In Memory

I was looking to see what if anything had I written or posted for Memorial Day about family  … an in  Memory of and saw something from 2011

… of course the day is full of Memorial Events and some unforgettable programs to see, but as we channel surfed it also included a stop at HGTV  who teamed up with Change the World; a collaborative organization that helps Vets renovate existing housing that provides housing and education to Vets in the community; made me think about my brother, a vet who struggled with all that comes from serving and then …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtteWKUIi4I

what a surprise to see my cousin giving up his NFL jersey to Hence, who is doing great things in his community by providing veterans a place to stay, rest, think and move on to better things after coming back from War.

It is a great  find from 2011, reminder and an in memory of my bro and ALL those who took an oath to protect and serve since  … we thank you

Oh and this disclaimer … I do not know if the organization Change the World still exists or is working with HGTV …

Congressional Budget Office :

The Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle Program and Alternatives

CBO compares the Army’s plan for the GCV with four options and finds that, although no option would meet all of the Army’s goals, all are likely to be less costly and pose a smaller risk of delay than CBO expects for the Army’s plan.

HR933 and FY2013 effect on automatic spending reductions

H.R. 933, the Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013

As introduced on March 4

Information on appropriations for fiscal year 2013 and the effect on those appropriations of the automatic spending reductions

Letter to the Honorable Paul Ryan

 

The Budget Outlook

 

 

CBO Director Doug Elmendorf’s Presentation to the National Association for Business Economics

Support Maria Cantwell for Senate …

With just 27 days until Election Day, I’ve got big news:

We just launched our first TV ad of the general election, highlighting one of the many ways that Maria has made life better for the people of our state: by working with businesses to create jobs here in Washington, including for our veterans.

Too many veterans serve our country and then find it difficult to secure jobs when they return home. Maria knows that we’ve got to change that.

Click here to see our new ad, “Great People,” and see what Maria is doing to boost job creation and get veterans working again in Washington.

Maria was a cosponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, a law that’s helping veterans find jobs here in Washington and around the country.

This law:

• Offers tax incentives to businesses that hire unemployed veterans;
• Created a retraining program to help veterans transition to new jobs back at home; and
• Provides new pathways to make the jump back into civilian life a little easier.

While we still have more work to do to create jobs for veterans and non-veterans alike, this is a program that we can all be proud of.

Filmed in Tacoma at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, our new ad shows why Maria is the right choice for Washington — watch it and then share it with everyone you know.

In 27 days, we have a chance to send a champion of Washington back to the Senate. We know that Maria will fight for us day-in and day-out to increase employment opportunities and bring back jobs to Washington.

But we still need to get the word out in these final weeks of the campaign — please watch our new ad, then forward this email to your friends so that they can watch it, too!

Thank you,

Robin Brand Campaign Manager Friends of Maria

a message from Jay Inslee … For Gov. of Washington State

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s celebration of our nation’s independence — the sun certainly helped!

Our campaign, led by our tremendous team of field organizers, visited close to 30 Fourth of July events across the state yesterday. It was inspiring to see so many Washingtonians decked out in their best red, white, and blue, celebrating our proud national heritage together. It was also an opportunity to thank the members of our Armed Forces and their families for all that they do to protect the independence we celebrate each Fourth of July.

It’s an important reminder, especially during campaign season: no matter what our political beliefs, we’re all Americans.

I’m particularly proud of our organizing team — Team Inslee was out in force across the state! Thank you to all of our supporters who shared their day with us.

And of course, thanks to you again for standing with our campaign. We couldn’t do it without you.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

a message from First Lady Michelle Obama

For 92 years, our nation has set aside November 11th as a day to honor those who have served in our armed forces. Originally, the day was set aside to celebrate the veterans of the First World War. Later, it was broadened to include every man and woman who has worn the uniform of the United States. And today, we continue that tradition by honoring the service and sacrifice of our troops and veterans.

But I believe that this commemoration should last much longer than just 24 hours, once a year. That’s why Jill Biden and I launched the Joining Forces initiative to honor, recognize, and support the veterans and military families who have given our nation so much.  We’re issuing a call to all Americans, so that everyone asks themselves one simple question: How can I give back? 

We’ve been overwhelmed by responses from across the country. Businesses are hiring more veterans. Nonprofit organizations are working with military children. And individuals all across the country have stepped up to help out in their community. How will you give back?

Sign up for an opportunity to volunteer in your community, pledge service hours in honor of military families, or send a message of thanks to America’s heroes.

Our efforts with Joining Forces come on top of the many actions my husband has made on behalf of our veterans and military families.

He’s worked to send 600,000 veterans back to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill and taken steps to help veterans translate military experience to the private sector job market. He repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — so that our troops don’t have to live a lie in order to serve the country they love. He ended the war in Iraq — our service men and women there will be home for the holidays. And just yesterday, the Senate passed two tax credits that he proposed to encourage businesses to hire America’s veterans and wounded warriors.

So inside and outside of government, we’re building a wave of support to honor and recognize our veterans and their families. We can use your help. Today, let’s all find a new way that we can get involved in our communities, not just for Veterans Day, but every day. 

Visit JoiningForces.gov and sign up today.
 
Thank you, 

Michelle Obama

Veterans Day … &some News

Do something for a Veteran … is my chant  – not a rant

As we move deeper into autumn and winter like weather, most if not all Americans, recognize Veterans Day. I do believe most employers in the Private Sector do not – just saying  My mind is on many things but the news and numerous ads on TVhave brought back memories of my brother. My brother was a lifetime Marine, a phenomenal artist and promising professional football athlete drafted in high school under the old laws of military service, was of age, and no option to say no contrary to some. I know he actually used his height as an advantage for the military though we all know the end result of the war he and his fellow Soldiers served the best he could earned medals at the cost of having a pace maker, heavily grafted and a hand that was quite mangled from protecting his men. I will say he made some mistakes during and after his years in service; he suffered from all that he endured while in Viet Nam like so many other fellow Soldiers in the name of military service. He was proud to be a Marine and our family … his children were very proud of their dad- my brother … peace and love bro.

If you live in Washington State, enjoy the crisp sunny low 40’s outdoors or stay indoors to celebrate and honor the men and women of the Military. Reports are that some Parades have new balloons so be aware or you could have popcorn watching Military movies all day long, talk about it and remember what the Men and Women in uniform mean to all of us here in the States. While I cannot begin to list all the Military people, I know; those who have chosen to serve and protect our country in some form live and die with a great sense of pride to have been in the Military, and I thank them all for keeping us safe.

 I especially am thinking about a couple of brothers named Luis and Carlos both cutie pies and who still support others after several years of time served… Semper Fi! Luis …love ya over there in Brasil

Other News …

State Department Postpones Decision on Keystone XL Pipeline

Senate Democrats Brief on Defense of Marriage Act

Cantor Discusses the Economy at Rice University

Deepwater Horizon Joint Investigation Team Releases Final Report

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony

Englewood vet, one of first black Marines, to receive Congressional Gold

Honoring Fallen Servicemem​bers … a message from Senator Patty Murray

Home | About Patty | Services | Newsroom | Issues | Contact

June 2, 2011 Honoring Fallen Servicemembers In honor of Memorial Day last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving our country in the armed forces. I also took time to discuss the need to take care of our nation’s veterans and urge my colleagues to pass my legislation to help veterans find employment. Watch the speech |Readthe speech Improving Care for Veterans through Agency Coordination Last week, I heard from veterans and top VA and Pentagon officials about challenges that remain in the care for amputees, rising suicide rates, poor coordination between the departments, and delays in disability evaluations. During the hearing, I heard first-hand accounts from veterans about what went well but also about how they were negatively impacted by the lack of collaboration between DoD and VA and what they believe can be done to improve the transition for the thousands upon thousands of servicemembers still to come home. Watch the hearing Read more “Concern grows over ‘epidemic’ veteran suicide rate” – The News Tribune Benefits Program for Caregivers of Veterans Now Accepting Applications Earlier this month, I applauded the announcement made by the Department of Veterans Affairs that they have started accepting and processing applications for the critical caregiver benefits program. After only a week and a half, the VA helped over 625 veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers apply to receive the new benefits. This program will provide much-needed and long-awaited financial and health care support to family members caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Read more Eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family caregivers can apply for benefits online at: www.caregiver.va.gov Lowering our Military’s Dependence on Fossil Fuels Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell and I introduced legislation to extend the length of contracts between the DoD and biofuel producers. The act, which is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill sponsored in the U.S. House by Rep. Jay Inslee, would allow the military to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years for the purchase of advanced biofuel fuels. Not only will this unlock opportunities to make investments in the construction and development of private biofuel refineries in the Northwest, it will also lower our military’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the security of troops. Read more “Industry study says Northwest ideal for production of biofuels” – The Everett Herald Providing Greater Access to Affordable Health Care Last week, I applauded the announcement that Washington State will be one of the first states to receive funding to help implement a Health Insurance Exchange, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. The award of $22 million will help Washington state implement an Exchange that will provide individuals and small business with a one-stop shop to find and compare health insurance options. Read more

Veterans …

I hope that we all took the opportunity over Memorial Day weekend to thank the veterans in our lives for their service. I was honored to be in Boulder City with hundreds of Nevadans, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I’m committed to making sure our veterans always receive the benefits they have earned and the services they need. We owe our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen a debt of gratitude and must do everything we can to ensure they aren’t left wanting.

And we are moving forward. Soon we’ll see a new hospital open in Las Vegas to serve Nevada veterans. This is a positive step that I know will improve the lives of thousands home from the field of battle.

In the coming months I promise to keep fighting for our veterans. We can always do better. We must always do better.

To each of you, I hope you had a safe and memorable Memorial Day weekend. And to our veterans — thank you.

All the best,

Harry Reid

a message from Michelle Obama

Veterans Day provides us with the chance to mark the debt of honor we owe to all those who have worn the uniform of the United States. We remember those who gave their lives beneath our flag, in service of our freedom.

And with so many still fighting, we owe special thanks to the courageous families of those who serve.

Because when our servicemen and women deploy overseas, their loved ones are left to undertake heroic battles of their own at home. The unique challenges they face in support of men and women in uniform allow us all to enjoy the freedoms of our democracy.

Every time I have a chance to meet with these families, I’m struck by their strength and their quiet dignity — they are truly some of the most selfless, courageous people I’ve met.

And today is also a day to acknowledge the sacrifices these brave men and women make every day, and pray for the safe return of those they love.

I’ve felt their calling personally, and I want to encourage Americans across the country to step up and do more for our military families. Take the time to stay informed about the concerns and activities of the families of service members in your community. Let them know you recognize their struggles and appreciate all they do.

You can help by finding out the needs of the military families in your community and volunteering, from working with your local school’s PTA to hiring a military spouse.

Today and every day, I am moved by the personal sacrifices made by service families. And I’m humbled by the patriotism of those they support — our soldiers and airmen, our sailors and Marines.

Today, if you can, please take a moment to offer your gratitude for the families of the veterans and active service members that you know. Or go online to serve.gov to find out how you can serve military families in your area.

Sincerely,

Michelle