This memorial Day,Let's DU our troops...send them gear they need

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.armor4troops.org/
Many pieces of gear that our troops need, particularly protective anti-ballistic eyewear, Under Armor and combat emergency multi-tools are not provided by the military to all members of the National Guard or Reserve.

In order to obtain this critical equipment, the cost for these items ends up being shouldered by these troops and their families.

http://operation-helmet.org/
OPERATION HELMET provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to those ordered to deploy in the near future.

These helmet upgrades do three primary things:

Comfort - If it is more comfortable, it will stay on troop's head longer and more often.
Stability - Keeps the helmet firmly on the head and out of the eyes.
Protection - Decreases G-force transmission to the head and brain.
Help Protect Our Heroes!

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/site/c.iqLTI2OBKlF/b.1109075/k.9013/Headquarters.htm
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) was founded on the principle that veterans are our nation's greatest citizens. The WWP seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world. Many of the injuries are traumatic amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blast injuries that will retire these brave warriors from military service

http://www.operationsoldier.com/patriotdown.html
Operation Soldier has recognized the tremendous sacrifices of the men and women
of the United States Armed Forces.

When a soldier is seriously wounded, in the field of combat, there is nothing more
important for a soldier than to have their loved ones with them by their bedside while
they recuperate from their injuries. Some injuries are quite severe. Severe burns,
and gunshot wounds from battle, and injuries that lead to amputations from
explosions related to RPG's, IED's, and carbombs.

Several of these injuries require the soldier to be hospitalized for several months,
usually at one of the major trauma one military hospitals, sometimes thousands of
miles from their home and loved ones.

Once their loved ones are by their side, often times it is up to the soldiers family to provide for their own room and board. Needless to
say, Operation Soldier doesn't feel this should be the case.

Thus the cause behind - Patriot Down

http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer
Thank you for visiting the Homes for Our Troops website. We hope you will take some time to learn about our mission of providing handicap accessible homes for our severely injured veterans.

Read about the many veterans we are proud to be serving and the projects we have underway, and then please help us sustain this effort by making a tax-deductible donation.

*All Homes for Our Troops services are provided at no cost to the veterans we serve.

http://azaleacharities.org/aid.htm
The Azalea Charities Aid to Wounded Soldiers project provides comfort and relief items for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines sick, injured or wounded from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Depending on needs, donated items are distributed to Military Medical Centers, VA Medical Centers and Fisher House rehabilitation facilities each week. Many of the servicemen and women are grievously wounded and will require long hospitalization and rehabilitation. The purpose of the program is to lift their spirits and enhance their morale by contributing quality of life items.

http://www.mcleanpost270.org/oifoef#Angels%20of%20Mercy
"Angels of Mercy" Program
Every other day, a planeload of injured military personnel arrives at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with little, if any, personal possessions. Many of these wounded are amputees who will make Walter Reed their home-away-from-home for the many months it takes to rehabilitate and prepare to return to civilian or military life. The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270 has undertaken a program to provide these combat casualties with clothing and personal items suitable for rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapy), receiving visitors, and venturing out of hospital rooms

http://vfwncwebcom.org/donations/
The military and veterans of our great country put their lives in harms way to protect what the rest of us take for granted. Their pay compared to civilian pay is a mere fraction, leaving their families, who are true Hidden Heroes, financially vulnerable while they are risking their lives in service to our country.
The VFW Departments of North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri and Texas have established a fund to raise money for families of deployed and wounded soldiers/veterans around the entire country, widows, orphans and children of our honored dead, and their development programs.

http://www.freedomalliance.org/supporttroops.htm

Freedom Alliance is asking people to reflect on the sacrifices of our troops and their families and support our injured service members who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by donating funds to the Freedom Alliance Support the Troops campaign.

“Many of our war wounded are recovering in hospitals far from home and family,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “We hope to make their stay in the hospital more comfortable, and show them that America is grateful for their service. There is no better expression of the Christmas spirit than to help those who defend our freedom throughout the year.”

Monetary donations allow Freedom Alliance to purchase and delivery resources to wounded troops at Christmas and throughout the year. Needs include clothing (some arrive with only the clothes on their backs), meals, entertainment, toiletries and other comforts of home. In addition, funds may be used to help with travel and lodging expenses of family members so they may visit and spend more time with their loved ones. Freedom Alliance has provided over $100,000 in monetary and tangible support to our wounded troops recuperating in military hospitals.

http://www.hereinreality.com/supportourtroops.html

[w8liftinglady]

1. Volunteer at a V.A. near you

http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/

[w8liftinglady]

2. Provide foster pet care for deployed troops

https://www.netpets.org/militarypet/foster.php

[Faryn Balyncd]

29. OPERATION HELMET Interview on Al Franken Show

A Walter Reid study showed 59% of survivors of IED's has traumatic brain injury. Of these, 56% were moderate or severe. 10% resulted in long term nursing home care.


Many of these injuries were not the result of penetrating brain injury, but were closed head injuries caused by the enormous concussive shock wave of an IED. This force can be markedly reduced with simple helmet inserts.

Anti-ballistic upgrades to current helmets have been developed, tested, and approved, but not funded by Congress.

Operation Helmet provides anti-ballistic helmet upgrades free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan funded by private donations. (over 6000 upgrades have been provided as of last week)

- - - -

Al Franken's interview of Operation Helmet founder Bob Meaders, a retired naval flight surgeon, and a recent CNN Video Interview, which demonstrates the upgrade, is on this sub-page at the Operation Helmet web site.

http://operation-helmet.org/media.html

Traumatic brain injuries are markedly increased from previous wars, and with more long-term survivors of disabling injury, have become the hallmark injury of the Iraq War.

[Faryn Balyncd]

66. Operation Helmet .....

.....is one of the few charities with * * ZERO * * OPERATING * * EXPENSES * * -- it is operated as a labor of love - - 100% of donations go to helmet upgrades

[wtmusic]

3. thanks WLL

K&R.

I can't in good conscience support anything related to the war effort but rehab deserves everything we can give.

:thumbsup:

[w8liftinglady]

19. even if you don't support the war-there are many charities that support ..

the victims of this senseless violence...the families of these fallen soldiers

[w8liftinglady]

4. Landstuhl Hospital Care Project

http://www.landstuhlhospitalcareproject.org/
The Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP) is a grass-roots organization that provides comfort and relief items for military members who become sick, injured, or wounded from service in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Donated items are distributed to military patients at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany, the largest American military hospital outside the U.S. and to field hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many of the military personnel arrive with no extra clothing and require long hospitalization.

[w8liftinglady]

5. Children of Fallen Soldiers relief fund

http://www.cfsrf.org/bottom.html
Welcome to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that was founded in October 2003 as a means of providing College Grants and Financial Assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Our financial assistance program assists severely disabled service member families as well. Our donations come from families, individuals, and businesses throughout the World. Those that raise funds on their own may chose to help families within their State.

[w8liftinglady]

6. more links courtesy of Michael Moore-you know,that LIBERAL

http://www.michaelmoore.com/links/index.php?linkType=How%20to%20support%20the%20American%20soldiers%20and%20help%20the%20people%20of%20Iraq

[90-percent]

8. another vet that needs help

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4643781931&rd=1

For those looking for a street rod project and want to help a vet.

I emailed the seller, who's helping out a friend......situation is pretty self explanatory....our government's official position is; "support our troops so I can use 'em as props for foto ops then screw 'em when they're out of camera range"

-85% Jimmy with a rev limiter

[w8liftinglady]

7. National Coalition for Homeless Vets

http://www.nchv.org/

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) will end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a 13-member board of directors — is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.

[w8liftinglady]

9. Operation Family Fund

http://www.operationfamilyfund.org/
OUR MISSION IS TO:
Provide financial grants for immediate or long-term needs to the Families of soldiers who have been killed or severely disabled as part of the world wide war on terrorism.

[w8liftinglady]

10. Fallen Heroes Last Wish Fund

http://www.lastwishfoundation.org/
The objective of this foundation is to grant the last wish of the U.S. servicemembers who have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom: to provide for their children.

[w8liftinglady]

11. LionHeart Creations-fallen heroes portraits

http://www.fineartfx.com/heroes/heroes.htm
GONE...But not forgotten
Our Heroes program is dedicated to helping heal the loss of our fallen heroes.

We will create a portrait of any fallen soldier, police, fireman or local hero and send it to the next of kin of that heroes family free of charge

[omega minimo]

12. K&R Thank you w8liftinglady Vote this UP FOLKS

:kick: :kick:

[w8liftinglady]

13. It's a crime how we leave the wounded soldiers and survivors hanging..

[omega minimo]

17. We're gonna K&R and K&R this to the TOP of Greatest!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1302849

:yourock: :grouphug:

[w8liftinglady]

20. Thanks for that post.You are too kind

[w8liftinglady]

14. Post War Military Family Needs

http://www.postwarmilitaryfamilyneeds.org/
Post War Military Family Needs will provide funds and support to
military families caring for their loved ones at military medical
facilities. The resourcesprovided to the families are above and
beyond the budgetary
constraints of the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs.

[w8liftinglady]

15. Even$1.00..times several thousand-could save lives/sight/sanity

I know times are rough...but they are harder on these soldiers serving multiple deployments with shitty gear,and their families at home-broke with no money.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. Donate unused frequent flyer miles!

Operation Hero Miles was created by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in cooperation with close to a dozen United States Airlines in October, 2003. The program allows troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan to fly home on leave for free. It also gives family members of wounded servicemen and women free plane tickets to visit their loved ones recovering at military hospitals across the country. Operation Hero Miles gives ordinary citizens an opportunity to help our troops in a very direct way that makes a real difference in their lives.

The program is brilliant in its simplicity. Travelers donate their unused frequent flyer miles to the Pentagon and troops and families use them to get free tickets. In the first six months of the program, 540 million miles were donated - enough for 22,000 free tickets.

The following airlines are participating in Operation Hero Miles: AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Air Lines, and US Airways/American West.

Donations are currently being accepted from the following airlines: Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and United Air Lines.


http://www.heromiles.org/

[w8liftinglady]

18. kick-great idea

[nashville_brook]

21. why i refuse to 'adopt-a-soldier"

i'm sorry folks -- it's sad sad sad that our soldiers don't have what they need but i refuse to ENABLE THIS SICK FUCKING WAR.

take a look at how much money is being spent -- five hunderd and sixty-three BILLION dollars a YEAR. and that's only the above-board $$. Iraq and Afghanistan are supplememntal. if the GOV'T can't provide for our soldiers with this kind of money, then something is totally out of whack.

i'd love to be all patriotic and stand should to shoulder and sing the star spangled banner like it meant something other than fucking, horror and waste -- but i can't and won't.

our soldiers NEED shit to fight a war that we have no business fighting. could we at LEAST stop holding fucking bake sales to line the pockets of hallibuton and KBR -- wakethefuckup. the money is out there. it is being STOLEN. either prosecute the criminals or stand back and watch it all go to hell.

DO NOT ENABLE THIS WAR! happy fucking memorial day.


BUDGETTED: Current Military, $563 billion:
• Military Personnel $110 billion
• Operation & Maint. $162 billion
• Procurement $90 billion
• Research & Dev. $72 billion
• Construction $8 billion
• Family Housing $4 billion
• DoD misc. $4 billion
• Retired Pay $49 billion
• DoE nuclear weapons $17 billion
• NASA (50%) $8 billion
• International Security $8 billion
• Homeland Secur. (military) $27 billion
• Exec. Office of President $2 billion
• other military (non-DoD) $2 billion

UNBUDGETTED: Iraq & Afghanistan Wars
$100 billion (est.):
Most of the spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is not included in the President’s Budget but the Administration will seek supplemental appropriations later this year as it has in the past three years. This is likely an underestimate.

[w8liftinglady]

22. no problem...there are other causes that do not enable the war

http://www.nchv.org/
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a 13-member board of directors — is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.

These are the victims of senseless wars,too.

[nashville_brook]

24. why isn't Our Great Country doing this?

i'm already being bled dry with taxes while my community seems to be crumbing around me.

why should i dip into my family's food money while our leaders are doing nothing?

[w8liftinglady]

25. you SHOULDN'T have to...and you don't have to.

This is voluntary-support of our countrymen and their families...since the Republicans in power could care less about them.

[knitter4democracy]

51. Do you knit?

You could do Warm Up American afghan squares and make an afghan for a homeless vet or for someone at the VA near you. You could make something for Afghans for Afghans to help the people in that wartorn country. There are ways to help that don't cost much and use whatever you already have at home.

[omega minimo]

31. You're right and this is right too

We can stand in solidarity with all Americans who are being bankrupted and -- pardon the expression -- mindfucked for the war of choice and acquisition of an illegal and unaccountable administration.

We are all going to be paying the price, not only for the death, injuries and destruction of Bushco's Wars-- there will be HELL to pay with all the psychological effects of this war. Whether troops buy the lie or wake up-- either way it's a nightmare.

[w8liftinglady]

32. you are right-and thanks for your support with this

you've been just fantastic!...

[omega minimo]

39. You might want to start a Research Forum thread with this info

Thanks for all your work. :hi:

[Phrogman]

47. I have to go with this attitude but for different reasons

I'd buy a soldier a plane ticket home or to a country of their choice but
I will not contribute to this war, period.

Not one damn dime.

[Djinn]

55. me too

I'll happilly and generously donate to any legal fund for soldiers who refuse to fight an imperial war based on lies but wont be helping out with other costs.

I feel for all the families waiting at home and hope a mass AWOL campaign starts soon

[Phrogman]

57. Right on!

I live outside the US and I would gladly help a soldier relocate here and help him find a new ID.
But I will do nothing to enpower or prolong this massive fuck-up.

[w8liftinglady]

58. Kevin Benderman Defense Committee

http://www.topia.net/kevinbenderman.html

In a small, quiet courtroom, on the Ft. Stewart military installation, the stage is set. One soldier who, after firsthand experience with the destructive force of war, decided to take the Ten Commandments at their word – “Thou Shall Not Kill” – and use the rights given to him to declare his conscious objection to war, to no longer be in a position to voluntarily have to kill another human being, is now on trial for not wanting to kill.

[ray of light]

23. That's true. There are great ways to support the troops

even though it's the wrong war and the wrong place....it's not their fault. This memorial day, there are ways to help.














http://www.progressiveu.org/120305-thoughts-for-memorial-day

[w8liftinglady]

26. If I would have had to fly to Landstuhl when my kid was hurt-I wouldn't

have been able to.I,for one,am grateful to these organizations for their support of the forgotten victims of this war.

[Sinti]

27. K&R and thanks for this fantastic post. n/t

[Coexist]

28. knr

[lonestarnot]

30. Why if it's not issue that take it away.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SeattleGirl]

34. "Support the troops shit"??? Whoa!

That's pretty harsh, I think. Yeah, the Repukes probably want to use it that way, but to just cross your arms, turn your back, and say "fuck you" to the men and women in the military because you hate war or hate what you perceive is the message -- well, I just don't get it.

I hate war too, most especially this one because it was totally, completely, and absolute unnecessary. But most people in the military are going to go where they're sent, not because they want to kill, kill, kill (and yes, I'm sure there are a small percentage of them who do have that attitude), but because of their buddies. That is their priority -- be their for their buddies.

It is not their fault that they are under-equipped. It is not their fault that they were sent to a place we really have no business being.

It's too bad you can't find it within yourself to support the individuals, while hating what they were sent to do.

[w8liftinglady]

35. No one is condoning the war-especially me.

Do you really want a bunch of brain-damaged amputees coming back...for all of us to take care of for years to come?Do you really think these guys are OK with this Fucking war?Hell no-they stay for each other.Do you think their families..their kids..should be punished because they died for a war you disagree with?If you can't find it in your soul to support the troops,maybe you can support their pets-many of them don't have someone to watch their pets when they are called on active duty..
https://www.netpets.org/militarypet/foster.php

[w8liftinglady]

37. Reminder-55 of 57 veterans running are Democrats...

[Texasgal]

36. What a dumb ass post.

SO people that suppport the troops are not smart enough to distance themselves from supporting the WAR?

Are YOU just stupid?

[w8liftinglady]

38. while i support your right to say what's on your mind..I disagree

Quote-I also think this support the troops shit is a wedge issue that really is really meant to get people to support the war. -unquote

you realize a huge component of Democrats are Veterans and their families.we support each other...not the war.

[omega minimo]

40. IdaBriggs nails it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1303700

"4) We have failed in our duty to the men and women who serve in our military. For the term of their service, they put aside their OWN political considerations, and pledge to sacrifice their very lives at the orders of their commanders. They give up the basic right of PERSONAL SURVIVAL when they swear their oath of fealty, and in return, all they ask is that we make sure the people we appoint in government leadership roles are wise, intelligent people of good character and integrity. Instead, we allowed George W. Bush, a failed businessman with a history of drug and alcohol abuse issues to become "leader of the free world" -- and in so doing, the people of the United States have failed in our duties to those who sacrifice for all of us. My head is bowed in shame for my helplessness in the face of this crime against our military."

[w8liftinglady]

41. we can still support the soldier-even if we despise the CIC

I believe these soldiers and Marines are doing their best in a terrible situation.Let's remember what they swore to do-and do our best to get good leaders for them.Great post,idabriggs

[omega minimo]

44. IMHO

Military members probably aren't naive about what they're signing up for-- and signing over their lives for. Unless they're unaware of the motivations behind past conflicts altogether. And they made the choice.

However, the magnitude of illegal and immoral war being perpetrated in our name-- with their lives-- is completely off the scale. When millions of people planetwide protest a bogus war because we can see that the runup is a snowjob, we are doing it in part to protect those in the military from being wasted-- and taking some of that responsiblity IB is talking about.

[SeattleGirl]

52. Don't forget though, omega, that many of the folks who signed up

did so right 9/11, because they wanted to go after the people who attacked us, and the initial (publicly touted) target was Afghanistan, not Iraq. When Bush went ahead with his wet dream of invading Iraq, it was a little too late for these folks to get out (unless they wanted to go AWOL, which some did). I've heard some soldiers say, "This isn't what I signed up for. I don't even know why we're here in Iraq."

So I would agree with you that many of them DID know they were signing up for combat; the wanted to fight against those who had attacked us. And while a lot of us DID know that the whole "justification" (btw, what's this week's justification?) for going into Iraq was a bunch of BS, again, it was too late for those men and women who had already signed up. And a lot of them are NOT going to go AWOL, not because they think the war in Iraq is right, but because they could not leave their buddies to fight it alone. I don't know if you watched "Baghdad ER", but that was one of the things that several of the wounded men said when they found out they were going to be shipped back to the States. Didn't matter what their wounds were -- they hated the thought of leaving their buddies behind.

[omega minimo]

54. Good points

I was thinking more of the nature of the military-- signing on to be sent wherever, not in your control, following orders. Ordered by leaders you may not agree with. Doing things you may not believe in. People may have signed up "because they wanted to go after the people who attacked us" but they had to know they signed away their choices over their mission.

[SeattleGirl]

56. I'm sure they did realize they signed away their choices.

Perhaps they just had a little too much trust in the CiC until it was too late. This whole war is a stinking mess, but I will not turn my back on the men and women who chose to serve in the military just because I don't like the particular mission they are on.

[wellstone dem]

59. My niece signed up for ROTC while Clinton was president

she understood the risks of going to war, but she believed that the troops would be used for a just and legal war, when ordered to service. She signed up to afford college, coming from a single parent family she couldn't afford it otherwise (even in the Clinton era.) I believe we make an agreement with each service member. They agree to give up a portion of their lives to service of their country, and to risk their lives, and in some cases ultimately, give their lives. We agree to honor this commitment by not abusing their promise to serve. We have broken our contract with those who signed up to serve. BTW, by neice heads to Iraq in September.

[omega minimo]

62. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the contract had been broken

"Military members probably aren't naive about what they're signing up for-- and signing over their lives for. Unless they're unaware of the motivations behind past conflicts altogether."


Here's to your niece returning safe and sound :toast:

[knitter4democracy]

65. Let us know what she needs.

I'm working on a helmet liner today for a DUer's daughter. Let me know if your niece wants one.

[NuttyFluffers]

42. i kinda wish this was a sticky post, good resource.

our troops just take orders, orders from our elected servants who happen to be psychopathic criminals right now. and it is our responsibility as citizens, not the goverment issue folks, to take down such evil servants. apparently we have too many delusional, waste of skin citizens who'd rather cheer for their bread and circuses than do anything else. meanwhile the evil servants gut our guardians to ensure conquest in the future.

so, the situation is bad. but our troops need help, both in removing the evil servants and filling the gaps in the deliberate criminal deprivation of supplies. and for those of us who aren't intimately connected with various veteran groups this is a valuable resource. thanks.

[Tsiyu]

43. Kickin'

:kick: With props to omega minimo ;)

[omega minimo]

45. Hey there buddyhollysghost

:yourock:

[Tsiyu]

60. You too!

Oops! Did I kick this again?

Yeah! :kick:

[w8liftinglady]

46. I just finished watching "Combat diary" on A&E

http://www.aetv.com/listings/episode_details.do?episodeid=163325

After seeing the pain in the surviving families and Marines,I'm kicking once more.please,donate what you can to some cause to benefit these Americans.
Thanks.

[knitter4democracy]

48. A couple more here:

http://www.anysoldier.com

This one isn't for the overly emotional like me. I just get so mad when I read what our troops need--so many basic things, like laundry facilities for medical teams, that we are already paying for but is getting lost in fraud and graft (my belief, anyways).

Also, for the knitters and crocheters out there:
http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/

I'm on my third or fourth one now. They're really appreciated by our troops--don't forget those serving in Afghanistan and cold during night duty. It's an easy pattern and a good project for the car project bag.

Another good group for knitters and crocheters is Ship Support: http://www.coingo.net/theshipsproject/ (they do slipper socks for the troops on ships and anyone else who wants some)

Operation Toasty Toes does the same thing. This site is a start, as she doesn't seem to have her own site, and she'll make sure they get where they're supposed to go. A sailor was wearing one of her slipper socks when the USS Cole was bombed. http://www.house.gov/latourette/issues_toasty_toes.htm

My personal fave:
http://www.cafepress.com/wisforwomen
This group of stitchers thinks we should all be knitting on a war footing, and I agree.

[w8liftinglady]

49. I remember on my son's 1st deployment-

you offered to knit a liner for him.I was so touched by that...still am.Thank you,and kick for your generosity

[knitter4democracy]

53. He came home before I was done.

:blush: I'm still upset that my needles weren't fast enough. A soldier in Afghanistan got it instead.

That reminds me, I need to get going on Binka's son's socks. *sigh* I really need more knitting time.

[Adelante]

50. Project H.E.R.O.

General Clark is chairing this project with the International Code Council Foundation to provide home renovation services to disabled veterans whose houses present accessibility problems. Please volunteer to help if you can, donate money or labor, and also connect disabled veterans in your community to Project HERO for construction assistance. Check out the link below.

Project H.E.R.O.
Helping Disabled Veterans Live with Greater Freedom

Liberty. Independence. Freedom. The American military is called upon time and again to fight for these ideals. But when the weapons are silenced and the smoke clears, sadly, many of these same veterans go home to limitations and challenges. Why? Because these valiant warriors, who answered our nation's call to duty, suffered catastrophic injuries in battle. Many return to civilian life with physical disabilities that effectively turn their homes into fortresses. All of our nation's veterans deserve our gratitude. These veterans also deserve our help.

Many injured veterans own homes that are not accessible to someone with a disability. Living in such an environment can significantly restrict the veteran's mobility and quality of life. In some cases, making a house accessible may be as easy as adding a ramp to the front door or changing the knobs on the kitchen cabinets. In other cases, the obstacles can be more challenging. For a disabled veteran, the key to attaining independence may be an extensive, often expensive, home remodeling project. Unfortunately, some of our nation's veterans cannot afford to make these necessary modifications. That is why we established Project H.E.R.O.

Project H.E.R.O. stands for Homes Eliminated of Restrictions and Obstacles. Project H.E.R.O. is a volunteer-based program founded by the International Code Council Foundation (ICC Foundation) and a coalition of caring and patriotic organizations to help our disabled American veterans. Project H.E.R.O. combines the expertise of building safety officials, design professionals, contractors, veterans' service organizations and others within a community for a worthy cause- independence for disabled veterans. Project H.E.R.O. volunteers help make a difference. Each local program forms a team of experts, selects a recipient, analyzes the veteran's specific needs, plans an accessible design and implements home improvements—all with the work of volunteers. By making the disabled veteran's home accessible, the team strives to increase independence, improve personal mobility and make it easier for the veteran to accomplish everyday tasks.

Our nation's disabled veterans answered the call to duty, served proudly and sacrificed greatly. It is only right that we help to provide them with freedom when they fought to protect ours. The ICC Foundation is looking for patriotic individuals and caring communities to support this new program. Every county, city and village has the ability to mobilize a Project H.E.R.O. team. Help give freedom back to our disabled veterans. Volunteer today!

Team leaders, volunteers, donation organizers and financial contributors are all needed. To find out how you can become part of Project H.E.R.O. or to establish a Project H.E.R.O. team in your community, click here for more information about becoming a Volunteer or Sponsor.


http://www.icc-foundation.org/news/HERO/index.html

Here is a recent project carried out on behalf of a diabetic vet in Ohio:

Many injured veterans own homes that are not accessible to someone with a disability," said General Clark. "For a disabled veteran, the key to attaining independence may be an extensive, often expensive, home remodeling project. Unfortunately, some of our nation's veterans cannot afford to make these necessary modifications. That's where Project H.E.R.O. and its volunteers can help."

Mr. Bowling has diabetes and must use a motorized scooter to maneuver through his home. His house does not have an accessible entrance and his bedroom and bathroom are on the second floor - limiting his ability to access 50 percent of his home. The Project H.E.R.O. plans for Mr. Bowling's home include an addition with an accessible entrance, a bedroom and bathroom. It is valued at $75,000-$80,000.

"I'm so grateful, it's unreal," said Mr. Bowling. "I was thinking I would have to sell my house, but now I won't have to do that. Everyone with Project H.E.R.O. has been wonderful."

You can organize a Project HERO project for veterans in your own community, provide financial support or volunteer for labor.


http://www.icc-foundation.org/news/HERO/index.html

[DesertRat]

61. kick n/t

[omega minimo]

63. Hey! we did it!

:applause: :yourock:

[Opusnone]

64. What they really need is a trip home

And an Iraqi security force to stand up so they can stand down.

Maybe a strongman ruler could bring the country back into order.