If you agree, copy and and send off to the Honorable Gwen Moore

AN OPEN LETTER TO SENATOR MOORE, OUR BAY VIEW SENATOR.

IF YOU AGREE WITH IT, SEND HER A COPY WITH YOUR INFORMATION AND SIGNATURE. THANKS FOR HELPING.

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

For mailing of packages to the troops please refer to the below opportunity:

Care packages are being mailed by Mission Harvest America, Inc. MHA has networked with our FLWG and SER Military Support Project for the past ten years. Combined with what they do and the effort from our CAP personnel over 59,800 care packages have been sent to deployed troops.

If you would like to assist you can do the following:

a. Send cards made out to "A serviceman or A servicewoman" and mail to MHA at the address below. The cards will be included in packages sent to the troops.

b. Provide SAM's, BJ or Walmart gift cards so that items can be purchased from those sources for items to be included in the package. The primary items will be snacks and goodies for the holidays.

c. Provide names of your family, friends or those who know who are deployed so MHA can mail a Holiday Package to them.

d.. Donate funds to help defray the cost of preparing and mailing a package to a deployed service person. The postage per package is $9.95 Flat Rate Priority Mail. The contents average cost is $15.00. Each package is designed for ten troops to share.

Mission Harvest America, Inc.
69 Copeland Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

Donations to MHA will receive a tax deductible receipt. Credit card donations can be made by calling 904-356-9006 and stating you wish to make a credit card donation to support the troops. Mastercard, Visa and Discover accepted.

For more information or to assist in this project please email missionharvest@att.net.

Remember, it is okay to say "Merry Christmas!"

Please pass this message along. Thanks.

True Red and Blue:

Since the 2000 presidential election, the media has distinguished Americans by color, through election maps depicting red states as Republican and blue states as Democrat. With the passing of the 2008 election and America's economic challenges, now is a great time to remember what those colors really represent. From day one, our veterans have fought for both colors. In 1776 the Continental Congress defined red as "hardiness and valor" and blue as "vigilance, perseverance and justice." Hardiness means stamina-perseverance on steroids.

 That is exactly what Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee displayed during the war's biggest battle in Ramadi, Iraq, on Aug. 2, 2006. After a two-hour firefight the SEALs faced their greatest endurance challenge: a buddy was down. Deciding he had not yet begun to fight, Mr. Lee singlehandedly stood up and shot more than 100 rounds of ammunition so team members could rescue the wounded SEAL from a rooftop. "Three times that day Marc stood in the direct line of fire to defend his buddies, for you, for me, for this nation. Marc was a young man who selflessly gave his life because he valued others' lives more important than his own," proud mom Debbie Lee declared. Mr. Lee's unwillingness to give up against such red-hot odds embodies the spirit of America's first Naval hero - a revolutionary "Navy SEAL" 

Jane Hampton Cook is the author of Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War.

Patriotism - what's it all about?

Everyone has their own definition of what Patriotism is to them. Below are a few thought from several noteworthy Americans:

"I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home" - Henry James

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America" - Bill Clinton

"I believe with all my heart that America remains 'the great idea' that inspires the world . . . It is a gift to raise your family here, to vote here and to live here." - Arnold Schwarzengger

Have a great week!

"Boots"

Unless our Congress acts within the next 14 days, MEDICARE and TRICARE payments to doctors will be cut by 10.6% in July of 2008. If that comes to pass your access to health care will be much reduced because more doctors will stop seeing MEDICARE and TRICARE patients.

In addition to cutting payments to doctors, hundreds of thousands of MEDICARE patients will lose coverage for their physical, speech, or occupational therapy unless Congress fixes the MEDICARE law within the next two weeks.

Cut and paste the below letter and send it to your Congress person. Thanks for your help in this matter. These changes will have an effect on medical care for everyone.

 I urge you to do all within your power to assure Congress acts quickly to reverse the 10.6% cut in MEDICARE and TRICARE payments scheduled for July 1.  The cut will only cause more doctors to turn away elderly and military patients.  Some doctors have already stated their intentions to do so.

If not corrected in the next two weeks, current law also will terminate speech, physical and vocational therapy coverage for hundreds of thousands of MEDICARE beneficiaries.

Finding TRICARE providers is already a major problem for retirees, survivors, and Guard and Reserve families who don't live near military installations.      

Please do all you can to ensure Congress replaces the MEDICARE/TRICARE rate cuts and sustains MEDICARE therapy coverage.  Without stability in the program, our military families and retirees' care is in jeopardy.

Respectfully,

.

You are however advised to seek legal guidance and advice from your search attorney who is presently in Europe searching for other next of kin. He could facilitate your payment by providing all necessary documents as required. Mr.Louis Manches can be reached at (Link deleted).

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO VIEW THIS GREAT MESSAGE

Ever wonder how to say thank you when you see a military person in uniform?  See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing by.

The Gratitude Campaign

President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WWII. It is not.

Back then, they had just come out of a vicious depression. The country was steeled by the hardship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was the people's duty to back those leaders.

Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war was going badly or not.

And war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today. Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter. The people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty. Americans put aside their differences in WWII and worked together to win that war.

Everyone from every strata of society, from young to old pitched in. Small children pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort. Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to help the effort.

Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military. Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was imposed, yet there was very little complaining.

You never heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President.

Interestingly enough in those days there were no fat cat actors and entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries and complain to them about our President. Instead, they made upbeat films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even enlisted.

And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of Allegiance, and with prayers for our country and our troops!

Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage. No newspaper would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies.

A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning.

There were a lot of things different back then. We were not subjected to a constant bombardment of pornography, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio. We did not have legions of crack heads, dope pushers and armed gangs roaming our streets.

No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers. He believed that this was still the country that our fathers fought so dearly to preserve.

It is not the same country. It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorra and the land of Oz. We did unite for a short while after 9/11, but our attitude changed when we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.

We are in great danger. The terrorists are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty, to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. It has been estimated that about one third or over three hundred million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause... Hitler and Tojo combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits. So... We either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing.

America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall.

This is  from : "You ain't gonna like losing." Author unknown.

I urge you write your legislator to cosponsor S 2874, the Hubbard Act, introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein on April 16.  This legislation is important to our Armed Forces and to their families.

As a matter of background, this bill was created due to the tragic experience of the Hubbard family. In November 2004, 22 year-old Jared Hubbard lost his life while on patrol in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded. Six months later, Nathan and Jason Hubbard, his only two brothers,  enlisted together—in honor of their fallen brother.

In August 2007, returning from a scouting mission south of Kirkuk, Iraq, the Blackhawk helicopter carrying Nathan Hubbard and 13 other soldiers crashed. Jason Hubbard, who served in the same Army platoon, was in another helicopter when his brother went down and helped secure the crash site. Upon his brother’s passing, Jason was immediately redeployed stateside and was offered a “sole survivor” discharge.

However, after returning from Iraq and being discharged, he was asked to repay significant portions of his enlistment bonus, was denied transition healthcare, and told he would no longer  participate in the GI Bill program, even though he had paid into the system. Clearly, this is an oversight in the law that must be rectified.

Currently, there are no standard benefits available to those who separate from the Armed Forces under the “sole survivor” policy, whether or not their service obligation was completed. This legislation would provide to those who voluntarily separate under “sole survivorship” the same benefits provided to those who involuntarily, honorably separate from the military.

Specifically, S 2874 would authorize a service member, enlisted or officer, who voluntarily separates under sole survivorship, the following (even if they have not fulfilled their military commitment) provisions which are retroactive to 9/11/2001:
• Waive the requirement to repay any portion of their enlistment bonus;
• Authorize participation in the Montgomery GI Bill educational program so long as they initially participated in the program;
• Authorize full separation pay based on actual time served;
• Authorize use of the Commissary, Base Exchange, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for 2 years;
• Authorize entitlement to the Veterans Home Loan Guarantee program;

The following provisions are not retroactive to 9/11/2001:
• Authorize transitional healthcare coverage for 120 days;
• Authorize Veterans' Preference in Government Employment -- if applicable when applying for a government position;
• Authorize Unemployment Compensation;
• Authorize Veterans Employment and Training through the Department of Labor.

I consider S 2874 to be in the best interest of our soldiers and their families who share in the hardship of service to this nation with honor and focused resolve. In these cases of sole survivorship, these men and women have sacrificed and given up more than anyone could ever ask of them and they deserve more than what they are currently offered.

info obtained from USDR web page

With the difficulty in obtaining good recruits, the high costs and long lead times of training them, I strongly urge urge you write your Congress person to co-sponsor HR 5868, the Martin-Dodson Act, submitted by Rep. Steve Pearce, on April 22.

Where the DoD currently discharges or retirees those with disabilities, HR 5868 would permit active duty regulars and active status reservists to with combat-related disabilities to elect retention rather than separation or retirement.  They would have the further option of transfer to non-combat related specialties. 

Be aware that some Iraq amputees have been retained on active duty and have been assigned to Iraq combat units, but as I recall they were highly decorated and retained as an exception to policy.  By defining a broader spectrum, i.e., “combat related” as defined by 10 USC 1413a, HR 5868 would open the door for retention of those who can still be productive in less strenuous duties than required by direct combat or field duty. 

Such retention is a cost effective win-win proposition as it retains a trained soldier on active duty (active status if a reservist) and thereby gives many otherwise well qualified members a way to continue to productive members of the Armed Services and continue to service their country.

Take a moment and write your Congress person and urge them to support HR 5888.

Info obtained from USDR web page. 

Marine Corporal Richard J Nelson 

 Marine Lance Corporal Dean D Opicka

2 Marines killed, 1 wounded in Iraq bombing

The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE — Two Wisconsin Marines were killed and a third wounded in Iraq on Monday, April 14, 2008. All three belonged to Milwaukee-based Fox Company.

Staff Sgt. Cliff Turley, public affairs officer for the Marine Reserve unit, said a single roadside bomb killed 23-year-old Cpl. Richard Nelson of Kenosha and 29-year-old Lance Cpl. Dean Opicka, a Casco native and graduate of Carroll College in Waukesha. The Pentagon listed Opicka’s address as Waukesha.

Turley said the explosion also wounded 21-year-old Lance Cpl. David Doyle of Racine, but Doyle was expected to stay in Iraq and return to duty.

The deaths were the first during Fox Company’s second tour in Iraq. Five members were killed during a deployment in 2004-2005.

Nelson’s mother, Susan Nelson, said she was informed that her son was killed by an improvised bomb in Anbar province, and military officials offered no other details.

He was the second youngest of her seven children, she said. Survivors include five brothers and a sister.

He served in Iraq before but had gotten married a year ago Monday and wasn’t looking forward to going back for this tour, his mother said.

“He knew what was waiting for him there,” she said.

Nelson loved to hunt and fish and watch Green Bay Packer games, she said. He idolized Packers quarterback Brett Favre and even called home the day Favre retired last month.

“He told me, ‘Mom, tell me the news isn’t true. Tell me Brett Favre hasn’t retired.’ He wanted to hold onto the memories he left.”

He and his wife, Kristen, planned to start their own family when he got home, Susan Nelson said. He also planned to go to college and become an elementary school teacher.

“He just loved kids,” she said.

The last time they’d seen him in person was Christmas, when the whole family was together, she said. Her husband, Lennie, a Vietnam veteran, was taking the news of his son’s death “terrible,” she said.

But she wasn’t angry with President Bush, insisting Bush doesn’t want to see men die and the public doesn’t have all the information about what’s going on in Iraq.

“When you send a child off to war ... things happen,” she said. “Nothing goes by God without him giving permission. I believe something good is going to come from it. I don’t know what that is yet, but my husband and I have faith. I’ll understand it someday, just not now.”

Opicka graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School in 1997 and is the third graduate of the school to die in the Iraq war. He played quarterback for the football team and point guard for the basketball team.

At Carroll College, he played baseball and graduated in May 2002 with a double major in psychology and history, said college spokeswoman Claire Beglinger.

He later returned to Carroll, completing a teaching certification in spring of 2005, and taught in the Milwaukee area before being deployed to Iraq.

Steve Okoniewski, principal at Luxemburg-Casco, said he met with Opicka before his deployment and the two discussed the possibility of his teaching at his old high school.

“He got called up and knew he wouldn’t be back until August,” Okoniewski said. “I would have loved to have had him back. Then his dad told me that he wouldn’t be back until November.”

Eighty-eight members of the military from Wisconsin have died in the Iraq war.

Info obtained from the USDR Web Page Information.

Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Frost, 24, of Waukesha, Wis., died March 3 near Bayji, Iraq in a crash of an Iraqi Army Mi-17 helicopter. He was assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

Why would you vote for Barack Obama when he won't salute the American flag? The flag of the country he wants to run!

Mind boggling - WAKE UP AMERICA!

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2:29 am - February 20, 2008

I appreciate the comments and emails made by each person who took the time to express themselves concerning the statement made about Senator Obama.

I suppose like responses from those supporting Senator McCain would be given if I had written Why support McCain he is too old. Or how about this one, Why support Monica Lewinsky’s boyfriends wife.

All are general statements made to invoke reaction(s) and many of you reacted in a rather predictable fashion.  I, for one, was glad to see people rally to support their candidate. It showed compassion for that which you as individuals believe in. It showed that you as Americans are entitled to your opinions and was willing to go out on a limb and publically state how you felt about the generalized statement.

Stand up, be heard, and vote. That is the real issue. I am proud to be an American and to be able vote for the candidate of my choice.  Aren’t you?

To ALL Veterans - It has come to my attention that there is a phone scam that is targeting veterans.  The caller will ask you to join the Patriot Guard, and tell you there are “membership fees" involved. 

The caller will say something about the Patriot Guard having "over 7000 members" nationwide, which is obviously untrue.  DO NOT give out ANY personal information or credit card numbers.

THIS IS A SCAM!!!   PLEASE, if you receive such a call, call  John Curran at (608) 935-3231, and he will gather information for local authorities, as well as the Better Business Bureau, to try to put a stop to this scam.

Please pass on this informnation to your friends.

Jim was in his early 50s, retired from the Marine Corps, and started a second career. However, he just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day, 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, real sharp, so his boss was in a quandary about how to deal with it.

Finally, one day the boss called him into the office for a talk. "Jerry, I have to tell you, I like your work  ethic, you do a bang-up job, but you're being late so often is quite bothersome."

"Yes, I know, boss," said Jim, "and I'm working on it."

"Well, good. You're a team player; that's what I like to  see. It's odd, though. You're always coming in late. I  know you're retired from the Marine Corps. What'd they say  when you came in late there?"

"They said, 'Good mornin', General.'"

The men and women of this organization have joined together to support all veterans. Consider joining the Patriot Guard Riders. For more information please read on . . .