Archive for the ‘Helping Others’
Warrior Care
I spend a lot of time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center doing Family Readiness Group (FRG) work and its also where my husband works. Their motto is “home of warrior care”. They do just that every single day, not just one month a year.
I’ve seen it as a visitor and I’ve also seen it as a patient.Warrior Care is just not for our active duty/reserve/Guard servicemembers .. it is also meant for their family members too. I was diagnosed with a super infection that was contained within in my arm. They took awesome care of me, even keeping me an extra day to make sure the antibiotics were working.
The Department of Defense and all the different military branches has declared November as Warrior Care Month. They are trying to bring awareness to all their various medical and non-medical services.The VA department has created a website that highlights some of the programs and resources out there no matter if the patient is one of our warriors or one of their family members.The focus however is always placed on our wounded warriors, for they have made great sacrifices for our freedom. .
Click here for their website, WarriorCare.mil
Speaking of Wounded Warriors and their families, if you would like to be part of the rapid reaction time to
Social Media Fundraising
Bryan (@thegrok ) and Chris (@chrisbrogan) are using social media to have some fun on Halloween and raise some money at the same time.
You can follow the rules HERE
The best part is that TOP 3 Companies voted on in the comments get the money that is donated! There are a lot of great organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families like Homes for Our Troops, Soldiers’ Angels, Project ValourIT and many many more.
So get to it!
Hunter’s visit with Gary Sinise
Hunter had a visit with Gary Sinise today …
Just got an update from Blake:
Talked to Hunter today. He had an awesome time with Gary!! His visit definitely uplifted his spirits. He said Gary is just a normal guy.
He got to talk to him for about 45 minutes and even got some autographed stuff! Gary also invited Hunter and some other troops to one of his concerts in December. The concert is in Florida close to Disneyworld. Hunter said that Gary is going to fly him and others to the concert!!!
Awesome Huh…what a good guy!
I’d say that’s a really good guy! Can’t wait to hear that update!!
Want to leave a message of support for Hunter?? Check out Hearts for Hunter Foundation website
All of you are ROCKSTARS in my book!
It’s been an intense, crazy-busy couple of days around here but in a good way! I have to say that I’m so proud of EVERYONE for jumping into action when it counted! Your cards, letters of encouragement,etc are definitely doing the trick and lifting Hunter’s spirits.!
I also wanted to mention that Hunter will be receiving a visit this weekend from actor Gary Sinise, whose making a trip up to the VA Hospital to visit with some of the guys at the VA hospital and Hunter is one of those lucky ones! : )
I’ll continue to be working on this directly with with Hunter’s foundation, Hearts for Hunter. The website is under construction right now and will be ready to go on Monday, October 27th!
All future updates about Hunter, his foundation and his progress will be over there… so head on over and check it out.
The biggest HAT TIP goes to 1SG Brian Disque! Brian made sure that one of his soldiers got the help and support that he needed by letting the blogosphere know about Hunter’s situation. Brian certainly is a shining example of what a 1SG should be!
I AM A FIRST SERGEANT
My job is people — Every One is My Business.
I dedicate my time and energy to their needs;
their health, morale, discipline, and welfare.
I grow in strength by strengthening my people.
My job is done in faith; my people build faith.
My job is people –EVERY ONE IS MY BUSINESS.- US Army First Sergeant (1SG) Creed
Kudos to ParentsZone, Matt at BlackFive, Milblogs, Michelle Malkin, Some Soldiers Mom, Liberal Army Wife, Mark Levinfan.com, Calistalee , Jihad Gene, NiceDoggie.net, and Greyhawk and many many more! Also a big thank you to everyone who emailed others to let them know about it! You guys picked up Hunter’s story as ran with it! I’m so proud to be part of this awesome blogging community and our military family!
Also, thanks to the inspiration of Hunter’s story, I recently started a list called HASMO (Help a Service Member Out). It is an email list comprised of Rapid Response Team Members to be able to help out soldiers like Hunter and many others. It will also be available to help out service member’s immediate families as well.
HASMO already have some things in the works for other service members that you can help. We’ll be able to tell you more next week about it all. You can sign up for it on the left side of the page and its a free service!
So, thanks so much and keep up the great work for all the other soldiers, airmen, coasties, sailors and marines as well as their families! Also if anyone would like to help out with HASMO, please email me at tammy.munson at gmail dot com
Hooah!
Tammy
Febreze and Family Dollar Give Back to Support the Troops
Febreze even sent us our own bottle of Febreze to go to review… its works great and smells even better ! The best part about the To Go Size is that it is travel ready and TSA-compliant!
In case you’re wondering, YES– our family is just like the commercials you see where the entire family is smelling the Febreze! (I’ll try to get some video of that one of these days)
So here are the details… as promised!
Febreze has joined forces with Family Dollar stores nationwide to send bottles of Febreze To Go to deployed troops! The donation — a direct response to military requests — will eliminate odors on military gear and uniforms and bring the troops a refreshing piece of home.
So how can you help the effort?
For every Febreze item purchased at Family Dollar stores from now through Veteran’s Day - November 11, 2008 - Febreze and Family Dollar will send one 2.8 ounce bottle of Febreze To Go to a deployed servicemember for every Febreze item purchased. They also partnered with Operation Gratitude to facilitate distribution to deployed military servicemembers.
For a listing of your nearest Family Dollar stores click here
Update on PFC Levine!
Well I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone who emailed me over the last 24 hours about PFC Levine. If I haven’t responded to you yet.. don’t worry I will tonight/tomorrow.
I received this email from Julie with BlueStarMoms who visited with Hunter this afternoon .. so I wanted to pass it along..
Well, we already went today and just got back actually but we wouldn’t mind going again. When I say we, I took my daughter-in-law and granddaughters too. One of the staff did go in ahead and asked Hunter if he minded us coming in. That was Hunters request to be notified ahead of time.
I figured that if he did not want visitors today that we would just leave what we had brought for him there for him to have and I understood his request. He let us come in because I told the nurse about my son serving in Iraq. Tht seemed to make Hunter feel better.
We just stopped in for a minute and took a card, a box of See’s lollipops, some other candy and a small fimo clay frog wind chime. (FROG=Freely Rely On God) That made him sorta laugh, the wind chime. He said he didn’t know where to put it so we suggested over the a/c unit or hang it on the window that way he could know if the a/c was working or not.
I figured that he could use the practice in getting his other senses a little sharper while his eyesight was getting some work. The room was pretty warm though, and there was a soldier visiting him as well so I didn’t want to take up too much of his time. I will call Stephanie later this week and see if he wouldn’t mind having us visit again, without the girls though. I would love to have you come with or meet me there. I have a map now and it is pretty easy to get to.
He has a DVD player and an i-pod and told me he has all the music he needs, he is still pretty angry inside. I know that later in life he will look back and think about us going there, it will be just a random thought but I hope it will be a good one.
Also, my granddaughters class is going to make a mobile for his room, that should help him with some eye coordination exercises without him knowing that he is actually doing them.
I did see that he had the DVD Gladiator (great movie!) so he has some vision. He also had a watch on with a magnifier on it. Also, the lollipops will help with the muscles in his neck which will in turn help with the face restructuring.
In fact, I am thinking that getting some crossword puzzle books and other items like that as well as some cards for other soldiers who are there would be worthwhile. There were a couple who had no visitors and looked like they could use someone to visit with.
A HUGE amount of thanks goes out to to Trish of Email our Military (who originally posted about it) Vince Patton of Military.com as well as Caitlyn Scanlon (Military.com employee and member of Soldier’s Angels) for getting someone in touch with Hunter so quickly! This is what I love about our military family and of course for being a part of an AWESOME organization like Military.com ! : )
Call to Action: PFC Hunter Levine
I received this information today (from Email Our Military) and it nearly broke my heart! (actually it brought me to tears) I thought I HAVE to do something for this young man!
As many of us, who are living this life, know , we are one BIG military family. Well… one of our own needs our help!
For those not in the military…if you have ever wondered “what can I do for our wounded warriors”, well THIS IS IT!!!! You can read his story below …
If you would like to send cards, letters and/or care packages… please let me know. You can email me at tammy . munson @ gmail . com (don’t include spaces)
_____________________________________________
From 1SG Brian M. Disque
I know a young man who is in desperate need of help. His name is PFC Hunter Levine. He is 20 years old and hails from Houston, TX.
He was in my company and was wounded on 9 May, 2008 while conducting combat operations in East Baghdad. He received a very serious injury to his face, resulting in the loss of his entire bone structure, mouth, nose, and vision.
He was evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital where the doctors performed numerous surgeries to repair his
face. I was fortunate enough to attend a Purple Heart Ceremony at Walter Reed while I was home on leave in June. I was also able to meet with Hunter’s father Beau.
Hunter was then transferred to a VA hospital in Palo Alto, where the best care for his vision would be available. He is a true fighter with a heart of gold.
Bad News
Unfortunately, I received some bad news from the hospital doctors. Lately, he has been resisting treatment and being somewhat combative with the hospital staff. He has had a few outbursts and the staff is real worried about him. It seems like a serious case of depression is setting in.
Although his wounds on the outside may look bad, they may never compare with the wounds he has on the inside.
I spoke with him on the phone this evening, and he seemed real down. The reality is that he still has a long road to recover and may never see again. This young man has everything to live for and is a true inspiration. He is exactly the kind of person we would all want in a brother, son, or friend. I feel obligated to try and rally some support for him. I know we have a lot of caring people out there who would love to do something special for an outstanding American who gave his all for his country.
Call to Action
If you know of any church groups, school room classes, or other benevolent organizations that would be interested in assisting this brave young man, please forward this message on to them.
He is a pretty typical young man, so he likes sports and other typical young men stuff. A small care package with some goodies and such would mean the world.
Again, please forward this message to as many people as you know. It would be so great if we can all give way together and show Hunter that his country will never forget his sacrifices or service. He is down and needs our help.
Thank you for your support, it means everything.
V/R,
1SG Brian M. Disque
C CO 2-30 IN
“Our Country, Not Ourselves!”
Breaking News : Febreze & Family Dollar to support the troops
I’m so excited about this ! I’m going to be partnering with Febreze & Family Dollar on a project to support the troops! I’ll be announcing it all “officially” next week. (I know I’m such a tease .. but in a good way)
Stay tuned … lots of really cool and awesome things coming up for the military community in the next few months! : )
AUSA - Family Forum I
On Monday afternoon, AUSA held its first of 3 Family Forums during this week. This one featured GEN Casey and Mrs. Casey.
The room was completely packed with Army spouses. It was pretty amazing to see as it was standing room only of FRG Leaders, Army spouses, soldiers and Army Spouse Employment partners. The vibe in the room was absolutely amazing!
Mrs. Casey talked a great deal of the stresses that we endure a great deal but we also get a lot too. She suggested that ” we live in an attitude of gratitude.” She also talked about about how our life is a balance of being mom, Army wife, Household manager, etc. She even admitted that after 38 years of Army life that she sometimes isn’t able to “juggle all the balls in the air.”
GEN Casey talked a great deal about soldiers and families as well as his commitment to Army Families. He said ” we need to sustain soldiers and families , for its all about the people. ” He spoke of how he is working on implementing a 6 month reset from deployment (basically dry dock, no training, nothing).
He also mentioned that we are not going back to the ways of pre-9/11 and our need to transfer all our support programs to support soldiers and families as well as working to have 1 year deployments with 2 years at home.
GEN Casey also described FY 2009 as the year of deliverance! He stated that we have to do a better job of getting the word out. The Army is also going to focus on demystifying the healthcare system and making things standard no matter what location you are at. He did ask from a commitment from us ( Army families) that the Army needs our help to make this happen.. it’s a partnership after all!
GEN Casey also talked about our single soldiers too . He said that many of our programs focus on the married soldiers and their families but we need to remember our single soldiers as well. The Army is going to invest more time and opportunities into meeting their needs as well as the needs of those soldiers’ families. (parents, sisters, girlfriends, etc)
There is more information coming on this point in a later post . LAW (of ParentsZone) got to participate in a Bloggers Roundtable and we talked a bit about supporting parents.
