America Supports You in Action May 9, 2008

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May 9, 2008

E-Newsletter Volume CLX

Washington, D.C.

Alex Loudon (left), wife of Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Dyer and Amanda Villiers, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Stan Villiers, joined 1,100 military spouses at the White House for Military Spouse Day. Defense Department photo by Donna Miles.</EM>

Charleston, S. C.

Nearly 200 extras, mostly military family members, spent May 5, 2008, on Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., under the hot spring sun to be a part of the filming of Lifetime Network's top-rated show "Army Wives." Defense Department by Samantha L. Quigley.

Auburn Hills, Mich.

The family of fallen Army Master Sgt. William Balinski accepts a Gold Star flag in his memory at Chrysler headquarters. Balinski was employed by the automaker as a sheet metal worker for nine years. Defense Department photo by John J. Kruzel.

IN THIS EDITION:
On the set at Charleston Air Force Base with the cast and crew of Lifetime's hit series, "Army Wives".
Chrysler kicks off Military Appreciation Month with a special day of recognition.
President George W. Bush proclaims May 9, 2008, our nation's Military Spouse Day.
NEW ON THE ASY TEAM:
Project Sanctuary (Parker, Colorado) provides therapeutic, curative, supportive and recreational services to military families and veterans in a retreat setting.
National Restoration to Military Families Team (Dayton, Ohio) empowers communities to support servicemembers and their families through deployment cycles.
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Washington, D.C.) is for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease and all veterans and people with disabilities.
Vacations for Veterans (Washington, D.C.) provides Purple Heart recipients from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars with a free week of lodging at a vacation home.
United States Entertainment Force, Inc. (Madera, California) supports military members and their families.
ASY FROM COAST TO COAST AND ACROSS THE OCEAN:

Robert Nardelli, chairman and chief executive officer of Chrysler, signs ESGR's 5-Star Statement of Support, pledging the automaker's commitment to supporting employees who are called to active military service. Defense Department photo by John J. Kruzel.

The cast of the hit television series "Army Wives" was at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, on Tuesday filming scenes for the series' upcoming second season. The show, which traces the lives of four Army wives, the civilian husband of an Army officer, and a handful of children as they navigate Army life at the fictional Fort Marshall, has been a hit with both civilian and military audiences. Making "Army Wives" true to Army family life on post is a top priority for the show's cast and crew. "What I hope happens is that we depict it properly," said Harry Bring, the show's executive producer and an Army veteran. "[I hope] that we get so much production value out of it that the audience knows that we are military -- not just a drama about Army wives, [but also] that we do this stuff for real." Natalie McQueen, the wife of a deployed servicemember, has been a fan of the show since it began. She said she was pleased with the attention to detail she saw during her experience as an extra on Tuesday. "I am a big fan. I really enjoy it," she said with her 5-year-old daughter, MacKenzie, at her side. "They portray the military family really well. It is very realistic." The second season of "Army Wives" premieres June 8 at 10 p.m. EST on Lifetime. Read More

President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates spread the ASY message Tuesday, honoring 1,100 military spouses who gathered at the White House for Military Spouse Day. Following a tradition President Ronald Reagan established when he declared the first Military Spouse Day in 1984, President Bush said he believes "we need to recognize military spouses every day." Addressing the crowd, the President promised to continue pushing for more benefits for military families. The crowd cheered as he mentioned the Montgomery GI Bill, which would allow troops to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or children. "This legislation is moving. I hope to be able to sign it as quickly as possible," the President told the spouses gathered on the South Lawn. "It is the absolute right thing to do. It should send a clear message that we care for you, we respect you, and we love you." The President also noted how impressed he is during his visits to military bases to see how military families take care of each other. "What I found is that there's always a close-knit community, people who are sharing a special bond and people who take time to look out after people," he said. "It's been an amazing experience to see the fabric of our military communities firsthand." The President also hopes to introduce more legislation aimed at easing some of the burdens of military families, such as expanding access to child care and providing educational opportunities and job training for military spouses. Amanda Villiers, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Stan Villiers, called President Bush and Secretary Gates' messages to the spouses particularly meaningful after enduring her husband's two deployments to Iraq. "It's nice to be here and see that we are a part of something bigger," she said. "Our husbands are out there fighting, but we are holding down the home fronts. It's nice to have that recognized and to have the commander in chief say a personal 'thank you' to you." Read More America Supports You corporate-supporter Chrysler kicked off Military Appreciation Month by showing their support of National Guard and Reserve troops while recognizing past and present servicemembers on the company's roster. The corporation also recognized two ASY homefront groups, Operation Gratitude and Freedom Calls, at the event. At Chrysler headquarters in Detroit on Monday, the automaker's CEO Robert Nardelli signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's (ESGR) 5-Star Statement of Support agreement, which stipulates Chrysler's commitment to support employees who are called to active military service. "I just want to thank all the men and women who give of themselves, who are apart from their families, who are enduring tremendous hardship to maintain the freedom, the democracy on which this country was founded. We are truly blessed," Nardelli stated. The automaker also donated $50,000 to members of Michigan's National Guard. Chrysler's military recognition also included a somber presentation to the family of Army Master Sgt. William Balinski, who accepted a flag embroidered with a gold star. Balinski, an Army Reservist, had been employed at Chrysler for nine years as a sheet metal worker when he was called to active duty. Three years ago, while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Balinski lost his life in an automobile accident. "The Gold Star flag will always be a reminder of Master Sergeant Balinski's service and patriotic support of this country," said Nardelli. Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and signatory to the 5-star agreement, told the audience that during his six-year tenure in his current position, he has addressed more than 200,000 people at more than 300 events, "and I have never seen a ceremony equal this." Read More
ASY homefront organization Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) kicked off Military Appreciation Month on May 1 by remembering and honoring our wounded with Silver Star Day. The organization is devoted to supporting U.S. wounded military members and veterans from all wars, past and present, and honoring their sacrifices with Silver Star Banners. For Silver Star Day, SSFOA asked that citizens nationwide pause at 5 p.m. CST to honor veterans with a moment of silence, visit VA hospitals and present Silver Star Banners to wounded servicemembers. Every year the organization asks for all 50 states to officially endorse Silver Star Day by signing a special proclamation. Before Silver Star Day, the "Silver Star Day Team" sent proclamations to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as many cities around the country. Forty-four states and 158 cities have signed the proclamations of support for Silver Star Day to date.

ASY IN THE NEWS:
ABC 7 News' Alison Starling mentioned the America Supports You program, and its purpose during a recent broadcast. The news outlet also posted a link to ASY on their Web site.

The Military Family Network ran a story about ASY corporate-supporter Chrysler kicking off Military Appreciation Month by signing a statement in support of their National Guard and Reserve troops, and recognizing past and present servicemembers associated with Chrysler.

USA Freedom Corps posted President Bush's Proclamation for Military Spouse Day, May 9, 2008.
The Times Leader Online (Princeton, Kentucky) covered America Supports You homefront group Adopt a U.S. Soldier and the U.S. Postal Service's
ASY co-branded flat-rate shipping box.

ASY HOMEFRONT ORGANIZATION OF THE WEEK:
Sponsor the Troops' goal is to provide morale, welfare and recreation items to deployed American troops. The purpose of providing this service is to let the troops know that people "back home" appreciate their service to our country and appreciate the sacrifices their families make. The organization fields requests from servicemembers asking for items. Troops can make specific requests for books, snacks, CDs or DVDs, a pen pal, or some other item. A request may be made for a larger item or a program or project. To learn more, go to: http://www.sponsorthetroops.org/index.php

FROM THE TROOPS:
"As hard as it is to deploy, I am honored for all the gratitude from my family and town. The abundance of support for doing a job, which I gladly do again, has not gone unnoticed. THANK YOU."
-- SGT Derius Ervin, USMC, Tennessee

"Just want to say I hear a lot about services. I've been here in Okinawa, Japan, for 3 years. Glad to know that some people care so much about the Armed Forces protecting them."
-- Cpl., USMC, Okinawa, Japan
ASY REMINDER:
This year's America Supports YouFreedom Walk is Sunday, September 7, 2008! Learn how to get involved at: www.americasupportsyou.mil/freedomwalk/.

Our troops deserve to be applauded, and so do you!

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