Happy Early Father’s Day

In case you’re still looking for Father’s Day gift ideas … Here’s what The Overlord Protectors and I gave to The Best Ex — Please consider spreading the word:

Dear Best Ex/Dad:

OP #1, OP #2, and I really thought about what to get you this year — and we didn’t want it to be another gift card or a teeshirt — or just a simple card.

On Monday, Luke’s Wings (http://www.lukeswings.org) received the following emergency request from Karl, a proud Army dad — whom we actually helped back in December — to be with Tre’, his son who still has another year of rehab in front of him (and is undergoing three surgeries this week, alone) for injuries sustained while bravely doing his job.

You are retired Army and Army Reserve. You’re a good dad — and a great friend. In honor of your service and this Father’s Day, a $50.00 donation for this emergency request was made to help Karl be with Tre’ tomorrow through the 22nd.

Thanks for your service and all that you continue to do …

We love you,

SCF, OP #1, and OP #2

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06.14.10
Received yesterday, 06/14/10:

Dear Luke’s Wings,

My name is Karl P. and I would like to surprise my son in the hospital for Father’s Day. Can you help me?

On November 24, 2009, my son Tre’ was shot three times in the back during a classified operation. While the details of the incident are classified, I will tell you, Tre’ was serving his country with honor and distinction. Tre’ lost part of his stomach, small intestine, and all of his spleen and pancreas. He currently survives with an open stomach to allow the reconstructive surgery. He is going through three more surgeries this week. They say he has another year to recover, but his nutrition is compromised and infections are his setbacks.

Tre’ spent the past Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter in the hospital. Tre’s fiancée is in the Air Force as well and has to work and take care of their 12 week old son. His son is named Landon. They have not yet met. Tre’ is really alone right now. And, as I mentioned, he has three more surgeries this week.

Thanks to Luke’s Wings, I saw Tre’ in the hospital last Christmas. I just thought it would be great to surprise my son with a visit to the hospital this weekend for Father’s Day. I also want to thank the Doctors again for saving my son’s life.

Can you fly me June 17 to June 22 so I can surprise him and be with him on Father’s Day? I need to be back on the 23rd. I have two other children at home so I can only stay for a few days. My wife (Tre’s mother), is gone now.

My son is extremely brave and although his My Space page refers to me, his father, as his hero, he is truly my hero. Please let me know what you can do to help.

Thank you
Proud Army Dad

To help us fly Karl to surprise Tre’ on Friday, please make an immediate donation at http://www.lukeswings.org or on facebook.

More information about Tre’ and an honorable mention about Luke’s Wings support:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123182840&channelPageId=s6925EC1356510FB

***originally posted on fB on 06.17.2010*

Mix It Up at Lunch Day — 9 Nov 2010

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” ~ War & Peace (film adaptation)*

Why am I starting off this Memorial Day with the above title that discusses a school lunch day months away and a quote misattributed to so many people?  Because I want to discuss tolerance — and even better — acceptance.  Both of these concepts can lead to a better life, a better world — and peace for all, no exceptions.

“Mix it Up at Lunch Day helps students become more comfortable interacting with different kinds of people.

The event is a simple call to action: take a new seat in the cafeteria. By making the move, students can cross the invisible lines of school division, meet new people and make new friends.”

Across the nation, there are schools committed to this action.   You can follow this link to learn more: http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/lunch-day.  As well, you can keep going back to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s link throughout the year (under the “Teaching Tolerance” tab) for updates.  (I don’t think it’s coincidence that the timing is scheduled for near Veterans Day.)

As a recent friend commented, “I honor our troops in all ways at ALL times.”  I wholeheartedly concur with that statement.  I love my country with all of my heart and am blessed by the freedoms I have.

However, on this Memorial Day, I want to work towards a world where I don’t have to worry about my children or cousins or future grandchildren — or any children around the world — getting killed.   I tell you … I’m just so tired of it all.  I want a measure of peace — for all of us, everywhere.

Bread is meant to be broken — not bodies. 

~*~Peace Out~*~

War, Huh, Yeah …

Dear Beautiful People ~

I’m not writing the following to start an argument. If you have a different viewpoint please feel free to leave a respectful comment — or blog about it on your space. For those of you who have followed me for any period of time (at my other blog in a distant galaxy), you know I don’t often or lightly speak of or on “heavy” subjects, yet I feel the need to speak on the subject of war.

I detest war, and not in an “I’m a pacifist, and no one should ever go to war” sort of way. Since my early childhood, I have detested war — and for many other valid reasons that I might expound upon at another time.

War is evil. It is not just. It is not noble. I wholeheartedly believe that NO Higher Being (God, Allah, Yaweh, Whomever, and/or Whatever) believes either side fighting DESERVES to win. There is no “God is on ‘our’ side,” because God (all Higher Powers) loves EVERYBODY — ALWAYS — NO EXCEPTIONS. It’s my philosophy in life, too. It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t mean I always like you (or want to hang-out with you); but I’d give my life for you in a heartbeat.

Is war a “necessary” evil, as it often has been labeled?

In war, there are those things we do that kill pieces of our souls in order to get the job done. Then we come home, and we work on putting ourselves back together afterwards as best we can. Across the world this is done. Americans are not unique in this aspect. Thankfully in recent years our military seems to finally be paying attention to the fallout of war … and helping our service members deal with the aftershocks.

“Do not confuse your vested interests with ethics. Do not identify the enemies of your privilege with the enemies of humanity.” ~ Max Lerner

As much as I hate war, I love our troops and work with many organizations to support them and their families. Our troops signed-up to do a job; and I honor them with my thoughts, prayers, time, money, and efforts.

The major group that has my support is Luke’s Wings. I am a part of the Public Relations Committee of this organization.  We provide travel and accommodations for the families of troops while they are recovering and rehabbing from their war injuries. Oftentimes these wounded warriors are facing months, if not years, of healing and recovery — as well as emergency travel services for the troops, themselves, under catastrophic circumstances.  (Look us up under my links.)

If you have a group that you support let us know about it here. We are all connected … And in these times it’s good to know that we support one another. Helping to spread the word (for those whom might be potentially interested) is the least we can do!

I pray that this upcomng Memorial Day will find you with those you love the most doing what you most enjoy. Regardless of your viewpoint of the current war (or war in general), please take a few minutes to give thanks to our troops at home and abroad — especially for those who gave it their all.

In Memory:  Lukus Andrew Grant ~ 10/10/1991 — 5/23/2010

 ~*~Riposa In Pace~*~