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Alameda Blue Star Mom – Mamaw!
Our very own Mamaw has busted some butt here folks – Here is her new site. This took work, dedication, love and passion. (to get the link, please click on the title to open this post, it will then show the link)
For those of you in her area – you have a treasure. For all of us in the rest of the country, I’m hoping this will motivate you to join Blue Star Moms (Dads are welcome too! and so is the rest of the family)
Congratulations, Mamaw!
LAW
Thanks for coming back to visit! If you would like to write for Parents Zone - please let LAW or TechMama know!
Great Idea for carepackage mailing parents
Oh, this is such a great idea - [Click on Read More, then click on the link for the story] Here’s a little bit of it
Bills would let more troops get mail for free
Posted : Wednesday Jan 28, 2009 12:34:25 EST
Just as talk gets serious about cutting U.S. troop levels in Iraq, Congress also appears to be getting serious about providing limited free mailing privileges so that letters and small packages can be sent by friends and family to deployed service members.
Two free military mail bills were introduced in the House on Tuesday. One, HR 704, is the reintroduction of a bill sponsored by Reps. Peter King of New York and Gus Bilirakis of Florida, both Republicans, that previously won support in the House as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill but was rejected in negotiations with the Senate.
That bill likely will be pushed aside in favor of a second, broader bill, HR 707, introduced by Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., a member of the House Armed Services Committee who has a collection of 103 bipartisan co-sponsors — including Bilirakis — for her legislation.
Castor is calling her bill the Home Front to Heroes Postal Benefits Act.
In a letter to other members of the House seeking co-sponsors, Castor said the government already provides free mail from combat zones, so service members don’t need postage to write home, but there is no corresponding benefit for mail sent from the home front to the troops.
“Military families, many of them in financial distress, are forced to bear the expense of shipping packages and letters on their own,” she said.
Castor’s bill would provide one voucher each month good for mailing a package of up to 15 pounds from the U.S. to a deployed service member. A voucher would be issued each month to the member, who could give it to anyone they choose.
I’m hoping this passes! maybe some calls from military families to our elected officials are in order, huh? Getting help with the mailing expenses would be a great help to all of us right now, wouldn’t it?
LAW
Is it harder, when it’s your kid, or your husband?
A friend asked me that this evening. I was trying to explain it, how it’s not a matter of harder – it’s a matter of being different.
She said to me “loving my husband is a choice, loving my kids is …. i dunno….” I told her ” It just IS” And that is the difference. I had a military blogger tell a group at Milblog Conference that his wife would mourn his passing but could get another husband; but their son – he was impossible to replace. Bouhammer – you were so right.
Now that my husband is back in the Sand, and our son is safe at home in Denver, I remember how different it was when he was in Iraq. The calls he’d make just to talk, the emails, the call when they got the little Christmas tree I sent and everyone said thank you, the call when he told me the lemon drop got there – a 2lb fused lemon drop! My husband is my best friend, the man I’ve been married to for more than half my life; but my son is part of me. That little blond boy with the big smile and the missing front teeth, little Mr. Chickenpops (chicken pox) tucking his bear in (well, bear had it too…), and bravely setting off for school with his new backpack and lunch box… To think of him there, in any kind of danger, was almost impossible. I always thought no one else could understand, no one else could know. But I was wrong.
You know – those of you here. And we are part of a very special group, proud of our children – scared, proud and hoping every day that they are safe. I’m so proud to be one of you.
LAW
A Military Family needs help
For those of you who don’t listen to or read National Public Radio – this you NEED to read. One of us, the mother of a soldier, needed help and got it because of the good work on USA Together . Help us spread the word. This will also be on HASMO, and I’m hoping we can get this sent through our community.
USA Together is a website that puts veterans in need together with those that can help. I wish, and I think we all wish, that it wasn’t necessary. But it is… and for now, this is the best way we can help.
LAW
He’s home – and he’s MY hero
Well, my son made it home safely from the sandbox and I am deeply grateful. A lot has happened between the time he left and made it back home, more then I really thought. One daughter started Kindergarten, the other two had birthdays that came and went. His birthday came and went as well as mine and his brothers. A milestone birthday for my youngest who turned 18. His cousin got married, his dad got remarried, my son reinlisted for another 5 years, life continued on in our part of the world.
This time around he had the homecoming that he should have had the first time and even though he thought he did not deserve it, he was very happy when all was said and done. This got me to thinking, because he told me, prior to coming home this time, that he felt he was not a hero in any way, shape or form. He feels that what he is doing is nothing spectacular or special in any way. He has a humble heart.
He didn’t understand at first, why we wanted to have a party for him, even when I told him that many people feel that all of our military men and women are doing something special. It wasn’t until he saw how many people were there at the airport (even those on the flight waited for him when they saw us) and then at the house waiting for him, that he finally understood that he meant so much to so many. He also understood that it was not just for him, it was for all of us as well. The family, friends, neighbors, veterans, other mothers who came because their own child is not here right now. The hugs he got from the veterans and that he received from other military family members showed him that not only was he missed, but that each one of those who were there, who were hugging him were in essence hugging their own brother, son, cousin, uncle, etc., again, through him.
So what got me to thinking so hard was the fact that my 18 year old didn’t understand either. Mind you, my children were brought up knowing of previous wars but they never knew anyone really close to them who had served recently. My father, although he served in WWII, passed away when they were young so they don’t really remember him. Their dad’s father does not speak of the Korean War at all to them. So I had to explain to my youngest that those who showed up, many of them Vietnam Veterans, did not have a homecoming of the sort that we were planning. I had to explain the state of mind of many during that era to him and he finally understood. What also struck me, was that my soldier son did not think he deserved this! My goodness, last time he was home he told me a story about a sniper and hearing me call out his voice when he was running like hell and when he turned, surprised to hear me calling out his name in the middle of the day, in another country, that he had a bullet go whizzing by his ear! That’s why we made such a deal out of this homecoming!!! He was able to get off of a plane and hug us, we were the lucky ones
The realization of how important he is to so many came to him a little later in the day, but at least it came to him. He hugged me and marveled at all those who were there. His brothers in arms, his military family, showed up in force to greet him and I know that it swelled him with pride to be a part of such a large, loving family. Believe me, our own family is not small by any means, but this was something new to him. These were men and women who were also able to make it home under dire circumstances, who came to greet him. He was so honored.<
We have spoken about others, however, who don’t have homecomings like this if any at all. It’s not that they are forgotten, it’s not that no one cares, it’s the fact that there is not much publicity about their coming home some times. I myself have been talking about it for about two months! I understand the fact that we cannot announce deployment dates, troop movements, etc., but our men and women need to know that we stand behind and beside them 100% and this is something that is slowly being realized by the general public. Many families don’t know about the Patriot Guard Riders escorts, or how their local Veteran’s Associations will provide a color guard if they are able. My eyes were opened a little bit wider when I realized that one of our own Blue Star Moms son had no homecoming a couple of years ago when he arrived either. She wasn’t aware of organizations who assisted with homecomings until our first meeting a couple of weeks ago. Which is my point, if my own son doesn’t think he did anything special, how can we get the point across to the general public that he and many others before him and those standing next to him in battle are special to us here at home?
I know there are many groups out there, but if there isn’t a Blue Star Mothers group in your area to meet with, then start one if you’re a mom. There wasn’t one in my area so I started one. Volunteer with them, get involved. Be at as many homecomings as you can. If you have a few extra hours a week, spend it volunteering with Wounded Warriors at a VA Hospital or at your local Veterans Association. Involve your local community to the achievements of those in the military through your local newspapers. There are so many ways to show you care and it does not always have to be monetary. You don’t have to always be over 18 to help. I have a scrapbook that I am doing for my son of his time in the military, you can show up and take pictures of homecomings and send them to the family for their scrapbook; write a letter to a soldier; be a penpal to a family friend in the service; get your school organized to send packages overseas; contact your local Veterans group and ask what you can do to help. Anything you do will be greatly appreciated.
Because if we don’t let them know now how much we care, if we don’t get the word out, if we don’t write down their stories, who will?
Mamaw
Disney’s Salute to the Armed Forces
I came across this resource and thought you might want to share it with your son/daughter/family member..
Walt Disney World has just introduced a special Armed Forces Salute Ticket for 2009. Each qualifying Military Service member* will receive a complimentary 5-Day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Ticket” with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More Options included. To receive the FREE ticket, visit any theme park Guest Relations window and show proper ID.
In addition to the free Armed Forces Salute Ticket, up to 5 of their guests can purchase for $99 a Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion (5 Day Base) ticket. Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More option are available for $25 each (which is 50% off the normal price).
Companion tickets may be upgraded to Premium, Annual or Seasonal Passes. Seasonal Pass upgrade requires proof of Florida Residency.
Companion tickets may not be upgraded by adding the no expiration option, and you cannot add additional days to the passes.
Companion tickets may be purchased at any Disney World ticket window or guest services. You may also purchase tickets at Shades of Green, located at Walt Disney World or on your base (these two options are tax-free). If you purchase the tickets at Shades of Green or on base, you will receive a voucher that you will trade in once you arrive at a Walt Disney World ticket window.
Armed Forces Salute tickets will expire on 12/23/09 and have no block-out dates. Tickets may be upgraded anytime between January 4th -December 23, 2009 as long as there is usage left on the ticket.
The entire party needs to be present for purchase (Spouse or military dependents can receive the companion discount without the military service member being present as long as they have their military ID).
The military service member will need to show ID; Cast Member will ask for their Base’s name, and the State where the base is listed.
This offer is only available once per service member.
*This offer is available to anyone on active duty in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserve, and retired military. Activated members of the National Guard and Reservists must present active duty orders in addition to valid military ID. You must have been active for any length of time between 1/1/08 and 12/23/09. Dept of Defense (CIA, FBI, Secret Service) and Coalition Forces are excluded
Every Soldier’s Mother
The link to the blog of an Israeli soldier’s mother from Brat reminded me that we parents of soldiers (and sailors, marines, air force, coast guard) share the universal love and admiration — and WORRY — we have for our children when they are deployed. It is a universal feeling among parents who value and cherish the lives of their children… in the parents who know the hope of the world is in the LIVES of their children and not in their deaths.
Yes, it is hard to be a soldier’s mom while the world is at war. I have written any number of posts on that topic over the past few years… about the worry that pervades night and day… 24 hours a day, every day that they are in harm’s way. How hard it is to be HERE when they are THERE… how hard it is to be a soldier’s mom…
Thoughts of A Soldier’s Mom in a Time of War
Hard to Be a Soldier’s Mom
Every Parent’s Nightmare
And, sadly, like many of us who blog about our soldiers, we are subjected to the most horrible comments from the ignorant, the vile and the despicable. This Israeli mother is no different. I left her a comment telling her that she is one of us — the mothers of soldiers who serve even though we did not enlist. I reminded her that we mothers — that we parents and the families of those who serve pray every day for peace… we pray for peace everywhere. So run on by A Soldier’s Mom and offer her encouragement… give her a virtual {{{HUG}}} and let her know she is not alone.
