May is Military Appreciation Month

"May No Soldier Go Unloved. May No Soldier Walk Alone. May No Soldier Be Forgotten. Until They All Come Home."

 

As an all out effort to support National Military Appreciation Month, held in May, Soldiers' Angels is asking Americans to show their appreciation for our military by adopting a deployed service member at www.SoldiersAngels.org.

 

This year more than any other, our service men and women need to know they are truly appreciated for their role in protecting and defending our nation's freedom. It doesn't take much time to become involved with Soldiers' Angels.

 

To Adopt-A-Hero go to the website www.SoldiersAngels.org and click on the ADOPT button. Your commitment each month is simply a letter a week and a small package each month. Join our team. Our nation's heroes need you. Soldiers' Angels is the place to start to show your appreciation.

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, The freedom and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are direct results of the blood shed and continued vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation; and


WHEREAS, the sacrifices that such members of the United States Armed Forces and of the family members that support them, have preserved the liberties that have enriched this nation making it unique in the world community; and


WHEREAS, the United States Congress, in two thousand and four, passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all Americans to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of all of our Armed Services who have served and are now serving our Country, together with their families; and


WHEREAS, the months of May and June were selected for this display of patriotism because during these months, we celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Military Spouse Day, Loyalty Day, Armed Forces Day/Week, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Navy Day, Army Day and Flag Day;


NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patti Patton-Bader, Founder of Soldiers' Angels, do hereby proclaim the period May 1, through June 14, 2009 as a special time to show appreciation for our Military and proclaim it as NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH



Patti Patton-Bader
Founder, Soldiers' Angels

N.D. Guardswomen Going to New York City

Several women who have deployed with North Dakota Army National Guard units in recent years have been selected to take part in a Mother's Day event in Midtown Manhattan.

"Operation: Birthday Cake," a nonprofit partnership between Bake Me a Wish! and Soldiers' Angels, will hand out 5,000 Freedom Cakes in Times Square to those who volunteer to "mother" a deployed service member. Another 5,000 cakes will be sent with hand-written notes to those serving overseas. As part of the partnership, Ladies of Liberty, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Heidi Squier Kraft and Friends of Island Academy, a New York City nonprofit, have joined forces with the Soldiers and their mothers or daughters to hand out the cakes from 7 to 9 a.m. May 5 in Times Square.

Ladies of Liberty is a team deployed by Soldiers' Angels. The nonprofit group focuses on the needs of deployed female service members. Ladies of Liberty members who are North Dakota Guardswomen and will be taking part in the event include Sgt. Vanessa Mozinski, of Ardoch, N.D., and her mother, Gloria; Sgt. Amy Wieser Willson, of West Fargo, N.D., and her stepdaughter Molly, 15; and Sgt. Delicia Glaze, of Grafton, N.D., and her daughter Peyton, 8. Sgt. Sara Braaten, of Hutchinson, Minn., and her mother, Barb, also will be taking part. Braaten previously served in the North Dakota National Guard and is now a member of the South Dakota National Guard's Medical Command. Braaten, Mozinski and Glaze all deployed to Afghanistan with North Dakota's 1-188th Air Defense Artillery, and Wieser Willson deployed to Iraq with the 141st Engineer Battalion.

The Guardswomen will be joined by Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer Shelle Michaels and her daughter Rebbeka McPherron, 13, of Grand Forks, and Squier Kraft, a Navy psychologist and mother of twin 5-year-olds who chronicled her seven months in Iraq in the book "Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital."

According to an Operation: Birthday Cake news release, the partners "are creating a whole new paradigm on how to celebrate this national holiday (Mother's Day), focusing on the role of non-traditional moms, and specifically those who play mothering roles for our nation's Soldiers."

CFC #:25131

For those of you who can or do take part in the Combined Federal Campaign for charity, you now have a new option:
CFC #:25131
Web Site:www.soldiersangels.org

Statement:To provide meaningful services and support to deployed military personnel, veterans and military families through a grass-roots volunteer network, thus ensuring no soldier feels forgotten.

Federation:Military, Veterans & Patriotic Service Organizations of America

Please make Soldiers' Angels a part (or even all) of your CFC contribution.

RANGER UP has designed a new Soldiers' Angels tee-shirt--- with a RANGER UP EDGE!!

 
They designed a shirt that showcased both the indominatable spirit of the American Troops and the raw passion, and yes TOUGHNESS, of the Angels that look over them.
 
Ranger Up will donate $5 from every Soldiers' Angel T-shirt purchased on rangerup.com! http://www.rangerup.com/angels.html

 

Join members of Operation: Birthday Cake, Bake Me A Wish! and Soldiers' Angels (team Ladies of Liberty) and Dr. Heidi Kraft, in honoring America's Mothers.

Join members of Operation: Birthday Cake, Bake Me A Wish! and Soldiers' Angels (team Ladies of Liberty) and Dr. Heidi Kraft, in honoring America's Mothers.

We will be handing out Mother's Day cakes and donating birthday cakes to soldiers along with letters written by attendees!

May 5th, 2009
0700-1000
Military Island in Time Square
7th Ave between 43 and 44th Street
New York, NY

Join our event page:
http://www.facebook.com/events.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=70730146821

N.D. National Guard conducts Family Informational Briefings on Kosovo Mission

N.D. National Guard conducts Family Informational Briefings on Kosovo Mission
 
BISMARCK, N.D. — Informational briefings for Family members of N.D. Guardsmen mobilizing to Kosovo are scheduled in four locations across the state on May 1 - 3.  These briefings in support of the N.D. National Guard's Family readiness program, key factor in support of Guardsmen and their Families.
 
Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, commanding general for N.D. National Guard's Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission, will provide Families an overview of the operations, mission area and other pertinent information.  Families will also receive briefings on available support and services offered by the office of the chaplain, finance, TRICARE, dental, legal as well as services provided by Military One Source.
 
Over 700 North Dakota National Guard Soldiers will mobilize this August in support of NATO's KFOR-12 mission. 
 
Family Readiness is the state of preparedness of Soldiers, Airmen and their Families through education and support programs that promote self-reliance and enhance individual and Family well being.  The N.D. National Guard is committed to ensuring that each Family obtains the highest level of support possible when their Guardsman is mobilized.
For specific information, contact Kristi Fetch at 701-333-4806 (office) or 701-425-5996 (cell).
 
WHO:  Family members of Soldiers mobilizing for Kosovo mission in Aug 2009.
WHAT:  Informational briefings describing services and support for Families.
WHY: To ensure Families have sufficient information to take advantage of support programs.
 
WHEN/WHERE:
Bismarck                                                                 
Friday, May 1, 2009                                                  
5:00 pm – 8:00pm                                                      
University of Mary / Arno Gustin Hall                      
7500 University Drive, Bismarck                              
(take North entrance)                                                 
Childcare  4:30 pm – 8:30 pm    
Fargo
Saturday, May 2, 2009
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Discovery Middle School                     
1717 40th Avenue S, Fargo                                             
Auditorium
Childcare  8:30 am – 12:30 pm
                               
Grand Forks                                                             
Saturday, May 2, 2009                                                        
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm                                                     
Armory, Theatre                                                         
1501 S. 48th Street, Grand Forks                               
Childcare 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm                                     
                                                    
Valley City           
Sunday, May 3, 2009
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Armory / Classroom
747 7th Street, Valley City
Childcare 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

LTC Rick J Smith
Public Information Officer
North Dakota National Guard
701-333-2007 Office
701-426-0190 Blackberry
701-400-3000 Personal Cell
rick.j.smith@us.army.mil
www.ndguard.com
www.twitter.com/ndnationalguard
www.youtube.com/ndnationalguard
www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard
"North Dakota National Guard" on Facebook

Ranger Up has a NEW Soldiers' Angels Shirt and MMA Shirt

If you are unable to view this email, CLICK HERE NEW Shirts: Soldiers' Angels & Chinese Warrior MMA Get the shirts for a DISCOUNT during the PREORDER PHASE Introducing the NEW Soldiers' Angels Shirt. We got a call one day asking if we would be interested in designing a Soldiers' Angels shirt that would be a little tougher. As staunch supporters of Soldier's Angels, we of course said YES. With the focus on designing a shirt that represents the toughness of those men and women that support our returning soldier's we developed this aggressive image. Furthermore, in the giving spirit of the Soldier's Angels volunteers, we are donating a portion of every sale to the Soldiers' Angels organization. Get yours now! Get the NEW Soldiers' Angels Shirt >> Sun Tzu was the leading military mind of the ancient Orient. One of his most aggressive and controversial martial rules ever was the inspiration for this shirt: FIGHT ON THE DEATH GROUND. In other words - place yourself in a position where there is no escape and you will fight like hell itself is behind you. We believe our fighters get this same feeling when the doors close on the cage and they are staring at their opponent. Fight on the Death Ground. We couldn't be happier with this shirt. We hope you agree. Get the NEW Chinese Warrior Shirt >>     Blackout Drive, by Kelly Crigger On a night drive in his humvee, Kelly learns why officers don't drive military vehicles. Read Blackout Drive Now>>     Kris McCray Wins at UWC 6 - Capital Punishment 39 seconds. That's all it took for Kris McCray, a specialist in the Virginia Reserves, to demolish Ronnie Wuest. Get the Details and See Pics of the New RU Girl, Alex>>   Copyright 2009 Atomschirm Corporation| business@rangerup.com

Playing for Change

From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around This amazing version of "Stand by Me" brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye and I hope it will do the same for you.

A director went around the world and looked for various street performers and recorded them singing different songs.  This is of Stand By Me.  He used rudimentary battery operated equipment to record them live.  Then, went on to the next performer and let them listen to the music and they added to the recording.  The song is mixed with various street artists who have never met and just sang or played along to other artists:  http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741   When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we'll see No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid Just as long as you stand, stand by me And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me Stand by me, stand by me If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall And the mountains should crumble to the sea I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear Just as long as you stand, stand by me And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me Darlin', darlin', stand by me-e, stand by me Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me All lyrics are property and copyright of their owners. All lyrics provided for educational purposes only.     www.PlayingForChange.com

Mothers Day Raffle & Times Square Event

MOTHERING AMERICA'S SOLDIERS On May 5th in Times Square, we'll be handing out gourmet Mother's Day Cakes and allowing recipients to write letters to soldiers on the spot! We'll also be donating a birthday cake to a soldier in the name of each recipient! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!
	BECOME A FAN! Bake Me A Wish! Cakes are on Facebook! Thanks for being such great customers! CLICK HERE

 

In honor of the 2009 National Volunteer Week, Soldiers’ Angels would like to thank our volunteers.

 

The theme for National Volunteer Week, is "Celebrating People in Action", and honors the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their community. This week presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. 

 

Established in 1974 by former President Richard Nixon, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials, as well as corporate and community groups across the country.

 

Through the dedication and care of Soldiers' Angels 300,000+ volunteers, the deployed and wounded service members, veterans and their families are well supported in their mission for global, state and national emergencies and homeland defense.

 

Volunteers have spent numerous hours in support of the Soldiers' Angels throughout the nation by adopting heroes or getting involved in over 30 teams and programs that Soldiers' Angels support.

 

The volunteers collectively create a network that is crucial to sustaining the livelihood of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Our volunteers give value every day to the mission of bringing home healthy soldiers that Soldiers' Angels embraces.  

 

Listed are a few examples of what Soldiers' Angels has accomplished in the past year thanks to our volunteers:

 

• The Letter Writing Team has sent over 250,000 letters and 20,000 special event cards to our heroes.
• 3800+ Valour-IT laptops to date have been given to wounded heroes.
• The Cards Plus Team has sent over 26,000 cards to our heroes.
• 2,100 first response backpacks have been given to our wounded heroes.
• The Chaplains Team sent over 1200 large packages and letters
• 42,000 service members were adopted in 2008.
• Ladies of Liberty Team sent over 5,000 care kits to the deployed female service members.

 

 

Together we unite, wingtip-to-wingtip. Soldiers' Angels has grown quickly to be one of the most well reputed service organizations in the nation in support of the United States Military branches. We are successful, because the volunteers of Soldiers' Angels have giving and supporting hearts to our nation's military. Thank you for being an Angel.

 

 

 

Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer.  ~Author Unknown

 

 

I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives.  ~Tracy Chapman

 

Do One Nice Thing book synopsis

DEBBIE TENZER'S NEW BOOK

DO ONE NICE THING

SPREADS MESSAGE OF HOPE

 

Debbie Tenzer, founder of the phenomenally successful website DoOneNiceThing.com (which has members in ninety countries and gets more than one million hits per month), has written a new book.

 

DO ONE NICE THING will hit bookstores nationwide on May 5. And, at a time when so much feels bleak, Debbie has good news to share. "In spite of everything that's going on in the world now, we can make it better, and we don't need a lot of time or money to do it," Tenzer says. "That's what my book is about: the little things that can make a big difference."

 

Do One Nice Thing offers over 100 easy ways to help kids, friends, co-workers, soldiers, animals and more. The book weaves inspiring stories with quotes from the many people touched by Debbie's message, like:

-     Reina, whose Sweet Sixteen guests made get-well cards for sick kids

-     Bob, who hands out cookies to the people he sees on his morning walk

-     American soldiers who give school supplies and hope to Afghan kids, who are eager to study but don't have pencils.

 

The story of Soldiers' Angels is in Chapter 7, Do One Nice Thing for Soldiers.

The title is From Sea to Shining Sea, pp 211, 212

 

 

Send encouragement to an ill of wounded service member at the Ladnstuhl Army Medical Hospital in Lanstuhl, Germany by mailing a picture postcard from your state.

 

Write a "we-are-with-you message," then put your card in an envelope and mail it to  Angel MaryAnn Phillips' address. 

 

 

And in Chapter 8, Just Click! Do One Nice Thing Online

p. 226 -  The Soldiers' Angels website is listed so people can easily find out how to adopt, make a donation and get more information

 

 

 

Upbeat with a wry sense of humor, Do One Nice Thing encourages everyone to change the world one small step at a time. Join Debbie and her army of Nice-o-holics, and give the world some help–and some hope. Best of all, the more help you give, the more hopeful you'll feel. It all starts when you do one nice thing. 

 

www.DoOneNiceThing.com

 

Smile Newsletter: A Family Tradition Lives On

 

Apr 19, 2009 "Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind." -- Eric Hoffer "I ordered my first smile cards after sharing this site with my employees at our Chiropractic Office. We were planning a Patient Appreciation Day, which was schemed around Valentines Day. We always passed out carnations to everyone who came through our doors, along with the men to give to someone they cared for. This time though we tied on a smile card with colored ribbon. The response was so great and the number of smiles that left our office that day was remarkable. What is really remarkable is how many of those smile cards got passed on." --lisarae [ share your story >> ] You can also contribute comments on each story! A Family Tradition Lives On >> Handmade Hugs >> Thanks For Rocking With Me! >> More Stories >> "On the 7th of April a friend of mine was killed in a car crash. I am about to go to her funeral this afternoon. I realised that I am not invincible and found that if I died tommorrow I had done little to be proud of in helping others. So I have decided to do something about it. Last night I wrote to a soldier in Iraq, today I am signing in here and printing off my smile cards. I will make my life something to be proud of and it will be worth while. That will be the legacy that my friend left me." --BWCub What is a "smile card"? It's a game of kindness -- do something nice for someone and leave a card behind asking them to pay it forward. To date, 644,019 cards have been shipped without any charge. The 'Smiles' newsletter is emailed to 66,221 subscribers with the intent of spreading more smiles in the world. get smile cards | write to us

Congrats Lt. Col. Rick Smith....

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, announced today that Lt. Col. Rick J. Smith assumed duties as the Public Information Officer for the North Dakota National Guard. Smith replaces Capt. Dan Murphy who is slated to lead the public affairs efforts for the upcoming Kosovo mission later this summer.

"Rick Smith is a perfect choice to lead our public affairs team during Murphy's deployment to Kosovo," said Sprynczynatyk. "His background in public relations combined with 19 years of successful military experience in the North Dakota National Guard provides him a solid foundation to excel in this important position."

Smith, a native of Bismarck, joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1990 excelling in various staff positions and successful company command. Smith was deployed to Iraq from 2007 to 2008 as an operations and liaison officer with the Engineer Brigade serving in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Smith is a 1990 graduate of the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Murphy has served in various capacities with the North Dakota National Guard including both 1st Sergeant and commander of the 1/129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. He is currently assigned as the commander of the 116th Public Affairs Detachment and was deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism serving in Qatar from 2006 to 2007.

"Dan Murphy's performance has been simply outstanding" added Sprynczynatyk. "He has successfully led our public affairs efforts ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information regarding North Dakota National Guard missions and activities. His efforts in facilitating and guiding media affairs during our recent and still ongoing flood operations have been particularly noteworthy."

Murphy will concentrate on preparing for the Kosovo mission in the ensuing months prior to the mobilization slated for later this year. The North Dakota Army National Guard is expected to deploy about 700 Soldiers in support of this mission.
——
Since the terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 2,800 Soldiers and more than 1,600 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In recent weeks, nearly 2,000 North Dakota National Guardsmen — with support of about 400 additional Soldiers and Airmen from six other states — have been mobilized for current flood fighting missions all across North Dakota. With a total force of about 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen, we continue to have sufficient forces available to provide emergency response and homeland defense.

Iran sentences U.S. journalist to 8 years

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- A U.S. journalist in Iran was sentenced to eight years in prison for espionage, her father, lawyer and news reports said Saturday -- a sentence that prompted denunciation from the United States.

 

Reports in Iranian media, including an Iranian judiciary source quoted Saturday by the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency, confirmed the sentence of Roxana Saberi, a 31-year-old Iranian-American from North Dakota.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply disappointed" by the news. "We are working closely with the Swiss Protecting Presence to obtain details about the court's decision, and to ensure her well-being," Clinton said in a statement.

 

The United States will "continue to vigorously raise our concerns to the Iranian government," Clinton said. "Ms. Saberi was born and raised in the United States, yet chose to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran due to her desire to learn more about her cultural heritage. Our thoughts are with her parents and family during this difficult time."

 

Saberi's lawyer confirmed the sentence and vowed an appeal would be launched within 20 days.

 

"I will definitely appeal the verdict within this period," Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said.

 

 

THE FULL STORY HERE:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/04/18/iran.us.journalist/index.html

MilitaryHOMEFRONT April 2009 eNewsletter

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance 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 need! 
 
We are pleased to provide you with the April 2009 MilitaryHOMEFRONT Newsletter "Month of the Military Family".
 
http://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/MHF/251020.html
 
The link above will open up the eNewsletter in your browser. If the link does not work, please copy and paste the entire link into your browser window.
 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________

Scott Hennen Enewsletter

Greetings! A big Chairman's thank you for making us at AM 1100 the Flag the region's number one choice for this year's flood fight coverage. By now you've probably seen our 24/7 resource center for flood-related information on our homepage, www.am1100.tv. Well you haven't seen anything yet: get set for the Flood Channel---an entirely new site devoted to nothing but breaking news flood footage. The Flood Channel is an all-new media center for ongoing flood fight information. It's where you'll find: •Breaking news audio and video reports, in addition to the latest articles •Special on-the-ground video and audio reports, brought to you by a network of roving reporters. •Social networking platforms---including Facebook and twitter accounts---to provide you with the latest updates on our on-air flood programming schedules. •The Super Alerts feature, with up-to-the-minute flood news items downloaded right on your desktop. Click on the links below to sign up. Stay informed. Stay involved with 24/7 flood coverage on the Flood Channel. Brought to you by the station with the best flood coverage, AM 1100 The Flag and the Scott Hennen Show. Thanks for listening! Facebook Flood Channel Scott Hennen Twitter Account Flood Super Alert Feature

Unsubscribe

TWEET DREAMS!! Soldiers' Angels is dreaming of YOU tweeting in support of Soldiers' Angels

TWEET DREAMS!! Soldiers' Angels is dreaming of YOU tweeting in support of Soldiers' Angels

FIRST OFF-- FOLLOW US!! @soldiersangels

 
LONDON - 'Wolverine' actor Hugh Jackman is donating $100,000 to charity through a Twitter contest that encourages users to nominate their cause.

Users can tweet at Jackman's Twitter page, @RealHughJackman, naming their chosen charity and their reason for nominating it. SOLDIERS' ANGELS!!!  and your reason.
 

Jackman will give the $100,000 to the charity named in the best tweet, which will be announced on Friday April 24.
 
Suggestions that have been tweeted to the actor include one from @JenTheArmyWife who said "Soldiersangels.org. They 'adopt' soldiers overseas sending them needed supplies and support. No Soldier left behind!".

 

National Guard Connects Military, American People, Gates Says

 

National Guard Connects Military, American People, Gates Says By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill Special to American Forces Press Service ARLINGTON, Va. , April 16, 2009 - The National Guard is one of the best connections between the armed forces and the public, the secretary of defense said yesterday. "Our best connection to the American people and to communities is, in fact, the reserve component – the National Guard and the Reserves," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told an Air War College audience at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. "The fact that they have been turned into an operational reserve and have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and go back to their communities ... has had a huge impact." Gates said that's easy to see in any newspaper around the country. "All you have to do is read about what happens in towns and cities when our fallen come home, where the whole town turns out ... with flags and lining the streets and so on." Gates was responding to a question that suggested that Americans are more likely to know who has won "American Idol" than who has earned the Medal of Honor. Some people were concerned that an all-volunteer force would create an elite force unconnected to the country, Gates said. But, in fact, "the all-volunteer force is the best military the United States has ever had" – and the National Guard is a vital link between men and women in uniform and civilians. Calling the all-volunteer force "America's greatest strategic asset," Gates talked about changes in the direction of the Defense Department. "Starting with the roll-out of the Iraq surge, my overriding priority has been getting troops at the front everything they need to fight, to win and to survive, while making sure that they and their families are properly cared for when they return," Gates said. Among key changes Gates cited: fixing outpatient care, getting better armored vehicles and sending more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability into the combat theater. Getting such capabilities into the hands of warfighters is a focus of Gate's request in the fiscal 2010 Defense Department budget. "While the military has made great strides in operating jointly over the last two decades," he said, "procurement remains overwhelmingly service-centric. ... It's so important to look across the services for joint procurement and joint capability so that a single service doesn't bear the full burden of completing a mission that actually will involve all of the services." The secretary also stressed the importance of partnerships, using the recent spate of piracy off Somalia's coast as an example in noting that the key difference between dealing with piracy in Southeast Asia and dealing with it in Somalia has been partnership capacity. "There was a huge piracy problem in the Strait of Malacca, and hijackings were almost as frequent as they are now off of Somalia," Gates said. But partnerships with other governments have significantly reduced piracy in Asia, he said. "The problem is that in the Somalia area, we don't have governments like we had in Southeast Asia to be able to deal with the problem," he said. "That's what makes Somalia a particularly difficult issue." The National Guard contributes to building partnership capacity through its State Partnership Program, which pairs 61 countries worldwide with states and territories. Partnership activities include exchanges by high-level military and civilian leaders. Military-to-military contacts bring state National Guard members together with foreign troops. Military-to-civilian activities focus on homeland defense, homeland security and military support to civilian authorities, including disaster preparedness, emergency response and consequence management. (Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill serves at the National Guard Bureau.)

Biographies: Robert M. Gates Related Sites: National Guard Bureau

This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defenselink.mil/.

 

Get Ready to March for Babies

Hello Friend, We can't wait to see you this weekend at March for Babies 2009. It's going to be a great event. Here are a couple of last-minute reminders: Send out a final urgent appeal to your potential contributors asking them to give before your walk. Make sure they have the link to your personal page so they can make the donation right then. It's fast and safe, and they'll receive a thank-you and tax receipt for their donation. Print your personal sponsor form and bring it with you, along with your cash and checks, to your walk the day of March for Babies. You could also turn it into your team captain ahead of time or at a scheduled bank day. Printing your personalized sponsor form is easy: Log on to your Personal Page. Click the tab "View Sponsor Form". Add cash and check donations (scroll down to "add cash/check donations") At the top of page, click "Remember to bring a copy of the Printer-Friendly Form with you to March for Babies." Your incentive prize will be based on the total of offline and online contributions that are reflected at the bottom of your sponsor form. Need last-minute details about your walk or have questions? Contact your local March of Dimes chapter. Good luck, and have a great walk. See you this weekend, The March for Babies Team Matching Gifts Program Does your company have a matching gift program? Inquire at your workplace about matching your gift or click here to check a list of matching companies. From the website, you can download forms and get more information about the Matching Gift program. Ask your donors if their employers have matching gifts, too. All donations that qualify for matching must have a matching gift form. Be sure your name, in addition to the donor's, is on each completed form and bring them with you to Bank Day or your walksite the day of March for Babies. Matching gifts take some effort on your part, but it's worth it since it could DOUBLE your total! Need Help? If you need help logging into marchforbabies.org, printing your sponsor form or any other aspect of online fundraising, please call our HelpDesk at 1-888-274-3711 or email us.      Thank you to our national sponsors: additional sponsorship provided by:        This electronic message is sponsored by March of Dimes, a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Donations to March of Dimes are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.   For more information about the March of Dimes, visit our Web site at marchofdimes.com.   © March of Dimes Foundation, 2009 March of Dimes 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605