Monthly Archives: November 2012

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Honor Our Veterans, News, Service Projects

If you are interested in supporting our troops this Christmas season by sending a card, please send them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO BOX 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Cards must be postmarked by December 7, 2012 and must follow these guidelines:

  • Ensure that all cards are signed.
  • Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
  • Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.
  • Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
  • Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
  • Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
  • If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
This image is circulating on Facebook that requests all cards be sent to Walter Reed Hospital. DO NOT SEND CARDS THERE! They will NOT be delivered!

There is an image circulating on Facebook that requests all cards be sent to Walter Reed Hospital. DO NOT SEND CARDS THERE! They will NOT be delivered!

 

 

 

 

 

Read more about this here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/walterreed.asp

Read more about the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp and here: http://www.redcross.org//ca/los-angeles/ways-to-donate/individual-gifts/holiday-mail-for-heroes

Our Family Heroes: Walter and Arthur James

Honor Our Veterans, Our Local Heroes
Walter James
Walter James

In May 2010, Mary and Art James, owners of HAYS Cleaning, Inc., launched their “Helping Our Heroes” program to honor veterans and active military servicemen and women for the Memorial Day Holiday. For the past two-and-a-half years, HAYS has been privileged to provide complimentary cleanings for many fine men and women. At this time, I would like to honor each of them by sharing their photos and stories on individual blog posts.

Arthur James
Arthur James

It is fitting that I begin this project by honoring Art James, along with his father, Walter James, for their service to our country. I do not think it is a coincidence that the two men bear a striking resemblance to one another, after all, the father taught the son well about honor, duty and love of country. I am proud to know Art personally and wish that I could have known his dad.

Walter Martin James
Walter Martin James, 2010

Arthur James
Arthur James

Arthur James
Arthur James
 veterans

Platoon 2 - Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Feb. 27.1971
Platoon 2 – Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Feb. 27.1971 – Art James is in first row, third from the right, holding the flag. He was made Platoon Leader because he was over 6 feet tall and his drill sargeant thought he “was ugly enough.”

Arthur James and Mary James
Arthur James and Mary James, 2011

 

Pray For Our Troops

Prayer Request, Prayers for our Troops,

On this Monday after Thanksgiving, I would like to offer a short prayer for our troops.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For Veterans: Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies

Articles, Honor Our Veterans, News, Service Projects, ,

Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies is a program offered to veterans. Currently, the program has groups Illinois, Indiana and Maryland, with plans to expand nationwide.

This past Wednesday, I had the privilege of visiting members of the group at the Oak View Center, part of the Oak Lawn Park District, in Oak Lawn Illinois. My original purpose was to share the news about the free 3-hour housecleaning offered by HAYS Cleaning. I ended up visiting with a great group of veterans, sharing a snack and playing a trivia game. I also learned about this great program, offered for free to our local Veterans.

The Oak Lawn group has several activities and outings scheduled that may be of interest to area veterans and their families:

  • December Social – Saturday, December 15, 2012 – Activity: Lincoln Park Zoo Lights and Dessert Afterwards. Group will depart from Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th St, in Oak Lawn, at 4:00pm. We will get to explore the beautiful displays of Winter Wonderland Bliss and on our way home we will stop at Bakers Square for dessert and warm beverages. Return time TBD. Bus transportation will be provided to and from activity. You must RSVP for yourself and guests by Wednesday, December 12, to Jacqueline Canty at 708-857-2200 or jcanty@olparks.com.
  • January Social – Wednesday, January 16, 2013 – Activity: Light Dinner and Crafts. We will meet at the Dream Center, 9600 E. Shore Drive, at 4:00pm, for crafts and a light dinner. Rose Schmidt, from the Office of Veteran Affairs, will be providing craft kits for us to complete. Bring your creative juices and also bring some guests. You must RSVP for yourself and guests by Wednesday, January 9, to Jacqueline Canty at 708-857-2200 or jcanty@olparks.com.

Visit the Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies website at http://healthymindshealthybodies.org.

To find a participating facility in your area visit http://healthymindshealthybodies.org/hmhblocations