9/11 Candlelight Vigil

I'm adding this late but I wanted to share what we did this evening to honor those who died on 9/11/01. Our local VFW (Castro Valley, CA), who are very supportive of Operation: MOM, were holding a candlelight vigil in remembrance of all those who lost their lives 6 years ago. It was a small group but very big on heart.

As we finished & were heading home we noticed a huge flag up the hill at The Neighborhood Church of Castro Valley. We had heard they were having a service but had already committed to spending the time with the VFW. We headed up the hill to see if anything was still in progress but they were winding down. I did get some photo's of the awesome flag & all the emergency vehicles that were in attendance. WE MUST NEVER FORGET!

I'm still sorting thru cards........

It has been a VERY busy week & I have lots to share but need to go to a meeting this evening so will post more (with photo's) tomorrow. I got a HUGE box of cards from Dottie & I finally got em all sorted out & pictures taken so had to share. Yes....all 5 of the photo's below are cards from Dottie only......both handmade & store bought cards. Thank you so much Dottie.....these really help alot......your support is greatly appreciated.

United We Stand--9/11

OUR HEROES NEXT DOOR CAMPAIGN

This is another Sticky....will be here until Sept. 11th, Patriot Day

If you haven’t already watched Our Heroes Next Door, please watch it now…

To honor our brave troops this September 11th, VFW has created a video - Our Heroes Next Door. The video is meant to remind us that we can never lose sight that our troops are...
... our brothers and sisters
... our sons and daughters
... our friends and neighbors.

They sacrifice so much every day to keep us safe and sound:
... Fathers unable to be there for the birth of a child ...
... Children who don't understand why mommy has to
suddenly “go away” …
... Families torn apart by extended deployments ...

If you have watched the video, please forward Our Heroes Next Door Video to your family, friends and co-workers to remind them no matter what they think of the war, we need to support and honor the brave men and women that are fighting to keep us safe. And ask them to help spread this important message by forwarding the video...

Our troops need and deserve our support! Please watch Our Heroes Next Door and forward it to as many people as possible by September 11th.Thank you for supporting America’s troops and veterans!

PRO-TROOP GROUP DEMANDS CONGRESS TO STOP ATTACKS ON GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS

“You Voted Unanimously to Confirm Him,
Now Stand By Him and The Troops” Says Marine Mom

“I am calling on Congress to formally apologize to General Petraeus,”
Says Gold Star Mom

As the national “Fight for Victory Tour” caravan crosses the nation in a 4,384-mile trek to proclaim support for the missions of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan , the leaders of the effort are now speaking out in response to attacks by members of Congress against the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq , General David Petraeus.

“As the mother of a Marine who has served in Iraq, and as an American who loves her country, I am appalled to see members of Congress purposely engaging in a political campaign to smear the reputation of one of the finest commanders in the United States military,” said Deborah Johns. Johns is Director of Military Relations for Move America Forward, and her son (U.S. Marine SGT William Johns) has already served 3 tours of duty in Iraq . She is currently taking part in the national “Fight for Victory Tour.”

Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee, who is also traveling with the “Fight for Victory Tour” national pro-troop caravan, appealed to those in Congress who intimated they did not believe General Petraeus was truthful, to apologize for their statements and accusation.

“I am calling on Congress to formally apologize to General Petraeus. General Petraeus has led a successful military campaign in Iraq , and what does he get for it? Nothing but attacks, lies and smears. Congress should be celebrating General David Petraeus as an American hero who has helped make critical progress in the most important military effort this nation has ever been involved in,” said Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee.

Debbie Lee’s son, Marc Alan Lee, was the first Navy Seal to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“My son willingly laid down his life for his country, and I know he is looking down on us right now and wondering what on earth are we doing when certain people in Congress would attack a general who has made such terrific progress in the war on terrorism. Has politics sunk to such a low that some people think it’s ok to hurl accusations against the most honorable people in our society such as the officers and generals of the United States military?” asked Debbie Lee.

Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee and Blue Star Mom Deborah Johns are leading Move America Forward’s “Fight for Victory Tour,” a national cross-country pro-troop caravan that is crossing the nation. The caravan kicked off Monday, September 3rd and has already conducted pro-troop rallies in Carson City, NV; Sacramento, CA; San Francisco, CA; Modesto, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Yuma, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Las Cruces, NM; El Paso, TX; Sonora, TX; San Antonio, TX; Waco, TX; Crawford, TX; Dallas, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Wichita, KS; and St. Louis, MO.

To schedule an interview or speak with Ms. Johns, Ms. Lee or any of the other caravan participants please contact Robert Dixon via cell phone at: (916) 719-2421

Move America Forward’s “Fight for Victory Tour” is a national pro-troop caravan that will travel 4,384 miles across the country in support of the missions of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan . The caravan is hosting 27 pro-troop rallies along the way.

More details are available online at: www.MoveAmericaForward.org

ALIVE DAY MEMORIES: HOME FROM IRAQ

Sept. 9, 2007....11:02 PM. I just finished watching this documentary & tho I do love that it shows what heart these men & women have I thought it had a major slant of being anti-war which was not how it came across in any of the promo's I had seen prior to it's broadcast. Just my 2cents.

MILITARY MOMS IN IRAQ!!

Was sent to me by a friend & thought I would share......

AND THE CARDS KEEP COMING....

As it is getting down to the time to send packages to the troops all of our wonderful cardmakers are definitely working hard. Here are more that I have received in the last week. I still have more to go thru besides these too.

These card fronts were sent in by Michelle S. who is a Captain in the US Army Reserves & knows how important it is for the troops to receive these cards. She made most of them but some she got in swaps & are made by others. She sent to me to make into cards.....I hope some of the ladies who made some of them will choose to participate also as I contacted the ones who had emails on the back of them.
I received these cards from Jennifer.....aren't they great! Thank you so much Jenn.....hope you continue to participate in this project.
All these cards came from Fran C. who lives in MA. Really helped me out with all these Thanksgiving & Halloween cards. Love em Fran.....thank you so much.
This bunch of cards came from my new friend Janis who contacted me a few months back after seeing the flier I posted in Stamper's Warehouse. Her cards never cease to amaze me. Janis' niece just deployed this week....please keep her in your prayers.
Phyllis S. sent along this assortment of cards. The photo doesn't' do them justice......thanks so much for these cards.
Melissa K. sent these wonderfully Patriotic cards....I know who ever receives them will absolutely love them. Melissa also got a couple of her friends to send cards along too. Thanks so much.

One of Melissa's friends, Leticia B, sent these great holiday cards for this packing. The pictures do not do them justice.....they are so cute.

Melissa has another Patriotic friend, Susan W., who sent these great cards along. Hoping to get a link to her blog or gallery to share with you soon. Thanks so much for helping with this project Susan. Hope you will do so again.

Last but certainly not least are these fabulous cards made by Suzanne B-S who has sent cards several times now. I really hate that you can't see these cards in person.....the colors are WOW .....and the paper all shiny. Definitely makes you think of fall.

I hope I can post the photo's of your cards soon.....but you have to send em to me first!!

Cards are arriving ......

All these cards came from Melissa.....not her first batch & I hope not her last. Thank you Melissa.
These great Halloween cards came from Laura who considers herself a novice stamper. I seriously can not wait until she thinks that she is experienced. These cards are so kewl.
This last batch for tonite is from Susan.....a very nice assortment of All Occasion & Holiday cards. I wish I had time to photograph each card so everyone can see what great work all of these ladies do. I so appreciate all the work you do. Thank you so much each & every one of you.

Will have more to post tomorrow......

"WHERE FREEDOM FLIES" BY DIANA NAGY

You really must listen to this song.....

Vote for Marine Slogan Now

The United States Marine Corps and JWT are honored to announce that "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." has been nominated BEST SLOGAN for the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. More than just a slogan, these three sentences represent what Marines are all about, epitomizing the challenge of becoming (The Few), and the reward of being (The Proud), one of the elite (The Marines). Suffice it to say, Few slogans convey such a Proud tradition.

With your help, we now have the opportunity to immortalize these words as an American cultural icon. The Marine Corps will compete with 26 others for entry into the hall of fame based upon total number of votes received online at VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SLOGAN. The winning slogan will be etched on a plaque, and set alongside other time-honored brands on Madison Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.

We ask that you vote for "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." by going to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SLOGAN and selecting your favorite slogan from their list.If you have Internet access in more than one location, you can vote more than once, so remember to vote from home, work, the library, and anywhere else you can find a computer. Be sure to pass this email along to your co-workers, family members and friends so that they may also vote. We are confident a concentrated effort will deliver "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." into the hall of fame, in its rightful place among elite American slogans. We thank you for your support.

Voting begins on August 28th and runs through September 24th. Remember to vote again at each location you have access to the Internet.

Fight for Victory Tour

At about 4:15 PM (an hour early) Dotty & I arrived at 450 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco (in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office) in anticipation of the Move America Forward Chairman Melanie Morgan, Vice Chairman Lt. Col Buzz Paterson, Blue Star Mom Deborah Johns & Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee along with any other surprises there would be. We were early but we met some great Patriots who came from all over the Bay Area to support the troops. Did my heart good. There was quite a crowd......no problems whatsoever.....and no anti-war protesters came at all. We had 2 local news crews there....KNTV-11 (NBC affiliate) who interviewed one of the Blue Star Mom's from the East Bay.....& KPIX channel 5 (CBS) who interviewed me. Didn't get all in what I had to say but they didn't make me sound like I said something else either so I guess I am pleased. If you would like to take a look at all the photo's I took........here ya go. Debbi's Picassa Web Album

Bush in Al-Anbar, Iraq

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS MORNING.......

Toby Keith Concert Pictures

Here is Steve & I in front of one of the tour trucks




Here is the group that went......the Marine was the Sgt of Diane's son, Travis, when he was in Iraq. L to R.....Janice, Marcus, Marine, Darrin, Diane & me in the front


Miranda Lambert performing


Toby Keith


Debbi, Diane & friend


Statue of Liberty shown during song "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue"


Toby singing Courtesy of Red, White & Blue during encore.


This is Diane's son, Tyler


Debbi & Diane after the show


As you can see.........fun was had by all.