The Holidays Have Arrived!

Happy Monday Morning!
Hopefully everyone enjoyed a long weekend; filled with family and lots of food.
Perhaps like me, you were out early Friday morning to take advantage of the Black Friday sales.

Yes, the Holiday Season has arrived.

The malls and stores are decorated, and even Santa Claus made his yearly appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Yes, the Holiday Season has arrived.

While we scurry around to find the perfect gift for our loved ones... let's remember the men and women who serve our nation and will not be home for Christmas.

I ask you to join me and mail a package filled with 'pieces of home' to our soldiers. Wrap a few extra gifts and brighten the day of a warrior. Make a donation to the USO. Sign up with SoldiersAngels or AnySoldier.Com to adopt a soldier. I've even attached a list of items to send along:

Baby Wipes (great for dusting)
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Body Wash
Hand and Body Lotion
ChapStix
Visine
Sunscreen
Q-Tips
Puzzle Books (Crossword, Sudoku, Word Find)
Decks of Cards (don't forget Uno)
Small Hand-Held Games
Snacks (Individually wrapped)
Drink Mix (Individual packets for water bottle)
Pop Tarts
Pringles
Granola Bars
Beef Jerky
Cookies
Power Bars
Candy (No chocolate-it melts) Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Mints are great!
Beanie Babies (Soldiers give to children in region)
Pens and Notepads with envelopes (postage not needed)


May Almighty God protect each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.
May God Bless those who take care of our soldiers.

Our Soldiers

An American Soldier


Wherever there is a cry for freedom you will find me
fighting for liberty;

I am an American soldier
My home is the home of the brave the land of the free.

I hail from the land where Lady Liberty stands proudly
beside the deep blue sea; the light from her torch
embracing all who seek shelter and a taste of liberty…

I hail from the land where the Eagle flies the skies
guarding all equally from freedom's enemy
Knowing that the liberty he guards for America helps
keep alive the American dream.

Wherever there is a cry for freedom you will find me
fighting for liberty; I am an American soldier
My home is the home of the brave the land of the free.

I hail from a land where Old Glory, my much loved American flag,
Ripples in the sky, a reminder of times gone by
Of the brave men and women who fought hard and long
And never let a strip or star touch the ground
that liberty might live on.

I hail from a land where a soldier's not ashamed to bend on
hand and knee to give thanks to the God of our forefathers
Who’s blood, sweat, tears and prayers went in to making
and keeping America free.

Wherever there is a cry for freedom you will find me
fighting for liberty, I am an American soldier
My home is the home of the brave the land of the free.

Wherever there is a cry for freedom you will find me.
Wearing my love for freedom and my caring for humanity
An American soldier ready to die that another might live free.





By Heartsong

Thanksgiving Thoughts

My warmest Thanksgiving wishes to each of you.

How blessed we are to live in a country, where we can freely gather with family and friends.

On this day of giving thanks, we must remember the many service members who are overseas during the holiday season.



May we pray each day of the year, as if it were Thanksgiving Day!

Wednesday Hero 11/25/2009

Rear Adm. Ned Deets


Rear Adm. Ned Deets speaks with Frank Chebatar, president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, at the conclusion of the base consolidation ceremony. The two bases consolidated to form Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Talking Tuesday

PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder)

This weekend an Iraq War Veteran led police on a 30-mile high speed chase, injuring two police officers and one motorist. Miller (the driver) has stated he has had a difficult time readjusting, after being deployed twice. You can read the entire article here.

The holidays are rapidly approaching. This time of year is especially challenging for those suffering with PTSD.

What can be done to help our veterans? Not just our returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq; let us not forget our Vietnam Vets.

Your turn.........

A New Day

U.S. Army Pfc. Coty Lang, from San Diego, carries his M-240 machine gun during an early morning patrol near Combat Outpost Munoz, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 14, 2009. Lang is deployed with Baker company, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne).
(Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith)

A Simple, "How Are You?"

I read a most disturbing article this weekend; which states 140 active-duty soldiers had committed suicide this year, the same recorded as the total for all of 2008. Many of these soldiers had never deployed, some have deployed once or twice. The words struck me as sad and scary.

Then I happened upon this article, which helped a little...

Airman driven to action after friends’ deaths

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — A Misawa-based staff sergeant — shocked to learn that two former co-workers had killed themselves after leaving Japan — has taken to the airwaves to remind military members that suicide isn’t the answer to life’s problems.

Staff Sgt. Stephen Terrell, with the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said the two were more acquaintances than good friends, but it was still "hard to take the news."

"I remember the last conversations I had with both of them," Terrell said, adding that co-workers almost become like family in the military.

The bad news had such an effect on Terrell that he decided he wanted to film a public service spot to be played on the American Forces Network, putting local faces on an important message. AFN agreed, and Terrell wrote the script and enlisted a few friends to help.

When drafting the script, Terrell decided to focus on what he thinks are three big problems that could cause someone to consider suicide: work stress, a failed relationship and financial woes.

Terrell got Senior Airman Robert Leggett to play an airman with the problems. Leggett’s wife, Destiny, played the "girlfriend" breaking up with him. Staff Sgt. Chad Bradfield plays the angry boss, and Tech. Sgt. David Bruce is the angry creditor calling for his money.

Most importantly, Senior Airman William Seaver is the friend who calls with an important question — "I just wanted to see how you’re doing" — as Leggett stares at a bottle of pills.

Taking the time to check on people, Terrell says, is the key "to prevent things from happening like this in the future."

He said he’s heard a lot of feedback from people in the community who have noticed the commercial among the other suicide prevention spots that air on AFN.

And he hopes it will help persuade anyone thinking of suicide to reach out for help.

Mental health personnel at Misawa laud Terrell’s effort, saying that the message comes loud and clear when it’s delivered by fellow members of the community.

"We think it’s a great thing," said Senior Airman Samantha Conway, a mental health technician. "It shows that actual airmen are worried about the issue too, not just the professionals."

The first line of defense, she said, are "the people that know you and the people who work with you."

By T.D. Flack, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Leaflets

A UH-60 Black Hawk drops over 250,000 Psyop leaflets in Logar province, Afghanistan, November 14, 2009. The mission's objective was to communicate insurgent activities in local villages. Photo by Pfc. Richard Jones Jr.

He Has My Heart

Being a mother means that your heart is no longer yours;
it wanders wherever your children do.
~ Unknown

Twenty-Eight years ago today, I met my first born son. At 8:05 that morning, my world changed forever in the finest of ways.

B is my oldest son. He was the little boy; I always dreamed of and hoped for. B quickly became a ‘big brother’ to his two older sisters. His quiet demeanor, heartwarming smile and intelligent wit have always been his finest characteristics. We often are befuddled how he survived living in a house with two older sisters and a mom, which in most cases meant he had three ‘moms’. He had a knack for getting out of Dodge, when the drama of two teenage sisters thickened. And then, he would reappear when all was quiet.

At the age of 17 (several weeks after high school graduation), he departed for BMT at Lackland, AFB. Six weeks later, I met the man my son was becoming. Proud, strong and ready to take on the world.

Ten years of saying "later" to my son as we depart at airports, and the mom tears still roll. He has my heart. It matters not how far apart we may be, it matters not for how long. He is my son, and he has my heart.

I wish my son a Happy Birthday. Words will never express what my son means to me.

May Almighty God in Heaven keep B safe in this new year of his life.

May he know laughter, good health and prosperity.

B, I do love you so.

So You Think You Have Leg Room Issues?

Airmen, Sailors and contractors talk and manage dolphins while aboard a C-17 Globemaster III Nov. 8, 2009, en route to New Caledonia.
The crew is taking the Sailors and dolphins to Noumea, New Caledonia, where they will participate in Lagoon Minex 2009, which is a humanitarian project where U. S. Navy, French, Australian and New Zealand demolition crews will remove mines left over from World War II from the surrounding water of the area. The Airmen are from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, the Sailors are from Navy Mobile Unit 1 from San Diego, and contractors are from the Navy Marine Mammals Program. (Defense Department photo/Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

Here is an outside view of the C-17 Globemaster III

His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

Baltimorean dies in Afghanistan
Roadside bomb kills Christopher Coffland, 43, a man of many talents

A 43-year-old Baltimore man who joined the Army Reserve just shy of the cutoff date for enlisting and was deployed to Afghanistan two weeks ago was killed there Friday in a roadside bombing, his family said.

Spc. Christopher James Coffland had spent his life counseling, coaching, traveling, and studying people and cultures, at one point pursuing anthropology graduate work that took him to Gabon, Africa. A month before he turned 42, the enlistment age limit, he signed up to become an Army intelligence specialist, relatives said.

"Desk jobs were not for him," said Sharon Kroupa, a cousin from Baltimore, speaking on behalf of the family. "Everything he did had to have meaning."

Coffland trained for more than a year for his mission in Afghanistan. He and two Marines were killed when the vehicle they were in exploded in the Sayed Abud region, where they were investigating another blast, relatives said. Coffland's body arrived Saturday night at Dover Air Force Base, according to base officials.

Coffland was a 1984 Gilman School graduate and earned an undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in 1988.

His biography reads like that of several people combined: played professional football in Finland, coached football in Australia and lacrosse at Boys' Latin School of Maryland, worked as a university counselor at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, tended bar in Baltimore, studied anthropology at Washington State University, lived with Pygmies in Africa.

When he was in Baltimore, he stayed with his sister, Lynn Coffland, and her husband in Homeland. His parents, Dave and Toni Coffland, live on the Eastern Shore.

"He never married and had a family, so he was part of everyone's family," Kroupa said.

Many of his Gilman friends drove in a caravan to Delaware to support the family after they received Coffland's body.

Willie Franklin, who was among them, said Coffland was a "selfless person who wanted to serve his country."

"He knew the dangers involved," he said. "But he was a very courageous person. He was absolutely the kind of guy, who, when the going gets tough, you want him on your side."

Friends and relatives said Coffland had considered military service many times and had won an appointment to West Point but declined because of the six-year commitment.

"He liked the idea of service," Kroupa said. "The idea of regiments and authority - not so much."

About two years ago, Coffland talked with an Army Reserve recruiter who found his skills and interest in others cultures a good fit for military intelligence work.

Family members said he graduated at the top of his group in boot camp and at Army intelligence school.

Franklin, his high school classmate, met Coffland for lunch in Washington last month, just before he was deployed.

"He was confident and ready to go," Franklin said. "He seemed fearless."

For all his career changes, Kroupasaid, Coffland had "found a place where he could do something meaningful."

"If this defines how he'll be remembered," she added, referring to his military service, "I think he would be proud of that."

In addition to his parents and sister, Lynn, a Baltimore designer, Coffland is survived by sisters Karen Bresnahan and Laurie Bartlett and a brother, David Coffland.


By Julie Bykowicz-Baltimore Sun
November 15, 2009


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

May Almighty God Bless this brave, Maryland soldier and bring comfort to those who love him so.

Talking Tuesday

The news this morning featured a story of a mom who refused to deploy, since she was unable to provide care for her 10-month old son. Read the entie article HERE.

Should the rules of deployment be different for single parents?

Your turn........

Love Your Freedoms? Thank Your Soldiers!

Happy Monday!
I just happened upon this video; it struck me as a 'must-share'!
Please pause my playlist on the right sidebar and enjoy!

A Sunset Landing

An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter from the Chargers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 lifts off the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is participating in Annual Exercise, a yearly bilateral exercise with the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Photo by Seaman Apprentice Rachel Hatch

1:1120

Army survey: Troop morale is down in Afghanistan

The Army needs to more than double the number of mental health providers in Afghanistan where troops are widely dispersed and reporting falling morale and increasing difficulty getting the care they need, the Army said Friday.

The ratio of one mental health professional for about every 1,120 soldiers isn’t enough to help, particularly with fighting intensifying and forces spread out among the local population to carry out the counterinsurgency strategy, according to a mental health assessment conducted there between April and June.

By December, the Army will reduce that ratio to one provider for every 700 soldiers — the ratio prescribed by Army doctrine — by sending an additional 60 to 65 psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and others to the country, said Lt. Col. Paul Bliese, a leader on the Mental Health Assessment Team. Two reserve units were recently activated to help boost the number of mental health providers available for deployment.

Previous mental health assessments in 2005 and 2007 found that Iraq lacked enough mental health providers. It was unclear why those lessons weren’t applied already to Afghanistan.

To give better access to care, the report recommends a two mental health professionals for each brigade combat team, rather than just one. That way one of the providers could be traveling among the far-flung troops while the other can be at the base providing treatment.

However, even with the optimal number of providers, “the tyranny of terrain and weather” makes it difficult for soldiers to get to the providers at the larger bases or for providers to get to them, Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, Army surgeon general, said at a press conference releasing the findings. That might contribute to stigma regarding mental heath services, since seeking care is rather conspicuous under those circumstances, the report found.

The Army’s massive campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health services doesn’t seem to be having an effect on soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, who have reported the same level of stigma since the 2005 survey, according to the report.

President Barack Obama is debating whether to increase troop levels in the country at the same time soldiers are reporting a dramatically decreased unit morale compared with previous years. Those difficulties are also manifesting themselves at home, with an ever-increasing number of soldiers reporting they are getting or considering divorce.

The report found that about 14 percent of all soldiers in Afghanistan have some sort of psychological problem — acute stress or depression, for example. That number jumps significantly when looking at males in the ranks of private through specialist. Of that group more than 21 percent have a mental health issue. That’s down 2 percent from 2007, but still more than double the rate in 2005.

Those numbers have been steadily dropping in Iraq, where the mental health picture is improving overall. Morale is up and suicides didn’t increase there for the first since 2004, the report said. Stigma, as in Afghanistan, isn’t showing improvement, however. Units who spend most of their time outside the wire are reporting the presence of stigma at a higher level than the last assessment, though that may be attributed somewhat to an increase in the number of such soldiers participating in the survey.

Soldiers in support units, who have better access to care because they are typically on larger bases, experience much lower levels of stigma, the report found.

The assessment also reinforced the importance of dwell time. Soldiers deployed to both countries had better mental health if they had more time at home between deployments. In fact, the cumulative time deployed is less a factor in mental health than amount of dwell time between those deployments.

By Megan McCloskey, Stars and Stripes
European edition,Saturday, November 14, 2009

If You Can't Feed a Hundred People, Then Feed Just One. ~Mother Teresa

It's hard to believe how quickly this year has passed by.

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and Christmas only four weeks later!

Like many of you, our family's holiday plans are coming together.

And then, there are our Soldiers.....

The brave men and women defending our freedoms, who will be thousands of miles from family and friends during the holiday season.

As I have mentioned in past posts, I am so very proud to be a Soldiers Angel. It is truly in giving, that we receive. To know that at mail call; a letter or package I have mailed may bring a smile upon a face...is such an awesome feeling. To be able to make a soldier's day a bit brighter, is the very least I can do when I think of their sacrifice for me!

Yes, it is a commitment. But stop and think of their commitment to our country. Certainly mailing one letter a week, along with one or two packages each month is easy enough.

I'm inviting all who read this post, to take a few moments and visit Soldiers Angel website HERE. Their motto is perfect, "May No Soldier Go Unloved". Become an Angel!

Some Days Are Just Plain Good.

November 11th, was a good day.

Veterans Day is the one day a year set aside to pay tribute to all who have served our nation. For so many of us, the military is a part of us...we don't need a day off work to remind us what our service members mean to our nation. We live it.

Now, don't get me wrong...I am truly grateful that Veterans Day is a holiday. My blog is alive, because I have the need to share with all who are willing to read...the importance of recognizing the men and women who protect our freedoms. I am ever so grateful for the freedom to show respect to the generations of soldiers, who have made our country so great and strong!

Fortunately, many had Veterans Day off. I did not. I had to work. But....I loved being at work. You see, I had the pleasure and honor of writing my story on our company's E-Mail, which is distributed to each and every customer who frequents our store. When I arrived at the shop in the morning, I had no idea this would be one of my tasks! The owner of the company was so kind to feature my words, in honor of Veterans Day. It means so very much to me, to know the people I work with have respect for our military. On the afternoons I leave early for BWI to welcome home troops, they've covered my back at the shop. When my sons are coming home for a few days to visit, they've covered my back at the shop. It's the 'mom and pop shop' mentality which our nation was built on. Taking care of each other, and taking care of our soldiers.

So to Dave, the owner of the finest Garden Market in the state of Maryland...thank you for supporting our troops. I've attached a few photos of our shop...and we call this work?

Veterans Day, 2009

A Veteran’s Day Prayer


Dear Lord,
Today we honor our veterans,
worthy men and women
who gave their best
when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country.
We pray that you will bless them, Lord,
for their unselfish service
in the continual struggle
to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly
for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made
for their many different contributions
to America’s victories
over tyranny and oppression.
We respect them, we thank them,
we honor them, we are proud of them,
and we pray that you will watch over
these special people
and bless them with peace and happiness.
In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.


By Joanna Fuchs

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To all who have served our Nation,

I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

United States Marines - 234th Birhtday

The United States Marine Corps was formed in 1775 by the Continental Congress when it authorized the formation of two battalions. The Marine motto “Semper Fidelis” means always faithful and is what all Marines strive for. The phrase defines the honesty and dedication for their work of protecting the United States of America.


There currently are roughly 180,000 active duty and 40,000 reserve Marines enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

The military organization is considered to be the aggressive tip of the American military spear and is frequently referred to as “First to Fight.” Marines are the only U.S. military force designed to be expeditionary in nature and able to operate in a state of “forward deployment.” Forward deployment refers to Marines being stationed around the world and ready to act whenever and wherever the need arises.

Frank Denzler
Rushville Republican

"The Way We Get By"

Over the weekend, I caught an interesting interview of a small elderly group. Since May 2003, these senior citizens have been going to an airport in Bangor, Maine to send off soldiers as they deploy and to welcome them as they return to U.S. soil. Over 900,000 soldiers have been greeted by this dedicated group.

On Veterans Day, November 11th...their story will be aired on PBS. Please visit PBS to check the time it is airing in your local area or better yet, order the video!

As most of you know, I am a volunteer with Operation Welcome Home-Maryland. The true honor of shaking hands with our heroes as they step off the plane, takes my breath away every single time. Soldier after soldier walk by our 'parade route' and it never ceases to amaze me how thankful they are to see us! They thank us! I mean THEY. THANK. US! At one point in the interview, the word 'addiction' was used...and it's true! If it were not for the fact I live an hour and a half from the airport...I would be there to greet every plane which lands with our soldiers returning home! Greeting our troops is something I need to do. I need to let them know they are coming home to a grateful nation. I need our soldiers to feel loved and appreciated. I need to see their smiling faces, and know that they are safely home! How grateful I am, to know there is our core group at OWH greeting the flights of soldiers returning through BWI.

Please look into watching "The Way We Get By" on PBS. The website is filled with excellent ideas on how to make posters, if you have the opportunity to greet our troops. Along the left sidebar are many useful links of ideas how to help our service members through the USO and other wonderful organizations.

If you have a few more moments, please watch the trailer (don't forget to pause my music on the right sidebar!)

13 Faces

On Thursday, November 5, 2009 our nation was stunned and saddend by the horrific mass killing at Fort Hood. Each of these Americans proudly served our country. Please join me in remembering the faces and names of our heroes. Pray for the familes, who now have empty places in their hearts.

Lt. Col. Juanita L. Warman (Maryland National Guard)

Pfc. Michael Pearson

Maj. L. Eduardo Caraveo

Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow

Spc. Jason Dean Hunt

Spc. Kham S. Xiong

Major John Gaffaney (Reservist)

Chief Warrant Officer Michael Grant Cahill (Ret.)

Spc. Francheska Velez

Russell Seager (Reservist)

Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelk

Sgt. Amy Krueger

Spc. Frederick Greene

Kids Are Kids... and They Love Candy

HELMAND PROVENCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 29, 2009) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Eric Nobriga, assigned to Combined Anti-Armor Team 2 (CAAT 2), hands candy to Afghan children during a patrol in Nawa District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is one of the ground combat elements deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Purschwitz/Released)

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This photo made me smile today. I packaged up all the leftover Halloween candy (it rained on Halloween night) and shipped it to 'Chief' with a note stating the next box will be filled with toothpaste! I'm rather certain he will share the contents of the box with his flight. I am absolutely certain the children in the area will receive plenty of candy as well! It makes me smile to think of our Soldiers sharing candy with the children in such a faraway land.

Fort Hood

We must continue to pray for the families of the killed at Fort Hood.

We must pray for healing of those injured in this tragedy.

We must never let this happen on U.S. soil again!

Police Raid Fort Hood Suspect's Home as 13th Victim Dies From Injuries - Local News News Articles National News US News - FOXNews.com

Not At Home!

I've spent this afternoon watching the coverage of the shooting at Fort Hood.

My heart hurts.

My Prayers are lifted for the fallen soldiers, who by the Grace of God returned home...only to be shot down in their own backyard.

My Prayers for healing of those who have been injured.

My Prayers go to the families who were enjoying a 'normal' day, only to have their worlds fall apart hearing of a loved one killed or injured on an Army Base.

As a Mom, my level of fear has certainly gone up a notch. This incident happened at Fort Hood... this time. We think as long as our sons are stateside, they are not in harms' way. I've always thought of Military Bases to be a bubble of sorts. Obviously, our world holds no bubbles.

Will this prove to be an act of terror? One man has certainly altered the lives of so many. The fallen, the injured, the families, along with each and every Service Member walking on a "Secure Base". What is secure anymore?

I'm thinking of the soldiers returning home tomorrow at BWI. How many of them will be flying on to Fort Hood, to learn of comrades killed or injured? They believed they were coming home to safety.

My heart hurts.

Military Support From the Big Guys!

Last December I wrote a post titled, "My Hands are Small" The words are borrowed from the song, "Hands" written by Jewel:

My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours,
they are my own
But they're not yours,
they are my own
And I am never broken.


Friday night, I will once again have the great honor of welcoming home our Soldiers at BWI. Being an active volunteer with Operation Welcome Home fills my heart with more and more gratitude of our troops. To shake the hands of the men and women who have spent months overseas, leaves a lump in my throat each time I attend such an event. I make it a point to fill a bag with snacks, to help fill the goodie bags we distribute to each soldier. But as I said...my hands are small. My Garden Center wages, limits me to what I can donate.

And then there are the Big Guys.....

Old Navy helped OWH, by collecting enough food and water to supply nearly 16 planes or 4800 troops! 20 of their local stores participated in this drive and it truly is a tremendous help! It is my hope more Retailers will participate in donating or holding collection drives for our Soldiers.

Applebee's is once again offering FREE FOOD to our Service Members on Veterans Day! What an awesome Thank You!

The Walmart Foundation has donated over $1 million to the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH) to support their Community Circles of Support for Veterans’ Families initiative. The objective of this program is to fill the gap in services by improving high-quality emotional health and family support services for veterans and their families through integrated community support programming.

Please pass along national or local companies you know are doing good deeds for our soldiers.

Let's join together and recognize these companies by patronizing their establishments. If they are helping to take care of our Soldiers, they deserve a huge Thank you!

May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.

Prayers for Belle...again

My sweet little grandgirl is going in for more tests on Monday.

She needs our prayers.

Her Mommy and Daddy need our prayers.

The doctors who lay their healing hands on this sweet baby, need our prayers.



Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6