"Inside Geographic, (p. 160)" National Geographic's monthly informational and promotional segment features Eugene Richards. His poignant photos of the abandoned houses on the plains of North Dakota inspired me to write a poem but he is also the author of War Is Personal, "a series of phtographic and written essays about people--in and out of the military--whose lives have been changed by the war in Iraq." Of course, I knew that those who visit this blog would want to know about it. He is using a $50,000 grant for photography from National Geographic to write it.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Time Magazine Reports "Death at the Army's Hands"
Time Magazine publishes an investigative report on more military problems this week. It is reported by Mark Thompson.
You'll want to get a copy and read it yourself but basically the Army continues to make very poor decisions about providing the best health care for their soldiers. See an earlier post about their sending soldiers with certain medical conditions to Iraq in spite of the fact that they are medical conditions that can't be treated there. My grandson is one of those.
In this case, the soldier, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy, had returned from Iraq, was sent to a base ill-equipped to handle his disorder and died. Several other factors of neglect also appear to be involved.
Find the article on pages 40 and 41. And please, write your representatives.
My condolances to Cassidy's widow, Melissa, and his children Isaac and Abbey.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
You'll want to get a copy and read it yourself but basically the Army continues to make very poor decisions about providing the best health care for their soldiers. See an earlier post about their sending soldiers with certain medical conditions to Iraq in spite of the fact that they are medical conditions that can't be treated there. My grandson is one of those.
In this case, the soldier, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy, had returned from Iraq, was sent to a base ill-equipped to handle his disorder and died. Several other factors of neglect also appear to be involved.
Find the article on pages 40 and 41. And please, write your representatives.
My condolances to Cassidy's widow, Melissa, and his children Isaac and Abbey.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Expenses HIgh for Military Mailing? US Post Office to the Rescue!
STARTS MARCH 3 --- boxes available online beginning Feb 20 (quoted from an anonycmous e-mail):
The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out a new, larger flat-rate box that will feature - for the first time in Postal Service history - a military discount for those mailing to APO and FPO addresses!!
Regardless of how much they weigh, the boxes will cost $12.95 to mail for
the general public, and $10.95 if mailed to an APO or FPO address, postal
officials said. The boxes themselves are free.
The larger new box will provide about 50 percent more space to stuff items than the old version, officials said, with a volume of about half a cubic foot, compared to about one-third cubic foot for the two existing flat-rate boxes. The new box measures 12 inches by 12 inches by 5½ inches. The two current flat-rate boxes cost $8.95 to mail to domestic and APO or FPO addresses, and will still be available. They come in two different shapes.
Customers can begin using the new flat-rate box at the new mailing rates March 3. The boxes will be available online by Feb. 20 at http://www.usps.com/supplies, or by calling (800) 610-8734 , but will be weighed and charged at the usual postal rates if they are mailed before March 3, said Postal Service spokeswoman Melissa Dodge.
Postal officials will provide a special version of the box for the military, featuring the logo of "America Supports You," a Defense Department-sponsored program designed to bring together more than 300 charitable and support groups and connect them with service members and their families. The new package also will feature an address box for APO and FPO addresses. The military boxes will be distributed on a more limited basis, Dodge said, primarily in areas closer to installations. But the discount depends on the address, not the box, she noted. All of the larger flat-rate boxes will receive the $2 military discount if they are mailed to an APO or FPO address. The Postal Service's Board of Governors approved the box Jan. 17, and stated in their decision that the discounted mailing fee "provides an opportunity for the Postal Service to assist American troops stationedabroad and their families."
------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out a new, larger flat-rate box that will feature - for the first time in Postal Service history - a military discount for those mailing to APO and FPO addresses!!
Regardless of how much they weigh, the boxes will cost $12.95 to mail for
the general public, and $10.95 if mailed to an APO or FPO address, postal
officials said. The boxes themselves are free.
The larger new box will provide about 50 percent more space to stuff items than the old version, officials said, with a volume of about half a cubic foot, compared to about one-third cubic foot for the two existing flat-rate boxes. The new box measures 12 inches by 12 inches by 5½ inches. The two current flat-rate boxes cost $8.95 to mail to domestic and APO or FPO addresses, and will still be available. They come in two different shapes.
Customers can begin using the new flat-rate box at the new mailing rates March 3. The boxes will be available online by Feb. 20 at http://www.usps.com/supplies, or by calling (800) 610-8734 , but will be weighed and charged at the usual postal rates if they are mailed before March 3, said Postal Service spokeswoman Melissa Dodge.
Postal officials will provide a special version of the box for the military, featuring the logo of "America Supports You," a Defense Department-sponsored program designed to bring together more than 300 charitable and support groups and connect them with service members and their families. The new package also will feature an address box for APO and FPO addresses. The military boxes will be distributed on a more limited basis, Dodge said, primarily in areas closer to installations. But the discount depends on the address, not the box, she noted. All of the larger flat-rate boxes will receive the $2 military discount if they are mailed to an APO or FPO address. The Postal Service's Board of Governors approved the box Jan. 17, and stated in their decision that the discounted mailing fee "provides an opportunity for the Postal Service to assist American troops stationedabroad and their families."
------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Janet Elaine Smith Blogs on a Great Way To Do Good for Our Troops
So, it's nearly Valentine's day. Time to do some loving in all kinds of ways. So how does that pertain to tolerance or our troops?
Quite a bit ago, Janet Elaine Smith blogged about an experience she had up in her neck of the woods. It's a little like "Pass It Forward." Not wholly original but it so nicely demonstrates that we can do so much more than talk about support for our soldiers. Janet is a fine writer. You'll love her account of passing some love to troops.
Find it here: http://janetelainesmith.blogspot.com/2007/02/iraq-vet-presents-special-moment.html.
She also shared this:
"Another time, a little gal who is a teller at our bank recounted to us each time we would go through the drivethrough window where she worked how many days it would be until her husband came back from Iraq. He had been there 22 months, the longest of any National Guard unit. The day before he was due home we stopped and got a gift certificate for her and her hubby from Red Lobster. She said she couldn't accept it. Ivan (Janet's husband, since deceased) just waved it off and told her it was a small token of our appreciation of the job all of our men and women were doing over there.
"We later heard from the staff at Red Lobster that they requested 'the quietest corner in the restaurant because they had been surrounded by friends and family almost non-stop since he had gotten home.' They told them about our giving them the gift certificate."
-------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Why I'm Proud of My Silver Lion
My grandson is a Silver Lion. I have a blue and silver ribbon on the bumper of my car that proclaims he is a hero. Of course, not many know why he is a hero nor will they be able to tell by the ribbon. But here is the reason.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48812
This, quoted from the article, helps explain why I am so proud of Travis and his comrades. It says:
"Not only does the aid [providing propane tanks to Iraqi villagers] provided by the soldiers help the local population, it also is a way for the soldiers to reassure the people of their support.
"'What we did today made an immediate impact on the villages," [one soldier] said. 'It helped to strengthen the local trust of coalition forces.'"
What a treat it is to see our troops providing peaceful solutions to problems rather than war-like ones.
------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48812
This, quoted from the article, helps explain why I am so proud of Travis and his comrades. It says:
"Not only does the aid [providing propane tanks to Iraqi villagers] provided by the soldiers help the local population, it also is a way for the soldiers to reassure the people of their support.
"'What we did today made an immediate impact on the villages," [one soldier] said. 'It helped to strengthen the local trust of coalition forces.'"
What a treat it is to see our troops providing peaceful solutions to problems rather than war-like ones.
------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Our Flag, Pittsburgh and Inspiration
Guest blogger today is John L. Kovach Jr. who was instrumental in founding a plaza in Pittsburgh to allow America's citizens a place to condut ceremonies for the dignified retirement of the United States Flag. E-mail him at jlk1953@verizon.net and, of course, leave comments here.
"Old Glory", even the name should make us all aware of the reverence we should hold for our flag. A symbol that millions of American men and women have defended and died for. A flag recognized all over the world, even by America's enemies. A flag that protects each of us as citizens of a nation that have the greatest freedoms in the world. But yet a flag that has been disrespected and desecrated by those very people who look for her protection in time of strife and let her blanket them and protect them.
For many years I have observed flag retirement ceremonies being conducted in areas where basically a hole or container was used to do the incinerating. I am sure many private places have retirement areas also but felt that there should be an area for the public to be able to reserve and conduct ceremonies for the dignified retirement of United States Flags. In November-December of 2005 I spoke with and met Allegheny County, Pa. Council Member Vince Gastgeb and proposed and idea to him to construct an area in one of our local parks for private citizens, scouting, veteran and civic organizations to be able to use to conduct these ceremonies, to show our flag that we as Americans do respect her, do care about showing her total respect. Council Member Gastgeb was 100% receptive to this idea and took my basic design to the necessary individuals within the county government where it received unanimous approval for its construction.
We then met with Allegheny County, Pa. Director of Parks Andy Baechle and went to look at some potential areas within Allegheny County's "South County Park". It was almost as if fate intervened as the first first site we stopped at hit us all as the ideal spot for this plaza. it is nestled within a serene setting, birds chirping, wooded landscape, all facilities close at hand. Additionally it was within 100 yards of the park Boy Scout building.
An essay contest was held so that all high school students in Allegheny might have a chance to select a name for the site and write an essay as to what our flag mean to them and why they chose this name. The winning essay was written by North Catholic High School Student Natalie Sippel and the site is now known as:
"By The Dawn's Early Light"
United States Flag Retirement Plaza
Construction began shortly after wards and the dedication ceremony was held on June 14, 2006. However the site was not completed in its entirety but we felt it was completed enough to dedicate.
This site was always designed to be a work in progress as we would like to make some improvements to enhance its beauty and give even more reference to it so that people may come to just sit and reflect. To view some of the improvement we would like to make you can go to http://engineersvietnam.com/retire/index.htm This web page was graciously set up by Donn Dade of The Americans Veterans Network. I have tried to apply for grants for these projects but was turned down by one and told by others that it did not fit into their eligibility criteria.
It is sad that our flag takes a second place to all else and that she does not fit into any American funding project criteria. It is hoped that people of an individual will see these and wish to donate to insure their completion. The Mosaic wall mural is our top priority and currently students from Allegheny County Community College are doing designs and will then submit them for selection.
I have always followed a philosophy in that "The type of American we show our children how to be; will be the type of American they in fact grow up to become"
We must show children how to respect our flag and hope in turn they will show their children so that in time she will not be forgotten, degraded or desecrated by any American.
Each June 14th has been reserved by Allegheny County, Pennsylvania for the annual county United States Flag Retirement Ceremony. The ceremony will be conducted on June 14, 2008 at the site.
If any individual would like to contribute to helping complete these improvements [plans are underway to allow for provisions to do so. Please contact me (jlk1953@verizon.net) and I can put you in touch with the appropriate county official.
Please help us respect our flag and maybe this will be the first of other sites designed for people to use, a site that is truly for;
"We the people..."
--------------
Blogger Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
"Old Glory", even the name should make us all aware of the reverence we should hold for our flag. A symbol that millions of American men and women have defended and died for. A flag recognized all over the world, even by America's enemies. A flag that protects each of us as citizens of a nation that have the greatest freedoms in the world. But yet a flag that has been disrespected and desecrated by those very people who look for her protection in time of strife and let her blanket them and protect them.
For many years I have observed flag retirement ceremonies being conducted in areas where basically a hole or container was used to do the incinerating. I am sure many private places have retirement areas also but felt that there should be an area for the public to be able to reserve and conduct ceremonies for the dignified retirement of United States Flags. In November-December of 2005 I spoke with and met Allegheny County, Pa. Council Member Vince Gastgeb and proposed and idea to him to construct an area in one of our local parks for private citizens, scouting, veteran and civic organizations to be able to use to conduct these ceremonies, to show our flag that we as Americans do respect her, do care about showing her total respect. Council Member Gastgeb was 100% receptive to this idea and took my basic design to the necessary individuals within the county government where it received unanimous approval for its construction.
We then met with Allegheny County, Pa. Director of Parks Andy Baechle and went to look at some potential areas within Allegheny County's "South County Park". It was almost as if fate intervened as the first first site we stopped at hit us all as the ideal spot for this plaza. it is nestled within a serene setting, birds chirping, wooded landscape, all facilities close at hand. Additionally it was within 100 yards of the park Boy Scout building.
An essay contest was held so that all high school students in Allegheny might have a chance to select a name for the site and write an essay as to what our flag mean to them and why they chose this name. The winning essay was written by North Catholic High School Student Natalie Sippel and the site is now known as:
"By The Dawn's Early Light"
United States Flag Retirement Plaza
Construction began shortly after wards and the dedication ceremony was held on June 14, 2006. However the site was not completed in its entirety but we felt it was completed enough to dedicate.
This site was always designed to be a work in progress as we would like to make some improvements to enhance its beauty and give even more reference to it so that people may come to just sit and reflect. To view some of the improvement we would like to make you can go to http://engineersvietnam.com/retire/index.htm This web page was graciously set up by Donn Dade of The Americans Veterans Network. I have tried to apply for grants for these projects but was turned down by one and told by others that it did not fit into their eligibility criteria.
It is sad that our flag takes a second place to all else and that she does not fit into any American funding project criteria. It is hoped that people of an individual will see these and wish to donate to insure their completion. The Mosaic wall mural is our top priority and currently students from Allegheny County Community College are doing designs and will then submit them for selection.
I have always followed a philosophy in that "The type of American we show our children how to be; will be the type of American they in fact grow up to become"
We must show children how to respect our flag and hope in turn they will show their children so that in time she will not be forgotten, degraded or desecrated by any American.
Each June 14th has been reserved by Allegheny County, Pennsylvania for the annual county United States Flag Retirement Ceremony. The ceremony will be conducted on June 14, 2008 at the site.
If any individual would like to contribute to helping complete these improvements [plans are underway to allow for provisions to do so. Please contact me (jlk1953@verizon.net) and I can put you in touch with the appropriate county official.
Please help us respect our flag and maybe this will be the first of other sites designed for people to use, a site that is truly for;
"We the people..."
--------------
Blogger Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence.
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