Run for the Fallen

Some Soldier's Mom posted a reminder about this effort, which is a tribute to our fallen veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom:

"Beginning June 14, 2008, a small team of runners will run across America to raise awareness about the lives of those soldiers who fought, to activate their memories and keep their spirits alive, to support organizations that help wounded veterans and the families of those killed (Wounded Warrior Project, Yellow Ribbon Fund, Gold Star Family Support Center, and the 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary Memorial Fund), and to aid the healing process for those Americans whose lives have been affected by the war."

The miles logged on July 4th included one for JP Blecksmith. If you've read this blog before, you might recognize that name, as JP is one of the graduates of the United States Naval Academy and former Navy football players memorialized on the shirt that I now wear every Memorial Day. Details HERE. More about JP and what his sacrifice has inspired his family to do can be found HERE.

Consider supporting the runners in "Run for the Fallen" by showing up somewhere along their route (I hope to be there as they finish at Arlington Cemetery on August 24th) or by donating to one of their chosen troop support organizations.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Remembering and Celebrating - Happy Birthday, America!

*Still* need emails for those Sailors, too!

Send your email messages for the USS Russell to: letters@thinking-right.com

This ship has an awesome motto for a 4th of July activity:

"STRENGTH IN FREEDOM." The real strength of our country is that,for over 200 years, Americans have fought and died for the ideals of freedom anddemocracy. Hence, "Strength in Freedom."

Start typing! :-)

Send a Message... to a Marine (link fixed!)

Request from Major Pain for support for some of our guys who don't get regular mail:

They sleep in WWII era wooden huts and sleeping bags, as the constant blowing dirt finds its way into everything they own. They cherish the basic things most take for granted in the states. Operating flawlessly in the 100+ weather is not the exception, it's the expected. They are a tight group that redefines the phrase, "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy".

Don't know what to say? Well, maybe something like this?

Emails go to dirtpeople AT gmail DOT com

Deadline is July 10th!

Not for Nothing, Take 7

As usual, Angel Mary Ann finds a gem of a photo.

It's why we fight, and why we win. (HT: Mrs G at Mudville Gazette)

Contribute to the Largest Shipment of Care Packages to Our Troops - EVER! (Updated)

Update: Did you notice that they had to change the scale?

After raising a little over $1M in one day, the donations have kept coming. Now they're at one and a half MILLION dollars.

That's 50% past their goal. Way to go America!


******
They cracked a million bucks! Not bad for 8 hours work, huh?

If you missed out on the fun, they're still taking donations thru July 2!

*Another* degree of freedom for our vets - YOU can help for FREE (HT: Blackfive)

I couldn't have planned this.

In a terrifically opportune follow-up to my post below (about funding a trike for Sgt Bob of Iowa), Major Daniel Gade passes along a request for your help for wounded vets and other mobility-challenged folks that are using Segways to get around town.

I'll let Maj Gade fill you in:

"As many of you know, I was seriously wounded in Iraq in 2005, and lost my right leg. I am not alone: the war has produced more than 800 amputees of various degrees of severity, and many more with burns, joint fusions, and other issues resulting in decreased mobility. For many of us, the solution to our mobility issues- the thing that enables us to get around our college campuses, places of work and worship, golf courses, and other locations, is the Segway. A Segway is to a person with a mobility problem as a guide dog is to a person who is blind.

...

However, for a variety of reasons, certain venues which allow wheelchairs (Federal law requires it) choose not to allow Segways.

...

But you can help: On Tuesday the 18th of June, the Department of Justice released a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" which seeks public comment on whether Segways should be accommodated in the same way as wheelchairs when they are operated by a person with a disability. You can help by simply contacting the Department of Justice and stating that disabled veterans and others with mobility issues should be accommodated in all circumstances, whether they use a Segway or a wheelchair. It would be best to express your views in your own words rather than quoting me, but only because "form letters" are counted by DOJ as single comments rather than separate ones. "

Read the whole thing HERE (HT: Blackfive).

Follow the two links at the Blackfive post and get on board to help these folks attain the quality of life they deserve. If motorized wheelchairs are permitted, I can't see how Segways can be excluded. It's really not that different from making an exception for seeing-eye dogs where pets are otherwise not permitted.

Thanks, Major Gade, for your service and for bringing this opportunity to our attention.