Star medal at Heidelberg's Retiree Appreciation Day on Patrick Henry Village, Oct. 17.
Retired Staff Sgt. Alfred Pankey Jr., a former U.S. Army Europe cavalry scout, was formally recognized for the courage and leadership he displayed during a four-hour firefight against superior North Vietnamese forces during a battle with the 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, June 19, 1967.
The 9th Infantry Division originally cut orders in August 1967 for a Bronze Star for Valor recognizing Pankey for his bravery, however, he did not receive the decoration until July 2009.
Brig. Gen. Allen W. Batschelet, USAREUR deputy chief of staff for operations, presented the award in front of a room full of retirees, family members and current Soldiers gathered at the Village Pavilion for the services available at the annual event for retirees.
"Even though it was a long time in coming, I feel like I have earned it," Pankey said. The 3/11th ACR annual historical summary reported at about 1 a.m. on June 19, 1967 the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 274th Viet Cong Regiment, reinforced by their regimental heavy weapons company and the 5th Viet Cong Division anti-aircraft weapons company, attacked 3rd Squadron's perimeter along Highway 2 near the Cambodian border.
According to the 3/11th's report, the squadron "was attacked from three sides and subjected to an intense volume of fire. Team K and Headquarters Troop, who were manning the perimeter, reacted quickly and laid down a heavy volume of suppressive fire."
The 9th Infantry Division's award citation published Aug. 24, 1967, said the enemy attacked furiously and without warning.
"Sergeant Pankey and his fellow Soldiers were subjected to mortars, rockets, recoilless rifles, automatic weapons and small-arms fires from an estimated battalion of Viet Cong," the orders read. Exposing himself to the enemy, Pankey directed his platoon's fire and helped evacuate wounded Soldiers from the firefight.
Pankey's platoon leader and sergeant were mortally wounded during the onslaught. Realizing the situation had become critical, Pankey rallied his men and maneuvered them to strengthen a vital sector of the perimeter, the award orders said.
"Charlie was following us for 28 solid days," Pankey remembered. "All of a sudden, he started opening up with everything you could name .... He was coming in from all directions."..
There is much more to this amazing story of heroism, and you can find that here.
You most certainly did earn this medal, Staff Sgt. THANK YOU for your service.
This video is one of my all time favourites. As we lose so many heroes in the coalition countries this last little while, this song returned to my heart..Today, and every day, I honour all our fallen heroes and their precious families.
...Yeah when I get where I'm going, there'll be only happy tears. I will shed the sins and struggles, I have carried all these years. And I'll leave my heart wide open, I will love and have no fear. Yeah when I get where I'm going, Don't cry for me down here....
(The emphasis is mine, and it is for Keith, also a hero - over there on my sidebar - and all who love him.)
