Free Republic

On Veteran’s Day my radio show featured interviews with more than a dozen seriously wounded Marines and Navy personnel who are beneficiaries of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (www.SemperFiFund.org.) Since its founding in 2003, the Semper Fi Fund has raised more than $55 million to help more than 6,000 service members wounded in the wars of the past decade. Take a quick look at their board of directors and you will quickly see why this organization is so effective and also why you need have no concern over its integrity or the efficiency of its operations. There are many,...

There is little better in this world than doing some good, and especially doing some good for the troops with a good group of people. Cooking with the Wounded is now a formal program, and Phase II kicked off in high style thanks to Katy and Molly of the Yellow Bowl Bakery, who have founded their own group Bakers without Borders to do for the troops, and to Concrete Bob who brought together the 173rd ABN, the Warrior Legacy Foundation, DC Free Republic, and the grilling regulars to do quite a cookout. The result was pure Southern hospitality: grazing from...

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). (2 Cor. 3:17)

Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton Bader will appear on NBC's Today show on May 5, during the nine o'clock hour. She has been selected as a semi-finalist in NBC/Teleflora's America's Favorite Mom contest. Votes based on her appearance on the show with two other military moms will determine whether she moves on to the final round. On Mother's Day (May 11), NBC will broadcast a prime-time special featuring the crowning of "America's Favorite Mom," the results of which will be determined by how many votes are received from May 5 to May 9. Each mother can only receive votes during...

Jim Doyle held a wooden frame displaying the numerous medals showing his service in World War II. Many would call him a hero, but that does not change his own perception. The Pearl Harbor survivor — who will join other survivors at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, on the footsteps of the Capitol Building to honor those who lost their lives more than 66 years ago — talked about the true heroes. "I don't think doing my duty makes me a hero," Doyle said. "I think the real heroes are the kids who got killed and never came back." Doyle...

About 80 people gathered in Poncha Springs Sunday for a war rally supporting the U.S. military and to help propel them toward victory in Iraq. Sponsored by mayors of Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida, the rally began about noon in Chipeta Park. Supporters moved inside to the second floor of the town hall at about 12:30 p.m. when snow flurries began. Rally participants, including about 12 war veterans, arrived from Chaffee, Fremont, and Saguache counties and Colorado Springs. Buena Vista Mayor Cara Russell spoke to the crowd before the rally moved inside. She recited a quote by 18th Century...

A victory rally supporting U.S. military personnel will be held in Chipeta Park on Burnett Street in Poncha Springs from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 21. The rally will be cosponsored by mayors Cara Russell of Buena Vista, Mark Thonhoff of Poncha Springs and Danny Knight of Salida. To demonstrate support, rally participants will have an opportunity to sign holiday cards for troops and donate items to be sent to active military personnel. In addition, attendees can learn about such military support organizations such as Soldiers' Angels, Patriot Guard and Homes for Our Troops.

On April 29, 2007, 200 men and women with some 50 wounded, biked from Gettysburg, PA, to Washington, DC, in an event called Face of America. Soldiers Angels was on hand with banners and signs made for the riders from across the country offering sincere gratitude and praise for their sacrifices in defending our nation. These men and women inspire a nation - and inspired me to try my hand at producing a video for them. They honestly deserve better, but I wanted to show my appreciation for our American heroes. Please go watch the video now. Send the link...

Vet staff helps out soldiers, dogs serving overseas This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Friday, January 19, 2007.By CHRISTINE BERWICK Valley Press Staff Writer For the military canines in Iraq and other foreign lands, it's the little things from home that mean the most. Nail clippers, for instance. Or little toys that go "squeak." And at Smith Veterinary Hospital in Lancaster, the staff is working to make sure America's four-legged soldiers - and their human companions - get the encouragement and support they need. The veterinary hospital started "adopting" individuals in canine units in the spring through...

One of the best parts of being a soldier is meeting new people all the time. Every 3-5 years we get to move someplace else and meet more people. Every now and then, we get to start a blog and meet all kinds of new people. Unfortunately, we only know them by name, screen ID, or email address. Sometimes, we get to actually meet these wonderful people. At the Milblog conference this year, I got to meet some of my readers as well as other fellow bloggers. Everyone was taller than I imagined, but that's a product of being short,...

Soldiers' Angels has received over 500 adoption submissions from soldiers during the past week. These men and women have volunteered to serve our country and deserve our support. Although SA has a "re-enlistment" rate of about 75% among existing Angels who re-adopt after their soldiers' redeployments, we would love to welcome new Angels to the SA family! To adopt a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine, click on the "Adopt a Soldier" link in the upper left-hand corner. Adoption FAQs can be found here. If adopting isn't for you, Soldiers' Angels also has a Letter Writing Team for those who enjoy...

Dear "Army Mom," Just wanted to take a second to tell you what happened in Iraq today. It was raining - and I was just coming in to my headquarters when when I passed by one of my newer soldiers - an immigrant from the former Soviet Union - and one of my BEST privates. I was stopped in my tracks, for behold - on such a dreary day he was smiling. I was being funny (at first) and I said "awww you got a package with some goodies? Who sent that to you?" And as I expected to hear...