THANK YOU FOR GAME DAY SUPPORT! MAF SUPPORTERS DONATE THOUSANDS FOR PACKAGES
For the second year in a row, we are proud to announce that Move America Forward's Fantasy Superbowl drive to send care packages to the troops was an amazing success. We tapped into the Superbowl fever sweeping that nation, to drum up more support for our troops serving in Afghanistan.
The Giants took an early lead in our Superbowl competition, and while Patriots fans rallied to donate more for our troops, Giants fans steadily kept the donations coming in to keep their lead. In the final numbers, Giants fans donated about 50% more for care packages than Pats fans!
Congrats to the New York Giants, our Superbowl Champions for 2012 Superbowl XLVI. The MAF Superbowl competition predicted the right team to win the game!
Football is a distinctly American tradition, and the fact that the Superbowl is the biggest TV event of the year is proof. It's also a very patriotic experience. Thank you for your participation in the MAF Superbowl initiative this year. We hope that you enjoyed the game, and the experience of Superbowl as much as we did.
Now that the game is over, we will be shipping care packages to a unit of troops from New York state! Care packages include such goodies as coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, deodorant, chap stick, wet wipes, and many more helpful items!
You can help by donating just a little bit more for the troops to enjoy the results of our Superbowl XLVI competition!! Please take some time to support the troops!
SUPER BOWL XLVI Care Packages for the Troops: Support Your Favorite Team’s Troops!!
As families and friends prepare for SUPERBOWL parties all across the nation, most Americans use this time as an outlet from the stresses of everyday life. It is a chance to relax with those closest to you and enjoy food, drinks and fun (as long as the commercials live up to expectations). But we at Move America Forward are constantly reminded that many Americans, those who fight for our freedoms, do not have the luxury of watching this event close to home with family or friends and are always reminded of the dangers they face each and every day. For these soldiers Super Bowl Sunday is not much different than any other day. Some will be able to watch the game with their brothers and sisters (meaning fellow troops) overseas, but they still have a job to do and it is never far from their thoughts.
For the second year Move America Forward is introducing Super Bowl Care Packages for the Troops. We will select one unit from New York and one unit from Mass. and give you, our generous donors. the option of choosing which “team” to support.
CHOOSE A TEAM AND SPONSOR A CARE PACKAGE – WE’RE KEEPING SCORE OF WHICH TEAM GETS THE MOST CARE PACKAGE DONATIONS! LET’S SEE WHO WINS MAF’S FANTASY SUPERBOWL!
The NFL has always made a point of supporting the military and during the Super Bowl it is no different. Viewers of the game always remember the awe inducing flyover prior to the game, but many things behind the scenes are also done to support the troops.
This year we wanted to inspire our followers to use the Super Bowl as a way to Thank and Support our Troops. Whether you are rooting for New England or New York, Move America Forward has made it easy to show support for your team and our troops at the same time. Simply click on the helmet of the team you support and make your donation for any size care package, from a hand off (Small Pack) to a Hail Mary Touchdown (Battalion Pack), we have renamed our care packs for this special occasion. Every donation made will be counted as either Patriots or Giants, with each care package going to a unit MAF has chosen from the respective states.
Don’t hesitate now to pass this along to your friends and family that will be joining you on Superbowl Sunday and take a minute to think about our troops, who may be watching for several hours on next Sunday, but are thousands of miles away and continue to fight for and protect our nation and its traditions.
WILL IT BE THE GIANTS OR THE PATRIOTS?
IT’S YOUR CHOICE! PICK A TEAM BELOW AND SPONSOR A HAIL MARY PASS TO OUR TROOPS SERVING OVERSEAS!
WHEN A DOG IS MORE THAN JUST A DOG STORY ON CNN.COM
When an insurgent rocket attack badly injured Cpl. Dustin Lee while he was on patrol in Iraq, his shrapnel-impaled partner, Lex, picked himself up to lie over Lee - an effort to protect him.
"He knew Dustin was injured," said Lee's mom, Rachel. Lex was his bomb-sniffing dog.
Lee didn't survive his injuries, but Lex did - and became a part of the Lee family when Rachel adopted him.
"When Dustin was killed, one of the first things I asked about was Lex, because of their camaraderie. They depended on each other"
Lex, a German shepherd, served in the Marines as a military working dog.
There are about 2,700 dogs serving worldwide, according to the Defense Department.These "war dogs" are used on patrols, in drug and explosives detection, and on specialized missions, like the Navy SEAL raid that took down Osama bin Laden last year.
The brave dog Lex that stayed by his handler's side until the end is now 11 years old. He is doing well but has PTSD and pieces of shrapnel that cause spinal complications, Rachel Lee said.
Friends, we are ecstatic today to report to you that Melanie Morgan is back on KSFO HOT TALK radio in San Francisco, the station where Melanie first made big waves, and helped turn MAF into the powerful pro-troop organization we are today. Nothing makes us happier than to see Melanie back on the air, and we are sure you will be tuning in to hear from her again soon!
Melanie posted this message on the KSFO website to set the tone for 2012 and for her return to the airwaves and the forefront of the fight against Obama's failing strategy:
MELANIE'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE
Here we are in 2012. Barack Hussein Obama will meet his fate during the presidential election, and I am back on KSFO with my good friend Brian Sussman. Coincidence? I think not.
The Sussman, our KSFO crew and I plan big things for 2012, and we can’t do them without you, our loyal listeners. Important safety tip for Obama: Read up on the recall of ex-Gov. Gray Davis, a liberal man in a state that has suffered many love affairs with liberal politicians.
Let’s remind ourselves why we will work our derrieres off to defeat Obama this year. We know, dear listeners, that you are well-educated and you stay on top of the politics of destruction and the monsters - who usually sport a big-D after their names -who unleash their socialist plans on us.
But then we knew Obama was corrupt before the sheeple elected him in 2008. Now the liar-in-chief will have to whip up some fabulous tales to woo his progressive wing, which is a bit perturbed that he continued the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, employed drones to slaughter folks in Pakistan, and failed to close Gitmo.
To the lefties: how’s that hope and change working for ya?
Iran is close to having a nuclear bomb and threatening to close the straits of Hormuz, North Korea is unstable (more than usual), Israel doesn’t trust us, and Iraq is slipping back to sectarian violence.
At home, I don’t have to tell you about the misery index. Obama is working hard to replace Jimmy Carter as the worst president in modern history.
But help is on the way!!! Sussman, you and I are going to push hard for real change and real hope and real Constitutional government. I am so ready to work with all of you again. We have made major change before. We know how to do it. My naturally blonde roots are dyed, my nails are sharp, my brain is sharper and I’m sitting next to Sussman! Let’s get ‘er done! Happy New Year!!!
I mean, a REALLY, REALLY HAPPY 2012!!!!
Melanie has stood by MAF through thick and thin and we are so happy to see her back on the air! Please support her by tuning in and listening to KSFO radio or listen online here. Melanie will be on the air every weekday 5 am - 9 am Pacific time!
Also don't forget now would be a great time to sponsor a care package for our troops in Afghanistan!
LAST DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO REACH OUR GOAL WE HAVE ALMOST REACHED OUR GOAL OF $60,000
HELP PUT US OVER THE TOP!
We have set a goal of raising $60,000 by Christmas day to give our troops a great gift of holiday care packages for Christmas, but with only 1 day left, we have only raised $51,927 since we started 10 days ago!
WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
We must make $7,073 by CHRISTMAS DAY to reach our goal. That means we just need 7 people to give $1,000! Our troops need to know that they have our support on Christmas!
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW TO REACH OUR GOAL CHRISTMAS DAY TOMORROW!
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OUR SOLDIERS GAVE TO US . . . SAFETY !
These Marines show that they remember WHY they are fighting the radical Jihadists.
Following the brutal and cowardly attacks of Sept.11, 2001, men and women marched down and signed up to protect America from her enemy: radical Muslim jihadists. It was the worse attack ever on American soil.
Americans from every corner of life stood up as one against the murderers who took 3,000 innocents that day. But as some Americans got tired of the war, our brave troops continued the fight to keep us safe. Even as politicians and others criticized our troops, claiming that the troops lost the war in Iraq, our brave American men and women put their lives on the line to protect us.
Memorial for fallen buddies, our heroes
They do not forget. They have lived the worst: the war, thousands of miles away from home. Their buddies giving their lives.
Our troops share that grief and carry it with them every day yet they still continue to fight. For that they deserve our respect, and during the holidays when it is especially lonely on deployment, shouldn't we make sure our troops know that they have our love and support? Sponsor a Care Package -- that say it all !!
But our troops don’t quit. Because true Americans aren’t quitters. They are the best we have, and we at MAF will never forget.
Troops in Afghanistan remember the 9/11 attacks
Move America Forward marks the Days of Christmas by highlighting some of the gifts our soldiers, Marines, airmen, Coasties, sailors have given us since the beginning of our great country.
The veterans of World War II and the Americans who worked to keep the country safe as Nazis and Imperialists plotted our overthrow are called “The Greatest Generation.” This generation of troops, who have protected America and fought against radical Muslim Jihadists since that infamous day of Sept. 11, 2001, are The Generous Generation of Selfless American heroes. American troops volunteer. They give their lives. They sacrifice in extreme ways. So today, on the Eleventh Day of Christmas, MAF salutes them for their work keeping America safe from terrorists.
Sponsor a care package now for our troops, Christmas is almost here
And don't forget MAF Special Christmas Care Packages now include hot apple cider, hot cocoa and festive candy cane bites to give our troops that extra little Christmas spirit!
It's not too late to spread that Christmas cheer!
Just this week MAF made ANOTHER shipment of care packages, even though it's late in the year and it often takes time for our troops to receive these care packages, we will keep shipping as long as you keep sponsoring more!
So don't worry and don't hesitate if you've waited too long, we will get that care package to Afghanistan as soon as we can, even if our troops don't receive it by Christmas they will still know you care!!
“On the Eighth Day of Christmas, Our Soldiers Gave to Us . . .
Hope!”
Our story of Hope is continued below ...
... but first a very URGENT alert:
There are only 4 days left to meet our goal of $60,000!
This worthy goalis reachable - but only ifyoucontribute to the cause during these precious few days we have left.
Unfortunately it has taken almost 8 days to reach $32,400 - and that means - unless we can get your support TODAY we may not reach the worthwhile goal of helping the troops we have identified to receive care packages this holiday season.
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!
Now is the time to contribute. If you've been thinking about adding your gift - now is the time to act! With so little time left, we really need to beat the clock.
Our troops can get lonely during the holidays. They are thousands of miles away from their families and their homes in America. Send some care packages to thank them for the sacrifices they are making for us!
Each one comes with special Christmas and holiday items like Hot Cider, Hot Cocoa and Candy Cane Bites, Dried Cranberries and a Christmas Stocking!
OUR STORY OF HOPE CONTINUES:
American troops from the first days of our country have given hope to citizens. They fought the British, the toughest war machine in the world. The citizens of the colonies wanted freedom from the British crown, and American troops delivered.
Nothing has changed since those early battles. Our troops continue to put their lives on the line for us, fight for America and the freedom she gives. Sponsor a holiday care package now for our troops today before time runs out!
For MAF’s 8th Day of Christmas, we recognize the gift of Hope.
American troops are unique among their peers. They fight to protect America and have also given freedom to millions around the world. They freed Jews from the deadly grip of Nazi death camps.
American troops have given the right to vote to people of the Middle East. People who never had a free election went to the polls, protected by American troops.
Iraqi women celebrate the evidence of their precious right to VOTE!
American troops have given more hope to millions of people around the world than any other human force in history. Hope is their gift to the world.
Move America Forward cherishes the gifts that our troops have given to us since the fight for Independence. Each day we chronicle these gifts and reasons we are celebrating our troops this holiday season.
We celebrate our troops for the sacrifices they make to keep us safe, and we are grateful they are willing to make those sacrifices. The troops serving today are part of a proud tradition as American troops throughout the years who have always stood for freedom against those who threaten it.
SPONSOR A HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGE NOW FOR OUR TROOPS TODAY BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!
As Move America Forward continues our effort to send a holiday care package to every U.S. military serviceman or woman in Afghanistan, temperatures have begun to fall precipitously in Afghanistan and the mountainous regions of Iraq.
In fact, snowfall has already begun in most of these areas, and our American troops will be trudging through the cold air and wet snow as they hold the front line in the war on terror.
Please, help us say "thank you" to our troops for their fantastic service in such difficult circumstances. Send a message of love and support for our troops -- they could really use it. Remember, they will not only be serving in the cold, wind and snow... but they will do so some 7,000+ miles away from their families, friends and homes this Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season.
Send care packages, personalized in your own name and with your own personal note to the troops - SPONSOR CARE PACKAGES HERE.
A Poem by a Sailor Overseas
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?' I asked without fear, 'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!' For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.' 'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,' Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'
' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.' 'But isn't there something I can do, at the least, 'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, 'Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can?
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff [Redacted], SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. The men and women of the Greatest Generation earned their name as such after the horrific and cowardly attack on Pearl Harbor during the morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941. Brave Americans rose to answer the call to fight back against the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Nazis, crushing those evil empires who wanted to conquer the world.
One cannot remember Pearl Harbor without thinking of 9/11, and every September 11th, we are unable to remember or think of 9/11 without comparing it to Pearl Harbor. Both are days which, as FDR said, will live in infamy, forever marking our past as a day of loss, regret, and determination to defeat our enemies.
Today, the NEXT Greatest Generation is now on the ground, in the seas, and in the air fighting Muslim Jihadists who brought war to America’s homeland on Sept. 11, 2001. Scores upon scores of patriotic men and women joined the Armed Forces after September 11th, and fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have sacrificed their lives, just as our troops did in World War II.
We must never forget. And still we must give our thanks to our living and fighting heroes. Today, please sponsor a special Christmas themed care package for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Every care package full of coffee, cookies and Christmas goodies also comes with a personalized note written by you, to the troops receiving it.
After Pearl Harbor, and again after 9/11, our troops fought fiercely to destroy enemies who threaten America. The cost of freedom is never cheap, it is paid for by the sacrifice of many brave young men and women who pay the ultimate price for our freedom. We must remain eternally grateful and show our appreciation to those who risk their lives every day.
It has been a long and difficult road for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; they have fought so hard and sacrificed so much, but in that sacrifice they have won many stunning victories, and accomplished things they were told could not be done. For that we are grateful and blessed to live in a nation protected by such courageous individuals. Please remember those troops today, and offer your support.
Each Christmas & Holiday Care Package comes with a Christmas stocking, dried cranberries, hot cocoa & cider, and candy canes!
MILITARY DOG HONORED FOR SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN "BLEK" INDUCTED INTO ALABAMA ANIMAL HALL OF FAME
Here is a great story we found over the weekend to remind us of the extraordinary level of service and sacrifices made by Military Working Dogs.
This heartwarming story about a soldier and his loyal IED-sniffing dog is just like thousands of other K9 teams that we are trying to support in Afghanistan.
Make a donation NOW to send a care package to a K9 team overseas just like Sgt. Olsen and his dog Blek.
The packages include special dog goggles, boots and treats for the K9s as well as treats for the troops themselves!
Retired military working dog Blek and his handler, Staff Sgt. Brent Olsen of 42nd Security Forces Squadron have been through a lot together. While in Afghanistan in 2010, the pair was injured after a Soldier stepped on a pressure plate, setting off a series of five mortar rounds. More than a year later, Olsen and Blek celebrated Blek's induction into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Birmingham Nov. 6.
The Alabama Animal Hall of Fame is a committee of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation recognizing animals demonstrating extraordinary loyalty, courage, service or intuitive abilities in its relations with humans. According to Olsen, no one fits that description better than Blek.
"He's being inducted for what we did as a team in Afghanistan. We found (improvised explosive devices.) He's an incredible dog," Olsen said.
Olsen said he was glad to see a military working dog being honored for his bravery and hoped it would shed some light on the unique part dogs have played in wars throughout history.
"Blek will bend over backwards for me. I love my job, and he loves working. Some people don't understand how truly great dogs are."
- USAF Public Affairs Release 18 NOV 2011
THANKSGIVING THIS WEEK DON'T FORGET OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS
Just a reminder that this year there will be thousands of troops spending thanksgiving in Afghanistan away from their homes and families. We have a duty to support them!
Our special Thanksgiving care packages include seasonal treats candy corn, hot cocoa and hot apple cider to help our troops in the cold winter mountains of Afghanistan and bring a little taste of the holidays to our troops for Thanksgiving!
Yesterday news broke that a well-known Massachusetts professor by the name of Michael Avery, who teaches at Suffolk University School of Law, complained in an e-mail to school officials that it was SHAMEFUL to collect care packages for troops serving overseas.
Students, troop supporters and military families alike were horrified by his comments. But the best way to react to this man's hateful comments is to do exactly what he argues for us NOT to do...SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.
Don't let our troops get slandered - respond by supporting the troops even stronger and send some care packages to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. We'll even notify Professor Avery that his hatred inspired you to do just the opposite of what he argued!
Michael Avery, a professor at Suffolk University Law School, sent a five-paragraph email to colleagues in response to a school-wide appeal for care packages for deployed soldiers, Fox affiliate WFXT-TV reports.
"I think it is shameful that it is perceived as legitimate to solicit in an academic institution for support for men and women who have gone overseas to kill other human beings," Avery wrote.
The professor, who specializes in constitutional law, wrote the email last week in response to a university drive to collect items for U.S. troops, like sunblock and sanitary products. He also wrote that sympathy for American troops in harm's way is "not particularly rational in today's world."
Students, even those who disagreed with the war, did not feel that Avery was right to blame and attack the troops for their service. The sad Vietnam-era legacy of attacking the troops and labeling them warmongers and babykillers has been rejected by MOST (except those on the far left) Americans.
Unfortunately, it looks like Professor Michael Avery is still living in the 60's like Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans of CODE PINK. They think it's okay to slander and attack our troops, but it's not the 60's anymore and we don't let our troops get treated like that anymore!
To fight against this monstrous diatribe against our troops, the best thing you can do is sponsor a care package. Professor Avery says its SHAMEFUL to send care packages to troops serving overseas - so let's SEND EVEN MORE.
When you sponsor a special "SHAMEFUL" care package - we'll send a copy of the order to Professor Avery, along with a letter from you stating how wrong he is and how his hateful comments inspired MORE support for the troops!
Dear Professor Avery.
I sent this care package to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in response to your hateful and un-American statements, calling it "shameful" to support them. I hope you are happy that you have inspired me to support the troops even more fervently.
Your comments reminded me of how our troops and veterans were mistreated after the Vietnam war, but today we are proving that those days are over. Your comments about our troops were offensive to thousands of military families and their supporters, of which I am one, and it's a travesty that you are still allowed to teach young minds, when clearly your own mind is closed and ignorant.
Did you not see the irony in the fact that your own 1st Amendment right to speak out against our troops is protected by THEIR service and SACRIFICE?
You are the one who is shameful.
If there is one possible benefit to your unfortunate and inappropriate blathering of your own self-righteous opinion, it's that your offensive comments has spurned thousands of troop supporters like myself to rally around the brave military men and women whom you have slandered, and support them even more.
A Veteran's Day Message from Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mother
It is with great respect, admiration and deep understanding that I write this letter to honor each and every Veteran that has served or is serving our blessed Country! I understand and appreciate all who have given so much for me, so that I could enjoy my daily freedoms. We've prepared a video just to honor you for Veterans Day 2011. (Thank you Dave Perkins for the video assist and Due South for your song.) I was able to sleep well in the safety of my bed last night, because you served.
I was able to pray before my meal this morning in a public place without fearing arrest, because you gave.
I am able to freely speak my mind and voice my opinion without fear of retaliation against me or my family, because you cared.
I am able to stand up for what I believe in and not have a Dictators thoughts and opinions forced down my throat, because you stood up to the call to defend.
I am free to worship the one true God who created me in His image, because you were selfless in your actions.
To each one of you I speak from the bottom of my heart when I say Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! You are my Heroes and I want to remember and honor you this Veterans Day. Not a single day goes by that I don't think of the sacrifices you and your families have given!
My son Marc Alan Lee was laid to rest on Aug 2nd 2006. I also remember him today as I do everyday and the sacrifice he made.
Thank you son! His headstone says "Loved deeply, Deeply loved." The love doesn't go any deeper than that! He loved deeply!
He loved his brothers he served with, he loved me, he loved his family, he loved this nation, he loved his freedoms, he loved God, and he gave.
He gave it all! "Greater love has no one than this, that he laid down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) That's what a hero does. They are willing to give their lives for others if it's required.
I also think of my son Kris who served in the Marines, my son-in-law Christopher who served in the Army and my brother Jim who is serving in the Air Force! Thank you!
Each one of you have deeply loved this country and were willing to give your life if required for this country. Thank you!
Many of you have given your blood, and been wounded for this country. Thank you!
Many of you have friends, family and brothers at arms who paid the ultimate sacrifice just like my son Marc! Thank you! We will never forget our fallen heroes or their families.
I have traveled around this country, to Iraq and Gitmo speaking out in support of you, thanking and honoring you "Our defenders of freedom." I have been blessed to meet many of you and your families, and have been so deeply touched by your stories and your sacrificial service to this nation. I don't take for granted our freedom which isn't free, it comes at a cost and you willingly paid that for me. So please remember this Veteran's Day that I am your biggest fan and that you are deeply appreciated and loved. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you and your families and I know I'm not alone. There is a grateful nation who also honors and remembers your sacrifice and knows that our country is what it is today because you selflessly gave.
I know the price of freedom and I understand the sacrifices that you have given. You have done that for me, and for this nation. You didn't do that for rewards or medals or recognition.
Please join me today as a grateful nation chooses to collectively remember, thank and celebrate our Vets, who they are and what they have selflessly given. I choose to do that every day because they are my HEROES and I am so grateful!
I'm attaching a list of Restaurants and businesses that are honoring our Vets with Freebies. Please pass this on to everyone on your list and post it on your social media!
Happy Veterans Day and God bless each one of you! Debbie Lee Gold Star Mother and Proud American
MAF PUTS DOG GOGGLES, BOOTS, AND TREATS IN PACKAGES FOR THE TROOPS AND THEIR DOGS
This just in! MAF is proud to announce that we've found the perfect solution to the problem of how to reach out and help our troops in Afghanistan and their loyal military working dogs.
We're proud to announce that MAF is including DOG GOGGLES, BOOTS and TREATSin our special packages available now, specifically tailored for a soldier/marine + K9 combat team.
In addition to the regular recipe of coffee, cookies, beef jerky, gatorade and other items, these care packages each include a pair of goggles, a set of four doggie boots, and a bag of treats.
SEND A CARE PACKAGE FOR A MILITARY WORKING DOG TEAM NOW!
As we all know, our troops serving overseas must go to great lengths to deal with the harsh environment of the Middle East. In the summer the days are a scorching 120+ degrees, and in the wintertime the mountains of Afghanistan are covered in snow and temperatures reach extreme sub zeros. Military dogs have to deal with the same harsh environment. Dust storms obscure a dogs visibility and interfere with a dog's acute sense of smell, which is critical to their job of finding IEDs and roadside bombs.
The rocky terrain and poorly built roads also plague the dogs because they don't have boots to protect the pads on their paws. Did you know that there are over 2,700 military working dogs currently serving?
Dogs are trained at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. Suitable dogs go through a rigorous 90 days training program which trains the animals in how to recognize and detect the explosive materials used in IEDs, how to attack and take down the enemy when threatened, and how to operate in a war zone where the sounds of battle and unpredictable nature can be very confusing for an untrained dog.
Dogs are selected for the program based on their sense of smell, speed, endurance, courage, intelligence and adaptability to the harsh desert environment.
The top breeds that possess these qualities are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, and the Belgian Malinois. However, other breeds such as Golden Retriever, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, Collies, Briards, and many others have been used successfully.
It's exciting that our efforts to support these military dogs has gotten attention and is gaining steam, but we still need your help and donations now!
Please sponsor a care package that will help out a military working dog and his handler!
The job of a military working dog and his dog handler has to be one of the most dangerous jobs in Afghanistan. It's their job to find the one thing no one wants to find - an IED, but these military dogs and their unique ability for find IEDs saves countless lives.
"We treat them just like Soldiers. They get a place in the line just like everybody else," said one Army dog handler, working in Baghdad. "We give them their rank through the respect that we show them. Through the stuff that they do, we give them the respect of the next rank higher."
Because of how valuable their skills are, and the lives they can save, a working dog has to be taken special care of. If something were to happen to that dog, and it could no longer do it's job, the whole unit would be at a higher risk of an IED attack.
"He relies on you for everything that he needs, where you rely on him for everything he does – for finding things that may harm other Soldiers," says our dog handling soldier in Iraq. "You talk to them just like anybody else. It's just like if you're with somebody every day, like your squad mates or people who are in your team that you've worked with for a whole year – that bond comes together. Yes, it's a very strong bond."
Send a care package to a dog-handling soldier and his K-9 friend. Packages contain all the goodies that we normally send our troops, but with an added treat for these K-9s who are so valuable in keeping our troops alive and safe!
"I WOULD NOT GO ON PATROL WITHOUT ONE" MARINE USES K9 TO FIND BOMBS BEFORE THEY KILL
US Marine Corporal David (last name withheld) uses his military working dog Jawdy to find IED's in Afghanistan and says, "I would take an asset (k9) that can smell HME (homemade explosives) over a metal detector any day."
Military working dogs are crucial to our efforts in Afghanistan, but their importance and sacrifices are often overlooked. Mos importantly, they keep our troops alive by finding IED's so they can be neutralized before they explode.
This also helps protect the civilian population, as roadside bombs and mines planted by the Taliban often destroy buses full of children going to school, Afghan police cars or unlucky civilians wandering the roads.
Keeping the roads free of IED's improves relations with tribal leaders, and helps our troops come home safely, and it would not be possible without these dogs. Because detection dogs are so important in making sure our troops come home safely, we want to do something that will be appreciated both by dogs themselves and their handlers.
Right now you can sponsor a special MAF care package which includes the same goodies and treats for the troops, but will also include treats for the detection dogs.
Sponsor a care package now by clicking to the left and send a package full of coffee, cookies, beef jerky, and other goodies to some troops and their k9 companions in Afghanistan!
Excerpt from DoD News Story about detection dogs...names withheld.
(Marine dog handler) said that the relationship between a dog and his handler is one of the most important things about the job.
“The relationship is important because you know all of its behaviors,” said (Marine).
“It’s a mutual bond between the dog and the handler. Sometimes the dog can tell if you are having a bad day and will adapt to you. If you are feeling down or missing home the dog can tell and will cheer you up.”
The dogs here, many of which have multiple combat tours under their collars, are here for the duration the battalion’s deployment. They will receive additional training upon returning to the U.S. before being reassigned to a new handler.
The dogs, just like the Marines who handle them, have a purpose and duty to the Corps. Unfortunately, sometimes that duty calls for them to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their Marine counterparts.
“I’ve only been with Jawdy for about a month now, and she’s a wild one, a crazy happy dog,” said (Marine). “My last dog laid on a pressure plate. He was a good dog, he did his job and saved three Marines’ lives.”
(Marine) concluded that the value of these dogs to Marines operating in southern Helmand cannot be overstated.
“I would take an asset that can smell HME over a metal detector any day of the week because there are so many metal objects out here it doesn’t matter what you are doing you are going to hit on something metal,” he said. “I would not want to go on patrol without one.”
SPONSOR A CARE PACKAGE FOR A K9 IED DETECTION TEAM LIKE THE MARINE AND HIS DOG JAWDY IN THIS STORY!
SPECIAL PACKAGES WILL INCLUDE TREATS FOR THE DOG TOO!
MILITARY DOGS HELP SNIFF OUT IEDS SAVING HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT LIVES
It's a well established fact that the proliferation of IED's in Afghanistan is the number one danger to the lives of our troops there. Every month more of our troops are injured or killed by IED's than engagements with Taliban fighters.
During a visit with wounded Marines at the military hospital in Bethesda, Md., Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos asked how many had a bomb-sniffing dog with them when they were injured. Half did not.
The Marine Corps is now on a crash program to increase the number of its dogs in Afghanistan. "I'd like a dog with every patrol," Amos said.
Because of the increasing threat of IED's to our troops in Afghanistan, the military is ramping up their deployment of these specially-trained mutts. These dogs are so important to our troops, save so many lives, they are indispensable.
We want to encourage the use of these trained dogs to save more lives - so we're sending care packages to units with K9 teams, including boxes of doggie treats, along with the normal care package items. Sponsor one now!
"Electronic equipment is great in the laboratory, but out on the battlefield, you can't beat the dogs," said Bill Childress, manager of the Marine Corps working dog program. "The most versatile, mobile piece of equipment we can find is the dog's nose."
In four months, Marines using dogs, electronic gear and intelligence from villagers have found more than 400 buried roadside bombs in Sangin, long a Taliban stronghold. More than 100 bombs exploded before discovery.
That 4-to-1 ratio is considered a sign of success in the grinding fight against improvised explosive devices. Still, 31 Marines have been killed and more than 140 wounded since late September.
In Afghanistan, the Marine Corps has 170 bomb-sniffing dogs, Childress said. The plan is to begin, by late summer, increasing that number to about 280, spread among 20,000 Marines and sailors.
Dogs have deployed with theU.S. military since before the Civil War and have continued ever since. As in other wars, the bonding between the dogs and their Marine handlers in Afghanistan is the stuff of legend.
With more dog and handler teams deploying to Afghanistan to combat the threat of IED's, shouldn't we do something to support the K9's who help keep our troops safe from roadside bombs and other threats. For a limited time only - MAF is including doggie treats in the care packages, and mailing to units with these specially trained canines!
After talk of slowing down the process due to opposition from the United States, the leader of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, took the stage of the United Nations today, asking for the General Assembly to approve the resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood. If the General Assembly does take a vote on this issue, its almost 100% assured to pass overwhelmingly. The only 3 countries likely to vote against the resolution are the United States, Israel, and Singapore, who are dealing with a fast-growing Muslim population and a strong presence of Al Qaeda and other radical-Islamic, anti-government faction that regularly threatens or carries out attacks against the government of Singapore.
If the United States has to, it probably will veto the resolution in the Security Council, but the damage will have been done, America and Israel will once again be singled out as the bad guys on the world stage. How did we get to this point?
KT McFarland, who has been in the United Nations monitoring the Palestinian bid for statehood as it has been paying out, always astute, she observes that President Obama’s lack of leadership and support for Israel has helped put us where we are today. “I warned about it a year ago… what the President should have done, was he shouldn’t have said “we hope to welcome Palestine to the community of nations” because by doing that he let everybody dig in to their negotiating positions… he only started looking at it about 3 weeks ago, and it’s just too late.”
KT’s insight shows how much better she understands diplomacy that Obama himself. He wanted to give a speech with high-flying rhetoric, without considering the implications of what he said, and failed to assure the Palestinians that America would be strong and forceful in our support of Israel.
Obama’s milquetoast support for Israel emboldened them to the point where they felt they did not have to negotiate with Israel but could go over their heads by taking their case to the UN. Thus, the entire peace process is undermined.
Earlier this week, Obama caved to pressure from Jewish and pro-Israel constituencies to finally throw Israel a bone at this critical time. After years of throwing Israel under the bus, President Obama finally woke up to the problem after his party lost a seat in New York’s dependably democrat 9th district, where a huge portion of the electorate are Jews.
The fact that Republican Bob Turner recently won Anthony Weiner’s old seat was a wake-up call to Obama, his much-relied upon Jewish constituency is slipping away in protest of his weak record of support for Israel. Now Obama is scrambling to prove that he supports Israel, to try to win back those Jewish votes, but our friends Israel must be thinking “you [Obama and by extension America]talk like a friend now, but where you when we really needed you?”
Now we’re facing the possibility of another Intifada [the last Intifada launched by the Palestinians lasted 5 years and caused the deaths of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians] if the process does not go in the Palestinians’ favor. Despite assurances from Abbas that the Palestinians are peaceful, his Fatah party has no control over the violent Hamas terrorists who run the Gaza Strip, and there are already violent protests starting up in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Could more Middle East unrest mean more danger for our troops? How much more weakness can Obama show before it puts our own security in danger… in all likelihood, it already has.
SIGN THE PETITION!
JOIN MOVE AMERICA FORWARD AS WE CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE: WHEN AMERICA BOWS TO OUR ENEMIES, SHOWS WEAKNESS, FAILS TO STAND BY OUR ALLIES, WE LOSE.
PLEASE SEND TO YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND HAVE THEM SIGN AS WELL!.
UN GIVES AHMEDINEJAD PLATFORM TO CRITICIZE U.S. AMID DISCUSSION OF PALESTINIAN QUESTION, IRANIAN LEADER CRITICIZES US, ISRAEL, SUGGESTS 9/11 AN INSIDE JOB
The U.S. delegation to the UN, as well as delegates from France, Germany, the UK and several others, walked out today as Iran's Mahmoud Ahmedinejad took the podium to give another hate-filled anti-American, anti-Israel diatribe.
In his remarks, Ahmadinejad called the September 11, 2001, attacks "mysterious" and said they were a pretext for a U.S.-led war against Afghanistan and Iraq.
He said the United States killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden instead of assigning a fact-finding team to investigate "hidden elements involved in September 11."
He also placed blame on the United States for numerous global problems including the financial crisis...
- CNN Report, 22 SEPT 2011
Last night, Ahmedinejad was invited to an exclusive meeting with students and professors of some of America's most prestigious universities Columbia, Princeton, Fordham, NYU and others. Why would they want to meet with someone who has called for the destruction of one of our closest allies, Israel?
This week has been abuzz with the question of the United Nations possibly awarding member-status to the Palestinians, which shows that they are completely uncommitted to peace with Israel by trying to appeal to the UN rather than their Israeli neighbors for legitimacy.
At Move America Forward we have always stood with our closes allies in the War on Terror and Israel is one ally who knows A LOT about Islamic extremism. They live with the threats, the rockets, the bus-bombs, every single day. We stand firmly in support of our allies the Israelis.
What is the United Nations thinking in possibly giving legitimacy to the Palestinians who will not even distance themselves from the well-known terrorist group HAMAS.
Former Ambassador John Bolton said today that the UN has no legitimacy or authority to bestow nationhood, "the UN General Assmebly has no power to declare statehood, it could declare Disneyland a state tomorrow and it would have the same impact as declaring Palestine a state."
Yesterday, President Obama gave a weak-worded speech to the UN in a meager show of support to Israel. But this is the first time he's spoken up for Israel throughout his whole presidency. More of the time, Obama has failed to support Israel and has snubbed our close ally on several occasions!
As Americans back home are enjoying the sun and fun of another summer season, firing up the grill and enjoying our 3-day labor day weekend, let’s not forget our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq...ESPECIALLY with 9/11 COMING SOON!
BACK HOME IN THE USA
Millions of Americans went to religious services this weekend at synagogues, churches, temples and other houses of worship. Across the nation people listened to sermons, and knelt to pray for wealth, their health, a promotion, more money, a new car, a chance to hit that lotto number.
Is there anything better than a nice barbeque in the backyard or a picnic at the park?
Thousands this weekend flocked to parks and hung out in the patio out back grilling up delicious hot dogs and hamburgers.
OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS
But in Iraq and Afghanistan our troops were praying too, not in big beautiful churches, but huddled together outside their trucks ready to go out and meet the enemy. They are praying that they make it back alive and live to see the day when they can see their loved ones again.
Our troops in the field had to make due with M.R.E.s that come with a meager hot entrée, and usually a piece of bread or cracker. Luckily the packages come with salt and pepper, but even that isn’t always enough to make these MREs more than barely edible.
This is the time to send our troops a care package with thick cuts of savory beef jerky in peppered, teriyaki and original flavors. Each of them also includes refreshing Gatorade, coffee and cookies to wake them up in the morning, and jelly beans and other delicious goodies give them some comfort during their difficult deployments.
They are completing their missions to keep us safe back home, show your thanks and appreciation with a care package that will boost morale and give them what they need to keep fighting.
Don’t forget each one comes with a special personalized message FROM YOU to the troops
US
Don’t we all love to enjoy the outdoors? Back home we can enjoy a nice hike in the mountains and take in the sounds of the wildlife and the natural beauty of this magnificent land we live in.
In your leisure time, isn’t it nice to kick back and enjoy a day out on the lake fishing with your friends and family? There’s nothing better to do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon but talk and wait for that fishing line to tug.
OUR TROOPS
Our troops protect that land, and they protect our freedoms by spending their days climbing huge mountains out in Afghanistan. In the oppressive heat of Afghanistan, our troops have to tough it out with only the supplies they can carry with them on those dangerous and long mountain climbs.
But in Iraq and Afghanistan, our troops don’t get to spend their free time hanging out fishing or watching football, they spend their free time cleaning their weapons and making sure their equipment is in tip top shape. Their lives depend on it.
We depend on our troops to protect our freedoms and liberties from those who would destroy America and kill our families and fellow citizens if they could just get the chance. Our troops are the only thing standing in their way.
Think about how nice we have it here back home in America, the greatest country in the world because of the promise of freedom and liberty. That liberty is protected by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. Don’t they deserve a little bit of thanks in recognition of what they go through and what they sacrifice for us back home?
Please remember our troops today, remember what they are going through and as a way to give thanks for what you have, send our troops a little something to make their deployment a little easier. You can make a soldier, airman, marine, sailor or coast guardsman rest a little easier today by sending a care package now.
These care packages filled with only the best premium products and they are packed with loving care by our huge pool of dedicated volunteers. But most important of all, every care package comes with a personalized note of appreciation or encouragement, written by YOU.
10th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 APPROACHING DON’T FORGET OUR TROOPS WHO ARE STILL FIGHTING
As we quickly approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that brought the threat of Islamic terrorism right to our front doorsteps, honor the troops who are still out there fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As much as we all wish that all of our troops could be home to commemorate and memorialize those lost on 9/11, the simple fact is that our missions there are still not over…and our troops are not quitters… they know they have a job to do and they are 100% committed to finishing it.
That’s why we have to be 100% committed to them, to support them until all of our troops can come home victorious. Please help us honor those troops who are still fighting by sending these special care packages for 9/11 to the troops who need them most!
One soldier wrote back to thank us for the care package we sent to her, sponsored by a MAF donor like you:
She Writes:
"I would like to start off by thanking you for the box of wonderful items you sent. I know you help out many Soldiers by sending us these boxes, but I felt mine was special. I am not really a mail person so ... I was so happy to receive the box. What you and your group are doing means the world to us soldiers and is just as important as the ones fighting on the front line. [editor's note: we have to disagree! The troops on the front lines are much more important, we're just doing what we can from back home to show our support! ]
You are keeping our [morale] up and giving us goodies we can't buy at the P.X...that's if the area even [has] one. I cannot express how much this simple box meant to me and my soldiers. Every single item was used. Thanks a million, you are truly awesome. "Roll Tide"
- SSG [redacted] Kiera
MAF CARE PACKAGES INCLUDE ITEMS LIKE OREO COOKIES, THE ONLY WAY TO SEND CHOCOLATE THAT DOESN'T MELT TO OUR TROOPS, AS WELL AS GOURMET COFFEE THAT, FRANKLY, TASTES MUCH BETTER THAN THE COFFEE THAT THE MILITARY PROVIDES!! WE ONLY WISH WE COULD DO MORE!
TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN STRUGGLE FOR ELECTRICITY & SUPPLIES "THE SHELVES STAY PRETTY EMPTY"
This is an emergency response to an extremely urgent problem developing for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan right now...
This week we received another letter that mentioned the scarcity of supplies for our troops serving in Afghanistan. This time the message comes from an actual soldier in Afghanistan who mentioned how tough it is for our troops to get electrical power and even the most basic necessities.
It seems like our current Commander-in-Chief has forgotten the 120,000 soldiers abroad that are serving their country by fighting a deadly war against terrorism. Help us show the troops that Americans have not forgotten about the sacrifices they are constantly making and thank them for their courageous patriotism by sending a much needed care package!
Here is the letter we received from a grateful soldier thanking us for the care package, but the letter reveals the problem our troops face:
Dear MAF,
Greetings from Afghanistan! I would like to thank you for your support of our unit. We really appreciate the tremendous support you have given us. We are really grateful. Being away from our families...is hard, but we have a mission. We are a unity, dedicated to keep this installation safe, 24 hours a day...
I am the administrative person for our unit so I do all of the paperwork.
It gets stressful sometimes and there is not much to do here...the electricity here is 220V so we have to use transformers and converters for 110 V use. The PX has the basic necessities with just a few extras, not much. The shelves pretty much stay empty.
We are in the city of [redacted] so if you see or hear something that happens here, we hear and feel the blast, sometimes we have to run from the shrapnel we are so close.
Thank you very much.
- SFC [redacted] Davis Alpha Company [ redacted ] Infantry Force Protection
This is just unacceptable, but our efforts at Move America Forward have provided support to fill this void created by Washington, with care packages from our warehouse.
However, we cannot stop there! With over 100,000 troops still fighting anti-American insurgents, help us continue sending MORE of these wonderful gifts to our warriors abroad.
Boxes that include deodorant, Gatorade, chapstick, and now, GUM, are just what the troops need while facing decreased funding and unbearable temperatures. Help now by sponsoring a care package!
At Move America Forward we are 100% dedicated to helping our troops and making sure their sacrifices and commitment to our nation do not go unnoticed. Right now, our troops are not being treated well enough. Letters like the one above should not need to be written. It is hard enough for family members to wait at home and pray their loved one returns safely. They should not also have to worry if essentials are being provided to the troops.
Our country is at war and our troops are winning. They are winning not because of technology or money, but because of their heart and drive to do what is right in order to protect our great nation. They define patriotism on a daily basis. Let’s come together and thank them by sending a care package to every single soldier deployed. We cannot leave it up to Washington and the politicians to treat our troops properly. It is the least we can do to thank each and every one of them personally. By sponsoring a care package, you have the opportunity to share your appreciation, through a note and goodies and touch the life of a real American hero.
MARINES WRITE BACK TO SAY 'THANKS' "I ASK YOU TO KEEP WOUNDED IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS"
Deadly attacks rocked Iraq yesterday as insurgents coordinated an incredible 42 attacks on the same day. They came in the form of suicide bombers, IEDs, even brazen assaults by armed men and served as a massive wake up call.
It's a reminder of the danger our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan still go through every day. But despite the long days in the hot desert, with 110+ degree temperatures bearing down on them, these troops still take the time to write to us. We recently received one such letter from a Marine in Afghanistan
I would like to sincerely thank you for the generous care packages that you have sent during this year long deployment.The support and patriotism by your organization Move America Forward is extremely appreciated. Please know morale amongst the Marines of [ redacted ] remains high. We are defeating the Taliban and making great strides every day toward stabilizing this region. This fight is not easy however, as we take casualties on a near daily basis. I ask you to keep the Wounded in Action and KIA in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you again for your patriotism, community service, and support for the fine Marines of [ redacted ], 1st Marine Division
MAJ J. M. [ redacted ] Regimental Logistics Officer Helmand Province, Afghanistan
The care packages for our troops sponsored by your donations, make a HUGE difference. After a long day of fighting or working in the hostile environment, who wants to spend their free time writing to a complete stranger?
An yet these Marines took time out of their extremely busy day to write back to us, and it's because we made a difference to them, we helped their day to be a little easier. But it's only through your generous sponsorships that we are able to keep doing this good work for our troops deployed in a war zone!
PLEASE DONATE A CARE PACKAGE NOW, IF YOU CAN TO HELP US KEEP SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!
Friends, With great sadness and sympathy in our hearts today, we must report a tragedy for the American people, and especially for the small, but close-knit community known as The Navy SEALS.
"...[Last night] insurgents shot down a Chinook transport helicopter on Saturday, killing 30 Americans, including some Navy Seal commandos from the unit that killed Osama bin Laden, as well as 8 Afghans, American and Afghan officials said.
The helicopter, on a night-raid mission in the Tangi Valley of Wardak Province, to the west of Kabul, was most likely brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade, one coalition official said.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, and they could hardly have found a more valuable target: American officials said that 22 of the dead were Navy Seal commandos, including members of Seal Team 6"
- Reported by The New York Times 6 August 2011
This tragic loss of life is a reminder that these SEALS (as well as all of our troops who serve overseas) put themselves in a great deal of danger because they are willing to sacrifice ANYTHING to serve the country that they love so much.
They do it to keep us safe. Please support them today, send a care package to troops on the front lines who are putting themselves in harm's way for our sake.
It is the least we can do as a sign of our thanks and gratitude for all they have done and given up for us.
Dear Friend – Of all the wonderful things Move America Forward has done with your help to support our troops, the most emotional and touching for me has been working with the Gold Star families who have lost a child in the war in Iraq or Afghanistan.
A new book is out by Gold Stars parents, John and Stacey Holley. I had the honor of escorting John and six other Gold Star family members to Iraq. I will warn you now that the book will bring you to tears as John and Stacey tell the story of how they lost their only child, Matthew John Holley, to an IED in Iraq.
But it is an inspirational book as well. You will read how their faith in God pulled them through this horrendous experience. It is a remarkable story of how, beset with grief, the Holley’s marshaled their energy to change federal law so that the remains of our heroic military men and women are returned home with military honors and not as common freight as had been the case. It is now in the law as “The Holley Provision.”
A large part of the book chronicles our trip to Iraq that was made possible by your contributions and the assistance of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Northern Iraq. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has failed to recognize the importance of giving Gold Star families the opportunity to see what their children gave their lives for. We felt we had to step in to help these parents.
I am sharing some pictures from that trip.
The first picture is of John with some of our Army personnel in their dining area. These young men and women appreciated John coming to Iraq to offer them his total love and support, and listening to these soldiers affirm their desire to serve and protect America was awesome.
The next picture was a tough one. It is John and I standing next to a HUMVEE that was very similar to the one that his son, Matt, was riding in when it was ripped to shreds with an IED. I saw John choke up as he looked at the vehicle. I went over to him, barely concealing my own emotions, to put my arm around him.
In the third picture, John is with a group of children that still remain in the former concentration camp where Saddam Hussein had put the families of men who were taken out and murdered. These kids are mostly the grandchildren of men savagely killed, many buried alive. Their fathers were children at the time and incarcerated in these camps that still remain as the current government tries to re-settle them.
John sought out the kids wherever we went. They took to him immediately. Their hopeful smiles were proof that the American military, and his son Matt, were responsible for liberating these kids so they would have a future. It was a direct result of the sacrifice his son made.
Much of our trip was planned by a most remarkable woman, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the Kurdistan Regional Government High Representative to the UK. Her father and brother were killed by a suicide bomber. She completely empathized with the Gold Star families because of her own loss, and she took so much time to make the Gold Stars feel truly appreciated and loved by the Kurdish people.
Or, I would be delighted to send a FREE copy of this book to everyone who contributes $100 or more to Move America Forward from this email. If you can help Move America Forward, the largest grassroots pro-troop organization in America, continue our mission, please below:
A Special Message from Debbie Lee, Gold Star mother of Marc Alan Lee, US Navy SEAL
Dear friends, I'm writing this to you as an emergency response to an extremely urgent problem developing for our troops in Iraq right now...
This week I received a very concerning letter from a longtime supporter and mother of a deployed soldier. It seems like our current Commander-in-Chief, after snatching up credit for killing Osama bin Laden, has now forgotten the remaining 120,000 soldiers abroad that are serving their country by fighting a deadly war against terrorism. Help us show the troops that Americans have not forgotten about the sacrifices they are constantly making and thank them for their courageous patriotism by sending a much needed care package!
Unfortunately, the media only covers the sensational stories and it looks like the government neglecting our troops in combat deployment is just not that interesting of a story. On Monday I received this letter that just turned my stomach:
“ …I mentioned to you that my son would soon be deploying to Afghanistan for the first time. He is now 21 and has been there for almost three weeks. It has been tense at times but he loves his country and believes in his mission.
You asked that I let you know his units address and you would be sure that care packages were sent. We have been sending one a week and have asked Chris (our son) to please share as well as let us know who in his unit hasn't received anything and we will be sure they are taken care of. Mail is slow so we don't have those names yet.
I guess since Obama has announced the draw down the PX's are no longer stocking much so my son has asked for the bare personal hygiene items that one would think they would have. In other words, everything is appreciated….”
- MAF Supporter
This is just unacceptable, but our efforts at Move America Forward have provided support till fill this void created by Washington. After another successful Troopathon, our headquarters is busy filling and sending care packages. However, we cannot stop there! With over 100,000 troops still fighting anti-American insurgents, help me continue sending these wonderful gifts to our warriors abroad.Boxes that include deodorant, Gatorade, chapstick, and now, GUM, are just what the troops need while facing decreased funding and unbearable temperatures. Help now by sponsoring a care package!
I have dedicated my life’s work to helping our troops and making sure their sacrifices and commitment to our nation do not go unnoticed. I can tell you that right now, these troops are not being treated well enough. Letters like the one above should not need to be written. It is hard enough for family members to wait at home and pray their loved one returns safely. They should not also have to worry if essentials are being provided to the troops.
Our country is at war and our troops are winning. They are winning not because of technology or money, but because of their heart and drive to do what is right in order to protect our great nation. They define patriotism on a daily basis. Let’s come together and thank them by sending a care package to every single soldier deployed. We cannot leave it up to Washington and the politicians to treat our troops properly. It is the least we can do to thank each and every one of them personally. By sponsoring a care package, you have the opportunity to share your appreciation, through a note and goodies and touch the life of a real American hero.
Happy Fourth of July to all of our MAF supporters and again, a HUGE THANKS to everyone who contributed on last month's Troopathon “Remember Their Sacrifice” we slightly exceeded our goal, raising over $500,000 for our troops!
Our fourth annual Troopathon was a success! We had a great lineup of guests this year, including the same familiar faces who helped MAF put on three successful Troopathons before! We welcomed some new co-hosts like Roger Hedgecock and S.E. Cupp and rejoined with guests Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Laura Ingraham, Dr. Laura Schlessinger and many more.
It was an exciting night for me and all of my friends here at Move America Forward. I cannot express in words how extremely touched I was as I watched the donations pouring in. Hearing all of our guests praising the troops, seeing the numbers of viewers on our web stream shooting up, and the orders for care packages rolling in, it brought me to tears several times, just to see the huge outpouring of support.
We are still taking donations, and you can help raise our total from $507,843 to $600,000. Please consider making a donation on this Independence Day!
Since my son Marc Alan Lee gave his life for his country, I have been fighting to support the troops and speak out on their behalf. I do it for the memory of Marc, who was a Navy SEAL, all his SEAL buddies, and all our brave warriors who serve in our military. That’s why the Troopathon is such an important event every year, near and dear to my heart, and I was so deeply moved by the support showed those who contributed.
Our Troops Carry on the Legacy of Our Founding Fathers and Their Fight for Independence Which We Celebrate Today
The 4th of July is a time to remember America’s first troops, those who fought to forge a new nation, to gain independence from England. Since that first battle for independence, American troops have brought freedom to the shores of countless countries over the whole world, and the American soldier has been the unshakable defender of freedom throughout the world, standing against all odds, against any enemy.
I know my son Marc saw himself that way, and he proudly exemplified the legacy of those first revolutionary warriors who carried the stars and stripes into battle. Marc did that every day in Iraq. He carried the stars and stripes on his shoulder and in his heart as do all of our troops.
He was on patrol with his fellow SEALS in Ramadi in 2006, one of the worst places in all of Iraq at the time. They were on a rooftop and Marc’s buddy Ryan had been critically wounded in a firefight. Marc exposed himself and stood up in the direct line of fire hoping to draw attention to himself, so that the medic could get up to the rooftop. The Medic said Ryan was going to die if they didn’t evacuate him right away. So again Marc stood up again in the line of fire and laid down suppressive fire to cover his buddies so they could carry Ryan safely back to base. He saved Ryan’s life that day.
Marc and fellow SEAL on a rooftop much like the same one in Ramadi
When they got back to base, their Chief came in and said they had found the house where the insurgents who had just attacked them were hiding. He did not expect the SEALs to fight twice in the same day, but Marc looked at his chief and said “Roger that, let’s go get them!” He and his fellow SEALS volunteered to go back into battle.
On that mission, as the team was making their way up some stairs, they took sniper fire through a window and once again Marc put himself in the line of fire to safe his buddies, but this time, he sacrificed himself and laid down his life to save his buddies and to serve his only mission…which was to protect and defend America.
Marc gave his life for America, for the American people and the ideals we stand for, and the freedoms we enjoy. The brave troops who fought for America’s independence fought for the very same reason, just as all of our troops in all the wars America has fought, fought for freedom and for democracy, and to preserve the strength and prosperity of the American people.
My Son and my Hero, Marc Alan Lee, US Navy SEAL
I am so proud of my son Marc, and our troops that continue to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, on this 4th of July, as our nation celebrates our 235th birthday, please think of the troops like my son Marc, and all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and remember the troops who are still over there, risking their lives, fighting for our freedoms.
You can support those troops still fighting by sending a care package through Move America Forward. These packages help them make it through a tough deployment and have lots of goodies that they love to eat. Sponsor a care package now and help Move America Forward bring our Troopathon total up to $600,000.
Thank you for your support. I can tell you with certainty that our troops love receiving these packages, and that their spirits are greatly raised when they receive a care package and a message of support from a stranger.
Happy Fourth of July, God bless you and our troops, keep them safe, and God bless this land we call the United States of America
Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mom for Move America Forward
ARMY RANGER TO RECEIVE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR SAVING FELLOW SOLDIERS HE WAS WOUNDED IN BATTLE BUT STILL PUT HIMSELF AT RISK TO SAVE HIS BUDDIES
The Medal of Honor is only awarded to troops who display the highest level of bravery and selflessness. Since the beginning of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, only 9 such medals have been awarded, and of those 9, only two individuals actually survived to receive the awards.
Seven have been awarded posthumously, to troops who gave their lives to save their friends and complete the mission.
The most recent recipient is US Army Ranger Leroy Petry, who is only the 2nd Medal of Honor recipient to receive his award while still alive. The other is Sal Guinta, who was awarded the MoH earlier this year.
Like Guinta, Ranger Leroy Petry receives his MoH for actions in Afghanistan, specifically Paktya province.
Send some care Packages to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq! They are fighting a tough enemy and making the tough sacrifices for our sake. We owe them for everything they do for our safety and freedom.
A detailed account of Petry’s heroic actions:
“The two Soldiers [Petry and Robsinson, both Rangers] entered the courtyard. To their front was an opening followed by a chicken coop. As the two crossed the open area, an enemy insurgent fired on them. Petry was wounded by one round, which went through both of his legs. Robinson was also hit in his side plate by a separate round.
While wounded and under enemy fire, Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop. The enemy continued to deliver fire at the two Soldiers.
As the senior Soldier, Petry assessed the situation and reported that contact was made and that there were two wounded Rangers in the courtyard of the primary target building.
Upon hearing the report of two wounded Rangers, Sgt. Daniel Higgins, a team leader, moved to the outer courtyard. As Higgins was moving to Petry and Robinson's position, Petry threw a thermobaric grenade in the vicinity of the enemy position.
Shortly after that grenade exploded -- which created a lull in the enemy fire -- Higgins arrived at the chicken coop and assessed the wounds of the two Soldiers.
While Higgins evaluated their wounds, an insurgent threw a grenade over the chicken coop at the three Rangers. The grenade landed about 10 meters from the three Rangers, knocked them to the ground, and wounded Higgins and Robinson. Shortly after the grenade exploded, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole entered the courtyard, and moved toward the chicken coop.
With three Soldiers taking cover in the chicken coop, an enemy fighter threw another grenade at them. This time, the grenade landed just a few feet from Higgins and Robinson.
Recognizing the threat that the enemy grenade posed to his fellow Rangers, Petry -- despite his own wounds and with complete disregard for his personal safety -- consciously and deliberately risked his life to move to and secure the live enemy grenade and consciously throw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers, according to battlefield reports.
As Petry released the grenade in the direction of the enemy, preventing the serious injury or death of Higgins and Robinson, it detonated and catastrophically amputated his right hand.
- Official US Army Statement 1 JUN 2011
It is because we were inspired by the stories of men like Petry, and wanted to help and support all of our troops deployed over in Iraq and Afghanistan, that we started the Troopathon. The Troopathon is an annual push with the goal of sending a massive number of care packages to our troops for the summer, when they really need it. Out in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, the temperatures hit scorching triple digits on a daily basis, and that’s a very tough environment for our troops to do their dangerous jobs. That’s why we pack our care packages with tons of goodies and treats that our troops love, including Gatorade to keep them hydrated and cool in the hot sun.
This year, please help our Troopathon effort by honoring our brave men and women in uniform and supporting their efforts by sending some gratitude in the form of a care package. It’s the best way you can show your appreciation and admiration of amazing, selfless soldiers like Sal Guinta and Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor winners.
A Memorial Day Message From Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee
Proclamation to Reclaim Memorial Day
The commercials on TV are calling us to purchase, cars, furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics or a myriad of other things to “Celebrate Memorial Day” with their huge blowout sales! Our Parks and Recreation programs are declaring summer has arrived by opening our pools and encouraging us to come join in the fun and laughter this Memorial Day weekend. It saddens me and breaks my heart to see that most of America has taken advantage of this 3 day weekend as a reason to party, shop and celebrate for self-fulfillment. As a country we have lost our focus and the reason why we take time to stop and respectfully, solemnly and reverently remember those who gave up their last breath and hope of a future, so that we could enjoy each and every day. We have failed our children by not educating them as to the real meaning of Memorial Day.
As I child I remember getting together with family for picnics or bar-b-ques. We looked forward to camping trips or trips to the lake. There were a few trips I remember to the cemetery but it was to place flowers on deceased relative’s graves who had never served in the military. I thought Memorial Day was to remember loved ones who had died. I wasn’t taught and therefore I missed the opportunity to teach my children that Memorial Day is to remember those who paid the ultimate price. Freedom comes with a price, freedom’s not free .
It really was my son Marc Alan Lee who taught me about Memorial Day . The way he lived his life and the value he placed on others’ lives, caused him to sacrifice his life defending his teammates and our freedoms. Marc was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13
The orders from Gen. John A. Logan declare “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. “
General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on the first Observance of Memorial day and then 5,000 patriots decorated the graves of 20,000 soldiers buried in the cemetery. I am so proud of the boy scouts who every year place flags on my son’s grave and every headstone at Fort Rosecrans. I know that many others throughout the nation will be doing the same at National Cemeteries all over our country, thank you!
Waterloo, NY was declared by President Johnson as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. He recognized that this was a city who understood the real meaning of Memorial Day. They knew that Memorial Day was to honor America’s mighty warriors who sacrificed their lives in combat defending our freedoms. Businesses closed, community wide events were planned to honor our brave warriors who were killed in action and residents gathered and decorated the graves of our heroes. How sad that there are businesses in America who take advantage of this holiday and choose to increase their profits instead of sacrificing a little by closing to remember the sacrifice of our fallen war heroes.
I speak for all of the Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in combat, that every day for us is Memorial Day. With pride and pain we remember them; we remember their smile, their voice, their smell, their touch, their laughter, their character, their dedication and their sacrifice. As a nation we ask that on Memorial Day, one day out of the year that as a Nation we corporately come together to honor our fallen heroes who died in combat. That’s not asking too much for the blessings and freedoms that you enjoy every day. I’ve read many articles about Memorial Day and heard quotes from speeches from well-meaning people, even from our leaders in the military, who seem to not completely understand that Memorial Day is the Day we remember those heroes, who while serving in the military, died in combat. We have Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day to remember our Vets. Personally not a day goes by that I don’t remember our Vets, not matter when they served, or the branch of service they were in. I’ve dedicated my life to honoring, thanking and supporting our military and especially the families of the fallen, but on May 30th, Memorial Day join with me as we “Remember” not “Celebrate” those who gave their all for you and I.
Join with me as I lead the charge to reclaim Memorial Day. Attend Parades and community events to remember our fallen heroes. Take a carload of friends and family to a National Cemetery and decorate the graves and remember the sacrifice of a hero and their family. Thank the family members of those you know who lost a loved one in combat. Take a Gold Star family to lunch, coffee, dinner and ask them about their hero.Do something to let them know you have not forgotten the sacrifice and understand the high price that has been paid for our freedoms. Read a story of a fallen hero, watch a memorial video, then pass it on to those whose lives you have influence on. If you’re a business close on May 30th to honor and remember our fallen or donate the proceeds from the day to a charity who tells the stories of our fallen or who takes care of the families of the fallen. Our fallen heroes gave their very last breath defending you and they have earned the respect due them on Memorial Day.
Remembering their Sacrifice! Debbie Lee Gold Star Mother of Marc Alan Lee
TROOPS IN WAR ZONE DECLARE: OSAMA’S DEATH DOES NOT CHANGE MISSION OR TROOPS RESOLVE TO WIN
Our troops have had a tough week, with many more to come. The Taliban launched a huge offensive last week in many parts around Afghanistan to prove they still had vitality. These attacks reminded our troops and military commanders that the enemy can still muster forces and wreak havoc in places like Kandahar, where at least 60 Taliban fighters occupied different buildings throughout the city.
Those who thought that Osama’s death would bring a quick end to the war on terror were wrong.
Our troops overseas spoke up about how they felt about the Osama killings, and how that reflects on their job in Afghanistan.
“I think it is a step in winning the war on terrorism but it is only one step….I think that Americans here and at home and throughout the world should rejoice while remaining vigilant in all of our endeavors."– An American soldier in Afghanistan, talking about the death of Osama bin Laden.
“There may be others who step up and try to take his place. Honestly, it has been a long time coming. I am glad it made some people back home to feel safer or more secure. I just don't want it to be a false sense of security”– Staff Sgt. Edwards
It’s amazing how capable and intelligent our troops are, they really have an understanding of what their mission is, how to achieve victory, and they’re committed to it. But it’s still a tough battle, and to be successful, they need our support! Send a care package filled with goodies to some troops on the front lines!
“9/11 was America's darkest day. It was the worst tragedy America had experienced to date. It shocked America and the world, and it was like every American had lost a friend or family member that day," said Captain Slater. "It is important to never forget the tragedy, both in seeking justice and in remembering the heroic resolve displayed by the emergency responders who perished saving lives."
This year’s Troopathon theme is “Remember their Sacrifice” which reminds us of how important it is to keep supporting our troops until their missions is complete!
These care packages are a wonderful way to show your support. They contain lots of great items that our troops need and appreciate receiving in a care package from a stranger. Temperatures in Afghanistan are getting hotter and in Iraq, they’re positively scorching, so don’t you think the troops will appreciate a cool, refreshing Gatorade? There’s also plenty of high quality coffee to give the troops a soothing wake-up and keep them alert . There’s also deodorant, hand cleaner, wet wipes, and eye drops to keep the troops feeling, smelling, and looking their best, which helps morale in so many ways you can’t even imagine.
Most of all, it’s the letters. When you sponsor a care package from MAF, you write your own personal message of thanks and gratitude which goes into the care package so that the troops see it when they open up that box of goodies. They read your heartfelt message that boosts morale and gives them the mental and emotional strength to carry on and get through a difficult deployment.
It can brighten a soldier’s day, change his or her whole outlook, and keeping morale high is extremely important in a war that has tested the resolve and staying power of our military men and women like never before.
So please dig deep and donate what you can, send a care package to a brave soldier, marine, sailor, airman or guardsman today.
NAVY SEALS KILL OSAMA BIN LADEN IN DARING RAID IN PAKISTAN! CONGRATULATE OUR TROOPS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
Our troops deserve huge congratulations today: as many of our members have already heard, US Navy SEALS carried out a daring raid early Sunday morning on a huge house not far from Islamabad, Pakistan.
Their target was Osama bin Laden. They got him.
This is a huge milestone for our troops and our nation. We’ve been pursuing bin Laden for over 9 years, after his Al Qaeda organization carried out the devastating attacks of 9/11 which took the lives of almost 3,000 innocents. Our troops and intelligence agencies hunted Osama ever since, and now they’ve finally caught up to him and brought him to swift justice – a death he more than deserved.
For this accomplishment our troops deserve our eternal gratitude. Especially the likes of the US Navy SEALs who carried out the operation that finally got Bin Laden. Americans all around the country took to the streets to celebrate, even late at night, in Washington D.C., in New York, all over.
Thank the troops for their commitment and sacrifice in bringing this monster to justice. The best thing you can do is continue to support them, by sending a care package to troops who are still fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq.
These care packages give a great boost in morale. They show the troops that we support them as well as provide some much appreciated goodies like coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade and much more.
Late last night, President Obama gave a short speech confirming the rumors swirling around the web, that CIA intelligence had identified a house in Abbottabad, Pakistan suspected of housing the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. A team of about 20-25 Navy SEALS raided the house and killed Osama, one of his sons (also a high ranking al Qaeda member) and two other terrorists hiding with them.
MAF released the following statement from our spokesperson Debbie Lee, whose son Marc was a Navy SEAL who gave his life for his country in 2006, and felt very deeply moved by the today’s news.
I’m so proud that it was a Navy SEAL team that finally got Osama bin Laden, and I just wish Marc could be here with his fellow SEALs to share this with the country he died protecting. Marc graduated from his SEAL training shortly before 9/11 and when that heinous attack was carried out by Al Qaeda, Marc wanted more than anything to see justice done. I know he’s watching with satisfaction from Heaven today.
We want to thank all of our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the intelligence community who have been hunting bin Laden for years. This is yet another victory for Americans and for justice for all the victims of radical Islamic terrorists around the world. Where would we be without our troops? They have proven that they have the dedication and patience to complete any mission, to deal with any threat and we want to thank our troops for that.
"It’s also important to thank all of those American patriots who have supported and stood by our troops through all the years. They have been patient as well, for they have continued to send support to our troops even when the media and some politicians were NOT there for the troops. At Move America Forward we will be continuing our mission of supporting our troops, as they are still deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and until all of our troops come home we will continue sending our support and our care packages to our brave troops on the front lines. We invite all Americans to joins us.
We’ve been sending support to our brave troops for years now, and we will continue doing so until their mission is complete. Even though Osama Bin Laden may now be dead, Al Qaeda is still a very real threat, and our troops will still be fighting them. Send some support now!
MILITARY COMMANDERS EXPECT A WAVE OF ATTACKS IMMINENT AFGHANISTAN MAY EXPLODE IN VIOLENCE THIS WEEK
Nothing signals the end of winter in war-torn Afghanistan like the inevitable spike in Taliban and Al Qaeda violence. Attacks have been steadily increasing over the last month or two, but military leaders are now warning that in the next week, terrorist forces plan to launch a massive offensive of multiple attacks all over the country!
"U.S. military officials have long predicted a violent spring, but credible intelligence picked up in the past few days indicates that the Taliban — aided by the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani network — have plans to conduct a brief series of high-profile attacks, such as suicide bombings, the officers said."
- Military Times 04/29/2011
Our troops need our support! It looks like they are in for the fight of a lifetime. Some military commanders are expecting the violence to explode as early as Sunday, May 1st.
CLICK HERE TO SEND CARE PACKAGES TO THE TROOPS, OUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR THE UPCOMING BATTLE!
It’s so important that we support our troops right now! When a major battle occurs, that’s when our troops need us most, and military commanders expect this will happen soon!
"Military commanders interviewed by Reuters were not sure why May 1 had been chosen by the Taliban to launch their renewed offensive."
- Reuters 04/29/2011
MAY DAY (May 1st) is a socialist/leftist holiday in many countries that celebrate socialist/communist revolutions or labor-movements on MAY DAY, and we know that the terrorists tend to pick days with significance to carry out their most ambitious attacks.
"...a spokesman for the coalition [said] “We see this as a propaganda ploy. They want to demonstrate that they are relevant despite recent setbacks."
- Military Times 04/29/2011
The Taliban want to send a message, to shock the western media with the number, severity, and ruthlessness of their attacks. They want to cause the mass media to start questioning our commanders like General David Petraeus. They want the media to start doubting our troops and their mission.
We will never slack or shy from our mission of supporting our troops 100% and we know that you won’t either. Our troops never give up, they never retreat from a fight, and they’re always willing to sacrifice everything to keep us back home safe and free.
In return, we must always have their backs, no matter what the mass media says, no matter how grave the situation is, we must always have faith in our troops and support them! That’s why we have to send more support now!
SEND A MUCH NEEDED CARE PACKAGE TO A MARINE, SOLDIER, AIRMAN OR SAILOR FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINES!
LAST CHANCE TO SPONSOR EASTER CARE PACKS FOR OUR TROOPS. EASTER JUST ONE DAY AWAY!
Our troops appreciate everyone who donates, but special thanks and recognition are in order for the following patriots who went all out this month to send thanks to our troops!
John Vaillancourt of San Francisco, CA sponsored a $249 package! Phillis McNeill of Santa Fe, NM sponsored a $299 package! Vicki Cubeiro of Newport Beach, CA sponsored a $349 package! James Calhoun of Shasta Lake, CA sponsored a $399 package! Amy Schwebke of Albuquerque, NM sponsored a $ 399 package! Amy Watkins of Cypress, TX sponsored a $599 package! Gary Adams of Santa Ana, CA sponsored a $599 package! James Flynn of Portland, OR sponsored a $599 package! Jack Landers of Gardena, CA sponsored a $599 package! Cynthia Potter of St.Louis, MO sponsored a $599 package! Robert Logan of Canton, OH sponsored a $999 package! Kyle Moser of Delmar, NY sponsored a $999 package! Teresa Rainone of E. Setauket, NY sponsored a $999 package! Freddie Morrill of Verdi, NV sponsored a $999 package!
While our troops love the goodies that come in the Easter care packages, the MOST IMPORTANT part of the care package, the part that really helps to boost the spirits of our brave men and women, is YOUR LETTER!
These are some of the heartfelt notes written by some of our donors, that will uplift and inspire our troops bravely serving overseas.
"I think you are doing a great job protecting me and my loved ones . I served with the Army Air Force in World War 2 . My discharge is dated 12/24/1946 (ONE HECK OF A Christmas present.) I will be 85 on July 17. Be careful out there and God Bless each and every one of you."
- Allen Werts of Englewood, Ohio
"As a WWII veteran that served in England, France and Germany I want to thank each of you for your service to our country. God Bless you and God Bless our country. Happy Easter"
- Darel Rutherford of Albuquerque, New Mexico
SEND OUR TROOPS SUPPORT WITH THESE EASTER CARE PACKAGES DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. WE HAVE ONLY 6 DAYS LEFT UNTIL EASTER!
WE HAVE ONLY ONE DAY LEFT TO SEND EASTER CARE PACKS TO OUR BRAVE TROOPS TROOPS!
These care packages do a lot to help our troops while on the front lines and fighting terrorists over in the Middle East. So many of them have families back home they miss and cannot see. Some of our troops have already missed Christmas with their families; they have missed loved one’s birthdays; some have even missed the birth of their own children!
To add a touch of Easter greetings, we have included items in our packages that will remind our troops of the holidays and make them feel right at home. Our Easter Package comes with special products tailored just for Easter!
During these tough economic times, families of troops are struggling to get by. There is a fear that they will have fewer resources to send packages to their loved ones in war zones. This is why it is so important for you and other patriotic Americans to send what we can to our troops. We must never let them forget that we are not only thankful for our families here at home, we are thankful for their selfless sacrifices for our great country.
Please click here to sponsor a care packages for our troops. Your contribution is tax deductible.
A SOLDIER WRITES BACK: EASTER CARE PACKAGES BETTER THAN "THE BEST BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS WE HAD AS A KID"
Easter is only three days away, and our care package operation is in full swing. If you haven't sent an Easter care package to a brave Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or Gaurdsman yet, don't give up, there is still time!
Even thought it's last minute, it's still worth it to send some much needed support to our troops who deserve it, because it REALLY makes a difference! One soldier wrote back to us in an e-mail we received yesterday:
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
I would like to send my sincerest thanks to Move America Forward for the letters of support and care package. Whether helping injured servicemembers back home or sending a little piece of home way out here, it is always appreciated.
Drawn out wars are never popular and as people grow tired of them they often forget about the average soldier out there just doing their job, trying to survive and make it back home. Organizations like Move America Forward really make us feel appreciated and help boost morale. My buddies and I always say that not even the best birthday or Christmas we had as a kid compares to the feeling of coming back to camp after a long mission and being able to sit in our bed at night and read a letter or open a small care package from a stranger back home who just wants to say thanks.
Thanks again from me and all the guys of Charlie Battery Field Artillery Regiment.
WE HAVE ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO SEND EASTER CARE PACKS TO OUR BRAVE TROOPS TROOPS!
These care packages do a lot to help our troops while on the front lines and fighting terrorists over in the Middle East. So many of them have families back home they miss and cannot see. Some of our troops have already missed Christmas with their families; they have missed loved one’s birthdays; some have even missed the birth of their own children!
To add a touch of Easter greetings, we have included items in our packages that will remind our troops of the holidays and make them feel right at home. Our Easter Package comes with special products tailored just for Easter!
During these tough economic times, families of troops are struggling to get by. There is a fear that they will have fewer resources to send packages to their loved ones in war zones. This is why it is so important for you and other patriotic Americans to send what we can to our troops. We must never let them forget that we are not only thankful for our families here at home, we are thankful for their selfless sacrifices for our great country.
Please click here to sponsor a care packages for our troops. Your contribution is tax deductible.
MORE MARINES DEPLOYING TO AFGHANISTAN TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISTS
In Afghanistan, our troops are fighting a huge battle to solidify gains in large swaths of the southern provinces. Over the last year our troops have conducted an amazing turn-around in some of Afghanistan’s deadliest areas. They are maintaining an aggressive strategy to push Taliban insurgents, which were once well established, out of villages and other recruiting grounds.
Our successes, though great, have not gone without cost. However, these brave men and women continue to put their life on the line for our country. It is this heroic sacrifice that has made it possible for our military to bring an enhanced level of safety and stability to the region.
This week we have fresh Marines deploying to the region. The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines are based out of Hawaii, and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines based out of 29 Palms, California. Both are deploying to Helmand province. The 3/4 Marines are replacing the 3/5 "Darkhorse Battalion" in Sangin, a city in Helmand province. They are prepared for the challenges ahead of them, but their palpable courage should not let us forget their everyday struggles.
SEND EASTER CARE PACKAGES FOR THE 1/3 MARINES “LAVA DOGS” AND THE 3/4 MARINES “THUNDERING THIRD”
Nearly 300 Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Base Hawaii are being deployed to Afghanistan.
The Marine Corps says the Marines and sailors with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment are to leave Hawaii tonight for a seven-month deployment to Garmsir, Afghanistan's Southern Helmand province. Among their tasks will be training and mentoring the Afghan national security forces, making sure they are prepared to take responsibility for their own country.
Overall, about 1,000 Marines and sailors from the unit are to leave for Afghanistan this month.
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser 14 APRIL 2011
…3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, out of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif. The unit deployed last week in waves, and will be deployed in northern Helmand province, according to this Marine Corps news release.
It could be a tough deployment. The Corps hasn’t said it officially, but the L.A. Times reported recently that 3/4 will join 1/5 in Sangin district, the volatile area where the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., faced so many challenges during their most recent deployment.
- Military Times 13 APRIL 2011
Thousands of Marines are joining the soldiers, sailors, airmen and guardsmen already serving bravely in not only Afghanistan, but also Iraq, the other front of the same war. They have a tough job ahead of them - even with the best training, this region remains one of the most dangerous Taliban infested areas in the whole world…so these troops will need our support!
HEROES: 3/5 MARINES THE DARKHORSE BATTALION MAKE TRIUMPHANT HOMECOMING!
For almost a year now we’ve been sending you stories about the 3/5, also known as “Darkhorse Battalion”, and tracking their progress in Sangin. Sangin, the city in Helmand province that was festering with Taliban, is a critical piece to winning the war against radical Islamists. You, our supporters, have sponsored care packages for them, and supported their efforts. Now, they are coming home.
After more than seven months deployed to the area, the 3/5 have taken many hard losses, more than any other Marine deployment in Afghanistan, but they have also inflicted staggering victories against the Taliban. When the 3/5 came in, replacing British troops, they employed a much more aggressive strategy that devastated the enemy and broke the backs of the Taliban.
Today Sangin is a much safer place, similar to the turnaround in Fallujah. Streets that were once constant battlegrounds are now filled with shops and citizens buying and selling in peace.
It’s all thanks to the heroism, dedication, sacrifice, and the lethal effectiveness of the marines of the 3/5 Dakrhorse Battalion. Please join us in welcoming them home.
The 3/4 Marines “Thundering Third” and the 1/3 Marines “Lava Dogs” deploying to Helmand and picking up where Darkhorse left off! HONOR THE SACRIFICE OF THE 3/5 BY SENDING PACKAGES TO THOSE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE THEIR PLACE
DON’T LET OUR TROOPS BE FORGOTTEN! MAINSTREAM MEDIA IGNORING OUR TROOPS IN HARM’S WAY
Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have been out of the media spotlight for weeks as the media have been wholly focused on domestic issues. Even a casual attention to the news lately highlights a disturbing lull in reporting about our troops and their missions in Afghanistan as well as Iraq.
Last month troops in Iraq came to the aid of Iraqi police after Al Qaeda attacked a government building -- it was a huge reminder that Iraq remains a dangerous place and that the progress made there could still be derailed. Our troops are still doing a very important job in Iraq and they need our continued support, but this incident was barely reported by the media.
In Afghanistan our troops continue to fight a tough battle to consolidate new gains in Marjah and set their sights on the next target. But news is barely breaking through, as the media is reporting constantly about Obama and his battle against House Republicans to stop their attempts to cut massive spending at home.
INTRODUCING EASTER CARE PACKAGES FOR THE TROOPS!
Don’t let our troops be forgotten! With the media's willful ignorance and Easter on it's way we must remind our troops overseas that we still remember why they are there and everything they are doing for our nation!
We've finally made Easter Care Packages for the Troops available for your to sponsor. Give our troops some much deserved support and offer a message of gratitude.
Your personal message will be sent in a care package packed by our volunteers and sent along with a box full of goodies including special Easter treats! The Easter Holiday is coming up quickly, so get your orders in now!
Don’t Forget! We’re On the Lookout for Troops!
Soldier Registration is easy! If you have the address of someone on active military duty, such as a spouse, child or sibling, you can click here for our Soldier Sign Up to register each one with the program, or copy this link:
e-mail it to them so they can register themselves. Once registered, they will be eligible to receive a package and messages of support from caring fellow Americans.
Shameful...just shameful...Jim Moran is at it again.
This is not the first time Moran (and also his good pal the late John Murtha) have been on camera holding townhall meetings where they've been confronted by veterans or troops for their anti-military views here are a few more examples.
ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO SEND ST. PATRICK'S DAY CARE PACKAGES TO TROOPS!
Special care packages for St. Patrick’s Day have been available for almost a week now, but there's only 3 days left before March 17th, St. Patrick's Day! That means we have precious little time to get these packages out for our troops serving overseas. St. Patty’s Day is a fun-filled time to celebrate the rich history of Irish-Americans to this great land, and as you know, our troops deployed overseas will also be taking note of it and doing their best to hold their own celebrations even while they’re on deployment.
You know, any holiday can be a difficult time for our troops, it’s not just Christmas time that our troops miss their loved once back home, but every holiday is another time to reflect on friends and family, and the life they have left in order to go off and serve their country.
One way we can help our troops feel a little less lonely on this upcoming holiday is to send a care package like these, filled with love and support, and some valuable goodies just to remind them that we care, that we’re grateful, and most of all, we haven’t forgotten them or what they’re doing for us. PLEASE MAKE A DONATION NOW!
St. Patty's Day Packages will include some or all of the following: St. Patrick's Day Clover Pops Candy Diplomacy Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Boca Java or Cornerstone Gourmet Coffee Oreo Sandwich Cookies Painted Hills Premium Beef Jerky Planters Trail Mix Gatorade Simple Green Hand Cleaner Lip Balm Deodorant For The Troops CDs Diana Nagy "The Journey of Life" CDs Postage and Shipping to Iraq/Afghanistan A SPECIAL NOTE FROM YOU
HEAVY BURDEN: TROOPS OVERSEAS CARRY 70-100 POUNDS EVERY DAY
Every day our troops wake up before dawn and strap on untold pounds of ammunition, supplies, weapons, and necessary equipment, and take off for patrol, looking for the enemy, supporting and training the local Afghan police, fighting for our freedom and security.
Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan routinely carry between 60 and 100 pounds of gear including body armor, weapons and batteries.
The heavy loads shouldered over months of duty contribute to the chronic pain suffered by soldiers like Spc. Joseph Chroniger.
Like many soldiers and Marines, Chroniger shouldered 70 to 80 pounds of gear daily.
"We were doing three, four, five missions a night sometimes," Chroniger says. "You're jumping out. You're running. I mean it hurts”
Patricia Murphy for NPR 12 MARCH 2011
OUR TROOPS BEAR THE BURDEN FOR OUR SAKE, SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR US!
AMERICAN TROOPS KILL & CAPTURE MILITANT COMMANDERS IN AFGHANISTAN
High-ranking commanders from a foreign group were killed by US troops in Afghanistan yesterday, a reminder that the conflict in Afghanistan has attracted radical Islamists from all over the world. They were part of a group called IMU, or Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and had apparently joined up with The Taliban and other groups in Afghanistan to fight American forces.
Commanders Bilal Konduzi and Shad Mohammad and four other militants were killed in Samangan. Konduzi had close connections with the Taliban and was involved in training suicide bombers and planning suicide operations in northern Afghanistan.
Mohammad was an IMU commander in Samangan and was in close contacts with Mazar-e-Sharif IMU leaders who were planning a number of attacks.
Another IMU commander, who wasn’t identified, was captured during a raid in Mazar-e-Sharif.
Central Asia News 12 MARCH 2011
Our troops in Afghanistan are fighting in the central battlefield of the War on Terror. The Taliban recruits terrorists from all over the world who want to do harm to Americans, and they go to Afghanistan to fight us instead of coming here and attacking us on our home soil. Our troops are making the sacrifice so that we’re kept safe!
SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THEIR MISSION AND TO SAY THANKS FOR WHAT THEY DO ON OUR BEHALF!
Last week we were met with the welcome news that Obama had finally lifted the ban placed on trying Guantanamo Bay detainees by military tribunal in Guantanamo. The day after taking office in 2009, Obama had signed an order that restricted the opening of new trials, ordered Eric Holder to review all open cases, and set the goal for closing the base within one year.
Now two years later, the administration has failed to close GITMO, failed in several civilian trials bungled by Holder, set terrorists free who later returned to Al Qaeda or the Taliban as leaders, and we've seen no progress on prosecuting these dangerous individuals. So it was a huge step forward when Obama lifted the ban on military tribunals so that our prosecutors at GITMO could finally resume their work.
The liberals were so let down by this, so distraught and enraged that GITMO was not only still around, but apparently making a comeback! Liberal talker and Daily Show host John Stewart created a new segment called MOVE ON . AWWW
Obama's liberal base was already kicking and screaming in fury, and the administration quickly pivoted, saying that while they were forced to resume the tribunals, they would be redoubling efforts to right for more civilian trials here on American soil.
The Atlantic carried the story on Obama's "New Actions on Guantanamo Bay Detainee Policy"
Even as it formally announced new rules and the renewal of military tribunals for terror-law detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the White House said Monday it would seek to repeal Congressional restraints on the use of federal civilian courts as a means of prosecuting men like Khalid Sheik Mohammed. From the Administration's "Fact Sheet: New Actions on Guantanamo and Detainee Policy":
John Cohen, The Atlantic 7 MARCH 2011
As detailed in the administration's policy paper, Obama clearly intends to continue with civilian trials, although now they will fucntion alongside military tribunals. Congress is the only thing stopping him, and according to this paper, a battle is looming:
In December, Congress enacted restrictions on the prosecution of Guantanamo detainees in Federal courts. The Administration opposes these restrictions as a dangerous and unprecedented challenge to Executive authority to select the most effective means available to bring terrorists to justice and safeguard our security.
....we will seek repeal of the restrictions imposed by Congress, so that we can move forward in the forum that is, in our judgment, most in line with our national security interests and the interests of justice."
In response to the President's release, members of the Senate have quickly acted to cut off Obama's plan before it gets rolling.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans said Thursday a tougher, more comprehensive military detention policy for terror suspects is necessary to fill the void created by two years of what they call the Obama administration's inconsistent approach.
Just days after President Barack Obama's decision to resume military trials for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, five GOP lawmakers and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., proposed legislation that would keep open the military prison by barring money for any alternative, impose restrictions on transferring detainees to foreign countries and push for military commissions, not civilian courts, to decide the fate of detainees.
Upon taking office, Obama said he wanted to close the Guantanamo prison within a year, but fierce congressional opposition has made it impossible. The administration reiterated its desire to close the installation on Monday when it spelled out Obama's executive order on military trials.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee and a critical player on the issue, told a news conference that shuttering Guantanamo isn't feasible.
"I think in a perfect world I would like to see it closed because it is a symbol, particularly in the Middle East, of the improper treatment of prisoners. And the administration has had two years and ... it has been incoherent, incomprehensible and impossible to translate into any specific action that would cause the closure of Guantanamo Bay," McCain said. "Basically, the administration has thrown up its hands by the announcement that it just has made, so we are going to live and operate within in an environment that, in the short term, it won't be closed."
McCain said the legislation, which possibly could be part of the annual defense bill, would "resolve these longstanding issues which were not addressed in the president's executive order." He said he would work with House Republicans, who have proposed similar legislation.
Obama, in his statement on Monday, backed the use of civilian courts to try terror suspects. "I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al-Qaida and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system — including (federal) courts — to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened," he said.
The lawmakers rejected that idea, especially for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, who had been slotted for trial in New York before Obama bowed to political resistance and blocked the Justice Department's plans.
"Congress will never pay for a civilian trial," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Joining McCain, Lieberman and Graham were Republican Sens. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia.
HELP US COUNTER THE RADICAL ISLAMISTS RALLYING FOR SHARIA LAW!
The haunting evil of Sharia law that is the cause of such misery for some Muslim countries that follow its strict rules and harsh punishments will soon come to America.
That’s what will happen if Anjem Choudary and the Islamic Thinkers Society get their way. The New York based Islamic Thinkers Society is organizing a huge protest this week in Washington DC to support Sharia law in the US and restoration of the Islamic Caliphate. Their website features a made-up photo of the BLACK FLAG of AL QAEDA with the words “No Deity but Allah and Muhammad Allah’s Messenger” flying over our White House.
Their website also states “Our objective is to resume the Islamic way of life to which will fulfill the purpose of the aim. Our objective is to bring back the apparatus that was destroyed in 1924 i.e. Khilafah (Caliphate)”
They have invited this man, Anjem Choudary and two other well known radical Islamic figures, to travel from the UK to the United States to attend and speak at the protest planned this week.
They plan to call on Obama and US citizens to accept Islam and accept Sharia law. Choudary told a British paper that the event is “a rally, a call for Sharia, a call for the Muslims to rise up and establish the Islamic State in America.”
This is the same radical Islamist who once called America “the biggest criminals in the world” and once justified terrorist attacks by claiming that Muslims were innocent and non-Muslims were guilty, and that only the deaths of the innocent were wrong.
“At the end of the day, innocent people, when we say innocent people we mean Muslims...if you are non-muslim then you are guilty.... I must have hatred toward everything not-Islam.”
- Anjem Choudary
We’re organizing with our friends to go to DC and oppose these terrorist sympathizers. STAND UP FOR AMERICA and STAND AGAINST THESE RADICALS WHO WANT TO IMPOSE BRUTAL ISLAMIC SHARIA on our freedom loving people!
IT’S TIME TO BRING RESPECT FOR MILITARY AND ROTC BACK TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Last week the students of Columbia University shamelessly verbally attacked a wounded Iraq war vet, interrupting him during a speech with boos and shouting slurs like “racist” and “babykiller.” During a forum held by the University to debate whether or not to allow ROTC back on campus, Anthony Mascheck, who lost both his legs in Iraq in 2008, took the stage to speak in support of ROTC.
The students jeered at him, laughed at him, mocked and heckled him, and called the before mentioned names. The moderators called for respect, but the flagrant display of anti-military hatred had already shocked a nation.
The recent despicable behavior or the students at Columbia underlies a critical point, that military recruiters and ROTC programs have been banned from certain universities for far too long.
ROTC helps young people who want to get an education and also serve their country.
Our troops serve honorably and bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect our freedoms back home. They don’t deserve to be treated like garbage by those students who reap the benefits of what our troops fight for.SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
The Solomon Act is a law designed to ensure that all university students have the opportunity, if they so desire, to take part in great programs like ROTC. The Solomon Act also protects the rights of military recruiters to talk to some of the brightest, most competent Americans our country has to offer.
The US Military is the most highly trained, well educated fighting force in the history of the world. Thousands of college graduates have used ROTC to go on to amazing careers as officers in the armed forces. Studies show that over 95% of officers in the military have Bachelor’s Degrees or higher.
These are the kind of educated people we need serving in our military. In order to maintain our edge and position as the number one military in the world, we must have access to educated, critically-trained minds.
Unfortunately, many colleges and universities harbor discriminatory, anti-military views, and find ways to get around the Solomon Act. Until recently, the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy provided universities with an excuse to violate the Solomon Act. Others find loopholes by sending ROTC students to other schools to get their ROTC training. But recently the DADT policy was repealed by Congress.
In his recent State of the Union address, even President Obama called on schools to “open the doors to our military recruiters” and ROTC programs, after the repeal of DADT.
Students in ROTC get access to an education they might not otherwise be able to afford, and serve their country honorably!
For all these reasons and more, we are now calling on schools like Columbia, and others who currently discriminate AGAINST our troops, to end this anti-military policy and allow ROTC and military recruiters BACK on campus. This is necessary to maintain a strong and highly educated military that can defend our homeland and our freedoms!
LET OUR MILITARY BACK ON CAMPUS! SIGN THIS PETITION NOW AND FORWARD IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!
Monthly Smiles Club
Want one less thing to remember? Just give us criteria for selecting soldiers and your budget and we’ll do the rest – monthly, quarterly, or on any schedule you want. Then you’ll be sure no matter how busy you get, you’re keeping those smiles coming. There’s no obligation, and you can stop sending packages at any time.
Extremist cleric to lead White House protest calling for Muslims to 'rise up and establish Islamic state in America
Call to arms: Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary will call for Sharia law to be established across the U.S.
A hardline Muslim cleric who sparked anger across the U.S. with his anti-American comments in a television interview this month is to hold a protest outside the White House.
British extremist Anjem Choudary - who once said 'the flag of Islam will fly over the White House' - has announced he will lead a demonstration calling on Muslims to establish the Sharia law across America.
The rally, planned for March 3, is to take place just weeks after his on-screen row with Fox News presenter Sean Hannity.
Mr Choudary, 43, called Americans 'the biggest criminals in the world today.'
The former leader of outlawed group Islam4UK told the Daily Star 'we expect thousands to come out and sup
port us.'
Mr Choudary said the March rally was organised by the Islamic Thinkers society, an extremist group based in New York.
Two other British extremists, Abu Izzadeen and Sayful Islam, have also been asked to speak at the demonstration.
Izzadeen is the hate preacher who caused fury last year when he called British soldiers 'murderers' the day he was released from jail after a three-and-a-half year sentence for inciting terrorism.
Mr Choudary told the newspaper: 'The event is a rally, a call for the Sharia, a call for the Muslims to rise up and establish the Islamic state in America.'
Furious reaction: Cleric Anjem Choudary made headlines when he was interviewed by Fox News presenter Sean Hannity earlier this month
However, whether the three will be able to enter the U.S., especially Izzadeen, remains to be seen. Even a tourist visa requires applicants to answer questions on whether they have been involved in acts of terrorism or plan to commit crimes in the U.S.
'This is a unique
event taking place in Washington, outside the White House which, Inshallah, (God willing) will garner huge support.'
He hit U.S. headlines just two weeks ago after his furious exchange with Mr Hannity on Fox News. The presenter became so enraged with his anti-American comments he ended the interview by calling him a 'sick, miserable, evil S.O.B'.
The East London-based cleric's anti-American stance is well-documented. Last year he led protesters in burning the American flag outside the U.S. embassy in London on September 11.
British extremists: Sayful Islam, left, and Abu Izzadeen, right, have also been invited to speak at the White House rally, which will call for Sharia law in the U.S.
And in October, he told an ABC chat show that 'one day the flag of Islam will fly over the White House.'
He told the Daily Star: 'They have seen our activities in the UK and Europe and have decided they want to challenge the vacuum in freedom and democracy and the people in the front line of the struggle against Islam and Muslims - the American government and the establishment.
'They have invited and myself and Sayful Islam from Luton to come over to address the crowd and rally support.'
Scene of protest: British extremist cleric Anjem Choudary plans to mount a pro-Islam demonstration outside the White House next month
'We are going to address corruption in the Senate, corrupt foreign policy, the mayhem around the Muslim world, the drug and alcohol culture, promiscuity and the pandemic of crime in America.
'It is only right the call is made in the heart of Western civilisation in front of the biggest pharaoh that exists today, which is Barack Obama.'
He added: 'I think the American people’s hearts and minds are open to receive Islam as an alternative way of life. We expect thousands to come out and support us.'
DISGUSTING: STUDENTS AT COLUMBIA LAUGH, HECKLE, CALL WAR VETS RACIST!
It’s the most sickening and shocking display of anti-military hate that we’ve seen for a long time.
At a recent debate at Columbia about whether or not to allow ROTC back on campus, several ROTC students, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and current service members were viciously attacked their own fellow students!
Columbia University students heckled a war hero during a town-hall meeting on whether ROTC should be allowed back on campus.
"Racist!" some students yelled at Anthony Maschek, a Columbia freshman and former Army staff sergeant awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008. Others hissed and booed the veteran…
- New York Post 02 / 20 / 2011
We have heard the anti-war activists say it a thousand times. “We support the troops, but not the war.” We’ve also heard every liberal politician claim that they wouldn’t allow our current veterans to be mistreated the way Vietnam vets were. Obama called the treatment of Vietnam vets a “national disgrace…we resolve to never let it happen again,” he proclaimed at a speech in 2009.
But where is their commitment? Where is that support for our troops? Obviously the students of Columbia didn’t get the memo. We can’t just sit by and let our troops be mistreated like this. Is this the kind of America we want our brave troops overseas to return home to?
But we can help this situation, we can let our troops know that despite what a few sniveling spoiled brats at an Ivy League school have to say, the real America supports them. A great way to show that is to send a care package through Move America Forward!
The care packages are full of goodies and treats that our troops will enjoy, like gourmet coffee, name brand Oreo cookies, thick cuts of peppered beef jerky, and some hot cocoa to keep the cold away. They also come with very useful personal are items like deodorant, wet wipes, and bug repellant, which our troops constantly ask for.
Each package also comes with a note written by you – which our troops will read. That’s where these packages become really special, because you don’t have to be here, but you can still add your personal touch, your expression of gratitude and support that will life their spirits and give them that morale boost.
Ever since Obama came into office, the far left has not protested as loudly and viciously as when President Bush was in charge. But that doesn’t mean those on the left don’t’ continue to harbor anti-military, anti-America sentiments. In fact, if what happened at Columbia University is any indication, their hatred of our troops and the country they protect runs as deep and extreme as ever.
We don’t want our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to think that they have to come home from serving honorably and bravely in a war to protect our freedoms, and have to deal with this:
Maschek, who is studying economics, miraculously survived the insurgent attack in Kirkuk. In the hail of gunfire, he broke both legs and suffered wounds to his abdomen, arm and chest.
…Several students laughed and jeered the Idaho native, a 10th Mountain Division infantryman who spent two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington recovering from grievous wounds.
José Robledo, 30, a Columbia student who commutes to Fordham University for ROTC coursework, said he found the treatment of Maschek abhorrent.
"The anti-ROTC side has been disrespectful and loud. They hiss and they jeer," he said. "It's been to the detriment of the argument."
The treatment of military and veteran students at Columbia has been nothing short of disgusting. Don’t let the students of Columbia speak for you! Do something to show that we SUPPORT our troops, and we don’t share the sentiment of bratty and unappreciative college kids!
ENJOYING WATCHING THE SUPER BOWL? WHY NOT SUPPORT THE TROOPS?
We are pleased to announce the success of our Super Bowl Care Packages for the Troops. Donors have stepped up from Green Bay to Pittsburgh and all points in between to show support for the team they are rooting for in particular and our Troops in general. The PACKERS fans have donated hundreds of care packages for the troops, for 211 Yards while not far behind, STEELERS fans amassed 94 yards.
THE SUPERBOWL IS UNDERWAY – BUT NO MATTER WHO WINS THE GAME, LET’S MAKE SURE OUR TROOPS WIN TOO WITH A GENEROUS SHIPMENT OF CARE PACKAGES!
Over 106 million people in the United States watched Super Bowl XLIV last year, a record for a TV broadcast, surpassing the final M.A.S.H. episode. Estimates have put the worldwide audience much higher than that. This year is no different, with many estimating the TV audience to match or surpass last year and for a record crowd of 111,000 to be on hand at Cowboys Stadium. These are staggering numbers, but not surprising for an event that stops all of America for a Sunday afternoon and brings families, friends, coworkers and even perfect strangers together.
For many troops serving overseas they will have a brief respite from their daily routines to watch the game on the Armed Forces Network. Today is no different than any other, except they will long for the tailgates, parties and fun of Super Bowl Sunday back home.
HERE IS A PICTURE OF TROOPS AT CAMP LEATHERNECK IN AFGHANISTAN WATCHING THE SUPERBOWL RIGHT NOW!
But the reality for all troops is that the job will go on. That is why it is imperative that we continue to keep our military and its finest men and women in our thoughts and actions now and into the future.
While we fire up the grill, glaze the hot wings, pile the cheese on the nachos and crack open our favorite beverage I challenge each of us to think for a moment about our troops and how they make possible a day like this. In this day and age the word hero is used far too loosely, referring to football players, other athletes and celebrities that dominate our daily lives and culture.
But we should take this opportunity to truly teach our children what the term hero means and stands for.
Real heroes are the brave men and women who voluntarily fight for our freedoms and put their lives on the line each and every day so our nation can take a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a game. So enjoy your party, cheer loudly for your team, eat, drink and be merry, but at the end of the day please remember the sacrifices this great nation and its heroes have made throughout history so hundreds of millions of Americans can gather for this annual event.
And don’t forget to sponsor a Care Package to a unit representing your team. It is not too late to choose a side and see which team’s fans will Support The Troops more.
PACKERS TAKE EARLY LEAD: STEELERS NEED TO RALLY FOR THE TROOPS!
The MAFBOWL is our way of sending some special support to our troops serving overseas with a football twist for tomorrow's Super Bowl game! After our first day of the competition, our PACKERS team is in the lead! The STEELERS need to rally and send more care packages to the troops to even the score!
CHOOSE A TEAM AND SPONSOR A CARE PACKAGE – WE’RE KEEPING SCORE OF WHICH TEAM GETS THE MOST CARE PACKAGE DONATIONS! LET’S SEE WHO WINS MAF’S FANTASY SUPERBOWL!
For the winning team, we're going to be sending a special shipment of care packages to a unit in Afghanistan from their state. So a lucky unit from either Wisconsin or Pennsylvania will receive a special shipment of boxes with Super Bowl gifts and information about our MAFBOWL competition!
Super Bowl Care Packages for the Troops: Support Your Favorite Team’s Troops!!
As families and friends gather on Sunday for parties all across the nation, most Americans use this time as an outlet from the stresses of everyday life. It is a chance to relax with those closest to you and enjoy food, drinks and fun (as long as the commercials live up to expectations). But we at Move America Forward are constantly reminded that many Americans, those who fight for our freedoms, do not have the luxury of watching this event close to home with family or friends and are always reminded of the dangers they face each and every day. For these soldiers Super Bowl Sunday is not much different than any other day. Some will be able to watch the game with their brothers and sisters (meaning fellow troops) overseas, but they still have a job to do and it is never far from their thoughts.
For the first year Move America Forward is introducing Super Bowl Care Packages for the Troops. We will select one unit from Wisconsin and one unit from Pennsylvania and give you, our generous donors. the option of choosing which “team” to support.
CHOOSE A TEAM AND SPONSOR A CARE PACKAGE – WE’RE KEEPING SCORE OF WHICH TEAM GETS THE MOST CARE PACKAGE DONATIONS! LET’S SEE WHO WINS MAF’S FANTASY SUPERBOWL!
The NFL has always made a point of supporting the military and during the Super Bowl it is no different. Viewers of the game always remember the awe inducing flyover prior to the game, but many things behind the scenes are also done to support the troops. The league and assorted players participate in events including greeting returning soldiers, visiting wounded warriors and their families and hosting a clinic for children of soldiers. This year a select group from Fort Hood, Texas will also participate in events and parties throughout the week in Dallas.
This year we wanted to inspire our followers to use the Super Bowl as a way to Thank and Support our Troops. Whether you are rooting for Pittsburgh or Green Bay, Move America Forward has made it easy to show support for your team and our troops at the same time. Simply click on the helmet of the team you support and make your donation for any size care package, from a hand off (Small Pack) to a Hail Mary Touchdown (Battalion Pack), we have renamed our care packs for this special occasion. Every donation made will be counted as either Steelers or Packers, with each care package going to a unit MAF has chosen from the respective states.
Don’t hesitate now to pass this along to your friends and family that will be joining you on Sunday and take a minute to think about our troops, who may be watching for several hours on Sunday, but are thousands of miles away and continue to fight for and protect our nation and its traditions.
WILL IT BE THE STEELERS OR THE PACKERS? IT’S YOUR CHOICE! PICK A TEAM BELOW AND SPONSOR A HAIL MARY PASS TO OUR TROOPS SERVING OVERSEAS!
Right now, U.S. troops are trudging through brutal weather in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention fighting a brutal enemy, but they continue their thankless work because they know that back home, America supports them.
This week it is especially important to remind our troops that we are thinking of them. Valentine’s Day is a little less less than two weeks away, and many troops serving overseas are homesick, missing their loved ones back home. They are thousands of miles away from their homes and won’t be able to hug their children and loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
But Move America Forward has made it easy to send our troops special Valentine’s Day care packages with a personal note from you. We have put together a special care package that includes special pro-troop Valentine’s heart candies to lift our troops’ spirits.
CLICK BELOW TO SEND VALENTINE'S DAY CARE PACKAGES TO TROOPS IN NEED ALL AROUND IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN!
Valentine’s Day packages include Heart Candy messages like “Miss You”, “Glory”, “USA”, “Valor”, “Honor” and more!
Holidays and birthdays are very stressful for troops who are away from their families. But we at Move America Forward know how much the American people can help with that pain and loneliness, because the troops tell us. Here is a letter we received just recently, showing the wonderful positive impact these care packages have:
“Thank You so much for your support for the Marines and Sailors of 3/5. We sincerely appreciate all you are doing for us out here. May God continue to bless you this next year!
- Chaplain A. Wesson USMC 3/5”
You will remember that the Marines and Sailors of 3/5 also known as "Darkhorse Battalion" are the same unit of troops that we told you about last year, serving in Sangin, Afghanistan.
This particular unit has lost many troops and is fighting in the most dangerous city in Aghanistan, but winning in Sangin is critical for winning the war so we wanted to support them.
Thanks to your generous donations, we sent HUNDREDS of care packages to 3 / 5 Marines and that’s what brought on the thank you letter!
LET’S SEND SOME MORE SUPPORT FOR THESE MARINES AND OTHER TROOPS SERVING ALL AROUND IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN BY CLICKING BELOW!
Taliban Burn NATO Supply Trucks: Troops Face Possible Supply Crisis? Time for Care Package Drop!
Our troops need us to rally for them this week! Over the weekend we began receiving stories about ISAF and NATO trucks being targeted by the enemy. The supply routes through Afghanistan are extremely important to our troops on the field, they are vital to keeping our troops supplied with food and supplies to eat and live on, ammunition and equipment to keep fighting with, even having water to drink, it’s all dependent on keeping these supply routes clear, and the trucks running!
Armed militants in Pakistan set fire to two trucks taking supplies to U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, police told CNN on Sunday.
The four militants riding on two motorcycles opened fire on the trucks and brought them to a halt...When the drivers of the trucks fled the scene, the militants doused the trucks with gas and set them on fire, police said.
-- CNN Jan 30 2011
Without supplies our troops cannot fight! Although these trucks were not the only ones carrying supplies, we can’t allow any of our troops to go without the supplies they need to stay healthy, alert, and alive! Let’s organize a big shipment of care packages so that none of our troops will have to go without.
Our care packages make a great substitute for the supplies lost. They come with coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, candy, deodorant and other toiletries, everything our troops need, and it provides a bit of comfort and support.
Send a care package now to a soldier, airman, marine or sailor in Afghanistan or Iraq, they’re fighting for our sake, but they need our help, and with the recent loss of vital supply trucks, these troops need our care packages more than ever!
CASUALTIES IN AFGHANISTAN FROM IED ATTACKS UP 60% Troops in Afghanistan Deploy Bomb-Sniffing Dogs to Fight IEDs
Updated numbers coming from defense officials seem to contrast with President Obama’s recent State of the Union address. While Obama’s rhetoric painted a picture of success in Afghanistan, he boldly declared that progress was on track and that beginning in July we would start drawing down our troops.
Despite Obama’s rhetoric, we have an unfortunate reminder of reality today as we learned that IED attacks are up in Afghanistan. We know from our experiences in Iraq that IEDs are the most dangerous weapons threatening our troops. The terrorists can’t stand toe-to-toe against our troops who are far better trained and equipped, but by planting roadside bombs, the enemy can inflict devastating harm on our troops or civilians unlucky enough to be passing by at the wrong time.
The Improvised Explosive Device (IED), also known as roadside bombs, killed 268 American troops in Afghanistan in 2010, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
The figure shows a 60 percent increase over the previous year even as the Pentagon adopts new measures in an attempt to counter the Taliban's most used weapon.
According to the US Defense's figures, the number of US troops wounded by the IEDs has also seen a sharp increase in comparison with that of 2009.
These roadside bombs are a scourge in Afghanistan, as they were in Iraq. But our troops proved in Iraq that despite the IEDs, we can still win by defeating the terrorists on the ground, and fostering partnerships with the locals who just want the Taliban to stop harassing and threatening their villages.
You can show your support and gratitude by sending a care package today. It will brighten the day of the American who receives it!
MAF REACTS TO OBAMA’S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH
MAF Blogger Danny was invited to the local Fox affiliate KTXL on Wednesday following President Obama’s State of the Union address to give our reaction. Danny covered several topics from Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, even hitting Obama on Guantanamo Bay and civilian trials for GITMO detainees.
We give credit where credit is due, and when President Obama congratulated the troops for winning in Iraq, we said he was right to praise them, but when it came to Afghanistan and Iran we took Obama to task for his lack of leadership on both fronts. Promising to start bringing home troops only 7 months from now is NOT the right message to be sending to our enemies!
On Guantanamo Bay, which Obama didn’t even mention during his speech, we took credit for helping to stop Obama’s plans to close the facility.
Watch the whole interview for yourself by clicking below!
CARE PACKAGE COMPILATION VIDEO
We’ve also recently finished up another new video; this one is a compilation of a few news stories and some video taken by MAF staffers of our care package operation. Your generous donations over the holidays made this possible, and thanks to your continued support we were able to reach our goal of $60,000 to send care packages to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Watch the video here!
We sent hundreds of care packages to the troops over the holidays, thanks to donors like you, but we still have much more support to give, and the troops still need us!
Make a donation now so we can send more care packages just like in the video!
The headlines coming out of Tunisia keep getting worse and worse. The daily protests of high inflation, unemployment and crippling high food prices seem to be getting more and more violent, with protester clashing with police, a rising death toll and just recently we heard that protesters had temporarily overrun the capitol city Tunis. The Tunisian President, whether a scapegoat for the people's frustrations, or the tyrannical despot that he's made out to be, has fled the country, and the Prime Minister has taken over, making promises they probably can't keep, to give the people the relief they seek.
We'eve seen these kinds of protests elsewehere, even violent ones. We all remember the stories coming out of Greece just a few months ago or the riots in France but in the case of Tunisia and also Algerio, another country in a smiliar position, there is also the fact of weak governments to consider, governments that may crumble and allow potentially much more dangerous and radicalized leaders to emerge. Do we have reason to be worried?
The answer to our question comes directly from the source: Al Qaeda. Specifically the propaganda coming from Al Qaeda's brand in the northern part of African continent, AQIM, standing for Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. They are Al Qaueda's branch into the northern African countries that lie on the Mediterranian Sea, and judging from their recent communications, I wouldn't be surprised if they had a hand in not just encouraging, but actively sowing the seeds of discontent and sparking the violence we're seeing in Tunisia.
A Video recently released by AQIM leadership said "send us your sons so that they receive military training...We offer our support and our comfort and our help in your distress and your uprising...we will sooner or later retaliate against your torturers and their masters"
Al Qaeda has a vested interest in seeing countries like Tunisia, nearby Algeria and any other weak government fall. They are encouraging the protesters to overthrow the somewhat pluralistic pseudo-democratic systems in favor of institutin Sharia Law.
This would undoubtedly lead to an exponential increase in Al Qaeda's power. A government run by radical Imams who Al Qaeda has direct control over is exactly what they had in Afghanistan, which we stopped, and exactly what they tried to do in Iraq, which we prevented.
So far it seems that the protests are based on economics, but does that mean that Al Qaeda simply using that as the easiest form of sowing disconent? They certainly aren't the ones calling for peace and calm rational problem-solving. In fact evidence suggests that AQIM has been working inside Tunisia for some time, perhaps trying to set up the right situation for an ugly destabalization to occur.
Way back in 2007, some security analysts could already see Tunisia becoming a base of operations for Al Qaeda in the future and they predicted a violent future for the poor developing nation.
"Counterterrorism officials on three continents say the trouble in Tunisia is the latest evidence that a brutal Algerian group with a long history of violence is acting on its promise to organize extremists across North Africa and join the remnants of Al Qaeda to become a new international force for jihad." -- New York Times, February 2007
In 2008 Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of two Austrian tourists and the region has been on the CIA list of places too dangerous for Americans to travel, at least without taking extreme precautions.
We don't know enough yet to say if Al Qaeda is directly responsible for the uprisinsgs, the killings, the turmoil in Tunisia and Algeria, but we do know for CERTAIN that the destabalization of these countries is something Al Qeada wants to see, and will c ertainly try to capitalize on to broker a better position, expand their influence in those countries, and create a movement of religious extremists to take power there and instituate Sharia law.
We can't let that happen, otherwise this simply becomes another case of Jihadist wack-a-mole, hopping from country to country. It's in our best interest to take a hard look at Tunisia and see how we can help, strengthen the government or assist in bringing in a new government, but one that does not sympathize with Al Qaeda. We just hope President Obama is paying atteition.
GOLD STAR MOM DEBBIE LEE TALKS ABOUT HER OWN EXPERIENCE WITH WESTBORO BABTIST CHURCH PROTESTERS
The Westboro Baptist Church is a disgusting hate group led by the insane Fred Phelps whom you’ve probably heard of because they are famous for coming to military funerals and attacking the families of our fallen troops. We’ve been dealing with them for years but after the tragic shooting in Tucson, the WBC announced that it also intended to protest the funerals of Jared Loughner’s victims.
When Debbie Lee heard that the WBC was planning this new protest in Tucson, she was incensed. That same church was actually in Oregon in 2006 to protest her son Marc’s memorial service after Marc gave his life for his country serving in Iraq. Marc was killed in Ramadi in 2006 and although he gave up his own life, he saved the lives of his squad that day, he gave up his tomorrows so that his buddies could live on, so that Americans back home could live free and safe.
“You can imagine the disgust when I learned that the Westboro Baptist Church had decided to protest the funerals of those killed in Tucson” said Debbie Lee in an article she wrote, published on a local TV news station. “Again the emotions where overwhelming as I had experienced the vileness of these protesters at Marc's Memorial Service in Oregon. The Westboro clan has been protesting at the funerals of our fallen warriors for years attempting to vilify and dishonor our mighty warriors.”
"When I heard that the Westboro protesters had targeted Marc's Memorial Service in Hood River, Oregon on Aug 26, 2006 I was horrified. I wanted to know who these crazies were and told my son Kris, I was going to their website. He had already checked them out and told me not to as it would be more pain than I could endure. I was later told that they had posted pictures of my son and had signs with disgusting slogans on them. I was a fighter so I made some phone calls to see what we could do to stop them. The American Center for Law and Justice stood in the gap and researched Oregon's State Laws as to what they were allowed to do. They worked with the City of Hood River to help them legally restrict them.”
Watch These Videos of Debbie Lee on CBS and ABC News Talking About Her Experience in Dealing with the WBC
The laws in Oregon were similar to what our Arizona state legislators passed yesterday and it restricted them 300 feet from the building. The Patriot Guard Riders sent about 100 bikers who lined the street and blocked the protesters from our family. I remember driving by and seeing them out of the corner of my eye as they stood on the street corner where we turned. They were only about 15 feet from us at that point. It's hard to explain the depth of the grief and the emotions you feel when you have just lost a child.”
“The next day I was watching the local news coverage of Marc's Memorial Service when I saw the Westboro protesters spewing their vile rhetoric. They said that I was a horrible Mother and that I had “failed my son," and "I had sent my son to hell," They said "Marc choose an occupation of murder." This young man earned the Silver Star, one of America's highest medals for bravery and they are saying God is glad he's dead???? I remember feeling that I was going to throw up and was uncontrollably shaking. No one can begin to imagine the pain that was inflicted upon me by this so called "Church." I didn't want anyone to experience the pain that had been hurled like a javelin into my heart from this hateful cult.
WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THE WBC!
The Patriot Guard Riders Protect a Military Family' Funeral ( left )
At Move America Forward we want to continue protecting our military families from the senseless hate speech by the WBC, their rhetoric belongs on the internet or on their poorly printed handouts – but NOT at a grieving families funeral service!
Several states have passed laws to help protect military families from these kinds of attacks, but we’re working to spread these initiatives to state’s that don’t. Please sign our petition and donate now to help our efforts to get more states to pass these laws that protect our military families and their privacy. It’s the least we can do for them after all they have sacrificed for our country.
Here we are in 2012. Barack Hussein Obama will meet his fate during the presidential election, and I am back on KSFO with my good friend Brian Sussman. Coincidence? I think not.
Retired military working dog Blek and his handler, Staff Sgt. Brent Olsen of 42nd Security Forces Squadron have been through a lot together. While in Afghanistan in 2010, the pair was injured after a Soldier stepped on a pressure plate, setting off a series of five mortar rounds. More than a year later, Olsen and Blek celebrated Blek's induction into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Birmingham Nov. 6.
My son Marc Alan Lee was laid to rest on Aug 2nd 2006. I also remember him today as I do everyday and the sacrifice he made. 
US Marine Corporal David (last name withheld) uses his military working dog Jawdy to find IED's in Afghanistan and says, "I would take an asset (k9) that can smell HME (homemade explosives) over a metal detector any day." 
I am sharing some pictures from that trip. 
A detailed account of Petry’s heroic actions: 
As I child I remember getting together with family for picnics or bar-b-ques. We looked forward to camping trips or trips to the lake. There were a few trips I remember to the cemetery but it was to place flowers on deceased relative’s graves who had never served in the military. I thought Memorial Day was to remember loved ones who had died. I wasn’t taught and therefore I missed the opportunity to teach my children that Memorial Day is to remember those who paid the ultimate price. Freedom comes with a price, freedom’s not free . 
“I think it is a step in winning the war on terrorism but it is only one step….I think that Americans here and at home and throughout the world should rejoice while remaining vigilant in all of our endeavors."
I’m so proud that it was a Navy SEAL team that finally got Osama bin Laden, and I just wish Marc could be here with his fellow SEALs to share this with the country he died protecting. Marc graduated from his SEAL training shortly before 9/11 and when that heinous attack was carried out by Al Qaeda, Marc wanted more than anything to see justice done. I know he’s watching with satisfaction from Heaven today. 
"It’s also important to thank all of those American patriots who have supported and stood by our troops through all the years. They have been patient as well, for they have continued to send support to our troops even when the media and some politicians were NOT there for the troops. At Move America Forward we will be continuing our mission of supporting our troops, as they are still deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and until all of our troops come home we will continue sending our support and our care packages to our brave troops on the front lines. We invite all Americans to joins us.
The students jeered at him, laughed at him, mocked and heckled him, and called the before mentioned names. The moderators called for respect, but the flagrant display of anti-military hatred had already shocked a nation.
You will remember that the Marines and Sailors of 3/5 also known as "Darkhorse Battalion" are the same unit of troops that we told you about last year, serving in Sangin, Afghanistan. 
Our care packages make a great substitute for the supplies lost. They come with coffee, cookies, beef jerky, Gatorade, candy, deodorant and other toiletries, everything our troops need, and it provides a bit of comfort and support. 
So far it seems that the protests are based on economics, but does that mean that Al Qaeda simply using that as the easiest form of sowing disconent? They certainly aren't the ones calling for peace and calm rational problem-solving. In fact evidence suggests that AQIM has been working inside Tunisia for some time, perhaps trying to set up the right situation for an ugly destabalization to occur.
When Debbie Lee heard that the WBC was planning this new protest in Tucson, she was incensed. That same church was actually in Oregon in 2006 to protest her son Marc’s memorial service after Marc gave his life for his country serving in Iraq. Marc was killed in Ramadi in 2006 and although he gave up his own life, he saved the lives of his squad that day, he gave up his tomorrows so that his buddies could live on, so that Americans back home could live free and safe. 
