Archive for HASMO
I’m super excited for Monday…
Posted by: | Comments
Thanks for coming back to visit! If you would like to be a guest blogger at ArmyHousehold6.com - please let Tammy know!
UPDATE – 12/21/09 @10pm EST
The party was so much fun… and we managed to raise $550 in ONE HOUR for the Wounded Warrior Project!! Much thanks to all those that participated and Whitefence.com for sponsoring as well as donating!!
Yes you read that right … I’m excited for a Monday. You see… This Monday I’ll be co-hosting a Twitter Party with WhiteFence.com , starting at 9pm EST.
If you aren’t familiar with WhiteFence, I highly recommend you check them out. WhiteFence is a free service that helps people who are moving or looking to find the best deals on phone, Internet, television, electricity, natural gas and other home services.
Now this is no normal Twitter Party, there will be no gifts to give away. However there it is opportunity to have some awesome conversation, share our tips/tricks and help our wounded warriors …
you see every tweet that includes the party hashtage (#wfparty) a $1 donation will go to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. (up to $2000)
So how can you help get involved and raise money?
Well @whitefence and I will be talking about how how to make the holidays special when you’re loved one is overseas. All you have to do is join in the conversation on Twitter (make sure to include the hashtag )
Make sure you follow me (@tammymunson) and Whitefence (@whitefence) so you don’t miss this fun event!!!
So spread the word to not only raise money but awareness as well. If you would like to make your own donation to the Wounded Warrior Project , you do do so at the WWP site as well!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at tammy @ armyhousehold6.com
Hope to see you there !
Tammy
Fort Hood Tragedy
Posted by: | Comments
image courtesy of FoxNews.com
My thoughts and prayers are with all of our military family at Fort Hood as well as those affected directly by this horrific act. If any of my readers at Hood need ANYTHING, please let me know and I’ll make sure to get you what you need!!!!
I just want to update real quick about what’s happening at Fort Hood.. these are the facts. I’m not going to speculate on ANYTHING (unlike certain members of the MSM)
- LTG Cone said all suspects were SOLDIERS!
- No kids were harmed .. they believe the situation is now under control. (at 3pm MT)
- The initial shooter (an Army major) died and the other 2 are now in custody.
Please remember – let’s not jump to conclusions on the speculations or rumors that we are hearing about. Let CID, MP’s and FBI do their job and research the backgrounds of these guys before we start jumping to conclusions about the who and the why!
Now – as far as Obama’s press conference about Ft Hood. I think it was severely mishandled but what can you expect with someone who doesn’t have much leadership experience.
UPDATE
LTG Cone stated that MAJ Hasan was the ONLY shooter and that he is in fact ALIVE. Also – 13 people (including 1 civilian) have died and 31 wounded.
According to Fox News –
Survivors of the rampage that killed 13 and wounded 30 said the suspect, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, shouted “Allahu Akbar!” — “God is great!” in Arabic — before opening fire, base commander Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said.
It’s On: Go Team Army
Posted by: | Comments
What a day this is … its Military Monday on Twitter, Day of the Deployed and kickoff to Valour-IT!
I’m so excited to be a part of Team Army to help raise money for our wounded warriors and Project Valour-IT! I’m asking all of my readers, friends, family and anyone else – to donate what you can to Valour-IT! All the money raised goes to help our wounded warriors!
If you can’t donate (for whatever reason) and you’re a blogger/website owner – at least help spread the world about it and join a team! (preferable TeamARMY) .
If you’d like to donate a product, service,etc for me to auction off here at Armyhousehold6.com , please email me.
So what is Valour-IT?
Project Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include:
- Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
- Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).
- Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.You can read more about it here
courtesy of deltabravosierra.net
iRobot helps out the Military by keeping them safe
Posted by: | Comments
I got a note this morning from my friend Alli from Mrs. Fussypants about her trip to the iRobot Summit and the That’s Ingenious Challenge! You can read Alli’s post and get the details about the contest here
We used to have an iRobot Roomba when we lived in Virginia. When SGT Daddy bought it a couple of years ago, i wasn’t crazy about it, to be honest. I thought it was so small and with all the dog hair in our house, we would have to stop a lot to empty it and restart it again. After using it awhile, I began to like it. It was almost a “set it and forget it ” type of thing! I really loved it for our kitchen area.. it was truly the perfect size.
Unfortunately, it only lasted a year due to the size of our living room, the amount of dog hair in our home and the fact our dog Ranger would ponce on it like it was a mouse or something. (Ranger is our 65 lb. Lab, so you can imagine) That little thing took quite a beating!!
When I was reading about iRobot’s That Ingenious Challenge , I was really surprised to hear about their connection to the military. They created some of their robots(Packbots) to help the military deal with explosive devices. How cool is that!!
Here is one of them… his nickname is Scooby Doo.
Scooby didn’t make it either when an device he was examining exploded. He took the risk so one of our soldiers didn’t have too. Awesome huh??
(pictures courtesy of irobot.com & Alli Worthington ~ Mrs. Fussypants.com )
Let’s show the love: I need your help!
Posted by: | Comments
I recently was made aware that many soldiers in SGT Daddy’s unit where not getting the love and support they needed while they are deployed to Eastern Afghanistan. So I thought I know all of you would be the perfect group to jump in and show the love!
We’ve done it here at Army Household6 before for soldiers like PFC Hunter Levine and several others. This unit holds a special place in my heart… obviously because its SGT Daddy’s unit.
So I will be adopting 704th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) Charlie Company Headquarters Platoon! Will you help me? You guys know I don’t usually ask for much, so this is really important to me.
So if you would like to support one the soldiers of this unit, please leave a comment with your email address and I will get you a name of a soldier and their mailing address. I know that they would appreciate the support.
So what do they need :
* Write a note. Send a card or picture. If you have kids, have them write a note or draw a picture; if you have a group of kids, make a long card out of white kitchen shelf paper; have them all write notes or draw pictures.
* Sports items like baseball caps, baseballs, footballs, volley balls, soccer balls, etc. These would be used by Soldiers – or given as gifts from America to Afghani kids. And yes, it REALLY DOES make a difference
* Handy wipes.
* Newspapers & Paperback books.
* Magazines (for guys and gals).
* Batteries – AAA, AA, and D sizes.
* Puzzles, chess, checkers or other board games, playing cards/books.
* Boot socks -
* Eye drops – non-prescription, moisturizing.
* Powdered drink mixes like Gatorade or Propel, snacks, and some microwaveable items.
* Audio cassettes, CDs, VCR/DVD movies (American standard) – even if slightly used.
* PSP2, XBox360, MP3 Players & electronic games. If you send one, Soldiers will share it with lots of others.
You may have noticed our Soldiers are as often carrying candy (or a toy) as they are carrying a weapon. That is simply because Afghani kids love toys – and Soldiers love kids. With that in mind, I would add these items to a list of things you might send – if you are so inclined. It does matter!! We can make a difference for them!
* Small stuffed animals.
* School supplies – pencils, pens, notebooks and paper, watercolors, construction paper, scissors, chalk, note pads, erasers, pencil bags, metric rulers and similar items. But no crayons – they melt.
UPDATE (from SGT Daddy ) –
Thanks hon, I do have soldiers that receive nothing or next to nothing at mail call. Your generosity would be appreciated! I would recommend against sending anything baked as the heat here almost melts us, think of what it’d do to your secret cookie recipe!
Almost forgot! If you have old clothes from the kids send ’em. We see lots of Afghan kids without appropriate clothing! Shoes, preferably sandals (they love ’em here since it’s so freaking hot) would be a big hit. Anything you have though that is gently used would not go to waste and would help these kids out!
On my soapbox today….
Posted by: | CommentsYes I’m on my soapbox again . I’m all for supporting the troops and our wounded warriors but not this way..
I recently was alerted to a situation of a “wounded warrior” .. now this shouldn’t really surprised you because of my work with HASMO. I was a little ticked off because of all the soldiers I see who fight for higher disability ratings, services, etc.
This situation definitely had NOTHING to do with combat related injuries much less even being in the Army. This soldier was listed under the Warrior Transition Brigade by the Army. I’m not sure why but I’m assuming that the Army didn’t know how to classify him.
I can’t go into the various specifics for several reasons, including privacy reasons… but this soldier was diagnosed with a disease during Individual Entry Training (Basic/AIT) . It had nothing to do with anything that he did or was asked to do during that time. The Army paid for all his medical care and treatment in order for him to get better, so that he could serve.
I understand the reasons why the Army placed him in the WTB unit but should the Army have to pay disability for this soldier? We hear stories of so many warriors with combat related injuries who don’t get what they need. They deserve to have what they are asking for. They went to war and fought for their country.. they did what the country asked them to do.
Why are we giving special benefits,etc to soldiers that don’t have combat or mission related injuries. I have read or heard some many stories of soldiers who are dealing with the effects of PTSD and other issues and can’t get what they need.
This particular soldier, let’s call him Jason… is getting out of the Army and got a job that was specially created for “wounded warriors”. How is this fair? He’s not a wounded warrior… he doesn’t have a physical or mental disability. He was given a clean bill of health and can get almost any job he wants. He is using these particular benefits of the Army’s Wounded Warrior program to his advantage because I’m guessing he feels the Army owes him something.
The kicker is that this soldier didn’t get sick because of anything that the Army or his country asked him to do. While I feel bad for him and his specific situation, but I don’t think its fair or the right thing to do.
I think its a load of horse hockey. I feel that the benefits of being in WTB and the wounded warrior job program should be available to those that are just that… WOUNDED warriors. (mentally and physically)
Getting off my soapbox now…. What do you think?
Iced Coffee Day to Support Homes for Troops
Posted by: | Comments
Dunkin’ Donuts is having a special “Iced Coffee Day” event TODAY, when Dunkin’ stores throughout the country will sell small iced coffees for the reduced price of only 50 cents. Five cents from each one sold will go to Homes for Our Troops, a national, non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.
Dunkin’ Donuts is also launching a nationwide call to recruit one million new volunteers to support Homes for Our Troops’ efforts. The first 200 people to sign up as volunteers will receive free Dunkin’ coffee for one month.
If there isn’t a Dunkin Donuts in your area or you just want to donate directly to Homes For Troops, CLICK HERE!
If you are on Facebook, you can also donate your facebook status to the cause ! Also make sure to check out the video on their YouTube Channel. (i would have embedded it here but it wouldn’t let me )
Call to Action : National Guard soldier and his family in need
Posted by: | CommentsI received an email from LAW about a story over at Blackfive.(story reprinted with permission ) It broke my heart as it always does when I hear of a soldier and his family in need.
We have another call to action … we pulled together to show our support for Hunter and Rob, and its time to do it again!! I’ll be posting this on HASMO as well. Let’s show him how much we love our military and help this soldier and his family that are in need.
From McQ at Blackfive:
On the one hand I hate writing these kinds of posts because it means a member of our military family has been severely hurt. On the other hand, I appreciate the opportunity to bring his story before the large military support community that hangs out here at Blackfive and supports our troops so well.
Kevin Whalen of Pundit Review Radio received an email from a fan of the SYSK segment we do there, talking about a friend of his who was recently badly wounded in Afghanistan.
Here’s a portion of that email:
I am writing to ask your help in getting the word out to people about a good friend of mine, Massachusetts Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Kevin Dupont. Kevin was seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan. On March 8, 2009, Kevin was riding in a convoy of vehicles in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. Kevin’s Humvee was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device.
The blast destroyed the vehicle and turned it into a raging inferno. The driver, Army Private First Class Patrick Devoe of Auburn, New York was killed. Another Sergeant, Robert Perez, a member of the LAPD on military leave, was wounded and received 2nd degree burns.
Kevin was the vehicle commander and was stuck inside the Humvee as it burned out of control. After struggling, Kevin was finally able to open the door and jump out. A following vehicle stopped and I was informed that they had to use a fire extinguisher to put Kevin’s flaming uniform out. As a result of the explosion and fire, Kevin suffered 3rd degree burns to over 65% of his body including his face,hands and legs.
Kevin and Sgt Perez where immediately flown to an aid station in Afghanistan where they were treated and then flown to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. In Germany, Doctors prepped Kevin and Sgt. Perez for an emergency flight to the US Army Burn Center at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Kevin was placed in an induced coma so that he wouldn’t suffer from the pain of the burns.
On March 11, 2009 Kevin and Sgt. Perez arrived at Brooke Army Hospital. Kevin and Sgt. Perez were immediately taken to the Burn Ward. Kevin’s wife, Lisa Dupont had flown from Boston to to Texas to meet Kevin when he arrived. Lisa is a police officer with the MBTA Police. Doctors at Brooke advised Lisa that Kevin has severe burns and that his is the second worst case that they have ever treated. Sgt. Perez’s burn were not life threatening and he was transferred to a recovery ward. While being evaluated, it was learned that Kevin had also sustained burns to the interior of his lungs. During the next few days we were not sure that Kevin would survive. The doctors at Brooke warned us that Kevin’s greatest threat was infection and pneumonia. Both of these could kill him at any time. Kevin was placed on a ventilator to help his breathing.
Since March 11th,Kevin’s wife has been by his side. Myself and some of Kevin’s friends have gone down to Texas to visit with him and his wife. Kevin’s condition has improved somewhat. We are told that he is not out of the woods yet, but he is continuing to amaze his Doctors and Nurses. Kevin is still in an induced coma, but the staff has begun to slowly bring him out of it. He has had numerous operations to graft skin. Right now the Doctors have completed approximately 90% of the required skin grafts. Due to the severe burns to his face, it is uncertain if Kevin will have the use of his eyes. We are still hoping that he will come-to and be able to see. Last week, Kevin was taken into surgery to have all of his fingers and thumbs amputated. Due to the burns, Doctors had no other choice.
I write this letter to ask for your help in getting Kevin’s story and sacrifice out to the people of Massachusetts and to his hundreds of friends throughout New England. Kevin is no spring-chicken. He is 52 years old and after graduating from Chicopee, Massachusetts High School he enlisted in the Marines. After serving two tours in the Marines,Kevin returned home and joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard. While serving with the Mass Guard, Kevin has been assigned to the Counter-Drug Program. During his service with the Guard, Kevin has worked with almost every law enforcement department in the state. He has also been assigned to two FBI (H.I.D.T.A.) offices and to the United States Coast Guard Intelligence Unit in Boston. Kevin has hundreds of friends in law enforcement in Massachusetts as well as the other New England states.
I haven’t heard of one news story about Kevin since he was wounded. I am hoping that you will be able to let people know. Kevin volunteered to be deployed to Afghanistan. He didn’t have to go. He could easily have stayed here in Massachusetts doing his National Guard duties instead of where he is now, lying in a hospital bed unconscious, with feeding and breathing tubes keeping him alive and bandages over most of his body.
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter. I listen to you guys every week and thanks for turning me on to Michael Yon as well.
SFC Kevin Dupont and his family need our help. Both he and his wife Lisa have served their country now its time to repay them!
A website has been setup for Kevin at CaringBridge. Lisa prints and reads them to Kevin each and ever day.
She’s been by his side since he got to Brooke and I think we all know what that means in terms of expenses. Any help you can provide to defray the cost of Lisa’s stay in San Antonio would be most appreciated. We want to keep her there as long as she needs to be by Kevin’s side.
So Kevin’s friends have set up a tax-exempt foundation to take donations if you’re so inclined.
Blue Skin Foundation
256 Doyle Road
Holden, MA 01520
If you’d like to send a card or letter to Kevin and Lisa, :
Brooke Army Hospital
3851 Roger Brooke Dr. #3600
Fort Sam Houston
San Antonio, TX 78234
Whatever you can do to help Kevin and Lisa would be greatly appreciated… So let’s get out the support for them!! I know we can do it!
Update on Hunter Levine
Posted by: | Comments
Back in October, I wrote about PFC Hunter Levine and put the call out to help raise his spirits. Thanks to all of you, many other military bloggers and hundreds of caring Americans… we did JUST THAT!!
I received a note from Todd today letting me know about an interview Hunter did with his local news station, KHOU in Texas.
Click here for the link to the article and to see the video of the interview.
I am so happy to see Hunter doing so well now and his initiative to help out others! We certainly made a difference!!! Make sure to check out his site, Hearts for Hunter.com.
I’m proud to say that I was privileged enough to be a part of that and help Hunter, his friend Blake and all the supporters get the site up and running.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.. Hunter — you are a true American hero!
Please make sure to support Hunter’s organization as well as wounded warriors in your community. They need it … I assure you. If you aren’t sure how, let me know!
Photo courtesy of KHOU.com
Haven’t our Veterans paid enough?
Posted by: | Comments
As usual I perusing Twitter today, looking to see what was being talked about, who was doing what, etc…Then I saw a article headline that made me do a double take! Here is what I saw:
Obama’s idea of supporting our military… Wants Wounded Soldiers To Pay For Treatment
At first, I thought it was something from The Onion, but no it wasn’t. Here are the links about them that I found on my favorite political blog, Little Green Footballs, about the topic: Article 1 and Article 2
So, basically the story is that Obama is putting a plan together that would bill our veterans for treatment for service-related injuries. “Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance, according to CNN.Com“
I mean, seriously?? He’s actually considering this! This is so wrong on so many levels. I mean this is just anti-American in my book. We’ve been hearing from the liberals for the last couple of years– “I don’t support the war but I do support the troops”! Is this part of that support??
When men and women join the military, they give up so much. If they are deployed, they are asked to give up even more. Some of our servicemembers pay a really high price (injured) or sometimes even the ultimate price! Is this how our President wants to repay them for their service?
Even beyond that, these veterans and/or wounded warriors didn’t receive these injuries because of their own fault. They received these injuries serving in the United States Armed Forces. The least our government should be doing is making sure these injuries are covered by the VA.
I think the Leader of the American legion, Commander David K. Rehbein, said it best!
“This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ‘ … to care for him who shall have borne the battle … ’ given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm’s way, and not private insurance companies.”
Several senators said that they were outraged and would kill the proposal. (Republicans & Democrats) I sure do hope so. I’m just angered and furious (and a couple other emotions too) that the President of the United States Barack Obama would even suggest this. I expect more out of OUR President. I expect him to protect us, do things in the best interest of America and make sure that members of our Armed Forces are given the best care available to them, not to be billed for that care! I could only imagine what my grandfather , MSGT Joseph Maltese, (30+ years US Army – Enlisted) would say if he were alive today.
If you disagree with this plan of the Obama Administration, make sure to blog, email, call , phone everyone you know and make them aware of it .
What do you think about all this? I’m curious to know.
