Camp Pendleton Christmas Outreach
Armor of Light Christmas Outreach at South Mesa Chapel, Camp PendletonThis is the fifth year that we have an opportunity to bless the Marines, Sailors and their families at Camp Pendleton. On Saturday, December 6 we will serve a Christmas dinner, provide games and crafts for the kids, and give away toys/gifts, non-perishable foods and baby supplies.
http://www.armoroflightcc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=0
Thanks to all of you for volunteering to help serve the Marines, Sailors and their families on Saturday, December 6! Please be in prayer for this event, that the LORD will bless all who come.
The following is important information for the event at South Mesa Chapel on Camp Pendleton:
Directions – 5 Freeway south, exit Camp Pendleton Harbor Drive, turn towards the base (away from ocean); at the main gate you may need to show:
Current vehicle registration
Proof of car insurance
Valid Drivers’ License (for the driver)
You may be asked to go to the guard shack and get a day pass.
Go through the gate; turn right at the light, which is Wire Mountain; at the top of the hill turn left at the stop sign (San Jacinto); go about ½ mile and you will see South Mesa Chapel on your right (it is also called Blinder Memorial Chapel). Please be sure to obey all traffic and speed laws.
Parking – The South Mesa Chapel parking lot will be used for the carnival this year, so volunteers need to park in the large parking area just past the South Mesa Chapel parking lot.
Volunteer Check-In - All volunteers need to check in at the Volunteer Table and get a name tag. The table will be near the entry to the event, right next to the parking lot. You will see us under the burgundy canopy.
Those who are working in the Carnival area should check in between 7:45 AM and 8:00 AM. For those who have a scheduled start time, please plan to check in 10 to 15 minutes before that time. If you do not have a scheduled time, or do not know where you will be serving, please come to the Volunteer Table as soon as you arrive.
Volunteer Prayer - The first volunteer prayer time will be at 8:15 AM in the carnival area; the second prayer time will be at 10:15 AM in the social hall.
Other Notes - Consider bringing sun screen and/or a hat, and a sack lunch or snack. Also, there will not be a secure area to keep your belongings, so please plan to keep these things in your car.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Political Irish Rockers Black 47 Campaign for Iraq
Stars and Stripes
Johnnie was just a kid. I mean we were all kids but he seemed younger, less sure of himself. Anbar changed that. Grow up or die. It only took one mistake but Johnnie didn't make any. That's what I liked about him. Guy had eyes in the back of his head. I guess his luck ran out. It was the longest hour of my life. Waiting for that chopper. Begging him to hold on. I still remember the last thing I said to him, “when we get back to Bragg, I'm gonna drink your ass under the table.” Yeah…
Downtown Baghdad Blues
One weekend a month! That's what they said when we joined the Guard. Two full tours later, I'm almost used to this hellhole. Everyone's got their problems. One guy can't take the heat, another the dust, the smell, the flies, the dogs howlin', the call to prayer. And I got you… readin' between the lines of your email, wonderin' why you can't be bothered writin' a letter. Nothin' over her makes any sense but you make even less. As soon as we're gone the sand will cover up everything - just like we'd never come. So, what the hell am I doin' here in the first place?
Sadr City
Gunner was crazy before he hit Baghdad - out of his head fixating on old movies. Nothing seemed to affect him - except Mookie. Swore Moqtada Al Sadr was a dead ringer for Orson Wells. Taped both their pictures over his bunk and stared at them for hours. Was sure Mookie was out to get him personally. Didn't help that he spent most of his tour in a Hummer cruising Sadr City - red-hot Mookie turf. Last time I saw him down in Walter Reade, wouldn't you know it, he was still staring at those two pictures on his wall.
Sunrise on Brooklyn
I should have said something, anything, not just let you walk away. Maybe it was just another kiss to you, nothing to write home about, but you did say you cared. Was it just because I was leaving the next day? Doing your duty - feeling sorry for another jarhead off to the sandpit? Then I remember the way you melted against me, lips open, tongues touching, with the Verazanno lit up like a string of pearls in the night. And then your friends shouted and you had to go, but I can still feel the print of your body… man, it's too quiet out there, muezzin should be praying and, oh shit, something just moved up on that minaret…
No Better Friend… No Worse Enemy
The US Marines have long been a first step up the ladder for poor and working class youth. They leave behind much blood in the sands of Iraq.
Ballad of Cindy Sheehan
The gutter press, the talking heads on TV, the DC chicken-hawks, they all did such a job on this woman that I was a bit leery meeting her. Was she really just another egomaniac looking for attention? But those planted fears faded away in the warmth of her smile and the firmness of her handshake. All I saw was an American mother trying to stop this madness before another women loses her son.
The Last One to Die
If there's one thing this war has given me, it's perspective. Not about over here. I'll never understand these people. Talk about two different worlds - more like universes. No, I mean back home. I know it's hard for people to have any idea what we're going through. But I know exactly what they're doing because I used to be just like them: watching TV, going to the mall, rooting for the Brewers - a great big ball of nothing! The country is as flabby as a politician's ass; we're lied to and led by those who keep us stupid to make money off us. Over here, bad as it is, we're lean and mean and rely on each other - not in some bullshit television way, but for real. When I go back I'm going to do something about it.
The Fighting 69th (on the road to the airport)
The 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard gained its reputation at Antietam and Fredericksburg. In 2004 the Fighting 69th was deployed to Iraq where it guarded the infamous Route Irish, linking the Green Zone to Baghdad International Airport, often called “the most dangerous piece of real estate in the world.” Nineteen members were killed in action, and seventy-eight seriously wounded.
Battle of Fallujah
If they'd let us finish it in April we wouldn't have had to go back again in November. By then Zarqawi had the joint booby-trapped and laid thick with IEDs, snipers hanging out of the goddamn moon. We plowed through that town, rubbling everything in our way; and when we reached the desert, we had to turn around and fight right back through again. Zarqawi knew we were coming and was history. Only the loonies stayed behind. Ever fight someone who wants to die and take you with them? That's what it was like. Still, we blew the hell out of them and everything else too. Now we got to pay Halliburton or some bunch of crooks to rebuild the whole thing. What a war!
Ramadi
Goddamn smoke grenades did it. One minute I'm running down an alley behind the Lieutenant; next I'm half blind, slippin' on broken glass and rollin' over assways. Now I'm pinned between a wall and a burnt out Toyota. The Lieutenant will come back for me but there's a Haji on the roof got my number. It's too quiet. Jesus! Just some mortars goin' off over by the river - far away, nearly as far away as you and your emails and cold kisses and how come you never write a real letter and is he still around and don't tell me you don't run into him and I know he wants you so bad that it's driving me out of my head and I can feel that Haji zeroin' in and…
Southside Chicago Waltz
He was just another Southside kid at the Gaelic Park Festival. I didn't pay him much heed, though his favorite song was American Wake rather than James Connolly or Funky Ceili. It didn't surprise me when he enlisted after 9/11 - all those kids wanted to do their part. Iraq changed him. That wasn't surprising either; most of them were quieter, more serious, bending over backwards to mask their feelings. What did surprise me is that he re-enlisted and went back. Said it made more sense over there. This one's for you, kid. See you Memorial Day…
Whatever…
The catchword of our times… The general disengagement in the country is staggering. Whatever one's politics, there is little doubt that this war was unnecessary. And yet it drags on, hemorrhaging the nation of blood, money and morality. A very small percentage are doing the fighting and dying for us. Are we so over-entertained, so under-informed that we can't see the forest for the splintered trees? Despite all the spinning and dissembling of the last five years, we're a bigger country than that, a greater people, ill served by flaccid words like whatever…
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Steadfast in its opposition to the war since before the invasion, Black 47 presents a dry-eyed view of life in combat on IRAQ its debut for new model indie, United For Opportunity (release date: March 4, 2008). The band hits the campaign trail in February performing across the U.S. and culminating with a St. Patrick's Day release party on their home turf, New York City, at BB Kings.
Recorded at Coney Island's Cyclone Sound in July 2007, IRAQ includes a batch of new songs along with several composed by Larry Kirwan over the course of the war. Inspiration for the characters and stories are very personal, many coming from the point-of-view of fans that served in Iraq and shared their experiences with the band.
Black 47 rarely plays to the converted and their shows have often seethed over the last five years. “Because of our background, we've always had as strong a fan base of right wing cops, firemen and conservatives, as of left wing students, radicals, and the working disaffected; neither side has been afraid to vent its views,” Kirwan dryly notes. “We also take pride in keeping in touch with our fans, many of whom traditionally join the Service as a way to fund their college education or mortgage. Add to that the many who enlisted in response to 9/11, and it's easy to see why we have had no shortage of information from those actually doing the fighting in Iraq.”
“Stars and Stripes” tells the story of two young men waiting for a chopper to rescue them from an ambush in Anbar Province, while “Downtown Baghdad Blues” has another serviceman wondering, “what the hell am I doing here in the first place?” “Sadr City,” is black-humored blues with the hero fearful that Moqtada Al Sadr's Mahdi Army has his number; and on “Ramadi,” a young man, despite his desperate situation, can't rid his mind that his girlfriend may be “cruisin' down Main Street hangin' with your old squeeze.”
The band employs an ever-broadening mélange of New York styles: rock, reggae, hip-hop, folk, Irish traditional, downtown noise and Jazz and have adopted a somewhat harder sound to reflect the nature of the war.
With a pedigree for controversy, Black 47 first raised its voice in protest to the political and economic systems in the North of Ireland in 1989. Led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals), Black 47 is recognized as the premier Irish-American rock group who paved the way for the current Irish punk/roots explosion led by such bands as Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys.
Black 47 begin the first leg of their U.S. tour February 1 through St. Patrick's Day. Additional tour dates to be announced.
Johnnie was just a kid. I mean we were all kids but he seemed younger, less sure of himself. Anbar changed that. Grow up or die. It only took one mistake but Johnnie didn't make any. That's what I liked about him. Guy had eyes in the back of his head. I guess his luck ran out. It was the longest hour of my life. Waiting for that chopper. Begging him to hold on. I still remember the last thing I said to him, “when we get back to Bragg, I'm gonna drink your ass under the table.” Yeah…
Downtown Baghdad Blues
One weekend a month! That's what they said when we joined the Guard. Two full tours later, I'm almost used to this hellhole. Everyone's got their problems. One guy can't take the heat, another the dust, the smell, the flies, the dogs howlin', the call to prayer. And I got you… readin' between the lines of your email, wonderin' why you can't be bothered writin' a letter. Nothin' over her makes any sense but you make even less. As soon as we're gone the sand will cover up everything - just like we'd never come. So, what the hell am I doin' here in the first place?
Sadr City
Gunner was crazy before he hit Baghdad - out of his head fixating on old movies. Nothing seemed to affect him - except Mookie. Swore Moqtada Al Sadr was a dead ringer for Orson Wells. Taped both their pictures over his bunk and stared at them for hours. Was sure Mookie was out to get him personally. Didn't help that he spent most of his tour in a Hummer cruising Sadr City - red-hot Mookie turf. Last time I saw him down in Walter Reade, wouldn't you know it, he was still staring at those two pictures on his wall.
Sunrise on Brooklyn
I should have said something, anything, not just let you walk away. Maybe it was just another kiss to you, nothing to write home about, but you did say you cared. Was it just because I was leaving the next day? Doing your duty - feeling sorry for another jarhead off to the sandpit? Then I remember the way you melted against me, lips open, tongues touching, with the Verazanno lit up like a string of pearls in the night. And then your friends shouted and you had to go, but I can still feel the print of your body… man, it's too quiet out there, muezzin should be praying and, oh shit, something just moved up on that minaret…
No Better Friend… No Worse Enemy
The US Marines have long been a first step up the ladder for poor and working class youth. They leave behind much blood in the sands of Iraq.
Ballad of Cindy Sheehan
The gutter press, the talking heads on TV, the DC chicken-hawks, they all did such a job on this woman that I was a bit leery meeting her. Was she really just another egomaniac looking for attention? But those planted fears faded away in the warmth of her smile and the firmness of her handshake. All I saw was an American mother trying to stop this madness before another women loses her son.
The Last One to Die
If there's one thing this war has given me, it's perspective. Not about over here. I'll never understand these people. Talk about two different worlds - more like universes. No, I mean back home. I know it's hard for people to have any idea what we're going through. But I know exactly what they're doing because I used to be just like them: watching TV, going to the mall, rooting for the Brewers - a great big ball of nothing! The country is as flabby as a politician's ass; we're lied to and led by those who keep us stupid to make money off us. Over here, bad as it is, we're lean and mean and rely on each other - not in some bullshit television way, but for real. When I go back I'm going to do something about it.
The Fighting 69th (on the road to the airport)
The 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard gained its reputation at Antietam and Fredericksburg. In 2004 the Fighting 69th was deployed to Iraq where it guarded the infamous Route Irish, linking the Green Zone to Baghdad International Airport, often called “the most dangerous piece of real estate in the world.” Nineteen members were killed in action, and seventy-eight seriously wounded.
Battle of Fallujah
If they'd let us finish it in April we wouldn't have had to go back again in November. By then Zarqawi had the joint booby-trapped and laid thick with IEDs, snipers hanging out of the goddamn moon. We plowed through that town, rubbling everything in our way; and when we reached the desert, we had to turn around and fight right back through again. Zarqawi knew we were coming and was history. Only the loonies stayed behind. Ever fight someone who wants to die and take you with them? That's what it was like. Still, we blew the hell out of them and everything else too. Now we got to pay Halliburton or some bunch of crooks to rebuild the whole thing. What a war!
Ramadi
Goddamn smoke grenades did it. One minute I'm running down an alley behind the Lieutenant; next I'm half blind, slippin' on broken glass and rollin' over assways. Now I'm pinned between a wall and a burnt out Toyota. The Lieutenant will come back for me but there's a Haji on the roof got my number. It's too quiet. Jesus! Just some mortars goin' off over by the river - far away, nearly as far away as you and your emails and cold kisses and how come you never write a real letter and is he still around and don't tell me you don't run into him and I know he wants you so bad that it's driving me out of my head and I can feel that Haji zeroin' in and…
Southside Chicago Waltz
He was just another Southside kid at the Gaelic Park Festival. I didn't pay him much heed, though his favorite song was American Wake rather than James Connolly or Funky Ceili. It didn't surprise me when he enlisted after 9/11 - all those kids wanted to do their part. Iraq changed him. That wasn't surprising either; most of them were quieter, more serious, bending over backwards to mask their feelings. What did surprise me is that he re-enlisted and went back. Said it made more sense over there. This one's for you, kid. See you Memorial Day…
Whatever…
The catchword of our times… The general disengagement in the country is staggering. Whatever one's politics, there is little doubt that this war was unnecessary. And yet it drags on, hemorrhaging the nation of blood, money and morality. A very small percentage are doing the fighting and dying for us. Are we so over-entertained, so under-informed that we can't see the forest for the splintered trees? Despite all the spinning and dissembling of the last five years, we're a bigger country than that, a greater people, ill served by flaccid words like whatever…
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Steadfast in its opposition to the war since before the invasion, Black 47 presents a dry-eyed view of life in combat on IRAQ its debut for new model indie, United For Opportunity (release date: March 4, 2008). The band hits the campaign trail in February performing across the U.S. and culminating with a St. Patrick's Day release party on their home turf, New York City, at BB Kings.
Recorded at Coney Island's Cyclone Sound in July 2007, IRAQ includes a batch of new songs along with several composed by Larry Kirwan over the course of the war. Inspiration for the characters and stories are very personal, many coming from the point-of-view of fans that served in Iraq and shared their experiences with the band.
Black 47 rarely plays to the converted and their shows have often seethed over the last five years. “Because of our background, we've always had as strong a fan base of right wing cops, firemen and conservatives, as of left wing students, radicals, and the working disaffected; neither side has been afraid to vent its views,” Kirwan dryly notes. “We also take pride in keeping in touch with our fans, many of whom traditionally join the Service as a way to fund their college education or mortgage. Add to that the many who enlisted in response to 9/11, and it's easy to see why we have had no shortage of information from those actually doing the fighting in Iraq.”
“Stars and Stripes” tells the story of two young men waiting for a chopper to rescue them from an ambush in Anbar Province, while “Downtown Baghdad Blues” has another serviceman wondering, “what the hell am I doing here in the first place?” “Sadr City,” is black-humored blues with the hero fearful that Moqtada Al Sadr's Mahdi Army has his number; and on “Ramadi,” a young man, despite his desperate situation, can't rid his mind that his girlfriend may be “cruisin' down Main Street hangin' with your old squeeze.”
The band employs an ever-broadening mélange of New York styles: rock, reggae, hip-hop, folk, Irish traditional, downtown noise and Jazz and have adopted a somewhat harder sound to reflect the nature of the war.
With a pedigree for controversy, Black 47 first raised its voice in protest to the political and economic systems in the North of Ireland in 1989. Led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals), Black 47 is recognized as the premier Irish-American rock group who paved the way for the current Irish punk/roots explosion led by such bands as Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys.
Black 47 begin the first leg of their U.S. tour February 1 through St. Patrick's Day. Additional tour dates to be announced.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
OPERATION LOVE FROM HOME UPDATE 11-19-08 - THE DEADLINE IS IMMINENT!
Today, we mailed out the Thanksgiving cards we received for the troops. We sent out 449 Thanksgiving cards to troops scattered all over the place - Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Phillippines. Total postage costs were $39.25 for our Thanksgiving shipment. WAY TO GO, Y'ALL!
Just a VERY few days left of our Christmas/Holiday card drive - if you haven't sent in a card or twenty (LOL - every single bit helps!) NOW is definitely the time to do it - so go ahead and drop everything, sign some holiday cards, and get them in the mail *ASAP* -- if not sooner! :-)
Currently, our total stands at 6,200. We have several boxes that are in the process of being read and counted, so that is not our "final" figure by any means. Christmas and holiday cards should be sent to the following address:
If you need a physical address for overnight shipping, please contact me at Kat@OperationLoveFromHome.org and I will give it to you. :)
For more details and further information about Operation Love From Home, please check out our website at: www.OperationLoveFromHome.org .
Y'all totally ROCK! Thanks for ALL you do to REALLY support our troops!
Mama Kat Orr
Operation Love From Home
Post Office Box 1660
Loganville, GA 30052
Just a VERY few days left of our Christmas/Holiday card drive - if you haven't sent in a card or twenty (LOL - every single bit helps!) NOW is definitely the time to do it - so go ahead and drop everything, sign some holiday cards, and get them in the mail *ASAP* -- if not sooner! :-)
Currently, our total stands at 6,200. We have several boxes that are in the process of being read and counted, so that is not our "final" figure by any means. Christmas and holiday cards should be sent to the following address:
If you need a physical address for overnight shipping, please contact me at Kat@OperationLoveFromHome.org and I will give it to you. :)
For more details and further information about Operation Love From Home, please check out our website at: www.OperationLoveFromHome.org .
Y'all totally ROCK! Thanks for ALL you do to REALLY support our troops!
Mama Kat Orr
Operation Love From Home
Post Office Box 1660
Loganville, GA 30052
Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans coming to our National Cemeteries on December 13, 2008
Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans coming to our National Cemeteries on December 13, 2008
Each year Wreaths Across America donates over 5000 wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. To date over 100,000 donated wreaths have been placed on gravesites during past holiday seasons.
This year the Marines, Gold Star Parents, Blue Star Parents, family members and friends of the 1/8 Marine Support Network have teamed up with Wreaths across America to find sponsorships for additional wreaths to be placed on gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery. Gold Star Parents of 1/8 Marine Sniper Kirk Bosselman have traveled from Maine to Arlington National in past years to place wreaths on gravesites.
1/8 Marines were involved in the November 2004 invasion of Fallujah. Bravo Company alone lost 13 Marines. Many more were seriously injured, some are still recovering from their injuries today. A reunion has been planned for these Marines in July of 2009, hosted at the home of 1/8 Gold Star Parents, Bob & Beth Houck. Some of these Marines, especially those more seriously injured, cannot afford to make this trip. Wreaths Across America will be donating a portion of the funds from wreath sponsorships that include the 1/8 Group ID number to defray the cost for these Marines.
To sponsor a wreath, please follow this link http://contribute.wreaths-across-america.org/ and include group ID number DCSPCC01 & Arlington National in the space provided, or mail the sponsorship form that I have included with this email.
Your help is appreciated in getting as many wreaths to Arlington National as possible, and helping Marines from 1/8 who cannot afford travel costs, to the reunion reunite with their Marine brothers.
You can see video of past wreath laying ceremonies here: http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/index.html
If you would like to make a donation that supports the travel expenses of the Marines without sponsoring a wreath, please contact me directly.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give to honor these heroes both past and present during the holidays.
Each year Wreaths Across America donates over 5000 wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. To date over 100,000 donated wreaths have been placed on gravesites during past holiday seasons.
This year the Marines, Gold Star Parents, Blue Star Parents, family members and friends of the 1/8 Marine Support Network have teamed up with Wreaths across America to find sponsorships for additional wreaths to be placed on gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery. Gold Star Parents of 1/8 Marine Sniper Kirk Bosselman have traveled from Maine to Arlington National in past years to place wreaths on gravesites.
1/8 Marines were involved in the November 2004 invasion of Fallujah. Bravo Company alone lost 13 Marines. Many more were seriously injured, some are still recovering from their injuries today. A reunion has been planned for these Marines in July of 2009, hosted at the home of 1/8 Gold Star Parents, Bob & Beth Houck. Some of these Marines, especially those more seriously injured, cannot afford to make this trip. Wreaths Across America will be donating a portion of the funds from wreath sponsorships that include the 1/8 Group ID number to defray the cost for these Marines.
To sponsor a wreath, please follow this link http://contribute.wreaths-across-america.org/ and include group ID number DCSPCC01 & Arlington National in the space provided, or mail the sponsorship form that I have included with this email.
Your help is appreciated in getting as many wreaths to Arlington National as possible, and helping Marines from 1/8 who cannot afford travel costs, to the reunion reunite with their Marine brothers.
You can see video of past wreath laying ceremonies here: http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/index.html
If you would like to make a donation that supports the travel expenses of the Marines without sponsoring a wreath, please contact me directly.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give to honor these heroes both past and present during the holidays.
National Wreath Project
National Wreath ProjectOn 5 December 2008 Volunteers will gather at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and place 400 Christmas Wreaths on the graves of our Veterans. This project is an extension of a program started 2 years ago by John and Susan McColley and the Sgt Mac Foundation. The McColleys are parents of Gettysburg native and United States Marine Corps Sergeant Eric McColley who was killed along with 7 other Marines and 2 Airmen in a helicopter accident in the Horn of Africa on 17 February 2006. Last year the Foundation placed 2,100 wreaths on graves at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia were Eric is interred. This year we will do the same as well as expand the project to Gettysburg National Cemetery. With the financial assistance of local and other Veterans organizations, private and business support we are able to expand this program. We will meet at the GIANT FOOD STORE parking lot on Route 30/York Road in Gettysburg, PA at 0800 Friday December 5th, 2008 to tie the bows on the wreaths, after a lunch break we will travel to the Taneytown Road entrance to the Gettysburg National Cemetery and place 400 wreaths on graves at 1:00 PM. The following day, Saturday December 6, 2008 we will meet at Quantico National Cemetery at 0930 and place approximately 2,100 wreaths there. Your attendance and support is most welcome. We would like to expand the program every year but in order to do so, we need additional support financially and logistically. The cost of the wreaths this year is $ 7.00 each. With sufficient support, we would like to expand this project to be able to place a wreath on every headstone in the Cemetery. If you would like to participate in this project, please contact Stan Clark at 717-337-1728 or e-mail at scmb@earthlink.net
Please see attached photo of Eric’s Gravesite and decorated graves in Quantico National Cemetery.
Background information and photos at www.sgtmac.org
Holiday Help
It's almost time for the holidays! We have some special ways for you to get involved.
Each year at Christmas, my family adopts a small unit of deployed Marines. Marine Corps Moms hosts Operation Santa USMC on a yearly basis. That is where we originally got involved and if you'd like to adopt your own unit, I'd be happy to send you the MCMom's information. However, this year we've chosen to adopt the unit we've all come to think of as "Bigfoot." We send a Christmas Tree, decorations, hats, candy and snacks, as well as a stocking for each individual stuffed with small presents and Christmas Cards from back home. This is where I need your help! I want to gather lots of Christmas cards for each individual. The following is a list of names and where they are from. There are 15 Marines and 4 civilian translators.
CPT Darryl Ayers
Chalmette, Louisiana
1LT Jake Cosme
Ranch Cucamonga, California
1LT Juan Cabrera
New York, New York
1LT Glenn Cruz-Cancel
New Britain, Connecticut
1LT Ryan Cooper
Jacksonville, Florida
SSgt Larry Voss
Glenn Burnie, Maryland
Sgt Cody Yates
Bowling Green, Ohio
Sgt Victor Fernandez
San Antonio, Texas
Sgt Jaime Luna
Dallas, Texas
Cpl Nicholas Baldwin
Laguna Nigel, California
Cpl Adam Berbric
Palmetto Bay, Florida
LCpl Shawn Kronebusch
Melbourne, Florida
LCpl Benjamin Killman
Carthage, Michigan
LCpl Kevin Marin
Las Vegas, Nevada
There are four Civilian Linguists and they provide invaluable support for these Marines. We want to make sure they are not left out. They are living under the same primitive conditions and are an integral part of Bigfoot.
Omed Sorani
Alexandria, Virginia
Mark Saheb
Montreal, Canada
Moe "Jimbo Gates" Salim
St. Louis, Missouri
Moe Al-Talibi
Montreal, Canada
I am asking for Christmas cards. However, if you would like to donate stockings, a tree, anything, please let me know and you can either ship to me or directly to them. **I need to know what you are sending so that I don't go buy double. Please let me know as soon as possible. My goal is to ship everything by December 8, which gives us exactly three weeks.** Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated! As for the cards, I would like to put them in their stockings. Please do not seal them; just tuck the envelopes closed, and mail them to me in a larger envelope.
Please e-mail me back and let me know what you are sending and I will respond with the appropriate addresses. If you are mailing to me, I will send you my address or if you are sending something such as a Christmas tree directly to them, I will send you theirs. Theirs is also located in the most recent update list that was sent out.
I'm attaching a copy of the October issue (to date, the most recent) of the Bigfoot Gazette.
Lastly, here is a list from 1LT Cosme.
As far as specifics go, I went around to see the junior Marines and asked what would help make the deployment smoother. Hopefully we're not being too needy, but the key morale boosters are MWR type items.
-XBOX 360 Games, (Guitar Hero if you can, this was listed several times, go figure?)
-Actual guitars for the Marines to play when they're not on patrol
-DVDs
-Printers (for their computers)
-Place mats
-Knife set (any real knives to be exact... using plastic for everything grows tiresome)
-Table covers (all our tables we built with left over wood, so anything we can throw on and wipe off easy would be great).
-Carpets, rugs, towels
-Blankets (for the upcoming winter, it gets cold out here on the Western Desert)
-Socks (any kind)
-extension cords
-Any and all snacks you can think of
Please let me know how you can help! I'll send out updates as I get information.
Semper Fi,
Holly Wheat
Help 4th Recon-Founder and Project Coordinator
eMail Our Military (eMOM)-Community Relations Leader
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Help 4th Reconwww.help4threcon.comNow Proudly Partnering with eMail Our Military (eMOM)www.emailourmilitary.com
www.emailourmilitary.blogspot.com
Each year at Christmas, my family adopts a small unit of deployed Marines. Marine Corps Moms hosts Operation Santa USMC on a yearly basis. That is where we originally got involved and if you'd like to adopt your own unit, I'd be happy to send you the MCMom's information. However, this year we've chosen to adopt the unit we've all come to think of as "Bigfoot." We send a Christmas Tree, decorations, hats, candy and snacks, as well as a stocking for each individual stuffed with small presents and Christmas Cards from back home. This is where I need your help! I want to gather lots of Christmas cards for each individual. The following is a list of names and where they are from. There are 15 Marines and 4 civilian translators.
CPT Darryl Ayers
Chalmette, Louisiana
1LT Jake Cosme
Ranch Cucamonga, California
1LT Juan Cabrera
New York, New York
1LT Glenn Cruz-Cancel
New Britain, Connecticut
1LT Ryan Cooper
Jacksonville, Florida
SSgt Larry Voss
Glenn Burnie, Maryland
Sgt Cody Yates
Bowling Green, Ohio
Sgt Victor Fernandez
San Antonio, Texas
Sgt Jaime Luna
Dallas, Texas
Cpl Nicholas Baldwin
Laguna Nigel, California
Cpl Adam Berbric
Palmetto Bay, Florida
LCpl Shawn Kronebusch
Melbourne, Florida
LCpl Benjamin Killman
Carthage, Michigan
LCpl Kevin Marin
Las Vegas, Nevada
There are four Civilian Linguists and they provide invaluable support for these Marines. We want to make sure they are not left out. They are living under the same primitive conditions and are an integral part of Bigfoot.
Omed Sorani
Alexandria, Virginia
Mark Saheb
Montreal, Canada
Moe "Jimbo Gates" Salim
St. Louis, Missouri
Moe Al-Talibi
Montreal, Canada
I am asking for Christmas cards. However, if you would like to donate stockings, a tree, anything, please let me know and you can either ship to me or directly to them. **I need to know what you are sending so that I don't go buy double. Please let me know as soon as possible. My goal is to ship everything by December 8, which gives us exactly three weeks.** Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated! As for the cards, I would like to put them in their stockings. Please do not seal them; just tuck the envelopes closed, and mail them to me in a larger envelope.
Please e-mail me back and let me know what you are sending and I will respond with the appropriate addresses. If you are mailing to me, I will send you my address or if you are sending something such as a Christmas tree directly to them, I will send you theirs. Theirs is also located in the most recent update list that was sent out.
I'm attaching a copy of the October issue (to date, the most recent) of the Bigfoot Gazette.
Lastly, here is a list from 1LT Cosme.
As far as specifics go, I went around to see the junior Marines and asked what would help make the deployment smoother. Hopefully we're not being too needy, but the key morale boosters are MWR type items.
-XBOX 360 Games, (Guitar Hero if you can, this was listed several times, go figure?)
-Actual guitars for the Marines to play when they're not on patrol
-DVDs
-Printers (for their computers)
-Place mats
-Knife set (any real knives to be exact... using plastic for everything grows tiresome)
-Table covers (all our tables we built with left over wood, so anything we can throw on and wipe off easy would be great).
-Carpets, rugs, towels
-Blankets (for the upcoming winter, it gets cold out here on the Western Desert)
-Socks (any kind)
-extension cords
-Any and all snacks you can think of
Please let me know how you can help! I'll send out updates as I get information.
Semper Fi,
Holly Wheat
Help 4th Recon-Founder and Project Coordinator
eMail Our Military (eMOM)-Community Relations Leader
-- Support Our Troops!
Help 4th Reconwww.help4threcon.comNow Proudly Partnering with eMail Our Military (eMOM)www.emailourmilitary.com
www.emailourmilitary.blogspot.com
1/8 Marine Reunion 2009!!!!!
http://marine2009reunion.info/ --- this link will take you to a website in progress. Mary Forester has been working very hard on the website itself and is spearheading our fundraising efforts for the 2009 reunion. When you get to the website please click on "Our Troops Are Worth A Million" to learn more about a way that you can raise funds to help us help our Marines and Sailors attend the 1/8 Bravo reunion. Thank you to Jeff Graham for the suggestion and to Beth Houck for taking the ball and running with it. Let me know if you have questions about "Our Troops Are Worth a Million" and I will send your questions on to Beth.
The Wreaths Across America fundraiser is explained below (press release format that you can edit to reflect the name and hometown of your own 1/8 Bravo Marine/Sailor) and it is also explained on the marine2009reunion website. If you wish to sponsor a wreath(s) you must complete your sponsorship order SOON. The sponsorship form specific to our fundraising efforts is attached.
We have another fundraiser on the horizon so watch for more about that. 1/8 families I will be calling you this week about this fundraiser. Feel free to call me at 231-271-3620 if you do not hear from me soon.
Please please share the website link and our fundraising info with all of your friends and family!
I will be adding photos to the reunion website over the course of the next week. Guys, if you would like to add a photo to the reunion website please email it to me and we'll see what we can do. I am slowly calling all of the 1/8 Bravo Marines I can find to go over details about the reunion, and also to review some other topics you will want to know about. If I have not called you as of yet please feel free to call me at 231-271-3620.
Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans coming to our National Cemeteries on December 13, 2008
Many volunteers across the nation will conduct the WAA ceremony this year at National Cemeteries on Saturday December 13, 2008 . Ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember those who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high price of our freedom. Specially made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a unique ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 350 participating locations all across the Country and around the World.
December 13 will mark the 17th anniversary of wreaths from the state of Maine being donated to decorate the graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, and the third year of a national campaign under the guidance of the not-for-profit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org that will bring the same remembrance wreaths to National and State Veterans cemeteries, monuments, and community centers all across the Nation.
All of these specially made wreaths are donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. The full story can be seen and heard online by visiting the website listed below.
In addition to these ceremonial wreaths, a number of civic groups around the Country have joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths that also will be placed on veterans graves in designated sections of participating cemeteries. Each year the sections are rotated to include all veterans. In 2008 it is projected that over 100,000 wreaths will be placed in the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach.
Traverse City West graduate, Sam Williams, was deployed with 1st Battalion 8th Marines in 2003 and 2004. Sgt Williams' battalion suffered 21 casualties during the 2004 deployment, 17 of those casualties ocurred in the city of Fallujah during the month of November 2004. The unit also suffered numerous wounded.
July 4th 2009. A reunion to be held in North Carolina is planned for the surviving members of the 1/8 Marines. By sponsoring a wreath, you will also help sponsor one of the surviving Marines join the reunion who may not otherwise be able to attend..
Sponsors can donate online at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and insert the Group ID number DCSPCC01 to sponosor a wreath and support bringing the 1/8 Marines together. Our sponsored cemetery is Arlington National.
For immediate Release:
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about supporting the Marines of 1/8 please contact...
Karen Fredrickson
Marine Support Network, LLC
231-271-3620
The Wreaths Across America fundraiser is explained below (press release format that you can edit to reflect the name and hometown of your own 1/8 Bravo Marine/Sailor) and it is also explained on the marine2009reunion website. If you wish to sponsor a wreath(s) you must complete your sponsorship order SOON. The sponsorship form specific to our fundraising efforts is attached.
We have another fundraiser on the horizon so watch for more about that. 1/8 families I will be calling you this week about this fundraiser. Feel free to call me at 231-271-3620 if you do not hear from me soon.
Please please share the website link and our fundraising info with all of your friends and family!
I will be adding photos to the reunion website over the course of the next week. Guys, if you would like to add a photo to the reunion website please email it to me and we'll see what we can do. I am slowly calling all of the 1/8 Bravo Marines I can find to go over details about the reunion, and also to review some other topics you will want to know about. If I have not called you as of yet please feel free to call me at 231-271-3620.
Wreaths Across America event to honor veterans coming to our National Cemeteries on December 13, 2008
Many volunteers across the nation will conduct the WAA ceremony this year at National Cemeteries on Saturday December 13, 2008 . Ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember those who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high price of our freedom. Specially made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a unique ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 350 participating locations all across the Country and around the World.
December 13 will mark the 17th anniversary of wreaths from the state of Maine being donated to decorate the graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, and the third year of a national campaign under the guidance of the not-for-profit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org that will bring the same remembrance wreaths to National and State Veterans cemeteries, monuments, and community centers all across the Nation.
All of these specially made wreaths are donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. The full story can be seen and heard online by visiting the website listed below.
In addition to these ceremonial wreaths, a number of civic groups around the Country have joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths that also will be placed on veterans graves in designated sections of participating cemeteries. Each year the sections are rotated to include all veterans. In 2008 it is projected that over 100,000 wreaths will be placed in the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach.
Traverse City West graduate, Sam Williams, was deployed with 1st Battalion 8th Marines in 2003 and 2004. Sgt Williams' battalion suffered 21 casualties during the 2004 deployment, 17 of those casualties ocurred in the city of Fallujah during the month of November 2004. The unit also suffered numerous wounded.
July 4th 2009. A reunion to be held in North Carolina is planned for the surviving members of the 1/8 Marines. By sponsoring a wreath, you will also help sponsor one of the surviving Marines join the reunion who may not otherwise be able to attend..
Sponsors can donate online at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and insert the Group ID number DCSPCC01 to sponosor a wreath and support bringing the 1/8 Marines together. Our sponsored cemetery is Arlington National.
For immediate Release:
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about supporting the Marines of 1/8 please contact...
Karen Fredrickson
Marine Support Network, LLC
231-271-3620
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Need some help if possible..
Hi Josh
Every year my biggest "mission" is Merry Christmas Marines" This year I am TRYING to fill 1500 stockings for 3\8 and 5th Mar. With my other endeavor working with the Generals and HQUSMC on their transition team with the new family Readiness Program I talk to many CO's XO with various units. I chose 3\8 this year because I knew they were going to be arriving in Afghanistan just before the holidays.
Neal Boortz in Atlanta is a syndicated radio show host, similar to Sean Hannity.. Every year he jumps on board with my " Merry Christmas Marines" mission. he has my link on the front page of his we site www.boortz.com this is his 3rd year helping me with this effort. Money is BAD! Normally I would have a total of over 70,000-80,000 by now. I have alittle over 13,000! I have companies that sell me their products at a huge discount or wholesale. I was going to have the stoking stuffing day on Nov 22nd. I had to push it back to Dec. 7th, I have very little.... I am praying I can make this happen this year, I cant let our Marines down.
I know how bad the economy is first hand, between you and I, my husband lost his job back in late Jan. WE have pursued every avenue possible he still can not find work after sending our hundreds of his resume. I as you know am medically disabled since 2004, we used his 401K to live on the last several months hoping to buy us time, Well this month we are not paying our mortgage. I have called them, my senators, congresswoman etc.. several times. no hope for us due to the huge cut in income.. So after 30 yrs we are facing foreclosure in a few months. I need all the help you can get to my organization
www.mom4rmarines.org
I take NO income form my non-profit! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did.. 95% goes directly to Marines or their families in various ways. Last year I raised 240,000!
Please let me know if you have any contacts that may want to help with this effort.. I do all the stockings with identical items..
Look forward to your response.. A little help can go a long way.
Hugs
Patty Lewis
God Bless all our Marines, Sailors and " Special Angels"
Every year my biggest "mission" is Merry Christmas Marines" This year I am TRYING to fill 1500 stockings for 3\8 and 5th Mar. With my other endeavor working with the Generals and HQUSMC on their transition team with the new family Readiness Program I talk to many CO's XO with various units. I chose 3\8 this year because I knew they were going to be arriving in Afghanistan just before the holidays.
Neal Boortz in Atlanta is a syndicated radio show host, similar to Sean Hannity.. Every year he jumps on board with my " Merry Christmas Marines" mission. he has my link on the front page of his we site www.boortz.com this is his 3rd year helping me with this effort. Money is BAD! Normally I would have a total of over 70,000-80,000 by now. I have alittle over 13,000! I have companies that sell me their products at a huge discount or wholesale. I was going to have the stoking stuffing day on Nov 22nd. I had to push it back to Dec. 7th, I have very little.... I am praying I can make this happen this year, I cant let our Marines down.
I know how bad the economy is first hand, between you and I, my husband lost his job back in late Jan. WE have pursued every avenue possible he still can not find work after sending our hundreds of his resume. I as you know am medically disabled since 2004, we used his 401K to live on the last several months hoping to buy us time, Well this month we are not paying our mortgage. I have called them, my senators, congresswoman etc.. several times. no hope for us due to the huge cut in income.. So after 30 yrs we are facing foreclosure in a few months. I need all the help you can get to my organization
www.mom4rmarines.org
I take NO income form my non-profit! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did.. 95% goes directly to Marines or their families in various ways. Last year I raised 240,000!
Please let me know if you have any contacts that may want to help with this effort.. I do all the stockings with identical items..
Look forward to your response.. A little help can go a long way.
Hugs
Patty Lewis
God Bless all our Marines, Sailors and " Special Angels"
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
OPERATION GRATITUDE
Sat-Sun November 15-16: ASSEMBLING (Official kick-off for Media)
Sat November 22: PREP
Fri-Sat November 28-29: ASSEMBLING (Thanksgiving weekend)
**December 6 Prep Day CANCELED
Sat-Sun December 13-14: ASSEMBLING (400,000th package celebration)
Sat November 22: PREP
Fri-Sat November 28-29: ASSEMBLING (Thanksgiving weekend)
**December 6 Prep Day CANCELED
Sat-Sun December 13-14: ASSEMBLING (400,000th package celebration)
Assembly weekend shifts:
9am-12 Noon1pm-4pm
Mandatory Lunch Break from 12-1
If you would like to volunteer in person for the Patriotic and/or Holiday Drives at the Armory, please email Penny, our Volunteer Coordinator, at: pennyalfonso@yahoo.com no earlier than two months prior to the first weekend. Write "Operation Gratitude" in the subject line.
9am-12 Noon1pm-4pm
Mandatory Lunch Break from 12-1
If you would like to volunteer in person for the Patriotic and/or Holiday Drives at the Armory, please email Penny, our Volunteer Coordinator, at: pennyalfonso@yahoo.com no earlier than two months prior to the first weekend. Write "Operation Gratitude" in the subject line.
For address and additional details, please email cblashek@aol.com or pennyalfonso@yahoo.com .
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
BAD DAYS AHEAD
FROM NOW ON !
UNTIL OBAMA IS OUT OF OFFICE & THAT WILL NOT BE FOR THE NEXT 8 YEARS.
IF ANYONE ASK ME A QUESTION ....... MY ANSWER WILL BE
ASK OBAMA HE IS FOR CHANGE !
HE IS GOING TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE TO LAZY AND STUPID TO HELP THEM SELF.
I heard some idiot on the radio say she voted for Obama because he will pay her mortgage, put gas in her car and food on her table. I couldn't believe the crap I heard coming out of this woman's mouth.
After Obama takes office ..... within a few days the troops will be home from Iraq and Afghanistan. According to another idiot I heard on the radio & than I saw him saying the same thing on TV. Obama is going to bring the troops home. So instead of taking the fight to the enemy.... the enemy will bring the fight to us.
9/11 ..... 3,000 dead .... get ready for more building coming down, more body bags in the street. A new war is about to start ...... are you ready ?
My brother and I will start processing the paper work to shut down the family business WRIGHT MAPPING INC. Wright Mappings doors opened in 2002, now they will be closed until 2012. Last year we made more than 250K ! I don't feel breaking my neck busting my ass making money I earned, so Obama can give it away to people who are to lazy & stupid to pay their own bills. Spread the wealth ! Fuck That !
Anyone want to take bets on how long Obama will be in office, before the CIA has him killed ?
UNTIL OBAMA IS OUT OF OFFICE & THAT WILL NOT BE FOR THE NEXT 8 YEARS.
IF ANYONE ASK ME A QUESTION ....... MY ANSWER WILL BE
ASK OBAMA HE IS FOR CHANGE !
HE IS GOING TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE TO LAZY AND STUPID TO HELP THEM SELF.
I heard some idiot on the radio say she voted for Obama because he will pay her mortgage, put gas in her car and food on her table. I couldn't believe the crap I heard coming out of this woman's mouth.
After Obama takes office ..... within a few days the troops will be home from Iraq and Afghanistan. According to another idiot I heard on the radio & than I saw him saying the same thing on TV. Obama is going to bring the troops home. So instead of taking the fight to the enemy.... the enemy will bring the fight to us.
9/11 ..... 3,000 dead .... get ready for more building coming down, more body bags in the street. A new war is about to start ...... are you ready ?
My brother and I will start processing the paper work to shut down the family business WRIGHT MAPPING INC. Wright Mappings doors opened in 2002, now they will be closed until 2012. Last year we made more than 250K ! I don't feel breaking my neck busting my ass making money I earned, so Obama can give it away to people who are to lazy & stupid to pay their own bills. Spread the wealth ! Fuck That !
Anyone want to take bets on how long Obama will be in office, before the CIA has him killed ?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
THE ELECTION RESULTS
Barrack Obama has become the new President of the United States of America ...... I only have one thing to say
NOW WE ARE FUCKED !
My brother & I will start processing the paper work to shut down Wright Mapping Inc. I'm not giving away money I work hard for. FUCK THAT !
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