D Day

June 6, 1944 is an important day in history. It is a day of honor and courage. I encourage you to read some of the amazing stories that will be retold today. 

Remember... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom. 

Frank W. Tomberlin, Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies at age 92

The world lost another piece of history when Frank W. Tomberlin, a Pearl Harbor survivor passed away at 92 years of age, his wife, Louise of 66 years was at his side. 

Mr. Tomberlin joined the Navy in 1940 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor on the destroyer USS Henley when the Japanese attacked. He continued to serve on the Henley until October 3, 1943, when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of New Guinea. Mr. Tomberlin finished his service on the USS Lyman K. Swenson until he was discharged after the end of the war in the Pacific.

On April 17, 2013, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation honoring the last of the Lassen County Pearl Harbor survivors, Frank W. Tomberlin and Richard "Pappy" Dallimore. Pappy Dallimore is now Lassen County's sole survivor.

Mr. Tomberlin enjoyed spending time with his children and 20 grand-children. He was an avid 49'ers fan and loved animals.

The family requested in lieu of flowers at the memorial service, they would like everyone to, "Please tell a Veteran, Thank you for your service." I ask my readers to thank a Veteran in honor of Frank W. Tomberlin, Pearl Harbor Survivor.

Remember.... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

Honoring The Memory of SGT Padgett

I was contacted by a reader about something GREAT!

What you might ask?

A team who represents the 7th Special Forces group, made up of Operational Detachment Alpha Underwater Operations Team members are honoring a fallen teammate. SGT Timothy Padgett who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan six years ago this May.

How are they honoring SGT Padgett's memory?

After being home from an Afghanistan deployment for only SIX weeks, they will be competing in the Eglin AFB Gate to Gate run. The Gate to Gate run is 4.4 miles and is to take place on May 27, 2013. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the first team in the military division, and these guys WANT this trophy, as they run in SGT Pagett's memory.

Winning the trophy in memory of SGT Pagett's isn't enough, after all he selflessly gave his life for his teammates and his Country. The team wants to help the families of their fallen brothers by collecting donations for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Foundation provides college scholarships in addition to other programs for the surviving children of fallen Special Operations Forces members.

The Team's goal is $10,000 and they are only 42% of the way there with 29 days left. This is good news, because there is still time for You to make a donation!

To donate go to:


Remember.... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

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.

To Blog or Not To Blog

My goal for Words For Warriors was to use my contacts through schools to involve children in supporting our Military, showcasing letters between the children and the Military. I wanted proof that American's do care. We are not all at the mall. Since my last post in November 2012, I have supported Wounded Warrior's, the USO, and some grateful fellows downrange. I have not shared those experiences, but that doesn't make them any less fulfilling. Which leads me to wonder....

Should I continue to blog?

I am struggling with the decision to continue this blog, or call it quits. Don't get me wrong, I am still a huge supporter of Military, Veteran's, Wounded Warrior's, and their Families. Providing support has introduced me to some amazing people. At the same time, it has opened me up to nefarious military personal who lied to me in ways I still can't comprehend. 

So I ask, is this blog reaching it's intended audience?

Does publicly showcasing support for the Military help in anyway?

Should I change the blog's scope?

Be honest. I'm asking for it.

Above all though.... 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.

 

Thanksgiving Hope

I have been thinking a lot over the last six months about Hope and Thankfulness.  The economy, politics, and life in general has thrown some vicious curve balls my way over the last two years. November is a symbolic month for reflection and thankfulness, or at least it is for me. It is also the beginning of the holiday season to celebrate family, friends, and life.

I have lost most of the people I love to cancer, so the holiday's for me are a time of nostalgia, memories, and hope.

Hope and Thanksgiving go hand in hand; for the people who have the most hope, are by nature the most thankful.  The people who have endured the biggest challenges, who have lost the most, they are the people who know how to be thankful for the simple things.

In a time of the "Give It To Me" generation, coupled with the Constitution being trampled on an hourly basis hope may seem futile. As much as there is cause for fear, there is still hope.

Hope that a leader will emerge who can turn our Country around.
Hope that the young will learn to take responsibility for their actions.
Hope that American's will take pride in themselves, in their Country by using their purchasing power, their representatives to demand change.

History has many valuable lessons. The most important lessons are, work hard, do the right thing, even when it's hard, and be thankful.

I am Thankful for many people, events, and experiences (good and bad) throughout my life. As much as I miss those who are no longer with me, I am grateful for the time I spent and the memories I have to hold onto.

Triple Amputee Marine Nick Kimmel Throws Strike

Photo by Associated Press

One of my co-workers was bursting with pride today, as he should have been. Why was he proud? Because his friends son, Nick Kimmel, a Marine, who became a triple amputee during his second Afghanistan tour was throwing the first pitch in Game 2 of the World Series. 

In 2008, Nick passed up a partial baseball scholarship to serve his Country as a Marine. Tonight he walked to the pitchers mound at AT&T Park and threw a STRIKE! See the video and read more here!

Kimmel was accompanied to the mound by fellow Veteran Willie Mays and  founder of Strikeouts For Troops and Giants pitcher Barry Zito. 

The pre-game ceremony honored World War II-era baseball veterans, managers, and broadcasters who served in the military. Lasorda said it best, "I've had heroes in my life-- Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, but I look at this Marine here... this is my hero."

Thanks to Malcolm for brining this Hero and Marine to my attention.

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

Marine's Family Asks For Help

A Marine friend of mine barely home from deployment to Afghanistan asked me to get the word out about an injured Marine friend named Sergeant Kirstie Ennis. She was injured after her helicopter crashed June 23, 2012.

Sergeant Ennis's family started a Indiegogo fundraising page. The goal is to raise $10,000 to help the family visit Sergeant Ennis in San Diego where she is being treated for her injuries.

Her mother writes:

My daughter, Kirstie Ennis, was injured when her helicopter went down while serving in Afghanistan in June 2012. She will be receiving her medical care at the naval hospital in San Diego. Her most serious injuries include facial trauma and a broken talus (which may lead to possible amputation of her left leg from below the knee). Though she will require additional surgeries and therapy (physical, vestibular, and mental health), doctors are optimistic that she will recover with minimal disability—only time will tell. She is a fighter and I feel that regardless of the outcome, she will come out of this a better, stronger individual. On September 4^th, she will undergo a bone graft from hip to jaw. (Contrary to the song, the hip bone can apparently be connected to the jaw bone). My younger daughter, Kaylee, and I will be flying out for the surgery and will remain in San Diego for a week while Kirstie recovers from it. We hope to return to San Diego throughout the next year to be with her for holidays, as well as future surgeries.

My husband, Geoff, is currently working in the northeast; while Kaylee and I are living in Florida. We are in the process of selling our home and have enrolled Kaylee in virtual school, so that we may travel between my husband’s work and Kirstie—to focus on the more important things in life. My husband and I were also Marines; and, all too well, know the feeling of loneliness associated with being far from family. It pains me to think of Kirstie being so far away suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The funding that is raised will go strictly towards the transportation and lodging costs that go above and beyond those covered by other charities.

There is 33 days left of fundraising and only $3,429 left to reach the goal of $10,000. If you can, I encourage you  to give, every little bit helps.

Remember... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.