The Little Things

Long-time readers of my blog know of my support for Soldier's Angels - Project VALOUR-IT. I've participated in the annual fund drives since they first began in 2005. Back in February, I received a packet from Project VALOUR-IT. I read through all the material and was happy about the new efforts being taken to generate more support. The happiness turned to perplexity.

One of the tie-ins was about those soldiers who were in Iraq or Afghanistan when Hurricane Katrina struck. The men and women in our Armed Services faithfully served our country while Hurricane Katrina was demolishing their hometowns. But there was something odd about this section. It only mentioned those from New Orleans.

I've come to expect from news media that Mississippi's Hurricane Katrina story is usually included as an after-thought and then given the euphemism of the 'Gulf Coast'. However, I would expect some acknowledgement from Soldier's Angels.

See, at the time Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi, 3,200 of our National Guard were deployed in Iraq and 300 in Afghanistan. And these men and women continued their mission while having fears of what was happening to their families while Hurricane Katrina was on her rampage of destruction through Mississippi. And yet the Soldier's Angels packet only mentions those military men and women from New Orleans and Louisiana when referencing Hurricane Katrina.

I'm reasonably sure Soldier's Angels didn't mean to slight those men and women from Mississippi who steadfastly kept their posts while their families back in Mississippi were digging out of the rubble. Like many who write about Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi's story is just a sideshow. But to us in Mississippi, it is an over-riding concern. Especially to the families of soldiers like National Guard 1st Lt. Robert Oneto-Sikorski.

DIAMONDHEAD, Miss. –- Everybody has a Katrina story in the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland. Most people are homeless, or at least forced into trailers or relatives' homes. They are frustrated by the endless red tape and anguished about an uncertain future in a region where recovery is measured by tons of debris moved, number of houses demolished and businesses back in business.

They are tired of FEMA trailers, tired of the bureaucracy, tired of the devastation, tired from worrying about money, their jobs and their children.

Elaine Oneto, who also lost her house, has a different perspective, wrought from another tragedy, one that, in her mind, has obliterated all the impact of the hurricane.

Her youngest son, National Guard 1st Lt. Robert Oneto-Sikorski, was killed Monday while on foot patrol near Al Haswah, an area west of Baghdad.

He leaves behind three children, ages 6, 8 and 11. Before his deployment in Iraq, the Hancock High School and University of South Alabama graduate worked as a mechanical engineer at the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.

To the person who wrote the Soldier's Angels packet, it may have seemed like a little thing not to acknowledge the Mississippi military men and women who continued to serve even as their families were struggling to put their lives back together after Hurricane Katrina. It may have seemed like a little thing to send those packets to those in Mississippi without acknowledging the impact of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi. But those little things matter to me.

PS: I should add that I'm committed to Soldier's Angels Project VALOUR-IT. In the past two months, I've made inroads with a major defense contractor located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I was informed a donation has been budgeted for Project VALOUR-IT and that they were going to send it in for the Navy-Coast Guard team! Also, some employees of other defense contractors are interested in participating in the next fund drive. I just have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Mississippi's Hurricane Katrina story. Here's another Mississippi Soldier's Angel: 'Hop on my wings for a while, bud. We'll carry you for a little while til you're ready to go back.'

Veteran's Day Thank You

Since our country's founding, there have been men and women of every generation who have stepped up to preserve freedom. Today and everyday, I thank them.



This was my Dad's favorite day. He felt great pride when asked to be part of the color guard on Veteran's Day. Below is a picture of my favorite vet. It was taken while he was deployed at Guantanamo Bay Cuba in the early 1970's.



My Dad was the most recent in my family to serve our country's call. He was in the US Army for 16 years and a Seabee for 4 years. He had two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Seabee. There have been others in my family who have served. Some served during the War of 1812. Some served during the Civil War. One was at Little Big Horn. Some served during World War I. Others served during World War II. I am proud of each and every one. I am thankful for all those who are now heeding our country's call.

Thnaks to all who served. And thanks to all who are serving. Today, reach out and thank a vet. Go to a parade. Donate to Project VALOUR-IT.

For Your Consideration

Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina demolished Gulfport, Biloxi, D'Ibervile, and other cities across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Her destruction was seen far inland and 85% of the state of Mississippi was affected.

On the Coast, many police stations and fire departments were washed away by Katrina's storm surge. As was Highway 90 in many places from Waveland to Pascagoula. There was no electricity, the communication system was in tatters(cell phones and land lines were useless), the water and sewage systems were not working. 65,000 homes were destroyed outright and later, 35,000 more homes had to be demolished.

Out of this chaos came help. Kessler Air Force Base suffered major flooding and 30% of the base suffered damage. This video shows the extent of the flooding.

In Gulfport, the Naval Construction Battalion Center suffered 30% damage due to wind. But it didn't stop the men and women at those bases from helping us out.

The Seabees from the NCBC provided the skills and helped Gulfport repair the vital water and sewage system. You could also see them repairing those Coastal schools that were left standing. The Marines stationed at there were out as soon as the winds died down and rescued many people stranded in trees and what was left of homes.

Kessler redirected its water supply so that people like my Mom and sister in Biloxi could have drinking water.

The National Guard provided much, much more. Imagine living in a county of 200,000 and only one traffic light working(3 days after Katrina. They directed traffic, they handed out water, ice, and MRE's, and they provided security.

From my home, I could see and hear the Coast Guard helicopters going toward the Biloxi River on rescue missions.

Without the strong military presence, the chaos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast would have so much worse.

In an effort to thank the men and women who so serve our country, I want to bring to your attention a unique program: Soldier's Angels: Project VALOUR-IT. This program provides laptop computers and the Department of Defense provides the voice-activation software for our men and women who are in military hospitals recovering from wounds. I'm part of the Navy/USCG team and a fundraiser is being held through Veteran's Day. In June 2007, the 1,000th computer was handed out at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Please help us so those who are military hospitals can remain connected to family, friends, the outside world, and gain new technology skills.

What is Project VALOUR-IT?

The old saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words:




Project VALOUR-IT grew out of an idea to help those like Bryan Anderson.

The laptop was the first step to the road to recovery. It proved that he was going to be able to do all the things that he did before.

Be part of this. Join a team,(the Navy/Coast Guard is a very good choice). Write a post or two. Use the donation on the sidebar.

Coasties

The Coast Guard is one of the most visible branches of the US military. Everyday they are out there rescueing stranded boaters and stopping those who try to smuggle drugs. They were also resonsible for the rescue of around 50,000 people in 4-5 days in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

They are also in Iraq. It was with great pleasure I learned that the Navy and Coast Guard were teaming up for this year's Project VALOUR-IT fundraiser.



The Navy/Coast Guard: a winning team. Be part of it by by joining our team. An unstoppable combination with your help. If you have a blog, post about Project VALOUR-IT. Or click on the donation button on the sidebar.

Project VALOUR-IT provides laptop computers for our wounded to use in military hospitals. The Department of Defense provides voice-activation software. These laptops allow our men and women access to family, friends, and the world. They can also be used for training of new technology skills.

Join the Navy/Coast Guard!

As of this post, the Navy/Coast Guard Team is a tad behind. Heck, even the Air Force team is beating us!

You can do your part to help Project VALOUR-IT. On June 3, 2007, at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital the 1,000th laptop was given:

Valour-IT stands for Voice-Activated Laptops for Our Injured Troops. It was inspired by a soldier, Captain (now Major) Chuck Ziegenfuss, who two years ago was exactly where you are today and who remains in the Army--he was a tank company commander whose hands were severely damaged by an IED. He had been writing a blog during his deployment and used his two functional fingers to ask for help getting voice-to-text software after he was wounded. The response was huge and we realized there was both a need and a desire to fill that need. We've now given out nearly 1,000 laptops in the last 20 months.

This program did not develop because a big donor dropped a lot of money that made all this possible. Rather, it came from individual donations of thousands and thousands of people--from literally five dollars to 5,000, adding up to over a million dollars in twenty months... all because they love and appreciate you and want to help you during this difficult time. They want to make sure that if you have injuries that prevent you from using a keyboard, you can still stay connected to your deployed buddies and the family members who couldn't come here to be with you, so you can use the computer just like anyone else does. And if you will be transitioning out, we want to be sure you have the opportunity to take classes and develop the skills that you will need to be successful in your new career.

So each laptop is more than just a computer. It's a physical representation of the incredible amounts of love, support and gratitude people have for all you have done. Please remember that whenever you see it. Thank you for everything.

Join a team, the NAVY/COAST GUARD TEAM and post about it. Donate by using the blue donation button on the sidebar.

At the post Little Green Footballs did on Project VALOUR-IT, a couple of com mentors shared very easy and doable ways to help out:

A very practical way to help out:

Every Halloween I put out a coin toss bucket and Project Valor poster on my porch. Then I donate the proceeds the next day. Last year I raised a little over $200.00 from my neighbors. Y'all should try it!

A way for kids to get involved:

This is a great program! Last year my daughter organized a fund raiser at her middle school and the 7th and 8th graders raised enough for two laptops. I would encourage others to do the same.

Join now!

Where's MEGEN?

MEGEN certainly gets around. Last year, The NAVY TEAM reached it's goal well ahead of the other teams. Our team captain, Curt at Chaotic Synaptic Activity received MEGEN after our win.



MEGEN, “Most Exhaulted Golden NotEbook,” has been busy this past year. Curt has not been resting on his laurels after the NAVY TEAM'S win last year. The other teams are up against the full might of a glorious sea power.



Like the US Navy and Coast Guard, MEGEN has been travelling. Here MEGEN is held by Ben Garrison. He was a Radioman 3/c abroad the USS Mason. The USS Mason is a destroyer escort and during World War II had an all African-American crew.

MEGEN has also been here as well as here. Where's MEGEN now? Your guess is as good as mine but I have my suspicions.

The other teams are going to try their best to knock us out of the water. As always, the true winners will be our men and women who will benefit from Project VALOUR-IT.

You can help the NAVY/COAST GUARD TEAM by joining our team. You can click to join the NAVY/COAST GUARD TEAM or one of the others. Just a blog post to let others know about Project VALOUR-IT will do. In the next few days, there will be links to print out fliers and there is a handy donation widget on the sidebar. Let's make this year one of the best so that our wounded will be the winners.

A Jump Start

The fundraiser doesn't start until tomorrow but I wanted to pass on information about Soldier's Angels Project VALOUR-IT. Laptop computers provide severely wounded soldiers with a means of communicating with loved ones. Soldier's Angels provides the laptops and the Department of Defense provides the voice-activated software. This opens up a whole new world for wounded soldiers.

Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying possible laptop recipients. Wounded military personnel can also directly request a laptop through the sign-up form or through the Valour-IT/Soldiers' Angels representatives at the following medical centers:
* Balboa Naval Hospital

* Brooke Army Medical Center

* Madigan Regional Medical Center

* National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital)

* Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton

* Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms)

* Walter Reed Army Medical Center

The annual fundraiser is a friendly(at times, snarky) and fun competition amongst the military branches. You can join one of the teams by clicking here.

The Navy Team Leader has created a forum which is a good clearinghouse for all the teams.

This is the third year I've participated in the fundraiser and it is a lot of fun. I hope you join one of the teams(NAVY/COAST GUARD). The one I've been part of is the best of the best and is of course the NAVY/COAST GUARD TEAM.

The goal is $240,000 this year. I expect this goal will be surpassed as in the two previous years.