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Posted on 02/14/2005 7:46:21 PM PST by MoJo2001
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Dud missile: A homemade rocket fired by Hamas militants sticks in the patio of a Neve Dekalim Jewish settlement home in the southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, hoping to preserve a cease-fire with Israel, responded to Hamas mortar and rocket attacks by immediately firing several of his security commanders
GUN CLEANING — U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jackson, foreground, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Stoddard-Herriman clean the turret of the MK-45 5-inch/54-caliber lightweight gun while cleaning the gun system aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Mason after an early-morning test fire in the Persian Gulf, Feb. 7, 2005. Mason is conducting operations in the Persian Gulf as a part of Destroyer Squadron 26 and the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Kristopher Wilson
Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey wraps up the filming at the Pentagon for a future episode of his History Channel program, "Mail Call." While there, he chatted with the Pentagon Channel about why it is important that America support its troops and their families.
Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey has lived the life of a Marine and played the role of military tough guys in several war films. He continues what he calls his "Marine Corps addiction" through his History Channel program, "Mail Call," which is designed to answer viewers' questions on military technology. Recently, Ermey and a film crew spent time at the Pentagon trying to unravel some of the mysteries that lie with in the "Puzzle Palace." He also took time out to encourage America to support the troops through Web sites like the Department of Defense's America Supports You Web site as well as his cause, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Unmet Needs Program.
'Mail Call' Host Says 'Support the Troops'
By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2005 – "I want you to go to AmericaSupportsYou.mil … let the troops – let me – know how you're supporting the troops. So support the troops. C'mon, that's what's all about," is the message the host and star of History Channel's "Mail Call" was promoting from the Pentagon Feb 11.
Former Marine Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey and a film crew spent Feb. 10 and Feb. 11 filming an upcoming episode of his show at the Pentagon. He wrapped the taping hoping that he had unraveled some of the mysteries of the "Puzzle Palace" for his viewers.
Then he sat down with the Pentagon Channel to encourage America to support the troops as he does.
When the war on terrorism started, this Marine and movie tough guy – he's played military men in several war films - wondered what he could do to support the troops and "pull my share of the load."
"I'm too damn old to charge up that hill … and kill the enemy anymore," Ermey said. "I found out that I can (pitch in) by helping the families of the troops. So that's basically been my objective for the past few years."
He achieves that objective through the Veterans of Foreign Wars Unmet Needs Program. Established to help alleviate the burden of military families in need, the VFW Foundation administers the program. It provides a wide array of assistance to those military families, Ermey said. For example, they can obtain help for basic, but often expensive, needs such as infant formula, medical fees, groceries, home and car repairs, and even rent or mortgage.
If military families find themselves in a legitimate predicament, they need only go to the Unmet Needs Web site and click on the box indicating that help is needed. From there, they have a choice of filling out an online application or printing the form and mailing it in. The application will be reviewed and appropriate action taken, Ermey said.
For those without access to a computer, foundation offers toll-free 1-866-789- 6333.
Donations of cash or time and skills can also be made through the Web site, along with separate links from which to choose to support the troops.
"I've found out, by way of email and telephone conversations with private citizens, that there's a lot of people in America that want to pull their share of the load. They may disagree with the war, but 100 percent of Americans agree that we need to support the troops," Ermey said. "But they don't know where to take the first step."
Web sites like America Supports You, with its numerous organizations that support the troops, and the VFW's Unmet Needs Program offer outlets for those wanting to contribute, he said.
Ermey has seen firsthand the reasons that it is so crucial for America to support its troops. After spending time with troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq, he realized that family issues – making ends meet, unexpected situations - back home were distracting them.
"These young troops have stepped up to the plate," Ermey said. "I want to assure these young people over there that are making the sacrifice for this country that the people back home … are looking after that family unit that they left back here, entrusted to us, while they go and fight the war for our benefit.
"The most important message I can relay to the young war fighters over there today is: 'We're looking after your folks here at home. You just kind of relax, get that off your mind and concentrate 100 percent on winning this war and getting your young tail back home safe and sound.'"
Kathy, did you know there are no women in that movie.
Hey armyman..((HUGS)) Are you excited about your new adventure in life? Will you still be working with flying things?
Hmmmmmmmm.....I guess I didn't realize that. But, Steve McQueen was. LOL!!
Do you still have that bird on your head?
Great Actor. Have you seen the commercial that has him in it?
hey MA ((hugs back)) yes I am excited about the new adventure. Yes I will still be working on flying things.
I like your choice of tv shows. Haven't been to a movie in years. I hate sitting still that long. LOL! Just about the only shows I watch now are JAG and NCIS. Oh, and I really like Crossing Jordan.
I don't go to theaters too often. The last time I was in a theater was when I was in Iraq at LSA Anaconda and the movie was "The Passion of the Christ" and the time before that was back in the states and the movie was "Star Wars: Episode II.
From the CD
~ "WIDE AWAKE" ~
O yea. A good TV series. That really goes back a ways.
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