HeartSprings classes available

Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 15:45:15 -0800
From: jnelson1409@yahoo.com
Subject: re: HeartSprings news for newsletter
To: shellemichaels@msn.com; shelly.sizer@us.army.mil


 

Hi everyone,   I thought there were four classes in particular that we are offering at HeartSprings that I think will be of interest to military families.  We have also brought on a counselor who is addiction certified and EMDR trained who will be working Mondays for any family who wants to take advantage of that service.   We also have a new website (it has our old information on it, but it should be updated by the end of next week I hope) at http://www.heartspringscenter.com/   All classes held at HeartSprings located at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2010 N Elm St, Fargo [across the street from the VA]   Compassionate Communication helps build relationships based on compassion and understanding, accurately understand other people's feelings and needs, be assertive and flexible at the same time, and break patterns of thinking that lead to anger and depression.  We will be using Marshall Rosenberg's book NonViolent Communication:  The Language of Life.  This is a 6-week introductory group series that runs on Tuesdays 6:30-7:50pm starting January 13th-Feb. 17th.  Cost is $35/person and $15/book.  Class limited to 12.  Please call Jan to register at 701-261-3142                      "Everyone should take this class!!!!"  Class participant   Growing Through Your Grieving:  Using Nature as Healer  Experience the restorative powers of nature through the use of awareness exercises and sharing.  Second Tuesdays of the month from 2-3pm, Free-will offering.  Call Jan for questions at 261-3142.   Healing Trauma is a psycho-educational group for overcoming events that have had lasting negative events.  "You can't turn off the darkness, but you can turn on the light!" Starting February 23-March 30 on Mondays from 5:30-7:00pm.  $20/session, $30/couple.  Call Jan to register at 261-3142   Love Made Visible Healthy adult change and healing includes unmasking the false or lower self illuminating the Higher Self.  Love Made Visible is designed for those who seek to recognize, accpet, and heal their lower nature which manifests in destructive thinking, feeling, and acting; thereby calling forth their true nature--LOVE.  Starting Mondays Feb. 23-March 30 7:30-9:00pm.  Cost is $20/session and $30/couple.  Call Jan to register at 261-3142.   Thanks for letting us be part of serving our military families!  Jan

The guard's College First program

Hettinger girl will follow dad's orders and family tradition

 

Jan 04, 2009 - 04:05:24 CST

Compiled byLAURENDONOVAN
BismarckTribune

 
 
 
Jessica Raasch of Hettinger will be the fifth generation in military service, a tradition that extends back to her great-great-grandfather's service in the Civil War.

The 17-year-old high school senior recently signed on for the National Guard, partly because she can earn $60,000 in six years, working two days a month and two weeks every summer, participating in the guard's College First program. She's allowed two years of college before there's any chance of deployment under the program rules.

"There's my college money," she said.

What makes her situation most interesting, though, is that her dad, Sgt. Randy Raasch, will be her supervisor. He works with recruits, preparing them for basic training.

"She'll be treated just like everyone else, no better, no worse," he said.

Jessica Raasch said she's a little worried about that.

"He likes to show off sometimes. I don't think my dad will be harder on me, but I think there will be a lot more attention on me," she said.

Randy Raasch said he thinks his daughter, who plans to specialize in public relations for the Guard, will be safer wrapped in a military team than she would be driving up and down gravel roads with a carload of friends.

"I think the statistics are that you're seven times more likely to die in a car accident than you are to die overseas," he said.

Randy Raasch said each of his children will make his or her own decision about whether the join the Guard. He only asks that they attend one drill and meet once with a recruiter.

"I don't love them any more for joining and I don't love them any less if they choose not to. I am proud of all of them," he said.

-http://bismarcktribune.com/articles/2009/01/04/news/local/173303.txt

Col. John Scorsone, Grand Forks Air Force Base, letter: Farewell, Grand Cities -- and thanks

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=99333&section=opinion

Grand Forks Herald
Published Friday, January 02, 2009

By John Scorsone

 

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE — This is just a short note of thanks to the people of Grand Forks Air Force Base, the Grand Cities and the state of North Dakota whom I have grown to love so dearly.
 
To the airmen and civilians who serve at Grand Forks Air Force Base: Thank you for your passionate commitment to our mutual safety and national security.
 
You have dedicated your life's work to serving others. You give from deep inside your soul to protect our freedoms from those who strive to end our way of life. No one will argue that you are worth far, far more than what we pay you. And the endless sacrifices that the families make as they deal with the airman's long hours on the job, frequent moves, lengthy deployments and too many missed celebrations to count … where do we get such unbelievably selfless spouses, kids and warriors such as you?
 
I count myself extremely fortunate to have been at your side over the past 18 months.
 
To the Grand Cities: Thank you for showing me and my family what America ought to be.
 
We found people here are overflowing with kindness and warmth that seems to spring from a bottomless well of faith. And repeatedly, you've gone the extra mile to care for the nonstop stream of "visiting" military families.
 
I salute you for every noble act of kindness that you did for all of us.
 
We have enjoyed your outstanding restaurants on both sides of the river and all around town. The Grand Cities have abundant shopping, strip malls and really fun stores such as Home of Economy and my wife's favorite, Quilter's Eden. These establishments have certainly made us smile.
 
Thank you also for the eye-watering, heart-pounding performances from Summer Performing Arts and Grand Cities Children's Choir. Children here are blessed with outstanding primary and secondary schools because of teachers and administrators who love their students. After all, the kids are "their kids, too."
How fortunate residents are to have outstanding local colleges. UND is world renowned, and President Robert Kelley's leadership epitomizes teamwork and collaboration. I am certain he is setting a course that will take UND to higher levels than ever seen before.
 
Spirit such as this is exactly why I am now a lifelong UND sports fan with a closet full of black, white and green colors.
 
And speaking of great leaders, who can resist the charm and smile of Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown? If you've seen him in action at City Hall or at the hospital, he is the same warm caregiver who enjoys adding life to others around him.
 
This city, the region and certainly the base is overflowing with selfless leaders who are examples to us all.
 
To North Dakota: I like to think that only the hearty come north. Living here builds a certain toughness that keeps the riff-raff out.
 
From someone who has lived in 11 different states with 17 different addresses over the past 24 years, I can honestly say that I enjoyed my three addresses in North Dakota most of all. Yes, the winter weather is challenging, but the people's "warmth index" more than covers anything Mother Nature can dish out.
 
North Dakotans have created the perfect balance of sturdy self-reliance with a healthy dose of good-natured Nordic culture. I admire the way North Dakotans maintain their pioneer spirit but never lose their keen focus on the future as they see technological changes on the near horizon.
 
To my many friends and family: As I leave Grand Forks Air Force Base for Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, I proudly and publicly declare that this is not goodbye. Instead, it is see you later.
 
Shakespeare said it best: "Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow."
 
Air Force Col. Scorsone is vice-commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing. His new assignment in Illinois will be as the Air Mobility Command's director of tests and evaluations.

Soldiers' Angels Photo of the Day January 3, 2009

 
 
January 3, 2009 - (ret.) Sgt. Sam Floberg is shown in early 2007 at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Sam was having Mirror therapy to assist in his recovery.

"It was to take care of phantom pain. If you look close you can see my right leg that isn't supposed to be there."



To view the  Photo of the Day click here:
 
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5340169&l=9f528&id=649495531


Samuel Floberg of Fargo, ND- was deployed with the North Dakota Army National Guard 188th ADA SECFOR. On November 23, 2006 in Afghanistan, soldiers from 188th were participating in a combat patrol mission escorting military convoys from one forward operating base (FOB) to another when the enemy attack occurred with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) striking the vehicle that Floberg was the gunner in.

Cpl. Nathan J. Goodiron, 25, of Mandaree, N.D., was killed in action as a result of a the accident and Sgt. Claude O'Berry, Mandaree was wounded. Floberg's right leg was severed resulting in amputation.


Sam's story can be read here:

1) www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_496171.html

2) www.kxmc.com/t/nathan-goodiron/106421.asp

3) www.servingheroes.com/storyFull.php?storyID=1

4) www.projecthealingwaters.org/html/events/070510BeaverCreek/index.html

 
To submit a photo for possible spotlight, please send the photo, credits, links and details regarding the photo with DAILY PHOTO in the subject line to:
ShelleMichaels@msn.com.
 
 
 

GreatAmericans.com Salutes America's Heroes

- GreatAmericans.com, an online patriotism portal with a mission to inspire America with videos telling stories about Great Americans, launched Veterans Day, November 11, 2008. The Web site is a new partnership backed by Sequoia Capital, the firm that created YouTube and Google. Sprint Nextel is the charter sponsor of GreatAmericans.com. Matt Daniels, J.D., Ph.D., created GreatAmericans.com to share the stories of positive role models, something he worked hard to find in his personal life. Growing up, Daniels attended inner city schools in Spanish Harlem, a neighborhood with one of the highest violent crime rates in New York City.
GreatAmericans.com celebrates citizens in every area of society whose lives offer a positive example to others. As the first step in the pursuit of this vision, the Web site focuses on the men and women who serve our nation in uniform, including military, law enforcement, fire/rescue, NASA, Homeland Security and the everyday American hero.
"There are no perfect people. But there are many ordinary people in America doing extraordinary things for the sake of others and our country," said Daniels. "Too often, the media is a source of negative examples. GreatAmericans.com is an effort to use the power of the media- especially the Internet- to introduce our society and our young people to better examples."
Visitors can login to GreatAmericans.com and upload videos or simply check out the Web site for segments featuring military, law enforcement, fire / rescue, NASA, Homeland Security and everyday American heroes. An interactive forum allows visitors to comment on subjects ranging from their military experience, a specific video or current affairs. GreatAmericans.com also features an online memorial to American heroes in uniform.
For more information, visit Great Americans.com.
Contact:
Lauren Sammak
Fanscape
lsammak@fanscape.com
323.785.2818
 

BLACKFIVE: What A Difference A Year Makes: Operation Puppy Love

BLACKFIVE: What A Difference A Year Makes: Operation Puppy Love If you are out there wondering if you made a difference last year (Soldiers and Marines really never have to wonder, but...), and you contributed to our efforts or Soldier's Angels, you did. You did good. ... BLACKFIVE - http://www.blackfive.net/main/

Iraqis take control of Baghdad's 'Green Zone

Iraqis take control of Baghdad's 'Green Zone'

 BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The U.S. military formally handed authority over Baghdad's "Green Zone" to Iraqis on Thursday as new pacts governing the mission of international troops replaced a U.N. mandate.

An Iraqi honor guard parades outside the former palace of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday.

An Iraqi honor guard parades outside the former palace of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday.

Iraqi troops took over checkpoints around the heavily protected district, formally known as the International Zone, which houses Iraqi government offices and the U.S. Embassy.

Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace, which served as U.S. headquarters in Baghdad after the 2003 invasion that ousted Iraq's longtime strongman, was among the facilities handed over in Thursday's ceremony.

"This day is a great day in the history of the Iraqi people," Iraqi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta said.

Maj. Gen. David Perkins, a U.S. military spokesman, noted the significance of turning over the former Republican Palace.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/01/iraq.green.zone/index.html