Linda Jewell Blog Spot

Support Our Troops by Asking a Praying Military Spouse to Pray

2010-03-13T20:02:00Z

I believe that, like veterans, praying military wives make supplications to heaven for our troops that we would never think to pray.

I admire the generations of praying military spouses represented by women like Mildred Taylor, Diana Juergens, and Jessica. Although fifty years spans the age difference between the oldest and youngest of these military wives, they collectively and individually have years of experience supporting our troops in prayer.

Of the three, Mildred Taylor has the most experience praying for our troops, especially for one Soldier in particular. Her order of prayers for our men and women in uniform is for: (1) their safety, (2) their good judgment to carry out their duties, (3) that they will remember their obligations they undertake to become a soldier, for example, that they won’t forget their duty, (4) that if someone near or next to them is not a Christian, that their hearts will be open to Christ, and (5) that they will have faith not to worry about their families or the battle. Mildred also prays for the families at the same time as she prays for the troops.

Next in years of experience, Diana Juergens prays for our troops. In her "Prayer Warriors" chapter of Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith, she writes of praying for safety, strength, and morale and for praying for the soldiers under her husband’s command--along with praying for their families. Diana has a heart for encouraging her sister military wives. I can’t help but think that some of the prayers she’s learned to pray for herself she also prays for them, too.

The youngest of these three praying military wives, Jessica, also prays for our troops. She prays that God will guide them in their journey and keep them safe, especially if they are overseas or in scary places. Jessica also prays for their families back home to handle their troop’s duties and deployments well and continue to support their troop. Jessica prays for deployed groups as well as for individuals she knows within the groups. When her military friends' marriages are on the rocks, she prays that they make it through the deployments and the hard times. She prays for all the troops safe return home and for peace.

With their years of experience as military spouses, I’m thankful that Mildred, Diana, and Jessica all support our troops in prayer.

There are probably more commonalities in the prayers of these three military wives than I know about, but in looking a second time, I find that all three pray for the troops’ safety AND for their families.

And that’s a good place for us to start, too.

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Are you a praying military spouse? If so, I’m interested in how you pray for our troops. If you’re not a military spouse, do you know one? If so, the next time you visit, will you ask what prayers he or she offers for our troops? I’ll be interested in hearing back from you, too. Next week, I’ll introduce you to a woman who plans welcome celebrations when troops return home. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Asking a Praying Vet to Pray

2010-03-06T15:30:00Z

In Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith Diana Juergens writes about a trip when, at breakfast, their family fortuitously met a WWII vet and his wife. Since then, this veteran has continued to encourage and bless Diana and her Soldier husband.

I’m also fortunate that I’ve met a couple whose prayers for my son encourages and blesses me, too.

About five or six years ago, I met Donn Taylor and his lovely wife, Mildred, at what has become the annual CLASS Christian Writers Conference.

Donn is not your typical writers conference poetry teacher. For one thing, he writes in different genres: mysteries and suspense in addition to poetry (read his Rhapsody in Red, The Lazarus File, and Dust and Diamond: Poems of Earth and Beyond). For another thing, before he completed a PhD degree at The University of Texas and taught English literature at two liberal arts colleges, Donn led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia.

When I met Donn and Mildred, my son was deployed to Iraq for the first time. I told them about his duty and destination. They joined me in prayer for him. These silver-haired saints said they would continue to pray for my son.

I felt confident that they would.

From Donn’s years of active duty and Mildred’s years as a military spouse, I also knew that this couple would offer prayers for our men and women in uniform that I will never think to pray.

Over the years, Donn, Mildred, and I have continued to trade and share prayer requests. We’ve prayed together for Mildred's health issue, which is in remission, along with prayers for my son’s duties and deployments, his health and his happiness.

Recently I called Donn and Mildred and we talked about their approach to praying for our nation’s troops.

Donn looks at the objective rather than the means. Donn explained his method by referring to Augustine’s Confessions. That is, Augustine’s mother prayed for specifics about locations she perceived would either contribute to or be a hindrance to her son’s salvation. While the Lord didn’t answer the means she prayed for, He did answer her prayers in that her objective was achieved.

Donn’s order of prayers for our troops is for: (1) their salvation, (2) their mission accomplished, (3) their safety, and (4) the enemy’s salvation and change of heart.

With his years of military service experience, I’m thankful that Donn, a praying vet, is praying for my son–and for all our troops.

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Have you ever been comforted knowing a veteran is praying for your loved one serving in the military? I invite you to post a comment. As with any couple, Donn and Mildred share the same goals and activities but take different approaches to accomplish and complete them. Next week, I’ll share with you Mildred’s order of prayers, along with some other things I learned from this tender-yet-stout-hearted woman. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Praying That We Will Be Prepared for Their Future Orders

2010-02-28T01:55:00Z

In Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith Diana Juergens describes challenges and changes necessitated by frequent moves of military families. She adds, ". . . prayer is the key that prepares my heart to say goodbye and start over again."

Diana’s prayers to prepare herself for her husband’s future assignments revolutionized my thinking.

I’d tried to the best of my abilities to support Ty’s choice to enlist, to have a good attitude for my family’s and for my son’s sakes, to be as emotionally steady as I can be during his various assignments, wherever they may be. However, I couldn’t recall a single time I’d prayed for God to prepare my heart for any of his assignments.

True, my situation as a mom is very different from Diana’s as a wife. For instance, as my son receives new orders, I won’t be packing up and moving a family from one location to the next. However, as a mom, I’ve done my share of praying, fretting and holding my emotional breath during my son’s tours of duty.

About the time I first met Diana, I was feeling jittery about what Ty’s next assignment might be. For weeks, I’d been fussing to God. I felt ruffled, lacking peace.

One Sunday during church services, I poured out my heart again to God. My prayers weren’t much different that day than they had been in the prior weeks. I was honest about my anxieties. I didn’t know whether to worry or not, and if so, how much. Obviously, I needed to start praying Philippians 4:6 again: "Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; . . ."

My son–or the military– might not know yet what Ty’s next orders will be. But God does. And He is trustworthy. That Sunday in church my anxieties ebbed away and I felt a sense of calmness wash over me.

I hadn’t prayed that God would prepare me for my son’s future orders. However, God in His mercy gave me peace in the midst of my unknowing anyway.

These days, as awkward as it still feels to me, I’ve begun to pray for God to prepare my heart for Ty’s future assignments. Not that a change of orders will mean a physical move for me. Yet, I am thankful that God moved the mountain of anxiety in my heart. He removed my fears and gave me something better: " . . . the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

From experience, I know I'll be anxious from time to time. I know that I'll have times like a couple of hours ago when I heard and read something that touched my deepest fears and I had a melt down. I happened to be with safe friends who understood and gave me grace, space, and plenty of hugs.

Thankfully, I also have another Friend. When I'm anxious or melt down, I know where to go, what to do, and Who to talk with about it.

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Like Diana, do you pray for your heart to be prepared for the next assignment for your loved one who is serving in the military? What difference do you think that will mean to you and your loved ones? Next week, I’ll point you to a group of people who can pray for our military like no one else. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Praying That They Will Be Prepared for Their Future Orders

2010-02-20T22:35:00Z

In Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith Diana Juergens observed, "Just as a warrior will choose the offensive to protect those in his care, I was learning to pray by faith in advance for those in my life."

Diana’s words made me think back to my son’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) graduation. There, in an address to a class of new 2^nd Lieutenants, General Shalikashvili gave a tribute to his first Sergeant. The General detailed for the graduates what he’d learned years previously from that Sergeant.

After OCS, Ty went on to another training. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to my son, I started praying that he would be assigned with an outstanding Sergeant much like General Shalikashvili had been many years before as a new 2^nd Lieutenant. Within weeks of Ty finishing his training and getting a new assignment, he told me that the Sergeant was a great guy.

In our last visit, more than a decade after Ty graduated from OCS, somehow the conversation made a turn and he mentioned the same Sergeant. Ty has nothing but good things to say about the man. I could tell by my son’s voice how highly he respects him.

Did God hear my prayers for Ty to be assigned with a great Sergeant? In retrospect, I wonder if that same Sergeant’s mother was also praying for the 2^nd Lieutenant with whom her son would be working.

Since Ty enlisted, I’ve prayed some prayers for his future, supplications like "Lord, help him learn what he needs to learn." However, I realized many of my prayers for my son have deal with his current, situations, circumstances and assignments. "Lord, give him strength for this training. Lord, give him wisdom. Lord, protect him from all harm. Lord, please keep all his Soldiers safe. Lord . . . "

Since reading Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith, my prayers for my son have again added more forward-looking supplications. I’m still praying for his todays, but now, thanks to Diana, I’m praying again that God will prepare him, and those with whom he’s assigned, for their tomorrows, too.

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What are your general or specific prayers asking God to prepare a friend or family member serving in the military for their next orders? Next week, I’ll share with you another way of praying–which I’d never heard of of before–but which also supports our troops. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troop by Learning More about Their Spouses’ Roles

2010-02-13T22:47:00Z

Diana Juergens wrote Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith to encourage and give perspective to other military spouses.

It does that and more.

Diana’s book is a real-life story about a real woman/wife/mother of eight daughters believing in God’s faithfulness.

It also contains what might not normally be expected: hope that sprang up from times of loneliness; a personal passion for ministry that grew out of the pain of separation due to her husband’s unaccompanied tours; and a family vision for being involved, reaching out, caring, and serving others.

Reading her book reinforced my admiration for Diana’s attitude and discipline as demonstrated in a passage that begins: "The stability I represent makes me the heart of our family, the vital organ needed within the body of our family."

She goes on to explain that before an accompanied tour of South Korea, she and her husband chose for their family to travel and stay together even though there was no government housing available for months. Diana writes:

God provided a small, yet beautiful apartment for us. It was about eight hundred square feet, and at times it felt like we were on top of each other. However, we adapted quickly and we were extremely grateful for our place of refuge in the midst of a new and unusual culture. We had each other and we were experiencing everything together!

The challenge of maintaining a peaceful home became a daily priority in our close quarters. Children who fought, argued, and demanded their way instead of getting along would make a notable difference in the atmosphere of our apartment. A scripture verse that was instrumental to maintaining my goal of a peaceful home was 1 Corinthians 10:24, which says, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well being." It became a memory verse for our daughters. We saw how it impacted their actions and words toward one another and toward us. It also impacted my own life, as a wife and mother. Days where I was tired and weary from the intense schedule reminded me to continue to serve my husband and family. It was my job to look out for their well being. God had proven in my life that His ways work. I knew applying God’s word to my situation always changed my attitude. Since then, that particular verse has been fundamental in teaching our children that peace in our home comes when we strive to sacrifice for one other. It was their part in maintaining a place of refuge for their dad and for the rest of the family.

Although I’m not a military wife, I’ve read and reread Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith. I recommend it not only to military wives, but also to those who are friends and family members of service men and women, and for anyone who supports our military.

If you’re interested in ordering Diana’s book for yourself or as a gift of hope and help for a military spouse you can find it online at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.

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Have you had opportunities to encourage a military spouse? Please post a comment. Next week I’ll highlight an avenue of prayer for our troops that we may overlook. Copyright 2010, Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved

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Support Our Troops by Connecting with Their Military Spouses

2010-02-07T00:55:00Z

I met Diana Juergens at the Pr otestant Women
of the Chapel West Region Conference last fall. Over the
duration of the event, I had the opportunity to learn a little bit more
about her. She's a former Army aviator, wife of a Soldier for 23 years, and
mother of eight daughters, ranging in age from 4 to 21.

I attended Diana's workshop on the topic "Parenting During Deployment." I
didn't attend because the topic was relevant to my circumstances. I'm not a
military spouse raising young children whose parent is deployed. My goal was
to attend as an encouragement to Diana.

When I received Diana's double-sided handout, with its six-point outline and
three-dozen plus references to Scripture, my first thought, was, "Oh, my!
How is she going to get through all of this?" I needn't have been concerned.
Diana is an engaging speaker. She has great credibility to her audience of
military wives missing their husbands and raising children who are missing
their daddys during deployments. She also completely covered the material in
a calm, confident, competent manner and gave the other military moms in the
audience focus, hope and practical tools for the times the need them most.

Diana may not have prepared for someone in her audience who is not a
military wife, but rather is a mom with a son in the service. However, afterwards, I
realized that almost every point she brought up, every Scripture she listed
to help military wives parent children who are left behind during
their husband's deployments, can also help troops' parents. I
saved Diana's handout, with my scribbled notes, to take out the next time my
son is deployed.

From her workshop and other discussions with Diana, I heard and observed
some of the things that helps her make a positive difference in her
circumstances and calling. These are: her faith in God, her love for her
husband and children, daily time in prayer and studying Scripture, running
daily, and the discipline she learned while serving in the Army.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to connect with Diana Juergens. In talking
with her and listening and observing her, she helped me also understand
other military wives, and also my role as a mom of the military.

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Next week, I want to tell you more about the book Diana has written.
Copyright 2010, Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

P. S. February 8-14 is National Salute to Veterans Week, intended to
encourage citizens like you and me to isit, write, and encourage the vets in
our local VA hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

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Support Our Troops Who Are Providing Humanitarian Aid

2010-01-30T15:32:00Z

One of Media Life Magazine’s recent teaser proclaimed: "Haiti benefit averages 24 million viewers. Airing on 33 networks, the telethon raises $61 million, as stars lend their presence to fund-raiser for quake-stricken country."

Let me tell you a little about one of the many men and women in uniform who are my stars lending their presence to the quake-stricken Haiti.

Less than a six months out of Coast Guard Recruit Training, a 19-year-old Seaman has been involved with giving humanitarian aid to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. His Blue Star Mother, Louise, said, "His cutter was one of the first to arrive at Haiti, and his fellow Coast Guardsmen were among the first US assets to land and set up medical aid."

Some of the Coast Guardsmen on shore performed medical triage in a cleared court yard. Within a day, other Coast Guardsmen had cleared up, cleaned up, and shored up a safe place so some of the injured could be treated indoors. Because the Haitian Coast Guard base had been destroyed by the earthquake, some of the injured Haitians were brought back to the US Coast Guard cutter. Louise said, "I think all of the injured were civilians who came to the clinic because they heard there was help available."

The Coast Guardsmen worked as a team, each doing their duty and their job–and much more besides. Some scavenged on shore for wooden sticks to be used as splints to stabilize broken bones. On board, the Seaman and his shipmates were also busy cutting ceiling tiles to be used as improvised splints.

He also assisted in the flight operations work. He fed and gave water to the waiting injured. He helped load injured Haitians from the cutter's small boats into huge helicopters that would medevac them farther from shore to the larger Navy ships with medical personnel and facilities on board.

To get a bigger glimpse into the Coast Guard’s humanitarian efforts, check out the following articles: Coast Guard Relief Efforts in Haiti One Week Later (Coast Guard News, January 19, 2010), This is Why We Signed Up (Concord Monitor January 19, 2010), Portsmouth Coast Guard Cutter Helps in Haiti, (Coast Guard News January 20, 2010), Coast Guard cutter delivers medical supplies, help; 'we saved a lot of lives' (The Washington Post, January 15, 2010), or watch the Coast Guard Commandant Addresses the Troops on Haiti on YouTube.

In the still chaotic situation on Haiti, the Seaman and the rest of our Coast Guardsmen, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen presence gives hope while they are making a positive difference in the lives of those who have been shaken by the earthquake.

I do appreciate the celebrities raising funds for the stricken Haitians. Even more, I appreciate the men and women in uniform who have raised their hands to protect and defend our constitution. They train, they work as a team, and like the Seaman and his fellow Coast Guardsmen, they are ready at a moment’s notice to respond as needed to any crisis.

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Support Our Troops by Thanking God for Military Spouses’ Service to Our Country

2010-01-23T15:12:00Z

I respect the military wives I’ve become acquainted with over the years.

Several years ago I providentially met a group of bright young ladies at the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport who were returning home from the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) International Conference.

I asked a question to the group, "Why are you passionate about being involved with the Protestant Women of the Chapel organization?" Because they soon were ready to gather up their luggage and leave for their reassigned departure gate, I had an opportunity to jot down comments from only a few of them. To protect their privacy, I’m only going to identify them by their first name initials.

"The Bible studies help women know God’s truth." –D

"It helps us grow together as the body of Christ as we come alongside each other. We’re more alert and aware what’s going on in each other’s lives. PWOC gives us an opportunity to mentor and be mentored." –J

"I’m told I’m an evangelizer, but I just consider myself friendly. Many military families move and we have to leave behind our military friends who have become like family. At each move, we have a choice. We can either stagnate at home in our pj’s–or we can have a heart for others and get out and do something with them and for them. I love the ‘sisters’ I have in PWOC. It’s tough loving them and moving on. Or if they move first, loving them and being left behind. But there is comfort knowing that the Lord loves all of us where we are, regardless where the military sends us." –T

"Being involved in the Bible studies and fellowship is a way to cohesively show our love for the Lord. We come together as a body. When you’re a military spouse, it’ s hard when we move so much, but in our new locations PWOC is a way to find and connect with others who have walked in our shoes. It’s easier to talk to someone else who has walked the same path we’re now walking." –F

I felt disappointed that I hadn’t had the time to talk with every one of the women and ask them each about their passion for attending PWOC Bible studies and fellowship. However, as they gathered their belongs and walked away as a group, their actions showed their answer louder than their words. Contagious joy. Concern for one another. Everyone pitching in to carry the load. The stronger assisting the strugglers and the leaders helping the stragglers.

They were a group of young, bright, pretty women traveling back to their homefront homes, non-deployed hubbies, children, and whatever-was-normal-for-them-routines. I watched until they turned the corner and were out of sight.

Out of sight, but not out of my mind. I sat with a fuller heart in the now-emptier departure area. I bowed my head and thanked God that their Soldier-husbands have wives who lean on the Lord and on one another. Then I added thanks that these women are positive role models to our nervous nation.

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In addition to that group of young women I met who are connected through the Protestant Women of the Chapel, I’ve since met several great gals who are part of the Military Counsel of Catholic Women (MCCW). Do you know of other faith-based organizations that support military spouses? Next week, I’ll tell you a true story about a young coastguardsman and humanitarian aid. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Thanking Military Spouses for Their Service to Our Country

2010-01-17T02:00:00Z

In November 2008, while traveling alone to join the CLASSeminar staff to train Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers, I flew to Indianapolis by way of Dallas.

Arriving at DFW, I pulled my Porter Case to Gate D-33 to wait for my next flight. The area was packed with people. Looking around, I spied one empty seat half-hidden behind a stack of luggage. After ascertained the seat wasn’t being saved for anyone else, I sat and looked around.

I found myself in the midst of a group of women. Most appeared to be young--in their 20's and 30's--but all seemed to exude a graceful maturity. Although there were no children around, my first impression was ‘young wives and moms.’ Make that ‘young, JOY-FILLED wives and moms.’

I’m curious about people. Okay, call me nosy. I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know why this group of friendly, young women were so visibly different from the other travelers in the airport who in contrast were weary, preoccupied, or wearing self-constructed cocoons.

I remarked to the young ladies in front of me, "This looks like a happy group."

They turned toward me with smiles and chorused their response. "We are."

One explained. "We just came from the Protestant Women of the Chapel International Convention held here in Dallas."

I’d heard of the organization and had been told that its members are military wives.

Most of the military wives I’ve known over my life are more my age. In the last five years, I’d also met through Blue Star Mothers some women whose husbands had also served.

It boggles my mind to consider what a refuge a military wife needs to be for husband whose often dangerous duty to our country takes him far from his family. I wondered how flexible the wife must be when her husband's transfers necessitate packing up their households to live in another part of the country–or the world. Or what resiliency and resourcefulness a military wife must have when she can’t accompany her husband and instead stays behind to keep the home fires burning until he comes back. Or what towers of strength these women must be for their children–and for their sisters military wives. I wonder if many days the military wives themselves wonder about these same questions.

I can’t help but admire most military wives. What could I possible say to acknowledge these unsung heroines? A few words had to carry my heart-felt message: "Thank you all for your service to our country."

They looked surprised, abashed and pleased.

This hasn’t been the only time I’ve thanked a military spouse. Sometimes I’ll see a young married couple out in public and one is wearing a military uniform. If it’s at all possible, I take the opportunity thank both of them for their service to our country.

My words of appreciation seems puny indeed when compared to their combined commitment to our country. Yet, they usually respond in the same manner as the young ladies I met in the airport. The spouse will usually look surprised, and they both the husband and wife will look abashed and pleased at being thanked.

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Have you ever had the opportunity to thank a military spouse for his or her service to our country? Next week, I’ll tell you more about the group of gals I met at DFW Gate D-33. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Planning Ahead and Providing Them with a Way to Communicate with Their Loved Ones Back Home-Part II

2010-01-09T17:20:00Z

Our planning and taking action in a timely manner are all part of the gift we give when we provide our troops with greeting cards they can then use to connect on special occasions with their family and friends back home. Following are some tips to help you plan:

Ask your deployed military friends or family members if greeting cards and stationery are readily available. If the answer is no, offer to send some. This isn’t the time to manipulate through guilt or be heavy handed ("You WILL write home") or manipulate through guilt ("Your mom sits around and cries because she hasn’t heard a WORD from you in weeks").

If they answer they’d like some greeting cards, find out for which holidays or special occasions they’d like to commemorate. Will they be gone over Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Or do they celebrate a less recognized holidays like Groundhog Day? How about other occasions like birthdays and new babies, graduations and get well, weddings and anniversaries? Do they want to send funny or sentimental cards? Would they also like blank note cards or stationery and envelopes?

Figure the approximate amount of time needed to ship from your mailbox to theirs. If you already correspond by mail, you may have some idea how long this takes. Or ask in a phone conversation or e-mail. If you don’t know, send earlier rather than later. It might take a week or month to deliver your gift of cards depending on where you live and where they are stationed. It can take longer than that to be delivered if your friend or family member is in training, on missions, traveling, or otherwise unavailable.

Ask for the cutoff date for mailing to a specific military address. You don’t want to send mail after that date because it will probably come right back to you.

Determine the number of greeting cards to send. One special card? A packaged assortment of greeting cards for the same holiday so they can choose one and share the rest with their buddies? Also consider their space restrictions. Some beautiful stationery sets may be impractical due to their size and weight.

Shop early in the season for holiday cards. I learned from the folks at my local Hallmark store and the Current catalogue that greeting cards follow the typical retail schedule. When you start seeing heart-shaped candy boxes wrapped in red cellophane in the shops the first few days after Christmas, you’ll probably be able to find the first batches of Valentine’s Day cards, too. Of course, if you’re a super-plan-ahead person and buy cards at the end of one season for the next, you already have a stash of cards from which to choose.

Keep alert to offerings and sales of holiday greeting cards and stationery throughout the year not only at stationery stores, but also grocery stores and discount stories, going-out-of-business sales and estate sales, airports and speciality stores, museums and conference centers gift shops. Check out mail and web-order catalogues, like Current, which ships directly to APO and FPO addresses.

One last thought. Should we pick out a card and send it to our deployed friend or family member to send back to us?

As much as we'd like to sometimes, the answer is: Nah. Tacky.

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How else can you plan ahead to give the gift of communication between the troops and the homefront? Next week I want to introduce you to some military wives I met. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Planning Ahead and Providing Them with a Way to Communicate with Their Loved Ones Back Home-Part I

2010-01-03T01:26:00Z

We can give a gift to our troops by providing them with greeting cards to connect on special occasions with family and friends back home.

Last spring I corresponded via e-mail with a young, deployed Soldier. I know her well enough to appreciate that she’s a talented letter-writer. I also knew that she’d be missing her mom and dad from half-way around the world.

I could guess how much her parents must be missing her, too.

One afternoon late in April, after sending her a short e-mail, I sat at my computer and reread her latest message. Glancing at the date of her message, my mind skipped to the days ahead and wondered if Mother’s Day cards were readily available where she was and if she wanted to send one to her mom.

I turned off my computer and went shopping. I started out with hopes of finding just the right Mother’s Day card for the young Soldier to mail to her mom. I first felt overwhelmed standing in front of the rows of cards. It normally takes me some time to pick out just the right card for my own mom. How would I know which would be THE perfect card for the young Soldier to send to her mother, a woman whom I’ve never met?

I did the best I could. I searched for cards that I’d either (1) send to my own mom and the other women who have mothered me through the years or (2) liked to have receive if my son had been deployed at the time.

In the process, I found the perfect card for my mom. I also bought six additional colorful Mother’s Day cards, the best of the best of possibilities. Back home, I slipped these extra cards, each in its pretty pastel envelope, into a care package and sent it Priority Mail to the young woman. I sent the package with a hope and a prayer that it would get to her in plenty of time so she could write a note in the card of her choice and mail it in time for her mom to receive it by Mother’s Day.

And the five extra cards? I trusted that the young woman would share them with her fellow-deployed Soldiers.

Was it foolish for me to buy a handful of Mother’s Day cards and pay the postage to send blank, unaddressed cards to our troops stationed in a far country?

I don’t think so.

Six young Soldiers were able to sit down and write notes in a greeting cards and mail them to their moms. It didn’t matter if the writing was awkward or articulate. What mattered more was that each had a chance to let his or her mother know how much she is loved.

And six more moms in America, who were missing their kids terribly, each received a tangible gift–a card to hold in her hands that had been recently held and written on by her deployed son or daughter.

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Have you ever provided greeting cards for a military friend or loved one to send to others? If so, please post a comment. Next week, I’ll write more on this topic. Copyright 2010 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Supporting Our Troops by Helping Them Become Santa Claus for a Moment in Time

2009-12-26T22:25:00Z

When your loved ones are serving our country far from home, you can give them the gift of largess.

Twenty Novembers ago, one of my friends learned that her daughter could not come home for Christmas. To respect their privacy, let's call them Martha and Rebecca. After graduating from nursing school, Rebecca moved 500 miles away from home. That year she'd drawn duty over Christmas as a night nurse in a pediatric hospital. This would be the first time any member of their tightly-knit family circle would be missing over the Christmas holidays.

The family considered traveling to Rebecca's new apartment and celebrate Christmas there, but in addition to Rebecca's work schedule, for other reasons I've long forgotten, they were not able to work it out. Saddened, the family valiantly adjusted to the new reality of a break in their closely-held holiday traditions.

I knew from Martha's laments that Rebecca wanted to be at home for Christmas with her family as much as they wanted to be with her. I tried to visualize what it must be like for Rebecca. Relatively young. Living away from home for the first time. Sincere but shy. Recently moved to another city with little time to establish a social network.

I considered also her small charges, children with no other option than to be in the hospital. Their parents who wished the children could be at home. The skeleton staff of doctors and other nurses, the lab techs and custodians who were on duty. While some businesses and industries can shut their doors so families can spend Christmas with their families, others cannot put up signs that proclaim, "Closed for the Holidays."

Even then, I knew that when we are lonely, sad, and missing our loved ones, one of the best things we can do is to reach out and help others who are also in need. If Rebecca had to work, maybe I could do something to lift her spirits. WIthout telling my friend, Martha, I knit two Christmas stockings. To the best of my remembrance, the first was blue, complete with a fuzzy, brown mohair teddy bear. Then, as the December days counted down to Christmas, I knit the other out of maroon yarn, complete with an angel wearing a pink robe and carrying a gold heraldic trumpet. A few days before Christmas, I asked Martha for Rebecca's new address so I could send her a card. Unbeknown to Martha, I also sent along the stockings and a note asking Rebecca to please take them to work with her on Christmas Eve and give them to two children who really needed them.

When I saw Martha at work a few days after Christmas, she gave me a big hug for the gift I'd given Rebecca. I also received a sweet thanks from Rebecca with a description of a special little girl and a precious little boy with whom she'd celebrated Christmas.

A few years ago, while writing a card to a chaplain in Iraq, I remembered Rebecca's first and only Christmas away from her family. Like Rebecca years before, the chaplain and the others deployed with him would rather be home for Christmas. Yet, like Rebecca and her co-workers, they would also stay faithful to their posts, for many others relied upon them to do their duty.

I didn't have time to knit Christmas stockings to send to the chaplain to give to other soldiers, so I did what I could with the time I had. I wrote a half-dozen personalized notes in Christmas cards, slipped them into unsealed envelopes, bundled them up and sent them to the chaplain. I asked him to be a lookout for other soldiers who might need an encouraging word from the home front. It wasn't much, only a half-dozen Christmas cards filled with encouragement and appreciation. But I hope it was a gift that helped the chaplain--as well as the soldiers who received the cards--to celebrate Christmas while they were stationed far from home.

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Have you sent gifts to your friends or family members in the military to share with others? Next week, I'll write abut other gift we can give to help our men and women in uniform communicate with their loved ones back home.

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Support Our Troops with Marine MotoMail

2009-12-19T21:02:00Z

Several months ago, one of my Blue Star Mother friends suggested that I tell you about Marine Moto-Mail.

Note that MotoMail is NOT available to all troops at all locations. However, if you have a Marine deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq be sure to check it out to see if MotoMail is available at his or her location. The capability has expanded so some members of the US Army, Navy and Air Force co-located with Marines may also be eligible to receive MotoMail.

My friend, whose Marine son was deployed to a location where MotoMail is available, swears by it.

Thanks to the British Forces Post Office’s hybrid mail technology (E-Bluey), the Marines launched MotoMail in December 2004. Family and friends on the US homefront can compose a letter much like an e-mail but send it electronically through the MotoMail web site to some Marines sites in Afghanistan and Iraq. Once these electronic letters are received, special MotoMail machines print, fold, seal, and address them. The letters are then sorted and delivered, usually within 24 hours unless due to war conditions external communications are restricted. The service is fast (normally), free, private, and secure.

To start, you’ll need your deployed Marine’s complete military address. (MotoMail isn’t able to provide your friend or family member’s unit number, but they give you tips on obtaining it.)

Next, visit the MotoMail.us web page which is user friendly. If you have questions, click on the Help button to read the User’s Guide and Frequently Asked Questions. Once you’ve set up your account and you’ve verified that MotoMail is available to your family member or friend, you’re ready to send a letter. However, because the MotoMail web site automatically disconnects after 30 minutes and your internet provider may time out before that, it will be wise of you to write your letter in another application and then cut and paste the body of your letter into MotoMail

Recently MotoMail added PhotoMail to allow for you to send pictures.

The MotoMail web site also includes a location where users can give feedback on their MotoMail experience. The comments about MotoMail are equally overwhelmingly enthusiastic and appreciative whether they are written by wives, parents, siblings, grandparents, friends or girlfriends.

MotoMail is a one-way delivery system. Deployed Marines may also be able to send letters home to the US at a nominal fee. For more information, go to the Superletter.Com, Inc. website.

Like my Blue Star Mom friend, I’m sure you’ll become a fan of MotoMail if you have a loved one in a location where it is available. Even if you don’t have a family member or friend who is deployed to a location where MotoMail is available, you might be able to pass along this information to someone else who can use it, perhaps one of your friends or acquaintances, co-workers or neighbors.

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Support Our Troops by Sending Care Packages Topped Off with Handwritten Notes and Cards

2009-12-12T19:29:00Z

Recently the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Blue Star Mothers shipped 780 of Christmas Care Packages to the Troops stationed around the world. Most packages were addressed to men and women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Along with hygiene items, snacks, and special goodies, each box was filled with messages of appreciation and encouragement.

The scene at the Troops Support Center resembled organized elves packing up presents in Santa’s workshop and loading his sleigh.

Everyone stepped up to their assigned tasks. Some of the experienced packers stood at duty behind a row of long tables ready to hand out presorted items from large plastic tubs.

Good-natured, caffeine-fortified volunteers braved the cold in a line that stretched out of the open bay doors. Once inside, they picked up preaddressed shipping boxes and filled each one with hygiene items: toothbrushes and toothpaste; deodorant and wet wipes; safety razors and shaving gel in non-aerosol tubes; packs of Q-tips, tissues, travel-size shampoos, conditioners and soaps. As special, special treats, each box included a handmade lap quilt as well as a miniature set of Santa’s red-felt long johns stuffed with bite-size chocolate candy bars.

When all of the hygiene boxes were filled, men with muscles stepped in and quickly removed the empty plastic tubs and replaced them with containers heavy with snack items: pop-top cans of tuna, Vienna sausages, and green chili; Slim Jims and jerky; snack cups of pudding or fruit; gum and granola bars; boxes of cookies and individually-wrapped hard candies. The volunteers again made trip after trip filling the food boxes.

My small part of the day’s larger effort was at the last packing station on a team of three to pull out a handful of greeting cards. We pulled one–and only one–card with a note handwritten by a gentleman affectionately known as Opa by the Blue Star Mothers. Since his wife, known as Oma, was the packing party chairmom, he knew exactly how many care packages we were shipping. He’d written an individualized note for each man or woman in uniform who would be receiving one of our Christmas care packages. To Opa’s card we added a couple of signed cards donated by a local utility and a packet of blank cards so the troops can write their own messages back home. Then we’d grab up a half dozen notes written by children, complete with crayon-colored stick people or American flags, and scrawling heartfelt messages like: "Thank-you for protekting me and my family"; and "You are my hero." As a final blessing, we added a preprinted note that the box had been packed by loving hands.

After topping each box with notes and cards, more volunteers checked to make sure the boxes weren’t too full or too empty then passed them to the moms and dads wielding strapping tape dispensers. From there, a line of Junior ROTC cadets and veterans, acting much like a bucket brigade, passed the packed and strapped boxes to the pickup trucks where more volunteers stacked the care packages and delivered them, escorted by an honor guard, to the Post Office.

We send our troops packages because we care about them. Every item is equally important, from the hygiene products to the snack items, from the special goodies to the notes and cards.

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Do you include handwritten notes and cards as a personal touch to your care packages? Next week, I’ll tell you another way to communicate with the troops. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops by Participating in "Let’s Say Thanks"

2009-12-05T14:52:00Z

Let’s Say Thanks is one example of American ingenuity to find a way to protect our troops’ security while still expressing our appreciation to our men and women in uniform. Xerox has partnered with a number of organizations and businesses to send millions of postcard messages submitted through the Let’s Say Thanks web site.

It’s free to you and as easy as 1-2-3.

When you visit Let’s Say Thanks you first pick from among about eighty post card designs. These were drawn by children ages six to fourteen who represent different parts of the USA.

The second step is to either select a pre-written message or to write one of your own.

The third step? Hit "Send."

Yes, it’s that easy.

If you’re writing your own message, read the message below the input box. Guidelines ask that you do not include your mailing address, e-mail address or any other personal information directly in your message and to refrain from including support for or comments about other groups, causes or organizations.

What do you do if you’re uneasy about sending a post card to someone you’ve never met? Read the FAQ’s if you’re concerned about your security.

If you’re hesitating because you’re wondering if your message will make a difference, click and read messages From The Troops.

The troops’ messages tell us so much more than ranks and branches–they say thank-you for thanking them, for thinking about them, and for praying for them.

The troops tell us about their kids, their hopes, their joys, and about sacrifices and their families.

The write about how proud they are to serve our nation. They also convey their reactions to mail call–from tears in their eyes, to smiles on their faces, and how a postcard can be precious enough to take with them wherever they go.

Some thank us on behalf of all the troops. They mention the positive effect our notes make on their morale–and on the morale of the men and women who serve with them.

They also speak of connections: reminders of home to artwork on the post card they receive that was drawn by a child from their home state.

The troops also send back photos, reminders of what makes America great. See for yourself the delight on the faces of a bunch of big burly guys holding cards from little children.

If you’ve been hesitant to send a note before, you now tell yourself, "Yes, I will do this" and step out in faith to take the three easy steps.

What happens then?

Your card and message will be printed and send to a man or woman in uniform who is currently deployed. While you can’t address the card or pick who receives it, it will go to a member of the armed services.

Let’s Give Thanks requires so little time and no money on your part. Instead, what is required of you is a grateful heart and a willingness to join others in doing a great good. When you do, you’re joining a partnership which brings a priceless gift, a personal note of encouragement, to our troops.

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Support Our Troops with Holiday Mail for Heroes

2009-11-28T21:59:00Z

Around this time of year, you may be receiving an often-forwarded but out-of-date e-mail by well-intended co-workers, friends and family members. The e-mail includes an appeal to send a greeting to "A Recovering American Hero" or "Any Wounded Soldier" at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While the heart of the person who is forwarding the e-mail is in the right place, time has moved on and unfortunately the e-mail is seriously out of date. Although our troops welcome homefront support, due to security reasons since 9-11, Walter Reed no longer processes generically addressed holiday greetings.

Please delete the message without forwarding it.

In fact, you can be proactive and do your part in keeping that e-mail from being forward ever again. On December 6, 2008, I posted a blog article, Support Our Troops by Sending Cards at Christmas–and by Assisting Our Wounded Warrior All Year Long. If you receive the out-of-date appeal, feel free, in fact, PLEASE cut and paste my blog article and send it back to the person who sent you the out-of-date e-mail. Now, be nice. Thank them first for their concern for our troops, then kindly ask them to send my blog article back to the person who forward it to them in the first place. Or answer with your thanks for their concern for our troops and politely direct them to Snopes or to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Commander’s Blog.

Now that you’ve helped save the Walter Reed mail room workers from a deluge of well-meaning mail that they must deal with but can’t deliver, you’ll want to know current information about supporting our military with holiday greetings. For instance, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have joined forces in a current, active program, Holiday Mail for Heroes, to send holiday greetings to our troops and veterans.

If you want to participate in this year’s Holiday Mail for Hero’s program, you must send your card(s) to be received by December 7, 2009.

Address your card(s) to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Those who are processing Holiday Mail for Heroes ask you to follow their guidelines, which is a simple set of do’s and don’ts:

Do’s . . .

Do sign all cards

Do entitle cards "Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran"

Do limit cards to 15 per person or 50 for school class or business group

Do bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes (there is no need to include individual envelopes and postage for cards)

Don’ts . . .

Don’t send letters

Don’t include personal information such as home or e-mail addresses

Don’t use glitter–excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounded recipients

Don’t include inserts of any kind as they must be removed in the screening process

Following these simple do’s and don’ts will assure your greeting will get to the troops. And doesn’t that make you feel good?

Also, the next time you see that out-dated e-mail in your inbox, won’t you feel good knowing you’ll have current facts at your fingertips to keep your well-meaning friends and family members well informed?

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Will you be sending a greeting through the Holiday Mail for Heroes? If so, I’d like to read your comments about your reasons, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In upcoming weeks, I’ll write about other ways you can communicate with our troops. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops with Proactive Actions and Positive Attitudes

2009-11-21T20:00:00Z

It’s refreshing to hear from the troops for their perspective about how we can support them from the home front.

A few months ago, I met Lt. Tom McCandless, US Navy, and his wife, Becky, at a Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Blue Star Mothers meeting. Tom and Becky were visited his parents, Dave and Carolyn McCandless, who are an active Blue Star Mother and Blue Star Dad respectively.

Later, I had the opportunity to chat with Tom, who knew he would be deploying to Iraq soon. He’s been to the Persian Gulf before on a ship, but he will be on the ground this time. When I talked with Tom, he was in the middle of the pre-deployment planning and packing, making sure all the bases were covered and that all the paperwork was done.

Tom had to pack light so he was picky about what he actually took with him. He planned to take his lap top computer for work, and depending on the internet connection he will also use it for e-mail, news, downloading music, books, and movies. Along with his gear and bedding, he also planed to take such items as body wipes, hand sanitizer, books, magazines, and of course, pictures from home.

Since I’m always interested in learning how we all can better support our men and women in uniform, I asked him what kind of home front support the troops appreciate.

"The big thing is the packages," he replied.

I know the Blue Star Mothers work hard to identify both the items the troops want and need in the care packages, as well to avoid items the troops don’t need, because we want to make the best use of our resources, time, and energy.

"What did you like best in the care packages?"

"Gatorade®, DVDs and books."

Knowing that Tom is from New Mexico, I couldn’t resist asking. "How about the green chili?"

He laughed. "Yes, the little packages of 505 chili."

"Are there items we send that you can’t use?"

"We can always give things to the local kids to help them," he said.

I’d heard that before, that our deployed troops foster good will by helping the local children where they are based.

I sensed in talking with Tom, that the little actions and encouragement and positive attitude of the home front toward our troops are the best support we can give them, individually and collectively.

Tom has now deployed with the support and prayers of his wife and parents, family and friends. He and his fellow Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen are also supported by the proactive actions and positive attitudes of numerous organizations and many, many individuals–like you.

We pray Godspeed for Tom and for all our troops.

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How do you specifically support those you know and love who are serving in the military? How have you found you best support our troops with your actions and your attitudes? Next week, I’ll share with you more about keeping the lines of communications open with our troops. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops with Prayer Walks

2009-11-14T17:42:00Z

Last weekend, some prayer warriors attending the CLASS Christian Writers Conference joined me in the World Tour Run in honor of Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II.

The official walk/run was held in New Jersey on Sunday. I scheduled our participation at the Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico to be held Saturday because most of the writers left the conference on Sunday. Instead of a run we actually walked two miles. I don’t know what was planned in other location around the world, but I decided that we’d honor Lt. Zilinski’s memory with a prayer walk for all our troops.

The prior week, I’d officially signed up for the World Tour Run. While it was possible I’d be the only one walking in memory of Lt. Zilinski, I stepped out in faith that others would join me.

I often pray when I walk, but I don’t remember participating in an official prayer walk before. Having no other role model, I prayed about how to organize our participation in the World Tour Run. In the midst of preparing for the writers conference, I also identified nine prayer walk focus areas and searched Bible software for relevant Scripture.

A few days later at the writers conference I made an announcement at one of the meals asking those who wanted to participate to meet in front of the dining hall Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Some people wanted to participate but couldn’t due to health issues or other commitments at that time. Although they couldn’t physically join us in the prayer walk, I encouraged them to participate and represent the home front’s prayer for our troops by praying wherever they were.

Many of the participants weren’t acclimated to the 6500' elevation high-desert so I chose a fairly level, one-mile oval track that we could circle twice. The morning of the prayer walk a friend drove me around the track in a golf cart to save me time and to save my dress shoes from being scuffed. Approximately every eighth of a mile, she stopped and I hopped out to tie yellow ribbons on the tips of the chamisa, sagebrush, or trees that grew alongside the dirt track. When finished, she tied the one remaining yellow ribbon on the roof of the golf chart before she waved goodbye and drove away on another mission of mercy.

Saturday’s weather was perfect–deep blue cloudless skies, calm air, and the temperature in the mid 60's. In the afternoon I put on my walking shoes, layered the black World-Tour-Run T-shirt over my white blouse and black pants, and waited in front of the dining hall. A diverse group showed up–men and women, veterans and civilians representing a wide range of ages. However, we shared a common love and concern for our nation’s troops and a desire to pray for them.

Each lap, we stopped and took turns untying half the yellow ribbons at each of the eight locations around the track. This gave a breather for those who needed one, and everyone took away yellow-ribbon mementos as tangible reminders to pray for our troops.

As we walked, we prayed for our leaders and those in authority; for our chaplains; for our troops’ faith, strength, protection, wisdom, and healing; for families mourning the loss of their loved ones; and for homecomings. Part of our group prayed silently as we circled the track, others prayed out loud. Some prayed Scripture, some prayed from wisdom gained from personal experiences, and some prayed as the Spirit prompted.

By the time we rounded the last curve, nature seemed to join us in wrapping up the prayer walk. The sun slid behind the mountains, the temperature dropped and the light began to fade. Yet, as we said our last amen, the warmth of our fellowship assured us that we’d done a good thing by joining together to support our troops in prayer.

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Have you ever participated in a prayer walk for our troops? I’d love to hear about it. Next week, I’ll introduce you to a recently deployed young sailor. His mom asked for prayers for him, too. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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Support Our Troops with Digz 4 Dignity

2009-11-07T17:16:00Z

The Run with Dennis takes place tomorrow. But what happens the day after that?

Well, it may not be exactly the next day, but soon the Zilinski family will continue with their latest endeavor.

In the past, the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Foundation has supported our nation’s troops in various ways. The program is called ‘Outfit a Wounded Soldier’, and provides hospital garments to service men and women. Through fundraising efforts and generous donations, The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Foundation is able to gift soldiers with two pairs of Digz 4 Dignity hospital garments designed for medical access with full coverage.

In war, the troops cover each other’s backs. In the hospital, Digz 4 Dignity hospital garments cover the backsides of the wounded and ill. Digz 4 Dignity alleviates the embarrassment of flapping open-backed gowns.

The Digz 4 Dignity two-piece set design is similar to regular pajamas. The familiar fit and attractive fabrics are enhanced with hidden medical access provided by snaps down both the sleeves and the pants. The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Foundation requested a custom design and now provides two-piece sets with shorts to better serve the amputees.

The hospital garments are treated with the leading antimicrobial solution. The innovative technology adds a protective barrier to the fabric providing patients with a piece of mind. Research shows that antimicrobials inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, microbes, mold and fungi, while adding to the durability of the fabric.

When the wounded troops are discharged, many on an outpatient basis, they take their comfortable and dignity-saving pajamas with them. These are washable and require only normal care.

The Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Foundation aspires to offer Digz 4 Dignity to all military medial centers their ‘Outfit a Wounded Soldier’ program. Lt. Zilinski’s mother is searching for corporate sponsors to help provide even more of these patient garments to our hospitalized troops.

She is also well aware of the strength of grassroot support. "If every person in America sent one dollar–only one dollar each–do you know what we could do with that to support our troops? Do you know how many Digz for Dignity sets we could order and send military medical centers?"

Yes, that would show a whopping support for the troops.

The Run with Dennis participants will soon cross the finish line, but the work of the Dennis W. Zilinski, II Foundation continues.

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Support Our Troops by Participating in the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Run/Walk

2009-10-31T13:46:00Z

Every generation has its heroes. Although the Zilinski family lost their son and brother in service to our country, they continue to support our troops through the Lt. Dennis Zilinski, II Memorial Fund.

November 8, 2009, an estimated 1,000 participants will line up for the fourth annual Run with Dennis in Holmdel, New Jersey. West Point swim team cadets, seasoned soldiers, high school students, grandmothers, and local runners and walkers will be rubbing shoulders at the starting line.

It’s a tough, hilly course, dubbed the Ranger Run. However, the goal of the memorial run and walk is not to work on an individual best time. Instead, the participants are joined together in much larger goals:

Honor the life and memory of U.S. Army Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II,

Provide support to improve the morale and welfare of members of the United States Armed Forces and their families, and

Invest in the future of high school students who embody the leadership qualities and community spirit of Lt. Zilinski.

Lt. Zilinski would be proud of his parents and siblings who continue to celebrate his life while making the world a better place for others. Since the inception of the first run/walk in 2006, proceeds from the Memorial Fund have been given to a wide variety of organizations and efforts. For example, donations have been made to The Fisher House (temporary lodging near military medical facilities for family members); Underwater Warriors (scuba lessons and dives for men and women who have suffered loss of limb and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in military service); Reserve Aid (critical financial support for families of reservists with reduced income as the result of the breadwinner being called to active service); and providing the means to remodel a bathroom so an amputee could come home to live.

Recipients of partial scholarships at Lt. Zilinski’s former high school have also stepped forward to support our troops in numerous ways. One scholarship recipient held pasta dinners and raised $5,000 each year. A total of $10,000 in phone cards were mailed to soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Another scholarship recipient collected soccer balls, footballs, baseballs, mitts, and other sporting goods, and shipping the Sports-in-a-Box to soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. A third project included organizing a prayer team that meets weekly to pray for our soldiers.

The deadline is today, October 31^st 2009, for participating in this year’s memorial run/walk. If you can’t make it to New Jersey, you can still sign up for the World Tour Run. An estimated 75-100 individuals will run and walk in remote locations in memory of Lt. Zilinski. Some participants will be his squad members, classmates, and friends who are now stationed and deployed all around the globe in places like Hawaii, Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Korea. Other participants will be people like you and me who have only heard about the memorial run/walk yet want to show our support.

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Do you want to participate in the Run with Dennis or the World Tour Run? Be sure to sign up today if you want a T-shirt. I’ll be leading a two-mile prayer walk for our troops at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference at Ghost Ranch, near Abiquiu, NM. Next week, I’ll tell you more about the Zilinski’s current focus for donations. Copyright 2009 Linda Jewell. All Rights Reserved.

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