Veteran Finances at Risk

As the deadline to make a decision about our national debt ceiling quickly approached, veteran organizations have raised their concerns. If President Obama and other members of our government don't come to consensus by August 2nd, then many people will be affected. One of the major groups affected will be the military.

Similar to what happened in April, if the debt ceiling is not raised then active duty military will not be paid their wages, and neither will disabled veterans, who rely on their disability checks to stay afloat. No decisions have been made yet and the clock is still ticking. Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) are supposed to meet at the White House to discuss possible scenarios.

In an effort to raise awareness and support for their cause, the DAV has issued a virtual campaign on Facebook. They hope to gain some support in their quest, so that the 80 million people in question will receive the payment that they were promised.

Real Sports, Real Heroes

After learning more about the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, I was truly astounded by the drive and dedication put forth by these wounded veterans. They all lost at least one limb while serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan, yet they refused to stop living the life they used to.

Being that this team was only put together within the past year, and it is the world's first amputee softball team, they play only able-bodied opponents; that doesn't worry them though. If anything, the fact that they may be considered underdogs (although it's clearly not the case) encourages them to work even harder. This video gives a better idea of the team's background:



Their story- and hard work- was highlighted recently on the HBO program, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. The show originally aired on July 19th at 10 pm, but will be repeat over a dozen times on HBO and HBO2 between now and August 5th. Here is an excerpt from the show's description:

"Often the hardest part of an athlete’s career is battling back from injury, but nothing can compare to challenges faced by members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. All of these men have endured near-fatal injuries and excruciating rehabilitation to return to the ball field from the battlefield. The current team is made up of 15 Army and Marine vets who suffered leg, foot or arm amputations while heroically serving their country. Despite their individual handicaps, they face able-bodied teams and have a .500 record. In this feel good comeback story, REAL SPORTS correspondent Frank Deford goes on location with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team to show that they are the same focused, physically capable men they have always been."

Thank a Veteran

I found this from an anonymous source online, and thought it would be a great addition to my blog. It presents a powerful message that everyone should hear.

Thank a Veteran:

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a Jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, A piece of shrapnel in the leg or perhaps another sort of inner steel: The soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe Wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking.

What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She or he is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Danang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor remains unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket, aggravatingly slow, who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman, and also a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember each time you see someone who has served our country. When you see one just lean over and say Thank You.

That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

God Bless Our Veterans!

Marine Corps Ball YouTube Craze

What started off as a hopeful invitation from Sgt. Scott Moore, has ignited a YouTube craze that is now taking over the Marine Corps. Earlier this month, Moore uploaded a video on YouTube asking actress, Mila Kunis to be his date at the Greenville, NC Marine Corps Ball in November. Before long, the story- and video- went viral, surfacing on news stations all over the country. Here it is:



The video itself was brought to Mila's attention during an interview with Justin Timberlake, her co-star in their new movie "Friends with Benefits". Although she hadn't heard about it, Timberlake certainly did; he convinced her that she had to accept the invitation "for her country". The popular actress agreed to go, which has prompted Marines all over to try their luck within the celebrity dating pool.

The first video to surface after Sgt Moore was- appropriately- from a female Marine asking Justin Timberlake to be her date at her ball in November. And now? The YouTube craze is in full blast.

Numerous Marines have posted videos recently asking celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cirus, Jessica Biel, and even Betty White- who respectfully declined. Terminator star, Linda Hamilton chimed in and told the dissed Marine that she would go. I have a feeling that this is just the tip of the iceberg and, apparently, so do batallion commanders throughout the Marine Corps who have issued guidance on steering clear of the YouTube frenzy. Will it cease? I doubt it, but only time will tell.

Medal of Honor Awarded to Army Ranger

Last Tuesday, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry of the U.S. Army Rangers, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism while in Afghanistan in May 2008. Petry is only the 2nd living recipient of the military's highest honor since the Vietnam War. He was given the medal during a ceremony held at the White House, which was one of 9 the distinguished awards- 7 posthumously- during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Petry received the medal for his heroic actions on May 26, 2008 while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan's Paktia province. During a mid-day raid on a taliban compound, Petry responded to another squad's aid as he as Pfc Lucas Robinson entered a courtyard to prevent 3 enemy fighters from attacking fellow soldiers. At that point, Petry was shot through both legs and- though wounded- led the younger soldier to safety behind a chicken coop.

After they settled the structure, Sgt. Daniel Higgins came to offer help. Then Higgins and Robinson, too, got wounded when a taliban fighter threw a grenade at the trio. When another grenade landed in their midst, Petry reacted immediately and grabbed in an effort to throw it away from them. The grenade exploded in Petry's hand, yet his act of heroism saved their lives. With his hand completely amputated to the wrist, Petry stopped the bleeding and radioed in a request for help. His brave actions saved numerous lives that day, yet he insists that it was just "almost instinct; off training". Well, thanks to his remarkable instinct, he will forever be one of our nation's great heroes.

Limitless

While reading the Summer edition of Sport Illustrated today, I was pleased to see an array of articles written about members of our nation's military. For instance, their "Faces in the Crowd" section featured athletes from military academies across the country, as well as veterans playing at the collegiate level. Although I was impressed with what those players have accomplished, I found a team of veteran-athletes who were slightly more impressive; the individuals I'm referring to are members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team.

Made up of US soldiers and Marines, who have lost limbs while serving overseas post-9/11, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) seeks awareness and support for our nation's military. With opponents such as the FBI, the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as police and fire departments across the country, members of the WWAST know no boundaries- on or off the playing field. Solely comprised of able-bodied players, the opposing teams- such as the FBI's softball team- don't question the team's abilities for very long.

In the SI article, "WWAST:Battlefield to Ball Field," one of the players chimed in. "'I think teams might underestimate us a little bit at first,' says pitcher Josh Wege, 22, a Marine lance corporal who lost both of his lower legs in 2009 after his armored vehicle ran over a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. 'But that doesn't last long.'" In impressive fashion, the WWAST creamed the FBI 35-10 during a game played at George Mason University this past May. As their summer schedule rages on, the WWAST continues to uphold their vision that "life without a limb is limitless".

All in the Family

After showing a few family members and friends my t-shirt design I got a lot of positive feedback. My boyfriend, Sam, who just got out of the Marine Corps after nearly 6 years of service, helped me with the final design. He's definitely the inspiration for my involvement in veteran issues, so I'm always grateful for his guidance and support.

When I put the order in for my shirt, my father requested one for him as well. He was impressed with the look and eager to see the final product. When the shirts arrived, we were both ecstatic with how they came out. I was proud that my ideas were finally brought to life, as the t-shirt presented such a meaningful message. Showing support for our troops is an essential way to encourage our nation's military, and as always, I'm happy to be a part of that. There are so many ways we can make a difference, even if it's just wearing a t-shirt to support America's heroes.

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July is a time for celebration with family and friends; we go to barbeques and view local firework displays; we attend parades and enjoy time off from work. Something we should always bear in mind on this day is that thanks to brave members of our armed services, we continue to enjoy the luxury of living in a free country. It's easy to get wrapped up in the mundane concerns of daily life, concerning ourselves primarily with parties and food on the grill. Yet away from friends and family, there are Americans serving in combat zones overseas- afraid and anxious to get back home.

So easily we forget what some have gone through, so that we may enjoy freedom and equality in our country. Remember those who have gone before us to preserve that freedom, and those who continue to do so.