Milblog Family Reunion

Over labor day weekend I took my chances with TSA flying from California to San Antonio, Texas for the First Milblog Family Reunion. I got to spend time with some good friends and meet some new friends at the Soldier's Angels support center.

There were several bloggers present, yet the event was still small and intimate. There was live music, discussions on Post Traumatic Stress and reintegration. The event was educational and just down right fun.

The most memorable moment was when the Valour-IT program provided Wounded Warriors with lap tops. I had the honor of presenting a lap top and speaking with several recipients. One of the recipients, Christopher Sullivan, a quadriplegic couldn't make it to the Soldier's Angels support center, so his mom Suzanne, his brother, and sister who had moved from California to San Antonio, Texas to be with Christopher during his recovery accepted the lap top.

The Sullivan family is a strong, courageous family. I am grateful I was able to meet them, and hope to one day meet Christopher. Meeting the Sullivan's and the other Wounded Warriors enforces why Valour-IT is so important.

Valour-IT changes lives. It provides opportunities. Just ask the Sullivan Family.

Suzanne Sullivan accepts a Valour-IT laptop on behalf of her son Christopher, an Afghanistan Veteran

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?

Last week I had my sixth month dental appointment and cleaning. I see the same Dental Assistant every visit. This visit when I walked in, my Dental Assistant said to me, "Before I forget, you were the one who informed me on the needs of our Wounded Warriors and because of you, I donate to them every year. So thank you."

Just goes to show you, you never know who is listening, and how serious they will take you. A simple conversation about me participating in the annual Valour-IT fundraiser has turned into education and action for an otherwise uninformed civilian. 

Who have you talked to lately? With the drawdown of Iraq, and thousands still in Afghanistan as well as other hostile Middle Eastern countries, it's not time to forget our men and women. 

Remember... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom. 

Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT Fundraiser 2011

Ok everyone, it's time for the Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT Annual Fundraiser where the goal is $100,000 to help wounded warriors! This is where all the branches are pitted against each other for bragging rights (since the money is branch blind and goes to those whoever needs it.)

Need more information? Go here.

Remember.... EVERY dollar counts... even if you can only give $1, please give it!
Donate here.

Now you might remember last year... I couldn't pick a team, but this year I promised to help out Team Army. (They got their butts kicked 2 years in a row by Team Marines so I thought I'd see if I could help them out.)

Sooooo you should donate to this worthy cause... and here is a couple pictures of me and my sister that were requested by the Team Army Captain The Sniper to help get the word out. You can also see more pictures of girls holding signs for Team Army at The Sniper... including these.  

Spread the word. Donate. Help our wounded!

Forget Me Not

I have been thinking a lot about Veterans Day, which is on Thursday, November 11th. I know my friend Spockgirl made this post in honor of the fallen, but I also think it speaks volumes about the living... whom should also be remembered. 

Veteran's Day is about those who have served, continue to serve, and honoring their sacrifices. I have heard from more than one Soldier, Marine, Airman, and Sailor how they feel forgotten. I tell each one, "You and your sacrifices are not forgotten."

The following post has been reposted with permission by Spockgirl Musings, a Canadian who knows War and its hardships extend beyond boundaries, to the point she is supporting Team Navy in Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT.

Forget Me Not

by George Pirie (Scottish-Canadian poet b. 1799) 

This little flower with azure eye,

You love it lady tell me why;

It seems to me nor rich nor rare,

It breathes no fragrance on the air,

Nor splendid form nor colours bright,

May give it value in thy sight.

If not for perfume nor for show,

Pray tell me why you prize it so.

It is not rich, it is not rare,

This little flower – yet, ah, how fair.

Though it no merit else may claim

But this, “the magic of a name,”

Each tiny leaf into my ear

Is breathing names to memory dear;

The dead, the absent, the forgot,

Are whisp’ring here, “Forget-me-not.”

by George Pirie

*****

To honour the fallen in Afghanistan from the last five days: 

Maine, Illi, Mass, NC, Cali (2), NJ, Md, Tex and U.K.

*****

Forget me nots are very tiny, plain, but pretty, pale blue or pale pink flowers with yellow centres. I was very pleased to find that this year I had both colours in the garden. They are a symbol of hope, true love and remembrance.

Folklore:

In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "Forget-me-not." It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love.

(from Wikipedia)

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.