Just a reminder that there are 2 coins remaining at the Youserved eBay store, one this week and one next week. If the total reaches $250 for all of them, the boys will shave their heads in Washington, DC, on video for all of us to see and cherish, laugh and mock!
This is how close we are!
Posted in Uncategorized
Well, not me, but the writer of the milblog “A Little Pink in a World of Camo.” I absolutely love the header on the site, especially of the Marine kissing the pregnant belly. Something about that swells my heart with pride and joy. The love this Marine and his wife have for each other should inspire every married military member to become as loving and dedicated. But…
Mrs. P – the blogger – has a new post up called “I Will Always Be A Marine Wife.” I write this literally wiping tears from my eyes and experiencing the same swirl of emotions (to a lesser degree) about which she writes. I’m bawling, actually, and have sequestered myself in my room with the lights off so no one thinks I’m in here. Only the glow of the my computer screen is an indication of life in my small space of world. I’m glad to see that she IS writing, since it is such a therapeutic thing to do.
I just need to share some sad news with all of my blog friends.
Sad isn’t even the word to describe it, but honestly at this point I can’t find the words to describe it. Angry, empty, crushed, confused, shocked, alone, unglued, hateful, depressed, beaten down… none of these words can do justice to my feelings.
I am being forced to do something that no 23 year old woman should ever have to do. I am being forced to do something that no one should ever have to do, not at this early in life, especially. I am being forced to lay the love of my life, my saving grace, my entire world to rest.
Sometimes hashing it out in words helps, so I’m trying to blog about it. To wrap my mind around why God would do this to me, to him, to us. I can’t fathom how any of this has happened, it all still feels so surreal, there’s no way this is real I am having a nightmare. Unfortunately this is a nightmare I am unable to wake up from.
Please read the rest of this post and share it with your friends. Take a moment and leave words of encouragement and gratitude for her thoughts. It couldn’t have been easy writing these words and I have no doubt she could use support.
The story below came to me from the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs Office. For those that are fans of Sons of Anarchy, this should make you smile, and unless you are at Taji, you are probably jealous.
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Cast members from the television series “Sons of Anarchy” visited service members March 14 to March 16 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and Contingency Operating Base Taji, Iraq.
Mark Boone Jr., who portrays “Bobby Elvis,” Theo Rossi, who portrays “Juice”, Dayton Callie, who portrays “Chief Unser,” and Kim Coates, who portrays “Tig”, all took part in a weeklong United Service Organizations tour, making stops in Kuwait and Iraq.
“Sons of Anarchy,” which airs on FX, is currently between its second and third season, with filming slated to begin again when the actors return to the U.S.
The actors came to Iraq to show their support for service members overseas, said Air Force Staff Sgt. Darlene Gaskill, the noncommissioned officer in charge of entertainment with the Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.
“They’re doing an autograph session to shake hands and let them know they appreciate what the troops are doing,” said Gaskill, a Hammond, Ind., native.
She said most of the service members and civilians that attended the public events have been big fans of the show.
The actors held meet-and-greet events at both the East and West Morale, Welfare and Recreation centers, and one at Ciano’s restaurant at JBB over the course of thee days. During the tour, cast members also stopped at COB Taji, Iraq, for three days and three days at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
Cast members made several public appearances and took every opportunity to pose for photos with service members, said Gaskill.
“The cast is very impressed and very grateful for everthing the troops do,” she said. “This is their way of giving back to them. It means so much to them to have that individual thank you with each troop.”
Gaskill said the turnout for the meet and greets were some of the largest of any celebrity event at JBB. In three days, the cast members met with more than 1,000 troops at JBB and 500 at COB Taji, she said. They visited different units and squadrons, and met with patients currently receiving medical care at the Air Force Theater Hospital at JBB, said Gaskill.
“They have been all over the base, and at every location there are literally hundreds of Airmen and Soldiers who are just waiting to tell them how big of fans they are,” she said. “In return, (the cast members) tell them how much they appreciate what they do to protect their freedom.”
It has been amazing to see and interact with the service members, said Coates, who was born in Canada and now resides in Los Angeles.
“We give back in a tiny way for what all you men and women do for us back home,” said Coates. “What you guys do is very important; we all want you to come home safe soon.”
Meeting the cast members from “Sons of Anarchy” is a great opportunity for service members, said Sgt. Scott Voigt, the noncommissioned officer in charge of operations with the 102nd Quartermaster Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
“There isn’t anything better than having them come out and boost the morale of Soldiers,” he said.
Voigt, a Peoria, Ill., native, said the cast members visited his company and spent time with the Soldiers.
“They loved seeing these guys, absolutely loved it,” he said. “They see these guys on TV and … when one of them comes up and shakes your hand and says, ‘Good job,’ that’ll boost anyone’s morale.”
Cast members of the FX show “Sons of Anarchy” sign autographs for service members during a meet and greet March 16 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Camacho)
Posted in Life in the Military, Military News, Patriotism
VA Mortgage Center.com is pleased to announce we will provide live streaming video coverage of the 2010 MilBlog Conference here on our leading milblog You Served. VAMC and the staff of You Served are proud to offer this to those that are not able to join us in Washington, D.C. this year, but still wish to watch the many panels and participate as if you were there. In addition to the live stream, online viewers will be able to chat in the chat room, and even ask questions of the speakers. This service is being provided free of charge as a way of giving back to the community that has made You Served such a success over the last three years.
Check back as the conference quickly approaches for updates and access to the live stream page!
Posted in Milblog Conference
GEN Dempsey talking about the tour of Cold Harbor from Nathan Long on Vimeo.
About the video: This video is from a private session that a few media reps had with TRADOC Commander, GEN Dempsey. This one focuses on a question to the General about a the previous day’s tour of Cold Harbor Civil War Battlefield.
This is the last of my three posts on the Houston Rodeo. I hadn’t been to a rodeo in probably 20 years and it was awesome to see one again, especially one as large as this one! I believe it’s the largest and longest lasting in Texas (and probably the United States), lasting nearly a month.
My favorite parts of the rodeo is the Calf Scramble and Bareback Riding. In the Calf Scramble, the line of distinctive red-and white-shirted competitors files into Reliant Stadium in grim determination. With the drop of a hat, 14 calves race away from 28 youngsters armed with only a rope halter and a dream. Spectators look on in awe as the group of Texas 4-H and FFA members pursue their dream. With kids and calves scattered about and darting in every direction across the Reliant Stadium floor, the Calf Scramble becomes one of the most chaotic, unscripted events of the Rodeo. Each of the students who catch a calf is awarded a $1,500 certificate to purchase a registered beef heifer. Raising and showing this heifer becomes a yearlong project as the scrambler sees to the grooming, feeding and care of the animal.
After the rodeo, we were treated to a concert by country band Rascal Flatts, one of my favorite (though not my MOST favorite) country bands. Prior to singing a song from their latest album, Unstoppable, the band sent a shout out to the troops:
Rascal Flatts – Unstoppable from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.
I love the song “Me and My Gang” from the album with the same name. The live version was even better than the CD version:
Untitled from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.
All the Soldiers had to be out to the buses at 2230, so we missed about 15 minutes of the concert. However, once everyone started pouring out of the stadium, Soldiers were treated like celebrities. I was in awe of all the support the people of Houston showed to these troops and they loved it.
I only have a couple minutes here, but this went on for over an hour!! To see more videos and read about the rest of the rodeo, click HERE and HERE.
Posted in Life in the Military
GEN Dempsey talking about the impact of New Media from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.
This video is from a private session that a few media reps had with TRADOC Commander, GEN Dempsey. This one focuses on a question from Mark Seavey from American Legion to the General about a the the impact and use of New Media.
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Military Strategy, Video
If you are a Veteran who needs a professional counselor but are not able to afford hourly rates, please go to Give an Hour and see if there is a provider in your area.
If you are a family member of a Veteran and you need the professional help a counselor can offer, please go to Give an Hour and see if there is a provider in your area.
If you are a mental health professional and would like to help our Veterans, please go to Give an Hour and sign up to donate your time.
Below is more information on Give an Hour
An Opportunity to Prevent a National Tragedy
Large numbers of our veterans are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan finding that they must cope with a wide range of psychological difficulties. Many are struggling with severe physical injuries or traumatic brain injuries—referred to as TBIs. We have both the opportunity to prevent a national tragedy and the obligation and resources to do so.
Our Knowledge
Fortunately, we are more capable of responding to this potential tragedy than ever before. We have more knowledge about the psychological impact of war than any prior generation has ever had. We know that at least 12 percent of the returning soldiers will come back with a serious mental disorder. Some reports have identified as many as onethird returning with psychiatric symptoms. In addition, we anticipate that as many as 20 percent will suffer a TBI. We know that family members are also severely affected by asoldier’s experience of trauma. Indeed, we now refer to “secondary trauma” as a significant mental health consequence of war. We know that children who grow up in families where post-traumatic stress disorder is not treated often become severely impaired themselves. Luckily, we also know that early treatment of mental health symptoms is the best way to prevent long-term consequences.
Our Resources
The U.S. military is clearly trying to stay in front of this issue. Studies conducted by the military community provide information that was not available during prior wars. In addition, the military is making an unprecedented attempt to encourage personnel to seek treatment. Unfortunately, limited resources are available to provide the needed mental health care, and, while the inevitable budget debates are important and necessary for future policies, they will not help the soldier disabled today by his or her psychological demons or physical injuries.
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan give us all the opportunity to reach out to those in need to ensure that they can continue to function as productive members of our society. Some of us have specific skills that can and should be tapped. There are over 400,000 mental health professionals in the U.S. We represent a tremendous resource. As mental health professionals, we now have the opportunity, through the volunteer network established by the nonprofit organization Give an Hour™, to respond to this clear and obvious need. As we continue to build our national network, our efforts will provide much needed assistance to the military’s efforts to care for its own.
Our Mission
Give an Hour™ is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise in our society. We are currently establishing a national network of mental health professionals to reach out to the U.S. troops and families affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Thus far, nearly 5,000 professionals from the mental health community have registered to participate in this critical effort. These mental health professionals sign on to give an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Professionals are being asked to provide the type of services they currently provide in their offices. They may also have the opportunity to engage in public education and to provide consultation to other agencies and organizations tasked withresponding to the needs of our military community. In fact, since we began providing services in July 2007, our providers have donated nearly 25,000 hours in direct counseling, education, and outreach.
While no additional training is required, we offer a variety of training opportunities to those individuals interested in increasing their knowledge of military culture and the specifics of combat stress. In addition, our participants will have the opportunity to interact with each other, to share information about their experience, and to seek feedback and additional resources.
We ask our providers to participate in our network for one year in order to offer continuity of care for these deserving families. Over the past two years, we have started to match members of the military community in need with members of our network. Indeed, we are now hearing from military personnel and their families on a regular basis. Many of these men and women share their stories and express their gratitude. They are so thankful that members of the mental health community have stepped up to join this effort. Those individuals who receive services from the Give an Hour™network will be given the opportunity to give back to their own communities.
Our Partners
We have developed important relationships with DoD, the VA, and many Veterans Service Organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), the USO, Blue Star Families, Vets 4 Vets and Christian Military Wives. As a result of these relationships, our mental health professionals will have opportunities to work with individuals from a number of organizations to co-lead support groups andparticipate in community events.
We have also developed important relationships within the mental health community. In February of 2008 the American Psychiatric Association officially endorsed Give an Hour™ and began encouraging its 38,000 members to join our network of providers. In partnership with the American Psychiatric Foundation, we were awarded a $1 million
grant from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation to assist in our public education efforts. In November of 2008 we announced the support of the National Association of Social Workers, the American Psychological Association, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the
Anxiety Disorders Association of America. In addition, we have recently joined forces with Mental Health America and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
We have also developed cooperative relationships with such noteworthy organizations as the Red Cross, Student Veterans of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Postpartum Support International. We are proud of our efforts to bring the military and mental health communities together as we strive to provide critical services to these deserving men, women, and families.
Your Help
We are asking all mental health professionals to join in this critical effort. If you are currently licensed, please visit our Web site at www.giveanhour.orgto sign up for our national network and to learn more about our organization. We also welcome volunteers who want to join us in developing and implementing this project. Please share our Website with your colleagues. Thank you.
Posted in Charities/Contests, Spouse and Family
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I wanted to post this blog entry about this song/video that the Celtic Rock band Flogging Molly created and released. The song is titled “Punch Drunk Grinning Soul” and is intended to raise awareness of PTSD and depression. It does it with animations of a hurt rabbit dealing with what appears to be his rabbit family. Singer Dave King wrote this song in memory of an Irish friend who struggled with PTSD and eventually committed suicide.
Flogging Molly “Punch Drunk Grinning Soul” with PSA
You Served's Claire talks about the life of a military spouse - the hardships, the joys, and everything in between.
Join the discussion in our new Spouse and Family section!
