Sunday, May 23, 2010
Stop at a Dodge Dealership and sign a note for a Deployed Hero==
On May 7, executives from Chrysler Group LLC, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels stood wingtip-to-wingtip to announce the launch of Letters For Lyrics, a massive, nationwide effort to send one million letters to support our U.S. troops stationed across the world.
The project begins May 10 and in exchange for a letter, participants will receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band and songs from artists signed to the Southern Ground label. Visit your local Dodge or Ram Truck Dealer to write a card and get your CD, or join the Band at one of their concerts this summer.
As the organization that will deliver the 1,000,000 postcards to from Americans across the country to our servicemen and women around the world, Soldiers' Angels is honored to be part of this exciting endeavor. For video of today's event and for more info on the Letters for Lyrics program, including the latest official news, please visit Chrysler's Blog and ZacBrownBand.com.
Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band Launch 'Letters for Lyrics'
National Letter-Writing Campaign to U.S. Soldiers
• Write a letter and receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band
• Goal to deliver 1 million letters to U.S. soldiers stationed across the world
• All U.S. Ram Truck dealerships will serve as collection points and provide letter-writing stations
• Letters to be collected at Zac Brown Band Concerts
• Soldier's Angels to deliver letters to U.S. Troops on behalf of the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band
• Exclusive documentary-style footage of Zac Brown Band's USO tour directed by Darren Doane to debut on RAM Truck Brand's Letter for Lyrics site
ATLANTA, May 7, 2010 - The Ram Truck Brand, in partnership with Zac Brown Band, kicks off "Letters for Lyrics," a national letter-writing campaign targeted to U.S. soldiers. The goal for the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band is to send 1 million letters to U.S. troops deployed around the world.
In exchange for writing a letter to a U.S. soldier, participants will receive a special compilation CD titled, "Breaking Southern Ground." This exclusive CD features three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band, as well as music from artists signed to Zac Brown's label, Southern Ground Records – Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey.
"The Ram Truck Brand is grateful for the commitment and courage that U.S. soldiers give to this country each day," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Our company has been steadfast in its support of America's armed services; we know these letters will help brighten a soldier's day. We encourage our employees, suppliers and our customers to visit a local Ram Truck dealership to write or drop off a letter for these soldiers who protect our right to freedom."
"We've had several opportunities to perform for the troops over the past year and each time we were deeply inspired by their positive attitudes and dedication to protecting our country and preserving our way of life," said Zac Brown. "We were so moved that we knew we needed to recognize their efforts in a big way. Our hope is that by combining our experience overseas, our music, and the good people at Ram Truck Brand, we will be able to rally a movement of support for our brave service members abroad."
Darren Doane, the CMT nominated director of Zac Brown Band's live 'Pass the Jar' DVD (Southern Ground/Atlantic) and their music video for the #1 hit "Toes," traveled with the band to the Persian Gulf to document the moving experience – capturing footage of the band performing for the troops and meeting individually with the men and women in uniform. Bringing the experience home, Doane has constructed several mini-documentary style videos which will be posted to RamTrucks.com starting today and updated throughout the coming weeks.
"This unique endeavor is derived from respect and admiration, from both the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band, for the men and women in the military," said Marissa Hunter, Head of Ram Truck Brand Communications, Chrysler Group LLC. "It is our hope that these letters serve as a source of appreciation and comfort."
Letters will be collected at Zac Brown Band concerts and all U.S. Ram Truck dealerships. People interested in writing a letter can visit any Ram Truck dealership where special "Letters for Lyrics" stationery will be provided.
Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization, will deliver the letters on behalf of the Zac Brown Band and the Ram Truck Brand. Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led organization with over 225,000 members providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, along with veterans and their families.
"By standing wingtip to wingtip, the Ram Truck Brand, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels will be able to help build morale to heroes in combat zones one million fold," said Soldiers' Angels founder and president, Patti Patton-Bader. "We are truly grateful to the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band for their help in ensuring that our heroes know they are loved and appreciated."
The "Letters for Lyrics" campaign is part of an integrated marketing campaign for the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty and is supported with broadcast, print, digital and social media efforts that will run concurrently.
About Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band were named GRAMMY's "Best New Artist" in 2010. They also earned four Academy of Country Music Award nominations including one for "Entertainer of the Year." The band's double platinum-certified, major label debut 'The Foundation' (Atlantic) - one of Billboard's Top 20 albums of 2009 - features the band's first four #1 singles. Currently on the road with their "Breaking Southern Ground" national tour, Zac Brown Band will also join the Dave Matthews Band to perform at select shows across the U.S. this summer including New York's Citi Field. Zac Brown Band is represented by ROAR, a Beverly Hills-based management company. Additional information can be found at http://www.zacbrownband.com/.
About Soldier's Angels
Soldiers' Angels is a full service deployed troop, military family, wounded and veterans service organization serving all those who serve all of us with over twenty very effective programs. We specialize in the unique needs uncovered by other agencies, military benefits and medical insurance. Founded in 2003 by Patti Patton-Bader, the mother of an army soldier deployed to Iraq, Soldiers' Angels has grown from a small care package organization to major source of aid for all those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. Last year, we provided over 25 million dollars worth of assistance. Our slogan, "May No Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. By working together and sharing a common vision of service, the volunteers of Soldiers' Angels continue to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members, and their families. From our very inception, the focus of Soldiers' Angels has been: Helping bring home healthy soldiers. Visit www.soldiersangels.org, www.facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial and www.twitter.com/soldiersangels to find out more.
About the Ram Truck Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.
The Ram Truck brand will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. The new heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision Inc.'s (SVI) 2009 Total Quality Index™ (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.
The Ram Truck brand will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
Shelle Michaels
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
Vet Tix Board of Directors
Interservice Family Assistance Committee Communication Conduit
Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Chairperson
North Dakota National Guard Family Advisory Council Member
ND Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve Committee Member
"Ask for what you want, or take what you get!"
~ Shelle Michaels
www.Facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial
www.Facebook.com/ShelleMichaels
Friday, May 21, 2010
Service Member & Family Support Information
ND National Guard News
Please visit www.ndguard.com for current press releases and news.
North Dakota Military Police Arrive in Haiti
Guard Soldiers Honored for Service in Afghanistan
81st Civil Support Team Conducts Exercise at Minot Air Force Base
ND Guard to Assist in Haiti Recovery Operations
First Lady Announces Study of Military Families
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/05/military_obama_families_051210w/
North Dakota Soldiers Return to Family Changes
Bismarck Tribune, Friday, May 14th
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_45a38cca-5f7f-11df-835b-001cc4c03286.html
Sacrifice for Freedom Event: Wed., May 26 4pm Heritage Center Bismarck
Join us in recognizing the Service Members from North Dakota who have been killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism and hold tribute to all members of the U.S. military who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the nation. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26th 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the North Dakota ND Heritage Center, 612 E Boulevard Ave. Please contact Jessica Clark-Woinarowicz 701.333.4822 for more information. Please note date/time/location change.
North Dakota Patriot Guard Memorial Day Event Fraine Barracks
The North Dakota Patriot Guard will hold an event at the Memorial for the Fallen on the Global War on Terror, at Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, ND on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010 at 2:30pm. A NDANG Chaplain will open with prayer followed by a brief presentation by the North Dakota Patriot Guard. After the presentation two wreaths, each with 21 narrow ribbons, one for each of the North Dakota Fallen, will be unveiled at the Fallen Soldier Memorial. There will be no closing prayer allowing time for families of the fallen and others to reflect on the sacrifice of the 21 Servicemembers listed on the memorial.
Fraine Barracks Road between Main Street and River Road will be closed to thru traffic at 1300 hours (2:00pm). Those attending the event can enter the closed area to park and those needing to access Fraine Barracks will be allowed through.
ADA Road March: June 6 Bismarck
Family members will host a 'Memorial March' on June 6 in remembrance of all North Dakota Service members killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism. Participants can meet at Bank of North Dakota 1200 Memorial Highway Bismarck ND at 9:00 where they will walk over to the GWOT Memorial, Fraine Barracks and formally start the march at 9:38 a.m., the exact time that Sgt Travis Van Zoest and Spc. Curtis Mehrer, members of the 1-188 ADA-SECFOR were killed in action. The public is invited to participate in honoring all North Dakota's fallen heroes by marching or walking or as spectators along the route. There will be a stop at the Mandan McDonalds and finish at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. For more information, contact Joyce Mehrer at 701-426-8899.
Volunteers Needed! Boy Scouts Jamboree: June 4-6, Bismarck
The Boy Scouts of America is celebrating their 100 year anniversary June 4-6 at the ND Capitol. Volunteers are needed to help support 3,000 Boyscouts by grilling, helping and serving breakfast and lunch. Please contact Tonya Butts or Melanie Moen at 701.223.6700.
Freedom Isn't Free Weekend: June 18-19 Devils Lake, ND
Please feel free to attend this weekend to show support for our Military Heroes and their families. You don't need a bike to attend these events. You can come out and show your support while sending the riders off in style!! We are also looking for volunteers to help and donations for the Silent Auction. If you are able to do either, please contact Jeanie at 701-350-1690.
Run 4 KFOR: June 26 Minot
The Minot KFOR Family Readiness Group wanted to find a way that KFOR Soldiers in Kosovo and those family members and friends state side could join together for a little Morale and Welfare event. What better way than to host a "Run 4 KFOR". Co-leader Jeff Barta got in contact with Kosovo and together both groups planned a MWR event for the same weekend. What a terrific idea for family and soldiers to be able to connect across the miles. Proceeds from the Minot event will help offset KFOR FRG homecoming events once soldiers return home sometime August 2010. The Minot KFOR FRG group 5K Walk-Run is scheduled in Minot on June 26, 2010 in Oak Park. Please contact Jeff Barta at 701-838-5545 for more information.
Military OneSource new audio CD
Military OneSource is announcing the release of their new audio CD: Over There: Stories and insights from mothers who have deployed. In this 60-minute recording, Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft, a former Navy psychologist whose twins were babies when she served in Iraq, discusses the unique challenges that mothers face when they deploy. She is joined by women from across the service branches who talk candidly about their own experiences with deployment, from saying goodbye, to staying in touch while remaining focused on their mission, to returning home to be "mom" again. Over There can be ordered through CMS and online through www.MilitaryOneSource.com/OverThere
Happy Hooligan attending the Classic Teen Leadership Summit
Danielle Anderson, 16, from West Fargo will be attending the Classic Teen Leadership Summit in Dahlonega, GA from June 13-18. Danielle is the daughter of Darrin and Barb Anderson who are both members of the 119th Wing, Fargo, ND.
Danielle will be participating with other youth from around the states in an exciting leadership program which will combine high adventure activities with hands on techniques to give the participants the skills to maximize the leader in all of them.
Two New Family Readiness Support Assistants to the SMFS Division
Please help me welcome two new Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA) staff members who will be working hand-in-hand with the two MACOMS in the ND Army National Guard: 141 MEB and 68th Troop Command. Each FRSA will have an office in the respective MACOMs.
68th Troop Command:
Lane Scanson recently retired from 20 years of AD Army service. He has served as a Battalion Master Gunner responsible for the training development and qualifications of 44 Abrams M1A1 tank crews and over 700 Soldiers. He also served as Senior Operations NCO for the 1-13th AR BN Tactical Operations Center during OIF II. His most recent assignment before retiring was instructing Army ROTC at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is a Bismarck Century native. Mr. Scanson's office will be located at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory
141 MEB:
Aaron Wolf also served in the AD Army as a Russian linguist. He has extensive experience in the S3 shop and was responsible for arranging weapons training and ammunition supply management. He is a Texas native and married to a NDNG Soldier. Mr. Wolf's office will be located at the 141 MEB in Fargo.
The Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs) are a vital link between the unit Commander, the Families assigned to the unit, and the community resources available to the Soldiers and their Families. The significance of a properly operated FRG is that it allows deployed Soldiers to remain mission focused while their Families' well-being is sustained.
Free Summer Museum Admission with Military ID
Plains Art Museum will offer free admission to current military members and their families between May 31st and Sept 6 as part of the National Endowment for the Arts' Blue Star Museum Program. Active military members presenting a valid military ID receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests. Plains Art Museum is located at 704 First Avenue North, Fargo. More information is available at 701.232.3821 or at www.plainsart.org.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Air Force Mortuary Ensures Dignity, Honor for Fallen
While everyone plays an very important role in the Global War on Terror, a group of very dedicated service members appear to fly under the radar day in and day out, that team is located at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center. It is the center's mission and privilege to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to the fallen and care, service, and support to their families. A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in the service of the country. The vehicle then moves the fallen to the Port Mortuary.
AFMAO has a total force staff consisting of active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as Guardsmen, Reservists and civilians. The staff also consists of representatives from federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner who are responsible for the complete processing of remains. The staff utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to establish positive identification through DNA, dental and fingerprint analysis and autopsy the remains to determine cause of death. The staff also prepares fallen members for transport to their final destination as determined by the family.
Soldiers' Angels has taken these service members under our wings and encourage you to send notes of support throughout the year to:
Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center
Mr. Todd Rose-Chief of Air Force Mortuary Affairs
116 Purple Heart DriveDover AFB, DE 19902
We recently received a note of appreciation back from the team:
"The Public Affairs Office at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover AFB, Del. has been receiving your cards and well wishes over the last several days. We post these notes where all in the center can see them and read your kind words of thanks. Many of staff here at AFMAO are Guard, Reserve and Active Duty military members deployed from across our nation to support this vital mission. They are away from their families during this time and your notes are certainly helping to bring cheer. Thank you for your support!" Lt. Shannon Mann
Please read the following story....
Air Force Mortuary Ensures Dignity, Honor for Fallen
Air Force Mortuary Ensures Dignity, Honor for FallenBy Elaine WilsonAmerican Forces Press Service DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del., March 8, 2010 - Under a deluge of rain, the 757 touched down here late at night, returning Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz home. He had been killed just a few days before in an enemy attack in Afghanistan.
As the driver pulled away slowly, all military members in attendance raised their hands slowly in salute. The responsibility, and honor, of preparing the 29-year-old for his final journey home now rested on the shoulders of the staff of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here. It's a mission they will undertake with dignity, honor and respect in mind, and with only one acceptable goal: perfection. "It's a heavy toll our nation has paid on this, and these are the men and women who have borne the cost," said Air Force Col. Robert H. Edmondson, the center's commander. "We owe our best every time and in every way." The center's mission is to receive a servicemember's remains, prepare them for final disposition, then secure an expedient passage to the place of burial -- all while ensuring "dignity, honor and respect to the fallen and care, service and support to their families," Edmondson said. The staff tends to every seemingly minute detail, from the tight crease on a U.S. flag draped over a casket to a carefully built ribbon rack on a perfectly fitted uniform that may never be seen. The center, while Air Force-led, is a joint effort among all services, a reflection of the people it serves. All U.S. servicemembers who die in support of a contingency operation overseas will process through here, as well as the U.S. victims of a mass casualty incident, such as the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The number of returning fallen servicemembers varies, but Edmondson said he's seen up to 20 remains in one night. Though the center can accommodate about 50 remains in one day, he added, that's a scenario he doesn't want to witness. The center stood up about a year ago to consolidate Air Force mortuary operations in a central location as well as to oversee the port mortuary, the only one of its kind in the Defense Department. The port now is one of the center's three divisions, along with mortuary affairs and operations. Port mortuary division The port mortuary is tasked with identification, medical examination and preparation of fallen members for transport to their final destination. This process begins at the time of death notification in the combat theater. Upon arrival of the remains, usually within 48 hours, the processes of identification and medical and legal investigation take place, said Randy Keel, director of the port mortuary division. Experts obtain fingerprints and compare dental charts. After the autopsy, the embalming and restoration begins, Keel said. This involves preparing a new, custom-tailored uniform, equipped with the most up-to-date awards and decorations, and cleaning and restoring any personal effects, such as wedding bands, watches and wallets, he explained. Each task is undertaken with exacting care, he added. "Everything is done with a high attention to detail," Keel said, from snipping loose threads off of a uniform to painstakingly restoring a beloved piece of jewelry. The division's staff also prepares the casket, or the urn if the family chooses to cremate. Those services also can be provided here at the Defense Department's sole crematory, Keel said. After the remains are dressed and a quality check takes place, the remains are carefully prepared for placement into a casket, with a U.S. flag draped on top. Meanwhile, an administrative team is working behind the scenes to arrange for transportation and to complete a plethora of necessary documentation, Keel said. "[The staff is] here doing a mission that's largely unseen, and that's the way it ought to be if you're doing it right," Edmondson said. This division has a weighty mission on its shoulders, but Keel said he's proud to bear that burden. "I can't think of anything else I'd rather do," he said. Mortuary affairs division While the port mortuary serves military members from all branches, the mortuary affairs division is a bit more service specific. This division is responsible for the Air Force's mortuary affairs on a global scale. Only about 5 percent of Air Force deaths worldwide come through this facility, said Todd Rose, director of the mortuary affairs division. "The rest of the deaths the Air Force experiences over a year's timeline occur throughout the world," he said. Rose's division is tasked with the care, service and support of the deceased and their families. This includes training mortuary affairs officers and technicians assigned to Air Force bases worldwide. "My staff is responsible to make sure everything the deceased is entitled to receive and the support that the families are entitled to receive is extended to them," Rose said. The division also oversees the Center for Families of the Fallen, a new, 6,000-square-foot facility here that offers a comfortable waiting area for families that have traveled to Dover to witness the dignified transfer of a fallen loved one. The center features sitting areas designed with privacy in mind, a stocked and fully equipped kitchen, meditation room, nursery and even a room where teens can watch a wide-screen TV or play a video game. "We wanted to create a comfortable, beautiful environment for the families who have sacrificed so much," Rose said. Operations division While the missions of the port mortuary and mortuary affairs divisions are more visible in nature, the operations division takes on more of a behind-the-scenes role. But without this division, the other two would be unable to carry on, said Trevor Dean, deputy to the center's commander. This division is the support mechanism for the other two, responsible for functions such as budget, resource management and manpower, just to name a few, said Air Force Lt. Col. Mason B. Pigue, the division's director. The division also coordinates the movement of the fallen out of the area of operations, he said, through a 24/7 command, control and communications hub called HRC3. Upon notification of death, the HRC3 staff starts the information-gathering process to learn as much as possible about the family's wishes regarding the return of remains. They then track the return flight, from the mortuary collection point overseas through Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and then here. "We track to see if the aircraft is on schedule and watch for issues that might affect arrival time of the fallen or family," Pigue said. After the remains are ready to transport home, the division takes on the reverse role, arranging for travel to the final destination and tracking every step of the way until the remains are home. This division also oversees the dignified transfer of remains from the aircraft to the transfer vehicle, a solemn event that's conducted in honor of the fallen servicemember. A dignified transfer is conducted for every servicemember who died in a contingency operation overseas, Dean explained, and also is enacted for civilians involved in a mass fatality or for those attached to other federal agencies, such as the State Department or CIA. All three divisions work together to ensure fallen servicemembers and their families get the best care possible, Edmondson said. Although it's been just a year since the center stood up, it's since made huge inroads into the care of the fallen and their families with new facilities, technology and partnerships, he said. "If you were to come here pre-9/11 and asked how many people are on this staff, the answer would have been eight," Edmondson said, noting that there now are about 150 people on staff. The port mortuary was a surge operation then, he explained, with a primarily peacetime mission. When a national emergency occurred, operations would ramp up and then return to the former steady-state operations. A change in policy last year further changed the face of the center here. The defense secretary authorized media to cover a dignified transfer, with the family's permission, and also allowed funding for up to three family members to attend. Since then, more than 1,700 family members have traveled here to attend a dignified transfer, and "we've only been doing this for 10 months," Edmondson said. "A tremendous amount of family members want to come." The increase in families drove home a need to increase the support capabilities, resulting in facilities such as the Center for Families of Fallen. "The new policy allowed our new, fledgling organization to show the Air Force and other services how deeply involved [we are] and how much we care," Dean said. "It's given us the ability to serve each of the services and provide additional services to our families that now come here." All of the effort the center undertakes circles back to its ultimate mission: to care for the fallen and their families. "Our mission is important, because those men and women died in service of their country," Edmondson said. "They not only made that ultimate sacrifice, but their families did. "People are working very long hours, very meticulously, with lots of love and care to make sure it's perfect so the families can have their final honors," he added. | ||||
| Biographies: Air Force Col. Robert H. Edmondson Related Sites: Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center | ||||
|
Letters for Lyrics
| ||||||||||||
| |
Monday, May 10, 2010
Make the Drum Hike Part of your Summer Promotions
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Based on your organization and community history of support of our troops - Your organization has been selected as a MLB / MiLB host team for the 2010 / 2011 Drum Hike presented by Soldier's Angels, Louisville Slugger and the Heroes of the Diamond. U.S. Army SPc Troy Yocum and the www.heroesofthediamond.com will perform a short 5-minute Pre-Game "Passing the Flag" patriotic ceremony as part of his 7,000 mile www.drumhike.com to benefit military families. - THIS EVENT IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE –
Soldier to Hike Across America ABOUT THE HEROES OF THE DIAMOND "RED, WHITE AND BLUE TOUR"  HOW IT BEGAN: During a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum, President H.W. Bush discussed the positive impact baseball had on morale during WWII. His comments initiated the development of military baseball in the modern era. Over two decades later, we are the only program in history to wear camouflage uniforms with historical references to represent all branches of the military and first responders on one team.WHO WE ARE: Since 1990, more than 25,000 armed forces personnel have represented their service while paying our own expenses with a philosophy of HUSTLE, THINK, WIN! We are the "Globetrotters" of baseball. As the largest, fastest growing and most successful barnstorming team ever created, delivering competitive, exciting "must see" patriotic entertainment enjoyed by millions. We have visited 45 states and 12 countries while providing entertainment for some of the finest organizations in the world. WHAT WE DO: The historic "Red, White and Blue Tour" delivers unique patriotic events designed to entertain your fans and honor America. We conduct a choreographed pre-game that includes "Passing the Flag" - "Walk of Honor" - and other ceremonies. Our UNIQUE events deliver positive media and community goodwill. WHY WE DO IT: MISSION: "To Promote the Awareness of all Americans in Support of the Honorable Sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the Tip of the Spear" is based on the prominent yellow ribbon in the shape of an "S" located "front and center" in our distinctive "USA" logo symbolizes "Support" for our Troops and Veterans. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |    | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||
starting today--- Dodge Ram, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels across the nation....
Starting today, Monday, May 10, 2010- Letters for Lyrics will kick off at Dodge Dealerships across America- Please stop at your local dealership within the next weeks and sign a card for the troops! We need ONE MILLION cards signed.... Corwin Churchill is all set up today in Bismarck--- as are all dealers across the nation...
Executives from Chrysler Group LLC, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels stood wingtip-to-wingtip to announce the launch of Letters For Lyrics, a massive, nationwide effort to send one million letters to support our U.S. troops stationed across the world.
The project begins May 10 and in exchange for a letter, participants will receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band and songs from artists signed to the Southern Ground label. Visit your local Dodge or Ram Truck Dealer to write a card and get your CD, or join the Band at one of their concerts this summer.
As the organization that will deliver the 1,000,000 postcards to from Americans across the country to our servicemen and women around the world, Soldiers' Angels is honored to be part of this exciting endeavor. For video of today's event and for more info on the Letters for Lyrics program, including the latest official news, please visit Chrysler's Blog and ZacBrownBand.com.
Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band Launch 'Letters for Lyrics'
National Letter-Writing Campaign to U.S. Soldiers
• Write a letter and receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band
• Goal to deliver 1 million letters to U.S. soldiers stationed across the world
• All U.S. Ram Truck dealerships will serve as collection points and provide letter-writing stations
• Letters to be collected at Zac Brown Band Concerts
• Soldier's Angels to deliver letters to U.S. Troops on behalf of the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band
• Exclusive documentary-style footage of Zac Brown Band's USO tour directed by Darren Doane to debut on RAM Truck Brand's Letter for Lyrics site
ATLANTA, May 7, 2010 - The Ram Truck Brand, in partnership with Zac Brown Band, kicks off "Letters for Lyrics," a national letter-writing campaign targeted to U.S. soldiers. The goal for the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band is to send 1 million letters to U.S. troops deployed around the world.
In exchange for writing a letter to a U.S. soldier, participants will receive a special compilation CD titled, "Breaking Southern Ground." This exclusive CD features three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band, as well as music from artists signed to Zac Brown's label, Southern Ground Records – Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey.
"The Ram Truck Brand is grateful for the commitment and courage that U.S. soldiers give to this country each day," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Our company has been steadfast in its support of America's armed services; we know these letters will help brighten a soldier's day. We encourage our employees, suppliers and our customers to visit a local Ram Truck dealership to write or drop off a letter for these soldiers who protect our right to freedom."
"We've had several opportunities to perform for the troops over the past year and each time we were deeply inspired by their positive attitudes and dedication to protecting our country and preserving our way of life," said Zac Brown. "We were so moved that we knew we needed to recognize their efforts in a big way. Our hope is that by combining our experience overseas, our music, and the good people at Ram Truck Brand, we will be able to rally a movement of support for our brave service members abroad."
Darren Doane, the CMT nominated director of Zac Brown Band's live 'Pass the Jar' DVD (Southern Ground/Atlantic) and their music video for the #1 hit "Toes," traveled with the band to the Persian Gulf to document the moving experience – capturing footage of the band performing for the troops and meeting individually with the men and women in uniform. Bringing the experience home, Doane has constructed several mini-documentary style videos which will be posted to RamTrucks.com starting today and updated throughout the coming weeks.
"This unique endeavor is derived from respect and admiration, from both the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band, for the men and women in the military," said Marissa Hunter, Head of Ram Truck Brand Communications, Chrysler Group LLC. "It is our hope that these letters serve as a source of appreciation and comfort."
Letters will be collected at Zac Brown Band concerts and all U.S. Ram Truck dealerships. People interested in writing a letter can visit any Ram Truck dealership where special "Letters for Lyrics" stationery will be provided.
Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization, will deliver the letters on behalf of the Zac Brown Band and the Ram Truck Brand. Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led organization with over 225,000 members providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, along with veterans and their families.
"By standing wingtip to wingtip, the Ram Truck Brand, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels will be able to help build morale to heroes in combat zones one million fold," said Soldiers' Angels founder and president, Patti Patton-Bader. "We are truly grateful to the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band for their help in ensuring that our heroes know they are loved and appreciated."
The "Letters for Lyrics" campaign is part of an integrated marketing campaign for the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty and is supported with broadcast, print, digital and social media efforts that will run concurrently.
About Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band were named GRAMMY's "Best New Artist" in 2010. They also earned four Academy of Country Music Award nominations including one for "Entertainer of the Year." The band's double platinum-certified, major label debut 'The Foundation' (Atlantic) - one of Billboard's Top 20 albums of 2009 - features the band's first four #1 singles. Currently on the road with their "Breaking Southern Ground" national tour, Zac Brown Band will also join the Dave Matthews Band to perform at select shows across the U.S. this summer including New York's Citi Field. Zac Brown Band is represented by ROAR, a Beverly Hills-based management company. Additional information can be found at http://www.zacbrownband.com/.
About Soldier's Angels
Soldiers' Angels is a full service deployed troop, military family, wounded and veterans service organization serving all those who serve all of us with over twenty very effective programs. We specialize in the unique needs uncovered by other agencies, military benefits and medical insurance. Founded in 2003 by Patti Patton-Bader, the mother of an army soldier deployed to Iraq, Soldiers' Angels has grown from a small care package organization to major source of aid for all those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. Last year, we provided over 25 million dollars worth of assistance. Our slogan, "May No Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. By working together and sharing a common vision of service, the volunteers of Soldiers' Angels continue to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members, and their families. From our very inception, the focus of Soldiers' Angels has been: Helping bring home healthy soldiers. Visit www.soldiersangels.org, www.facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial and www.twitter.com/soldiersangels to find out more. Shellemichaels@soldiersangels.org
About the Ram Truck Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, the Ram Truck brand offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.
The Ram Truck brand will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. The new heavy-duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the heavy-duty pickup segment.
Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities. The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision Inc.'s (SVI) 2009 Total Quality Index™ (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study. Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.
The Ram Truck brand will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs.
Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis, and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
Follow Ram Truck and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
Ram Trucks: http://www.ramtrucks.com
Ram Zone blog: http://www.ramzone.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Mothers—where would we be without them? Where would Soldiers’ Angels be without ours?
Mothers—where would we be without them? Where would Soldiers' Angels be without ours?
On this day that recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society, Soldiers' Angels salutes its very own "Angel Mom," Patti Patton-Bader.
Soldiers' Angels was founded by Patti, a self-described "ordinary mother" of two American soldiers. Her son Brandon was deployed to Iraq in 2003 when he expressed concern that some soldiers in his unit did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a loving and caring mother, Patti decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She quickly contacted a handful of friends and extended family and asked if they would support a soldier or two. Within just a few months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother sending a few extra care packages and letters, to an Internet community with thousands of Angels worldwide, and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2004.
This Angel salute extends to a large group of mothers across the globe: Gold Star Moms, Blue Star Moms, deployed moms, Blue Star Families, Angels who are moms, sponsors/donors who are moms and moms in combat hospitals around the world caring for our wounded heroes... the list goes on.
In the United States, Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (famous for writing the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"). Then Anna Jarvis held a ceremony in 1907 in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her mother, who had died two years earlier. She then began a campaign to create a national holiday honoring mothers. Jarvis and her supporters wrote to ministers, businessmen and politicians, and were finally successful in their efforts. In 1914, President Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother's Day.
Where would we be without moms? Certainly a lot of good things of this world would be missing!
Have a great Mother's Day!
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=557&cntnt01returnid=15
Starting Monday-- Dodge Ram- Zac Brown Band-- Soldiers' Angels -- Letters for Lyrics
Executives from Chrysler Group LLC, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels stood wingtip-to-wingtip to announce the launch of Letters For Lyrics, a massive, nationwide effort to send one million letters to support our U.S. troops stationed across the world.
The project begins May 10 and in exchange for a letter, participants will receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band and songs from artists signed to the Southern Ground label. Visit your local Dodge or Ram Truck Dealer to write a card and get your CD, or join the Band at one of their concerts this summer.
As the organization that will deliver the 1,000,000 postcards to from Americans across the country to our servicemen and women around the world, Soldiers' Angels is honored to be part of this exciting endeavor. For video of today's event and for more info on the Letters for Lyrics program, including the latest official news, please visit Chrysler's Blog and ZacBrownBand.com.
Read the whole story--
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=556&cntnt01returnid=15
Shelle Michaels
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
Vet Tix Board of Directors
Interservice Family Assistance Committee Communication Conduit
Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Chairperson
North Dakota National Guard Family Advisory Council Member
ND Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve Committee Member
"Ask for what you want, or take what you get!"
~ Shelle Michaels
www.Facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial
www.Facebook.com/ShelleMichaels
Tarting Monday-- Dodge Ram- Zac Brown Band-- Soldiers' Angels -- Letters for Lyrics
Executives from Chrysler Group LLC, Zac Brown Band and Soldiers' Angels stood wingtip-to-wingtip to announce the launch of Letters For Lyrics, a massive, nationwide effort to send one million letters to support our U.S. troops stationed across the world.
The project begins May 10 and in exchange for a letter, participants will receive a "Breaking Southern Ground" CD featuring three all-new songs from Zac Brown Band and songs from artists signed to the Southern Ground label. Visit your local Dodge or Ram Truck Dealer to write a card and get your CD, or join the Band at one of their concerts this summer.
As the organization that will deliver the 1,000,000 postcards to from Americans across the country to our servicemen and women around the world, Soldiers' Angels is honored to be part of this exciting endeavor. For video of today's event and for more info on the Letters for Lyrics program, including the latest official news, please visit Chrysler's Blog and ZacBrownBand.com.
Read the whole story--
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=556&cntnt01returnid=15
Shelle Michaels
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org
Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
Vet Tix Board of Directors
Interservice Family Assistance Committee Communication Conduit
Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Chairperson
North Dakota National Guard Family Advisory Council Member
ND Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve Committee Member
"Ask for what you want, or take what you get!"
~ Shelle Michaels
www.Facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial
www.Facebook.com/ShelleMichaels
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Military Appreciation Month--- RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CARDS
Military Appreciation Month and always---
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CARDS are business cards for Angel sneak attacks. Use them when you secretly pay for a service member's dinner, buy a gift card for the service member in line at the grocery store behind you and ask the cashier to hand over the card with the gift card, etc. You can email a copy of this file to a place like staples.com and they will print beautiful business cards for you by the page.
http://soldiersangels.org/uploads/RandomActsCards.pdf
Kaboom
The war belongs to all of us
Matt Gallagher is a former U.S. Army cavalry officer who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2009. He is also the author of the war memoir, "Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War," published on April 1.
One of the benefits of publishing a war memoir, and then speaking at various events across the country, has been the opportunity to meet a group of Americans who genuinely care about the troops and veterans. Frankly, it's a segment of the population I didn't know existed in any real numbers during my deployment - self-righteousness is a common sin among soldiers and veterans alike - and it's been both humbling and gratifying. As a result, I'm often placed in the unique position of answering the simple question: "How can we help?"
I'm usually able to ignore the impulse to grab them by the shirt collar and yell, "Be engaged in what's happening! That's all we ask, that you are aware!" Since they've already asked me the question, it's clear that they do care, and are looking for more specific guidance. Usually, I point them in the direction of two incredible organizations, Soldiers' Angels (http://www.soldiersangels.org) and The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org). But occasionally, if I'm feeling particularly pontifical, I bust out my soapbox (don't leave home without it!) and relay a far more metaphysical message.
It's the military's job to serve and protect the greater American population. Concurrently, it's the greater population's duty to serve and protect the military. (Checks and balances and all that jazz, you dig?) But because so little of the society as a whole serves in the Armed Forces - most statistics hover around the 1% mark - the gulf between warrior and citizen has widened with every passing year of the GWOT-era. Consequently, this limits the amount of family and friends directly connected to the wars. I don't believe this is anyone's fault, just an unforeseen consequence of an all-volunteer force.
However, none of that changes the truth that we all own Afghanistan and Iraq, whether we've been there or not, whether we know anyone who has been there or not, and whether we like it or not. It's up to the populace as a whole to demand accountability from political leaders, and to ensure that they are using the military responsibly. In theory and in practice, if the political masters ordered the military to invade the Arctic Circle, the military would execute accordingly, and good men and women could die in the process. They can't ask why. That's the job of the citizenry.
I'm not trying to dredge up the past through outlandish analogy. Iraq happened, and is still happening. But we must learn from it. People much smarter than me have forecasted protracted guerilla warfare as a recurring occurrence in the 21st century. Undeniably, be it in the next decade or beyond, the drums of war will bang anew. Only an engaged, educated, and vocal society can ensure that those going to war in our country's name will do so for the right reasons.
What's your view? Is it essential for people with no connection to the military to be more actively involved in shaping the politics of war? What can be done to bring ordinary Americans closer to the realities and issues that military families are exposed to every day? The comment boards below are open--let's hear your views.
Work-at-home scam claims to help troops; Victims “hired” to ship stolen merchandise
Although this stems from Wsiconsin... it is a great reminder to all~!~
Work-at-home scam claims to help troops; Victims "hired" to ship stolen merchandise
Milwaukee, Wis. – The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers that an alleged Wisconsin-based military support service, Help4Troops, is a work-at-home, shipping scam that claims to help American troops overseas.
Help4Troops, also known as Work4Troops, claims to manage mail and send packages to American troops in 36 countries. The company's website reports that 90 percent of these packages are assembled by "volunteer shippers" who accumulate a number of small packages at their home address to consolidate into a larger box, which is then shipped overseas using Help4Troops-provided postage, tracking numbers and addresses.
Help4Troops promises to each volunteer a salary of $20 per package shipped, and requests personal banking information in order to deliver these payments via check, wire or money transfer using Western Union or PayPal. While boasting "powerful sponsors who help us to provide troops with this service and to pay our volunteers," Help4Troops does not elaborate on important financial information.
A consumer contacted the Wisconsin BBB in mid-April to report her concerns about Help4Troops, which "hired" her as a "Volunteer Shipper" after she posted her resume on the online employment site CareerBuilder.com. After two weeks of receiving and repackaging items, she received a call from a Chicago resident whose bank had contacted him about a suspicious attempt to access his account to purchase gift cards. The gift cards were listed under the consumer's mailing address.
Because of the bank's intervention, the transaction did not take place. Help4Troops stopped returning the consumer's e-mails, however, and she discovered that the telephone number provided to reach Help4Troops' management was instead a fax number.
The BBB has confirmed that Help4Troops is not located at its listed address in Spring Green, Wis.; 121 West Jefferson St. is the location of a local barbershop. Neither Help4Troops nor Work4Troops is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions or the IRS, as required by law to conduct business in Wisconsin. And despite its website's claim that Help4Troops has been commended by "the President of the United States, the governor of Maryland, the mayor of Baltimore, and the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce," the company is not known or recognized by the Department of Defense and is not listed in the National Resource Directory.
Red flags are critical in recognizing a shipping scam. Beware of employment offers in which:
• The company requires receiving and shipping packages, most often overseas, for a commission that is delivered via money transfer. These scams may involve an individual unknowingly shipping stolen goods overseas.
• The company claims to provide a personal account to reimburse shipping costs—it is most likely set up through stolen financial information.
• The company is difficult to contact or its information cannot be verified.
• Employment starts without a face-to-face interview and the primary form of communication is e-mail. Often the company's website is a free, generic domain that has only recently been registered.
• Grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes abound in e-mail correspondences or on the company's website, and especially if the website's format is distractingly amateur.
To avoid being boxed in by shipping scams like this one, follow these BBB guidelines:
• Don't be fooled by attractive advertising. Especially in instances of charity scams, be cautious of your emotions getting the best of your reason. Scams like Help4Troops often provide powerful testimonials or success stories to lure compassionate, unsuspecting victims.
• Check with the BBB. Help4Troops has an "F" rating with the BBB. A full Reliability Report is available for Help4Troops, and thousands of other businesses and charities, at www.wisconsin.bbb.org.
• Visit www.ourmilitary.mil to find a listing of charities associated with the military, including the BBB Military Line, a partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Readiness Campaign that brings BBB services to military personnel, retirees, DoD civilians and their families.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Other Member Websites (construction)
- UND Center for Rural Health
- Soldiers' Angels
- NDSU/UND Veterans Upward Bound
- NDSU/UND Veterans Upward Bound
- ND Veteran's Affairs
- Military One Source
- Military One Source
- Military Connection
- International Peace Garden
- ESGR
- Cottonwood Community Church
- Angel Kisses (Pregnancy and Babies)
- America Supports You
- America Supports You
Posts
