We as a society have a responsibility to take care of the people who make our freedom possible. Valour-IT helps our Wounded Warriors take back a part of what was taken from them.
wounded warriors
Regrets?
Sometimes, giving hurts. That’s why they call it “sacrifice”.
Right now Landstuhl, RAMC, Bethesda and Walter Reed are full of young Marines who, when they were asked to dig deep and give their country just a little more, didn’t hesitate. They didn’t bat an eye.
There are so many reasons to be grateful to the United States Marine Corps. For over 230 years the Marines have always answered their nation’s call.
The question is: will you do your part? Even if it hurts a bit?
(H/T to Villainous Company – post from last year’s Valour It competition)
Define: Valor
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?
Valour
Valor
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
Valour-IT
It was the first time I felt whole since I’d woken up wounded in Landstuhl.
–Major Charles “Chuck” Ziegenfuss, on using a voice-controlled laptop
It Begins…
Wounded Warriors connect with Voice Activated Laptops
What is Valour-IT?
Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide 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.
Each year, just before Veterans Day, bloggers, both military and military supporters, band together to raise money to support this worthy cause. Teams are divided up according to military branch (GO MARINES) and the goal is to see who can raise the most money (15,000$ per branch, this year) (GO MARINES).
You can donate by going to this link: Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT
Last night, during my weekly visits, I was greeted by…our latest laptop recipient, with a quick little dance. I think he even clicked his heels! He is so terribly happy to have received a laptop and is really looking forward to having Joe show him all the in’s and outs. You made this Sergeant-Major, who has served faithfully for 40 years and is as crusty as they come, do a happy dance in the lobby – PRICELESS! – Soldiers’ Angel Monica, November 2009
Widgets and blog links will be up as soon as I get them. Also, cruise on over the the auctions at You Served and see what goodies are up on the block to support Valour-IT and our Wounded Warriors. (I just looked and there are currently no items listed, but I know some really cool stuff has been offered up. Keep checking!! GO MARINES!!! (Have I already said that?)
