American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., Chartered by Congress 80 year ago, is coordinating efforts to erect a monument in Washington DC.

Our nation's capitol, the place of honor for our fallen military and home of our founder, should be the place for a lasting tribute to all Gold Star Mothers - past, present, and future. These are special women who nurtured their children, instilled in them a sense of duty and honor, and ultimately sacrificed their sons and daughters in service to our great nation. Their losses have been tragic, yet their spirit has remained strong, donating million of hours to veterans' hospitals and many other community service endeavors.

Veterans who were able to return home to experience the joys and sorrows of life can each recall a buddy who did not make it home. That buddy had a mother whose heart was broken, but who remained proud of their child's service to his or her Country. It is that woman and all mothers who have lost their children in service to this great country that are to be honored through this monument - a monument for the entire world to see.

Any amount donated will help fund the completion of this monument - every little bit helps. Also, since the AGSM enjoys 501(c)3 status, all donations are deductible under IRS rules. Checks or money orders made payable to AGSM National Monument Fund can be mailed to:

AGSM National Monument Fund
2128 Leroy Place NW
Washington DC 20008

Visit www.gsmmonument.org and watch our progress.

ALR CALL TO ACTION: Consider holding Poker Runs and other fundraisers for this worthy cause. The mothers who have lost children in service to our country deserve this honor. Let's do our part to see that it comes to fruition! It would be great to see the ALR as major contributors to such a worthy effort.

-Bobcat

Walter Reed Hospital is no longer accepting cards addressed to "any wounded warrior." However, the Red Cross is now accepting these cards. Please address your holiday cards to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Please be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 27. You might also consider expressing your appreciation to American service members by making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families - see the DOD Community Relations web site at www.ourmilitary.mil.

Looking for a way to support our troops?

Here's an opportunity to send some goodies along to a unit right out on the border in Iraq. They have a .177 pellet gun they use to entertain themselves with when not out working on the border, and can use some pellets for it! Also, these folks don't get a lot of care packages, so wend along some goodies and other things to make their time out on the front lines a little more bearable.

Send your care packages to:

Care Packages For Our Troops
c/o Maj Basha
BTT 4251 "Team Ramrod"
COP Heider, Rabayiah
APO, AE 09351

If you visit www.letssaythanks.com, you can select a patriotic graphic designed by a child and type in a personal message to one of ou soldiers deployed to Iraq. Xerox will then print the card you made, and mail it to one of our American soldiers in Iraq. You can't choose who to send it to, but I'm pretty sure the recipient will be pleased to have it nonetheless! Let's show them how many cards to our men and women over seas the American Legion Riders can generate!

The American Legion Riders of Arizona have instituted Operation Wounded Warrior to bring items to wounded soldiers returning from the conflict in Iraq, and to welcome them home. They have already executed their plan once, and are doing it again. They could use your help. A presentation regarding this operation is available here, including the means to make a cash donation to the cause.

Seeing Red

To show our solidarity and support for the our Military during this time of conflict, all are asked to wear some article of red clothing on Fridays.

More info: www.marinecorpsmars.com/red_on_fridays.htm

The Texas Military Family Foundation (TMFF) is a non-profit 501 C(3) organization that serves the United States Military. It is their mission to provide high quality, personalized care to soldiers away from home. More information about TMFF and its mission can be had by clicking here.

IMMEDIATE NEED!!! DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF RETURNING SOLDIERS TMFF IS IN NEED OF MONETARY DONATIONS. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE TWO LARGE WELCOME HOME CELEBRATIONS PLANNED FOR OVER 1400 SOLDIERS. PLEASE HELP THEM IN THIS EFFORT. CONTRIBUTION CHECKS CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO TMFF AND MAILED TO

TMFF
1610 S. 31ST ST STE #102
TEMPLE, TX 76504

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

DMA E-News - US Postal Service helps support the troops...free of charge 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
Courtesy Marty Pinkston KDVA 
As of 25 October 2004 the United States Postal Service is offering free
packing materials to family and friends of military members who are deployed
overseas (APO or FPO addresses). To take advantage of this service call:
800-610-8734 then press 1 for English and then press 3 to talk to an
operator. Once you have the operator on the line, simply ask for the
"Military Pack". They will send you free boxes, packing materials, tape and
mailing labels. These products are to be used to mail care packages to
service members. 

The "Military Pack" includes the following items: 
5 each - box, 12x12x8 
5 each - box, 7x7x6 
1 each - roll of Priority Tape

10 each - 106A address label 
15 each - Form 2976A - Customs Form 
15 each - Form 2976E - Envelope for Customs Form 
5 each - Tyvek envelope (tear and water proof)

Courtesy US Army and US Department of Veterans Affairs 

Not only is Balboa Naval Hospital receiving our injured heroes but the medical facilities at Camp Pendleton are also at near "No Vacancy" populations. In the latter case it's not money that is needed for our wounded Marines at Pendleton but stuff.

Here's why and what they need: At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some of the spouses of the deployed Marines put together hundreds of recovery baskets in anticipation of wounded Marines arriving at our military hospitals. The purpose behind these baskets was to provide the wounded with personal items to be used during their hospital stay and to help fill up their days while being confined in the hospitals. However, due to the higher than anticipated numbers of wounded, they are all but out of the supplies to outfit these baskets.

They are in need of the following items: nonperishable food (snacks and candy), DVDs, all sizes of batteries, phone cards, Game Boy games, books and magazines, Domino's Pizza gift certificates (they deliver on base), towels and wash cloths, and hygiene gear (razors and shaving cream).

These items can be sent to:

MSgt William Bonney
Office of the Division Inspector
1st Marine Division Rein FMF
Bldg 1413 Room 200
Box 555380,
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5380

Efforts expended to locate and repatriot a POW/MIA or their remains are never in vain.
 

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