1,493 Heroes Waiting To Be Adopted

We have way too many heroes needing to be adopted. If you can't afford to adopt one

on your own - partner with someone from work, school, neighbor, friend, and family.

 

We need to work as a team to get the word out these troops need to be adopted.

 

For first time adopters: www.SoldiersAngels.org

 

 

ANGLES IN THE SYSTEM:

To adopt another Soldier please go here:

www.ApprovedAngels.com

 

 

 

Michael Yon-- Photos and dispatch from the war

 

 
 



 

---

Subject: Photos and dispatch from the war
From: myonmail@michaelyon-online.com
To: shellemichaels@msn.com
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:33:34 -0400

Greetings,

I'll definitely miss being out with British combat troops.  Great soldiers who can always count on the support of at least one writer.  The British Ministry of Defense, however, needs a tune up.

Am back with U.S. forces and did three missions on Sunday.  More on that as time unfolds. 

American and British forces are working closely together here.  The U.S./U.K. relationship in Helmand is extremely good.  (Presumably elsewhere, too, but I do not know.)  My first mission yesterday was with a U.S. Air Force helicopter rescue team to pick up a British casualty.  The British people at home should know that our helicopters will get their men and women off the battlefields and back to the hospital in less than an hour, no matter what.

Please see today's dispatch, wherein a British soldier who was watching out for me gets his antenna shot off.

--
Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon



PS Please sign up for my Twitter.com updates at "Michael_Yon" (not Michael Yon).




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Please send any regular mail for Michael to:

Michael Yon
P.O. Box 5553
Winter Haven, Fl 33880

Michael's newsletters are an opt-in only newsletter. If you are receiving a copy of this newsletter it is because you have opted-in. If you are no longer interested in receiving Michael's updates please see below.

---

 

sunscreen

OPERATION SUNSCREEN FOR OUR TROOPS!

HELP PROTECT THEM AS THEY PROTECT US!

 

Individuals, Families and Businesses...

...get on board with our drive to help support out  troops!

Send some love and hope to our soldiers with gifts from home.

Donate Sun Protection Care Packages!

 

To donate Sun Protection Care Packages, please CALL or EMAIL me.

 

With every set you donate, I WILL MATCH YOUR DONATION!!!

That means that for every set you donate,

TWO Sun Protection Care Packages will be sent overseas to our soldiers!!

SUN PROTECTION CARE PACKAGES:

Package #1:

1 SPF 30 Sunscreen

1 Lip Protector SPF 15

COST: $25 INCLUDING TAX & SHIPPING

Package # 2:

2 SPF 30 Suncreen

1 After-Sun Replenishing Gel

COST: $45 INCLUDES TAX & SHIPPING

 

Together we can make a difference!

TO PURCHASE, CALL OR EMAIL ME:

Amber Olsen

EMAIL: amberolsen@marykay.com

PHONE: (925) 309-4025

www.marykay.com/amberolsen

 

The Soldiers Angels Network is helping us to get the sun care products to our soldiers. You will receive a tax deductible receipt as well as a tax # ID so you may write off your donations.

Thank you to all my friends and family and Mary Kay clients for your support! 

Please pass this on to your friends, family and colleagues that may also want to participate!

 

Amber Olsen 

Independent Sales Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics 

"Enriching Women's Lives" 

(925) 309-4025

www.marykay.com/amberolsen

 

"The definition of successful people is simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination.  You cannot keep determined people from success. If you place stumbling blocks in their way, they will use them for stepping-stones and climb to new heights.  People who succeed have a goal, a dream and make their plans and follow them"

~ Mary Kay Ash

-

 
 
 

Thanks!!

 

Soldier's, Angels Team,

 

I just wanted to send a personal thanks to the following people and the team of Soldiers Angels…

 

Patients & Families at Mott Children's Hospital Ann Arbor Michigan

n  Christopher, Kim, Erin 

n  Savannah

n  Those that sent individual boxes, as I didn't get all of their names.

 

your support has been overwhelming and unbelievable…everyone loved the goodies and sunscreen and item are being used.

 

I attached a few pictures so you can see we appreciate it….

 

I depart in about 3 weeks.  I know that everyone has gotten packages and they were surprised…so that was good.  I was not expecting everyone to get their own box.

 

And, I was not expecting that last box, full of gummies, paper pens etc…the office was overjoyed!! 

 

Well…as I prepare to cross two oceans to go home, to Japan thanks again.

 

Jennifer

 

 

Thank you! From a PROUD Naval Veteran

Sent from Joe's iPhone.

 

MaryAnn & Shelle,
 
Thank you so much for the goodies you sent me. I am so proud of the 
pin that I will wear it on the baseball cap I wear everyday, right 
underneath the five stars that I wear as my tribute to my two greatest 
military heroes, General Eisenhower and Admiral Nimitz, our last two 
five star officers.

 I have also received a flood of birthday cards, thanks to you two. 
Yours is an incredible organization, and I am humbled to be able to 
support it in some small way. Thanks again for being true Angels for our brave kids.
 
Joe Seawright
Greenwood, MS
 

Ricky Lee concert to benefit Homeless Vets

Ricky has teamed up with True Country 94.3 the areas best new country radio station to put on an event to benefit Homeless Veterans.  The First Annual True Country Music Jamboree Sunday, September 6th from 3:30 to 7:30 held at the American Legion Park in Hollidaysburg, PA.  There will include four live bands, free hay rides and pony rides for the kids, plus lots of jamboree fun!  There will also be the best dressed" Redneck and Cowgirl" contest... So come all dressed up and you may be the winner of some awesome prizes!!  Come out and see a variety of horses including the famous BELGIAN. Tickets only $7.00 advance or $10.00 at the gate.  Get your tickets at Hollidaysburg American Legion, Keith's Country Western and 94.3 True Country or WRTA Radio Campus. Don't forget to bring your own lawn chair and cooler filled with your favorite beverage.   Food and drinks will also be available for purchase by the American Legion Lady Auxiliary.  Hope to see you all at this fun filled event. For more info: www.truecountry943.com or www.rickyleemusic.com or 814-943-6112 94.3 True Country Radio 2513 6th Ave Altoona,PA 16602

Teen queen promotes 'Soldier's Angels'

By Shawn Hogendorf, Staff Writer 

 

 

Whether Jessica Scheu of Prior Lake is touting a taekwondo gi or the Miss Teen Minnesota International tiara, she's enjoying life.

 

The soon-to-be Prior Lake High School senior is full of smiles and laughs as she gets ready to be the "big fish" in a small pond this year, but she also has a plethora of things outside of normal student life that keep her busy.

Since being crowned Miss Teen Minnesota International this year, a position she will hang onto until March 6, the 17-year-old has been promoting her platform – Soldier's Angels – and its message: "May no soldier go unloved."

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Scheu of Prior Lake is
promoting her platform, Soldier's
Angels, as she tours the state as
Miss Teen Minnesota International.
Scheu also is a third-degree black
belt in taekwondo and will
participate in a team trial
competition Sept. 11 to 13.

 

 

 

Scheu is no stranger to royalty, as she also was crowned Miss Teen Scott County in 2009. She won the interview, evening gown, fitness and photogenic categories while going on to be named Miss Teen Minnesota International and won the fitness division, finishing as the first runner-up in the Miss Teen International competition in Chicago.

As a queen, Scheu enjoys the chance to hop from county fair to county fair, ride in parades, help with fundraising efforts and even milk a goat. But the thing she enjoys most about being royalty is playing an active role in the lives of both soldiers deployed and their families left at home.

 

In her work with Soldier's Angels, Scheu adopted a soldier who she corresponds with by writing letters and sending care packages. She also participates in the Ladies of Liberty program, which supports women soldiers during deployment, and the Warriors to Citizens military program based in Farmington.

 

"My platform is kind of personal," Scheu said, noting her father served in the Army during the Vietnam War and her taekwondo instructor served in Iraq and currently trains Army Reserve members. "Over the years, my family has traveled all over the country to different military bases and shows. I would say the military kind of found us."

 

Scheu never knew what it was like to have a family member in military deployment, so she finds it interesting to spend time with children who have parents or other family members serving in active duty.

"It's kind of a play date to hang out with those kids during military picnics and deployment ceremonies," she said. "There are not many queens that visit soldiers during deployment, so it's cool to be the queen who is there for them on deployment day."

 

Soldier's Angels offers a lot of different ways to help military families during deployment, Scheu said. By visiting www.soldiersangels.org and participating in just one program, anyone can show support, and make soldiers' deployment a bit more enjoyable and share "a little piece of home."

 

When Scheu's not flaunting her crown, she can be found sparring as a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, which she has participated in for 11 years. At first she didn't want to be in the martial art, but her mother kept pushing her.

 

 

"I didn't want to do it unless there was a pink or a purple belt," she said. "As it turns out there is a purple belt, so I stuck with it."
 
 
 
http://plamerican.com/teen-queen-promotes-soldier-s-angels-108

Soldiers’ Angels is CFC #25131 in the Combined Federal Campaign

Soldiers' Angels is CFC #25131 in the Combined Federal Campaign

The mission of the Combined Federal Campaign is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.
 
CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than  300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

August 24, 2009- Moment of Silence- honor the memories of...

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

 

 

 

Cpl. Nicholas R. Roush, 22, of Middleville, Mich., died Aug 16 in Herat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

 

 

Sgt. 1st Class William B. Woods Jr., 31, of Chesapeake, Va., died Aug. 16 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when he was shot Aug. 14 while on patrol in Ghanzi, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Glen Arm, Md.

 

 

 

Lance Cpl. Leopold F. Damas, 26, of Floral Park, N.Y., died Aug. 17 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 

 

 

 

Gunnery Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin, 34, of Garfield, Ohio, died Aug. 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

 

Pfc. William Z. Vanosdol, 23, of Pinson, Ala., died Aug. 19 at Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy rocket fire struck his quarters. He was assigned to the 172nd Support Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany.

 

 

 

 

Spc. Matthew D. Hastings, 23, of Claremore, Okla., died Aug. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 582nd Medical Logistics Company, 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, Fort Hood, Texas.

 

 

Spc. Paul E. Dumont, Jr., 23, of Williamsburg, Va., died Aug. 19 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 149th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, Fort Eustis, Va.

 

 

 

 Staff Sgt. Clayton P. Bowen, 29, of San Antonio, Texas. died Aug. 18 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near  vehicle. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

 

Pfc. Morris L. Walker, 23, of Chapel Hill, N.C. died Aug. 18 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near  vehicle. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

 

 

 

Army 1st Sgt. Jose S.N. Crisostomo, 59, of Inarajan, Guam, died Aug. 18 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to International Security Assistance Force Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan.

 

 

Pfc. Brian M. Wolverton, 21, of Oak Park, Calif., died Aug. 20 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Sgt. Matthew L. Ingram, 25, of Pearl, Miss., died Aug. 21 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, and his unit came under small arms fire from enemy forces. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

 

Spc. Justin R. Pellerin, 21, of Boscawen, N.H., died Aug. 20 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Bill Hutton: Ventura County Purple Heart Veteran Elected to National Office

A great friend of mine.... and to Soldiers' Angels... I am so proud of Bill Hutton.     Los Angeles, California, August 21, 2009   Military Order of the Purple Heart Elects New National Junior Vice Commander   Bill Hutton of Thousand Oaks, California, has been elected as National Junior Vice Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a national veteran service organization with more than 44,000 members.                     Bill Hutton enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965-1969 and was assigned to the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division during his tour of duty in Vietnam (1966).  While serving in Vietnam, he was wounded three times with the last occurring on September 28, 1966 while leading his company up Hill 400, which was well fortified with North Vietnamese machine gun bunkers and had held off the Marine Company for two days. For his actions, Bill was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart medal with second star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.  After returning to the states, Bill was assigned to the Military Police in Santa Ana, California.  While serving in that capacity, he was sent on temporary orders to attend the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy for an intense 16 week course in law enforcement procedures.  After graduation, Bill returned to the Marine Air Facility in Santa Ana and was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID).  Bill was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant (E-6) in 1969.. In April, 1969, Bill joined the ranks of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department where he served in every major division including narcotics for over thirty five years.  In 1993, Bill was awarded the Medal for Bravery and the Distinguished Service Award for saving the life of a fellow deputy whose weapon had been taken in a struggle with a "Hell's Angel" motorcycle club member who was under the influence of heroin. Bill has been a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart since 1997 and has held every leadership position in the Order up to and now including, National Junior Vice Commander.  Bill is most proud of his work as a Department Service Officer and his close relationship with the hard working National Service Officers who provide services to our veterans and their families through the National Service Program of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Bill's agenda for this year is to support the efforts of his National Commander and National Senior Vice Commander while the Order navigates a year providing more services to veterans with less financial support due to the economical times.  Further, he is committed to continuing his support of veteran's events throughout the nation as well as assisting departments and chapters with these endeavors.  To learn more about the Military Order of the Purple Heart and its programs, visit the Web site at www.purpleheart.org.

Save 15% on our Delicious Gourmet Cakes!

FINALLY - A CURE FOR THE SUMMERTIME BLUES... Delicious gourmet cakes! Don't forget that each of our gifts includes a chocolate plaque and a greeting card that you can personalize. We take extra special care of our gourmet cakes during the summer heat including refrigerated packs and dry ice.

 

From our facebook wall today--

Tony:

at 11:00pm on August 16th, 2009   Thank you Soldier's Angels for all you have done for my daughter and our family over the last two years. You sent our family and my son-in-law's family to Bethesda multiple times to be with him after he was hit by an IED in Iraq.   I don't think he would be alive today without the love and support we were able to give to him after he was first injured. You are truly Angels in my family's eyes. Sam is still in a long term care facility near his family in Granite Bay California. His TBI is still a major concern, but he also continues to improve little by little. http://www.prayingforsam.com

 

Morning Yon---

 

Words from today's Michael Yon's Dispatch:
 
"The right people were only an email away: Soldiers Angels. And so within about two minutes, these fingers typed an email with this subject heading: CALLING ALL ANGELS.
Soldiers' Angels Shelle Michaels and MaryAnn Phillips moved into action." 
  
- http://www.michaelyon-online.com/do-americans-care-about-british-soldiers.htm
 

 

Wounded soldier transferred to Tampa

By Sarah Fay Campbell

 

The Times-Herald

Sgt. First Class Mark Allen has been transferred to the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.
 
Allen, a soldier with Bravo 2/121, the Georgia Army National Guard unit that operates out of Newnan's Jackson-Pless Armory, received a severe head injury July 8 in Afghanistan.
 
Since his arrival back in the U.S., Allen had been at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland.
 
 
The transfer to Tampa will put him much closer to his family, many of whom live in Ocala, Fla.
Allen is still in a coma, but is off all life support, other than a feeding tube, said Robert Stokely, a member of the Family Readiness Group for Bravo 2/121.
 
Allen's breathing is much improved, Stokely said, and he does open his eyes sometimes, but "he is not showing any signs of recognizing what is going on around him," he said.
 
Allen has brain activity but "they just can't tell how much cognitive function he has got," Stokely said. It is not unusual for someone with a traumatic brain injury to still be in that condition, he said.
 
Two fund-raisers for Allen will be coming up soon.
 
On Aug. 27, the Coweta Crossroads Chick-fil-A will be donating proceeds from sales made between 5 and 8 p.m. to the Wounded Warrior SFC Mark Allen Fund.
 
The Newnan Dwarf House will do the same Aug. 31.
 
Donations will also be accepted at the restaurants that night, or they can be sent to 100 Fountainhead Way, Sharpsburg, GA 30277.
 
The military is paying for all of Allen's medical care, of course, and is also paying for his wife, Shannon, to be at his side.
The fund-raiser is to help the family with "gap expenses," such as travel for Allen's parents, and helping with items such as lawn care at Allen's home while his family is visiting the hospital.
 
"When you've got someone in a long-term care situation like this, it really eats into your pocketbook," Stokely said.
 
Friends and neighbors of the Allens have been very helpful, Stokely said, but "this is going to be a long haul for them."
 
Similar fund-raisers were held earlier this month at the Fayetteville Chick-fil-A and Upscale Pizza. As of Aug. 10, a total of $4,464 had been collected.
 
The other two soldiers injured with Allen are continuing to recover.
 
Spc. Charles Benson remains at the VA Hospital in Augusta. The cast is off his left hand, and his right hand is recovering pretty well, but "we still don't know if he has to have more surgery," Stokely said.
 
Corp. Jonathan Morita is at Walter Reed Medical Center.
 
Morita's most serious injury was to his right index finger, when a rocket propelled grenade struck him and took out his weapon. Doctors are unsure how much use of the index finger Morita will have when healed, Stokely said.
 
Both Benson and Allen received laptop computers, specially set up to be used by soldiers with hand and arm impairments, from Soldiers Angels.
 
 
 
http://www.times-herald.com/local/Wounded-soldier-transferred-to-Tampa-832965

Obama Pledges Support for Troops, Veterans

Obama Pledges Support for Troops, Veterans
Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:59:00 -0500

Obama Pledges Support for Troops, Veterans By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2009 - America's men and women in uniform have done their duty and fulfilled every responsibility that's been asked of them, President Barack Obama said today. "And now," he said, "a grateful nation must fulfill ours." Obama offered high praise for the troops, calling them the heart and soul of the world's best military during a speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars' annual convention in Phoenix. "It's not the powerful weapons that make our military the strongest in the world. It's not the sophisticated systems that make us the most advanced," he told the veterans. "No, the true strength of our military lies in the spirit and skill of our men and women in uniform." Obama said he recognizes his responsibility to "America's most precious resource" and vowed to be deliberate in how he commits them. "I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary," he said. "When I do, it will be based on good intelligence and guided by a sound strategy. And I will give you a clear mission, defined goals, and the equipment and support you need to get the job done." Obama promised to ensure troops have the resources, equipment and strategies they need to succeed in the current conflicts as well as future ones. "We need to keep our military the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped fighting force in the world," he said. The president outlined some of the initiatives under way to support this goal: -- Growing the Army and Marine Corps, and halting reductions in the Navy and Air Force to increase time between deployments, reduce stress on the force and bring an end to the Army's stop-loss, an involuntary extension program; -- Providing more assets to support current operations: helicopters and crews; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities; special operations forces; and armored vehicles and protective gear; -- Conducting a top-to-bottom review of military priorities and posture to develop a new blueprint for the 21st century military the United States will need; -- Balancing military capabilities to face unconventional as well as conventional threats; -- Modernizing the force by investing in new skills and specialties as well as new technologies; and -- Reforming the way the Pentagon does business to reduce waste and get the most capability out of every defense dollar. Obama also recognized the country's responsibility to take care of its men and women in uniform, as well as veterans. He noted that his fiscal 2010 budget funds "increasing military pay, building better family housing and funding more childcare and counseling to help families cope with the stresses of war." In addition, big increases will be devoted to providing wounded warriors treatment centers, case managers and better medical care, he said. These resources, he told the veterans, will ensure wounded warriors get the care they need so they "can recover and return to where they want to be: with their units." Obama also noted the billions of dollars in the new budget that will go toward treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries that have become the defining wounds of today's wars. Increased funding will provide more treatment and mental-health screening to reach troops on the front lines, and more mobile and rural clinics to reach veterans who have returned home, he said. "We are not going to abandon these American heroes," Obama said. "We will do right by them." America's commitment to its troops will continue when they become veterans, he said, noting significant funding increases for Department of Veterans Affairs programs. "Whether you left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned," the president promised the veterans. Even during tough economic times, Obama said the country can't shirk from its responsibilities to servicemembers and veterans. "Let me be clear," he said. "America's commitments to its veterans are not just lines in a budget. "They are bonds that are sacred – a sacred trust that we are honor-bound to uphold."

Related Sites: Veterans of Foreign Wars Related Articles: Afghan War 'Fundamental' to U.S. Defense, Obama Tells VFW

Portraits of Love

Volunteering to Help Send a Piece of Home to Soldiers Abroad
 
The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) along with Soldiers' Angels, a grassroots volunteer organization, revealed  the Portraits of Love Project, a volunteer effort aimed at sending family portraits to soldiers around the globe this holiday season.
 
Designed to help bring a piece of home to soldiers around the world, the project is utilizing the talents of over 150 volunteer photographers across the country who are opening their studios this September, to offer free family portraits to military family members who have a soldier deployed overseas. The portraits will be uploaded to a website, www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com, and a print will be sent, free of charge, directly to the soldier in Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever they are deployed around the world. The goal of the project is to send 10,000 free family portraits during the month of September.
 
"This project is the photo industry's way of giving back to our soldiers, and thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our country," said Jerry Grossman, the president of the PMDA who has spearheaded the effort. "Our industry is uniquely qualified to bring an important piece of home to our soldiers, and we're pleased to be able to organize this effort."
 
"It's incredible how motivating a simple family photograph can be to a soldier who is far from home," said Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, who has served two tours in Iraq and has worked with Soldiers Angels on a number of projects. "This volunteer effort is one more way that we can help our soldiers cope with their situation," he said.
 
As part of this project, Ken Hubbard of Tamron USA, Inc. joins more pro photographers to take professional family portraits of soldier's families at Fort Hood this September. Military family members on or near Fort Hood can contact the base directly for scheduling information.
 
About PMDA
Founded in 1939, the PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) has promoted the photo industry for over 70 years with an emphasis on photo imaging manufacturers and distributors. PMDA provides an open forum for its members to exchange ideas and learn new technologies and business trends, in addition to administering programs that promote photography to the general public. The member companies of PMDA have a box seat on the changing product and business developments of the photo industry and a unique opportunity to network with other industry principals and managers in the receptions preceding each meeting and special event. PMDA has also teamed up with the Photo Marketing Association to create the Photographic Information Council (PIC) to promote photography to the general public. PIC's website (www.takegreatpictures.com) provides great photo tips and techniques, celebrity photographers, contests, new product releases and projects. See PMDA's site, www.pmda.com, for more information.


 

ISFAC: Aberle to Lead N.D. Army National Guard’s 68th Troop Command

 
 
 
After reading the press release below, if you would like to send Col. Aberle a note of congrats, please do so. In his new role he also is a member of the ISFAC.
 
 
Col. Michael Aberle
North Dakota Army National Guard
PO BOX 5511
Bismarck, ND 58506-5511
 
 
 


 

For Immediate Release                                                                                              

Contacts:  

Rick Smith at 701-333-2007 (office) or 701-426-0190 (cell)

Amy Willson at 701-451-6130 (office) or 701-412-6895 (cell)

 

Aberle to Lead N.D. Army National Guard's 68th Troop Command

 

BISMARCK — Col. Michael R. Aberle will assume command of the North Dakota Army National Guard's 68^th Troop Command during a Change of Command Ceremony Sunday, August 16, 2009. 

 

Aberle will accept the position from Col. James T. Hrdlicka, who will be deploying with N.D. Army National Guard's upcoming Kosovo (KFOR) mission.

 

The Change of Command Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory drill floor, 4200 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck. 

 

In his new position, Aberle will oversee more than 1,200 Soldiers in the 136^th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 164^th Engineer Battalion, 1-112^th Aviation Battalion and the separate units of the 68^th Troop Command, including the 814^th Medical Detachment, 116^th Public Affairs Detachment, and 188th Army Band.

 

Colonel Aberle is from Edgeley, N.D. and graduated from the North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

 

Colonel Hrdlicka is from Colome, S.D. and graduated from The University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.

 

Media and the public are welcome to attend Sunday's ceremony, and no pre-coordination is required.

ISFAC: The Warrior Gateway Project

ISFAC: The Warrior Gateway Project- I thought you all may be interested in peeking into this and inputting while this is in the inception process.

 

___________________________________________

 

 

Let me introduce myself, my name is Devin Holmes and I work for a non-profit in Washington, DC called Business Executives for National Security (BENS – www.bens.org).  As you explore other options to ASY, I wanted to make you aware of a project that I have been tasked with leading, The Warrior Gateway Project.   

 

By way of background, former VA Secretary Peake and JCS Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen asked the Veterans Innovation Center and BENS to help identify how transitioning service members and veterans can best find and access resources that are available to them at all levels - federal, state, county and local.  We then developed a growing coalition of interested organizations to accomplish this who are all providing pro bono assistance with the project.  These organizations include the USO, Gallup, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, Google and other entities that are significantly committed to helping this project come together.

 

The Warrior Gateway Project is designed to help veterans and their families by providing an extremely user-friendly means to identify, explore and access resources (like yours), as well as assess the usefulness of those resources as it relates to their need.  This will take the form of a universally accessible web-based portal with characteristics that we are currently developing. Our intent is for it to become a national capability that can serve as a network of networks.  This project, and the resulting portal, is designed to operate as a non-profit and to be free of charge for the military community to use and for the service providers (like you) to be listed on it.

 

Our desire is for it to be a 100% inclusive portal and to aggregate the plethora of information already contained in various directories around the web.  As such, we plan to work directly with service providers, like yourself, to provide a platform for reaching and engaging with your target audiences and potential donors.  To accomplish our aggregation strategy, we are also working to create partnerships with large directories and organizations tasked with reaching veterans such as the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA - www.nasdva.net) and the National Resource Directory (www.nationalresourcedirectory.org), with whom we have already begun a dialog.  

 

 

Scheduled for an initial launch in late 2009, the Warrior Gateway Project will:

 

*         Improve access by the military community to services and by the service providers to feedback from the people they serve. The Warrior Gateway Project will organize thousands of programs and services under portal, www.warriorgateway.org, providing the military community with a one-stop, searchable resource for locating, contacting and reviewing private and not-for-profit programs.

 

*         Improve effectiveness by enabling the military community to rate services. This critical feedback helps users find the most effective programs while providing the information necessary for providers to improve quality while identifying service gaps, going beyond the multitude of existing service directories.

 

*         Facilitate communication by fostering online communities.  Through the Warrior Gateway, users can engage with each other or link to other social networks-expanding their support network regardless of geography.  Service providers can connect directly with individuals who need or have used their services, as well as other providers. This creates a dialogue essential to identifying needs not currently being met, improving existing services and developing best practices. Service providers will also be able to connect with donors who provide the funding to start and sustain programs.

 

*         Enhance and expand services critical to helping veterans and their families reintegrate back into their communities.  Warriorgateway.org will also serve as a portal to access veteran-focused job seeking and education services essential to making the transition to a post military career.

 

 

 

We have launched our project blog this week and soliciting more feedback about the project there but I do have just a few questions that I would like your feedback on this week:

 

1)       What are you initial reactions to this project?

 

2)      What would you want to get out of this portal that could be helpful to your organization?

 

3)      If veterans were able to provide feedback, both qualitatively and quantitatively on the services they are receiving, how could your organization benefit from that information?

 

As mentioned, our newly launched blog can be found at http://www.warriorgateway.org/blog/ where I will be writing about the project vision, our progress to date and where we will be soliciting beta testers once our prototype is up and running.  Please follow us there to keep up to date on the project and don't hesitate to contact me directly if you have any other questions or comments.  I look forward to chatting with you soon.

 

Thank you,

Devin

 

 

Devin B. Holmes

The Warrior Gateway Project

Business Executives for National Security

www.bens.org

T: 202-481-1145

E: dholmes@bens.org

 

MICHAEL YON: Firefights and Bombs

Greetings,

The combat in Afghanistan is just getting starting.  Everything I see indicates that combat in 2010 will eclipse 2009 fighting.  We are making progress on some fronts, yet the bottom line is that we still are sinking and show no immediate signs of halting the slide into darkness.  At this time, I see zero indications  of any short term solutions.  The British troops see it, too.  Nevertheless, morale remains high among these British soldiers.  Despite mounting losses, the Brits continue to willingly and enthusiastically close with the Taliban.

During an interview last night with Military.com, another firefight broke out, which punctuated the conversation with Ward Carroll.

Please see this small story and listen to the interview. 


And please support this mission! 


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Very Respectfully,

Michael Yon




Please remember that this website accepts no advertisement and is dependent on your support.   




Please send any regular mail for Michael to:

Michael Yon
P.O. Box 5553
Winter Haven, Fl 33880

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Hot Summer Day Sale

Hot Summer Day Sale!       Now through August 14th get 30% off your entire order, any product applies! Hurry Sale Ends soon!      Click here to shop now! Coupon code Event30

Michael Yon Dispatch Up- No Young Soldiers

Good morning from Afghanistan,

Just in from good mission.  Sore back, but no bullet holes. 

Please see latest dispatch from another recent mission.

Thank you for your support!  Will soon mail out "thank you" postcards with a neat photo.

Your Writer,


Michael
Sangin, Afghanistan




Please remember that this website accepts no advertisement and is dependent on your support.   




Please send any regular mail for Michael to:

Michael Yon
P.O. Box 5553
Winter Haven, Fl 33880

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Michael's newsletters are an opt-in only newsletter. If you are receiving a copy of this newsletter it is because you have opted-in. If you are no longer interested in receiving Michael's updates please see below.

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