Help Bring Pin-Ups For Vets To Reno Nevada

Gina Elise from Pin-Ups For Vets (http://www.pinupsforvets.com) and Words For Warriors are looking for sponsors to support a moral boosting visit to the Reno, Nevada VA Hospital. Pin-Ups For Vets is a non-profit organization which supports it's visits to VA hospitals, military bases, and active duty military on the home front and overseas through the sale of 1940's inspired pin-up calendars.

Gina is a super hero in the military support sphere, her accomplishments have been reported by Inside Edition, ABC, NBC, Fox News, American Forces Network, Good Day LA, Desert Car Kings, The Washington Times, Boston Herald, The Denver Post, and Stars and Stripes. Did I mention she is beautiful and sweet with a heart of gold too?

If that isn't enough to convince you to get involved, the Pin-Ups For Vets Mission Statement reads:

"Pin-Ups For Vets raises funds for medical equipment and program expansion to improve Veteran's healthcare, enhances quality of life for ill Veterans across the U.S. through personal bedside visits to deliver gifts of appreciation. promotes volunteerism at Veterans Hospitals, conducts morale-boosting events for military spouses, and boosts morale for deployed troops through delivery of care packages."

Donations and sponsorships to support our Wounded and Veterans in Reno are needed! If you would like more information, you can contact Gina directly at Gina@pinupsforvets.com or you can email Kristina at wordsforwarriors@gmail.com

Remember... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

Thankful Mail

On this Thanksgiving Day I am lucky enough to be with my family. We are all healthy and happy. There are many service members who are far from their family, whether they are deployed protecting our freedom, or recovering from an injury in one of the many hospitals and rehab facilities.

Children at Janesville Elementry are always excited to know their work has ended up in the hands of a service member, as they are closely related to super heroes (according to one little girl). This year several teachers coordinated letters and artwork for Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. I have asked a wonderful and strong wife of a wounded Marine to take the student's appreciation to the San Diego hospital and deliver them on my behalf. 

Seeing the hard work and the great pictures these students made for services members brings happiness to my heart. Every time I see one of the children, they want to know all about who got their artwork and letters, and if they like them. I hope I'll have some pictures to share with them soon. I hope to share the smiles they have brought to our Wounded Warriors. 

Remember... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

 

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

SFC Josh Olsen, Paralympics Competitor

This week I'm stealing the Hero of the Week from the super cool guys over at Ranger Up's blog Rhino Den. Levi Newman interviewed SFC Olsen and did one fine job of it.

SFC Olsen is an International Rifle Shooter for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, CA.  He is the only competitor in the Paralympics in London who is classified as active duty.

SFC Olsen is a Hero not only because of his service, but also because of his determination and drive since becoming a wounded warrior. His story is a must read. Hit the link!

http://rhinoden.rangerup.com/hero-of-the-week-sfc-josh-olson/

To read about SFC Olsen's shooting accomplishments go to the official Army Olympian Biography page. 

A US Army Medic Wounded Warrior

Sgt. Brian Christopher Jergens, from Oklahoma is 22 years old and his wife is 18 years old. They were married a month before Sgt. Jergens left for Afghanistan. Sgt. Jergens, a medic was one of three riding in a Humvee when it was struck by and IED, unfortunately he was the most severely injured. He lost both of he legs below the knee, his ring finger on his left hand, a broken arm, a cracked vertebra, abdominal injuries to the extent doctors removed his spleen. Doctors also had to control the swelling of his brain.

It was only just recently, in the end of August that Sgt. Jergens opened his eyes for the first time at the hospital in San Antonio, Texas to the joy of his wife, Jennifer. He hasn't been able to talk yet, but he is able to track objects with his eyes, and his wife says he is very aware of his surroundings.

Sgt. Jergens followed in his fathers foot steps of enlisting in the Army to be a medic. His father, Sargent Major Brian Keith Jergens has been temporarily assigned to a post near his son who was recovering in Texas until today.  Sgt. Jergens was flown to California to continue his recovery at the Palo Alto VA today, September 19th. The Patriot Guard was on hand to support this wounded warrior and in welcoming him to California.

This warrior and his family has a long tough road to recovery in front of them. If you would like to read updates about his recovery his wife has set up a web page http://prayforbrianjergens.weebly.com/ there is also a facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/116622488435086/

I wish I could have personally been able to meet Sgt. Jergens to welcome him to California, it would have been an honor. In fact it is an honor to have him and his wife in California. I hope and pray he has a full recovery.