Loyalty

I don't usually pass along awards sent to me. Although I am always surprised and honored when it happens, and I greatly appreciate the thought, time and effort it takes for someone to appreciate me enough to send one, I have a hard time believing that anyone else would give a shit about receiving one from me.


However, one of my favorite bloggers, Daffy, over at Batcrap Crazy (see my blog roll - I still don't know how to put a link in my stuff,) sent me the awesome award above yesterday and I am going to pass it along to my buddy, Hope. Her loyalty and commitment to her troops and sailors across the pond is unmatched in my realm of experience.

Many, many men and women have received a ray of light in a dark and bleak world, while making a safer place for us to live, by the letters and packages she sends them. Having served and being one of the guys who rarely received mail and never any support from home, I know how much it means to have the support she sends their way.

She will also give out names and address for others who could use the touch of home from others. And many of those she has supported still keep in contact with her after their deployment and/or discharge.

So, for her LOYALTY to the troops while raising four kids and a sick (right now) husband, I send this her way.

Give HOPE A Hand

 

Peeps,

My blogging buddy and milsupport guru, Hope over at Hope Radio (on my blog roll,) has a request out for help. She has a list of 20 MP’s in Afghanistan who have not received any mail from the States since May.

Being a total asshole and not having any friends as well as being the black sheep of the family, I know what it was like to not receive mail for extended periods of time when I was in the Navy. The only thing I could count on was a church bulletin on Wednesday and a one page letter from my mom once a week or so. None from my brothers or sister, none from my 'friends’ from high school, non from anyone. I started to buy something on credit and not pay for it just so I could get dunning letters from the collection department. But these guys have had NOTHING.

Get in touch with Hope at hstrueby@live.com and get a name or two of some deserving men or women who need support from the people back home. And don’t be afraid to ask about any needs they have. A care package once a moth will mean more to these guys than Christmas morning. They don’t need much. Old magazines, books, any TV shows you have burned on DVD’s, nuts, raisins, beef jerky, non chocolate candy, etc.

I always tell my guys about my week or month and the things I have done with my grandkids and family. Then I tell them that I am not telling them this to add to their homesickness or to make them lonely, but to let them know I am able to do things like this because that are there doing the hard stuff so that we can have the freedom to do our stuff, and that I appreciate their sacrifice. Not sappy, just be honest.

Just send an introductory letter for some people who chose to give back to their country. They will appreciate it and you have given something of yourself to help make the world a better place. And you may even make a new friend for life. How neat can that be?

God Bless’em…and you if, too, if you choose to help Hope and the troops.

My New Header

What do you think of my new header? That is the ship on which I served, but it is not there for me. I wanted something to honor the 74 soles lost of 3 June, 1969, and to keep their memory alive. So I sent out feelers. The lovely and talented Hope, of Hope Radio (on my blog roll) took the time away from her huge task of raising four kids and doing milsupport for a number of Army and Marine personal, notable America’s 1st Sergeant (3rd Marines/3 Battalion (America’s Battalion) Marines in Iraq, at Castra Pretoria, also on my blog role.

I have never ask you guys for money or anything other than to vote for Dr. Amber’s group (she came in 3rd in the state and 126 in the nation, thanks to your efforts) but I will let you know that Hope does a huge selfless service by sending brownies, fans, crock pots, personal hygiene products and other items to help fight the heat those guys suffer from, and the majority of the expenses comes out of her own pocket. So if you have some loose cash (not likely in these stressful times, I know) and would like to help out our boys in harms way, go see her and click on her donation site. She could use the help. And don’t forget the 74 lost soles and their families. You can read about them at USSFEE.org.

Anchors Away…