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:

McCormick and Smick Honors Troops, Vets with Fine Meal

Vet DH Brown sent me this note that I thought you all should know about.

"I thought you'd like to know that McCormick and Schmick's restaurants are offering free entrées to veterans and active duty personnel, on Sunday, Nov. 8th. You need to provide ID proving service.


http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

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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.

Denzel Washington Fills Charity Shortfall for Fisher House

While Denzel Washington was visiting in Germany he toured Fisher Houses. Many of us know about the good this house does by supporting the families of wounded soldiers. I have a book out (Support Our Troops published my Andrew McMeel) that supports this charity with the profits it makes. But back to Denzel.

As he was touring, he asked how much a faclity like this would cost to build. He wrote a check for the full amount on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public. I borrowed this story from an e-mail that has been going around but I thought it important. In these times, it seems those who can afford to do good, should try to do more of it to fill the shortfall caused by the inability of many who have lost their jobs to do what they usually do. Hooray for Denzel.



-----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/

Support Our Troops in Meaning Ways

I'm referring you to a fellow military blogger's blog today. I know you'll want to explore how a Bataan organization is raising money for homes for our troops and how you can help.
http://mrslieutenant.blogspot.com/2009/03/help-bataan-memorial-death-march-raise.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/

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."
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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.