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TalkingWithHeroes.Com
Live On The Road Talk Show Program
National Marine Parents United Conference
"United in Freedom"
Westfield Marriott Washington Dulles - Chantilly, VA
Touring Dates - July 23 - 24, 2008 are separate from the
Conference Dates - July 25 - 27, 2008
This Talk Show was LIVE
July 26, 2008
On The StardustRadio.Com Network
To Listen to the First Hour 24/7 CLICK HERE
To Listen to the Second Hour 24/7 CLICK HERE
Soon everybody will be able to Watch all of these Interviews on their Computers on the Freedom Broadcast Network www.myfbn.com
Details will be by each guests bios below!
Thank you to the following for making this program possible: Joyce with www.marineparentsunited.com
Alan Gray with www.newsblaze.com
Patti Bader Founder of www.soldiersangels.org
Linda - Founder of www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org
Car Title Loans - No Credit Check www.cashpointva.com
Debbie Gregory Founder of www.militaryconnection.com
HOST: Bob Calvert
FILMED BY: Alan Gray Owner of www.newsblaze.com
GUESTS:
Joyce Gilmour, Military Mom
Treasurer of Marine Parents United
www.marineparentsunited.com
This journey all began on a Monday evening in March of 2001, when my son informed us at dinner that he was not going to a job interview because he had decided to join the Marines. We had NO CLUE that this was even a consideration. It threw us into a bit of a shock and we realized that we had a lot to learn. He also told us that the recruiter would be coming for a visit on Wednesday evening and taking him for his physical, etc. Oh my…..this was just the beginning to a whole new adventure, or what most Marine moms and dads call “the rollercoaster ride.”
There are many stories I could share, but I wasn’t asked to write a “book.” I guess the next important part of where I am heading, is that I spent the first six weeks of boot camp trying to find out everything and anything that I could about the USMC. I happened onto the Marine Moms and Dads yahoo group and discovered the most wonderful group of supportive people. I could always get questions answered. There was one great dad and we discovered his son was in the same group as mine, and the dad took the time to type out his son’s letters to me, so I would know what was going on. My son didn’t spend time in the middle of the night in the head writing letters. I became very bonded to a group of parents through this online support group.
From that group, a handful of us decided to meet out west for a weekend gathering. It was at that gathering that the idea for Marine Parents United came to be, and this year we are holding our FIFTH annual conference. Each year the conference changes a bit and we are looking forward to celebrating our freedom this year, out in Chantilly, VA, just outside of Washington, DC.
Our board has ten members from all over the United States, from the west coast to the east coast. We are the moms and dads of active Marines (and also several active Army soldiers), inactive reservists, active reservists, recalled Marines, and a Fallen Hero. We are fortunate to have connections with very special folks in the military as our advisors.
Please check out what Conference 2008 has in store for attendees. We have made many lasting friendships by attending conferences over the past four years. We hope that you will be able to join us this year in Chantilly (DC).
Joyce and Adam Gilmour
Cpl Adam Gilmour
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Allison Barber
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil
WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON
WWW.MYFBN.COM CHANNEL 4
Allison Barber is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Liaison and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Internal Communications. In this role, she is responsible for the Department's communication to the men and women of the military, worldwide, for community relations programs that link citizens to members of the Armed Forces at home and abroad and for the internal operations of the department.
Since 2001, she has led the evolution of the DOD internal communications enterprise into a dynamic mix of old and new mediums utilized to target specific information to the diverse worldwide military audience and the domestic general public.
Under her leadership, over the last three years the Department of Defense has launched the Pentagon Channel, the America Supports You program, the DOD New Media Operation and the Department’s new Speakers Bureau Program called Why We Serve. She also manages the Secretary's Joint Civilian Orientation program and oversees policies and initiatives that provide communities and other organizations with opportunities to better understand Defense activities and strengthen support of America's Armed Forces.
As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Internal Communications, she identified the missing capability to communicate military news and information directly to the military audience. Four years ago, she led her team to create the Pentagon Channel, a full time broadcast and webcast channel created by the military for the military, followed in 2006 with the Pentagon Channel podcast and videocast. Both the webcast and podcast have set records in viewership numbers and penetration. Breaking all tradition, networks will now accept feeds from the Pentagon Channel. The most recent success is a partnership with Discovery Military Channel.
She also runs the newly formed New Media team which focuses on utilizing emerging technology to communicate with both the military audience and the general public.
In response to questions from deployed forces about levels of support from the home front, Allison created the award-winning America Supports You program (www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil ) to help the American people find ways to support the military and their families and communicate that support directly to the troops. In less than three years, the program now includes 370 grassroots organizations that conduct diverse initiatives that support the military; 40 corporate partners that leverage its properties to build the America Supports You brand and provide real benefits to the military; and enjoys the support of all major broadcast networks.
Most recently, Allison and her team launched the Why We Serve program. The program is comprised of returning military members who are sent on a speaker’s circuit across the country where they tell their personal experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to these new programs, Allison oversees the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. Begun in 1948, this program educates business and community leaders about the U.S. military by bringing the leaders to U.S. military bases worldwide.
The operational components of Ms. Barber's organization are American Forces Radio and Television, the Pentagon Channel, the American Forces Press Service, the Department's Internet Web Operations and New Media, the Defense Media Center, and Stars and Stripes newspaper. American Forces Radio and Television (AFRTS) broadcasts news, information and entertainment programming to more than 800,000 deployed military and their families worldwide.
The Defense Media Center procures and broadcasts programming for AFRTS and is the contracting office for the broadcast requirements. American Forces Press Service produces news and feature articles on all aspects of military life, with articles posted on www.defenselink.mil, the Defense Department homepage.
Allison was recognized as the "Communicator of the Year" for 2006 by the National Association of Government Communicators.
Prior Experience: Ms. Barber comes to her position with extensive experience in public relations, marketing and advertising. Previously, she was President of Sodenta Public Relations; President of the Washington D.C. office of PlowShare, a Connecticut-based advertising agency, and a Public Relations Director for the American Red Cross. From 1986 to 1991, Barber was a grade school teacher at Merrillville Public School in Indiana and served as Vice President of the Teachers Association.
Education: Ms. Barber holds a BS in Elementary Education from Tennessee Temple University and a MS in Elementary Education from Indiana University.
Ms. Barber is an Army wife whose husband was activated to serve in Iraq in 2004.
AmericaSupportsYou.mil is an official Department of Defense web site
Allison Barber
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Al Andres, Technical Marketing Engineer, Cisco Systems
CISCO Employees Troop Support Group
Commander of Department of Pennsylvania's American Legion Post 431 in Parkesburg, PA
Al Andres served in the US Navy, 1961-1964 as a Fire Controlman (E-5) and was on the USS Topeka (CLG-8) and responded to the Tonkin Gulf two days after the PT boats attacked the USS Turner Joy, and the USS Maddox in 1964 officially starting the Viet Nam War. He spent the next 2 months there before finally returning to the States and going into the Reserves for 2 more years
Al has been in the telecommunications industry, and working with Operations Support Systems (OSS) for over 30 years. He was instrumental in standardizing the first SONET Next Generation Digital Loop Carrier system for use in the RBOC’s by providing the direction to interface the DSC Litespan-2000 to all of the then Bell Operating Companies OSS’s. He insured that all of the issues that dealt with Provisioning, Testing, Maintenance, and Administration were solved, including the support of TR-303. He worked with Bellcore, now Telcordia, to change their OSMINE process to support other vendors products, which led to flow through of all orders after implementation of the characterization of the Litespan in the provisioning and assignment systems, including Facility Assignment and Control System (FACS) and the Trunk Integrated Record Keeping System (TIRKS).
His strategic leadership created over $1.0B of Litespan system sales in the United States in less than 6 years. He has written articles, and presented papers that have dealt with the need for OSS support of vendor products for over 10 years.
He has an extensive Telco background, and spent over 15 years in Pacific Bell (Now AT&T), AT&T (Defunct as of 1984), and Western Electric (now Lucent-Alcatel), where he has held product management, sales, business development, strategic planning, and operations positions, all centered around OSS issues.
Prior to joining Cisco, he was with Unisys, where he evolved their SNMP interface to their main frame computer Voice Mail Platforms to create a Telecommuncation Management Network (TMN) interface to the Service Provider world. He developed relationships with external partners to create an SNMP to CORBA conversion, and to obtain TMN compliant internals that allowed for the management of the Unisys Main Frame Voice Mail Platforms by Service Providers.
Al now lives in Kent County, Delaware with his wife Kay. He is an instrument rated private pilot and was involved in public education as an elected member of the Board of Education in Petaluma, CA for over 10 years before moving to Pennsylvania in 1994. He was an elected member of the Coatesville Area School District for 2 years prior to moving to Delaware. He is the Commander of the American Legion Post 431 in Parkesburg, PA, and a Life Member of the VFW. He has served on the Selective Service Local Boards in California, Pennsylvania, and now Delaware as a member, and President.
Go To http://pa-legion.com/soccer.shtml and check out how the Pennsylvania covered the shipping costs to ship 5,000 soccer balls over to military units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also helping was the USO, AYSO who donated the soccer balls and the CISCO Emplyees Troop Support Group.
To listen to a previous interview with Al Andres go to a program with CISCO Troop Support Employees that aired May 4, 2008. CLICK HERE to listen
AL Andres
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Bron R. Mogenis, President of BRM Associates
Bron Mogenis is recently retired from the Transportation Security Solutions Division of Lockheed Martin. He continues with security consulting and lecturing to major IT Companies and Academic Institutions involved in research pertinent to Counter Terrorism to facilitate enhanced security as well as business growth.
Bron was previously employed at the FBI for over 26 years, and continues to work on security related issues throughout the world. He holds a BA from the University of Maryland, an MA from Pepperdine, and a MS from George Washington University. He established the first college accredited Police Curriculum (American University) for D.C. Police recruits. And he was assigned as an Instructor at the FBI Academy taught Hostage Negotiations, Psychological Analysis of Crime Scenes, Criminals, Psychological Profiling of Serial Killers, and Assassins.
Bron received formal recognition from every FBI Director, and was awarded the highest Award of Merit given to civilians by the German Government while assigned as FBI Legal Attaché to the US Embassy in Germany. He also received special recognition from the President of the German Federal Criminal Police for a successful Counter Terrorism investigation that led to major “Red Cell’ apprehensions.
In 2007 Bron received ‘The Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award for working with wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. He speaks fluently in German, Lithuanian, and French.
He was recently elected to the position of Vice Commander of the Department of the District of Columbia, American Legion (AL), which Department oversees twenty four AL Posts including the FBI, US State Department, Department of Commerce, US Press Club and other DC Posts. In this connection, on August 22-28,2008 He will be a Distinguished Guest at the Ninetieth Annual National Convention of the AL in Phoenix, AZ.
Bron Mogenis
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Nina Gayheart
National Director, Area Manager
www.oidelivers.org
Real People Sending Real Care Packages To Real Heroes
Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® Powered by Interdependence®
A Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® delivering over 50,000 C-rats® every month
Operation Interdependence® is the brainchild of retired chief warrant officer Albert R. Renteria.The idea began to formulate during Renteria’s tour of duty in the 1991 Gulf War. There, Renteria served as an active manpower officer. Among other responsibilities, he was charged with the task of supporting the requirement to assign personnel to receive and distribute “civilian care donations” (goods donated by civilians and U. S. companies, for use by individuals stationed abroad). While supporting this requirement, he was exposed to the challenges of dividing and delivering these items to individuals, without compromising the manpower required for the particular mission’s needs.
Nina says: I was born in Kerrville, Texas in 1955. Moved to Austin, Texas at the age of 7. I graduated from Crockett High School in 1973. I married my husband, Laine, in 1974. We have two children, one boy and one girl. Our Son joined the USMC in 2003. Laine and I still live in Austin, Texas. After the birth of our daughter, I opened my own Daycare in our home, and did that for 7 years. I have always worked in the outside world as an Administrative Assistant, and currently enjoy my service to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, and have been in this position for 13 years. I enjoy sewing, ceramics, and home improvement projects. I am currently volunteering my time as the Area Manager and National Director for Operation Interdependence® here in Austin Texas.
Two children: Sgt James E. Gayheart USMC OIF Vet 23 years old, and Colynda N. Gayheart 21 years old.
When our son James came home the summer after his graduation in 2003 and announced that he had joined the USMC, I simply shook his hand and told him that I was very proud of him. I also asked this question: “Son why did you choose the USMC? Both of your grandfathers are USAF.” He responded, “Mom I want a challenge and I want to be the the best.” I didn’t cry, I didn’t waiver. I just shook his hand and reminded him that he would be going to Iraq, and was he aware of that.
I went into action after a short time to depress. I started thinking about his imminent trip to Iraq. When he finished his MOS training he was on his way to New River MCAS and I knew that the Squadron he was assigned to was in Iraq. I went on the website to discover that there were things that our troops did not have access to.
I found Operation Interdependence and started the process of becoming a volunteer. I became the Austin TX Area Manager by March 2005. We have many volunteers and many businesses, Scout groups, schools, and churches who donate product as well as postage dollars.
I am now also a National Director for OI. We have shipped over 60,000 quart sized zip lock baggies from Austin TX since Nov. 11, 2004, and we have 3 locations around Austin where volunteers gather for about 3-4 hours to pack and write notes. Currently OI Austin reaches over 1,750 troops each and every month like clockwork.
My Son, is on his 2nd deployment, and again is a recipient of those goodies from home. We ship 5 boxes to his Squadron of 250 men and women every month.
I invite you to visit the Operation Interdependence® website, www.oidelivers.org We are a 501 © (3) Non-Profit. 100% Volunteer Organization.
Nina Gayheart
Below is a PSA to give a brief snapshot of OI:
http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nab/nab2008/
http://www.tvworldwide.com/videosearch.cfm?search=Nina+Gayheart&channel=0&Go=Go
http://206.71.171.81/IO_SEPTEMBER2006oi.wmv
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=199237
http://www.nimitz.navy.mil/_files/pdf/051907.pdf
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SSGT Michael W. Nichols, USMC
Senior Drill Instructor in the Marine Boot Camp Documentary film called “Ears, Open; Eyeballs, Click."
In Feb 1995, I joined the Marine Corps with my brother Boe who had been in the delay entry program for about a year. Two weeks prior to him leaving for boot camp, his recruiter offered me a 1000 dollar signing bonus and off to boot camp I went with my brother. Three days into boot camp, my brother slipped a disc in his back and could no longer continue training. I had the option to leave with him, since we were on the buddy program but he asked me to stay and make it through for both of us. Well, I did and graduated May 5, 1995.
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Patti Smith, founder and President of
Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines
Organizer for Operation Santa
www.operationsanta.info
Patti Smith is a Proud Marine mom of 2 of the Few. Patti Smith is founder and serves as president of Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines and she is also organizer for Operation Santa which serves the Midwest/USA. Operataio Santa will ship 30,000 stockings to our deployed this holiday.
www.operationsanta.info - Click on Our History for their history!
She is also president of the only Illinois Blue Star Mothers of America chapter and location leader for Wreaths Across America for Peoria, Illinois.
She is Married to Greg. Together they have five children and five grandchildren.
www.operationsanta.info
vpm of Sis & her fam
LCpl. Jesse USMC Vet
Cpl. Josey -Iraqi War Vet x 2 HOME SAFE!!!
Patti Smith
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BEGINNING OF SECOND HOUR
The Honorable B. Robert Okun
Chairman & CEO
Bob joined NBC in February 1995 as Vice President Washington. As head of NBC's Washington office, his responsibilities include coordinating the development of NBC's policy positions on legislative and regulatory issues and representing NBC's positions to the Congress, the Administration and the FCC.
Bob has served as Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs at the U. S. Department of Education (1991-1992) and was Floor Assistant to former House Republican Leader, Robert Michel. In this position, he served as principal liaison to the Senate, as well as to governors, mayors and other leaders and groups involved in the legislative process.
In the House of Representatives, he has long experience as Executive Director of the Republican Conference (1989-1991), Executive Director of the Republican Policy Committee (1987-1988), and Executive Director of the House Republican Research Committee (1983-1986).
He also served in the House as Staff Director for the Task Force on Regulatory Reform (1981-1983) that focused on telecommunications regulation reform.
Bob is summa cum laude graduate of Duke University with an honors degree in economics. He studied economic history at New College, Oxford, England. He serves on the Boards of the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, So Others Might Eat, the Children's National Medical Center Foundation and Thanks USA. www.thanksusa.org
Bob is married to Deanna Okun, has two daughters, Rachel and Kelsi, and resides in Virginia.
Bob with his wife Deanna Okun and their two daughters,
Rachel and Kelsi
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Paula L. Zwillinger
Founder/President of Semper Fi Parents of
Hudson Valley, NY
http://www.semperfiparentshv.org/
Gold Star Parent of LCPL Robert Mininger
As a Blue Star Mother, Paula is Founder/President of Semper Fi Parents of Hudson Valley, NY. What started off as a support group in November of 2004 for Marine parents has now grown to encompass parents from all branches of the service. Identifying the lack of a parent packet, Paula wrote a Welcome Parent Packet for those new Marine Parents whose children have been recruited. This packet is now being utilized in 3 counties within New York State.
Paula became a Gold Star Parent on June 6, 2005 with the loss of her son LCPL Robert Mininger. Robert was killed in action in Anbar Province, with injuries sustained from and IED.
Five months after HBO completed the documentary, “Baghdad ER”, Paula was notified of her son’s emergency care being documented on camera. As a Gold Star Parent, Paula was involved with the editing process along with the media releases. This documentary won 4 Emmy Awards along with a Peabody Award in 2006. Paula takes pride in continuing her work with HBO in the documentaries, “Alive Day Memories” along with a new one forthcoming on Arlington National Cemetery
Paula attended Marine Parents United 2nd Annual Conference in Kansas City 07/2005. She was then appointed to the Marine Parents United Board as the First Gold Star Parent to sit on the board. As part of the Marine Parents United Board member for 2005-2008, Paula formats educational excursions. One of these trips was to the School of Infantry in North Carolina. Per the USMC, this was the first such event to be held for parents.
Paula once again has become a Blue Star Mother with her sole surviving son LCPL Greg Mininger signing to join the USMC. Greg is now a police officer in Marietta, Georgia, and continues his reserve duty in Alabama within the anti-terrorism unit.
The work of Semper Fi Parents continues, successfully holding their annual “Support the Troops” Golf Tournament.
Beth Pennington, Founder
www.militarymissionsonline.com
Military Missions is just one of many organizations that is sending care packages overseas to our deployed military but it stands out as different from most others.
Military Missions has decided to go “BEYOND THE YELLOW RIBBON” in supporting, not only our deployed military, but their families here at home. Military Missions is a Christ-centered, non-profit, support organization based in Lexington, Kentucky.
Through sending care packages and cards of encouragement to our military, group members have been blessed to come to know military families, wives, children, mothers, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the fiancées, girlfriends, neighbors, and friends of our Armed Forces.
Each has a story and each has a desire to do something for our troops. To see these hearts overflowing with love for our military and our nation is an amazing blessing. In meeting all of the military family members it has become apparent that it is not easy to live on “this side of deployment”. With that in mind, Military Missions began to support the military family members that also serve. The organization reaches out to military family members in local communities, finds the needs within the community at any given time, and then works to facilitate the administration of meeting needs.
f you know of a military family that is trying to survive deployment please share with them, the ministry of Military Missions. If you are interested in helping with ongoing support needs for the family members of those in our communities that are from military families, please contact Beth Pennington at militarymissions@insightbb.com
It would be our honor to add your hero to our care package and prayer list. Contact us for more information. To find out more about our bimonthly fellowship group meetings, monthly care package events, or how to host your own Care Package Party, please visit our website at www.militarymissionsonline.com today.
Beth Pennington
Dave Pennington in Fallujah
Beth Pennington with her son David
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Mariann Jordan - President of Marine Parents United
Mariann Jordan is mom to two Marines, daughter, Jane Lynn, east coast airwing, and son Phillip, west coast ground forces (3 tours in Iraq). She also is mom to Cassandra, 8 years old, undefeated soccer team spring 2008. She is the wife of Dana M. Jordan of Braintree. Mariann is YaYa to Noura, Ethan, and soon-to-be new baby boy.
She recently graduated from Laboure College in Health Information Technologies (RHIT), was on the Dean’s List for several semesters. She also has degrees in Liberal Arts, Computer Science, and Horticultural Science. She loves to travel and spend time with good friends, family, and good food.
Mariann Jordan
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Bridget C. Cantrell, Ph.D.
www.heartstowardhome.com
Dr. Bridget Cantrell was appointed the 2004 Outstanding Female Non-Veteran for her service to veterans by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
She has her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a private practitioner. Dr. Cantrell is one of a small number of specially selected and trained mental health providers for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD Program. She is also a provider under the Mental Health Fee Service Program, Puget Sound Veterans Health Care System (Seattle VA Medical Center).
Specializing in trauma for several years her primary work now encompasses treating war veterans from all eras and their family members. She also works with those veterans who have been sexually abused while serving in the military. In 2003, she received the Highest Productivity award for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) PTSD program.
Her extensive work with PTSD has also afforded her the opportunity to provide services for the Crime Victims Compensation Program for the State of Washington. She is also a consultant and expert witness in forensic cases.
In the Spring of 2004, Dr. Cantrell was requested by the U.S. Army to provide mental health services to the paratroopers of the 173d Airborne Brigade stationed in Vicenza, Italy. While there, she focused upon helping these troops reintegrate with their loved ones and readjust to peacetime conditions after their prolonged combat exposure in Northern Iraq. Information and observations from this time of working with the Iraqi Freedom veterans gave birth to a new workbook course entitled “Turning Your Heart Toward Home." The book and course is co-authored with veteran writer, Chuck Dean.
Dr. Cantrell is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS) and The International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington, a Nationally Board Certified Mental Health Counselor.
Presently, she provides mental health services to active duty from all branches of the military, reservists, and Washington State National Guard troops and their families. This work focuses on treating military personnel who have experienced combat exposure or trauma, family deployment stress and readjustment issues after coming home. She helps family members better support themselves and their deployed loved ones. Dr. Cantrell is also involved with veteran advocacy at the Federal and State level to uphold the rights and ensure proper treatment of veterans.
She lives in Bellingham, Washington, and has offices in both Bellingham and Everett, Washington.
Dr. Bridget Cantrell
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Virginia Cano
United States Marine Mom of three
My name is Virginia Cano. I am very proud that I come from a very large military family which covers every branch of service. However, the proudest title I proclaim, is United States Marine Mom of three.
Although I have had much experience with the military through all of my family, nothing can compare to the journey that I have been blessed to travel as Marine Mom. I unlike most parents was not surprised when my children informed me of their decision to become a Marine. I knew my children would follow the path, they were born to be part of the most elite. I truly believe all Marines were born to be Marines.
My daughter Christina, was my first Marine, she actively served from 2001-2005. My son Stephen, joined in 2004 and is currently deployed in Iraq. My third Marine is my son-in-law Winston, who joined the Corps in 2000 and is currently stationed in Miramar.
As a seasoned Marine Mom, and walking billboard for the United States Marine Corps, I have mentored many parents during my journey. I am very fortunate to encounter many families in need of support through the numerous military organizations for which I volunteer. It is exciting to share my passion, knowledge, and pride with anyone that needs that special love, support, and understanding that only someone who has walked in those shoes, can truly understand. Being a Marine Mom is the ultimate joy in my life. My babies, my Marines, are my heroes. In addition to my children, "every" Marine, is My Marine,they are the people I respect most in the entire world.
Semper Fi and OohRah!
Virginia Cano
PMM of Cpl. Stephen Sabedra, U.S.M.C. DEPLOYED
PMMil of Sgt. Winston Labriel, U.S.M.C.
PMM of Sgt. Christina Labriel, U.S.M.C.
2001-2005and future Marine, Nia Labriel - Devil Pup
Proud Marine Mom
Christina and Winston USMC Birthday Ball
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Scott Burgess
Community Relations & Advertising Specialist
Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
I oversee various functions including advertising, public relations, community relations, philanthropy and corporate contributions for Accident Fund Insurance Company of America. We are a the 9th. largest private workers compensation company in the country. It is through my work that I first became acquainted with Marine Parents United. Accident Fund has supported the Marine Parents United Conference financially
for the past three years, as we support various organizations dedicated to providing services to United States military personnel, both active personnel and veterans. Some of the organizations Accident Fund supports include The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children located in Eaton Rapids; Brain Injury Association of Michigan Veterans Program and the Michigan National Guard Family Support
Program.
Accident Fund also has an energetic and dedicated group of employees that send packages to our military employees, family members and friends serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and other locations and ships supporting the Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As an organization, we believe military support programs are the most noble causes to which we can dedicates some of our limited financial and human resources.
From a family and personal perspective, my wife, Hilda Mejia Abreu, and I also support our troops and their families with personal donations. We are also proud members of the Michigan Patriot Guard Riders. Our personal commitment is rooted in our belief that there is nothing more important we can do as American citizens during this time of war than to support those engaged in the war effort. We live in Onondaga Michigan, not far from Detroit, my home town. Hilda is from the Dominican Republic, and she brings her own special perspective on what it means to be an American.
We are a military family. My brother, Lt. Col. Robert Hulslander, United States Army, Retired, has served two tours to Iraq and one tour to Afghanistan. He misses much about the Army, but loves being home, close to family. He is currently working with Johns Hopkins University as a liaison to the Army in Norfolk, Virginia.
His daughter, my niece, Siobhan Hulslander is a Third Year Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is not sure in what she may specialize in the Air Force, but like all active military personnel or those attending services academies, they will be engaged in the Global War on Terror in some capacity. We will be with Siobhan every step of the way. Aside from excelling at the Air Force Academy both scholastically and in practical military disciplines, Siobhan is also on the Varsity Cheer Squad. We are immensely proud of both Robert and Siobhan for their commitment to country and their deep lying
patriotism.
I look forward to making many new friends at the conference in Chantilly. It will be an honor to be surrounded by Marines, their families and their friends in our National's Capitol!
Scott Burgess
Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
232 South Capitol Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48901-7990
Phone: 517-367-8557
Scott Burgess
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Matthew Dick, www.soldiersangels.org
I was introduced to Soldiers Angels from a Washington Post article back in July 2005. I sent an e-mail out to SA asking how I could get involved. Actually how my wife Lisa and I could get involved. we started on a small scale with making no-sew fleece blankets for Marianne in SA Germany. We started to adopt individual units and soldiers and started spreading the word about the good works Patti and her organization was doing on behalf of the troops.
Last year I ran the Marine Corps Marathon as a member of the Fisher House team. Patti sponsored me. Last October through the works, kindness, and genorosity of a great deal of folks and through the care and tending of my wife Lisa, we made and shipped 168 blankets to Marianne in SA Germany
http://soldiersangelsgermany.blogspot.com/2007/10/very-special-day.html
This past August Patti asked me to help out a young LT. {A group of Army rangers, she explained, had been on patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan, gathering information and verifying intelligence about insurgent activities in the area. Suddenly, they were surrounded and attacked by a much larger force. In the fierce, seven-hour firefight that followed, two members of the unit were killed, including the commanding officer, and another seven wounded - For More on this CLICK HERE. }
This year I am again running the Marine Corps Marathon for Fisher House. Patti's husband Jeff is a sponsor for me. We continue to help out SA where we can. Patti and SA are heroes who have not forgotten the heroes who are fighting terrorists every day.
Matthew Dick
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Monica Dillon D.C. Coordinator, Soldiers Angels Wounded Team www.soldiersangels.org
I have lived in the DC Metro area since 1990. I have a son, Ryan, who will be beginning his sophomore year at the University of Maryland. I currently live in Maryland with my husband, Marty, and the baby of the house, our dog Jeremiah. I work in DC as an accountant for a government contractor. Although my degree is in Social Work, I chose to work outside my field and rather volunteer my time to various different causes and organizations.
Once I learned of Soldiers' Angels and their mission, I have exclusively dedicated my time and efforts to being an SA representative. After reading an article on Soldiers' Angels featured in the Washington Post in the Spring of 2005, I decided I wanted to do my part to support our troops. Having a son of my own, I loved Patti's story and how a simple request from her son could propel her to create an entire organization dedicated to making sure that no soldier goes unloved. I have had the pleasure of being a Soldier's Angel since June 2005. I began by first adopting deployed soldiers then slowly became more involved. In the summer of 2006, I began visiting our wounded, injured and ill troops at Walter Reed as a representative of Soldiers' Angels. Since then, we have ministered to hundreds of our warriors and their families. I now head our small team at Walter Reed, which involves coordinating visits to the hospital, assisting our warriors and their families, planning monthly events/outings and handling the monthly reporting so our VP of Me dical Support can track our contacts and outreach program.
About our Wounded Program: The beauty of our program at military hospitals is that we go in on request only. We will not visit every single hospital room, as we respect the privacy and the sensitivity of each situation. We receive referrals from commanders, chaplains, parents, fellow soldiers, and even from hospital staff. We realize the importance of establishing a connection and it is therefore a bit less intrusive to introduce ourselves to a warrior by telling them we were sent by a specific person. Another rather special aspect of our program is that we do not choose to visit ONLY OEF/OIF vets. We will visit anyone, as long as we have been referred. It does not matter if they are wounded, were injured in a training exercise or are ill; they will all be cared for equally and wholeheartedly. One of our greatest programs is the Valour-IT Program, which provides laptops to our severely injured troops. This program allows our warriors to remain in contact with their loved ones, manage their household finances with the click of a button and to maintain contact with their deployed units.
As the average stay once these warriors arrives at one of our military hospitals is between 12-24 months (including outpatient care), the laptops are a welcome gift that provides essential communication while the warrior goes through treatment/recovery. Once we meet a warrior, they become part of our "family", until they return to duty or go home. We maintain contact through weekly visits, as well as occasional e-mails and phone calls. We will bring home made goods on our visits, take them out for a meal, just so they get the opportunity to leave the premises. Depending on what their needs are, we try to fulfill them the best way possible.
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Connie Riecke, Executive Director
Marine Corps Family Foundation
Like most parents, I've been at the sidelines of my children's lives, energetically and enthusiastically cheering them on through their many athletic and equestrian events, scholastic achievements and life in general. My greatest reward is to see the look of success in their eyes. Becoming a US Marine Corps mom was a major hurdle for me, one that I did not embrace willingly, but as the pride within my son grew in serving God and our country, I became determined to support his quest as a US Marine.
Operation Iraqi Freedom introduced me to what war meant to the families and loved ones of our very prestigious military. Sacrifice, uncertainty and fear became a powerful motivator for me to stay involved, connected and busy. Out of that need and desire the Marine Corps Moms website and the Marine Corps Family Foundation, Inc. were founded.
In 2004 I, along with another Marine mom, had an idea to send Christmas-in-a-box to a platoon of 30 Marines. With the help of the “new age” internet and the news media the idea caught on and in a whirlwind and a mere 60 days over 6,000 hand made stockings were sewn, filled and shipped from communities all across our nation. Operation Santa USMC had delivered.
The Marine Corps Family Foundation, Inc. was established as people continued to work with us to support our deployed sons and their Marine buddies. Since that first project the foundation has grown to include support projects like, Marine Corps Kids, Operation Winter Wear, Operation Sunscreen, and Operation Heart to Heart and thousands of packages have been delivered to our sons and daughters during their deployments.
Today, I continue to help organize, coordinate volunteers and to launch troop support projects in communities across our nation. The Marine Corps Family Foundation volunteers are amazing. Many have been working with the foundation since that first Operation Santa project, others are new and eager to be involved.
I wear many hats, fundraiser, teacher, organizer, delegator, stocking stuffer, and leader, but my most important role continues to be mom. I will always and foremost be “mom”, it just so happens that I am also the mother of a US Marine.
Semper Fi
Mom and Bill Homecoming
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Linda Kelly founded Operation Never Forgotten (ONF)
www.operationNEVERforgotten.org
ONF Video in Times Square
ONF Signs in Atlanta, Detroit and Midway Airports
ONF Video in O’Hare Airport
Billboards for Troops Across the Country Help Make the Difference!
Digital billboards and videos are popping up on highways and in airports in most major cities from New York to LA! They are being created by Operation Never Forgotten (ONF), a non-profit/non-partisan mass media campaign service supporting our deployed service members, fallen heroes, wounded warriors, veterans and military families. ONF reminds America of the commitments and sacrifices made for our privileges and freedoms.
Thousands of digital billboards have become voices for military families and friends. They want the public to appreciate their loved ones. In addition to ONF’s national awareness campaigns, they also post specialty billboards in specific locations for gold star and blue star events, concert fundraisers, homecomings from Iraq and Afghanistan, and during holidays. The local news media often tags along to boost the exposure.
Behind ONF is a blue star mom, Linda Kelly, “The billboards work! Americans are stopping for a moment in their busy day to recognize, appreciate and remember that our troops continue to work hard for us… every second of every day. We can only hope they will NEVER forget our fallen, their families and the wounded. Our campaigns also stimulate volunteerism for all military support organizations.”
Linda founded ONF after being inspired by gold star mom, Peg O’Donnell, and seeing the need to bridge the gap between military and civilian worlds. She is a professional photographer, graphic designer, mother of a Marine and Navy wife. Her son is on his second tour in Iraq and her husband served in Baghdad, 2004-05.
Since ONF’s first billboards posted September of 2007, Linda, along with Major General (Ret.) William Henderson, Air National Guard, and Vietnam Veterans of America National Member of the Year, John Kinzinger can barely keep up with the demand. They plan to expand into more airports, transit systems, and major sports facilities and malls. They also have more communications projects in the works.
Lee Greenwood, famous for his song “God Bless the USA” came onboard as ONF’s spokesman to help ONF thank our troops! Billboard companies who have united in this national campaign effort include Clear Channel Outdoor/Airports, Lamar Outdoor, SpectaColor (Times Square), Magic Media Inc. and Adams Outdoor. ONF is a proud member of the Department of Defense’s, America Supports You.
Enjoy reviewing the ONF billboards and other special ops at www.operationNEVERforgotten.org
Linda Kelly kissing her son after
he walked her down the wedding isle
Linda Kelly with Lee Greenwood
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Linda Kelly founder of Operation Never Forgotten (ONF) will introduce their Spokesman Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood, Musician and Singer, Lee Greenwood is famous for his CMA Song of the Year “God Bless the USA.” http://www.leegreenwood.com
Musician and Singer Lee Greenwood is American’s icon and legend when it comes to patriotism. In 1985, Lee won two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association and the CMA Song of the Year honor for “God Bless the USA.” This famous song returned to the country charts during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
Lee’s American spirit continued to soar throughout his career. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, our country embraced Lee’s music with pride and tears. In 2006, Lee and his band toured Iraq and Kuwait to entertain and support our deployed Troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In November 2007, Lee was introduced to ONF’s mission to educate the civilian public on how to recognize our deployed Troops, Fallen Heroes, Veterans, Wounded Warriors and military families. As a devoted family man, Lee understands the need to support our military families and friends—the backbone of our armed forces. We are honored and privileged to have Lee Greenwood onboard as ONF’s spokesperson to help us thank our Troops! Be sure to visit Lee’s website to thank him for his contributions.
Lee Greenwood entertaining our Troops in Iraq
Lee Greenwood in Balad, Iraq Entertaining our Troops
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