Helping Military Families

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I work very closely with Operation Family Fund, a non-profit organization that helps the families of military and civilian personnel injured or killed in the global war on terrorism.  But there are families of deployed service members who haven’t been injured or killed who also need support - they may be feeling lonely or just are just having a hard time dealing with the deployment of their loved ones.

Army Community Services (ACS) is a great starting point for any new military spouse. They assist with everything from the transition into military life to community outreach, job placement, relocation, and financial planning.

Their website:  https://www.myarmylifetoo.com/skins/malt/home.aspx?mode=user gives all the information you need for yourself or someone else struggling with the deployment of a family member. 

A Hero in Waiting

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Shawn Sage must be one incredible young man.  The 17-year old California high school student, who has been raised in the foster home system of Los Angeles, decided last fall that he wanted to join the Marines at the end of his senior year.

Unfortunately, Los Angeles Superior Children’s Court Commissioner refused to let him do early enlistment and earn a $10,000 signing bonus.  Why?  Because young Mr. Sage is a foster child under the age of 18, and the judge in the case is a foster care administrative judge who opposes the war.

But that did not stop our young hero.  The resourceful young man heard about the State Assembly’s “Write A Bill Challenge” contest.  He entered it with a proposed law that would allow foster parents to give consent.  Kudos to the Assemblyman who introduced the legislation.  And when Mr. Sage turns 18 in June, he says he will still be joining the Marines, but this time as an adult who needs no consent.

As a winner of the contest, Shawn Sage gets to fly to Sacramento to testify before the Assembly.  In true “Semper Fi” fashion, he says:

 “I didn’t do it for the signing bonus, because I’m a motivated kid.  I am hoping to join the military before I graduate.  I want to serve my country.”

Three cheers for a hero in waiting.

What Makes A Hero?

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Two weeks ago, Sgt. Wayne Leyde won $1 million from a scratch-and-win lotto ticket.  ABC News reported that he was driving near his home in Mead, Washington when he stopped at a store by the side of the road and bought a ticket, a Coke, and beef jerky.  Using a penny lent to him by the store clerk to scratch his card, he discovered his winnings.

As a 26 year old member of the Washington National Guard who has completed two tours in Iraq, the obvious question was:  “Whaddya gonna do now?”  His answer was:  “It was a commitment I made…and I’m going to stick to it.”  He plans to return to Iraq to service with his band of brothers.

“For right now, I’m going to hold off [spending] and let reality sink back to earth.  This is a true blessing.  I’m going to turn it around and see if I can bless other people with this,” Leyde said.

A parent emailed me just the other day to tell me what her six year old said in response to overhearing her talking to her husband about how little the military is paid for their extraordinary service.  The child piped up with, “They don’t get paid, because you can’t pay people to be heroes.  They just are.”

Meet Sgt. Wayne Leyde:  an American hero.

Worse Than “Unacceptable”

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The Thursday morning press conference with Senator John McCain started with him stating that the attack on the military recruiting station in Times Square was “unacceptable.”  I hear many leaders and spokespersons use that relatively limp term, “unacceptable,” and I’m sick of it.  At least President George W. Bush has called 9/11 types and actions for what they are:  evil!

There are churchgoers in Kansas who go all over the country attempting to disrupt funerals of our fallen military with disgusting signs that suggest that these children of America died because there are homosexuals among us.  There are cities like Berkeley, that spend their time changing local laws to allow protestors to interfere with local military recruiting stations, followed up by “You are not welcome” notices. 

If all those who volunteered honorably and bravely for our military decided all those folks were right, and then laid down their weapons and came home, then what?  Who would protect us against an imminent invasion by Venezuela?  North Korea?  Russia?  China?  The world-wide Muslim jihad?  Would the Kansas churchgoers protect us?  The city council of Berkeley?

I have two magnetized bumper stickers on my car.  Both are yellow ribbons.  One says “Protect our son,” and the other just says “Army.”  At the mall this past weekend, both were ripped in half and dumped on the roof of my car.  My deepest regret is that these people did not wait around to destroy my symbols of respect and motherly concern for all the troops, including my son in combat in Afghanistan, while I was there.  Trust me, just saying limply, “That is unacceptable” would not have been the action I’d have taken.

I feel sorry for all of those whose military-age sons and daughters have not volunteered for military service, but instead hook up and smoke dope in most of our quite liberal colleges and universities instead of learning the values of life and death, honor, sacrifice, courage, brother/sisterhood, and compassion.

To whomever defaced my representations of support for America’s finest, I have this to say to you:  in spite of your disgusting, ignorant, cowardly self, my son and his band of brothers would still protect you.

In Memoriam: Frank King

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The way to my heart…is through my heart, and the family of Frank King did just that.

“King, Frank L., 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in North Tustin, California after a lengthy illness.”

Frank enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and flew missions as a tail gunner, navigator, and radioman in World War II and Korea. For his service, he received numerous decorations and medals.  He had a “Marine” mindset his whole life, always following his credo: “What did we say we would do?  Then do it!”

Charice and Ron King, the son and daughter-in-law of Mr. King, contacted us about Operation Family Fund because they knew their beloved father “would be pleased” to have donations made in lieu of flowers. 

Mr. King is survived by a huge number of loving family and friends.  And now, because of this request, he is also survived by a huge number of families of fallen military.

In just a few days, more than $2000 has been sent to Operation Family Fund (OFF) in Mr. King’s respected name and memory.

Operation Family Fund and all of us at The Dr. Laura Program are humbly grateful for this gracious thoughtfulness.

I would like to offer my personal condolences to the family of friends of Mr. King, who was obviously a remarkable man.

Heath Ledger and Tragic Death

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I want to begin this blog by offering my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Heath Ledger, the young movie star found dead this week in his apartment.  The point of view of this blog does not in any way intend to minimize the loss, hurt, and emotional suffering of those with whom he was close.

However, the amount of media attention to this tragedy does seem excessive to some, while the heroically tragic sacrifices of other talented and brave young Americans go unnoticed.  A “Blue Star Mother” (an organization of mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military bluestarmothers.org) wrote to me:

“In listening to the recent press hysteria surrounding Heath Ledger’s death, I can’t help but contrast that with the ultimate sacrifice our troops make every day with no fanfare.

My son, a Specialist with the Army 25th ID, is stationed in Taji, Iraq.  Last Friday he witnessed the death of his very good friend, Specialist Jon Schoolcraft, age 26, to an IED, not to mention the grievous wounds sustained by others in the same attack.  I would ask your listeners to log onto the DoD website (defenselink.mil/Releases/ ) just once to see the names and ages of the brave young men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Better yet, turn off the gossip channels on the TV and Internet and write a letter or send a care package to the troops to let them know they’re not forgotten.

God Bless you, Dr. Laura, for all you do for our troops.  I too am a Proud Mother of an American Soldier…Hoo-ah!” 

I believe that a civilization is measured in great part by what it chooses to honor.

‘Tis the Season to be Giving

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‘Tis the season to be giving…so give generously…but also give wisely.

You might have heard a recent report about Congressional hearings regarding a number of Veteran’s Charities.  It seems that one of the two worst performing charitable categories is “Veterans and Military.”  It is a sorry story that hundreds of millions of dollars raised in the name of injured military are being squandered by charities that take advantage of our compassion for the soldiers that have sacrificed their lives and health to protect us and our international interests. Continue reading ‘Tis the Season to be Giving…

The Good Guys

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I read the following email from Tina on the air the other day, but it’s such a good story, particularly during this week following Thanksgiving, that I wanted to share it in this forum as well:

Dr. Laura:

I have to tell you about a recent shopping experience I had at the local Wal-Mart.  My family and I live in northern New York, just 15 minutes from Fort Drum.  This area is extremely “pro-military,” and we like it, even though I can do away with the miserable winters. 

Driving to the store, I always pass through the base, and I saw all the “Welcome Home” banners hanging on the fence, meaning that a bunch of soldiers had just come home from Iraq.  When we got in the store, I couldn’t help but notice soldiers who were shopping - the look on their faces was priceless!  These guys were happy to be shopping, happy to be alive, and happy to be home to family, friends, and community who are aware of their sacrifice and heroism.

My six year old son was sort of oblivious to all of those dressed in fatigues until we reached the Lego aisle, and he saw a couple of soldiers in his favorite section.  He said, “Look, Mommy - some good guys!!”  “Yes, I see,” I told him.  Then he asked the soldiers:  “Did you get the bad guys?”  “Yes, young man, we sure did,” they assured him. 

My son was especially excited that the good guys liked Legos, too!

Thanks.

Tina