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Military

Investments In The Future

It’s not charity – It’s an investment in the future.

When a Service member is wounded in combat, in today’s conflict, the survival rate is many times higher than in previous wars, due mainly to much better and more timely medical care. However, the wounded can be left with the prospect of a long road of surgeries and rehabilitation.The cost to our military system in dollars is huge, and the cost to the individuals and their families is also gigantic.

I submit that, rather than a “cost” , a donation to Valour-IT is an investment. An investment in the future of our country and it’s people. Most of the injured are young, in the 19 – 25 year old bracket and otherwise healthy. With the technology available today, many of the injuries that would have relegated a person to a life as a dependent, shut-in,  the wounded are looking at a far different future.

Valour-IT is a program that provides appropriate technology to individual troops and also to hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. It is one of the many programs that Soldiers’ Angels supports and it provides voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries.  Technology supplied includes:

  • Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
  • Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).
  • Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.
  • Join with us in raising funds for this amazing program as we kick off the 2011 Miliblog Valour-IT fund raiser!!  The contest runs from July 1 to July 14th and we are divided into teams by Military Branch. All funds raised go into the same pot to help our Wounded Warriors, but the team that raises the most, gets bragging rights for the year!! GO MARINES!!!!

    Memorial Day 2011

    This video is a Veteran Day tribute, but I think it is a good reminder about the men and women of our Military who have our back on a daily basis. Take a moment to remember the ones who didn’t come home.

    Remember and Honor all those who went before – they are the foundation that our country is built on.

    Thank a Veteran!!

    Before I became involved in Soldiers’ Angels, I mostly never noticed the Veterans among us. My Father was a Navy Vet and I knew some of my Brothers’ friends had served, but I never thought much of it.

    So, how did I wind up an active member of Soldiers’ Angels? Oddly enough, I started by reading an article in “Popular Mechanics” about the DustOff  Pilots and the Medivac operations in Iraq. That took me link by link around the internet until I landed on the Soldiers’ Angels site. And, I adopted my first soldier.

    Today is Veterans Day.  Thank a Veteran, hug a Veteran, take a Veteran to lunch!! I did all three today!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

    A Challenge….

    Imagine for a moment that you only have one hand. Or more than a moment. Choose a hand, right or left, doesn’t matter. Then try and go about your every day activities without using that hand.

    Tough, isn’t it? Hard to zip your pants, button your jacket, tie your boot. Try driving a stick shift truck. Open a door while holding a bag of groceries or a baby. Typing on a computer.

    Now imagine that it’s forever.

    Imagine that it’s not just one hand. It’s both.

    It’s not imaginary for a lot of young men and women coming home from the war in A’stan. It’s real.  It’s forever. It sucks.

    Make it suck less. Donate to Valour-IT and help supply a voice activated laptop to an injured service person. Help them re-connect to the world.

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    Final Push!!!

    Thursday is Veterans Day and the final day of the Valour-IT fund raiser for 2010.  Once again, YOU, the generous donors, have blown past our original goals – Here are the totals as of 11/08

    TEAM ARMY $19,478

    TEAM NAVY $7,877

    TEAM AIR FORCE $4,565

    TEAM MARINE $31,220

    No Branch Specified $7,096  Total $70,236

    Today’s change:

    No Branch Specified $425

    TEAM ARMY $595

    TEAM NAVY $1,735

    TEAM AIR FORCE $145

    TEAM MARINE $3,615

    We still have three days left – let’s set our goals higher – the need has never been greater. Why not make a donation to Valour-IT in a loved one’s honor for a Christmas gift? That’s what I do every year and everyone really likes it. Especially since the alternative might be FRUITCAKE!!!!!

    Marines – America’s 911


    From Mike the Marine