Valour-IT, Who's going to win this year?

Well folks it's Valour-IT time again. If you don't know about Valour-IT and how they use technology to assist our Wounded Warriors heal.... THEN GET WITH IT! To donate and keep up with who's winning check out the official Valour-IT blog at http://soldiersangels.org/fundraiser.html.

As of this post the Marines are on top!
Will they keep the lead?
Or will Army take over like last year?
Is the Navy and Air Force out of the fight?

Gratitude

I always assumed my best friend's husband tolerated me. After my best friend came back from vacation with her family I received this note from her husband.

Kris, you inspired me to do something while on vacation. While having breakfast one morning I noticed an older man and his wife sitting there. He was wearing an "army - retired" hat with unit pin and purple heart pin, obviously seen action. So I went up to him and thanked him for his service. He turned his hat around and showed me the POW pin. 3 years as a Korean war POW. It was incredible. So thank you Kris for helping me meet this man.

This is the sort of interaction I have every chance I get when I see anyone in a uniform, Veteran's Hat, Unit shirt, or Blue Star insignia. Knowing I've inspired others to follow my example and share the gratitude every American should feel for those who serve gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Have you ever voiced your gratitude? Was it a rewarding experience for you?

Veterans History Project

I love history, and not just the kind in the books. I love "his-story." Whenever I am around someone's grandparents I love to get them talking about their younger years. I have heard many stories about The Great Depression, World War I, World War II, and I treasure each one.  The stories of Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan are more difficult to get Veterans to share, for many reasons.  Pain, shame, and time frame being a few.  Some of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans haven't processed their own experiences, so how can they tell them? And do they want to?
I believe personal stories are a much bigger learning tool than any book. When you have someone who experienced a time first hand they give a unique story tailored to their circumstances.
Recently I had one of the most wonderful ladies in my life die. She would have been 85 in October. Almost five years ago in November there were two weeks this wonderful lady stayed with me as we waited for the birth of my second child.  During that time she shared stories with me of her childhood. Stories I will always cherish.  Speaking with her friends and family I heard more stories, not just of her life, but of her husband's life, (a man I missed the privilege of meeting) and their life together. It was then I realized their "his-stories" and the lessons in them live on in us, the people they loved.
History is important.  It is important to write it down so it may be shared with current and future generations with accuracy.  Which is why I think the Veterans History Project is important.
The Veterans History Project has been funded by Congress to collect first hand stories, correspondence, and documentation about World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korea, The Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. There is even a program for High School students to use the Veterans History Project as a Senior project before they graduate.
I think the Veterans History Project is important to us as a Nation. It can help inform the masses with first hand knowledge about what a our Veterans experienced. It can bring younger generations closer, helping to dissolve the disconnect between themselves and Veterans around them. It can be a living monument to those who came home, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It can help ensure that no one is forgotten. 
To those family members who have their parents and grandparents war memorabilia and don't know what to do with it, look into this project.
To you Veteran's out there, I encourage you to look into this project so you may tell your "his-story" your way, instead of letting someone else tell it for you. Being a Veteran automatically makes you a part of history.
Tell your story.

To learn more about the Veterans History Project please click here.

If you are interested in this project and want help, contact me. I will gladly help anyone.

Question For All You Veterans....

After chatting with Anton Sattler, the producer of the FABULOUS MUST SEE documentary Chosin (see my thoughts on Chosin here) I have decided to put together some kind of event to acknowledge the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War and those who served in it. So, I am asking all Veteran's what kind of event should it be? Is a showing of Chosin enough? Perhaps a dinner too? I would like to get as many Korean War Veterans in my area to attend. Should I do something to specifically recognize those who made it home? Have some kind of Memorial set up for those in the area who gave the ultimate sacrifice? Is there anything I should be sure NOT to do? Please give me your thoughts.