“The Greatest casualty is being forgotten.” broken promises..

February 11, 2011 — olotliny

On Monday, Feb. 14, 2011…Valentine’s day..a day of love… ‘greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13

Is a day and opportunity for those who have not forgotten the sacrifice of service of the wounded warriors. Go to the Wounded Warrior Project site and or Facebook page and unite in support of keeping our nation’s promises to our service men and women.

From the Wounded Warrior Project site: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/1191/

On Monday, February 14th join us in an outreach movement to send a message to the White House:

Tweet your demand for support for wounded warriors. Paste the following message into Twitter:
@whitehouse: Time is up, President Obama. Support family caregivers of wounded warriors now. http://tiny.cc/6vmjv #MilitaryMonday
Donate your Facebook status to the effort for the day with our message or become a fan of our page and follow the updates on the issue. http://facebook.com/wwpinc.fans
Contact the White House at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact and share your outrage at the lack of support for our nation’s heroes and their families.
Visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org for additional ways to get involved and show your support.

(from the Wounded Warrior site): Visit the White House’s Facebook page and leave a comment, demanding that they direct implementation of this support NOW! To leave a comment, you’ll have to click the button to “like” the White House. If you’re not a fan, you can always “unlike” it after leaving your comment.

Suggested post: Mr. President, last May, you signed legislation directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive support to wounded warriors’ family-caregivers. Under that law, families should be getting those needed services by now, but VA help seems still a year away. Mr. President, please cut through the red tape and direct implementation NOW! The families have already sacrificed so much!

Promises, but still no help, for those caring for wounded vets

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/17/veterans.caretaker.law.stalled/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Posted in Civics, family support, IAVA, In Memory, Post Tramatic Stress, support the troops, Veterans, wounded warrior. Leave a Comment »

February 3rd, 1943 and the steadfast faith of the Four Chaplains

February 3, 2011 — olotliny

Today, February 3rd 1943 The USS (USAT) Dorchester..an army troop transport ship going through “torpedo alley” was hit and sunk near the coast of Greenland. Four interfaith (Catholic, Protestant and Jewish) Chaplains gave away their life jackets and remained on board the fast sinking ship- locked armed praying together for the men.. of the 900 men aboard the ship, only 230 were rescued from those frozen waters.

A PRAYER FOR CHAPLAINS
By Dick Millspaugh BCC

O Holy One,
When disaster strikes by air, land or sea
Strengthen me.

When shock numbs, stuns, or overcomes me
Hold me.

When the flames of anger threaten me
Calm me.

When retaliation seems my only choice
Speak to me of grace.

When I would be god to save all
Humble me.

Creator of the air, land and sea:
Strengthen me, that I may calm others.
Ground me, that I may be peace for others.
Empower me, that I may act where I am.
Humble me, that I may know my need
Is always, always to live in You.

Amen.
http://www.professionalchaplains.org/index.aspx?id=249#Prayer_for_Chaplains

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEP7FUcIfwA

James Swearingen, 1992 Composed/wrote “The Light Eternal” to commemorate/honor their dedication, service, sacrifice and steadfast faith.

http://www.immortalchaplains.org/Story/story.htm

http://www.fourchaplains.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains

Posted in Civics, In Memory, Poems, support the troops, Video. Tags: "The Light Eternal" James Swearingen 1992, Four Chaplains. Leave a Comment »

“God Bless America” ….a daily prayer

January 8, 2011 — olotliny

http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/godblessamerica.html

God Bless America

Words and music by Irving Berlin
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Renewed 1965, 1966 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Assigned to the Trustees of the God Bless America Fund
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
Used by Permission

“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. ”

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejtBCxhFQ7w

Sammy Kershaw – The Snow White Rows of Arlington

There are a lot of perfect reasons
To never fight another war
There are a lot of perfect questions
As to what’s worth fighting for
There are a lot of perfect fools
Who refuse to read the writing on the wall

But the truth is there are people
Who’ve made it crystal clear
That it is their holy mission
To destroy all we hold dear

They are visibly out searching for the fire
To make this towing nation fall

Now we can just sit back and wait
Until they spill more precious blood
Or we can seek these cowards out
And nip their slaughter in the bud

Audios sweet home and family
I’m off to fight a war that must be won
You’ll know why I’m going when you see
The snow white rows of Arlington

Every blade of grass is sacred
Every headstone is a shrine
To somebody who was willing
To put existence on the line

The liberty we take for granted
Was purchased with their patriotic lives

Are their sleeping spirits restless?
Do they listen for the sound?
Of the mustering of armies
To defend their hallowed ground?

Will we rise to the occasion
To ensure their legacy survives?

Through the willows blow soft breezes
They are whispering my name

Asking did they die for nothing?
Aren’t I the keeper of the flame?

Audios sweet home and family
Wave goodbye to your Louisiana son

You will know why I’m leaving when you see
The snow white rows of Arlington

Audios sweet home and family
Wave goodbye to your Louisiana son
And if it be my fate you’ll find me
Proudly sleeping in the snow white,
When you see the snow white rows of Arlington

There are a lot of perfect reasons
To never fight another war
There are a lot of perfect questions

http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=8&id=1047141

Posted in Civics, From the Troops, In Memory, Poems, support the troops, Veterans, Video. Tags: "God Bless America", Boy Scouts of America, Irving Berlin, Kate Smith, Sammy Kershaw - The Snow White Rows of Arlington. Leave a Comment »

“May God’s blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.” G.S. Patton, Jr, Lieutenant General, Commanding, Third United States Army.

December 23, 2010 — olotliny

“Chaplain, I am a strong believer in Prayer. There are three ways that men get
what they want; by planning, by working, and by Praying. Any great military
operation takes careful planning, or thinking. Then you must have well-trained
troops to carry it out: that’s working. But between the plan and the operation
there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or victory, success or
failure. It is the reaction of the actors to the ordeal when it actually comes.
Some people call that getting the breaks; I call it God. God has His part, or
margin in everything, That’s where prayer comes in. Up to now, in the Third
Army, God has been very good to us. We have never retreated; we have suffered no
defeats, no famine, no epidemics. This is because a lot of people back home are
praying for us. We were lucky in Africa, in Sicily, and in Italy. Simply because
people prayed. But we have to pray for ourselves, too. A good soldier is not
made merely by making him think and work. There is something in every soldier
that goes deeper than thinking or working–it’s his “guts.” It is something that
he has built in there: it is a world of truth and power that is higher than
himself. Great living is not all output of thought and work. A man has to have intake as well. I don’t know what you it, but I call it Religion, Prayer, or God.” (from:The True Story of The Patton Prayer by Msgr. James H. O’Neill (From the Review of the News 6 October 1971) http://www.pattonhq.com/prayer.html

Posted in In Memory, Quote, support the troops. Tags: "One Solitary Life", G.S. Patton. Leave a Comment »

Giving Thanks

November 20, 2010 — olotliny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reDiz5nkxK8

This is from Military Support Group of Connection Pointe

Church, Brownsburg, IN: http://www.cpmsglife.org/

Posted in family support, IAVA, In Memory, Poems, Post Tramatic Stress, support the troops, Veterans, Video, wounded warrior. Tags: Holiday poems-support the troops, Thank You for your service, Thanksgiving. Comments Off

Suffolk County Purple Heart Trail

November 12, 2010 — olotliny

FYI,
A long overdue tribute to our Purple Heart recipients. Please enjoy the attached video.

Thomas Ronayne, Director
Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency
H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099
631 853 VETS (8387)
631 853 8381
631 853 8390 fax
From: Stanton, Brendan
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:59 PM
To: Ronayne, Tom
Subject: FW: W/ Video Tribute: Levy Seeks Creation of Suffolk County Purple Heart Trail at County Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4TaBT–eWo

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Steve Levy
COUNTY EXECUTIVE

NEWS RELEASEClick Here for Veterans Day Video Tribute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dan Aug

November 10, 2010
Phone: 631. 853.4018
Cell: 631. 885.0631
Celebrating Veterans Day
Suffolk Executive Levy Announces Creation of ‘Suffolk County Purple Heart Trail’
First Memorial Dedicated to County Purple Heart Recipients to be Set in Accessible Lakeland County Park; Also Files Resolution for ‘Honor and Remember” Flag

Islandia, NY – Suffolk Executive Steve Levy today announced legislation to establish a Suffolk Veterans Purple Heart Trail at Lakeland County Park — the first County memorial dedicated to Suffolk’s Purple Heart recipients.

Levy was joined by Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi, Islandia Village Mayor and Viet Nam veteran Allan Dorman and other veterans – including Purple Heart recipients, family members and Commander of the New York State Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart — at the handicapped accessible park.

“The men and women who have given their life for our country, those who have served and survived – all those who have worn the uniform honorably in defense of our nation – are remembered here today,” said Levy. “We extend today a special recognition to those Suffolk residents who have received the military honor of the Purple Heart and will forever remember them through this Purple Heart Trail.”

Conrad Steers, Commander of the New York State Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, stated, “In establishing its ‘Purple Heart Trail’ today Suffolk County has taken a great step in honoring those members of the military who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat, and for veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice.”

Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although our membership is restricted to the combat wounded, the MOPH supports all veterans and their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs by Chapters and National Service Officers.

Legislator Tom Cilmi, within whose district the park sits, said “It is fitting that we honor our Purple Heart recipients on this day preceding Veteran’s Day. We are free to walk along peaceful trails such as this, and congregate in parks such as this thanks to the service and sacrifice of our Veterans.”

Islandia Village Mayor Allan Dorman added, “As a veteran, it is encouraging to know that Suffolk County continues to go above and beyond the call of duty in honoring those men and women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. The Village of Islandia is humbled to serve as the host village to Suffolk’s Veterans Purple Heart Trail and we encourage all residents to visit it.”

Legislator Steve Stern, Chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee, stated, “Our Veterans and their families make enormous sacrifices to protect our freedom and our way of life. We owe them not only a debt of gratitude, but our full support in every way. This trail will provide an accessible and beautiful place for those who have served with valor and dedication to enjoy the natural beauty of Suffolk County with their loved ones.”

Honor and Remember Flag
Levy today also announced the introduction of legislation to designate the “Honor and Remember Flag” as the county of Suffolk’s emblem of the service and sacrifice by those in the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in the line of duty.

According to Honor and Remember Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization, the mission of Honor and Remember is to create, establish and promote a nationally recognized flag that will fly continuously as a visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.

Congress has introduced a bill to endorse the Honor and Remember Flag as a national symbol and the Honor and Remember Flag has also been endorsed by the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Air Force Security Forces Association and the Naval Reserve Association. The flag has been officially adopted by the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Pennsylvania state legislature is currently considering adopting the flag.

Suffolk County is home to the largest veteran population in New York State, outside of New York City. Lakeland County Park was chosen to host the first Suffolk County Veterans Purple Heart Trail because of its handicap accessibility which allows all of Suffolk’s veterans the greatest accessibility in visiting.

Click Here for Veterans Day Video Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4TaBT–eWo

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER: Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy joins with purple heart recipients and gold star family members in announcing legislation to name the greenbelt trail at Lakeland County Park the “Suffolk County Purple Heart Trail,” and adopt the “Honor and Remember” flag as the county emblem of the service and sacrifice by those in the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in the line of duty. Pictured (l-r) Tim Shearer, Mayor Allan Dorman, Suffolk Legislator Tom Cilmi, NYS Military Order of the Purple Heart Commander Conrad Steers, Dawn Esposito, Theirey Wilwerth, Suffolk Executive Steve Levy, Veterans Services Director Tom Ronayne, Michelle McNaughton, Ron Romaszka, Joann Lyles, and Elaine Wilwerth.

Mark L. Smith, Deputy Director of Communications
Office of Suffolk County Executive
PH: 631-853-8342/ CELL: 631-445-7169
E-Mail: [email protected]

Posted in Civics, family support, From the Troops, IAVA, In Memory, P.O.W.-M.I.A., support the troops, Veterans, Video, wounded warrior. Tags: Suffolk County Purple Heart Trail. Comments Off

FYI – Veteran’s Day Restaurant Freebies

October 29, 2010 — olotliny

FYI – Veteran’s Day Restaurant Freebies – please pass it along

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Restaurant Freebies

Applebee’s Restaurant – Free dinners to Veterans throughout Veterans Day November 11th; selections will be from a new Veterans Day menu.

Outback Steakhouse – Free Blooming Onion and beverage.

Golden Corral– Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military Staff.

In celebration of Veterans Day 11 Nov 2010, Subway is showing its thanks with free six inch subs to all Veterans or Active Duty members.

On Nov. 7, McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants will offer a free entree to military veterans for its 12th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event. Menu picks include such seafood items as: parmesan crusted tilapia, roasted cedar plank salmon
and almond crusted rainbow trout. “Our Veterans Appreciation Event has become a tradition that our restaurants look forward to each year,” said Bill Freeman, CEO of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, in a statement. For more information: www.mccormickandschmicks.com

Krispy Kreme – One free doughnut of any variety.

UNO Chicago Grill– Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.

Coushatta Casino Resort – The Louisiana casino and resort is offering a Free seven-clans lunch or dinner buffet to veterans or active military.

MarketPlace Grill & Express – Veterans and active-duty military receive free entrees.

Masala Wok – The Northern Virginian restaurant is offering a free entree to Veterans.

Hy-Vee supermarkets – The mid-western supermarket chain is offering a free
breakfast to Veterans.

Abuelo’s Mexican Food Restaurants – All Veterans and active-duty military receive a free entree.

Carolina Burgers & BBQ – In Matthews, NC is offering a free meal to all service members and Veterans.

Retail Freebies

Brides Across America – Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.

Lowe’s & Home Depot – Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.

Sam’s Club – Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. Veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.

Amazon.com – Free “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela’s Outdoor Store – Offers their employee discount to all Veterans,
active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov.
11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop – Members of the armed services including the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps,
will receive a 20% discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Dollar General – 10% discount for all Veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.

Fashion Bug – 20% off all plus-size and Misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse’s military ID.

Entertainment Freebies

National parks, forests and monuments – Admission is free to everyone on
Veterans Day.

Knott’s Berry Farm – Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran’s Month, November 1-26.

Colonial Williamsburg – Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, Veterans and their dependents.

San Jacinto Museum of History – Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for Veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

Historic Jamestown – Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.

Battleship Cove – Free admission and a special ceremony for Veterans, active, duty and reservists.

Vicksburg National Military Park – Free admission for all.

Birmingham Museum of Art – Free admission to the ticketed event “Life and Liberty” on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.

Vulcan Park and Museum– In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted
admission through November to the park and museum.

Greenbay (WI) New Zoo – Free admission to Veterans and their families.

Central Florida Zoo – Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.

Strategic Air & Space Museum– Free admission for Veterans Nov. 11-14 to the
Ashland, Neb. museum.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – in Oklahoma City offers free admission to Veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Natural Elements Spa & Salon – In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military.

Anytime Offers:

MILITARY DISCOUNTS UPDATE 02: All these businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask:

Restaurants: Arby’s, A&W, Back Yard Burgers, Burger King, Captain D’s, Chick-Fil-A, Cotton Patch, Denny’s · Dunkin’ Donuts · Farmers Boy · IHOP (20 percent discount with military identification) · Java Café · KFC · Long John Silver · Pancho’s Mexican Buffet · Pizza Hut ·Quizno’s · Sizzler · Sonic · Taco Bell · Whataburger

Services

AT&T · California Cryobank · Geico · Jiffy Lube · Meineke · Sears Portrait Studio

Travel and Leisure

Blockbuster · Movie theaters · Ripley’s attractions and museums ·Professional Sports teams

Products

Apple Computers · AutoZone · Barnhill’s · Bass Pro Shop · Bath and Body Works
· Big 10 Tires · The Buckle · Champs Sports · Copeland’s Sports · Dell, ·The Discovery Channel Store · Dress Barn · The Finish Line · Foot Action·Footlocker · Gadzooks · GNC · Goody’s · Great Party· Happy Harry’s ·HomeDepot · Hot Topic ·Jockey · Lerner ·Lowe’s · Michael’s · NAPA Auto Parts · NewYork & Company · Pac Sun · Payless Shoes · Play It Again Sports · PureBeauty · Sally Beauty Supply · Spencer’s Gifts · Suncoast · Timberland Outlets· Wilson’s Leather

Cell Phone Service Discount – All Federal employees are able to
get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier and
mentioning the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 –
Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present.” You will need to know the
military member’s supervisor’s name, phone number, and full address, so
that his/her military status can be verified. Use the following contact
numbers:

. Cingular – 800-319-6393

. Sprint – 877-812-1223

. T-Mobile – 866-646-4688

. Nextel – 800-639-6111

. Verizon – 800-865-1825

[Source: VA Frederick Service Office Maryland VSO msg. 26 Apr 2010++]
Whistle Dixie Pilgrim or pull your pistol.

(Thanks Lucy C. President of LI Blue Star Mom’s for passing this on.)

“A Nation’s Strength”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes a nation’s pillars high and its foundations strong?

What makes it mighty to defy the foes that round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand go down in battle shock;