A Little Holiday Love Goes a Long, Long Way

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

And, if you click on this Amazon widget to support Eric Dinyer and Andrews McMeel's efforts to help Fischer House, that would be wonderful, too.
 
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

One of Military Writers Society of America's gold medal winners appears on The New Book Review blog today. I thought subscribers and visitors to War Peace Tolerance might want to look at that blog for reading suggestions; you'll find many books on military subjects there. You can use the blog search function for keywords or look in the index under Nonfiction: Military.

Here is the link:
http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2010/08/military-memoir-is-military-writers.html  


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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

On Palin, Organized Thought, Words, and Tolerance

Those of you who visit regularly may have noticed that the word "tolerance" is in the title of this blog. Mostly the "soldiers" part gets my attention here because "tolerance" usually gets even more political that our military. Still, I can't resist this one. It touches on my love of clear concise writing which requires using words well to achieve that--and on my love of tolerance.

I'm also keen on the connection between organized thought and clear concise writing. That usually takes more time than my blogs allowed. Some great author once said that it takes a first draft to know what it is you want to say.

I didn't have time for a second draft of this blog post, so I'm just going to stop here, give you the link, and let you rip into this with comments. (-: Here it is. Ta da!!!

http://www.facebook.com/l/36712;www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/76355/palin-takes-islam-and-the-english-language-the-same-time


Speaking of that second draft I didn't write, those interested in improving their writing may be (notice I didn't writer "maybe") interested in my booklet The Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers.

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Blogged by 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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Gene Simmons and Troops Having Some Spirited Fun!

You've gotta just love this youthful enthusiasm. A peek at the military in a setting not about war but about music, about people being people together. Let me know what you think.



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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Author of Quiet Fury Books Encourages Book Donations to Troops

Below you will find a message sent to me by a fellow author who--obviously--is interested in the welfare of our troops, regardless of political beliefs.

I'd love to share a post from my blog with your War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers readers. Storm Williams, the founder
of Books For Soldiers, graciously took time from her busy schedule to answer questions about her organization. Books For Soldiers helps get
books (gently used or new) out to the men and women serving in the
military.

Storm told me that she started shipping books into the war zone
because of a CNN report she heard that said, "...once the soldiers
were deployed, they were faced with massive downtime and were
restricted to their base..." Initially on her own, Storm went on to
say that, "Within a few weeks, I ran out of books. I then began
guilting friends and family members began donating their paperback
books..."

I don't think most people realize how monotonous the downtime can get
for these men and women. Books are a wonderful distraction!

Storm is an inspiration, proving that one person can, in fact, make a
difference. Participating in Books For Soldiers is a great way to show
our military men and women that we haven't forgotten about them.

You can read my interview with Storm and learn more about Books For
Soldiers on my blog: http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/?p=1290

PS: If you can't think of a book to send (or it's easier to just click and send!) consider buying a used copy of Support Our Troops, a book I wrote the foreword for with Eric Dinyer. Proceeds go to benefit Fisher House! See the widget in this post. The book design includes a car magnet as part of the cover!
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

An Artist from My Home State of Utah and HER Soldiers

My friend May Lattanzio is at it again. She sent a link to ths video to me. She knows I'm from Utah but she had no way of knowing how many connections this video touched on for me. The artist is so like my Aunt Hazel (also childless), recently deceased. The crowing rooster so like the ones that woke me on my grandma's farm in Hollday, Utah, when I was a child. And the soldiers so like my grandson, now home safely.




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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

New Help for PTSD

Time magazine chose Edna Foaas one of its 100 most influential people this week for her work is combatting PTSD, the disorder that plagues our veterans.

Though, as Time describes it, her technique strongly resembles cognitive therapy--at least to this layman--apparently it works for many and, just in case some War Peace Tolerance readers suffer from or know someone who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I thought I'd tell you about it.

Her therapy is called prolonged exposure or PE. It works by searching out the thoughts and situations that PTSD sufferers find most stressful and then gently exposing sufferers to them. First they summon up their worst mememories. Next they are exposed to places or circumstances similar to what they remember. By facing the memories head on, they are stripped of their power. Time reports that the therapy works quickly. often within twelve sessions.

And, best of all, the US Military is utilizing Foa's methods.

My feeling is that sufferers will want to at least explore the possibilities. Many sufferers have tried everything else that is available and are desperate for something that can make a difference in their lives. Ask at the Department of Veterans Affairs. PE is being put into use now and may be available for the needs of loved ones sooner rather than later.


---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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Pollution Outrage

I don't get outraged too often anymore. Not for lack of things I could get outraged about. Quite the opposite. There is so much that I make a real effort to keep my serenity. However, this is something I think we might get in at least a really big snit about and write some letters. Reported by Dan Rather, it holds credence. Pollution of this sort is unconscionable and hurts not only our soldiers but the countries our military works in and the planet as a whole.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/something-in-the-air_b_552863.html

Thanks to my constant friend and resource May Lattanzio for this link.

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Great Reading for Those Interested in the Military

I belong to Military Writers Society of America.

So why would subscribers and readers of this blog care about an organization for writers?

Because if you're interested in the subjects I cover in this blog, you may very well want to support this society that supports veterans who write about military-related matters, veterans who write about anything else (and writers of every ilk, for that matter!) and through them, readers who want to find the best of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry related to the military.

Those who are interested in this organization and what they do--and how their bookstore can help you find great writing--go to my Sharing with Writers and Readers blog today. Details abound. (-:

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Effortless, Inexpensive Way to Contribute to Soldiers

This comes from my writing and photography friend who is always searching the Web, May Lattanzio. It seemed to me to be a very-nearly effortless and inexpensive way to help a soldier in harm's way. Go to: http://www.anysoldier.com/


I've also added this to the permanent list on this blog of ways to do something more productive than send sentimental photos around the Web.

You might also consider the gift book complete with a fun flag-colored car magnet in the Amazon link in this post. Proceeds from it got to Fisher House.

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Outrage, the Press and US

Because I had never heard of this outrage, I' don't even know what to think. Huffington Post isn't unreliable, but I'd like to see something in the New York Times or on 60 Minutes as verification. Still, I think it important enough to pass on to people. The muckraking press and our outrage is what keeps our government free. Thanks to May Lattanzio for sending the link.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-kors/when-the-army-uses-enhanc_b_536727.html

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Military, Health Care and TriCare

I am a fortunate recipient of TriCare health insurance so I was glad to see this information from General Gordon R. Sullivan, President, AUSA. Thanks, too, to my friend and author D.H.Brown, board member of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).

How Does Health Care Reform Affect Military TriCare Subscribers?


"Well, folks, the question in the title is on everyone’s mind, so I asked our AUSA government affairs staff to put together a Q and A to help allay
any fears that TRICARE is going to be negatively affected by the civilian
health care reform legislation.

Before we get to the Q and A, I want to give a BIG AUSA tip of the hat to
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., for introducing
legislation which explicitly states that TRICARE and non-appropriated fund
(NAF) health plans meet all of the health care requirements for individual
health insurance. This technical correction will ensure TRICARE
beneficiaries don’t suffer any inadvertent penalties under the language of
civilian health care reform legislation passed by the House recently.

"While beneficiaries of these programs will already meet the minimum
requirements for individual health insurance and will not be required to
purchase additional coverage, H.R. 4887, The TRICARE Affirmation Act,
provides clarification by changing the tax code to state it in law. The
bill was approved in the House by a vote of 403 to 0.

Member of the legislature Skelton assures us that...'In the health care bill currently under consideration in Congress, TRICARE and the Non-Appropriated Fund health plans, the programs that providehealth care for these individuals, will meet the minimum requirements forindividual health insurance coverage, and no TRICARE or NAF health plan beneficiary will be required to purchase additional coverage beyond what they already have.

"'However, to reassure our military service members and their families and
make it perfectly clear that they will not be negatively affected by this
legislation, my bill, H.R. 4887, explicitly states in law that these health
plans meet the minimum requirements for individual health insurance.'"


In addition to the legislation, Skelton, along with Reps. Bob Filner,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans Affairs; George Miller, Chairman, Committee
on Education and Labor; Sander Levin, Chairman, Committee on Ways and
Means; and Henry Waxman, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a
letter to the Committee on Rules advising that they reviewed the health
care reform bills to assess the impact of the bills on the health care
provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans
Affairs.

The letter stated, “Our reviews of H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872 lead us to
believe that the intent of the bills was never to undermine or change the
Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs operation of their
health care programs or interfere with the care that our service members
receive under TRICARE. However, we commit to look into this issue further
to ensure that no unintended consequences may arise and to take any
legislative action that may be necessary.”

So there you have it This is just a start. One important thing to
remember is that most of the changes that will occur in civilian health
care are years away. If at some point it is discovered that inadvertently
something in the bill would have an adverse impact on military or veteran
health care, there is plenty of time to enact legislation that will fix it
– and that is what your Association is here for – to advocate for
legislation that helps soldiers and their families.

Your part in all this is to maintain your membership – only with a large
membership can AUSA speak loudly in numbers that resonate on Capitol Hill.
Keep the faith, troops – AUSA is here to help you. Now here are the Q and
A’s.

Q1. Will the new legislation transfer TRICARE into another government
health care program?

A1. No. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act leaves TRICARE
under the sole authority of the Defense Department and the Secretary of
Defense, and TRICARE is governed by an independent set of statutes. “For
the Department of Defense, and specifically for our 9.6 million TRICARE
beneficiaries, this law will not affect the TRICARE benefit. Eligibility,
covered benefits, co-payments and all other features of our TRICARE program
remain in place” - Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Dr.
Charles Rice

Q2. What does deeming TRICARE as “qualifying coverage” mean?

A2. It ensures that TRICARE beneficiaries will not be impacted by the new
legislation’s requirement that people without qualifying coverage will have
to pay a financial penalty. Just to make it clear, the House unanimously
passed separate legislation on March 20, deeming TRICARE as “qualifying
coverage” under the new law. On the Senate side, S. 3148 and S. 3162 have
just been introduced to deem TRICARE "qualifying coverage". Also, Defense
Secretary Robert Gates issued a statement asserting that health reform
“won’t have a negative effect on TRICARE.”

Q3. Is TRICARE for Life (TFL) considered “qualifying coverage” under the
new law?

A3. Yes, TFL is deemed qualifying coverage under the legislation already
passed by both the House and Senate.

Q4. Can I expect my TRICARE enrollment fee, premiums, deductibles or
co-pays to go up because of this legislation?

A4. There is nothing in the legislation that would change any TRICARE
fees.

Q5. The new health care bill allows adult children to stay on their
parent’s healthcare plan until age 26 if their employers don’t offer
insurance. Will TRICARE adopt this policy?

A5. Many beneficiaries with dependent children are very interested on how
the Act will impact their children age 26 and younger. TRICARE’s current
age limits - 21, or age 23, if the dependent is in a full-time school
program - are set by statute, so separate legislation would be required to
change them. If changes are made to the statue governing TRICARE, then,
like any other legislative initiative, time will be required for TRICARE to
implement the changes. Until that time, the benefit remains unaffected by
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

To that point, Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. has introduced H.R. 4923, the
TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act, a bill that would increase the
maximum age to 26 at which our troops and military retirees are allowed to
provide health coverage to their dependent children.

Q6. I understand Medicare is cut $500 billion under the new law. Won’t
that have to cut payments to doctors and threaten TFL?

A6 It’s true that the new law reduces Medicare spending by about that
much, but most of those changes are relatively less painful ones that
probably won’t affect TRICARE or TFL beneficiaries much.

They include $118 billion from eliminating the extra subsidy to the
Medicare Advantage HMO program (which was sold to Congress as a cost-saver,
but actually costs 14 percent more per person than Standard Medicare),
cutting about $150 billion from non-rural hospitals (which the hospital
associations say they can handle because expanding insurance coverage to
most Americans will mean they won’t have to eat the cost of serving the
uninsured), and cutting back abuses in medical equipment (under current
systems, Medicare will buy you a wheelchair you may only need a few months,
or allow a company to rent you one for life for a permanent condition).


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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Gifts for Injured Troops for Easter

I am posting this for any who might be so inclined to do something special for our troops at Easter. I somehow don't think the organization will mind my using their entire letter.

Dear Patriotic American,

Many troops who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan severely burned, blinded or paralyzed are struggling just to feed their families. These brave men and women have made painful sacrifices for us (and our families).

And since you support patriotic causes, I wanted you to know about something special you can do for them in return this Easter.

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has just launched an Emergency Easter Meal Project. Our goal is to deliver $60 to hundreds of severely wounded troops so they can put Easter dinner on the table. Can I count on your financial support?
Please say yes.

My name is Major General John K. Singlaub, U.S. Army (Ret.), and I served our nation in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Now I am working with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, which provides emergency financial aid for troops who have been severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Our generous supporters have already responded with emergency financial aid to more than 11,000 requests from America’s disabled GIs, and provided them with more than $22 million in emergency financial aid and other support services.

Please join our generous, patriotic family of supporters by making a special donation right now to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.

When America’s disabled GIs return home, out of the blue they are blindsided by another disaster – a disaster they never expected and couldn’t possibly plan for. A disaster most Americans don’t even know is happening.

The wounded GI’s disability check takes six months . . . nine months . . . even a year to arrive. He is wounded so badly he can’t take care of himself, so his wife quits her job to take care of him. Suddenly he is facing a financial catastrophe and has nowhere to turn.

You, and me, and other patriotic Americans must be there for them. Because they were there for us.

The Coalition's Emergency Easter Meal Project was created to help disabled troops like:

Blair William Didion Sr., who told us he sometimes relies on “food from public pantries” after suffering spinal fractures from a roadside bomb in Iraq.
Retired Army Sgt. Joshua Johnson of Colorado, who was injured in Iraq. After receiving emergency financial aid from Coalition supporters like you, Joshua wrote, “We were not going to be able to buy groceries for the month. The gratitude that my family and I have for the help you provided is hard to put into words.”

And Paul Thurman, whose wife had to resort to selling her blood plasma to buy food after he was injured in Iraq.

Emergency Easter donations can help the Coalition rescue our wounded heroes from having to get their Easter dinner from a public pantry, or (God forbid) from having to sell their blood plasma to buy groceries.
The severely wounded serviceman or woman who receives help might even live in your neighborhood, attend your church or shop at your grocery store. Or perhaps their parents do. So please send as generous an Easter gift as you can afford.

As you can imagine, the wives and mothers of our troops who have been blinded, badly burned or maybe even paralyzed are suffering as well. So instead of cooking Easter dinner at home, some families may decide to “give Mom a break,” and use their $60 to take her out to a restaurant on Easter Sunday.

That way they can enjoy Easter weekend with their family – just like you and I will.

Bear in mind: The Easter Season is the perfect time to thank these disabled heroes for the painful sacrifices they’ve made. After all, these brave men and women went to war to protect our freedom. Now many will never be able to see, or hear, or use their arms or legs again after being hit by a roadside bomb.

You and I can’t heal their physical injuries or make them whole again. (No one can.)

But helping to put Easter dinner on their table will let them know their fellow Americans appreciate the painful sacrifice they made for our country.

Finally, I’d like to show you what a difference your kindness can make. Kristi P. is a young servicewoman who suffered a devastating injury in Iraq. After receiving emergency financial aid from Coalition supporters like you, Kristi wrote back to say,

“Your gift brought tears of Thanksgiving to my eyes. . . . It felt like God was smiling upon me and reminding me what I gave really did matter.”

Please make the most generous Easter donation you can afford right now. And let me be the first to wish you and your family a Happy Easter.

With respect and gratitude,

Major General John K. Singlaub
U.S. Army (Ret.)

P.S. As I mentioned, some of our GIs have resorted to getting their food from public pantries, and others are selling their blood plasma to feed their children.

To help them the Coalition has just launched an Emergency Easter Meal Project. Our goal is to deliver $60 to as many severely wounded troops as possible so they can put Easter dinner on the table.

Remember, Easter is the perfect time to let a wounded hero know their fellow Americans understand the painful sacrifices they have made and are wishing their family well this Easter Season. Thank you for your generosity and your patriotism.


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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Military's Fisher House Tops Obama's Donation List

Short and sweet here.

LA Times reports that President Obama will be giving the 1.4 million he recived for winning the Nobel Peace Prize to charity and that Fisher House, the Ronald McDonald-type care facility for families of wounded and sick military, is at the top of his list with $250,000.00
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Something Less Serious--a St. Paddy's Blog Tour

Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services http://writersinthesky.com, has put together a blog chain for St. Patrick’s Day March 11 through 17 and this blog is participating in the fun event. I thought there might be some War Peace Tolerance subscribers that are unfamiliar with blog chains, plus, it is the time of year to drink some green beer (or milk) and have a little fun. Plus, you might find some good reading among the participants!

You may be wondering, "What is a Blog Chain?" A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of every person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on one post they find interesting. When you leave a comment on the other eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your own blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.

So, here is Yvonne's blog chain. Have fun!

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Who's Blogging?

Below is from Yvonne Perry, giving the line up of blogs we'll be visiting. These bloggers will also be stopping by here.

If you'd like to play with us and get in some great reading this week, simply visit each blog and leave a comment along with the URL to your own blog. You may also want to follow these people on Twitter.

Just like her book, Blast Off!, Allison Maslan's blog is about self-empowerment in body mind and spirit. Learn how to make the changes you want in business, career, relationships, and your body when you visit http://www.myblastoff.com/blog. Be sure to follow Allison on Twitter: @AllisonMaslan

After much debate about which of my blogs to feature in this blog chain, I've decided to introduce you to my book, More Than Meets the Eye. Learn about the process of death and dying, find green burial info, consider activity in the afterlife, and talk about spirit communication at http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/. You'll recognize my constant tweeting as @writersinthesky.

On Writer's Journey is a blog owned by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz. Visit her at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ to read author interviews, book reviews, and all things writing related. She is so generous that she reviewed two of my books and interviewed me twice! Penny is @pennyehrenkranz on Twitter.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a long-time networking friend of mine. She and I have done multiple joint venture projects like this blog chain. She has several blogs, but we have chosen http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com/ to honor our soldiers during this blog chain. Carolyn is on Twitter as @frugalbookpromo.

After 15 years of working in the industry as an ASE-certified automobile technician, my son, Robert McCurley, has started his own Nashville business, Wheel Fix It Mobile Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. His rates are much lower than the cost of taking a car to the shop; plus, he comes to your location! Find auto care tips and information about how to contact him for a local repair when you visit his blog at http://wheelfixit.blogspot.com/. Follow @WheelFixItNow on Twitter.

Tisha Morris is a new WITS client and I am thrilled to be helping her promote her new book, 27 Things to FengShui Your Home. Her blog http://www.mindbodyom.com/ has some great tips for declutter your life, home, and workspace. I've been cleaning like a fiend ever since I got hold of her book! She's on Twitter as @mindbodyom.

If you are looking for something to do outdoors or some new place to go for vacation, you'll love Loretta Leda's blog http://www.newoutdooradventures.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter: @FloridaSpaGirls.

Schall Adams is a new girlfriend and networking partner I found when working on Allison Maslan's Amazon book launch. Schall's blog http://www.mygirlfriendmentors.com/blog is all about women empowering women to live happy, successful, passionate lives! Schall is @SchallAdams on Twitter.

Another WITS client, networker, and dear friend has joined this blog chain. Janet Riehl and I were virtual friends for years before we met in person when she came to Nashville for a recording session with my son-in-law, Scott Kidd. When you visit her blog, http://www.riehlife.com, you may read about the audio book they created! You'll want to follow Janet on Twitter as @Riehlife.

http://bethtrissel.blogspot.com/ Historical and light paranormal romance author. Gardening with a focus on herbs, heirloom plants and old Southern recipes. Please follow Beth Tissel on Twitter: @BethTrissel.

Denise DeMaras is a women's health coach, artist, and writer whose medicine is change. She helps women process emotions, reduce stress, and increase creativity, to make changes or cope with them. She is a board-certified nutrition consultant, Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor, Chapman University Certified Art for Healing Instructor, Columbia University Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I love her fabulous blog at http://blog.denisedemaras.com/ ! Follow Denise on Twitter: @ddemaras.

http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/ is about folklore and family stories, mythology and more. Follow Folkheart Press on Twitter: @Folkheartpress.

http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/ features the musings of Dennis S Martin: poet, playwright and novelist from Baltimore, Maryland. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dsmartin49.

http://leedesign2.blogspot.com/ Tips on Mac computers and graphic design. Follow Jessica Galbraith on Twitter: @leedesign.

http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/ This blog is all about writing tips for writers and teachers of writing. Each week I will address one aspect of writing. Occasionally, I will post tips about no-fee contests and calls for submissions by publishers. Follow Nancy Kelly Allen on Twitter: @NancyKellyAllen.

The book publicist, Scott Lorenz, is president of Westwind Communications, a public republic relations and marketing firm with a special knack for working with authors and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Scott is a regular contributor to WITS Newsletter. http://thebookpublicist.blogspot.com/. Follow Scott on Twitter: @aBookPublicist.

Tom Vancel is a retired pharmacist and now does dentistry in third-world countries to help less-fortunate children. Read his blog about his adventures at http://tomvancel.blogspot.com/ .

Long-time WITS client Linda Ballou is about to introduce another book. Find out more about her first book, Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey, when you visit her blog: http://wwwlindaballouauthor.blogspot.com/. Follow Linda on Twitter: @LindaBallou.

Happy networking, everyone.

Yvonne Perry,
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

I belong to Military Writers Society of America.

So why would subscribers and readers of this blog care?

Because if you're interested in the subjects I cover in this blog, you may very well want to support this society that supports veterans who write about military-related matters, veterans who write about anything else (and writers of every ilk, for that matter!) and through them, readers who want to find the best of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry related to the military.

Here's what MWSA does for writers. They offer:

~An opportunity to have your book posted on www.militarywriters.com
Opportunity for a review.
~ All books that are reviewed are also scored and considered for annual awards.
~A newsletter that promotes good reading about military-related topics. And it's entertaining!
~an opportunity to earn MWSA Bucks that can be used at the annual MWSA Buckaroo Auction
~An annual Conference and Awards Banquet
~Online writers' workshops
~Introductions to bloggers and radio hosts. Read that lots of networking opportunities!
~Scenes from award-winning books may be selected to be converted to a script that is performed at a theater for the public as kick off for Annual Conference.
~Regional events
~Discounts with third parties who support the military and writers.
~An opportunity to get to know and network with other authors--especially those with military background, veterans, and historians.
~An opportunity to participate in the growth and operation of the organization.
~Awards that are real, tangible medals, which also offer authors and their publicist opportunities to promote their work.
~An opportunity to perform at Open Mic at the annual Conference.



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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Freebies for Troops via Smashwords

As many of you know, my grandson is back now from two tours of duty in Iraq and is now stationed (very luckily) near Monterrey, CA. Thus, the plight of our troops is a subject near and dear to my heart. My poetry writing partner Magdalena Ball and I are giving away e-copies of chapbook of unconventional love poetry Cherished Pulse to 'our' troops overseas as part of Operation e-book drop. They will get an e-mail with a coupon code for a free copy at Smashbooks.

We would love to have you have a copy, too. Partly to see how the program works. Partly to share our poetry with you. The coupon code to use to get it free is ZF39H (not case sensitive).You will enter the code prior to completing your checkout.

Expires: February 28, 2010

You may want to do something similar for the troops with your books. More about Op Ebook Drop is here:
http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html

And they have a Facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420

If you prefer to send a real copy of Cherished Pulse to someone, that is easy, too. It is only $6.95 on Amazon, certainly a doable gift. And it is really beautiful with Vicki Thomas’s artwork. Go to www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse.
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Kristen Tsetsi Releases Deployment Story That Strikes Chord for Military

I recently found today's guest blogger through one of my other blogs, The New Book Review.
I felt her book had something important to say to those who are left behind when one partner is deployed, so I invited her to provide visitors with a couple excerpts from it. I hope you'll pass this link to those you know who might benefit from it. She says,

When my husband left for Iraq in 2003, it was my first experience with a deployment, and it was not a good one. I was skilled at imagining the worst: being shot down, being kidnapped and held captive, dying. I imagined his funeral, what it would be like to see his casket lowered. There were days I couldn't stand to look at pictures of him because it was too much torture to be able to see, but not see, not touch, the real him. It was too easy to imagine I would never get the chance to see or touch him again.

I can say things like that all day long to people who have never waited for a loved one to survive a war, and they still won't really understand the experience. Two-minute clips on the news don't convey the complexity of the wait. They can't. It takes something the length of a novel, something not afraid to reveal the intimate and honest - and not always yellow-ribbon pretty - thoughts and emotions of those fearing every day that TODAY might be the day the bad news comes.

That was why I wrote Homefront, semi-autobiographical fiction, or “true fiction,” about waiting through a deployment as told from the unsentimental and no-holds-barred point of view of a young woman whose love deploys to Iraq.

Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien writes in his war novel "The Things They Carried": "Story-truth is sometimes truer than happening-truth." I didn't write Homefront as nonfiction because my personal story wasn't unique; but the larger story of waiting is. I also think personal nonfiction has a tendency to exclude the reader, to say to them, "This is MY story. Mine." I don't want readers excluded from a story like this - I want them fully submerged. Because it is fiction, readers will enjoy the characters and their individual conflicts while, at the same time, vicariously experiencing a deployment through the eyes of the protagonist.

I was asked to choose a scene from Homefront that illustrates some of the challenges of waiting, but because there are so many, I chose two. The first conveys the difficulty of the psychological isolation, and how fine the line can be between those who "get" it and those who can't. The other is an example of how ridiculous and infuriating - but at the same time, necessary - the news media can be. Here they are:

EXCERPT FROM HOMEFRONT

Across town there is a party. A strange house filled with strangers, secret smiles and private jokes. No phone—not mine—to wait for, and watching TV would be considered poor form. I put on a different pair of jeans, clean and smelling of a fabric softener, and brush my hair and draw on a layer of lipstick. I look in the mirror and wipe it off, but it stains, in a nice way, I suppose; like my lips, if lips could be, are flushed. I turn on the TV to watch a little, just a little, with an equally little drink, and not a strong one. Not too strong. I bring it to the living room and sit down, and on the screen a sun as perfect and white as a hole punched from paper balances atop the sharp point of a mountaintop.

“Another morning here,” says a man’s voice from behind the image, “and another day for things to go extraordinarily well, or to go horribly, horribly wrong. With each sunrise there is new promise, but that can be a promise of something good or, as we know too well, Janie and Tom, it can be an omen. Yes. A promise of another kind, of something terrible to come.” A red filter covers the sun in blood. “After last night, we could sure use a good day. An intense battle raging for five hours, both in the air and on the ground, losing a reported twenty-five soldiers and marines, and killing approximately one hundred of theirs. And, as you know, Janie and Tom, that’s the highest death count we’ve had on our side in one day since the start of the war.” Janie says they’ll get back to him after these messages, but his voice carries on in my head: Your soldier—that’s right, yours!—could be one of the dead. Tune in at six to find out if you’re today’s winner of an elegant trumpeted service and a brand new, gen-you-ine American flag courtesy of the American Honor Guard!

I wonder if they have a board marked up with tally lines, “their side” and “our side,” each soldier a Roman numeral one. Jake. I. William. I.

I. I. I. I. I. I.
I. I. I. I. I. I.
I. I. I. I. I. I. I.
I. I. I. I. I. I.

Jackasses.

SECOND EXCERPT

She is one of them, one of the others. The man she cares about is here, safe with her. She can’t understand about dusk, the sun’s evil teasing. The time of evening too far from sleep and an ‘x’ across another day, but too close to darkness and the hollow air of no conversation that amplifies the TV sounds of over-acted dialogue and rehearsed applause. Denise doesn’t know the taunting, subtle fade that cues the lighting of yellow windows, the drawing of curtains to hide people living normal lives, eating dinner, yelling top floor to bottom about who wants milk and where are the scissors. She would have little to say about time spent staring out the window at shapeless clouds and cracked sidewalks and meticulously trimmed shrubs, all of it so cheerful and commonplace while over the rooftops and trees and a plane-ride away, “everyday” is mission planning and mortar fire and grass is something they might find
tucked in the fold of a letter.

BIOGRAPHY

Kristen Tsetsi is an award-winning fiction writer and a former reporter. Her novel Homefront - available for Kindle and in paperback - was inspired by her husband's 2003 deployment to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and is highly praised by soldiers and those who love them for its raw, intimate, and accurate depiction of waiting through a war deployment.

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Free Valentine Reading for Our Troops

As many of you know, my grandson is back now from two tours of duty in Iraq and is now stationed (very luckily) near Monterrey, CA. Thus, the plight of our troops is a subject near and dear to my heart. My poetry writing partner Magdalena Ball and I are giving away e-copies of our chapbook of unconventional love poetry Cherished Pulse to 'our' troops overseas as part of Operation e-book drop. We hope it will help them celebrate our holiday of love and express our love to them.

Troops will get an e-mail with a coupon code for a free copy at Smashbooks. We would love to have you have a copy, too. Partly to see how the program works. Partly to share our poetry with you. The coupon code is ZF39H (not case sensitive).
Customers enter the code prior to completing their checkout.
Expires: February 28, 2010

If you are an author, you may do something similar. More about Op Ebook Drop is here:
http://blog.smashwords.com/2009/09/smashwords-supports-operation-ebook.html

And Smashwords has a Facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-EBook-Drop/172002003420

If you prefer to send a real copy to someone, that is easy, too. It is only $6.95 on Amazon, certainly a doable gift. (The Amazon Link is in this post.) It makes a really beautiful gift with Vicki Thomas’s artwork and you can make it even prettier by tying a slender satin ribbon in the book's crease as a bookmark. Go to .

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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

Here's a Couple Ways for Poets and Other Writers to Help and Celebrate The Spirit of Haiti

This just came to me from Lillian Cauldwell. She is sponsoring a way for authors, poets and other artists to contribute spiritually and financially to Haiti:

On Saturday, January 16, Lillian Cauldwell is sponsoring a Mixed Media event at PIVTR LIVE airwaves to raise monies for the Haitian children.

Programming runs from 2 to 4 p.m. est . Spots are 10 minutes!!

Please reserve a spot to recite poetry, read a short-short story, sing a song or sing-along with me, tell jokes, share a thought or opinion to help raise monies for these kids who are hungry, in need of medical care, clothing, water and the basic necessities especially if they're parnets are missing or died.

All proceeds go to Mission Socorro. (More on how Mission Socorro will use the proceeds below).

Contact Info: Lillian Cauldwell; 734-827-9407; lillian.cauldwell@gmail.com

"Creator" Cauldwell
Voices of the People - United We Roar!
734-332-5902
http://internetvoicesradio.com

This is information on the organization to which Mission Socorro sends its donations for the Haitian children.

Bethany International is responding to the tragedy in Haiti in several ways. We will send our first relief team to Haiti in six weeks. Two more teams will follow. We welcome you to join one of these teams.

What to Do?
Bethany now oversees a ministry called Short-Term Evangelical Missions (STEM). STEM has sent 115 teams to Haiti over its 20-year history. In light of this, we believe we have a very good awareness of where the teams can go and what they can do once they are in Haiti.

You can learn more about the teams here: http://www.stemintl.org/trips/opportunities/teams/locations/haiti_restoration

No Gift Too Small
A second way to become involved is through a financial gift. Team members, while they raise their own support for the trip, will need materials and supplies. This will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. You can make an online gift today toward this relief effort. To do this, go to
https://secure.bethanyinternational.org/donate/index.php. Gifts to the Haiti Relief Initiative are the last option.

Bethany International
6820 Auto Club Road, Suite M, Bloomington, MN 55438

If you are interested in donating to an organization likely to get out immediate relief, you can also easily donate to one of my favorites, The Clinton Foundation.
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget:

An Interesting Record of Wars of the World

Regadless of your stance on war, I think you will find the research in this article telling. Yes, it includes some opinion, including a cute politcal cartoon, but I was interested in the roll call of world wars and the politcal process leading to them.

http://www.ptsdsupport.net/war_powers_act.html

Thanks to May Lattanzio, a frequent contributor to this blog, for sending it to me.
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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. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/. Her novel, collection of creative nonfiction and much of her poetry is informed by interest in leading the world toward acceptance of one another. Find her web page dedicated to tolerance at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/tolerence_and_utah_links.htm. If your Twitter followers would be interested, please pass this on to them using this widget: