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Investments In The Future

Jul 1st, 2011
by OH Hell.
1 comment

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!!!!

    Thank a Veteran!!

    Nov 11th, 2010
    by OH Hell.
    No comments yet

    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!!!

    10 Things That Make Me Happy

    Nov 8th, 2010
    by OH Hell.
    No comments yet
    1. Giving and receiving a bear hug from one of “my” Marines. (Thank You Justine – I really needed that hug!!)
    2. Seeing a smile on a formerly grumpy face when I say “Thank You for Your Service”.
    3. Getting a letter back from someone I don’t even know in response to a note I wrote them.  I know military personnel that are deployed are BUSY, and it means a lot to hear from them.
    4. Having a whole houseful of people I don’t know show up to pack boxes to send overseas.
    5. Getting offers of help from people I meet while standing in line at the Post Office.
    6. People that, when I ask for one small thing for the troops, go over and above, not only giving what I ask, but more.
    7. The community of bloggers that work so hard to promote the Valour-IT fundraiser and let me participate, even though I am nowhere near the caliber of writer that they are.
    8. The great support from our whole community for our troops.
    9. Knowing that the little things we do will have a positive affect on the morale and well-being of our deployed troops and their families.
    10. Seeing the fund raising thermometer go UPPPPP!!!! Go Marine Team!!!!

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    Wounded but Still in the Fight

    Oct 29th, 2010
    by OH Hell.
    1 comment

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    Project Valour-IT

    Skip the latte’ today, donate the $$ to help a fighter like this take back his life.  He gave a lot. You can give a little….

    Define: Valor

    Oct 28th, 2010
    by OH Hell.
    No comments yet

    Valor

    Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller – Medal of Honor Operation Enduring Freedom
    Official Narrative

    Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, U.S. Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the U.S. while serving as the Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force–33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan, Forward Operating Base Naray, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Read More Here (Scroll down to

    Robbie Miller Awarded the Medal of Honor – SYSK Follow Up

    Providing Tools for Our Wounded Warriors to Recover

    Valour-IT

    It was the last day of Valour-IT’s first Veterans Day (2005) fundraiser, when I was still stunned by its success and thrilled Valour-IT was now a viable project. Amid that emotion, arrived an email requesting a laptop for Bryan, then just two weeks into his recovery. I shared it anonymously here: “If I have to think enough to comment on it, I will end up on the floor in a puddle of tears, and I don’t have time to cry today,” I wrote. The email read:

    …He has a long road ahead of him. His mother said that they are doing everything for him and it is getting very frustrating for him. He wants to talk to his friends but he just is not ready to do it yet. With this laptop he will be able to communicate with family and friends and will be able to do it without the help of anyone. This is going to be the first step in showing him that he will be able to do things on his own.

    When I told her about project Valour-IT, she almost cried. She couldn’t stop thanking us for this wonderful gift and opportunity that you are giving to B. She says that B is a fighter and that he will be getting prosthetic legs. She also said that he will be water skiing again in the future. She is so upbeat and positive over all of this.

    Thank you so much for this project. This project Valour-IT is an amazing project…

    Less than four months later, in February 2006, Bryan was walking. The same correspondent shared:

    B came in town for a benefit dinner to help raise funds for his family. He walked into the room with his prosthetic legs, he was smiling and overwhelmed at the support he and his family received. No one was aware that B was going to be there. I do not think there was a dry eye in the room. He still has therapy but his spirit is strong. He has an amazing support group of family and friends.

    The laptop was the first step to the road to recovery. It proved that he was going to be able to do all the things that he did before.

    (Excerpt from Villainous Company)

    100% of your donation will go towards helping wounded vets fight the longest of long wars. Selfless dedication, courage, commitment, grit. These are the qualities that define wounded vets. Won’t you show them that America still honors men who accept no excuses?

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    Soldiers Creed

    Jun 4th, 2009
    by OH Hell.
    No comments yet

    “I will always place the mission first.

    I will never accept defeat.

    I will never quit.

    I will never leave a fallen comrade.”

    Words to live by.  Maybe our leaders in government should get a clue.

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