Free Republic

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2008 – When they found out one of their own was going to deploy overseas with the Tennessee National Guard, the leadership and employees of Lochinvar Corp. didn’t waste any time. They immediately found out what they could do to help, and they worked together to help him and his unit before, during and after the deployment. The deploying employee, Army Sgt. 1st Class Bill Jacobs, who was an Apache helicopter platoon sergeant with the National Guard and a manufacturing engineer manager with Lochinvar, was so impressed with the level of support he received that he...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2008 – Union Pacific is a company that is proud of its strong ties with the military. Hundreds of thousands of Civil War veterans helped build the first transcontinental railroad in the 1860s, which was considered vital to national defense. During World War I and II, the railroad canteen in North Platte, Neb., was a resting place for many troops on their way overseas. Union Pacific’s partnership with the military continues today and, in some respects, is stronger than ever, said Roy Schroer, assistant vice president of human resources. Of the company’s more than 50,000 employees, more...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2008 – One Florida neighborhood’s younger residents recently turned a simple lemonade stand, the ages-old financial bastion of kids looking to make some pocket change, into a fundraiser to help out an area troop-support group. Children from a Wellington, Fla., neighborhood recently operated a lemonade stand for a weekend in support of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a Florida-based care package group. Here they pose with cardboard cutouts of soldiers. From left, Madeline Beaubien, Sydney Campbell, Sophia Beaubien, Chelsea Campbell, Brendan Beaubien, Erin Berlingo, Bradley Boland, and Connor Boland earned $200 for the organization through their efforts. Photo...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2008 – Kim Robinson knows that when military members deploy, they face a lot of stress overseas on top of worrying about their families at home. To help alleviate that stress, Robinson has committed to do what he can to ease the burden on the families of his employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Robinson’s company, Robinson Transport, of Salina, Utah, provides $1,000 a month to the families of employees who are deployed with the National Guard or Reserve. This money is meant to supplement the family’s income, and the company still pays all...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has placed his support behind a costly high-speed rail system in California. Schwarzenegger told NBC11 he wants California to lead the way in transporting commuters across the state at near-record speeds while reducing global warming at the same time. Critics have said the state's proposed high-speed rail system is too costly and too good to be true, NBC11's Mike Luery reported. On the very spot where the Transcontinental Railroad was established nearly 140 years ago, Schwarzenegger told Luery that a less-than-three-hour trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles represents the type of progress that...

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008 – Support from their fellow citizens is vital to the success of servicemembers fighting the war on terror, a soldier who earned the Bronze Star Medal in Iraq said today. “Support means everything,” Army Staff Sgt. John Aughtman saidin an interview on the “ASY Live” program on BlogTalkRadio. “A letter, a care package, a telephone call, a visit, a blanket -- anything means everything.” “ASY Live” is part of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. As a squad leader,...

And they said that Obama had zero appeal outside the guilt-ridden white wine liberal and African-American demos. Au contraire. OneFreeKorea is reporting that Kim Jong Il has endorsed OMessiah... If this is true, it would allow OAppeaser to check off the foreign terrorist/dictator faction much earlier than expected.

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2008 – A congressman from Arizona has recognized a group from his state for its continued dedication to supporting the troops. U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell honored Packages From Home on June 14 for its efforts and continued support for the nation’s servicemembers and for their dedication in providing care packages to U.S. troops. Packages From Home is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. Mitchell recognized Kathleen Lewis and Lisa Benson -- president and executive director, respectively, of Packages...

Operation Worship is a new promotion just getting started at Family Christian Bookstores across our country. The program which is a joint effort with Zondervan Publishers allows patriotic customers to purchase small camouflage covered Bibles to send to our troops overseas. The Bibles are low cost ($4.99) and you are asked to write a personal message to a member of our armed forces. This personal message will be bound in the Bible by Zondervan and sent to a soldier. The promotion is starting this week and continuing for several months. Family Christian Bookstores hopes to send 200,000 Bibles to our...

Operation Worship is a new promotion just getting started at Family Christian Bookstores across our country. The program which is a joint effort with Zondervan Publishers allows patriotic customers to purchase small camouflage covered Bibles to send to our troops overseas. The Bibles are low cost ($4.99) and you are asked to write a personal message to a member of our armed forces. This personal message will be bound in the Bible by Zondervan and sent to a soldier. The promotion is starting this week and continuing for several months. Family Christian Bookstores hopes to send 200,000 Bibles to our...

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2008 – With symbolic glasses raised on high, Jim Beam distillery offered a toast to U.S. servicemembers and their families with a $175,000 donation to Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to the nation’s troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. In supporting the organization, Jim Beam honors it as part of the brand’s renewed top-down commitment to its own original values of true character, integrity and doing the right thing, Jim Beam officials said in a news release announcing the donation. "Jim Beam is...

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2008 – In Ohio, a new team is taking a community approach to supporting troops and military families. “Our mission is to empower communities to support military members and their families through the deployment cycles,” said PamelaJune Banks-Anderson, founder of the Ohio-based National Restoration to Military Families Team. The team, which operates as “National Restoration Team,” takes a three-pronged approach to helping servicemembers and their loved ones. First, the team works to encourage faith- and community-based leaders and organizations to build servicemember- and veteran-friendly communities. It also helps servicemembers with readjustment and reunion issues while remembering...

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2008 – After stringent review by one of the country’s premier charity watchdogs, a Massachusetts-based troop-support group has been added to a list of top-rated charities. The American Institute of Philanthropy has reviewed Homes for Our Troops’ finances and included the group in their “Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities” listing. Homes for Our Troops is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. “Homes for Our Troops is proud to be included in [American Institute of Philanthropy’s] list of top...

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – Tens of thousands of care packages will be packed and ready for shipping to servicemembers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea in time for Independence Day. Operation Gratitude’s annual “Patriotic Drive” makes sure servicemembers have a little piece of home around the nation’s birthday. "This will be the fastest-paced care package drive we have ever undertaken," said Charlie Othold, director of operations. "We only have two weekends of prep work and two weekends of assembling, but we will get a package shipped to every servicemember whose name we receive." Seven days...

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2008 – Two of America’s favorite siblings bestowed a very special honor on the founder of a grassroots troop-support group recently. Donnie and Marie Osmond named Patti Patton-Bader as “America’s Favorite Mom” on the May 11 “America’s Favorite Mom” program presented by Teleflora and NBC. "I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life," said Patton-Bader, who has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. "Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this ‘America's Favorite Mom’ program, I am honored to be...

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 – For the 38 grassroots groups who took up a temporary home in the Pentagon’s center courtyard today, the mission was clear: show support for the troops and share information about just how they do that. Tennessee's Helping Hearts table at the America Supports You Salute to Our Military Men and Women concert May 16, 2008, was staffed by the group’s pageant winners. From left, Paige Wilson, 12, 2007 Ms. Tennessee Helping Hearts; Shay Salmon, 16, 2008 Tennessee Helping Hearts Queen runner up; Amanda Britt, 18, 2008 Ms. Tennessee Helping Hearts; and Summer Salmon, 14,...

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – Through three military conflicts, beginning with the Civil War, a group of women contributed to the war effort by making bandages for the troops. While they no longer make bandages, the Virginia-based United Daughters of the Confederacy strives to support the country’s servicemembers through historical, educational, benevolent, memorial and patriotic means. “Since we are a country at war against terrorism, the patriotic objective is the one being focused upon at the present time,” said Sherry Davis, chairman of patriotic activities for the general, or national, organization. The organization meets its goals of patriotic outreach...

SYDNEY (AFP) - The number of Australians who want to replace the monarchy with a republic has fallen to its lowest level in almost 15 years, according to a poll published Thursday. Only 45 percent of Australians favoured scrapping the monarchy for a republic, although the figure rose sharply when respondents considered the prospect of Prince Charles taking the throne, according to the poll from Morgan Research. Pollster Gary Morgan said support for a republic featuring a popularly-elected president was the lowest since former prime minister Paul Keating raised the issue of dumping Queen Elizabeth II in December 1993. Morgan...

(IsraelNN.com) Boris Johnson defeated Ken Livingstone, who was running for a third term of mayor and won wide support from the city's growing Muslim community. Johnson, a member of the Conservative party, was backed by 53.2 percent of the voters. Livingstone frequently has collided with Jewish community in London, previously accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing" and once refused to apologize for comparing a Jewish reporter with a Nazi concentration camp guard. Johnson has been more favorable towards Israel and opposed last year's movement by academics to boycott the Jewish state

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2008 – Gift cards can make a stay away from home while a loved one recovers easier for servicemembers and their families. A Bank of America Visa debit card bearing the Fisher House Foundation logo is displayed during a ceremony to present the first 400 such cards to the Brooke Army Medical Center Fisher Houses on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Through a new partnership, Bank of America’s Military Segment has agreed to cover processing and other fees associated with purchasing gift cards, thereby stretching the Fisher House Foundation’s donors’ dollars. Photo courtesy of the Fisher House...

FORT BLISS, Texas, May 2, 2008 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute here last night to what he called “the power behind the power” -- the families and community members who stand behind the troops engaged in the war on terror. Speaking to local and military family group leaders at the Officers Club, Gates praised Fort Bliss soldiers who, along with their comrades throughout the military, have been “giving their all” in the fight against extremism. That’s been possible, he said, because of the support troops receive from their families, as well as the support they and...

Hello Folks: It's May 1st and I'd like to ask you for a little help. The current Freepathon started on April 1st. Here we are a month later and the total given or pledged is sputtering toward the finish line. I appreciate everyone's constributions to date. It's impressive that we come together like this to support the forum. Despite the great job that has been done, I still think we can do better. We are still thousands from the goal. I'd like to put a big dent in the amount remaining to be covered. Will some of you please join...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Leading pro-life Democrat Nat Hentoff wrote a national editorial on Tuesday saying he had considered supporting Barack Obama for president. That was until he investigated Obama's record on abortion and found that the Illinois lawmaker essentially supported infanticide. "I was once strongly inclined to vote for Barack Obama for president (assuming he won his party's nomination)," Hentoff said in the column. "But then I learned Obama's voting record on abortion." Complete story at: http://www.lifenews.com/nat3903.html

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008 – Military spouses and United Service Organizations volunteers will have a chance to join the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in offering a “Toast to the Troops” and enjoy a performance by country music star Craig Morgan at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 19. The event will be the third year Jack Daniel’s and the USO have conducted the "Toast to the Troops" campaign. The goal this year is to assemble 10,000 USO Care Packages for troops serving overseas. But the day won’t be all work for those participating. They’ll also enjoy a special barbecue and...

SEATTLE (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said on Friday he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, the Dalai Lama replied, "No." Asked if he wanted the United States and other world leaders to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet, he replied, "That's up to them." "It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case. But in China proper, the report of human right is poor. And their freedom, also very...

WASHINGTON - Iranian support for militias in Iraq has grown, top U.S. defense leaders said Friday, asserting that recent battles in Basra gave the Iraqis an eye-opening view of Iran's increased negative role there. More broadly, the outlook for more progress toward stabilizing Iraq and reducing the U.S. troop presence is clouded by several other potential pitfalls in coming months, including the prospect of increased violence with the approach of provincial Iraqi elections this fall, Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview at the Pentagon with a group of reporters. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, also cited the...

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 – Wounded veterans recovering in some California Veterans Affairs facilities hear some of their visitors long before they see them. Blue Star Riders is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who visit with veterans recovering at the Palo Alto, Livermore, Martinez and San Francisco Veterans Affairs facilities at least once a month, said Richard Hamilton, the group’s founder and president. “(Blue Star Riders) are dedicated to supporting our troops and veterans, as well as honoring all wounded troops and fallen heroes,” said Hamilton, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran. Members of the group visit with as...

BAGHDAD - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's faltering crackdown on Shiite militants has won the backing of Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties that fear both the powerful sectarian militias and the effects of failure on Iraq's fragile government. The emergence of a common cause could help bridge Iraq's political rifts. The head of the Kurdish self-ruled region, Massoud Barzani, has offered Kurdish troops to help fight anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia. More significantly, Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi signed off on a statement by President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and the Shiite vice president, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, expressing support...

WASHINGTON - Former President Carter wouldn't quite say it, but he left little doubt this week about who he'd like to see in the White House next year. Speaking to local reporters Wednesday on a trip to Nigeria, the former Democratic president noted that Barack Obama had won his home state of Georgia and his hometown of Plains. "My children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama," he said at a news conference, according to the Nigerian newspaper This Day. "As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for, but I leave you to...

As I am somewhat new to doing on-the-ground reporting, and I simply wanted to give these patriots in an out-of-the-way small town their due, their diligence and determination truly struck me today - below 30f, windy and on a busy street corner (Petroleum Street bridge and Front Street). Apparently this particular troop rally has been going on for quite some time (several months), and as I work nights it is quite conceivable that I could miss it (asking for a pass :-) ). Hearing and seeing about these kind of rallies going on in our major metropolitan areas is nothing...

The Vets for Freedom Heroes Tour will be in Columbia SC THIS Thursday, April 3rd at 11:30 am. There will be a rally at the Statehouse Capitol Steps located at 1200 Gervais Street. (Intersection of Gervais and Main St) Please come down and show your support for our troops and their just mission!!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Here we go with another rendition of Wacky Wednesday. Come in and enjoy the fun. Now, it's your turn. Share some jokes and funny pictures. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately". - Benjamin Franklin "Whether Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, we all shared a common goal in Iraq: victory. As Republican candidates for Congress we share a vision for America's future, her security, and that of future generations. We are unified in our commitment to relieve the Democrats of their command of Congress. Voters want to restore leadership and honor back to Washington. Who better to accomplish that mission than our generation of warriors? All veterans whose service to the United States brought them first to Iraq and now...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, March 21, 2008 – Because soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division and Multinational Division Baghdad can no longer tune in to their favorite radio stations while they’re deployed to Iraq, two enterprising disc jockeys decided to bring the show to them. Army Sgt. Gregg Kunkle (center), a native of Harleysville, Pa., who serves as a team leader with Company D, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Multinational Division Baghdad, receives a warm welcome from Zack Owen and Jim Cody before being interviewed on their popular “Waco 100” morning show at Camp Liberty, Iraq, March 20, 2008....

LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's ruling Labour Party have slumped to their lowest poll score against the main opposition Conservatives for 25 years, according to a survey published Sunday. A YouGov survey for The Sunday Times put Labour on 27 percent, its lowest rating since 1983, while the Conservatives scored 43 percent. If a general election were to take place now, the poll scores would translate into a landslide majority for the Conservatives. Brown's personal approval rating has dropped to its lowest since he succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister in June, the survey showed. It was...

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. I see it's time for Wacky Wednesday Welcome back to the FR Canteen’s Wacky Wednesday encore presentation. Where the plan for today is to be silly. WOW! Another Wacky Wednesday. Have fun, gang. Please join in with some clean jokes & pics. I'll see you again on the evening of the 25th. Won't be here on the 26th. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2008 – The company that made inspiration standard has done the same with its support of the nation’s troops since before World War II. Chrysler recently announced it has become a corporate supporter of the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. “The mission of America Supports You merges perfectly with the legacy Chrysler has of supporting the military and their families for decades, said Bob Nardelli, the auto maker’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Beginning with our Jeep products carrying troops...

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2008 – Troops serving overseas are about to get a tasty blast of appreciation through a unique partnership. True Lemon, a company that makes powdered citrus flavorings, is hoping to donate 1 million packets of the flavoring to Operation Gratitude to include in care packages. The company is calling on the American public to make that goal possible. “Over the last six months, we have heard from more and more soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan (and their families) that many of our troops enjoy putting True Lemon, True Lime or True Orange in their water...

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Welcome to the FINAL Wacky Wednesday. Now just because Wacky Wednesday has come to an end does not mean that you have to give up being wacky. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Welcome back to the FR Canteen’s Wacky Wednesday. By now you know how this works....have at it. Times awasting. Now, it's your turn. Share some jokes and funny pictures. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2008 – Late last month my wife, Deborah, and I christened a Navy destroyer in Pascagoula, Miss. As we watched the champagne bottle break across the bow of this sleek new warship, some 25 miles away in the Alabama town of Irvington, more than 100 well-wishers gathered for a christening of their own. They were breaking ground on a new house for former U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Greg Edwards and his family. Edwards, 25, lost both legs and shattered his left hand in an explosion while on patrol in Ramadi last October. Now, thanks to the Taunton,...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2008 – Seven reserve-component units were recognized for their superlative support of families of deployed servicemembers during an award ceremony in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes today. Sharon M. Semrow is a volunteer family-support coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division, based in Chicago. She works with families and Marines assigned to the battalion’s Fox Company located in Milwaukee. Semrow’s unit is one of seven reserve-component organizations that received the 2007 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award at the Pentagon, Feb. 15, 2008. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo...

WASHINGTON - In a fresh sign of trouble for Hillary Rodham Clinton, one of the former first lady's congressional black supporters intends to vote for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, and a second, more prominent lawmaker is openly discussing a possible switch. Rep. David Scott's defection and Rep. John Lewis' remarks highlight one of the challenges confronting Clinton in a campaign that pits a black man against a woman for a nomination that historically has been the exclusive property of white men. "You've got to represent the wishes of your constituency," Scott said in an interview Wednesday in...

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Welcome back to the FR Canteen’s Wacky Wednesday. I hope you practiced since Lesson one. Remember, these lessons end at the end of Feb. So, you only have a few more chances before you'll be on your own. Now, it's your turn. Share some jokes and funny pictures. Remember the Canteen is a family-friendly place.

www.FootyGI.com

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. WACKY WEDNESDAY Welcome to the FR Canteen’s Wacky Wednesday where the plan for today is to be silly. That’s right. This is something that comes easy to most Canteeners, but we understand that it may not be easy for others. We hope that by spending the day with us you’ll soon get the hang of it. Today will be considered lesson one. Hopefully, by now you are getting the...

I have spent nearly four decades in the conservative movement — from precinct worker to the Reagan White House. I campaigned for Reagan in 1976 and 1980. I served in several top positions during the Reagan administration, including chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese. I have been an active conservative when conservatism was not in high favor. I remember in 1976, as a 19-year-old in Pennsylvania working the polls for Reagan against the sitting Republican president, Gerald Ford, I was demeaned for supporting a candidate who was said to be an extremist B-actor who couldn’t win a general...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 – Volunteer organizations providing support to military families can compete for a share of $75,000 in grant money that could make their efforts a bit easier. Newman’s Own, the Fisher House Foundation and the Military Times Media Group are accepting nominations for the 2008 Newman’s Own Awards through May 2. The Fisher House Foundation is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. The three organizations are looking for innovative plans to support military families from the volunteer groups,...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2008 – More than 150 people attending the America Supports You National Summit here today received a quick overview of the American military as it fights the war on terror. This is the third summit for the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, through which hundreds of volunteer groups and corporations are reaching out to American servicemembers. Ham, who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, gave the group a quick tour of the world, starting with the United States and U.S. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. “It is the command tasked to defend our...

I have gotten a few folks on our block to help out in putting together packages to send to our troops overseas.We are looking for sites which can give us some names. units etc to contact, and suggested lists of what to send.We would much prefer the personal touch of putting together the packages and sending them ourselves, rather than just writing a check.I'm sure there are plenty of Freepers who can point us the right way!!