Independence Day. Courage. Remembrance. Heros.

Independence Day, or the Fourth of July is a celebration and remembrance of the American rebels who were courageous enough to stand up and fight for what they believed in.  Because of those brave volunteers who risked everything, including their lives to fight for Liberty, we have the America we know today.

Today, we Americans still have volunteers fighting for and protecting Liberty around the globe. These American's join the Army, Marines, Navy, and the Air Force.  Liberty has a high price, of blood to maintain.

In Remembrance and Honor of all the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for Liberty in the last 235 years every American should take a few minutes to read the Declaration of Independence. You can read it in it's full original text here.

I would also like to take a moment to Honor The Fallen on this day.
SPC Kevin J. Hilaman, was killed in action on June 26th, 2011 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.  He was 28 years old from North Highlands Sacramento. SPC Kevin J. Hilama was killed during a battle with enemy forces who attacked his unit with small arms fire.  SPC Hilaman joined the Army in March 2003 as an infantryman serving honorably in three overseas deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. 


 SPC Hilaman served with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii. His awards and decorations include Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters. Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal. 


SPC Hilaman will be receiving a heros welcome home on Tuesday, July 6th at 10:00 am at 308 Peacekeeper Way, Mc Clellan Air Force Base (MCC), North Highlands, Ca 95652.  If you live in the area and would like to honor SPC Hilaman and his family the Patriot Guard Riders are an excellent, patriotic accepting bunch of people who I suggest you get in touch with. 


Welcome Home SPC Hilaman. Thank you for your service and your courage. May you and your family find peace. 

Patriotic Fish

When Mrs. Wheeler, a First Grade teacher at Janesville Union told me she was having her kids make "Patriotic Fish" for the soldiers, I was pleased. Due to the chaos at the end of the school year I picked up the box of Patriotic Fish just last week. I wanted to send something special for Fourth Of July and hoped this project would be it. I pulled a fish from the box, I was completely astonished. The love and care each fish is constructed with is evident. Each one is uniquely different, with a message of caring and gratitude from the student who made the fish on the back. Messages include, "You are a special person. Thank you for being brave." "I love you" and "Thank you so much for being a soldier." Mrs. Wheeler even took the time to attach fishing line so the fish can be hung from a celling, or anything you could tie a Patriotic Fish to.

Knowing I get soldier's address from Anysoldier.com, Mrs. Wheeler asked if I knew where the fish would be sent. I told her I had just adopted a new soldier in Bagram from Soldier's Angel's and I thought this would be a great way for him and his fellow soldiers to celebrate Fourth Of July. Mrs. Wheeler agreed, and now we are just hoping that "milmail" will get the twenty Patriotic Fish to Bagram in time for Fourth Of July celebrations. 

I will admit, as a "grown up" it never occurred to me to make Patriotic Fish, but after seeing these fish it occurs to me, anything can be patriotic. All you need is a little imagination and love, something these students have in epic proportions. 

Say Thanks This Fourth of July

The Fourth Of July is quickly approaching, which is a perfect opportunity to send some extra support to our deployed men and women. I am asking for your help. How can you help? There are two ways:

1. Head over to Xerox to participate in their "Lets Say Thanks" program. It takes 30 seconds to pick a card and a message. Xerox absorbs all of the cost of printing these wonderful child designed cards and postage to help ensure our men and women know we care. Here is the other great thing.... there is no limit. Everyone in your family can send as many as you take the time to fill out. Please pass this link to all of your friends and family for their participate too.

2. Write a note on a post card. I have been told by some they don't know what to write in a letter, so they choose not write. If this is the way you feel, please grab a post card writing a small note of encouragement, such as, "Thank you for your service" "God Bless you and your family." Remember, it's not the quantity of words that matter, its the heart felt sentiment.

My goal is to send at least 150 post cards before the Fourth Of July. If you live in Susanville, I will have post cards at the Warrior Wall in Subway, and in Elise's Barber Shop on Main Street. If you do not live in  my area please contact me here.  You can still help. Help me bring a smile to 150 deployed service members who are fighting for us.

Thank you for helping me, support our Armed Forces making sure NO Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman feels forgotten.