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Project VALOR IT is underway. What is it? It is a fund managed by “Soldiers’ Angels”. It is used to buy laptop computers for wounded warriors.  We are talking about those guys and girls who are hurt and healing in military hospitals. Those who cannot use their arms or hands receive a voice-activated laptop for their stay in the hospital. With it they can write email to family, and friends.  They can catch up on news and so forth.  It makes a difference for them. 

Here is a quote from http://www.soldiersangels.org/valour/ 

Project Valour-IT 

(Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops)
In memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss 

“At that time I had no use of either hand. I know how humbling it is, how humiliating it feels. And I know how much better I felt, how amazingly more functional I felt, after Soldiers’ Angels provided me with a laptop and a loyal reader provided me with the software. I can’t wait to do the same, to give that feeling to another soldier at Walter Reed. ”  

–CPT Chuck Ziegenfuss, on the inspiration for Valour-IT 

Here is basically how it works, you can use pay pal or your credit card. 

Non-military folks are requested to pick a service to contribute in the name of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. 

Several bloggers have volunteered to lead the collections for each branch. 

If you want to make a contribution in the name of the Few the Proud The Marines you go here: 

http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/ 

If you want to back the Doggies (Army) go here: 

http://soldiersangels.org/valour/jointeam.php?fr=1&team=1 

If you want to support the Squids (Navy) go here: 

http://chaoticsynapticactivity.netfirms.com/nfblog/ 

Or if you want to support the Zoomies (Air Force) go here: 

http://www.op-for.com/ 

Each branch has been given a goal of $45,000.00 to raise. No matter how big the branch is (Think Big Army here) 

Or how small in numbers (Think Marines here) 

Not that I am tryin to influence who you contribute to …. we are all having a little fun with some friendly interservice rivalry. As long as Soldiers’ Angels and VALOR IT wins we all win. The motto of Soldiers’ Angels is … “May no soldier will go unloved” 

So give a little or give a lot. These wounded warriors already gave a lot.

Just a minute to think about Pete.  He is in the sandbox. We don’t blog about him much because we want to protect him.

He is being shot at.

Remember him in your prayers.

I was 17 when I graduated from High School. I was determined to enlist. At first I thought it would be in the Army. Pop was in the Army. I knew nothing about the Marines.  But I had this buddy Eddie.  We had something in common. He lived a couple of blocks away and we both had a really cheap (money I had no stinking money) British Enfield thing.   His was a Mark 4, mine a Mark 3.  We ‘customized’ them and talked about shooting etc. He was going to join the Marines. He told me all about it. He made it sound hard, nearly to the point of impossible.  Strange how that kinda thing motivates some people.    In High School, later on I had a buddy named Gibson. We were both seniors, and we talked about the Corps a lot. A bunch of juniors used to join us at our lunch table and listen. One kid was a real 5′6″ fireplug with a flattop haircut, a million freckles and a chit-eating grin that never stopped. His name was Dennis Glen.    Well I wasn’t old enough to join. I was 17. Gibson enlisted in the Marines. There I stood. My folks told me go to college one year, and then I could join if I still wanted to. So I did.    In the fall of my freshman year two life altering things happened. One was I went to a talent show at my old High School. I met this girl. She was so attractive. So I did the only thing I could, I began the process of falling madly passionately in love with her. Oh … ma was a hoofer.  She danced in a number in the show.    The second thing was, there was this Marine Corps officer there. A brand new butter bar (2nd Lieutenant). He was wearing dress blues. His sister was in Ma’s class and a friend of mine. Oh his last name was “Bell” … no it wasn’t Taco ladies. I talked to him and learned about this weird Marine Officer Program for guys in college.  It was called the PLC (Platoon Leader’s Course) Program. Over the Christmas break I went down and signed up … yup yup I had turned 18 by then.    My pop had a lot of confidence in me, “Better write your name on the seat of your pants so they will know who it is going over the hill.”  Thanks Pop. (he was kiddin)    So by the time I graduated from college, I had successfully passed both 6 week sessions of PLC in Quantico, Va. That summer I married Ma (hey she had her chance to escape … but noooooooo!).  I was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. We loaded everything we owned in and on a 1963 Chevy, and moved to Quantico Va for TBS (The Basic School).    I learned what I needed to know to be a basic Infantry Officer. After that we traveled to Fort Sill Oklahoma, where I completed the US Army Field Artillery School, and became an Artillery Officer.    It was the beginning for us. By this time my buddy Gibson was already out of the Corps. and Lcpl Dennis Glen USMC, the short fireplug guy with the highly infectious grin, was KIA in Vietnam. I still see his face and hear his laugh. Dennis’s dad was a Marine in WWII.

I have no idea what happened to Eddie. 

On the LPD-4 Austin. I understand she still serves.

The girl of my dreams.            

Okay not Waldo, Pete.  As you may remember Pete is on an all expense paid vacation in the sandbox. Thousands and thousands of miles of kitty litter.

This week we spot Pete commuting to work.  He likes to travel in style, but his Mom dresses him funny.

Pete loves remodelling. Wherever he goes he likes to dress the place up some.  Why just last week he looked round at the box he was living in and decided … this place needs some fixing up.

So he did.

No no he didn’t build that room. He added the art to the wall.

The joys of expectation. Everyone shares it. Beth examines one of her many babyshower gifts.

It was a good party. We feel good.

Tonight was a big night for Peter.  He tested for his yellow belt.

Bout danged time you got another postcard eh?

http://www.cookiecrumbexpress.com/Postcard/Dojo

Once upon a time there was a young couple.  His name is Chris.  Her name is Beth.  They fell in love and got married. Then they moved away to a city in the east (okay not that far east but it sounds more ’story like’ here). 

Some time passed as they got used to married life and “SURPRISE” !!! Now they are expecting an addition to the family.  We saw the sonograms …. okay the women did and they know it’s a little girl. To a guy it looks like a cross section of a radar sweep of a hurricane. I even suggested they name her Katrina.  That was not appreciated. 

Her name is Eva Marie.  She is due early December. 

In the mean time, all the ladies in the family decided it was time to party!  So this Saturday Eva Marie will be the guest of honor along with her mom at a baby shower.  The festivities will be historic.  Friends, relatives, lotsa girl stuff, and pogey bait.

Chris and I are making a serious contribution too. We are going shooting and getting the heck outta the way.  Well we are going shootin earlier in the day then fallin in to baby-sit the other younguns while the ladies party hardy.

We are truely pleased with this young couple and their expected bundle of joy. Let the festivities begin!

This is from One Marine’s View. The story of a Ssgt who had his kids taken away by the state of Lousiana. It is a sad and compelling story of a man serving his country while the local government adds to his worries by taking his kids from him.

I tried to repost the entire thing but my meager skills with this software screwed it up.

Here is a photo of him and his kids:

Read the entire story here:

http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/

If you can write letters of support or do anythin to help please do.

Now that we have learned to actually put photos on here (yea this software is wacky takes time to learn) we have updated the “About” link on the right and it shows the starting photo for this thingie. Life in the Wild Wild West. For a look at the players in the initial family click on it.

Hey if this thing isn’t fun why bother?

Pete just sent me a recruiting bulletin. I am still young enough to enlist in the US Army.

I am really excited.  Save me a spot Pete.

http://www.cookiecrumbexpress.com/Postcard/OldSoldiers