I'm sitting in the Cincinnati airport waiting on a connecting flight, and I've seen several service members moving through the terminals, many leaving or greeting families. Lots of tears both ways.
It really brings home how much these Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are sacrificing for their country. I see a measure of it - my husband is a mobilized reservist on his fourth year at Fort Knox, and we've had to make many changes to our lives to accommodate it. I can't imagine what it's like for families with children. It's been difficult enough for me on my own, and I spent two years away from him before giving up my job and moving to the Fort Knox area.
But these service members, they're walking through the sirport with a purpose. To go to work, or to come home. I hope that they're healthy and whole both ways, but especially returning home, and that they're returning home to a healthy and whole family.
But reality is different. Many of them are returning to financial problems, emotional distress, and lots of acclimation to deal with. I've seen it in some of my husband's friends. One in particular, I'll call him Ronnie, he left a wife and five kids at home for a year. Came back healthy in body, and mostly okay in mind. The problem was that he had no time in between Iraq and Fort Knox to get his mind wrapped around what he'd been dealing with for a year.
So many of our service members deal with that. There is more and more news coming out about it - the military counseling services are terribly overwhelmed. But it's a serious issue that MUST be addressed.
I see these men and women desperately hugging their children as they leave, and you know they're praying more for their families than for themselves. For what they're giving up, we seriously need to recognize that they deserve our help in return.
USA Cares was important to me even before I started helping the cause - because it helps military families, flat out, no exchange, no catches. Please considering helping. Share A Minute of your time.
Go to www.usacares.org for details.
And thank a service member when you see them in the airport. I got a couple huge smiles.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Help Those Who Defend Our Freedom
Click on the picture to see it full size.
Share A Minute to help a military family.
Go to USA Cares and click on the Share A Minute logo to donate.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Marketing Strategist David Meerman Scott assisting USA Cares program
Share A Minute helping military families one minute at a time
RADCLIFF, KY Online thought leadership and viral marketing strategist David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of “The New Rules of Marketing & PR,” has agreed to support USA Cares, the premier source of granted assistance for military families in the United States, and its fundraiser Share A Minute by giving advice for their marketing efforts.
David Meerman Scott“I teach entrepreneurs and organizations how to harness the power of the Web for success,” Scott said. “I really like the USA Cares programs to help families of service men and women and I wanted to help. Considering my expertise, I thought that advice on the use of the Web would be worthwhile to USA Cares and the families they serve.”
Scott has appeared on “FOX Business” and “MSNBC Your Business” as well as in many notable publications including “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Washington Post.”
University of Virginia student and USA Cares volunteer Alex Cortes is running the viral marketing campaign for Share A Minute. He said he’s looking forward to working with Scott. “I believe young people are yearning to help out our servicemen and women. All we have to do is let them know how they can. David’s expertise in the field of viral marketing will be of great help in effectively reaching out to this mass audience.”
“America is facing a growing perfect storm that threatens our military families. It’s the invisible wounds of war, like post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, home foreclosures, and the challenging economy compounded by multiple deployments that is unlike anything we have seen before,” USA Cares founder Roger Stradley said.
Share A Minute will raise funds to assist USA Cares and its goal: asking Americans to donate $25.00 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25.00 a minute to help these families ease the burden of being separated.
USA Cares welcomed the chance to hear from Scott in its efforts to spread the word about Share A Minute online.
“Today people turn first to the Web to find answers to their problems and to research potential solutions,” Scott said. “I hope that some of my ideas will help make it easier for families to find the help they need through the good work of USA Cares.”
“David Meerman Scott is a well-known expert in viral online marketing, and we’re honored that he’s willing to give us some advice,” Stradley said.
Scott joins other Share A Minute supporters, including Dennis Miller, comedian and radio show host; Mike “Titan” O’Hearn, a four-time Mr. Universe and actor; Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; and Michelle Fournier, a Army reservist who has served tours in Iraq and is preparing for another deployment.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world.”
USA Cares currently receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the military families to receive the assistance needed. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In 2007 USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or families from eviction in partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation; and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
About David Meerman Scott
David Meerman Scott is a bestselling author and an online thought leadership and viral marketing strategist. The programs he has developed have won numerous awards and are responsible for selling over one billion dollars in products and services worldwide. He is the author of the number one best selling PR and marketing book “The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to use news releases, blogs, viral marketing and online media to reach buyers directly,” which was named by BNET (the management and strategy site run by CNET Networks) as one of the top 10 business books of all time. It is being translated into 19 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Czech, Finnish and other languages. Scott has lived and worked in New York, Tokyo, Boston, and Hong Kong and has presented at industry conferences and events in over twenty countries on four continents. For more information, go to http://www.davidmeermanscott.com/ , check out his blog at http://www.webinknow.com/, or e-mail http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/R135804W/david@davidmeermanscott.com.
RADCLIFF, KY Online thought leadership and viral marketing strategist David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of “The New Rules of Marketing & PR,” has agreed to support USA Cares, the premier source of granted assistance for military families in the United States, and its fundraiser Share A Minute by giving advice for their marketing efforts.
David Meerman Scott“I teach entrepreneurs and organizations how to harness the power of the Web for success,” Scott said. “I really like the USA Cares programs to help families of service men and women and I wanted to help. Considering my expertise, I thought that advice on the use of the Web would be worthwhile to USA Cares and the families they serve.”
Scott has appeared on “FOX Business” and “MSNBC Your Business” as well as in many notable publications including “The Wall Street Journal” and “The Washington Post.”
University of Virginia student and USA Cares volunteer Alex Cortes is running the viral marketing campaign for Share A Minute. He said he’s looking forward to working with Scott. “I believe young people are yearning to help out our servicemen and women. All we have to do is let them know how they can. David’s expertise in the field of viral marketing will be of great help in effectively reaching out to this mass audience.”
“America is facing a growing perfect storm that threatens our military families. It’s the invisible wounds of war, like post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, home foreclosures, and the challenging economy compounded by multiple deployments that is unlike anything we have seen before,” USA Cares founder Roger Stradley said.
Share A Minute will raise funds to assist USA Cares and its goal: asking Americans to donate $25.00 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25.00 a minute to help these families ease the burden of being separated.
USA Cares welcomed the chance to hear from Scott in its efforts to spread the word about Share A Minute online.
“Today people turn first to the Web to find answers to their problems and to research potential solutions,” Scott said. “I hope that some of my ideas will help make it easier for families to find the help they need through the good work of USA Cares.”
“David Meerman Scott is a well-known expert in viral online marketing, and we’re honored that he’s willing to give us some advice,” Stradley said.
Scott joins other Share A Minute supporters, including Dennis Miller, comedian and radio show host; Mike “Titan” O’Hearn, a four-time Mr. Universe and actor; Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; and Michelle Fournier, a Army reservist who has served tours in Iraq and is preparing for another deployment.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world.”
USA Cares currently receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the military families to receive the assistance needed. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In 2007 USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or families from eviction in partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation; and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
About David Meerman Scott
David Meerman Scott is a bestselling author and an online thought leadership and viral marketing strategist. The programs he has developed have won numerous awards and are responsible for selling over one billion dollars in products and services worldwide. He is the author of the number one best selling PR and marketing book “The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to use news releases, blogs, viral marketing and online media to reach buyers directly,” which was named by BNET (the management and strategy site run by CNET Networks) as one of the top 10 business books of all time. It is being translated into 19 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Czech, Finnish and other languages. Scott has lived and worked in New York, Tokyo, Boston, and Hong Kong and has presented at industry conferences and events in over twenty countries on four continents. For more information, go to http://www.davidmeermanscott.com/ , check out his blog at http://www.webinknow.com/, or e-mail http://www.blogger.com/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/R135804W/david@davidmeermanscott.com.
Mike “Titan” O’Hearn asks Americans to Share A Minute for Service Members
American Gladiator joins fight to help military families in financial trouble
RADCLIFF, KY Mike O’Hearn, also known as Titan on “American Gladiators,” has joined the Share A Minute campaign: a USA Cares fundraiser to provide post-9/11 veterans and military families with financial support and other critical resources at no cost to recipients.
“America is facing a growing perfect storm that threatens our military families. It’s the invisible wounds of war, like post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, home foreclosures, and the challenging economy compounded by multiple deployments that is unlike anything we have seen before,” USA Cares founder Roger Stradley said.
O’Hearn, a four-time Mr. Universe, will support Share A Minute and its goal: asking Americans to donate $25.00 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25.00 a minute to help these families ease the burden of being separated.
“I am honored to lend my support to the brave individuals and their families who serve our country. They are true American heroes who need and deserve our help, and I encourage everyone across the country to Share A Minute so that we can all help relieve some of the hardship,” O’Hearn said.
O’Hearn joins other Share A Minute supporters, including Dennis Miller, comedian and radio show host; Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; and Michelle Fournier, an Army reservist who has served tours in Iraq and is preparing for another deployment.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world.”
USA Cares currently receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the military families to receive the assistance needed. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In 2007 USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or families from eviction in partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation; and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
About Mike “Titan” O’Hearn
Mike holds four Mr. Universe titles and was voted one of the 12 greatest physiques of all times by the fitness industry. A fierce competitor and undefeated in the Joust, Mike can be seen in NBC’s hit television series “American Gladiators” where he is known as “Titan.” Before winning his four Mr. (Natural) Universe titles, Mike was Mr. California, Mr. USA, Mr. America and Mr. International. He is also a four-time Power Lifting Champion, and two-times Iron Warrior: Decathlon of Strength Strongman Champion. Mike has graced the covers of over 500 magazines worldwide earning him the title of seven-time Fitness Male Model of the Year and putting that title into retirement.
RADCLIFF, KY Mike O’Hearn, also known as Titan on “American Gladiators,” has joined the Share A Minute campaign: a USA Cares fundraiser to provide post-9/11 veterans and military families with financial support and other critical resources at no cost to recipients.
“America is facing a growing perfect storm that threatens our military families. It’s the invisible wounds of war, like post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, home foreclosures, and the challenging economy compounded by multiple deployments that is unlike anything we have seen before,” USA Cares founder Roger Stradley said.
O’Hearn, a four-time Mr. Universe, will support Share A Minute and its goal: asking Americans to donate $25.00 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25.00 a minute to help these families ease the burden of being separated.
“I am honored to lend my support to the brave individuals and their families who serve our country. They are true American heroes who need and deserve our help, and I encourage everyone across the country to Share A Minute so that we can all help relieve some of the hardship,” O’Hearn said.
O’Hearn joins other Share A Minute supporters, including Dennis Miller, comedian and radio show host; Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; and Michelle Fournier, an Army reservist who has served tours in Iraq and is preparing for another deployment.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world.”
USA Cares currently receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the military families to receive the assistance needed. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In 2007 USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or families from eviction in partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation; and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
About Mike “Titan” O’Hearn
Mike holds four Mr. Universe titles and was voted one of the 12 greatest physiques of all times by the fitness industry. A fierce competitor and undefeated in the Joust, Mike can be seen in NBC’s hit television series “American Gladiators” where he is known as “Titan.” Before winning his four Mr. (Natural) Universe titles, Mike was Mr. California, Mr. USA, Mr. America and Mr. International. He is also a four-time Power Lifting Champion, and two-times Iron Warrior: Decathlon of Strength Strongman Champion. Mike has graced the covers of over 500 magazines worldwide earning him the title of seven-time Fitness Male Model of the Year and putting that title into retirement.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dennis Miller Kicks-Off USA Cares “Share-A-Minute”
A National Campaign to Raise Assistance for Post-9/11 Veterans & Military Families
RADCLIFF, KY USA Cares, the nation’s leading non-profit organization providing post-9/11 veterans and military families with financial support and other critical resources, on July 2 kicked off a nationwide fundraising campaign called “Share A Minute with A Service Member.” As a vocal advocate for Military Personnel and their families, comedian, talk radio host, author, actor and USA Cares National Spokesperson Dennis Miller announced the effort on his daily radio show, “The Dennis Miller Show,” and urged listeners to donate today.
“USA Cares…helps the newest veterans, those who are serving in hostile places at the moment,” Miller said. “A recent RAND study said that there may be over 300,000 who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI); post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and over half of them are undiagnosed and untreated. Now the costs to America will be billions of dollars and we can do better: We will do better one person at a time.”
USA Cares Founder, Command Sergeant Major Roger Stradley, US Army (Retired), joined Miller to elaborate on the campaign: “When a young man or woman gets on a plane to go to Iraq or Afghanistan they are looking at about 525,000 minutes away from his family. And of course they are back home waiting that same amount of time. It costs USA Cares about $25 a minute to provide support in helping with the wounded, helping with home foreclosure issues [and] quality of life. And so what we have done is come up with a program called Share-A-Minute. It’s on our website at usacares.org and we’re asking you to step up to the plate, take one minute for these guys and gals and allow us to continue to help with what we’ve been doing for the last five and a half years.”
Miller concluded the announcement with a call to action to listeners: “What have I given you my highest approval on? Well whatever it is it’s now second because this is four stars, two thumbs up, salt of the earth people doing the right things for our veterans. If you have it in your heart, and I know you see what Americans donate, it absolutely boggles the mind, but if you can carve out a little piece for the USACares.org people, we would appreciate it.”
USA Cares currently receives more than a hundred new requests for assistance a week from military families. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the Military Families to receive the assistance needed. “The only way we allow them to repay in any way is by saying thank you.” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization serving US Military Service Members of all ranks and branches and their families with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. Continuing into their sixth year, USA Cares has received requests from over 11,000 Service Members and families with millions of dollars in organizational and found resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the Nation. In 2007 alone, USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or eviction and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Military Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, www.usacares.org, or by calling 1-800-773-0387.
About Dennis Miller
Emmy award winner and four-time Writers’ Guild award winner, Dennis Miller offers his unique take on the day’s topics with comedy and satire on his daily radio show, The Dennis Miller Show, launched by Westwood One in March 2007. It's been said that Miller is "One of the premiere comedy talents in America today..." While others are blunt assessing Miller's comedic stature, Dennis himself makes a virtue of understatement, but there is nothing low key about his career.
Miller is a five-time Emmy award winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour, live talk show "Dennis Miller Live" which had a nine year run on HBO. He also wrote and starred in the Emmy-nominated cable comedy special "Raw Feed", his sixth such special. He was the host and executive producer of CNBC's "Dennis Miller", a topical interview talk show featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor.
RADCLIFF, KY USA Cares, the nation’s leading non-profit organization providing post-9/11 veterans and military families with financial support and other critical resources, on July 2 kicked off a nationwide fundraising campaign called “Share A Minute with A Service Member.” As a vocal advocate for Military Personnel and their families, comedian, talk radio host, author, actor and USA Cares National Spokesperson Dennis Miller announced the effort on his daily radio show, “The Dennis Miller Show,” and urged listeners to donate today.
“USA Cares…helps the newest veterans, those who are serving in hostile places at the moment,” Miller said. “A recent RAND study said that there may be over 300,000 who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI); post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and over half of them are undiagnosed and untreated. Now the costs to America will be billions of dollars and we can do better: We will do better one person at a time.”
USA Cares Founder, Command Sergeant Major Roger Stradley, US Army (Retired), joined Miller to elaborate on the campaign: “When a young man or woman gets on a plane to go to Iraq or Afghanistan they are looking at about 525,000 minutes away from his family. And of course they are back home waiting that same amount of time. It costs USA Cares about $25 a minute to provide support in helping with the wounded, helping with home foreclosure issues [and] quality of life. And so what we have done is come up with a program called Share-A-Minute. It’s on our website at usacares.org and we’re asking you to step up to the plate, take one minute for these guys and gals and allow us to continue to help with what we’ve been doing for the last five and a half years.”
Miller concluded the announcement with a call to action to listeners: “What have I given you my highest approval on? Well whatever it is it’s now second because this is four stars, two thumbs up, salt of the earth people doing the right things for our veterans. If you have it in your heart, and I know you see what Americans donate, it absolutely boggles the mind, but if you can carve out a little piece for the USACares.org people, we would appreciate it.”
USA Cares currently receives more than a hundred new requests for assistance a week from military families. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through every one of them, one at a time, with the determination and commitment to quickly resolve the issues and allow the Military Families to receive the assistance needed. “The only way we allow them to repay in any way is by saying thank you.” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization serving US Military Service Members of all ranks and branches and their families with direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues caused by military service. Continuing into their sixth year, USA Cares has received requests from over 11,000 Service Members and families with millions of dollars in organizational and found resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the Nation. In 2007 alone, USA Cares helped 98 wounded service members; saved 192 homes from foreclosure or eviction and provided 4,146 requests with other forms of assistance. Military Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, www.usacares.org, or by calling 1-800-773-0387.
About Dennis Miller
Emmy award winner and four-time Writers’ Guild award winner, Dennis Miller offers his unique take on the day’s topics with comedy and satire on his daily radio show, The Dennis Miller Show, launched by Westwood One in March 2007. It's been said that Miller is "One of the premiere comedy talents in America today..." While others are blunt assessing Miller's comedic stature, Dennis himself makes a virtue of understatement, but there is nothing low key about his career.
Miller is a five-time Emmy award winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour, live talk show "Dennis Miller Live" which had a nine year run on HBO. He also wrote and starred in the Emmy-nominated cable comedy special "Raw Feed", his sixth such special. He was the host and executive producer of CNBC's "Dennis Miller", a topical interview talk show featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor.
Friday, July 25, 2008
USA Cares provides grants to 797 California military families
USA Cares provides grants to 797 California military families
Nearly $300,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated nearly $300,000 over five years to service members living in California. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 19 California military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 797 California military families have received grants. In 2007, 295 requests came in from California. USA Cares has received 238 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, in Murrieta, USA Cares paid $7,500 on a mortgage, keeping a family of five in their home, and a $500 rent bill in Point Mugu. The organization also paid $1,061.95 for car repairs for a Purple Heart recipient just returned to Fort Irwin.
There are more than 30 military installations in California, including Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton and its 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; the Presidio in Monterey; Naval Base San Diego, principal home port of the Pacific fleet; and Edwards Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Test Pilot School.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of California, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
Nearly $300,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated nearly $300,000 over five years to service members living in California. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 19 California military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 797 California military families have received grants. In 2007, 295 requests came in from California. USA Cares has received 238 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, in Murrieta, USA Cares paid $7,500 on a mortgage, keeping a family of five in their home, and a $500 rent bill in Point Mugu. The organization also paid $1,061.95 for car repairs for a Purple Heart recipient just returned to Fort Irwin.
There are more than 30 military installations in California, including Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton and its 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; the Presidio in Monterey; Naval Base San Diego, principal home port of the Pacific fleet; and Edwards Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Test Pilot School.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of California, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
USA Cares provides grants to 1,207 Kentucky military families
USA Cares provides grants to 1,207 Kentucky military families
More than $670,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated more than $670,000 over five years to service members living in Kentucky. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 28 Kentucky military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 1,207 Kentucky military families have received grants. In 2007, 315 requests came in from Kentucky. USA Cares has received 149 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, USA Cares paid $800 in rent to keep three children in their home in Morgantown and granted $7,500 for a mortgage payment in Danville – giving three more children security. The organization also covered a $280 electric bill in Louisville when the service member had been discharged for colorectal cancer and was unable to work.
There are two major military installations in Kentucky. Fort Knox is home to the Army Armor Center and Armor School, Army Recruiting Command, and a Marine Corps Detachment. It is the future headquarters of Human Resources Command. Fort Campbell, which supports the third largest military population in the Army, is the home of the 101st Airborne Division.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of Kentucky, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
More than $670,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated more than $670,000 over five years to service members living in Kentucky. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 28 Kentucky military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 1,207 Kentucky military families have received grants. In 2007, 315 requests came in from Kentucky. USA Cares has received 149 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, USA Cares paid $800 in rent to keep three children in their home in Morgantown and granted $7,500 for a mortgage payment in Danville – giving three more children security. The organization also covered a $280 electric bill in Louisville when the service member had been discharged for colorectal cancer and was unable to work.
There are two major military installations in Kentucky. Fort Knox is home to the Army Armor Center and Armor School, Army Recruiting Command, and a Marine Corps Detachment. It is the future headquarters of Human Resources Command. Fort Campbell, which supports the third largest military population in the Army, is the home of the 101st Airborne Division.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of Kentucky, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
USA Cares provides grants to 1,412 Texas military families
USA Cares provides grants to 1,412 Texas military families
More than $500,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated more than $500,000 over five years to service members living in Texas. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 56 Texas military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 1,412 Texas military families have received grants. In 2007, 516 requests came in from Texas. USA Cares has received 438 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, in Round Rock, USA Cares paid $500 in rent to keep a family with two children in the home. In Post, the organization negotiated with a mortgage company and paid $7,078.92 to save the family home. And in San Antonio, USA Cares helped with a $500 vehicle payment because the service member had transitioned to active duty from the National Guard and wasn’t paid correctly.
There are eighteen military installations in Texas, including Fort Hood, home of III Corps; Fort Sam Houston, location of the Army Medical Command; Lackland Air Force Base, the only entry processing station for Air Force enlisted basic military training; and Fort Bliss, which is undergoing a $5 billion upgrade to accommodate about 23,000 new troops by 2012 that will include the U.S. 1st Armored Division from Germany.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of Texas, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
More than $500,000 donated to assist those in financial need
RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated more than $500,000 over five years to service members living in Texas. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.
Since 2003, these donations saved 56 Texas military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 1,412 Texas military families have received grants. In 2007, 516 requests came in from Texas. USA Cares has received 438 requests for help in the first seven months of 2008.
“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.
USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.
Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.
For example, in Round Rock, USA Cares paid $500 in rent to keep a family with two children in the home. In Post, the organization negotiated with a mortgage company and paid $7,078.92 to save the family home. And in San Antonio, USA Cares helped with a $500 vehicle payment because the service member had transitioned to active duty from the National Guard and wasn’t paid correctly.
There are eighteen military installations in Texas, including Fort Hood, home of III Corps; Fort Sam Houston, location of the Army Medical Command; Lackland Air Force Base, the only entry processing station for Air Force enlisted basic military training; and Fort Bliss, which is undergoing a $5 billion upgrade to accommodate about 23,000 new troops by 2012 that will include the U.S. 1st Armored Division from Germany.
USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.
This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.
Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of Texas, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”
To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.
About USA Cares and Share A Minute
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In its five and one-half years of operation, USA Cares has responded to over 11,000 requests for assistance, saved more than 465 military family homes from foreclosure or eviction thus sparing over 1,000 children from uncertainty. Families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/, or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Why Share A Minute?
Active Duty and recent Veterans of the Global War on Terror are today facing two imminent crises: The impact of undetected and/or inadequately treated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and 2. The national mortgage meltdown impacting military homeowners. USA Cares has been on the frontlines working to assist our military and their family’s weather these two storms.
A recent Rand study estimates over 300,000 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans may be suffering from PTSD/TBI. Of these, over half are undiagnosed, while the other fifty percent are receiving inadequate treatment. The cost to the nation will reach billions of dollars. Those who bear these invisible wounds deserve our support and respect and they need to know that they can receive care without jeopardizing their family’s finances.
Home foreclosures are at record highs. Due to financial instability caused by multiple mobilizations and deployments, many military families are being caught up in the mortgage crisis—probably at much higher rates than their civilian counterparts.
USA Cares has responded to these crises—and has been doing so since it was founded in 2003. Since then, we have responded to over 11,000 requests for help with over $5 million in direct assistance grants. In the last two years, largely because of these two huge problems, demand has gone through the roof! For example, USA Cares is working with other partners to field a program for PTSD/TBI victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve. We will ensure that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military.
In order to continue this important work on behalf of our military and their families, USA Cares is embarking on a national fundraising campaign this July 4th through Veteran’s Day, November 11th. The campaign is called Share A Minute, and it is based on the number of minutes a deployed service member spends in Iraq/Afghanistan—525,000. Since it costs about $25 for USA Cares to provide a minute’s worth of assistance, it is our goal to join with 525,000 donating Americans who will each buy a “minute” for a service member. This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of our military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also through those challenges for our military families yet to come.
We cannot do this without the support of our fellow Americans. Please visit http://www.usacares.org/ and join our team!
Roger StradleyFounder, USA Cares
A recent Rand study estimates over 300,000 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans may be suffering from PTSD/TBI. Of these, over half are undiagnosed, while the other fifty percent are receiving inadequate treatment. The cost to the nation will reach billions of dollars. Those who bear these invisible wounds deserve our support and respect and they need to know that they can receive care without jeopardizing their family’s finances.
Home foreclosures are at record highs. Due to financial instability caused by multiple mobilizations and deployments, many military families are being caught up in the mortgage crisis—probably at much higher rates than their civilian counterparts.
USA Cares has responded to these crises—and has been doing so since it was founded in 2003. Since then, we have responded to over 11,000 requests for help with over $5 million in direct assistance grants. In the last two years, largely because of these two huge problems, demand has gone through the roof! For example, USA Cares is working with other partners to field a program for PTSD/TBI victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve. We will ensure that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military.
In order to continue this important work on behalf of our military and their families, USA Cares is embarking on a national fundraising campaign this July 4th through Veteran’s Day, November 11th. The campaign is called Share A Minute, and it is based on the number of minutes a deployed service member spends in Iraq/Afghanistan—525,000. Since it costs about $25 for USA Cares to provide a minute’s worth of assistance, it is our goal to join with 525,000 donating Americans who will each buy a “minute” for a service member. This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of our military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also through those challenges for our military families yet to come.
We cannot do this without the support of our fellow Americans. Please visit http://www.usacares.org/ and join our team!
Roger StradleyFounder, USA Cares
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Caring Casualties - The Undecorated Spouse
There’s a largely unreported and unrecognized casualty group associated with the war on terror: The military family.
These are the caring casualties. They are just as wounded as the service members themselves. They face the same struggles as those who serve, but receive less recognition or acknowledgement of their plight. They’re fighting to have their wounded warriors healed while dealing with threats to their homes and a struggling economy, and they’re trying to take care of their families – many with little to no support. It’s completely understandable that they are passionately fatigued. Life is put on hold as surely as if they also were wounded. Now imagine if the wounded didn’t know they were hurt but had all the symptoms.
A recent RAND Study said there may be 300,000 returning service members who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and possibly 320,000 more suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury. Of those, half are undiagnosed, and of those diagnosed only half receive treatment.
Without a doubt the service member needs to get to treatment. There’s an argument that the caring casualties should receive treatment, too. With some compassion and understanding we can make changes in the lives of our returning veterans and their families, showing our unconditional dedication and willingness to take care of them.
Treatment can’t wait. These warriors aren’t getting the help they need because in many cases, they don’t know they need assistance, or worse, they are in denial, unable or unwilling to ask for help. This places the burden on their families.
Service members go home and try to pick up where they left off, a life that’s been in stasis. Relationships and work performance become difficult, made even more so when the causes are viewed as whining or feigning an injury to avoid work or duty or passion and compassion. It wasn’t anything the family did or didn’t do. It’s because the service member was exposed to events and circumstances outside understandable comprehension, because they have seen images that may never fade.
There are hundreds if not thousands of books written that attempt to bring home the savage nature of war, but at the personal level, each individual is unique and each family faces a particular set of challenges that can’t be specifically treated. Each of these individuals has to be treated. The RAND study said that the cost to America of non-treatment of those affected is measured in the billions of dollars. And this is only a measure of dollars, not of the toll on marriages and children, not of the tragedy of alcohol abuse or even suicide.
We have to take dramatic steps, including creating a national dialogue among health care providers, the government and the service members and their families to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The stigma of this wound must be removed. America has a rich history of finding innovative solutions to complex problems, and this is one of those times.
Roger Stradley
Founder, USA Cares
These are the caring casualties. They are just as wounded as the service members themselves. They face the same struggles as those who serve, but receive less recognition or acknowledgement of their plight. They’re fighting to have their wounded warriors healed while dealing with threats to their homes and a struggling economy, and they’re trying to take care of their families – many with little to no support. It’s completely understandable that they are passionately fatigued. Life is put on hold as surely as if they also were wounded. Now imagine if the wounded didn’t know they were hurt but had all the symptoms.
A recent RAND Study said there may be 300,000 returning service members who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and possibly 320,000 more suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury. Of those, half are undiagnosed, and of those diagnosed only half receive treatment.
Without a doubt the service member needs to get to treatment. There’s an argument that the caring casualties should receive treatment, too. With some compassion and understanding we can make changes in the lives of our returning veterans and their families, showing our unconditional dedication and willingness to take care of them.
Treatment can’t wait. These warriors aren’t getting the help they need because in many cases, they don’t know they need assistance, or worse, they are in denial, unable or unwilling to ask for help. This places the burden on their families.
Service members go home and try to pick up where they left off, a life that’s been in stasis. Relationships and work performance become difficult, made even more so when the causes are viewed as whining or feigning an injury to avoid work or duty or passion and compassion. It wasn’t anything the family did or didn’t do. It’s because the service member was exposed to events and circumstances outside understandable comprehension, because they have seen images that may never fade.
There are hundreds if not thousands of books written that attempt to bring home the savage nature of war, but at the personal level, each individual is unique and each family faces a particular set of challenges that can’t be specifically treated. Each of these individuals has to be treated. The RAND study said that the cost to America of non-treatment of those affected is measured in the billions of dollars. And this is only a measure of dollars, not of the toll on marriages and children, not of the tragedy of alcohol abuse or even suicide.
We have to take dramatic steps, including creating a national dialogue among health care providers, the government and the service members and their families to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The stigma of this wound must be removed. America has a rich history of finding innovative solutions to complex problems, and this is one of those times.
Roger Stradley
Founder, USA Cares
Friday, July 11, 2008
News Enterprise Front Page "Share A Minute"!
We appeared on the front page of the local newspaper today, here in Hardin County. The News Enterprise and Josh Coffman did a great job at being extremely accurate in his report.
We have asked for permission and recieved it to republish the article here.
I am also beginning with this post to provide a sample of some of the visitor feedback off of our Guestbook at USA Cares. It will follow the end of all my postings.
Have a great American Day!
Roger
**************************************************
USA Cares asks supporters to share a minute
July 11, 2008
By JOSHUA COFFMAN
jcoffman@thenewsenterprise.com
RADCLIFF — With the number of troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries numbered in the hundreds of thousands — coupled with the ongoing national mortgage crisis — USA Cares expects its workload to multiply in the coming years.
Currently helping service members with $3 million a year, organizers say need could grow to more than $12 million annually in coming years.
The nonprofit group, which aids veterans of the post-Sept. 11 conflicts with mortgage assistance and other quality-of-life help, has kicked off a massive national fundraising campaign.
USA Cares estimates it spends $25 for every minute soldiers serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Its Share a Minute with a Soldier program seeks to raise $25 for every minute a soldier on a one-year tour would spend in combat — 525,000 minutes in all, or $13.1 million — more than four times its current operating amount.
The fundraiser kicked off on July 4 and runs through Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. Several celebrities are helping get the word out, including the organization’s national spokesman, comedian and radio show host Dennis Miller.
Since Miller appeared on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” earlier this year, the number of calls for help into USA Cares has increased by 30 percent, to about 130 weekly. The day after the TV spot was the single-highest day for donations to the group.
USA Cares also is getting support from former Mr. Universe and American Gladiator Mike “Titan” O’Hearn, author and consultant David Scott, and Bryan Anderson, a multiple amputee who earned a Purple Heart in Iraq.
Organizers also are reaching out to corporate sponsors and are hoping to land other celebrities to lend time. Actor Tom Hanks, spokesman for Major League Baseball, another partner of USA Cares, recently appeared on Miller’s radio show, discussing soldier care.
Roger Stradley, the group’s co-founder, said high-profile people are eager to help because they see how the end result assists soldiers.
“They get it,” he said. “It makes sense.”
He pointed to a heated election season in which presidential candidates have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in mere months, saying that soldier-aid groups can do the same.
Although the goal is lofty compared to its past endeavors, USA Cares seeks to raise less over the next five months than Barack Obama or John McCain raised in June alone.
“Americans are passionate about certain things,” Stradley said. “They’re passionate about who their president is going to be, but they’re also passionate about their troops.”
As the number of home foreclosures increase, affecting many military families, the number of soldiers returning from combat with mental health concerns continues to stay high.
The RAND Corp. reported earlier this year that more than 300,000 service members suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, and many of those do not seek treatment.
Stradley said, in the case of reservists and National Guard members, many “say what they need to say” in order to avoid red flags on post-deployment surveys and return to their homes and jobs, rather than seek medical care.
USA Cares is focusing on what it calls the “caring casualties of war,” spouses and family members of those returning. While soldiers who suffer may hide their symptoms from the military and their civilian employers, those at home deal with the outlash and frustration of the sufferer’s stress and nightmares.
“PTSD is clearly becoming the Agent Orange of the Iraqi and Afghan wars,” Stradley said, noting the strain on a service member’s home life. “It leaks out where you’re most comfortable.”
USA Cares is partnering with other groups focused on providing health care to help cover bills for soldier families as those who need it seek care.
“They’re desperate for relief,” Stradley said. And, as costs increase for USA Cares’ expanded mission, it asks the public to help. To donate, go to usa cares.org and click the Share a Minute icon.
“What we’ve been doing with $2 or $3 million won’t work anymore,” Stradley said.
Joshua Coffman can be reached at (270) 505-1740.
Guestbook Entry
My family and I would like to sincerely thank Michelle Anderson and the staff at USA Cares with assisting us with repairing our vehicle. You are truly an angel in disguise. May God always bless you and our troops! -Suesan L.F.-
We have asked for permission and recieved it to republish the article here.
I am also beginning with this post to provide a sample of some of the visitor feedback off of our Guestbook at USA Cares. It will follow the end of all my postings.
Have a great American Day!
Roger
**************************************************
USA Cares asks supporters to share a minute
July 11, 2008
By JOSHUA COFFMAN
jcoffman@thenewsenterprise.com
RADCLIFF — With the number of troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries numbered in the hundreds of thousands — coupled with the ongoing national mortgage crisis — USA Cares expects its workload to multiply in the coming years.
Currently helping service members with $3 million a year, organizers say need could grow to more than $12 million annually in coming years.
The nonprofit group, which aids veterans of the post-Sept. 11 conflicts with mortgage assistance and other quality-of-life help, has kicked off a massive national fundraising campaign.
USA Cares estimates it spends $25 for every minute soldiers serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Its Share a Minute with a Soldier program seeks to raise $25 for every minute a soldier on a one-year tour would spend in combat — 525,000 minutes in all, or $13.1 million — more than four times its current operating amount.
The fundraiser kicked off on July 4 and runs through Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. Several celebrities are helping get the word out, including the organization’s national spokesman, comedian and radio show host Dennis Miller.
Since Miller appeared on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” earlier this year, the number of calls for help into USA Cares has increased by 30 percent, to about 130 weekly. The day after the TV spot was the single-highest day for donations to the group.
USA Cares also is getting support from former Mr. Universe and American Gladiator Mike “Titan” O’Hearn, author and consultant David Scott, and Bryan Anderson, a multiple amputee who earned a Purple Heart in Iraq.
Organizers also are reaching out to corporate sponsors and are hoping to land other celebrities to lend time. Actor Tom Hanks, spokesman for Major League Baseball, another partner of USA Cares, recently appeared on Miller’s radio show, discussing soldier care.
Roger Stradley, the group’s co-founder, said high-profile people are eager to help because they see how the end result assists soldiers.
“They get it,” he said. “It makes sense.”
He pointed to a heated election season in which presidential candidates have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in mere months, saying that soldier-aid groups can do the same.
Although the goal is lofty compared to its past endeavors, USA Cares seeks to raise less over the next five months than Barack Obama or John McCain raised in June alone.
“Americans are passionate about certain things,” Stradley said. “They’re passionate about who their president is going to be, but they’re also passionate about their troops.”
As the number of home foreclosures increase, affecting many military families, the number of soldiers returning from combat with mental health concerns continues to stay high.
The RAND Corp. reported earlier this year that more than 300,000 service members suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, and many of those do not seek treatment.
Stradley said, in the case of reservists and National Guard members, many “say what they need to say” in order to avoid red flags on post-deployment surveys and return to their homes and jobs, rather than seek medical care.
USA Cares is focusing on what it calls the “caring casualties of war,” spouses and family members of those returning. While soldiers who suffer may hide their symptoms from the military and their civilian employers, those at home deal with the outlash and frustration of the sufferer’s stress and nightmares.
“PTSD is clearly becoming the Agent Orange of the Iraqi and Afghan wars,” Stradley said, noting the strain on a service member’s home life. “It leaks out where you’re most comfortable.”
USA Cares is partnering with other groups focused on providing health care to help cover bills for soldier families as those who need it seek care.
“They’re desperate for relief,” Stradley said. And, as costs increase for USA Cares’ expanded mission, it asks the public to help. To donate, go to usa cares.org and click the Share a Minute icon.
“What we’ve been doing with $2 or $3 million won’t work anymore,” Stradley said.
Joshua Coffman can be reached at (270) 505-1740.
Guestbook Entry
My family and I would like to sincerely thank Michelle Anderson and the staff at USA Cares with assisting us with repairing our vehicle. You are truly an angel in disguise. May God always bless you and our troops! -Suesan L.F.-
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Response to Michelle Malkin and Hollywood Patriots
Authors Note: I was sent an editorial that appeared on the 4th of July in the the Kansas City Star authored by Michelle Malkin. I responded like this:
Michelle,
Good morning from Radcliff Kentucky!
I read with interest your editorial on those in the entertainment business who are or are not making an effort in showing their respect for the services of those in our armed forces. As a retired Command Sergeant Major and that father of a serving Marine Corporal, and the founder of USA Cares, I have to echo your same suspicions and more.
I don’t know if you are aware or not, but Dennis Miller has recently become our National Spokesperson and has done a wonderful job in helping us find more families at risk (our weekly record breaking totals of new calls is a testimony to the power of the television) and raising the awareness of the sacrifice and courage of not only those who serve, but those who wait. I can also tell you that Tom Hanks and Michael O’Hearn have been wonderful supporters of groups like ours.
I think another group who might be considered in the same context, are the defense contracting companies. In the past five years of work, those of us here at USA Cares have been very mystified as to the lack of real commitment in terms of support or financial support of not our charity but military support charities as well.
When you peel back the onion on corporate support, you often find that it was a local small representation of a defense contractor who is supporting the cause as opposed to the corporate giants who are, as you can imagine, doing good business with our nation at war.
It comes as a pleasant surprise that companies like Cardinal Health and Pride Mobility who are stepping up to the plate and assist organizations like ours, but the Boeing and Grumman kinds of companies are conspicuously absent. You would think that after 11,000 families coming to us, and our granting over $5.5 million to families in all 50 states and some overseas along with one of the only organization saving military family homes from foreclosure you would think they would notice.
Thanks for all you do for organizations like us, and congratulations on the recent Internet effort on behalf of Move America Forward. That was pretty cool.
BTW, when will you be back on O’Reilly? I miss your observations!
Regards,
Roger
Good morning from Radcliff Kentucky!
I read with interest your editorial on those in the entertainment business who are or are not making an effort in showing their respect for the services of those in our armed forces. As a retired Command Sergeant Major and that father of a serving Marine Corporal, and the founder of USA Cares, I have to echo your same suspicions and more.
I don’t know if you are aware or not, but Dennis Miller has recently become our National Spokesperson and has done a wonderful job in helping us find more families at risk (our weekly record breaking totals of new calls is a testimony to the power of the television) and raising the awareness of the sacrifice and courage of not only those who serve, but those who wait. I can also tell you that Tom Hanks and Michael O’Hearn have been wonderful supporters of groups like ours.
I think another group who might be considered in the same context, are the defense contracting companies. In the past five years of work, those of us here at USA Cares have been very mystified as to the lack of real commitment in terms of support or financial support of not our charity but military support charities as well.
When you peel back the onion on corporate support, you often find that it was a local small representation of a defense contractor who is supporting the cause as opposed to the corporate giants who are, as you can imagine, doing good business with our nation at war.
It comes as a pleasant surprise that companies like Cardinal Health and Pride Mobility who are stepping up to the plate and assist organizations like ours, but the Boeing and Grumman kinds of companies are conspicuously absent. You would think that after 11,000 families coming to us, and our granting over $5.5 million to families in all 50 states and some overseas along with one of the only organization saving military family homes from foreclosure you would think they would notice.
Thanks for all you do for organizations like us, and congratulations on the recent Internet effort on behalf of Move America Forward. That was pretty cool.
BTW, when will you be back on O’Reilly? I miss your observations!
Regards,
Roger
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Bryan Anderson
I spent 26 years in the Army and was always impressed, sometimes even surprised, with the kind of young men and women that joined up. Bryan Anderson is no different. No, Bryan Anderson is different.
Different if not amazing. There are maybe only six guys who have lived through an injury or would that resulted in the loss of three limbs. I don't know any of the others, but Bryan has set a really high standard of what to do with that particular challenge. You only have to watch a view of the video that he is in, including pieces on Fox News, Today Show and countless other local TV stories. Just visit his web site and look at his video collection. It is amazing.
And then he and USA Cares came in contact.
When we first met him, we flew him down to Radcliff to USA Cares to introduce him to us and for us to get to meet him. We had a long time ago determined that we would not "use" any of the injured to promote our organization. We had seen others that had set kids up and it was almost embarrassing to watch them, you could tell that they were not prepared and not really sure why they were there. We didn't want to do that.
With Bryan, it wasn't about feeling sorry for himself. His words sealed the deal. "When I was laying in Walter Reed I saw how tough it was for my dad and mom. They had it harder than I did". He wanted to help us continue our work, and we wanted to honor his courage and his request. As we got to know him, we were all amazed at his love of life and the fact that he was all about living every second of it, and warp speed.
I am sure you may know that he has appeared in CSI: NY and in the latest Batman movie. He has also appeared in several extremely well done USA Cares video. Share A Minute and Red Shirt Friday or only two of the projects that he is involved with, and all for the right reasons. He wants to make a difference. He is making a difference, I know that for sure in my life and the lives of those who is helping.
I know that Bryan will succeed. I know that he will face hurdles, but knowing him as I do, it will only be another vault. I hope you get to know him as well as I do.
I can't talk about Bryan without mentioning a very caring company. Pride Mobility has become one of the most supportive and wonderful companies that we have come across in the past five plus years. We had always thought that the defense industry would step up to the plate and help us help those we serve, but we have been continually surprised at the fact that it is the "civilian" companies that are the ones that devote time, treasure and talent to USA Cares and her mission. Thanks to all the wonderful folks there and especially to the marketing department. Thanks.
Roger
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