By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2007 - More than 130,000 Americans sent messages of gratitude this week to the nation's troops through the "Giving Thanks" text messaging initiative. The initiative is part of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
"The 'Giving Thanks' text message campaign has been a wonderful example of how Americans are still passionate about supporting the troops and saying thank you for their service," said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication and public liaison. "Hopefully, our troops serving in 177 countries will have a renewed sense of just how much the folks back home support them."
Major mobile wireless providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile, will provide access to the Giving Thanks program. And, while carriers' regular text messaging rates apply to every message sent through the Defense Department program, there are no additional costs to send a message of thanks.
The text messaging initiative officially began at on Nov. 17 and has received more than 130,000 messages of thanks, according to the tally board on the America Supports You Web site -- www.americasupportsyou.mil.
"We had over 130,000 text messages, which is great for a six-day campaign. But what is also important to note is the reception we received from media outlets, business leaders, community groups and individuals," Barber said. "From major networks to digital billboards in Times Square, each outlet we talked to was supportive of informing people about the new way to say thanks to our troops."
That phenomenon of support began over the weekend with talk of the "Giving Thanks" initiative at sporting events, on nationwide radio programs and even a Sunday news show. Tim Russert, host of "Meet the Press," encouraged his viewers to text their support to the troops during yesterday's program.
"During this week of Thanksgiving, let our troops know we're thinking about them through the Pentagon's America Supports You program," Russert said. "You can send your message of thanks by texting to 89279."
All of the messages received express the sender's gratitude for the military and the sacrifices the servicemembers are making. Some messages are longer, others are much shorter but just as powerful, like the one from a supporter in Pennsylvania who wrote, "You are heroes of the heart."
Each message like the one from Pennsylvania will receive a response thanking the sender for thinking of the troops this holiday season.
In response to the public outpouring of support, servicemembers have sent in statements of gratitude as well. Most, like the one from Rick, a Marine master sergeant stationed in Iraq, carry the same sentiment; the troops are glad to know they still have support back home.
Rick wrote, "I'd like to thank everyone back home for their continued show of support for those of us deployed around the world. It means a lot knowing that we're not alone over here in Iraq."
Friday, November 23, 2007
Marines Deliver Water to Cyclone-Striken Bangladesh
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2007 - A pair of Marine helicopters lifted from the USS Kearsarge flight deck today with loads of bottled water, marking the first delivery of U.S. military aid to the storm-battered nation of Bangladesh. The 750-gallon shipment was delivered to a relief-supply distribution hub in Barisal, a city in southern Bangladesh.
"I feel ecstatic," said Marine Capt. Andrew Traynor, a CH-46E helicopter pilot with the Aviation Combat Element for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. "(This mission) can show that the U.S. military is not all about combat; we're here to help people."
Kearsarge and elements of the embarked 22nd MEU arrived off the coast of Bangladesh early this morning. While the ship was on its nearly 3,500-mile trek to reach its current position, Marines and sailors aboard the vessel tested equipment, positioned supplies and readied for humanitarian assistance operations.
"The delivery today is a start, but there is more work to be done," said Marine Col. Doug Stilwell, the 22nd MEU's commanding officer. "The Bangladesh government and military, in conjunction with relief agencies, are responding well to the situation. We will reinforce and support that effort."
To focus U.S. military efforts on supporting the Bangladesh relief operation, a team of key military representatives led by Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, the lead U.S. military commander on the ground in Bangladesh, met with representatives of the Bangladesh military, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Embassy. A team from Kearsarge, led by Navy Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, commander of Task Force 76, also was present at the meeting, having flown from Kearsarge to the nation's capital city of Dhaka this morning.
"All parties concur with the way ahead for this operation," Stilwell said. "We want to support in a way that will have the most impact on reducing further loss of life and relieving human suffering."
Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, in response to a request from the government of Bangladesh to the United States and at the direction of the U.S. Pacific Command, is leading Defense Department efforts to assist the people of Bangladesh in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Sidr, which devastated that nation Nov. 15.
(Compiled from Marine Corps Forces, Pacific news releases.)
Nov. 23, 2007 - A pair of Marine helicopters lifted from the USS Kearsarge flight deck today with loads of bottled water, marking the first delivery of U.S. military aid to the storm-battered nation of Bangladesh. The 750-gallon shipment was delivered to a relief-supply distribution hub in Barisal, a city in southern Bangladesh.
"I feel ecstatic," said Marine Capt. Andrew Traynor, a CH-46E helicopter pilot with the Aviation Combat Element for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. "(This mission) can show that the U.S. military is not all about combat; we're here to help people."
Kearsarge and elements of the embarked 22nd MEU arrived off the coast of Bangladesh early this morning. While the ship was on its nearly 3,500-mile trek to reach its current position, Marines and sailors aboard the vessel tested equipment, positioned supplies and readied for humanitarian assistance operations.
"The delivery today is a start, but there is more work to be done," said Marine Col. Doug Stilwell, the 22nd MEU's commanding officer. "The Bangladesh government and military, in conjunction with relief agencies, are responding well to the situation. We will reinforce and support that effort."
To focus U.S. military efforts on supporting the Bangladesh relief operation, a team of key military representatives led by Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, the lead U.S. military commander on the ground in Bangladesh, met with representatives of the Bangladesh military, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Embassy. A team from Kearsarge, led by Navy Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, commander of Task Force 76, also was present at the meeting, having flown from Kearsarge to the nation's capital city of Dhaka this morning.
"All parties concur with the way ahead for this operation," Stilwell said. "We want to support in a way that will have the most impact on reducing further loss of life and relieving human suffering."
Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, in response to a request from the government of Bangladesh to the United States and at the direction of the U.S. Pacific Command, is leading Defense Department efforts to assist the people of Bangladesh in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Sidr, which devastated that nation Nov. 15.
(Compiled from Marine Corps Forces, Pacific news releases.)
Realtors Bring Christmas Spirit to Vets
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2007 - As the national Christmas tree, cut from Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, makes its way to Washington, it's going to spread some holiday spirit at veterans facilities along the way, thanks to the National Association of Realtors. Local realtors will make donations to veterans shelters or a veterans housing fund at each stop on behalf of the organization, Mary Trupo, an NAR spokeswoman, said. The Vermont Association of Realtors also is making donations.
"As soon as we heard (about the stops at veterans facilities), we jumped on board to be a part of it," she said.
Trupo noted that according to a recent report, veterans make up 25 percent of the nation's homeless population, though they're only 11 percent of the population at large.
In addition to the donations at each stop, and another made in Las Vegas during the National Association of Realtors annual meeting, the organization is working with Congress to address the issue of homeless veterans. Trupo said the trip with the tree was one way individual realtors could get involved with the effort.
"This is sort of a launch for us to do more," she said.
For the time being, the smiles and gratitude of the veterans along the way will suffice, said Brenda Jones, a member of the Vermont Association of Realtors and the Bennington (Vt.) Chamber of Commerce, the lead sponsor of the national tree's trip. She's traveling with a group that includes eight retired crew members of the USS Bennington.
"We've been to two facilities so far, and the veterans are so pleased that we have come in to see them and we're actually taking the time to come and sit with them," Jones said Nov. 20. "They just totally welcomed us. It was wonderful."
To help extend the holiday spirit past their visit, some of the 80 companion trees that are traveling with the 60-foot balsam fir national tree are being left behind at each of the 12 stops.
Yesterday the group paused in Danbury, Conn., to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a church that feeds the homeless.
On its way to the Ellipse in front of the White House, the tree is scheduled to stop at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., as well as Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
While the national Christmas tree waits on the Ellipse for the annual Pageant of Peace to be lit on Dec. 6, Congress will hold its own ceremony the day before.
Three individuals are scheduled to help light the congressional tree. Two are winners of a Vermont ornament-making contest. The third, Phil Landis, a San Diego realtor, earned one of the National Association of Realtors' five annual "Good Neighbor" awards for his work with Veterans Village of San Diego, an intensive rehab and training facility for homeless veterans. Landis, a Vietnam veteran who earned a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantryman Badge, is on the organization's board of directors.
American Forces Press Service
Nov. 23, 2007 - As the national Christmas tree, cut from Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, makes its way to Washington, it's going to spread some holiday spirit at veterans facilities along the way, thanks to the National Association of Realtors. Local realtors will make donations to veterans shelters or a veterans housing fund at each stop on behalf of the organization, Mary Trupo, an NAR spokeswoman, said. The Vermont Association of Realtors also is making donations.
"As soon as we heard (about the stops at veterans facilities), we jumped on board to be a part of it," she said.
Trupo noted that according to a recent report, veterans make up 25 percent of the nation's homeless population, though they're only 11 percent of the population at large.
In addition to the donations at each stop, and another made in Las Vegas during the National Association of Realtors annual meeting, the organization is working with Congress to address the issue of homeless veterans. Trupo said the trip with the tree was one way individual realtors could get involved with the effort.
"This is sort of a launch for us to do more," she said.
For the time being, the smiles and gratitude of the veterans along the way will suffice, said Brenda Jones, a member of the Vermont Association of Realtors and the Bennington (Vt.) Chamber of Commerce, the lead sponsor of the national tree's trip. She's traveling with a group that includes eight retired crew members of the USS Bennington.
"We've been to two facilities so far, and the veterans are so pleased that we have come in to see them and we're actually taking the time to come and sit with them," Jones said Nov. 20. "They just totally welcomed us. It was wonderful."
To help extend the holiday spirit past their visit, some of the 80 companion trees that are traveling with the 60-foot balsam fir national tree are being left behind at each of the 12 stops.
Yesterday the group paused in Danbury, Conn., to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a church that feeds the homeless.
On its way to the Ellipse in front of the White House, the tree is scheduled to stop at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., as well as Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.
While the national Christmas tree waits on the Ellipse for the annual Pageant of Peace to be lit on Dec. 6, Congress will hold its own ceremony the day before.
Three individuals are scheduled to help light the congressional tree. Two are winners of a Vermont ornament-making contest. The third, Phil Landis, a San Diego realtor, earned one of the National Association of Realtors' five annual "Good Neighbor" awards for his work with Veterans Village of San Diego, an intensive rehab and training facility for homeless veterans. Landis, a Vietnam veteran who earned a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantryman Badge, is on the organization's board of directors.
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