One Happy Dog Speaks

Mrs. Greyhawk provided the following post to help out Valour-IT and I’m certainly going to pass it on to you… Go for it!!

Act fast to win one of these great items in the Valour-IT auctions – these items close tomorrow (end time noted is Pacific time). Proceeds go to Valour-IT, bid now – don’t miss out!

RESTREPO mini poster signed by the filmmakers 05:45:33

“Restrepo plunges viewers into the experiences of soldiers on the front lines of the Afghan War” – a feature-length documentary that chronicles the deployment of a platoon of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. The movie focuses on a remote 15-man outpost, “Restrepo,” named after a platoon medic who was killed in action. It was considered one of the most dangerous postings in the U.S. military. This is an entirely experiential film: the cameras never leave the valley; there are no interviews with generals or diplomats. The only goal is to make viewers feel as if they have just been through a 90-minute deployment. This is war, full stop. The conclusions are up to you.

“RESTREPO mini poster signed by filmmakers Tim Hetherington (recipient of four World Press Photo awards, including the World Press Photo to the Year (2008), and an Alfred I. duPont Broadcast award for his work in Afghanistan for ABC’s ‘Nightline’) and Sebastian Junger (bestselling author of “The Perfect Storm” and “War.”)

Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran Medallion 07:08:49

This coin from Eagle Crest commemorates the Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and features intricate, multi-colored designs on both sides and the words, “Democracy, Bravery, Honor, Sacrifice & Freedom”

U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Medallion 07:14:14

This coin from Eagle Crest commemorates the U.S. Army Combat Infantryman. Its green and gold face displays four Infantryman on foot. The blue and gold flip has 5 stars and a long rifle.

Personalizable US Coast Guard cross-stitch 07:42:34

Counted cross-stitch of the U.S. Coast Guard emblem suitable for personalization with name/rank and additional information (years of service, unit, etc.)(see example photo). Finished piece is designed for a 3.5″ x 5″ opening (mat or frame). Can be mounted with a custom-cut mat (NOT part of auction item) for dual openings in an 6×10 frame (see example photo). Auction winner will need to provide contact information in order to arrange personalization before item can be shipped.

Leadership in Action signed by author ADM Greg Slavonic 08:16:59

This auction is a copy of ADM Slavonic’s upcoming book Leadership In Action. It will be released to the general public on Amazon.com in MID-NOVEMBER. This is an ADVANCED copy. ADM Slavonic will sign and ship. SPECIAL TO VALOUR-IT! Greg Slavonic has brought together several contributors for this book that would rightly be on a “Who’s Who” list of our nation’s most highly honored and decorated military leaders; two-, three- and four-star Generals, Admirals, Captains and Colonels, war heroes and two Medal of Honor recipients–they know what it takes to lead and to succeed. In the pages of this book, you will find something that is critical to success in life–a philosophy of leadership that you can take for your own. By reading each chapter, giving thought to what you’ve read and applying what you’ve learned in action; a discerning reader will gain a thorough understanding of what real leaders are made of–and in the learning can become one too.

Day by Day comic strip book. Signed and Numbered. 09:18:49

The first DayByDay Cartoon book collecting all of the www.daybydaycartoon.com strips from 2002-2003. This miniature coffee table book measures 7″x7″, features a high gloss softcover, is 132 pages with 363 toons and is signed and numbered by creator Chris Muir.

Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes (2010, Hardcover) 12:38:18

A visceral, gripping, epic novel of the Vietnam War written by a highly decorated war veteran, MATTERHORN throbs with compelling authenticity on each of its many hundred pages. Though its topics are embedded in our cultural consciousness–napalm, Agent Orange, tortured soldier’s souls, the chaos of guerrilla warfare, the impossible ethics of violence, the beauty and horrors of the jungle, loyalty, insanity, friendship, and death–MATTERHORN renders the Vietnam experience anew, boring relentlessly down on the specific kinetic reality of the time and place. Karl Marlantes writes with an intense immediacy reminiscent of Mailer’s THE NAKED AND THE DEAD or James Jones’s THE THIN RED LINE. MATTERHORN deserves to take its place on the short list of great works about America’s engagement in Vietnam and the powerful reality of armed combat.

‘This We’ll Defend’ Army Medallion 13:08:45

This coin from the Northwest Territorial Mint commemorates the U.S. Army. It has an Army themed front side with the words, “This We’ll Defend.” The flip side has the Department of the Army seal.

Valour-IT is having a great auction of items. GO HERE to see what you can purchase for a good cause. Paintings, books, all sorts of stuff autographed, statues… go check it out. Before you go… Click below to donate… make that red rise for the Air Force!

May the best Military force win… which of course will be the Air Force!

They have a cool widget to show how everyone is doing… except I can’t get the code to work on my post. Sigh… so CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

Never heard of Valour-IT… I’ll pirate some of their text so you can see what it is all about…

Project Valour-IT 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. Items supplied include:

# 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.

Now if I have your attention…CLICK HERE TO DONATE. If you want more information on how you and your blog can participate… CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE about this wonderful opportunity. There are going to be auctions and a lot of trash talk. It will be worth your time. And even $2 can make a difference.

They even have an FAQ that explains how it is tax deductible, how you can donate via other options than on-line, even why we have a competition between the branches of service.

You’ll be hearing more from me as time goes on… while some are not asking for money, but asking you to listen (Like THIS POST), I am asking you to donate. If not your money, then your time and effort to support our troops. A letter, a care package… Particularly now around the holidays when it can be lonely… Just help.

Click below to donate… make that red rise!

Ok, this made me laugh… Gotta love the Air Force sense of humor! Makes you want to donate! h/t to greyhawk for making this and sharing it:

Pamibe asked for old pictures of me in my youth… Here is a cutie (click to enlarge):

After seeing such a cute girl in uniform, how can you resist giving to Valour-IT for the Air Force?

The Valour-IT Veterans Day fundraiser, a friendly competition among blogs, will run through
November 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving). This is run by Soldiers’ Angels and there are more programs and teams on THEIR SITE. Click over there and scroll down and check it out.

Each year, I put this up for the Air Force. My dad was retired Air Force and hence, I give them the money. It doesn’t really matter which military branch you donate towards, because it all goes to our military men in need… but as a matter of competitiveness… gotta be Air Force. Even $2 is worth it. Doesn’t seem like a lot, but when 20 people give $2 each… that $40… that will help an injured military man or woman…

Here is an excerpt from Valour-IT (click HERE to read the rest):

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.
* Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to TBI and severe PTSD.

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