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: