nothing to say, don't even try.
I'll be back when the muse gets me going again.
#613
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Service. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
#610 Beautiful Story
Thanks, Jim.
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal . He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood.. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name....... 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence.
Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America .
Thanks to those who served and those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.
If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't 'Free' -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
#610
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal . He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood.. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name....... 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence.
Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America .
Thanks to those who served and those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.
If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't 'Free' -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
#610
Sunday, January 11, 2009
#548 Resources for Military Personnel, Veterans, and their Families
A friend sent this by email and it is too important to keep to myself. If you or someone you know has friends or family who are currently in the military or have recently returned, here are some sites that will provide whatever support you or they may find helpful. It is another way to continue to...
Serve with integrity, care about those you serve and share the love in your heart/soul
Thanks, Al.
Serve with integrity, care about those you serve and share the love in your heart/soul
Thanks, Al.
- afterdeployment.org
A mental wellness resource for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Families.
- Sesame Street's Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes
A bilingual educational outreach initiative designed for military families and their young children to share.
- SAMHSA Veteran Resources
- www.dol.gov/vets
This Dept. of Labor VETS program helps veterans to maximize their job opportunities and protect their employment rights.
- HireVetsFirst.gov
A comprehensive career website for hiring veterans of Ameria's military, from the Dept of Labor.
- Lifelines
Navy Lifelines services network provides sailors, marines and their families with answers....
- VA facilities locator webpage
Here you can find a VA facility close to you.
- United States 211 Information and Referral Systems
Many US States now have a 2-1-1 comprehensive referral phone line. By dialing 211, any state resident is provided with helpful information regarding a variety of state and community services available to them.
- Family Matters and Family Readiness Groups (FRGs)
The Army recognizes that helping families is its moral obligation and in its best interest. Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) are an organization of officers, enlisted soldiers, civilians, and family members who volunteer to provide mutual social and...
- Hooah4Health.com
The U.S. Army health promotion and wellness website.
- Military Family Research Institute: Deployment Support Resources Guide
MFRI provides a special collection of resources focusing on eployment issues. Several of our resources focus specifically on deployment and how it affects military families. Other resources are targeted more toward helping children deal with war,...
- Military Home Front
The official Department of Defense web site for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you...
- Military OneSource
Call 1-800-464-8107 International toll free: 800-464-8107. Designed to help military members, veterans and famlies deal with life issues. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year you can call in and speak to a master'?s level consultant or you...
- My HealtheVet
My HealtheVet is the VHA Health Portal created for you, the veteran and your family, and for VA employees. This new health portal will enable you to access health information, tools and services anywhere in the world you can access the Internet.
- My PAY
An innovative, automated system allows military members to process certain discretionary pay data items without using paper forms. You can also get pay statements, tax forms and travel advice.
- MyArmyLife too
A portal of resources for Army families.
- Ameriforce Publishing
As a leading publisher of military magazines, AmeriForce Publishing focuses on four very important aspects of military life: Relocation, military family-life, service in the Reserve or National Guard and deployment issues.
- PD Health
This site was developed by DoDs Deployment Health Clinical Center as a resource for clinicians, veterans, and their families. Their goal is to create a partnership between military men and women, veterans, their families, and their providers to ensure...
- Resource Guide: Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
A wide variety of information for U.S. active duty, Guard, and Reserve service members returning from war.
- Seamless Transition
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created this web site for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
- Sesame Street Parents
Advice by Sesameworkshop.org about how to talk with children about tragedy, and when to seek professional help.
- Sleepnet
Links to sleep disorder centers across the U.S.
- The National Guard Family Program
This online community is a place to find contacts, information on programs and benefits, and more. Get tips, tools, and training on family issues.
- US Pacific Command
U.S. Pacific Command, in concert with other U.S. government agencies and regional military partners, promotes security and peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region by deterring aggression, advancing regional security cooperation, responding to...
- Vet Centers
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling, a wide range of services provided to combat veterans in the effort to make a satisfying transition from military to civilian life.
- Vet Success
The purpose of this web site is to present information about the services that the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The web site also provides information about vocational...
- Veterans and Families Coming Home
This site provides information for families, employers, and communities, to help support homecoming veterans in their transition from military to civilian life. Resources and readings are provided as well as information on preparing for homecoming...
- VVAs Guide to PTSD Benefits
A helpful site for information on how to submit a compensation claim for PTSD.
- Compensation and Pension Benefits: VA
Information on how to submit a compensation claim for PTSD.
- Courage To Care Campaign
Courage to Care is an electronic health campaign for professionals serving the military community, as well as for military and families. It provides fact sheets relevant to military life developed by experts from Uniformed Services University of the...
- Defenselink
The U.S. Department of Defense military website.
- Department of Defense Deployment Health & Family Readiness Library
This library provides service members, families and healthcare providers a quick and easy way to find the deployment health and family readiness information they value.??? The contents of this library include fact sheets, guides and other products on a...
- Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
This is an online Directory of Veterans Service Organizations. This is published as an informational service by the Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This up-to-date, database driven website allows you to View VSO information in a variety of...
- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA), which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary...
US Military Branches
- US Marines
Home page for the US Marines.
- US Navy
Home page for the US Navy.
- US Navy Reserve
Home page for the US Navy Reserve.
- US Coast Guard
Home page for the US Coast Guard.
- US Coast Guard Reserve
Home page for the Coast Guard Reserve.
- US Army
Home page for the US Army.
- US Army Reserve
Home page of the US Army Reserve: a community-based federal military force that is skill based.
- US Army National Guard
Home page of the Army National Guard: composed of civilians who serve their country, state and community on a part-time basis. The Guard takes on both State and Federal roles.
- US Air Force
Home page for the US Air Force.
- US Air National Guard
Home page for the US Air National Guard.
- US Air Force Reserve
Home page for the US Air Force Reserve.
Veterans Services Organizations (VSOs)
- NASDVA: National Assoc. of State Directors of Veterans Affairs
Second only to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs in providing benefits and services to the men and women who defended our nation, these offices are in each State.
- The Military Order of the Purple Heart
A special organization for special patriots that works to promote history, education, fraternity, servce and patriotism.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
The Paralyzed Veterans of America has worked to secure health care and benefits for veterans of the armed forces living with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and funded research into finding care and cure since its founding.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars has a rich tradition in enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects.
- Vietnam Veteran Wives
Membership with VVW is now open to those veterans and family members interested in helping veterans and veteran issues. We offer claims consultation and the opportunity to interact with other veterans and wives of veterans suffering from PTSD, an...
- Vietnam Veterans of America
The VVA is a congressionally chartered not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to improving the condition of Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
- Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
This is an online Directory of Veterans Service Organizations. This is published as an informational service by the Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This up-to-date, database driven website allows you to View VSO information in a variety of...
- Disabled American Veterans
DAV is an American veterans service organization.
- American Red Cross
The official home site of the American Red Cross.
- Amvets
Amvets is an American veterans service organization.
- American Legion
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts...
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