Paying a high price - Many families of reservists activated because of Iraq are struggling

Sac Bee ^ | 12/6/03 | Pamela Martineau

[NormsRevenge]

Some families of reservists deployed to Iraq are grappling with more than fear for their loved one's safety. They are struggling to pay their bills.

"It's not just his absence that we're dealing with," said Korina Self of Lockeford, whose husband, California National Guard Spc. James Self, is serving in Iraq. "We're dealing with absolute financial devastation. We're on the verge of losing everything."

[NormsRevenge]

God Bless & Prayers for those in the Homeland who are most affected in the War on Terrorism and Fight for FReedom.

If you can help , please do. Thanks

[Conservababe]

I thought they were told they could be called up for a year...not two. Is this article correct?

[AmericanInTokyo]

Terrible. Sad. Inexecusable.

I wish this were the America of 1942. We would be all singing from the same sheet.

These Americans are on the front line. What with this booming American economy in closing 2003, and people being trampled at Walmarts during after-Thanksgiving specials, maybe we can each afford to hold off buying one more toy and diverting our current national and individual prosperity to some of these families.

Where do we donate a little time or money to help these Americans? They are just as important if not more, and deserving of national attention and outpouring akin to what the police and firefighters got in closing 2001.

[NormsRevenge]

Just one of many ways to assist those who serve our nation. Thanks.

Check out this official DoD site as well for other ways to get involved.

http://www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html

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Donors Sought for 'Gift of Groceries' Program for Military Families

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2003--With the holiday season right around the corner, officials at the Defense Commissary Agency are encouraging the American public to show its support for U.S. service members through its highly successful "Gift of Groceries" program.

The program, which enables anyone to purchase and donate gift certificates good at all 280 military commissaries worldwide, reached the $1 million mark just six months after its launch in September 2002, according to Kaye Kennedy, the agency's corporate communications chief. Now that figure has climbed even higher, with $1.6 million in gift certificates purchased through the program.

Jean Villerreal, DeCA's gift certificate program manager, said the program "has really exceeded all our expectations as customers, industry and military charities embrace the service."

Kennedy attributes the program's success to the fact that it gives friends, family and the public an opportunity to show their support for military families. Donors can present the gift certificates to military families directly or send them to a local military relief organization. They can also elect to donate them to one of the three nonprofit organizations supporting the program: the Air Force Aid Society, the USO and the Fisher House Foundation.

"Our priority is to get these gift certificates to the families of service members wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Jim Weiskopf of the Fisher House Foundation. He said families staying in Fisher Houses at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, and the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Md., while their wounded family members undergo medical care are already benefiting from the program.

Military chaplains' funds purchased more than $500,000 in gift certificates for the 2002 holiday season.

Civilian organizations are jumping on board as well. One regional family- support effort near San Diego netted$50,000 in donated gift certificates last spring. In addition, employees of large defense contractor location in Dallas donated $25,000 in gift certificates for military families.

And now with the holidays approaching, officials are hopeful that the public's generosity will continue.

The Gift of Groceries program operates through a business agreement with CertifiChecks Inc., at no cost to the Defense Commissary Agency or the federal government, Kennedy said. Only authorized commissary shoppers can redeem the gift certificates.

To buy purchase commissary gift certificates, visit www.commissaries.com or call the toll- free 1-877-770-GIFT. The certificates are not sold in commissaries, Kennedy said.

A standard charge of $4.95, paid by the purchaser, covers the cost of handling, printing and mailing. Additional charges may apply for large orders or special delivery, but installation charities can apply for a waiver by checking with their local commissary.

[NormsRevenge]

Where do we donate a little time or money to help these Americans? They are just as important if not more, and deserving of national attention and outpouring akin to what the police and firefighters got in closing 2001.

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See my post#4 and Thanks for asking. :-)

[dwilli]

I think the call up has always been up to two years on the normal reserve program.

If a reservist served the regular tour of active duty prior to entering the reserve (3 years) the active duty requirement is not there.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Hey, that was FAST. THanks!

[NormsRevenge]

No problemo,, I was in the midst of prepping that info anyway. :-)

[El Gato]

I thought they were told they could be called up for a year...not two. Is this article correct

Two is possible. We had an employee in my group called up in October or September of 2001, he just got back. The initial callup was for a year, but it got extended. He spent part of the time within weekend communting distance of his home, but the rest was at various "undisclosed locations".

[Norse]

>What with this booming American economy in closing 2003, >and people being trampled at Walmarts during after->Thanksgiving specials

Actually, that should read, "people being trampled by grossly overweight obese Americans at Walmarts"

Less food, people. Divert some of that food money to these families. Get control over your weight problem. And yes, it is a problem, both for your health, and for my eyesight.

[SwankyC]

said Korina Self of Lockeford, whose husband, California National Guard Spc. James Self, is serving in Iraq. "We're dealing with absolute financial devastation. We're on the verge of losing everything."

She's full of crap. I KNOW there is a law out there that will put their bills in limbo while he is activated and deploed to Iraq.

[douglas1]

THEY ARE ALL PROTECTED from any court actions,by the soldiers and sailors act, that was put in effect a long time ago.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Kudos to you for being so upfront on this. American People need to hear it more often. Needs to be said more clearly. Look what has happened to this country in the last 20 years! Disgusting. Foolish. Idiotic, when viewed from aar.

When I see American Christians who are grossly overweight (becaue of overeating rather than some genetic disease)--("Praise the Lord, and pass the lard!"") I think "hypocrite" and the same for when I see a patriot like that, for they are doing nothing to keep America healthy, sharp, fast, stress low, and wholesome as a whole. To not do one's part in the vital part of maintaining the overall health of the entire nation, or to just chow down like a vacuum cleaner daily is not very "patriotic" just as to live on this planet stuck at the intersection of gluttony and sloth, is neither very "Christian" in my book.