Thanks! Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital makes national headlines in USA Today on July 6
A friend of PN sent a link to a story in USA Today about the Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital. That's one of 45 "homes away from home," built to accommodate the housing needs of families of veterans who are receiving treatment at hospitals on military installations.
The Fisher House featured in the story was funded in part, as a result of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor and Operation Support Our Troops Illinois.
Here's the USA Today link:
During the Naperville Healing Field of Honor tribute to all veterans, held on Rotary Hill from Nov. 8-14, 2009, in conjunction with Veterans Day, the Naperville community and 20 sponsors sold 2,009 American flags to raise $50,000 that was matched by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois to help fund the home.
Operation Support Our Troops also had previously contributed funds to the Fisher House at Hines, raised from its Rockin' for the Troops concerts.
Twelve Fisher Houses currently are being planned, some under construction, throughtout the nation. Even more homes on military installations are needed to help relieve financial burdens for military families.
Thanks again to the Naperville community for your support of the troops and their military families, past, present and future.
GI Bill's Yellow Ribbon Program grants free tuition to veterans at North Central College
North Central College will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which grants free tuition to eligible veterans. The Yellow Ribbon Program builds on the Post-Sept. 11 GI Bill, through which government grants cover costs up to the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public university. By participating in the program, North Central College and the government will cover any additional differences in tuition costs, allowing eligible veterans to attend North Central tuition-free.
"It's a wonderful program that allows our nation's veterans to receive a great education at a private institution at no cost," said Harold R. Wilde, North Central College president.
Congress authorized funding for the Yellow Ribbon Program through passage of the Veterans Educational Assistant Act of 2008. Veterans are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if they have served at least three years of active duty in the military after Sept. 10, 2001, or were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-related disability and served at least 30 continuous days after Sept 10, 2001.
More info...
More information about the Yellow Ribbon Program is available by contacting the US. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling (888) 442-4551, toll-free.
At North Central College, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 630-637-5800 or toll-free at 800-411-1861.
Drop off items for care packages in support of American troops
Wounded soldiers can use phone cards the most!
Thomas Withrow of the American Red Cross at Walter Reed Army Medical Center suggests sending phone cards, disposable cameras, stamps and "definitely letters'' and Christmas cards, addressed "To Any Wounded Soldier.''
"Put on your address so they can write you back,'' he said. "There are lots'' of soldiers at Walter Reed being shipped back from Iraq, he said.
Send to: Any Wounded Soldier % American Red Cross, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Heaton Pavilion, 3rd Floor, Room 3E05, Washington, DC 20307.
Operation Support Our Troops
If anyone is interested in making a donation for shipping to soldiers, they can send their tax deductible contribution to:
Operation Support our Troops Illinois (Mailing Address)
1807 S. Washington Street
Suite 110, #359
Naperville, Il 60565
Visit the web site at www.osotil.org to find out how they may donate goods, read some letters from soldiers, and find out more about OSOT.
LETTERS FROM
OUR TROOPS:
Thank you for supporting
Editors’s Note: One of the unexpected benefits of supporting Operation Support Our Troops Illinois via PN (www.osotil.org) is the letters of appreciation that come from servicemen and women who receive the care packages. Here are a few letters that came because Naperville residents provided connections:
***To the wonderful men and women of OSOTIL: I am a captain in the Army, stationed at Baghdad. A couple of months ago, I got a new roommate, a LT from the Chicago area. Next thing I know, I've gotten the biggest Christmas package I've ever seen. I paced myself and opened a stocking a day for 3 days! All the contents were wonderful and well thought out. Thank you to everyone who is a part of this great morale booster.
---CPT Angie
***Dear Friends at OSOTIL: I wanted to take a few moments to say thanks to all of you for making my deployment at the austere firebase at FOB Naray, Afghanistan a little nicer with the care packages you sent. There is only a 10'x16' mini-store here and it has very little in the way of snack food and hygiene items. So your packages brought things that brightened my day. Thanks for your untiring support. It matters to all the soldiers. …Thanks a million.
---MAJ Warren
Please keep all the troops in your thoughts and prayers.
The two letters below are from a husband and wife, both stationed in Afghanistan, but not at the same base. Jeremy's mom, Annette, is an OSOTIL volunteer. Our men and women who serve really do appreciate that their families are committed to OSOTIL.
14 June 2007
Dear OSOTIL,
Thank you so much for the awesome package! Such a great surprise that will forever be remembered!
Well, you asked a couple of questions in your mailing. My expected redeployment date is August 2008.
The box you sent arrived in great condition and it was filled with very appropriate things.
Thank you all again for your support. The troops could never be where we are now without the love, thoughts, prayers and support we get from family, friends, and honestly, complete strangers!
:)
Thank you!
CPT Dana
*******************************************************
June 20, 2007
Dear Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois:
Yesterday I received yet another box from your fine organization, and I wanted to pass on a heartfelt thank you for your support. I am still amazed at the constant support we receive from the home front, and the quality of care package that you put together. The media may not reflect it, but I think the majority of America still supports our troops. And thanks to your valiant efforts, that message is ringing loud and clear where it matters the most, on the forward edge of freedom with our deployed Soldiers.
I am back in Afghanistan, my third trip and going on my 23rd month since 2003. The fight here has evolved much since I first arrived in Kandahar in January of 2003. Our focus has shifted onto the people of Afghanistan, and building their systems, infrastructure, and government. My main focus is on the Afghan National Police, or ANP. I regularly meet with police chiefs and sub-governors in each of the seven districts my company is responsible for. I also help oversee the city of Jalalabad, the third largest city in Afghanistan, and its seven police precincts.
We have come a long way in the four years we've been assisting this country. The people are free, their government is supporting them, and their lives are becoming continually more stable and secure. We remain vigilant as there certainly are terrorists and enemy out there, but with Afghans leading the fight, we keep the bad guys on the run. Like all soldiers, I would much rather be at home closer to my family than serving a combat tour on the other side of the world. But the reality is we are in this fight whether we want to be or not. Right now we are in the enemy's back yard, keeping him on the defense. Personally, I'd much rather be fighting this inevitable fight here in Afghanistan and Iraq than back home on American soil in places like New York and Chicago.
Thank you again for your continued support. Knowing that we are in the thoughts and prayers of patriotic Americans back home is what makes all our sacrifices worthwhile.
CPT Jeremy
173D Special Troops Battalion
PS. I am collecting names of soldiers to add to your mailing list. Thank you for all you do to support us!
Handing out candy to kids at a humanitarian assistance drop.
A mujahideen fighter I met earlier this week who fought against the Soviets and was part of the Northern Alliance fighting against the Taliban.
Mailing Address:
Operation Support Our Troops - Illinois, Inc.
1807 South Washington Street
Suite 110, #359
Naperville, IL 60565
630-971-1150 OSOT~IL Office
Thanks to all the volunteers who support our troops with their time and resources! The most recent letters from soldiers are posted at www.osotil.org.
Also, save the date for this summer's concert
Sat., July 17, 2010.
Gates open at Noon. TKTS: $25
Entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 3PM.
Join Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band as well as other entertainment in support of the troops by attending the 5th annual fundraiser hosted by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois!
There never was a good war nor a bad peace.
---Ben Franklin
The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace.
---Douglas MacArthur
We might say something similar today.
Thanks to all who serve our great nation.
God bless America!
What I'll be doing for Memorial Day
by Mike Barbour
Memorial Day is a rough day for me. It’s a day of remembering.
Remembering can be a curse when you’ve spent years trying to forget. It’s even worse when you get mad at yourself for not being able to remember. It’s strange that you forget so many things you want to remember and remember so much that you really want to forget.
I spent 11 months and 20 days in sunny Southeast Asia. I came back physically whole. By the Grace of God, good training and just plain pure dumb luck I suffered no more than a hearing loss, some scrapes, shrapnel wounds, and 40 years of mixed blessing memories.
I have been a good husband to my wife, a mediocre father to my daughter and a reasonably successful employee to my employers over the years. With these results I consider myself as doing better than the average bear when compared to many of my fellow veterans. The Grace of God and luck are still with me.
Memorial Day is not a day for self-evaluation or selfish thoughts. So I turn my remembrances to other people, places and things.
I remember heat. Heat that kept you from getting a full breath for weeks. Heat that sapped your strength so that you were beyond exhaustion after a minor exertion. Heat that made you tired and kept you from sleeping. Heat that made you sweat buckets. Heat that made you freezing cold at 70 degrees.
I remember lush green mountains that always seem to go up and not down. I remember red earth that was sticky enough to glue a deuce and a half in place, slippery enough to make it impossible to stand on and dusty enough to choke you into a coughing fit like a bad cigar.
I remember rice paddies. They could get you killed or save your life. Dikes stop bullets but can leave you exposed if you’re dumb enough to walk on them. The water smelled of feces but was better than not drinking at all.
I remember rain. Rain that broke the intolerable heat that never stopped. Rain that was gentle as silk or as stinging as a nest of bees. Rain that let you get a good clean shower and rotted your feet till they bled.
I remember the sun. The sun that created the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life. The sun that you couldn’t look at if you ever wanted to see again. The sun that you could feel without touching it.
I remember a moon that shone so bright you could read a map by it. I remember moonlight dancing on foliage that made you see nothing one minute and imagine a host of slinking VC the next.
I’ll never forget the colors of an explosion close at hand. The white center bleeding out to a yellow ring surrounded by black rolling smoke was both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
I remember the orange and green tracers dancing lazily through the night while I prayed that none came to roost on me. I remember the sights, sounds and smells of the gunships circling at night dropping flares and firing tracers to protect us when we were surrounded by the enemy.
But above all this, I remember people. Faces, personalities and human events still crowd my days and nights with pleasure and pain. I can remember entire conversations and events in explicit detail. I cannot remember the names of more than a few and I don’t know why. Shouldn’t this be the other way around?
I remember the parting face of a Huey jock, who took an RPG in the nose 100 yards after he lifted off from dropping me in a clearing. He had a picture of his wife and year old daughter taped to the windshield. He said they were his good luck. I remember the quiet calm of many of my team members who were badly wounded. They kept assuring me that everyone would be OK. All of this while we filled them with enough morphine to kill a horse because we knew they would never survive the slick ride back to the MASH unit.
Of the hundreds I met and knew I kick myself for remembering so few. Especially on this Memorial Day when I feel I should be able to remember each and every one. This is their day. I will not spoil it by forgetting even one of their number.
God help me, I will remember. From this day forth I will carry their memory and spirit with me as a living memorial to their sacrifice and dedication to God, country, duty and honor.
---Mike Barbour
In Flanders Fields
Written by Canadian physician
and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915
Published by Moina Michael in 1919
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Remembering
a Hometown Hero
October 1st for most the world
is just an autumn day.
But it's a day that calls to mind
how Jack paved freedom's way.
A year has past since one so loved
lay down his life so we
might stand with those so far away
who long for liberty.
There's no one who can take Jack's place.
No one could be like him.
His prankish ways. His winning smile.
His selfless will to win.
That's why our hearts will never heal.
There'll always be a hole.
But thanks to grace God's love affords,
there's peace within our souls.
---by Greg Asimakoupoulos
in memory of Sgt. Jack Taft Hennessy
who died in Iraq October 1, 2004
It is the VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN,
not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN
who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN
who serves under the Flag.
God Bless America!
Thanks to all VETERANS who defend the U.S. Constitution.
Web site offers space for troops
TroopSpace is a crowd-sourced social network online at www.troopspace.net.
In this case, the "crowd" includes the brave men and women of the United States Military, according to the Web site that now boasts 400 faces.
TroopSpace is the brainchild of Army veterans Edward Domain and Josh Lowe and their buddy, P.J. Hodges. Anyone who serves in the armed forces may participate.
TroopSpace, Inc., is located at 1684 Quincy Dr., Naperville.
For more information, visit www.troopspace.net or call (630) 548-0026.
Jobs for veterans are posted online
A seminar was held recently at the Warrenville VFW at which a Web site for veterans seeking jobs was provided. This Web site promotes "Veterans make the best employees" and it includes opportunities for veterans and spouses. Currently some 40,000 vets are being placed in jobs around the country.
"This is a much better opportunity than federal and state Web sites already in place," said Mike Barbour, Immediate Past Commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873. "If you know of a veteran seeking employment, you may want to refer the veteran to the Web site."
Several months ago, a newspaper article placed Illinois 46th in the nation in veteran employment. It is anticipated future seminars will be held around the state, Barbour said.
Ted Daywalt is president of Vetjobs. For more information, visit www.VetJobs.com.
Iraq, Afghanistan veterans invited to take advantage of free education
In 2001, Benedictine University began offering a free education to police and fire personnel throughout Illinois. Today, more than 80 public service organizations are represented by the more than 400 police and fire personnel enrolled in Benedictine’s First Responder Program (http://www.ben.edu/programs/first_responder/).
On May 9, 2008, President William J. Carroll, Ph.D., announced that beginning in Fall 2008 the University would extend its First Responder Program to Illinois Armed Forces veterans – active and reserve – returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Benedictine is now accepting applications from veterans who want to take advantage of this unparalleled program.
Illinois veterans who participate in this program will be able to pursue an Associate of Arts in Business Administration (A.A.B.A.) or a Bachelor of Arts in Management (B.A.M.) degree at no tuition cost. Participants will also be able to pursue a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), or Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior (M.S.M.O.B.) degree at 50 percent tuition cost.
For more information about the First Responder Program or to enroll, contact Autumn Lynumn, Assistant to Associate Dean, First Responder and Professional Development programs, at (630) 829-6126 or by e-mail at alynumn@ben.edu; or Heena I. Jeelani, University Representative, First Responder and Professional Development programs, at (630) 829-1385 by e-mail at hjeelani@ben.edu. Also visit the web site at www.ben.edu.
VA can assist veterans with health care costs
Naperville resident Mike Barbour, Past Commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, forwarded the following news from Washington that could assist veterans with health care costs.
For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost, according to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year’s income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for enrollment & receive health care at no cost.
Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five-year “clock” begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the combat zone.
Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide veterans information about these programs. Veterans may also contact VA’s Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .
Bonus payments are available for veterans' domestic and foreign service
Naperville resident Ron Ory sent Positively Naperville editors news about a Web site featuring bonus payments to veterans via the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. The Web address is http://www.state.il.us/agency/dva/benefits/bonuspayment.htm.
The following information is credited to the Illinois Web site:
"Bonus Payment World War II: A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable to a veteran who was a resident of Illinois at time of entering service, served at least 60 days on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, and received an honorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $1,000, if the veteran's death was service-connected and within the period specified.
"Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Conflict Bonus: A $100 bonus is payable for service during one of the following periods: Korea - June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953 Vietnam - January 1, 1961 - March 28, 1973; Vietnam Frequent Wind - April 29, 30, 1975; and Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995.
"The claimant must also be in receipt of one of the following medals: Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal Armed Forces, Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Era, or the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
"The claimant must also be a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service and have received an Honorable Discharge. Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf may apply prior to discharge by also including the Armed Forces Certificate."
For all the details and an application, visit http://www.state.il.us/agency/dva/benefits/bonuspayment.htm.
HELP THE USO SEND CARE PACKAGES TO OUR TROOPS!
Just $25 sends a package! "... touch the lives of our deployed troops around the world. For every $25 donation you make, the USO will send a care package with both needed and requested items valued at approximately $75 to a deployed service member."
Click HERE for info.
WANT TO HELP
WELCOME HOME
NAPERVILLE'S TROOPS?
2010 Rockin' for the Troops
Sat., July 17, at Cantigny
Gates open at noon / Main Stage entertainment begins at 3PM
After the lunchtime kick-off event on May 7, 2010, Deb Rickert, Debbie Wolfe & Gary Sinise headed toward the corporate offices at Navistar to thank them for their support of Rockin' for the Troops, a concert that requires more than 300 volunteers and 8 months of planning.
Gary Sinise greeted well-wishers after talking with officials at Navistar. Navistar again will present the 5th Annual Rockin' for the Troops hosted by OSOTIL.
Throughout the year, in addition to packing and sending items to the military overseas, volunteers at Operation Support Our Troops Illinois plan their major fundraiser at Cantigny.
CONCERT INFO: www.rockinforthetroops.org
Thanks for donations! Organizers will be collecting items to help fill care packages to send to the military overseas. Items listed on the top 10 most requested include Slim Jims, jelly (32 oz or less; NO Glass Please), mayonnaise (individual packets), crackers (1# box or less), nasal spray/eye drops, cereal bars, foot powder (20 oz or less), body wash (18 oz or less), microwave popcorn, anti itch and antibiotic creams.
For the fifth year in a row, Operation Support Our Troops Illinois will host Rockin’ for the Troops to raise money for its mission: to support all aspects of America’s military, from enlistment to veteran, and their families. The benefit concert, a collaborative effort by Navistar Corporation, Cantigny Park and OSOTIL, features award-winning and critically acclaimed actor Gary Sinise (Det. Mack Taylor in CSI: NY and Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump) and his band, The Lt. Dan Band.
In addition to the award-winning, critically acclaimed actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan band (8:45PM), this year’s nonstop music lineup includes Nashville recording artist and well- known military advocate Rockie Lynne (6:30PM). Opening up the day with the music of John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival is the band, Blue Moon Swamp (4PM).
Gates open at 12PM with main stage entertainment beginning at 3PM. Strike up the Naperville Municipal Band!
Advance Tickets $25 are available at local Jewel-Osco Stores.
Thanks for all gifts to the
Veterans' 2010
Buddy Poppy
Campaign
To make a donation for shipping care packages to soldiers now in service to our country, send your tax-deductible contribution to our mailing address:
1807 S. Washington StreetSuite 110, #359 Naperville, Il 60565Visit www.osotil.org for ways to donate nonperishable goods, read weekly letters from soldiers and learn more about OSOTIL. Also, save dates for the nonprofit organization's upcoming events such as
Rockin' for the Troops on July 17, 2010 / TKTS: $25
12,000 capacity in Cantigny Park! Amazing setting for a concert with food vendors, displays, info booths, exhibits, letter writing to the troops and much more. .
Purchase tickets by phone at 800-594-TIXX (8499)
Memorial Day Observances Hosted by Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, American Legion Post 43 and the City of Naperville
Flag Raising at Sept. 11 Memorial / 8AM / along the Riverwalk near City Hall
Service at Veterans Park / 8:30AM
Service at Burlington Square Park / 8:50AM / Near the Doughboy Sculpture
Service at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery / 9:15AM
Service at Naperville Cemetery / 10AM
Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Naperville / 10:30AM, Last Mon. in May / Parade featuring the Naperville Municipal Band and 24 marching middle school & high school bands steps off after early-morning ceremonies coordinated by the Judd Kendall VFW and the American Legion.
Service at Veterans Plaza on the Riverwalk / 10:40AM
ALERT! NEW PARADE ROUTE!
At Ewing & Jackson, the parade will advance east along Jackson Avenue, north on Washington Street to Benton Avenue, and east to Court Place and Ss. Peter and Paul Parking Lot.
Memorial Day Tributes with Naperville Municipal Band in Central Park / 12:15PM, Mon., May 31 / Inspirational 30-minute patriotic program for the entire family hosted by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and the American Legion Post 43. Patriotic music, speakers and laying of the poppy wreath.
Click here for monthly calendars...
