I thought subscribers and visitors to this blog would be interested in another blog edited by my friend Phyllis Zimbler Miller. Generally speaking, but especially this one:http://mrslieutenant.blogspot.com/2009/10/documentary-war-dogs-of-pacific-tells.html
Phyllis says, "Producer and director Harris Done of the new documentary WAR DOGS OF THE PACIFIC has preserved an amazing story of the U.S. Marines training donated family pets for scout dogs in the jungle fighting in the Pacific during World War II.
"The dogs' abilities to smell and hear sounds that the men couldn't saved an incredible number of American lives. And the bonds formed between the dogs and their handlers are truly compelling."
I hope you'll go to learn more about this film, pick up links to it and others.
-----
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:
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Cookies Are the Way to a Soldier's Heart
What fun! My photographer/poet friend May Lattanzio sent me a link that will benefit writers, contest freaks and people who want to help our soldiers in a fun, personal way. It is a project from AllRecipes.com.
Go for it!
-----
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:
Go for it!
-----
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:
Monday, December 7, 2009
Michael Mullins Helps WarPeaceTolerance Commemorate December 7
This blog is a commemoration for this special day by Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers. "ViV" won the Gold Medal for poetry from Military Writers Society of America in 2007.
December Seventh
Why this day?
Why bomb Pearl Harbor on December seventh?
Why not November twentieth?
Or January eleventh?
Old hearts are at half mast.
That day is not that long ago, that far in their past.
To them the memory is vivid.
It may still make them livid.
Can you imagine being in Eden?
Can you imagine the sun rising in those skies?
Can you imagine a shadow in your eyes?
See the Zeroes flashing by.
That day a sleeping giant did awaken.
On September Eleventh, years later
That giant rumbled, but only raised a bit.
The people back then did not know how to quit.
One thought, one strange irony
Is that day is really Japan’s Independence Day.
It was the first day building toward financial victory.
Who thought history would march that way?
Rather than merely mourn our loss
We should remember the long-term cost
To them and us, still this day.
Our leaders sit on their laurels as our country fritters away.
We need to recall the American will.
We need to strike up the band, no longer standing still.
We wish nobody any serious ill,
But we will not tolerate evil, we cannot just do nil.
The bombs hitting the ground
On that day long ago
Killed many, gave freedom a new sound.
American anger awoke and around the world, it flowed.
Ships lie slumbering in Pearl Harbor.
Our own old vets gather each year to remember.
Try for a moment to feel what they felt.
The freedom we have now was the result.
That paradise became Hell on earth.
It proved our heritage, the old timers’ worth.
When they have all passed away
Will we continue to remember this day?
Will we allow the politically correct
To take this time for our nation’s pause to respect
What they did then and on the days thereafter?
If we do, we no longer deserve to enjoy our laughter.
Please imagine the sounds of thunder
In a blue sky, a shining example of God’s wonder.
Think of stunned people running, with ears ringing,
Then wondering what our future is bringing.
December Seventh.
This day should always be in America’s mind.
Say a prayer for those lost souls.
Say another for September the Eleventh.
Remember the sacrifice, and what God has done.
Mike Mullins' book is available on line from on-line Amazon, B&N, and B-a-M book stores and as an audio-book from the author. Please contact him at this e-mail address; mullins.m.1@comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.
Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69.
He is also Vice President of the MWSA. One dollar from either version goes to the Wounded Warrior Project.
-----
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:
December Seventh
Why this day?
Why bomb Pearl Harbor on December seventh?
Why not November twentieth?
Or January eleventh?
Old hearts are at half mast.
That day is not that long ago, that far in their past.
To them the memory is vivid.
It may still make them livid.
Can you imagine being in Eden?
Can you imagine the sun rising in those skies?
Can you imagine a shadow in your eyes?
See the Zeroes flashing by.
That day a sleeping giant did awaken.
On September Eleventh, years later
That giant rumbled, but only raised a bit.
The people back then did not know how to quit.
One thought, one strange irony
Is that day is really Japan’s Independence Day.
It was the first day building toward financial victory.
Who thought history would march that way?
Rather than merely mourn our loss
We should remember the long-term cost
To them and us, still this day.
Our leaders sit on their laurels as our country fritters away.
We need to recall the American will.
We need to strike up the band, no longer standing still.
We wish nobody any serious ill,
But we will not tolerate evil, we cannot just do nil.
The bombs hitting the ground
On that day long ago
Killed many, gave freedom a new sound.
American anger awoke and around the world, it flowed.
Ships lie slumbering in Pearl Harbor.
Our own old vets gather each year to remember.
Try for a moment to feel what they felt.
The freedom we have now was the result.
That paradise became Hell on earth.
It proved our heritage, the old timers’ worth.
When they have all passed away
Will we continue to remember this day?
Will we allow the politically correct
To take this time for our nation’s pause to respect
What they did then and on the days thereafter?
If we do, we no longer deserve to enjoy our laughter.
Please imagine the sounds of thunder
In a blue sky, a shining example of God’s wonder.
Think of stunned people running, with ears ringing,
Then wondering what our future is bringing.
December Seventh.
This day should always be in America’s mind.
Say a prayer for those lost souls.
Say another for September the Eleventh.
Remember the sacrifice, and what God has done.
Mike Mullins' book is available on line from on-line Amazon, B&N, and B-a-M book stores and as an audio-book from the author. Please contact him at this e-mail address; mullins.m.1@comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.
Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69.
He is also Vice President of the MWSA. One dollar from either version goes to the Wounded Warrior Project.
-----
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:
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Another Way to Help Fort Hood Families
My husband, US Army (RET, Major, Reserve), says the USO is on the job for the families of the Ford Hood disaster, too. Go here for more information on how they are serving those who serve us. https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=1510& See the prior post for another way to contribute.
-----
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.
-----
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.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Helpful and Personal Gifts for Hospitalized Soldiers
My friend May Lattanzio is at it again. She found this excellent way to bring some cheer (and help!) to hospitalized soldiers this Thanksgiving. Find the site at www.hhv.org. For a look at the therapeutic kits they send go to: http://www.hhv.org/programs/craftkits.asp
Dear Patriotic Friend,
This Thanksgiving, would you like to say “Thank You” to a hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded overseas GI who’s made a painful sacrifice for your freedom?
If so, please make a tax-deductible Thanksgiving donation to assist Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) in its program to provide more therapeutic Craft Kits to our sick or wounded servicemen and women and hospitalized veterans.
When you donate, a Thanksgiving THANK YOU and GET WELL card will also be delivered on your behalf to one of America's estimated 51,000 veterans who will be hospitalized at a VA or military hospital or State Veterans Nursing Home over the Thanksgiving weekend or to one of the many sick or wounded U.S. servicemen or women who were sent to Iraq or Afghanistan to fight the terrorists.
Your greeting card will let a hospitalized hero know you're thankful for the freedoms they've made possible while wearing our nation's uniform.
For over 38 years HHV has been distributing Arts and Crafts Kits free of charge to America’s hospitalized veterans and sick or wounded overseas GIs. HHV delivered 880,000 Gifts to our troops during the Persian Gulf war. And we just presented our 25 millionth Craft Kit to an Army veteran wounded in Iraq.
Many of the hospitalized GIs, like Jantzen Frazier shown above, were wounded while serving our country in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Jantzen received five Purple Heart medals as a result of numerous injuries suffered in Iraq. Even so, he says,
“I have been to Iraq and I have volunteered to go back. I think it is just the right thing to do. I love my country and I would die for it.”
We want to try to make sure we can brighten this year's Thanksgiving holiday weekend for more of our hospitalized heroes like Jantzen Frazier. And that’s why HHV has launched its 2009 Thanksgiving Craft Kit Drive.
With generous donations from patriotic Americans like you, since 1971 HHV has helped provide hundreds of thousands of wounded, sick and disabled hospitalized GIs and military veterans with Arts and Crafts Kits and other gifts that aid their physical, mental and emotional recovery.
These therapeutic Craft Kit gifts help these GIs and veterans keep their minds occupied. They help them develop new skills and overcome the handicap of artificial limbs. And when the kits are completed, these men and women regain a sense of self-confidence.
Faced with physical challenges and long, lonely days in the hospital, these HHV Craft Kits bring pleasure, physical and emotional therapy and purpose into the lives of a great many sick and wounded GIs and veterans.
Many of the young men and women fighting in the war in the Middle East are married with children; others have left sweethearts, parents and friends to serve overseas.
But almost all are lonely and homesick for home, family and friends. That’s why I have to turn to you on behalf of our hospitalized troops and veterans. Being alone with no family or visitors over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend has to be a truly sad and lonely experience.
You and I can enjoy the company of friends and family – carving turkey, playing with our grandchildren and watching football games – because of the sacrifice these men and women made.
But many of our hospitalized heroes won’t experience the same joy that you and I will this Thanksgiving.
And have you noticed that casualties and deaths of our service members in Iraq and Afghanistan that used to be reported on the front page of the newspaper are now shown on the inside pages or not at all? Especially as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach, I don’t want these men and women (or our veterans) feel that they have been forgotten. And I’m sure you don’t either.
That’s why it’s so important to send a special Thanksgiving contribution right now. Your tax-deductible donation to HHV's 2009 Thanksgiving Craft Kit Drive will help us reach our goal of providing a therapeutic HHV Craft Kit to every hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded active-duty GI who wants one.
And your heartfelt THANK YOU and GET WELL card will let a hospitalized GI or veteran know that during the Thanskgiving holiday you'll be thanking them for their sacrifice and remembering them for so bravely defending our freedom.
Please be as generous as you can and consider forwarding a copy of my email to friends so they can also help support our sick and wounded servicemen and women and hospitalized veterans.
Some will want to send a Thanksgiving gift of $24, $40, $56, $80, $120 or even more.
But even if you can only afford to send $8 or $16 it will be a big help in our effort to send Craft Kits to the hospitalized veterans, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are asking for them during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons and throughout the year.
I hope you and your loved ones have a Happy Thanksgiving. And I’d like to thank you for supporting patriotic causes as we pitch in to care for our hospitalized veterans and sick or wounded overseas GIs.
Serving those who so unselfishly served for us,
Roger Chapin
Founder
Help Hospitalized Veterans
P.S. This Thanksgiving you can thank a hospitalized GI or veteran for your freedom by making a tax-deductible Thanksgiving donation to assist Help Hospitalized Veterans in providing more therapeutic Arts and Crafts Kits to our sick or wounded active-duty troops.
When you donate, a Thanksgiving THANK YOU and GET WELL card will also be delivered to a hospitalized hero on your behalf. Your greeting card can let a lonely, hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded GI know someone still remembers and cares about the sacrifice they've made while wearing our nation's uniform.
Giving America’s hospitalized heroes a gift, as they lie in a VA or military hospital far from home, helps take their minds off their illness or injury and loneliness and concerns about war. But maybe the biggest benefit is that it shows these men and women that Americans are completely united in our support of them.
-----
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.
Dear Patriotic Friend,
This Thanksgiving, would you like to say “Thank You” to a hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded overseas GI who’s made a painful sacrifice for your freedom?
If so, please make a tax-deductible Thanksgiving donation to assist Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) in its program to provide more therapeutic Craft Kits to our sick or wounded servicemen and women and hospitalized veterans.
When you donate, a Thanksgiving THANK YOU and GET WELL card will also be delivered on your behalf to one of America's estimated 51,000 veterans who will be hospitalized at a VA or military hospital or State Veterans Nursing Home over the Thanksgiving weekend or to one of the many sick or wounded U.S. servicemen or women who were sent to Iraq or Afghanistan to fight the terrorists.
Your greeting card will let a hospitalized hero know you're thankful for the freedoms they've made possible while wearing our nation's uniform.
For over 38 years HHV has been distributing Arts and Crafts Kits free of charge to America’s hospitalized veterans and sick or wounded overseas GIs. HHV delivered 880,000 Gifts to our troops during the Persian Gulf war. And we just presented our 25 millionth Craft Kit to an Army veteran wounded in Iraq.
Many of the hospitalized GIs, like Jantzen Frazier shown above, were wounded while serving our country in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Jantzen received five Purple Heart medals as a result of numerous injuries suffered in Iraq. Even so, he says,
“I have been to Iraq and I have volunteered to go back. I think it is just the right thing to do. I love my country and I would die for it.”
We want to try to make sure we can brighten this year's Thanksgiving holiday weekend for more of our hospitalized heroes like Jantzen Frazier. And that’s why HHV has launched its 2009 Thanksgiving Craft Kit Drive.
With generous donations from patriotic Americans like you, since 1971 HHV has helped provide hundreds of thousands of wounded, sick and disabled hospitalized GIs and military veterans with Arts and Crafts Kits and other gifts that aid their physical, mental and emotional recovery.
These therapeutic Craft Kit gifts help these GIs and veterans keep their minds occupied. They help them develop new skills and overcome the handicap of artificial limbs. And when the kits are completed, these men and women regain a sense of self-confidence.
Faced with physical challenges and long, lonely days in the hospital, these HHV Craft Kits bring pleasure, physical and emotional therapy and purpose into the lives of a great many sick and wounded GIs and veterans.
Many of the young men and women fighting in the war in the Middle East are married with children; others have left sweethearts, parents and friends to serve overseas.
But almost all are lonely and homesick for home, family and friends. That’s why I have to turn to you on behalf of our hospitalized troops and veterans. Being alone with no family or visitors over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend has to be a truly sad and lonely experience.
You and I can enjoy the company of friends and family – carving turkey, playing with our grandchildren and watching football games – because of the sacrifice these men and women made.
But many of our hospitalized heroes won’t experience the same joy that you and I will this Thanksgiving.
And have you noticed that casualties and deaths of our service members in Iraq and Afghanistan that used to be reported on the front page of the newspaper are now shown on the inside pages or not at all? Especially as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach, I don’t want these men and women (or our veterans) feel that they have been forgotten. And I’m sure you don’t either.
That’s why it’s so important to send a special Thanksgiving contribution right now. Your tax-deductible donation to HHV's 2009 Thanksgiving Craft Kit Drive will help us reach our goal of providing a therapeutic HHV Craft Kit to every hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded active-duty GI who wants one.
And your heartfelt THANK YOU and GET WELL card will let a hospitalized GI or veteran know that during the Thanskgiving holiday you'll be thanking them for their sacrifice and remembering them for so bravely defending our freedom.
Please be as generous as you can and consider forwarding a copy of my email to friends so they can also help support our sick and wounded servicemen and women and hospitalized veterans.
Some will want to send a Thanksgiving gift of $24, $40, $56, $80, $120 or even more.
But even if you can only afford to send $8 or $16 it will be a big help in our effort to send Craft Kits to the hospitalized veterans, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are asking for them during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons and throughout the year.
I hope you and your loved ones have a Happy Thanksgiving. And I’d like to thank you for supporting patriotic causes as we pitch in to care for our hospitalized veterans and sick or wounded overseas GIs.
Serving those who so unselfishly served for us,
Roger Chapin
Founder
Help Hospitalized Veterans
P.S. This Thanksgiving you can thank a hospitalized GI or veteran for your freedom by making a tax-deductible Thanksgiving donation to assist Help Hospitalized Veterans in providing more therapeutic Arts and Crafts Kits to our sick or wounded active-duty troops.
When you donate, a Thanksgiving THANK YOU and GET WELL card will also be delivered to a hospitalized hero on your behalf. Your greeting card can let a lonely, hospitalized veteran or sick or wounded GI know someone still remembers and cares about the sacrifice they've made while wearing our nation's uniform.
Giving America’s hospitalized heroes a gift, as they lie in a VA or military hospital far from home, helps take their minds off their illness or injury and loneliness and concerns about war. But maybe the biggest benefit is that it shows these men and women that Americans are completely united in our support of them.
-----
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.
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