Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).
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Kewl.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England will present the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service to Ben Stein, author, actor and commentator, and Bonnie Carroll, founder and director of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) on April 15, 2008, in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
This award is the Office of the Secretary of Defense's highest level public service award. Stein and Carroll are being honored for their contributions and support to the U.S. Armed Forces and the "America Supports You" program. The ceremony will take place in the Pentagon, Room 3E863, at 3:45 p.m. EDT on April 15. The event is open to the media.

Ben Stein is a passionate supporter of our armed forces and in particular, of TAPS. He speaks at TAPS grief camps and seminars, and he visits with military families who have lost a loved one. He has selflessly donated the proceeds of his book, "The Real Stars: In Today's America Who are the True Heroes?", to TAPS.

Bonnie Carroll founded the "America Supports You" homefront group, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) following the death of her husband, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, in a plane crash. TAPS provides grief counseling to the families of fallen military heroes. Through TAPS, Carroll has provided hope and comfort to thousands of grieving families.

Oh, and SWWBO thinks this resembles me on Monday morning...

-the Armorer

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Chuck Z, milblogger and inspiration for Project Valour-IT sends:

I am participating in this, and am trying to raise between $5K (personal goal) and $10K (team goal). I am $3k short of my personal goal right now, and the event is only a scant 3 weeks away.

I am writing to not only ask for your contributions, but to also as for you to spread this information through your address books, word of mouth, web pages, and any other means at your disposal.

ANY amount, even a single dollar is appreciated. This is my personal achievement after being wounded. Completing this ride will mark almost three years or rehabilitation, over 30 reconstructive surgeries, and healing from being wounded in 2005. It is my honor to ride along with other wounded warriors. Please donate what you can, and ask others to do likewise.

Link for donations: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=263910&lis=0&kntae263910=0CFFBC19197A4C33BAFAFD223E17F1D1&supId=211159155

More information from the website:

On May 3rd & 4th 2008 World Team Sports, working with The Walter Reed Army Medical Center, The National Naval Medical Center, The Brooke Army Medical Center, The Soldiers Angel Fund, The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and others will be hosting our 2008 Face of America Bike Ride, a two-day inclusive bike ride from Bethesda, MD to historic Gettysburg, PA the National Naval Medical Center to honor and assist our disabled veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This ride is an opportunity to welcome these disabled servicemen and women ,and able-bodied servicemen and women, as teammates and show them how much we appreciate their efforts. We will also have the opportunity to show them that they can still be a part of the TEAM.

There is no charge for any active duty servicemen or women, both able-bodied and disabled, to participate. There is a $ 400 minimum fundraising goal for all other participants. The money raised will pay for all the costs of the active duty participants, including accomodations, food, outreach, providing usage of bikes, cycling clinics,and all other costs associated with the ride.

Act as your heart directs. -the Armorer

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