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You can support the programs of Salute Our Services today. Your financial contribution will help us keep soldiers and families connected during long absences. That connection is key to the well being of both the soldier and the family members left behind. Strong family support systems benefit both the soldier and their family. |
National ProgramsMilitary Connection
America Supports You America Supports You Joins the CircusBy Samantha L. Quigley / American Forces Press Service ATLANTA, Feb. 12, 2006 - Support for the nation's men and women in uniform took center stage as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus opened the Atlanta portion of its tour Feb. 10. "I'd like to thank Ringling Brothers for joining the America Supports You team," Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, said at the show, with performers holding an "America Supports You" banner beside her. "If you're here tonight and you're in the military, I want to say, 'Thanks for your service,' and I want you to know America supports you." And Barber directed the audience members who wanted to help the nation's men and women in the military to the Web site for America Supports You, a Defense Department outreach program designed to recognize citizens' support for servicemembers and their families. Ringling became an America Supports You corporate team member in December, and will officially announce the membership in March when the circus comes to Washington, a program official said. Over the years, Ringling has frequently saluted the troops, said Brad Bryant, vice president for southeastern U.S. field marketing and sales at Feld Entertainment, Ringling's owner. Bryant had a grander vision though: "I said, 'We need to put all these (salutes and honors) together and just have the program so it's not somebody's doing it in (Los Angeles), but not in San Francisco. Let's do something everywhere we go.'" The idea came to fruition when he approached a former servicemember whose last assignment was at the Pentagon. "I enlisted the help of a retired Air Force colonel, Bob Swaney," Bryant said. "I said, 'You've got to help me get in to the right people so we can make this program really benefit those in the armed forces.'" Swaney directed him to Barber and America Supports You. "We are grateful for the support that Ringling Brothers gives our military members and their families, especially their children," Barber said. "This initiative helps demonstrate to our military men and women strong homefront support, which is so important to them and their loved ones." Bryant has worked with Feld's Ringling arm for 18 years. He's also served four years as a captain in the Georgia State Defense Force, a legitimate, state recognized militia, and said he knows how important it is for troops and their families to have a chance to relax and laugh for a night. Currently ringmasters tell the audience about America Supports You and the circus' partnership at the beginning of each performance, Bryant said. And Ringling is currently working on ways to make America Supports You more prominent during performances, including banners displayed throughout the show, he noted. "I would say right now ... in all the circuses we've played since we (joined ASY), at least 300,000 people have seen the ASY announcement and heard it, just by coming to every single show that we do," Bryant said. "(We just want) to get the word out. This is a great program." The circus also offers anyone holding a DoD identification card a 50 percent discount on admission for opening night performances, he said. And that's on top of the 50 percent discount everyone already gets on opening night. That means DoD-card carriers pay 25 percent of the ticket price. Comfort Zone CampComfort Zone Camp is the nation's largest nonprofit bereavement camp for children. Founded by Lynne Hughes and her husband Kelly, the camp serves kids ages 7 to 17 who have lost a parent, sibling or primary care giver. Since 1998 the camp has helped guide more than 1500 children through their grief, providing a safe, nurturing environment where kids can have traditional camp fun, while at the same time acquire tools to help them cope with their loss. Staffed by trained volunteer counselors, including many grief professionals, Comfort Zone Camp offers one or multi-day camps throughout the year. "Angels of Mercy" ProgramEvery other day, a planeload of injured military personnel arrives at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with little, if any, personal possessions. Many of these wounded are amputees who will make Walter Reed their home-away-from-home for the many months it takes to rehabilitate and prepare to return to civilian or military life. The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270 has undertaken a program to provide these combat casualties with clothing suitable for rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapy), receiving visitors, and venturing out of hospital rooms, such as:
"No Soldier Left In Need" ProjectOur "Angels of Mercy" Program focuses on the current needs of our OIF/OEF wounded and injured, and their families while at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Our "No Soldier Left In Need" Project focuses on the long-term needs of our OIF/OEF wounded and injured, and their families. Initially, the "No Soldier Left In Need" Project is working with our wounded and injured military with three types of injuries: amputees, sight impairments, and head trauma. We started here because these are the men and women who will probably benefit most from our Project, and is a small enough group that we can provide substantial and valuable assistance. For example, we are assisting a soldier who lost his sight in Iraq. We are providing a Braille tutor, Braille games and learning devices from the Columbia Lighthouse For The Blind, and a voice driven computer. We will be available to this soldier for as long as he needs us to help with his goals for his future. As members of the American Legion Family, we have substantial volunteer resources available as we work with this special group of American Heroes. There are nearly three million members of the American Legion and nearly one million members of the American Legion Auxiliary. These are the members of the approximately 15,000 American Legion facilities located in almost every city and town in America. They stand ready to help veterans returning to their communities. This substantial pool of veterans and family members is an invaluable asset for the "No Soldier Left In Need" Project. Cash donations may be made to "No Soldier Left In Need" Project at Post Office Box 5447, McLean, VA 22102.Like the "Angels of Mercy" Program, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270, McLean, VA, sponsors the "No Soldier Left In Need" Project and donations are tax-deductible. Please feel free to call Jay Edwards, "Angels of Mercy" co-founder and "No Soldier Left In Need" Project Director at 703-403-3933. Thank you for helping this group of American Heroes! WHAT IS ARMAD ?ARMAD is an annual Amateur Radio Special Event project that stands for Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. We work with National Military Appreciation Month during the month of May. Amateur Radio Operators from around the world team up during this joint effort to allow the people from our communities to gather at public locations such as shopping centers, parks, VA hospitals, and sporting events to express verbal positive support "LIVE" over the radio for members of the Military, Veterans, Reserves, National Guard, and military support groups. It is also a chance for those at each location to hear and exchange messesages of appreciation with each other over the radio. Many of us have friends, relatives, and neighbors that are active duty, and past members of the armed forces. ARMAD gives us the chance to support one another, and to express our thanks and appreciation to those that sacrifice and serve in the Armed Forces. We encourage Amateur Radio Clubs, and operators to set up on or near Military Bases, Veterans facilities, and local public places so that the positive message of support can be expressed and heard worldwide. Each site has the ability of communication in real time with each other during the event, making it possible to exchange greetings and expressions of support to each other in a "LIVE" forum. ARMAD 2005 will be held on May 28 - the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. Visit the link "NEWS" area of the ARMAD website for updates and information at http://www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw/news.htm Read our story at the Defense Department site: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil Additional National Programs which support Military Families
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