Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Tonight, I will stand on the football field of Brea Orlinda High School. Before the homecoming game kicks off, there will be a tribute and a dedication of a living memorial: a grove of trees on the school grounds.
You see, the Orange District California Federation of Women’s Clubs are dedicating these pepper trees to the twelve Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) from Orange County who served in World War II. Sadly, only one will be there. A number have passed away. One has cancer. And our mom, almost 96, is in a memory care unit and paralyzed on the entire left side from a recent stroke.
I like the idea of trees: roots stretching deep into the earth, silently seeking nutrients and ground to hold their trunks upright. I believe all men and women who are veterans and who serve now are deeply rooted in a belief that both nurtures and allows them to stand straight.
I like the idea of trees: branches stretching skyway, offering shelter to families who can picnic beneath the leafy boughs. I believe all men and women who are veterans and who serve now offer us the shelter of safety and constancy.
On this Memorial Day, we owe so much to not only our elder veterans but, I believe, even more to our current veterans. An unprecedented number of wars have devastated families and lives. No wars have brought home so many warriors wounded physically and mentally.
In all the bipartisan wrangle over budget, we must never forget that we owe an incredible debt to the men and women who serve. We, too, must make whatever financial sacrifices are necessary so they are supported on our shores.
Here are some ideas that individuals can do to help veterans on 11/11/11:
(1) Save coupons-even if expires. Military families can use them for up to six months past expiration. www.Coupsfortroops.com
(2) Send a CARE package. Through the Kitchen Table Gang, hospitalized veterans and troops abroad can receive personalized packages. Get a service member’s name and address from KTG. www.soldierspackages.org
(3) Donate DVDs. Drop off DVDs at local VA or mail them to www.dvds4vets.org
(4) Help build a house: either manual labor or with supplies or equipment. See www.homesforourtroops.org
(5) Make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project of $10. Press **HERO on your cell phone.
(6) Give away your old cell phone. Send to www.cellphnesforsoldiers.com. For each phone donated, the organization will pay for an hour of talk time for troops overseas.
Lastly, Let us hold these men and women and their families in your hearts and prayers.
P.S. Watch the award-winning Wounded Warrior documentary here: http://nspyr.com/ . Just won the Virginia Film Festival Award. A powerful film created by my friend and colleague, Randy Larsen Colonel USAF Retired.
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Tags: Dana Point, CA – “My Get-Up-and-Go Got Up and Went!” was created to offer the overwhelmed and the burned out simple ways to recharge your batteries and renew your life. At the end of the day it’s all about ENERGY. This small and insightful book includes 71 1/2 ideas that are self-evident BUT we forget to practice them. Others are more thought-provoking because – after all – we’re the ones who allowed the energy drain.
This book is an energy booster for anyone who seems to think tired is his or her middle name and balance is as impossible as riding a unicycle and it makes a terrific gift. This is not a book to be read in one sitting. Open it up to any page, allow the words to sink in and then try the idea offered. Readers are already overwhelmed so each idea is to be implemented as a small step that can result in large benefits.
Laura Stack, author of SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best, has this to say about the book “Insightful, straight tips for an energy boost that lets you come back and be your productive best!”
Since founding McDargh Communications in 1980, Eileen McDargh has helped organizations and individuals transform the life of their business and the business of their life through conversations that matter and connections that count. She motivates and inspires while sharing tools and techniques to help the audience meet their professional and personal goals.
To learn more visit http://www.eileenmcdargh.com/getup/
Okay, this isn’t a site for just women but it follows the theme off this site. People taking leadership roles to make the world a better place. The Giraffe Heroes non-profit and website highlights the risk-takers, people who are largely unknown, people who have the courage to stick their necks out for the common good, in the US and around the world.
The website honors these heroes and they stand as a shining example of regular people doing extraordinary things. To learn more about the founder and the organization click here to read an interview with her.
