My name is Brenda Moreno and I am the Assistant Coordinator of Navajo Code Talker Day 2007. This event takes place on August 14, 2007 and is designed to honor the World War II Navajo Code Talkers both those alive and those who have already passed. President Ronald Reagan established Navajo Code Talker Day to be August 14th and ever since then there has been a celebration on that day in their honor on the Navajo Reservation. This year the event will be escalated due to the decline of the Code Talker population. This event will be the largest in Navajo history because the President of the Navajo Nation, Mr. Shirley, has declared this day to be a Navajo Nation Holiday and attendance to this event should double if not triple it’s attendance.
The Navajo Code Talkers are amazing veterans as I am sure you realize. These men suffered extraordinary sacrifices and they received very little recognition for their success during the War. They returned to their reservation without the honors or heroes welcomes. They were a secret until only recently. My goal is to make sure that these amazing veterans feel that they are appreciated and respected for their duty to our country.
If you have ever seen these men you will notice that they wear many pins, patches and patriotic clothing almost all the time. I am a member of the Castle Rock Young Marines and we recently took 5 of these amazing men to the grand opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in November. Although their finances were extremely limited they purchased even more pins and patches from the museum store. They can never have enough patriotic items or Marine Corps memorabilia. They wear multiple pins, patches, jackets, covers, baseball caps and more. You name it, they want it, however their finances are very low and many of the items that they would like to own they can not afford. That is why I am contacting you at this time.
I was wondering if you have any items that you can donate to make up “goodie bags” to give to the Code Talkers on Navajo Code Talker Day. There are about 40 living Code Talkers and about 20-30 will be there for this event. They are very interested in Large Eagle Globe and Anchor pins to add to their covers. They also love patches, pens (they are always being asked to sign autographs), baseball caps, bumper stickers, books, USMC jackets and other clothes, or any other USMC items that you can spare. If you have anything that you have available to donate I am sure that these men would sincerely appreciate it.
We have another obstacle as well that I am attempting to overcome. I need to raise the funds to pay the traveling expenses for the Marine Corps Band to be able to perform at the event. The Code Talkers really want to have the band there but we would need to pay for the transportation, hotels as well as the food for about 40 band members. Therefore, we are looking for a sponsor for the event that could take care of these expenses and help offset the other costs involved with an event of this proportion.
If you at all willing or able to help sponsor this event or donate items to be given out to the Code Talkers I would greatly appreciate it. Please contact me at NavajoCodeTalkerDay@Hotmail.com. I am available to answer any questions that you may have regarding this event.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Bush: Further Delay in War-Spending Bill Will Impact Troops
By Steven Donald Smith
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – President Bush yesterday once again called for Congress to send him a clean emergency war-spending bill that does not include tacked on funding measures and a timeline for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. Without the supplemental funds requested by the White House in early February, military officials will be compelled to shift money around to fill expenditure disparities, Bush said during his weekly radio address to the nation.
"In the next few days, our military leaders will notify Congress that they will be forced to transfer $1.6 billion from other military accounts to make up for the gaps caused by Congress' failure to fund our troops in the field," he said. "That means our military will have to take money from personnel accounts so they can continue to fund U.S. Army operations in Iraq and elsewhere."
The $1.6 billion is in addition to the $1.7 billion in transferred funds U.S. military leaders notified Congress about last month, Bush noted.
"In March, Congress was told that the military would need to take money from personnel accounts, weapons and communications systems, so we can continue to fund programs that protect our troops from improvised explosive devices and send hundreds of mine-resistant vehicles to the front lines," he said.
Bush said further delays in the war-spending bill would negatively affect U.S. troops. "The longer Congress delays the worse the impact on the men and women of the armed forces will be," he said.
On April 18, the president plans to meet congressional leaders of both political parties at the White House to discuss the emergency war funding request. Bush said he will veto the bills already passed by the House and Senate because they impose restrictions on U.S. military commanders, set a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, and include billions of dollars on domestic projects that have nothing to do with the war.
"We owe it to the American people and to our troops and their families to deliver our full support," he said.
Bush said he realizes political differences are inherent in Washington, but stressed U.S. troops should not be trapped in the middle of such differences.
"Supporting our troops is a solemn responsibility of all elected officials in Washington, D.C.," he said.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Top Enlisted Leader Meets With Marines, Wraps Up Okinawa Visit
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrapped up a visit to Okinawa April 13, meeting with Marines at Camp Hansen and Camp Courtney. During his three-day visit, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey spoke with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in town-hall forums and work centers, and gave the keynote speech at an Air Force Academy graduation.
At a Camp Hansen town-hall meeting Friday, Gainey noted that many of the Marines in the audience had served combat tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a combat veteran himself, the sergeant major said, he knows servicemembers have to "click on" a state of intense focus when potential danger exists and to "click off" in non-threatening situations. Not surprisingly, he said, people sometimes have trouble clicking off, even after they've returned home after their combat tour.
One of his prime concerns as the military's top enlisted member, Gainey told the Marines, is ensuring that combat veterans have and take advantage of medical care, counseling services and other resources to help them in their readjustment. He urged the Marines to take care of one another, and to assist their friends in getting help if they notice what seem to be stress-related changes in behavior.
While at Camp Hansen, Gainey also toured Army and Marine Corps firing ranges and visited with sailors and Marines of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, the 7th Communications Battalion and the Senior NCO Academy. A town-hall meeting followed at the Camp Courtney theater.
Throughout his visit to Okinawa, Gainey stressed that the services are working together more than ever before, and he urged those he met with to help in weaving a joint culture.
His top goal as SEAC, the sergeant major said, is "to make the services realize that we are more alike than we are different, and to get the enlisted leadership in the services to break down some of the cultural barriers and realize that we are truly one force fighting one war."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrapped up a visit to Okinawa April 13, meeting with Marines at Camp Hansen and Camp Courtney. During his three-day visit, Army Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Gainey spoke with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in town-hall forums and work centers, and gave the keynote speech at an Air Force Academy graduation.
At a Camp Hansen town-hall meeting Friday, Gainey noted that many of the Marines in the audience had served combat tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. As a combat veteran himself, the sergeant major said, he knows servicemembers have to "click on" a state of intense focus when potential danger exists and to "click off" in non-threatening situations. Not surprisingly, he said, people sometimes have trouble clicking off, even after they've returned home after their combat tour.
One of his prime concerns as the military's top enlisted member, Gainey told the Marines, is ensuring that combat veterans have and take advantage of medical care, counseling services and other resources to help them in their readjustment. He urged the Marines to take care of one another, and to assist their friends in getting help if they notice what seem to be stress-related changes in behavior.
While at Camp Hansen, Gainey also toured Army and Marine Corps firing ranges and visited with sailors and Marines of the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, the 7th Communications Battalion and the Senior NCO Academy. A town-hall meeting followed at the Camp Courtney theater.
Throughout his visit to Okinawa, Gainey stressed that the services are working together more than ever before, and he urged those he met with to help in weaving a joint culture.
His top goal as SEAC, the sergeant major said, is "to make the services realize that we are more alike than we are different, and to get the enlisted leadership in the services to break down some of the cultural barriers and realize that we are truly one force fighting one war."
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Troops in Iraq Thank Supporters in Arizona
By Capt. Brus E. Vidal, USAF
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Yesterday, through the magic of technology, more than 50 soldiers, airmen and civilians in Iraq were able to personally thank a group of citizens in Phoenix, Ariz., for supporting the troops and the families they leave behind. Thanks to a little help from the Pentagon, a video hookup connected the deployed troops with the folks back home participating in the third Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes ride.
About 4,000 patriotic motorcycle riders and troop supporters, along with civic leaders from throughout Arizona, church members and volunteers with "Packages from Home" and "Operation Homefront" of Arizona came out to show their support. Some servicemembers from Arizona also received a special surprise during the live broadcast when event host, Barry Caraway, introduced their family members.
Carraway, owner of the Phoenix-based motorcycle enthusiast website Cyclerides.com, and David A. Whitten, chairman of the board and director of Marketing and Media Relations for Operation Homefront's Arizona Chapter, organized the first Hearts to Heroes ride in 2005 to show their support to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, as well as all veterans. The bikers rode for the troops again in 2006.
Prior to this year's ride, Packages from Home sent over 100 gift packages to the troops that were present at the event.
"I was blessed to join up with Packages from Home in November 2004 as their director of marketing and media relations," Whitten said. "When I came on board, they were shipping 30 care packages a month from the founder's garage.
"They are now shipping well over 3,000 packages a month from a donated 3,500 square-foot building they use as a processing center.
"It has been an honor to serve our military the past 26 months with Packages from Home, and now I am honored to be able to serve the families that are left behind by our deployed military from the state of Arizona and wounded warriors that return home to Arizona through the efforts of Operation Homefront of Arizona."
Both groups are members of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program established in November 2004 to directly connect military members to the support of the America people and to offer a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community
For this year's hearts to hero ride, Caraway and Whitten worked with the Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach team to create a two-way, live, talkback with troops in Iraq led by Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
The event was broadcast live from the Armed Forces Network studio at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends morning show and on the Pentagon Channel. Dual 20-foot screen monitors, part of Christ Church of the Valley's audio-visual system, were used so the Arizonans could see Caldwell and the troops as they conversed with and answered questions from event host Caraway and audience members.
"Both Barry and I were wondering after last year's Hearts to Heroes event what we could do this year to make it bigger and better, and also make it reach out more to the community," Whitten said. "That's when we thought up the idea of taking our troop support event directly to the men and women serving this country proudly."
Whitten contacted his friend, Roxie Merritt, who works in the Pentagon as chief pf integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.
"Roxie came to the grand opening of the Packages from Home processing center in November 2006. So when I pitched the idea of a live broadcast to Roxie, she loved it," Mr. Whitten said. "We are where we are here today at this live broadcast with the greatest group of Americans because of her."
Merritt said she was honored to be a part of this event. "Having just retired from the military, I know how important support from home is for the morale of the troops," she said.
"David Whitten and the wonderful people from Packages from Home are true patriots, volunteering their time and efforts to support our men and women in uniform," Merritt said. "We are very appreciative and grateful for their dedication. Plus, I have a lot of fun working with them."
Following the event, several troops expressed their appreciation for the show of support.
"This was an incredible event - absolutely awesome," Caldwell said. "Nothing means more to the troops than to know they have a supportive American public back home."
"The time and energy put in by that group of great Americans in Phoenix to make this event a reality and the monetary sacrifice they and so many others make to continue to mail hundreds and hundreds of care packages to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, is truly amazing," the general said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Lila D. Puentes, a paralegal serving with the Central Criminal Court in Iraq, echoed Caldwell's sentiments.
"It is always comforting for the men and women of the military to see that our efforts are supported, regardless of how the American people feel about the war in Iraq," said Puentes, who is from San Antonio, Texas. "I personally want to thank everyone who contributed to the "Hearts of Heroes" program. "Their efforts in giving us a "little piece of home" are greatly appreciated."
Others among this group of care package recipients at the event all hail from the Southwestern United Sates - including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Texas.
"Receiving care packages while deployed is something very special to me - it means that someone back home is thinking about me and what I am doing, as well as what the rest of out servicemembers are doing, here in Iraq," said Army Spec. Jennifer E. Fulk.
"Events like this remind us how much people back home care and are willing to donate their time, money and energy into showing their patriotism," she said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of our Armed Forces and to be serving my country as a resident of Arizona."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Antonio Infante, from Las Cruces, N.M., talked about what it means to have the support of the American public and how this event drove that point home for him.
"I can't express enough gratitude to Hearts to Heroes with words alone," said Infante, who serves as a paralegal with Task Force 134, Central Criminal Court of Iraq. "I'm very honored to be able to do what I do for my country.
"I'm even more honored to know that there are people who support those of us who are away from our homes," he said. "These packages mean more than you could ever know, especially knowing that these were gifts from the heart."
"It brings a tear to my eye every time I read a note or a letter from someone who is expressing their support," Infante said. "It makes me proud to be from the Southwest and an American.
Infante told the support groups: "Keep up the good work and keep bringing the smiles to the soldiers serving this great country."
(Capt. Brus E. Vidal is assigned to Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach program.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Yesterday, through the magic of technology, more than 50 soldiers, airmen and civilians in Iraq were able to personally thank a group of citizens in Phoenix, Ariz., for supporting the troops and the families they leave behind. Thanks to a little help from the Pentagon, a video hookup connected the deployed troops with the folks back home participating in the third Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes ride.
About 4,000 patriotic motorcycle riders and troop supporters, along with civic leaders from throughout Arizona, church members and volunteers with "Packages from Home" and "Operation Homefront" of Arizona came out to show their support. Some servicemembers from Arizona also received a special surprise during the live broadcast when event host, Barry Caraway, introduced their family members.
Carraway, owner of the Phoenix-based motorcycle enthusiast website Cyclerides.com, and David A. Whitten, chairman of the board and director of Marketing and Media Relations for Operation Homefront's Arizona Chapter, organized the first Hearts to Heroes ride in 2005 to show their support to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, as well as all veterans. The bikers rode for the troops again in 2006.
Prior to this year's ride, Packages from Home sent over 100 gift packages to the troops that were present at the event.
"I was blessed to join up with Packages from Home in November 2004 as their director of marketing and media relations," Whitten said. "When I came on board, they were shipping 30 care packages a month from the founder's garage.
"They are now shipping well over 3,000 packages a month from a donated 3,500 square-foot building they use as a processing center.
"It has been an honor to serve our military the past 26 months with Packages from Home, and now I am honored to be able to serve the families that are left behind by our deployed military from the state of Arizona and wounded warriors that return home to Arizona through the efforts of Operation Homefront of Arizona."
Both groups are members of the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program established in November 2004 to directly connect military members to the support of the America people and to offer a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community
For this year's hearts to hero ride, Caraway and Whitten worked with the Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach team to create a two-way, live, talkback with troops in Iraq led by Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
The event was broadcast live from the Armed Forces Network studio at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends morning show and on the Pentagon Channel. Dual 20-foot screen monitors, part of Christ Church of the Valley's audio-visual system, were used so the Arizonans could see Caldwell and the troops as they conversed with and answered questions from event host Caraway and audience members.
"Both Barry and I were wondering after last year's Hearts to Heroes event what we could do this year to make it bigger and better, and also make it reach out more to the community," Whitten said. "That's when we thought up the idea of taking our troop support event directly to the men and women serving this country proudly."
Whitten contacted his friend, Roxie Merritt, who works in the Pentagon as chief pf integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.
"Roxie came to the grand opening of the Packages from Home processing center in November 2006. So when I pitched the idea of a live broadcast to Roxie, she loved it," Mr. Whitten said. "We are where we are here today at this live broadcast with the greatest group of Americans because of her."
Merritt said she was honored to be a part of this event. "Having just retired from the military, I know how important support from home is for the morale of the troops," she said.
"David Whitten and the wonderful people from Packages from Home are true patriots, volunteering their time and efforts to support our men and women in uniform," Merritt said. "We are very appreciative and grateful for their dedication. Plus, I have a lot of fun working with them."
Following the event, several troops expressed their appreciation for the show of support.
"This was an incredible event - absolutely awesome," Caldwell said. "Nothing means more to the troops than to know they have a supportive American public back home."
"The time and energy put in by that group of great Americans in Phoenix to make this event a reality and the monetary sacrifice they and so many others make to continue to mail hundreds and hundreds of care packages to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, is truly amazing," the general said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Lila D. Puentes, a paralegal serving with the Central Criminal Court in Iraq, echoed Caldwell's sentiments.
"It is always comforting for the men and women of the military to see that our efforts are supported, regardless of how the American people feel about the war in Iraq," said Puentes, who is from San Antonio, Texas. "I personally want to thank everyone who contributed to the "Hearts of Heroes" program. "Their efforts in giving us a "little piece of home" are greatly appreciated."
Others among this group of care package recipients at the event all hail from the Southwestern United Sates - including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Texas.
"Receiving care packages while deployed is something very special to me - it means that someone back home is thinking about me and what I am doing, as well as what the rest of out servicemembers are doing, here in Iraq," said Army Spec. Jennifer E. Fulk.
"Events like this remind us how much people back home care and are willing to donate their time, money and energy into showing their patriotism," she said. "I am extremely proud to be a part of our Armed Forces and to be serving my country as a resident of Arizona."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Antonio Infante, from Las Cruces, N.M., talked about what it means to have the support of the American public and how this event drove that point home for him.
"I can't express enough gratitude to Hearts to Heroes with words alone," said Infante, who serves as a paralegal with Task Force 134, Central Criminal Court of Iraq. "I'm very honored to be able to do what I do for my country.
"I'm even more honored to know that there are people who support those of us who are away from our homes," he said. "These packages mean more than you could ever know, especially knowing that these were gifts from the heart."
"It brings a tear to my eye every time I read a note or a letter from someone who is expressing their support," Infante said. "It makes me proud to be from the Southwest and an American.
Infante told the support groups: "Keep up the good work and keep bringing the smiles to the soldiers serving this great country."
(Capt. Brus E. Vidal is assigned to Multinational Force Iraq's U.S. National Outreach program.)
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
Bikers Salute, Support Servicemembers
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful - and an eyeful - yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com "Hearts to Heroes" motorcycle ride. A two-way video connection, provided with help from the Pentagon Channel and the military, made that possible.
The idea to put the 56 troops, including Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, face-to-face with some of their biggest fans came from Barry Caraway's childhood memories.
"I grew up in the era of the Vietnam vet, and I saw how those guys came back," Caraway, owner of Cyclerides.com, said. "They weren't treated very well. In fact they were treated shabbily.
"I wanted to change the mistakes of my generation and not allow that to happen in my daughter's generation," he added.
Roxie Merritt, chief of integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the crowd that's exactly why the Defense Department created "America Supports You." America Supports You is a program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"America Supports You ... is to make sure ... what happened to you (Vietnam veterans) never, never happens again," she said during the opening ceremony.
The standing ovation that greeted the troops helped drive home that sentiment. The clapping, "Ooh Rahs," and "Hooahs" went on for more than a minute, causing Caldwell to break into a wide grin.
While the video connection provided the means for the supporters to show their appreciation in person, it also provided the troops an opportunity to thank the ride's three beneficiaries. Packages From Home and Operation Homefront are America Supports You members.
"It allows us to collect donations for the troops that are overseas because part of the admission into this is not only the $15 entry fee, but a sack of goodies or donations for the troops that are over there," Vonn Magnin of Packages From Home said. "This allows us to send things over to our men and women overseas."
Margy Bons, president of Operation Homefront's Arizona chapter, agreed that the donation from the ride to her group would be most helpful.
"For Operation Homefront of Arizona, it will allow us to have some funding to support the families when they give us a call and they have a need," she said. "(It) will also support our troops overseas, because they will know their family is being taken care of."
The third beneficiary, Phoenix International Raceway's "Salute to Military Families" program, provides military families with tickets to events at the track. The three groups will equally split the $15 per bike entry fee.
"On behalf of all the men and women serving in uniform, (and) all those serving in civilian clothes over here, we just want to say thanks to all of you," Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. "Thank you very much."
Army Sgt. John Jones, an Arizona National Guardsman who spent a year in Iraq, understood just where that appreciation was coming from. He received many care packages while serving overseas.
"Packages From Home meant so much to all of us over there," he said. "It touches my heart that people work this hard for the people over there."
Jones also knows how much the live feed meant to the servicemembers in Baghdad. "It's almost like part of you is home when you're doing a live feed," he said.
During the live feed, a few Arizona servicemembers got a chance to briefly catch up with loved ones who blew them kisses and wished them a safe and speedy homecoming.
After musical tributes dedicated to the servicemembers and a prayer for the safety of all those present, the bikers hit the road for a sun-baked 60-mile ride.
An impressive sight, the nearly mile-long line of motorcycles drew cheers and peace signs from those along the route. While that was a boost, most found taking a lap around the Phoenix International Raceway the highlight of the ride.
The ride, which also passed Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, ended with live musical entertainment at a venue near the University of Arizona's Cardinal Stadium.
Caraway, who's already begun planning next year's ride, said the it helps accomplish one of his main goals; keeping support for the troops high in spite of an individual's views of the war.
"These are our guys in our United States military uniforms, and they come before anything," Barry Caraway. "My personal belief, growing up in the Vietnam era, that after seeing how those guys came home, we have to separate the war from the warrior.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
April 15, 2007 – Servicemembers stationed in Baghdad got an earful - and an eyeful - yesterday from about 4,000 supporters who gathered here to show their appreciation during the third Cyclerides.com "Hearts to Heroes" motorcycle ride. A two-way video connection, provided with help from the Pentagon Channel and the military, made that possible.
The idea to put the 56 troops, including Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, face-to-face with some of their biggest fans came from Barry Caraway's childhood memories.
"I grew up in the era of the Vietnam vet, and I saw how those guys came back," Caraway, owner of Cyclerides.com, said. "They weren't treated very well. In fact they were treated shabbily.
"I wanted to change the mistakes of my generation and not allow that to happen in my daughter's generation," he added.
Roxie Merritt, chief of integrated internal communications for the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the crowd that's exactly why the Defense Department created "America Supports You." America Supports You is a program connecting citizens and corporations with members of the military and their families at home and abroad.
"America Supports You ... is to make sure ... what happened to you (Vietnam veterans) never, never happens again," she said during the opening ceremony.
The standing ovation that greeted the troops helped drive home that sentiment. The clapping, "Ooh Rahs," and "Hooahs" went on for more than a minute, causing Caldwell to break into a wide grin.
While the video connection provided the means for the supporters to show their appreciation in person, it also provided the troops an opportunity to thank the ride's three beneficiaries. Packages From Home and Operation Homefront are America Supports You members.
"It allows us to collect donations for the troops that are overseas because part of the admission into this is not only the $15 entry fee, but a sack of goodies or donations for the troops that are over there," Vonn Magnin of Packages From Home said. "This allows us to send things over to our men and women overseas."
Margy Bons, president of Operation Homefront's Arizona chapter, agreed that the donation from the ride to her group would be most helpful.
"For Operation Homefront of Arizona, it will allow us to have some funding to support the families when they give us a call and they have a need," she said. "(It) will also support our troops overseas, because they will know their family is being taken care of."
The third beneficiary, Phoenix International Raceway's "Salute to Military Families" program, provides military families with tickets to events at the track. The three groups will equally split the $15 per bike entry fee.
"On behalf of all the men and women serving in uniform, (and) all those serving in civilian clothes over here, we just want to say thanks to all of you," Caldwell, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said. "Thank you very much."
Army Sgt. John Jones, an Arizona National Guardsman who spent a year in Iraq, understood just where that appreciation was coming from. He received many care packages while serving overseas.
"Packages From Home meant so much to all of us over there," he said. "It touches my heart that people work this hard for the people over there."
Jones also knows how much the live feed meant to the servicemembers in Baghdad. "It's almost like part of you is home when you're doing a live feed," he said.
During the live feed, a few Arizona servicemembers got a chance to briefly catch up with loved ones who blew them kisses and wished them a safe and speedy homecoming.
After musical tributes dedicated to the servicemembers and a prayer for the safety of all those present, the bikers hit the road for a sun-baked 60-mile ride.
An impressive sight, the nearly mile-long line of motorcycles drew cheers and peace signs from those along the route. While that was a boost, most found taking a lap around the Phoenix International Raceway the highlight of the ride.
The ride, which also passed Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, ended with live musical entertainment at a venue near the University of Arizona's Cardinal Stadium.
Caraway, who's already begun planning next year's ride, said the it helps accomplish one of his main goals; keeping support for the troops high in spite of an individual's views of the war.
"These are our guys in our United States military uniforms, and they come before anything," Barry Caraway. "My personal belief, growing up in the Vietnam era, that after seeing how those guys came home, we have to separate the war from the warrior.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
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