The War Isn’t Over Yet

In all the excitement about a new President, and confirmation hearings and of course the state of our economy, it is easy to come to a conclusion that because the war is no longer on the front page of the newspaper or the lead story on the nightly news that, well, it must be over.

I wish that were so.

While it is true that Iraq just held a very successful national election that had very little violence associated with it, our new President has already made the decision to send two more combat brigades to Afghanistan to help achieve the same results we hope that our guys and gals did in Iraq. So the war isn't over, in fact, if we are sending thousand more of our very best, into harm's way, then we should continue to have to have the same attitude that we did right after we sent troops into Afghanistan and then Iraq. They have earned the respect of our nation, and certainly they deserve our continued support.

There are lots of reasons for depression, I am constantly reminded about how hard it is to raise money for nonprofits in this economic climate, yet at the same time, I continue to see the generosity of American's and of corporations and foundations, that when they know there is a need, they respond appropriately. Pacific Life, out in California, sent us another check for $10,000 to help USA Cares continue our work. With the simple message of text "VET" to 90999, Dennis Miller while appearing on "The Factor" began our incursion into the mobile giving world, and in the middle of all that, Bill Nelson, our Executive Director signed an agreement with medical facilities in Texas, including the Veterans Administration, where USA Cares would help families cover normal living expenses while the Veteran received residential treatment for as long as three months for the after effects of PTSD and or TBI.

For those men and women who are diagnosed with PTSD and TBI, the war is not over either. It may not be over for them ever. From what I have read and heard, you don't get better with time, you get better with treatment, and that is not necessarily medication. So we need a national effort in making sure that we don't repeat what we saw happen after Vietnam and the Agent Orange issue.

President Obama has selected the best VA Secretary that could be selected. General Shinseki, who I have the pleasure of calling "friend" and even better the privilege of serving with in the 1^st Cavalry Division is the most compassionate and caring man I think I ever worked for, and even better, his wonderful wife Patti is equal to caring. The VA is in good hands, and I can tell you that the General is not one for long meeting, but is demanding on action.

I will never forget when he took 1^st Cavalry at Fort Hood, his first Quarterly Briefing by the brigade was pre-briefed that we could say all we wanted to say, but at 90 minutes he was leaving. And that is what happened. He left at 90 minutes. We all got the message. I know that the bureaucrats at the VA are going to hunker down, but seeing the improvement in the VA over the last ten years, I have full confidence that our best days are ahead of us.

A Few Good Men

10 January 2009

I had the privilege of watching a scene played out in probably hundreds of locations across America this Saturday. The B Company, 6/52 Aviation Regiment conducted a welcome home ceremony for ten of its soldiers who had returned from duty in Iraq. Some had been home for months, but this seemed to me to be another well meaning effort to let soldiers and their families know that their sacrifice is noted and respected.

The ten aviators who were recognized along with their families all said the same thing, that it wasn’t necessary, but they appreciated it.

Among the ten were two pilots who had each put in over 41 years of service in our nation’s military, both flying not only in Iraq on several tours, but each had Vietnam tours as well as some of the brush wars and the First Gulf War under their belts. Both were equally humble that they were doing what they loved and that they were only sorry that they had reached mandatory retirement age and couldn’t continue to serve. Each had a family wrapped around them, and there was a clear measure of pride in not only the spouses, but of the young men, or not so young, who from a distance you tell they were proud of their dad or granddad.

So on a rainy cold day at Fort Knox in Hanger #1, a small group of soldiers and their families watched as ten more warriors were welcomed home, they received a very nice triangle folded incased flag with a personal message from the Commanding General of the Army Reserve along with his coin. It was clear we all remembered what those who returned from Vietnam received and that seems to be a common theme among my generation that we won’t let it happen again. BG Matia, 11^th Aviation Commander, had it right when he said that honor and dedication is the watchword of those who serve our nation.

I was sorry that there weren’t thousands in attendance but at the same time, this reminded me why USA Cares remains vigilant for those military families who are isolated from the traditional military infrastructure associated with bases like Fort Hood and Fort Bragg. Their war was just as real as those who march home in formations of hundreds if not thousands.

So to Warrant Officers Clark, Crooke, Haberlin, James, Kelly R, Thomas, Schmidt, Stephens, Swanson and Kelly S, welcome home from one old sergeant major and a grateful free citizen.

To CSM Robert Casher, the ceremony was top notch and well done. You have much to be proud of in these warriors.

Roger

Fort Knox Yellow Ribbon Team

Fort Knox Yellow Ribbon Team
Nov. 6, 2008

Gourmet Restaurant Honoring Troops With Special Dinner

USA Cares to benefit from Black Trumpet event

PORTSMOUTH, NH Black Trumpet Bistro, a Portsmouth restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, will celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with the Great American Wine Dinner and donate a portion of the proceeds to USA Cares.

An e-mail invitation from the restaurant said “In celebration of our great country we want to honor and support post-9/11 soldiers and their families. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards two organizations that help these honorable men and women and their families through difficult times, specifically families in New Hampshire.” The two organizations are USA Cares and New Hampshire’s Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund.

USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated about $40,000 over five years to service members living in New Hampshire. 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.

In five years, USA Cares has helped more than 13,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military 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.

The five-course will feature five wines presented by Black Trumpet Chef Evan Mallett and Guest Chef Mark Segal of Portsmouth’s 100 Club. The event is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Cost is $90 per person. The event’s menu is available on the restaurant’s web site at http://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com/pages/special_events.html.

About Black Trumpet Bistro
Black Trumpet is a two-story bistro and wine bar in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic old port operated by Chef Evan Mallett. The menu changes every six weeks to capitalize on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Black Trumpet’s cuisine reflects the chef-owner’s culinary curiosity, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean as well as the Americas. A typical Black Trumpet menu may include influences from Spain, North Africa, Turkey and the Mexican heartland. Dinner is served nightly from 5:30, and reservations are recommended for the dining room. The wine bar is first-come-first-serve. For more information or reservations please call (603) 431-0887.

About USA Cares

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. In five years, USA Cares has helped 13,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military 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.

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Talk Show Hosts Dennis Miller, Steve Wilkos to Play in L.A. Charity Golf Scramble to Benefit USA Cares

Mike “Titan” O’Hearn also attending

11 a.m. – Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 – MountainGate Country Club Golf Course

WHO: 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. 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 was the host and executive producer of CNBC’s “Dennis Miller,” an interview talk show featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor.

Steve Wilkos is the host of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution’s nationally syndicated series “The Steve Wilkos Show.” He is both a Marine Corps and Chicago Police veteran. Prior to his own show, Wilkos filled in for Jerry Springer as host of the long-running “Jerry Springer Show” on more than 50 episodes.

Mike O’Hearn holds four Mr. (Natural) Universe titles, was Mr. California, Mr. USA, Mr. America and Mr. International, 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.”

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support.

WHAT: Miller and Wilkos, national spokesmen for USA Cares, and other guests and players will participate in the second annual Charity Golf Scramble in Los Angeles on behalf of national charity organization USA Cares. O’Hearn will also attend. Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP, a national law firm, along with Hagen, Streiff, Newton & Oshiro Accountants PC; RGL Forensic Accountants and Consultants; and Matson, Driscoll & Damico LLP are sponsoring the tournament.

WHEN: 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
WHERE: MountainGate Country Club Golf Course in Los Angeles

YOUR COVERAGE IS REQUESTED.

CONTACT: John Revell, USA Cares, Inc. - jrevell@usacares.org or (270) 352-5451
Patrick Shipstead, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP, pshipstead@rkmc.com

USA Cares To Be Featured on Good Morning America

From 7 to 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, ABC affiliates

WHO: USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson leads USA Cares, 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. In five years, USA Cares has helped 13,000 military families and distributed more than $5 million in grants.

WHAT: Nelson will appear in an interview broadcast nationally on the well-known ABC morning show, “Good Morning America,” interviewed by Lee Woodruff.

WHEN: “Good Morning America” will air from 7 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6

WHERE: Local ABC affiliate WHAS-TV 11.



YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT IS REQUESTED.


CONTACT: John Revell, Public Relations and Communications, USA Cares, Inc.
jrevell@usacares.org or (270) 352-5451
http://www.usacares.org


About USA Cares
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. Military 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.

Bionic Gloves Helping USA Cares Give a ‘Hand Up’

Company donating portion of holiday sales as part of new partnership

RADCLIFF, KY - Bionic Gloves, sister company to Louisville Slugger, is partnering with USA Cares in support of its mission to help military families. Fitting the USA Cares “A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out” motto, Bionic, which sells sports and fitness gloves designed by an orthopedic surgeon, will work hand in hand with the organization to promote the charity’s outreach efforts.

Both Bionic and Louisville Slugger are divisions of Louisville-based Hillerich & Bradsby Co., which also owns PowerBilt golf equipment.

“It’s a worthy cause,” Bionic Director of Sales and Marketing Vickie Boisseau said. “We want to get the message out to as many people as possible … it’s about giving back.”

Bionic has set up a charity code for USA Cares –
USACARES – that used when ordering any Bionic glove on the Bionic gloves web site, http://www.bionicgloves.com, will send a portion of the proceeds to USA Cares. Bionic will get the word out about USA Cares through its holiday e-mail blast and podcast PSAs.

“It’s an incredible gesture of support on their part,” USA Cares Director of Business Development Kim Moorman said.

The gloves, invented by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Kleinert, are designed based on the anatomy of the human hand and the science of ergonomics to provide comfort, fit, performance and durability. The gloves are available in a wide variety of styles, from golf and fitness to gardening and motorcycling. Prices range from $25 to $70; you can purchase gloves from their web site, http://www.bionicgloves.com or by phone at 1-877-5-BIONIC. Be sure to enter the USA Cares charity code: USACARES.

“This partnership is so fitting,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said. “We hope to continue it for a long time to come.”

About Bionic Gloves

Bionic Gloves is a division of Louisville-based Hillerich & Bradsby Co., the family-owned, 124-year-old manufacturer that also makes legendary Louisville Slugger baseball bats and gloves and PowerBilt golf equipment. Bionic gloves, invented by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Kleinert, are made for golf, gardening, dress/driving, sports, fitness training and other recreational activities.

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 five years, USA Cares has helped 12,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military 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.

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