Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT

I recently got a text message from a milblogger friend that said, "You're Team Army for Project Valour-IT, Right?" He knew me being a Soldiers Angel had nothing to do with my decision to participate with Project Valour-IT, it's an amazing cause, which is the only reason I need to get involved. Any project that helps the wounded with severe physical injuries by supplying voice recognition software laptops, Wii Fit for physical therapy, and GPS units to help compensate for the effects of TBI is worth getting involved in.

My only hesitation was picking an actual team. I have friends in every branch of the military. In fact, I had to smile when that same day another blogger asked if I'd be Team Army or Team Marines.... I do love my Marines.... and my Navy Boys.... and my Air Force guys....

Because I have so much love for everyone in the military, I have decided to join all the Teams. (Truth is I couldn't pick just one Team. It would be like asking me to choose a favorite child. I can't do that.)

If you'd like more information on Project Valour-IT and, Major Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, the man who started it all while recovering from being injured by an IED, click here.
You can follow Project Valour-IT on facebook here.
You can follow Project Valour-IT on Twitter here.

You can change the life of someone who was injured fighting for YOUR FREDOM. This is the time to give back to those who have given more than you'll ever know for you. Skip a meal, shake the couch, take a collection at work.... GET INVOLVED.

Note: I was contacted by a reader who expressed concern that the United States Coast Guard is NOT being represented in the Valour-IT fundraiser. He wrote,

"I noticed USCG wasn't on there even though they do fight in Military battles, keep aliens and drugs off the streets, assist the Navy when Navy lives are at stake at sea, rescue civilians, ect. why is this?"

All of this is absolutely true, and the USCG should be represented, but as you can see by the small italicized print here, a USCG Team Leader could not be found. If you, or someone you know wants to ensure the USCG will be represented next year, please contact me. I will find the proper contact information in order to make sure ALL OUR HEROS are properly represented next year. 

Can Twitter Help Words For Warriors Succeed in Our Mission?

When a milblog friend of mine suggested Words For Warriors get on Twitter… three times I decided to check it out.  I had thought of Twitter as a teenie bopper texting waste of time. I signed up, started poking around, and wished my tiny town had a bookstore so I could get a Twitter For Morons book.  I had no clue what I was doing.

I quickly found the community very accepting and helpful when I explained my newbie status before asking a question about the meaning of an abbreviation.  The people I communicated with, Active Duty Service Members, Veteran’s, Military Supporters, and Non Profits were all very friendly, full of information and ready to help promote anything Words For Warriors. 

It was through Twitter that Shannon Evans author of The Definitive Twitter Guide contacted me regarding a Veteran issue she needed help with.  I had no idea who Shannon was at the time, or that she was an author, she was just a person I was trying to help.  When I saw a tweet about her book, I thought, “I’d like to read that.”  I contacted Shannon and the book arrived shortly after.

The Definitive Twitter Guide is an excellent book for those who need a step by step through Twitter’s inner workings and for the experienced Twitter users of businesses and non-profits.  Shannon shows how using Twitter can help businesses and non-profits grow to their full potential and flourish.

 

In a world where human contact seems to be endangered, the focus of Twitter is to actually foster human contact, support, and information on a direct personal level without having to share personal information, like a phone number.  Shannon shows several good and bad examples of businesses and non-profits that use Twitter for customer service issues, feedback, and an informational delivery system.  As Shannon points out, “In the days of print, TV, and radio, there was only one-way communication with potential customers.  There was no place to have a two-way conversation that built relationships and encouraged dialogue.”

It is the relationship building, dialogue, and forced transparency of businesses and non-profits that make Twitter unique; after all, one negative tweet about a company or brand can reach thousands in just an hour or less.

 

This fast paced information environment means information moves at the speed of light to thousands of users, The Definitive Twitter Guide shows a company or non-profit how to use Twitter to further their brand, but also how to use other free applications to make their content search engine friendly to their customers as well as trackable by their company.

The few suggestions I have implemented from The Definitive Twitter Guide have helped Words For Warriors gain valuable support from people, non-profits, and businesses around the world that we would never had access to before.  I plan on implementing more suggestions, and look forward to the lasting success of Words For Warriors in meeting our Mission.  Making sure no solider feels forgotten.

Follow Words For Warriors on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/words4warriors

You can find Shannon Evans:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/shannonevans

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pshannonevans

Email: Shannon@practicallocalsearch.com

LCPL Tyler A. Roads, A Marine To Know

“Tyler taught me how to love.”

Lance Corporal Tyler A. Roads’ mother Sonia and I settled down on the grass next to where Tyler rests.  We find ourselves picking up pine needles that continuously fall on Tyler.  His headstone is not in place yet, but there are several offerings left by loved ones.  Sonia picked up a small bunch of yellow flowers, “I wonder who left these?”  She lovingly straightens and rearranges everything until they are just right. 

After reading about Tyler’s death in Afghanistan on July 10^th, the day before he was to celebrate his 21^st birthday, my heart extended out to his family, friends, and brothers.  By the power of pure luck and the Internet, Sonia stumbled across Words For Warriors on Gold Star Mother’s Day, giving me the chance to meet her, and her son.

Prior to arriving at Tyler’s final resting place, Sonia shared pictures, childhood schoolwork, and memories with me.  Through pictures I discovered Tyler wore the same half-cocked playful grin as a boy that he wore in Afghanistan.  I can see Tyler grinning in my minds eye as Sonia tells the story of Tyler, at the age of seven begging her to shoot Doves in the back field with his Red Rider BB gun.  She finally gave in.  Her smile widened as she remember the proud look on his face when he came back with two Doves and his head held high with accomplishment.  “After that I always cooked what he brought home.  He loved to hunt.  He planned on being a Game Warden when he got out of the Marines.”

To keep Tyler’s memory alive and honor his dream the community of Burney has founded the Tyler A. Roads Memorial Scholarship Fund.  The scholarship is $1000 for a student who wants to be in law enforcement or Fish and Game Management.  US Bank is accepting donations for anyone who has the ability and desire to contribute to a Marine and his dream.

At the end of my visit Sonia and I sat in silence beside Tyler, knowing we would have to leave soon, but not wanting to go.  The scent of pine lingered in the warm air.  Sonia smiled, pointing to the Military Memorial with the flags of each branch, the POW/MIA flag, and the American Flag that was fifteen feet from Tyler.  There had been a constant breeze making each flag flap consistently; however at this moment all flags were still except the Marine Corps flag, which waved proudly at us.  It was as if Tyler was waving goodbye.

Getting to know Tyler through his mother is an honor and a privilege.  I don't feel as if I have done his memory justice here, but this is no easy post. If you knew Tyler I encourage you to leave a comment of your favorite memory of him here, or on the Lance Corporal Tyler A. Roads Memorial facebook page here. Other post on Tyler can be found here and here.

Oh and Tyler, your mom says, “ILUMTAITWWW PAMF, DON'T FORGET!!!

Operation Get Well Warriors

It is important to remember those who are currently fighting for our country, but what about when they come home? What if they are injured? What if they have months or years of rehabilitation? Does our support stop?
NO.
Our support should be unwavering throughout a Warriors life. There are hundreds of types of traumas a Warrior can come home with; PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, I.E.D and bullet associated trauma to name a few. A Warrior should NEVER FEEL FORGOTTEN and neither should a Wounded Warrior. Words For Warriors has sent Get Well cards in the past, but we have finally gotten the address to Landstuhl Reginal Medical Center in Germany with a contact to send cards too. (For those of you who don't know I believe Landstuhl is the first place the injured get transferred before coming home.)
Now that I have this address Operation Get Well Warriors can commence.  I will be accepting letters, artwork, poems, pretty much any thing you can think of to send some support and a heartfelt Get well to an injured Warrior. Make sure they know we still care. They are not forgotten.
A main concern I have heard is, "I don't know what to write." I say write what's in your heart. It's not about how much you write. It's about giving support to someone who needs it.
Children really are great for get well cards. Last year, I asked classes at Janesville Union to make me get well cards for the friends, of friends who were injured by an I.E.D. I told them to draw pictures of what makes them feel better when they are sick or hurt, and maybe it would help make the soldier feel better. I received over 200 pieces of artwork ranging from kindergarden to 6th grade. Two classes made get well stars. You can read about that post here. Two other classes made get well shamrocks. You can read that post here.
Last June, on the last day of school I knew it had been a good experience for the children when a kindergartner walked up to me and said, "I know you. You taught me how to make someone feel better by making them a card."
If a 5 year old can understand the importance of a get well card, then so should you. Please get involved.
If email is your media of choice, then email me your written message of support to wordsforwarriors@gmail.com It will be printed out and mailed. Please Reference Operation Get Well Warriors in the subject line.
Please mail artwork and letters to P.O. Box 734, Janesville, Ca. 96114

This is a fantastic opportunity for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, schools, scrapbook clubs, and any other community supporting organization for adults and children. If you know of an organization you think would benefit from participating, please pass along their contact information. I will gratefully contact them.

 

Honored, Respected and Celebrated.

I am ashamed to admit, I was once plagued by the apathy I am working so hard to eradicate around me. I once walked blind in a world of abundance with no thought to those who have been fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq these past ten years.
Reconnecting with a lost friend who had just begun his third deployment spurred my rebirth. It was when he confirmed most men and women who were deployed felt forgotten and wondered if "Anyone in America know we are still here?" that helped me shed my skin of apathy as my heart broke for each and every man and woman who deserves to be honored, respected, and celebrated for their service. Words For Warriors was born.
I have made knew friends, learned to look at the world with new eyes. I love nothing more than to know I have brought a smile to a strangers face with a letter or a care package. I have given the gift of knowledge to a service member that a perfect stranger thought about them. Honoring their sacrifices for our freedoms.
I also find pleasure in knowing I'm fighting the War of Apathy each and every time I get someone involved in Words For Warriors, have a teacher encourage there class to write letters or make artwork to be sent downrange. Children are our future, it bides well that they should be proud of their Country and those who defend it. The submissions for Operation Postcard re-enforces the pride children hold in their hearts for their Country. I hold the proof.
There are several social economic factors with elections in sight that could be spurring the rekindled recollection of the War's and the men and women who fight. Regardless of the reasons, I am noticing support for our Warriors in new places. Besides the American Flag being flown over homes, businesses, and public buildings, I have seen the MIA/POW flag flown at several locations on a daily basis. I have driven by more than one house in different cities paying tribute to loved ones who serve by plastering the names of their loved ones on the outside of their house.
Yesterday I was surprised and proud to find a Support Our Troops cake for purchase from Safeway. Today I found Veteran's Day cards in my local Walgreens, which are manufactured by Hallmark. I have never seen Veteran's Day cards before. I bought one of each, because I know just who to give them too.
There are a plethora of ways for the average citizen to give their support to our Warriors, which cost nothing to participate in. There are organizations like Words For Warriors, Soldier's Angels, and Operation Gratitude to name a few. Yes, all of these organizations need donations, but donating time by making crafts, or writing letters is equally as valuable as money. The recipients of the letters and crafts of support might even argue they are invaluable. The arduous economic times are no excuse for not getting involved.
Every Warrior makes a pledge to protect America, its citizens, and their brothers. I think every citizen should make a pledge to Honor, Respect, and Celebrate the lives and memories of the brave men and women who protect America and her citizens.

Gold Star Mother's Day

During World War I families displayed Blue Stars in their windows identifying them as having a loved one fighting in the War. The tradition came to superimpose a Gold Star over the Blue Star if the family member serving in the War was killed.
I think a simple tradition, like placing a Star in a window might help chip away at the apathy the majority of the American's feel towards the current Wars. (I say current Wars, because even though we are officially not supporting combat operations in Iraq, we still have men dying in Iraq.) Seeing the Blue and Gold stars in passing windows as one were to drive to the supermarket to get milk might help bring the Wars closer.  It would also give the general public an opportunity to recognize and pay proper respect to the family members who serve.
Sunday, September 26th is Gold Star Mother's Day. Just as it is important to Thank those serving in the military, it is important to Thank their Mothers, ensuring their sacrifices for our great Nation do not go unnoticed.
From one Mother to another, Thank You for all you have endured for my freedom, and that of my families freedom.

Trust, Believe, And Blind Faith

I recently heard someone say, “I don’t have anything invested in the War in Afghanistan.”  I don’t understand this thought.  As American’s we have men and women’s lives invested.  We have mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and friends invested in the War.  I have felt the impact of casualties of War one person removed.  Having felt the pain of losing people close to me, I feel sympathy for the families and loved ones, without having known the fallen. 

Recently the War in Afghanistan has become more personal for me with the deployment of a good friend.  It is a different feeling having someone I care about go to War, versus meeting someone who is already at War; that I come to care about, which has been the case in the past.  Now that the War is personal, I find my thoughts drifting there often.  I wonder how he is, what he’s doing?  When I hear of an attack, helicopter crash, or a casualty I can’t help but pray he’s safe. 

This morning I received an email from my friend.  His very short note gave me the same high Christmas morning gave me as a child.  I smiled until my cheeks hurt.  This evening I discovered another friend was waiting for the identities of men killed in action.  I was told, “This is the life.  It’s what you do.  You wait.”  Now that War is more personal to me, the news of casualties impacts me with more feeling, sadness, and fear.   

I have lost people close to me, so I understand grief.  I understand the questions and pain it raises.  Have felt the hole left at weddings and births from the absence of the person who should be there.  I have cried in pain wondering if I will ever be happy again.  It is because of this understanding my heart goes out to friends and family to those who die in war; for it is the ones left behind who feel the most pain. 

When I expressed my fear of death for my deployed friend my grieving friend told me, “You have to trust in his team, in his friends, in their training that they will take care of each other, or die trying.” 

It never occurred to me civilians need to trust in those they have never met to protect the ones they love.  In the civilian world this is an unusual concept.  I have found many who would rather not get involved than protect, or watch the back of another person, especially one they don’t know very well.  I know with confidence any one of the military friends I have, would give their life for a stranger.

It made me think, knowing you’re not alone, that someone always has your back must be comforting.  I imagine this is the sort of faith children have in their parents, but a parent/child relationship is not the same kind of relationship, which binds in war.  A parent would die for a child, but a child would not die for a parent.  (Nor would the parent want them too.  This is the difference.) 

Another difference is environment.  When at war the smallest decisions, like untied shoelaces, hold the possibility of being deadly.  If shoelaces are not tied, it slows down reaction time, putting a teammates life in danger.  In the civilian world, untied shoelaces do not mean possible death. 

The average American is not routinely faced with dangerous or deadly situations, and if they are, their normal response is flight or submission.  In the past I experienced two separate situations where I was faced with men bigger and stronger armed with weapons.  Being far from “average” I fought them armed only with pure rage and words, winning both battles.  At no time did the thought of “back up” cross my mind.  I was alone and I knew it.  The only trust I had; was in myself.  This is the trust of a typical American.  Fact is, I have a handful of people I trust with my life, and still have fingers left over.  Trust is not easy.

The idea of being surrounded by people who constantly protect each other everyday, as shown in the little things like tying ones shoelace or staying hydrated is a foreign concept to me.  It is a concept I will accept and believe in though, because believing gives me hope.  Hope that more men and women will reunite with their families than funerals attended.   

In the end, I am forced to trust, believe, and have blind faith in the bond generated by war.  To trust in the brotherhood that combat creates to protect those I love.

Operation Postcard Contest

Words For Warriors is having its first contest. It is an art contest for children of all ages. I am looking for Patriotic artwork to make postcards from that will be sent downrange as words of encouragement, making sure no one feels forgotten about.
Artwork may be sent via email to wordsforwarriors@gmail.com
or by snail mail to

Words For Warriors
P.O. Box 734
Janesville, CA. 96114

There is NO limit to the amount of entries one child can submit. The Deadline for artwork is Friday, November 5th, 2010. The winners will be announced on Veteran's Day, Thursday November 11, 2010.

Please include Child's name, Age, and Hometown along with Parent's name and contact information. There will be different age groups depending on the volume of artwork received, meaning multiple prizes. For you new readers, local businesses display postcards, giving their customers the opportunity to write words of support. Words For Warriors collects the postcards sending them downrange to Iraq and Afghanistan to our Warriors. This program was a huge success in our local Subway over the summer. I should note any artwork received through snail mail will be forwarded downrange for support.

If you don't believe in the power of simple words or children's artwork I encourage you to read here, here, here, and here to see what a few of the troops who have received letters and care packages from Words For Warriors had to say. Just so you all know, I have a wall that is ten feet high and eight feet wide covered in Thank You notes and pictures from warriors. They are grateful for what they receive. Many Veteran's I know keep the letters and artwork they receive while deployed for the rest of their lives. It means THAT much.

Here is one postcard from this summer with a special note of appreciation.

Update as of September 26th 2010: I would like to stress this contest is open to ALL CHILDREN who are residents on planet earth. If you know a child on planet earth who has made patriotic artwork, please enter them into the contest. As a reminder there is NO LIMIT to the amount of artwork one child can submit. ALL received artwork will end up in deployed service members hands and will NOT be returned to the artist. 

Some really fantastic artwork is coming in, and many of them with a story of inspiration. If your child's artwork has a story to accompany it, please send it as well. I love to read them, and I know the service member who receives the artwork will love it also. 

Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is a very raw word wrapped in a plethora of sensitive emotions.  The subject has been touched upon twice here on Words For Warriors. Once by me in the post, How Words Saved A Life and once by Ben in his post, Companion To Honor.
The suicide rate among military personnel has risen, and continues to rise at an alarming rate. In recognition of the rising suicide rate the Army expanded National Suicide Prevention Week, September 12th through the 18th to National Suicide Prevention Month.  The website for Department Of Defense Health System posted a variety of resources for Commanding Officers, Friends, Family, along with the Suicide Hotline for those who need immediate help.
The United States has been at War for 10 years, our longest War to date. This translates into multiple deployments, increasing stress.  With large volumes of artillery and IED's being used in Iraq and Afghanistan Traumatic Brain Injuries and PTSD numbers are increasing. These are all major stress factors that can lead to suicide.
It is my personal opinion that military suicides due to the stress of War, should be considered a casualty of war.  After all, it was the experiences and stress of War that pushed the individual to suicide. I look at it like this, if a person who dies due to an IED they are considered a casualty of war, whether they die on foreign soil or US soil. Why then wouldn't someone who is injured with Traumatic Brain Injury or PTSD also be considered a casualty of war? The lack of means to recognize, diagnose, or understand a condition doesn't make it any less a reality.  (I would like to note, I am by no means condoning suicide.)
I believe José Narosky said it best when he said, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." Just because someone has all of their arms and legs, does not mean there is not a wound that needs healing. Hopefully the military's recent efforts to help those who need it will lead to less suicides.
As a civilian, I feel like there is not enough recognition of this problem. It leads me to John F. Kennedy's words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." We have brave men and women to thank for protecting our country, isn't it time we asked ourselves what we can do for them? 
    

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.