Supporting The Troops

[Njaco]

Every once in awhile I hear about an organization that helps the troops in some way. Not having been in the military I don't have access to some programs offered by the government but do my part when ever a organization I hear sounds like its doing some good. So I wanted to list some organizations that help the troops in one way or another.

The first website has numerous listings for anybody's desire and the other two I list I thought were great.

Show Your Support

Patriot Guard Riders -->Home
(I have seen these guys in action and its the greatest!)

The Gratitude Campaign

 

[RabidAlien]

Thank you for that, NJ.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Great Stuff!

Ya know, it wasn't that long ago when I was doing the one week end a month gig at a base 100 miles away from my home. One night after a change of command 4 of us went out to dinner in our "Cracker Jacks." When it came time to pay the tab our waiter told us it was covered as well as our bar tab (4 sailors, yikes!). We never knew who paid our tab but as I left that restaurant I did have tears in my eyes thinking that there were people out there so grateful for existence of our servicemen....

To me its folks like this that makes America great!

 

[Njaco]

Guilty as charged. I've done that twice. Once when my brother graduated from Parris and was shipped over to the ME right after Beruit in the early 80s. I was scared for him and thought in some weird way it would show my appreciation and help, too. Just some Matines in a bar that I didn't know. Paid their tab. Don't think they ever knew.

 

[comiso90]

thanks for the post

 

[Wildcat]

NJ I hope you don't mind me posting this link to send messages of support to Aussie troops. I can personally vouch to this messages reach to troops and are very appreciated!
Australian Army

 

[Njaco]

Thats what the thread is for!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Guilty as charged. I've done that twice.

 

[evangilder]

I have been known to pay for the lunch tab for airmen from Channel Islands ANG and for sailors from Point Mugu. Just one way to say thanks.

Here is another worthy cause:
STEP UP 4 VETS

 

[B-17engineer]

I live in Jersey and for school this year I had a project I donated from the USO ...it was a great project the only thing is no one was willing to donate....

 

[Njaco]

You may be proud of your hometown. You may be proud of your High School. But I am beaming about MY High School and hometown. This is where I grew up and went to school and I am sooooo PROUD!!!

Trip to D.C. memorials truly was an honor for veterans

Trip to D.C. memorials truly was an honor for veterans | NJ.com

Saturday, June 23, 2012,

By Edmund Crispin

Special to the Times

I am one of 75 veterans whom the Honor Flight Network of Southern New Jersey took to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 2, along with 80 guardians, the Williamstown High School Color Guard and other support people.

The program started the previous Thursday night with an orientation in the high school cafeteria. Every veteran was given a red T-shirt emblazoned with the Honor Flight of Southern New Jersey logo. The guardians were given T-shirts with the same logo. There was time for the veterans to meet other veterans and enjoy stories and goodies. Some came from as far away as Pennsylvania. Each veteran received a red carnation.

At 6 a.m. Saturday, it was check-in time at the cafeteria for an all-you-can eat breakfast. Miss New Jersey and her court visited the group from table to table, a Philadelphia string band played, and many new-found friends were made.

The buses departed at 8 a.m. for Washington, escorted by police and six members of the Vietnam Motorcycle Club. Snacks and bottled water were available for us on the buses at all times.

At each intersection, from Williamstown High School to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, local police blocked traffic for the bus brigade. At the last overpass before the bridge, the Pennsville Fire Dept. had its ladder truck there, its ladder raised and an American flag flying, with firefighters standing at the overpass railing and saluting the veterans as they passed.

We arrived at the World War II monument in Washington about 11:30 a.m. The Williamstown High School Color Guard and veterans using wheelchairs led the rest of the veterans to the monument. Civilians all along the way were saluting and cheering the veterans as they passed. A wreath was laid in front of the New Jersey Tower as part of the honoring ceremony. Many veterans had their pictures taken with the color guard in front of this tower. The next hour could be spent touring the memorials in this immediate area.

The buses then took us to Hains Point Park, where we were provided with a box lunch to eat in the shade. Then we visited the Korean War, Vietnam War and Lincoln memorials. Later, the buses took us to the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Time was getting away from us and we had to leave on our return trip. Just as before, when we crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge, there was a police escort until we arrived at Williamstown High School.

There, we were greeted by Boy Scouts. The school's halls and cafeteria had been redecorated since the morning, to honor the veterans. The dinner was superb, as were the other two meals. There were gifts provided for each veteran and each guardian. Many Williamstown students and volunteers talked and mingled with the veterans.

I have never seen such compassion, friendliness, and respect shown to veterans anywhere, any time, as I did on this Honor Flight trip. I will never forget it, and I am sure there are 74 other veterans who will never forget it.

On behalf of 75 veterans, I wish to thank everyone involved, especially Ron and Pam Pontano, who are in charge of the Honor Flight of Southern New Jersey group.

Edmund Crispin writes from South Harrison Township. To donate to or volunteer with Honor Flight of Southern New Jersey, go to www.sjhonorflight.org.

 

[Njaco]

Wanted to revive this thread as there are some great organizations out there doing some great things. Here is a story from today's local paper..

Army specialist gets surprise welcome in Glassboro | NJ.com

Army specialist gets surprise welcome in Glassboro
Published: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 7:00 AM
By Jessica Driscoll/ Gloucester County Times

GLASSBORO — United States Army Spc. Aaron Starnes was shocked at the welcome he received during his first visit to New Jersey Wednesday night. Escorted to the Glassboro VFW post by bikers from the Warriors Watch, Last Patrol and the Second Brigade, Starnes was then greeted by the Yellow Ribbon Club, law enforcement and emergency personnel and local residents all waving flags, clapping and cheering for his arrival. The Iraq War veteran, who lives in Arizona, looked slightly dazed as he accepted proclamations from the motorcycle clubs and the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

"I'm very surprised," aid Starnes. "I'm shocked at all of the different organizations, law enforcement and more. It was really a community effort. You always hear about the negative things, like the Westboro protesters, but most people really appreciate and try to take care of us and this shows that."

Starnes returned from service to his home state a few years ago but said that return was nothing like what he experienced Wednesday.

While serving, Starnes was a good friend of Pfc. David J. Bentz III, of Clayton, who was killed in action in Baghdad on June 20, 2007. Bentz's stepmother (aka Mommadukes) Kim Geonnotti stayed in touch with Starnes after her son's passing and learned recently that Starnes would be making his first trip to the East Coast and visiting Bentz's memorial. So, she contacted the Yellow Ribbon Club and other organizations to organize the welcome.

"This is wonderful and bittersweet," said Geonnotti. "For five years I've talked to this young man, one of DJ's buddies, and today I got to be with part of my son again. Aaron is a wonderful young man and he's a hero. I consider him part of my family."

Geonnotti presented Starnes with his commemorative yellow ribbon at his return and released butterflies in memory of Bentz and others who have fallen.

"The Yellow Ribbon Club knows Kim from when her son was brought home," said Debi Klemas, a YRC member. "And she told us Aaron was coming to visit DJ's memorial. She wanted him to get a proper welcome home because he hadn't had one. And we aim to give returning vets a rock star welcome."

For his service, Starnes has received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal. Since returning, he has been attending college under the GI Bill and hopes to become a law enforcement officer. He said his impression of the Northeast, especially New Jersey, has been great so far.

"I was just supposed to come say hi," he said. "But it turned into a lot more.

Contact reporter Jessica Driscoll at [email protected].

For links to the organizations that participated:

Warriors' Watch Riders: WE HAVE YOUR BACKS AT HOME!

Last Patrol M/C Home

Second Brigade M/C

The Yellow Ribbon Club

 

[Njaco]

and another...

This group have been showing commercials on the local TV stations around here.

Got Your 6: Bridging the American Civilian-Military Divide

 

[vikingBerserker]

That's awesome!

 

[Njaco]

Found this old thread from Evangilder....

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/tribute-boys-3255.html

Tribute to Veterans of WWII, The Korean War and The Vietnam War - Before You Go

 

[Njaco]

New Jersey Herald - Service animals helping troubled GIs adjust

By LUCAS K. MURRAY
Courier-Post of Cherry Hill
MARLTON, N.J. (AP) - The newest addition to Josh and Lori Hufty's home doesn't pass judgment when the man of the house has nightmares or is having a bad day. It's with unconditional love that Kane, a 4-year-old purebred German shepherd, spends almost every waking hour with Hufty.

"He gives me a set of ears that is 100% nonjudgmental," said Hufty, 35, a veteran of nearly 15 years in the Marine Corps who was discharged in 2010 due to post-traumatic stress disorder. He told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill (Service animals help GIs adjust | Courier-Post | courierpostonline.com) that Kane "never calls me an idiot or says I'm doing weird things. He just sits there and listens. In the worst-case scenario, he just wants a pet."

Hufty, a Williamstown native, served three tours of duty in Iraq. He returned to Gloucester County with Lori and their young son, Jackson, to make a new home in Woodbury, but the things he saw overseas haunted him.

"People don't understand that with PTSD you don't ever feel comfortable," Hufty said. "Once you find a comfortable spot, your house for example, you stay there. There's too many mental or emotional dangers out there for you."

When Hufty has a nightmare, Kane will rouse him from his slumber.

The dog, with its shiny dark coat, is his protector, his rock - a companion that lets him get out and see things, delivering a sense of normalcy again. Hufty can't work and is medically retired.

"He's my helper," said Lori of Kane. "He helps me help him, like my sidekick in many ways. I know if Josh is feeling off, he helps."

Kane came to the Hufty house through Semper Fido, a nonprofit that pairs service members that suffer from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries with service animals.

Welcome to Semper Fido

 

[meatloaf109]

This is a fine program. I hope that this catches on across the country.

 

[evangilder]

That is a fantastic idea. Too few people know a thing about PTSD, and what it does to a person. It's too bad that it takes a non-profit group to help those with PTSD. It never goes away completely and coping with the psychological and physiological parts of it (YES, there are physiological parts of it too) are the hardest things to do without being stigmatized. Some days are better than others and having something like this is a simple, and effective help.

 

[Njaco]

I'll be honest - I'm kinda proud of the various services that my hometown and surrounding areas are doing for vets.

 

[evangilder]

As you should be. Too few communities do so.