The American Legion and National Guard Reaches out to Help

Glad to be back today. I have an update on subscribers that you may not believe , but it is true. Five days ago there were 8,601 subscribers. Today there are 8,682. That is an increase of 81 in just five days. AMAZING AND WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU!

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

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It has been a long haul for me. Since March I have been in lock down. I have underlying problems with my health, and I would be dead meat if I was to catch the virus. I am way past the staring at the walls stage. I am watching a couple movies on TV everyday. Most aren’t very good, but I am doing something. I am able to get out and walk, so the one blessing is that I have lost a lot of weight. I feel better because of that.

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I am very high on the American Legion. They truly care for veterans. Here are some examples:

  1. Buddy Checks Help Veterans

Post 18 in Weehawken, N. J., has a buddy plan that really reaches out to other veterans. They especially check on older veterans. They connected with a recently widowed WWII veteran and helped him with outdoor chores he is no longer able to do on his own.

Blood Drive

  1. Post 199 of Harrison, Ohio had a blood drive that attracted more than 60 donors to help with the shortage caused by the Pandemic. The post also provided a free drive through hamburger lunch that fed 200.

60,000 Dollars raised

  1. At least $60,000 dollars was raised by the Department of Florida American Legion Riders in a virtual Unity Ride for the project, Vetrelief suicide Prevention Initiative.

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The National Guard has stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun recently.

  1. They have been testing for the virus. 2.4 million people have been tested or screened.
  2. They have been on 7,000 missions supporting testing and screening.
  3. They have made 149 million meals packaged or delivered to those in need.
  4. The have delivered 88 thousand tons of food.
  5. They have driven 1.6 million miles delivering food and essential supplies.
  6. They have made 18 million masks.

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Let’s talk about you my friend. How are you doing? I know there is a struggle just transitioning out of the military into the private sector for some of you. I know there are some who are battling PTSD, TBI, Depression, and war wounds. I know that some of you are being chased by memory demons who haunt you.

Don’t let that happen one day longer. GET HELP!

There is a toll free number to call that has qualified counselors to help you. They are very good and they will help you out.

Here is that number:

1-800-273-8255

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

There is Some Good News in the Military

Still growing at a rapid pace. In the last three days there have been 13 new subscribers. WELCOME!! There are now 8,426 fellow veterans here.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life.

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I have two interesting military stories to share with you:

  1. The American Legion post 310 of San Diego, California, Has been giving out over 5,000 meals a week for children 18 and under. Also, on every Saturday starting at 10:00am the post hands out fruit, vegetables, and non perishable food. They even provide school supplies and back packs for local students.
  2. Mary Edwards Walker was the first and only Medal of Honor recipient during the Civil War Era. In 1916 congress created a pension act for Medal of Honor recipients. It caused greater restrictions on the eligibility requirements of rewarding the Medal of Honor. The Army reviewed all of the past Medal of Honor recipients, and 911 of them were stripped of their medals including Mary. The stripped soldiers did not have to return their medals, but they were taken off of the honor roll. In 1977 President Carter reinstated Mary’s Medal of Honor. Later she had a WWII Liberty military ship, the SS Mary Walker, named after her.

This shows that there is some good in this scary world. Good news is hard to find.

The “mob,” now wants several military bases renamed, like Ft. Bragg and several others. There is no end to their trying to pull our country down.

The Washington Red Skins are changing their name. They are under pressure from the same “mob,” I have mentioned.

Something that has struck me right in my heart is that my Alma Mater, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon are changing our cross state games from the Civil War to something else. I will for ever call it the Civil War!!!

Let me know how you are doing my friend.

Have you had a bad few days because of all the fireworks? I sat in my brother-in-laws back yard and watched WWIII going on before me. From 9 o’clock to 6 o’clock, as far as vision, there were big “bombs,” going off. The little dog that was there was very terrified, and shacking. These were not legal fireworks be any measure! They shook the ground, and were very loud.

I thought of all of our brothers and sisters who must have been hiding in their basements with the stereos turned up high. Very sad!

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I feel for all of your who have PTSD, TBI, depression, anxiety, etc. Life is tough enough without this going on.

I was overcome with depression, in 2001 and was ready to check out of this hotel called earth. I somehow over came that and I am still here. I fought the battle and won.

You can too. GET HELP if you are struggling more than you can handle. Don’t think you are a sissy for getting help. There are those who think you should be tough because you are a veteran. That is a lie!

Here is the 24/7 help line to call if you need it. Please call it my friend, because you are my brother/sister.

1-800-273-8255

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+If you like what you read here, please go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe. ” When you do all future posts will come directly to your in box. Also, if you know someone who could benefit for this site, please let them know as well. You may be saving a life.

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Always remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

A Sniper Shares His Hurts and Regrets

Today is Red Friday. We should all be wearing red to show support our active duty military.

I’ve had some amazing interviews with veterans while putting my new book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

I interviewed WW ll, Korean, Vietnam Iraq, and Afghanistan soldiers.

Some of the interviews were funny; some were sad; and some were hard to listen to.

Today I will share one interview to show you some of the fear, disappointments and anger our veterans have gone through.

Interview with a Sniper

I talked to a veteran from El Paso, Texas. He was a Sargent First Class. His duties were being a sniper.

He was asked if it was hard to shot another person. His answer was, “Not since I was helping my buddies stay alive.”

Death of His Buddies

The next question I asked him was how many of his buddies were killed. He said,”Fifteen or sixteen.” I said, “That must have been hard on you.” He said, They were my friends, what can I say.”

It is Hard on Families

He was getting irritated, so I switched to his family. I asked him if he was married. He said, “I was, but I am divorced now.” I then asked, “Can you tell me why that happened? ” He said, “The separation was to hard on both of us. She went her own way because she was so lonely.” He also said he had three children that he only sees once and a while.

There is much more to this interview, but you can see that he had a very rough time while in the military.

Many other stories like this

I have many more interviews to share. Be sure to subscribe to make sure you do not miss one. Just go to the top and click on the subscribe icon. Then all further posts will go directly to your inbox.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!