My writing and photography friend May Lattanzio sent me this link of Oscar Brand singing his Marine song and others. Those of you who are too young to remember Oscar and his blatantly Un-PC songs, must check it out! Others will get a good laugh and be glad for how far we've come in terms of tolerance while keeping a sense of humor for the way we were.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oscar+brand&search_type=&aq=f
-----
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/
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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
------
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/
http://mrslieutenant.blogspot.com/2009/03/help-bataan-memorial-death-march-raise.html
------
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/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Helping Parents Attend Their Kid's Boot Camp Graduation
I have attended my share of military graduations. My husband's OCS graduation in Utah. My grandson's boot camp in North Carolina, my cousin's graduation from the Seals in San Diego.
I am one of the lucky ones. Many families can't afford to travel to do that. But someone is trying to help with that. These graduations are one of life's proud moments. Parents, wives, and other loved ones should be there to share the joy no matter what the financial circumstances. Please take a minute to click here for information on the program from the author of Mrs. Lieutenant.
Or copy and paste:
http://mrslieutenant.blogspot.com/2009/03/marine-boot-camp-graduation-help-send.html
------
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/
I am one of the lucky ones. Many families can't afford to travel to do that. But someone is trying to help with that. These graduations are one of life's proud moments. Parents, wives, and other loved ones should be there to share the joy no matter what the financial circumstances. Please take a minute to click here for information on the program from the author of Mrs. Lieutenant.
Or copy and paste:
http://mrslieutenant.blogspot.com/2009/03/marine-boot-camp-graduation-help-send.html
------
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/
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Military Scams and SPAM
Spam is bad enough.
Scams are bad enough.
But the most disgusting of them arrived in my e-mail box this morning. The subject line was simply SGT so naturally I opened it. If you get one, you can open it if you want but I wouldn't. I found it more repulsive than all the stuff that comes out of Nigeria and all the Viagara and organ englarging ploys I get put together. It not only plays on innocents for money from the unsuspecting but it uses our military and our soldiers to do it. Here is the message minus anything that would help advertise the scammers.
I hope my email find you well. I am in need of your assistance. My name is Sgt.
XXX (here is inserted a very American name, if I ever heard one!). I am an American soldier serving in the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, we have just been posted out of Iraq and to return in a short while. My colleague and I need your help to transfer out the sum of Twenty Five Million U.S Dollars (US25.0M).
God Bless You!!
Sgt XXXXX
e-mail address XXXX
If you want to help soldiers, there are ways to do it and make sure your money, time and good will are going to deserving soldiers. Find segments on this blog, as an example, for organizations that help our soldiers and little, inexpensive ways you can help. And if you know of organizations that help our veterans and active military, please let me know. I'll add those resources to this blog.
Technorati Tags:
military spam, military scams, helping our soldiers,
------
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/
Scams are bad enough.
But the most disgusting of them arrived in my e-mail box this morning. The subject line was simply SGT so naturally I opened it. If you get one, you can open it if you want but I wouldn't. I found it more repulsive than all the stuff that comes out of Nigeria and all the Viagara and organ englarging ploys I get put together. It not only plays on innocents for money from the unsuspecting but it uses our military and our soldiers to do it. Here is the message minus anything that would help advertise the scammers.
I hope my email find you well. I am in need of your assistance. My name is Sgt.
XXX (here is inserted a very American name, if I ever heard one!). I am an American soldier serving in the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, we have just been posted out of Iraq and to return in a short while. My colleague and I need your help to transfer out the sum of Twenty Five Million U.S Dollars (US25.0M).
God Bless You!!
Sgt XXXXX
e-mail address XXXX
If you want to help soldiers, there are ways to do it and make sure your money, time and good will are going to deserving soldiers. Find segments on this blog, as an example, for organizations that help our soldiers and little, inexpensive ways you can help. And if you know of organizations that help our veterans and active military, please let me know. I'll add those resources to this blog.
Technorati Tags:
military spam, military scams, helping our soldiers,
------
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/
Monday, February 16, 2009
Guest Blooger: A Poem on Coming Home
On the occasion of my grandson's return from Iraq, veteran Michael D. "Moon" Mullins sent this poem as a reminder that even when our soldiers return, they still need our support, love and understanding. That makes him our guest blogger for the day! (-:
He is Home
A crowd gathered on a Tuesday eve.
His group was due in and I was pleased.
There were family holding welcome signs.
His friends showed too, to my surprise.
There was quite a crew to see him home.
Even though the holiday found him alone.
Now, two weeks later, he is really home,
And the strain is seeping out of his bones.
The stress and strength are not demanded.
The lines in his face are etched, indented
In his furrowed brow, without his knowing.
The frown shrinks while his smile is growing.
His face is relaxing from the war’s demands.
His adrenalin is not being used just now.
He does not have a load dragging him down;
Lives in the balance, and equipment too.
He does not face the political strife in lieu
Of a grateful nation that will never know
All he and others do in war’s blood-red glow.
The lines are softening, his child inspires love
And his wife feels his pain, seeks his truth.
He is home in body, but there are things,
Like a mind, which comes home more slowly.
I take myself back forty years and wonder.
“Can people see the lightening in my brain;
The questions that roll like summer thunder?
Some missed me with all their hearts yet
Others would not have minded had I stayed.
Some I love only want to continue old fights.
Will some folks grant me a little space
So I can choose my own homeward pace?
Will they crowd in and steal my air, smother me
With love, not letting me open my eyes to see?
Most mean well, others think I was on a lark.
The things I saw came with me, remaining stark.
I cannot tell them; I do not want to hurt them.
I will try to smile, yet deep in me I am still grim.”
Does he feel what I felt and questioned?
I dare not ask, dare not make the suggestion.
He is home…with different things waiting.
I had nobody I hoped more than any other
Would understand, wanting only to be a lover.
But they sometimes put their own demands
Ahead of a soldier’s needs and their words
And deeds can wound deeper than bombs.
What is asked could wait but often will not.
He does not need pushed ahead of thought.
His mind is still reeling, sweltering in desert heat.
He needs time to crawl, get the dust off his feet.
I walked down that street toward home, quickly,
Yet faltering, anticipating yet dreading my own tears.
He may have that same fear coursing in his veins.
It takes time, and compassion, to let war drain.
The welcome home was wonderful, special.
There was pride, the shoulders square, elation.
The love in the room was there in equal portion.
The joy and tears flowed without any shame.
Our progeny, our spouses, our heroes, our hopes
Were home, safely stepping back into today, here.
After the hoopla was pushed out, their minds quiet
The fear, the doubt, the trepidation, again crept out.
-----
The poet is Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of Vietnam in Verse, Poetry for Beer Drinkers, won the Gold Medal for poetry, 2007, from the Military Writers Society of America. The book is available on line from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, books-a-million.com and iUniverse.com. It is also available as an audio-book from the author. Contact Michael at: mullins.m.1 @ comcast.net.
He is a Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69 and Vice President of the Military Writers Society of America
-------
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/
He is Home
A crowd gathered on a Tuesday eve.
His group was due in and I was pleased.
There were family holding welcome signs.
His friends showed too, to my surprise.
There was quite a crew to see him home.
Even though the holiday found him alone.
Now, two weeks later, he is really home,
And the strain is seeping out of his bones.
The stress and strength are not demanded.
The lines in his face are etched, indented
In his furrowed brow, without his knowing.
The frown shrinks while his smile is growing.
His face is relaxing from the war’s demands.
His adrenalin is not being used just now.
He does not have a load dragging him down;
Lives in the balance, and equipment too.
He does not face the political strife in lieu
Of a grateful nation that will never know
All he and others do in war’s blood-red glow.
The lines are softening, his child inspires love
And his wife feels his pain, seeks his truth.
He is home in body, but there are things,
Like a mind, which comes home more slowly.
I take myself back forty years and wonder.
“Can people see the lightening in my brain;
The questions that roll like summer thunder?
Some missed me with all their hearts yet
Others would not have minded had I stayed.
Some I love only want to continue old fights.
Will some folks grant me a little space
So I can choose my own homeward pace?
Will they crowd in and steal my air, smother me
With love, not letting me open my eyes to see?
Most mean well, others think I was on a lark.
The things I saw came with me, remaining stark.
I cannot tell them; I do not want to hurt them.
I will try to smile, yet deep in me I am still grim.”
Does he feel what I felt and questioned?
I dare not ask, dare not make the suggestion.
He is home…with different things waiting.
I had nobody I hoped more than any other
Would understand, wanting only to be a lover.
But they sometimes put their own demands
Ahead of a soldier’s needs and their words
And deeds can wound deeper than bombs.
What is asked could wait but often will not.
He does not need pushed ahead of thought.
His mind is still reeling, sweltering in desert heat.
He needs time to crawl, get the dust off his feet.
I walked down that street toward home, quickly,
Yet faltering, anticipating yet dreading my own tears.
He may have that same fear coursing in his veins.
It takes time, and compassion, to let war drain.
The welcome home was wonderful, special.
There was pride, the shoulders square, elation.
The love in the room was there in equal portion.
The joy and tears flowed without any shame.
Our progeny, our spouses, our heroes, our hopes
Were home, safely stepping back into today, here.
After the hoopla was pushed out, their minds quiet
The fear, the doubt, the trepidation, again crept out.
-----
The poet is Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of Vietnam in Verse, Poetry for Beer Drinkers, won the Gold Medal for poetry, 2007, from the Military Writers Society of America. The book is available on line from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, books-a-million.com and iUniverse.com. It is also available as an audio-book from the author. Contact Michael at: mullins.m.1 @ comcast.net.
He is a Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69 and Vice President of the Military Writers Society of America
-------
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/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
