America Supports You E-Newsletter for July 17, 2007

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Our Message to the Military.... "America Supports You"

July 17, 2007

E-Newsletter Volume CXVIII

Los Angeles, CA

Bailey Reese, 11, chair of the America Supports You homefront group, Hero Hugs, at the award ceremony where she was named a "Real Girl of the Year" by the doll company American Girl for volunteering over 3,000 hours of her time to send packages and letters to troops overseas.

San Diego, CA

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Leoncia, a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, threw out the first pitch at the San Diego Padres game July 4 when the team announced their partnership with the America Supports You program.

Los Angeles, CA

Bailey Reese, left, giving “High School Musical” star Olesya Rulin an America Supports You lapel pin. Rulin’s brother is currently serving in Iraq.
ASY from Coast to Coast and Across the Ocean
Bailey Reese, the 11-year-old president of Hero Hugs, an America Supports You homefront group dedicated to sending cards and care packages to deployed service members, was named a "Real Girl of the Year" by the doll company, American Girl and also received the Disney Adventure All-Star Award. Reese, who began Hero Hugs in 2003, has volunteered over 3,000 hours of her time and has sent 21,000 packages valued at over $175,000 to military men and women overseas. She believes the troops should know how grateful Americans are for their service. “I think taking care of our soldiers and saying thanks is something everyone should be doing, and it isn’t something special,” Reese said. “The soldiers are the ones who deserve recognition for all they sacrifice and give, not me.” The Real Girl of the Year award ceremony was held in Los Angeles, where the American Girl store set up a booth and store employees helped Reese gather thank you cards and pack over 300 boxes for the troops. As part of this award, Reese will receive $5000 for Hero Hugs and her Niceville, FL school will also receive the same amount. As a winner of the Disney Adventure All-Star Award, Reese and several of her friends who help with Hero Hugs were invited to Disney Land to do a service project with the cast of “High School Musical.” She also received $1,000 for Hero Hugs and will appear in an issue of Disney Adventures magazine. Hero Hugs is one of the many America Supports You homefront groups started by children across the nation who want to join millions of other Americans in supporting deployed service members. Read More

On the Fourth of July, the San Diego Padres officially announced joining the America Supports You program during a pre-game ceremony at PETCO Park. To honor the occasion, the Padres donned their desert camouflage jerseys to play the Florida Marlins. Through America Supports You the team invited Hospitalman 3rd Class Nathaniel Leoncia, a Navy Corpsman wounded in Iraq, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and fans had the opportunity to text message troops overseas. The Padres are the only Major League Baseball team with a department dedicated solely to supporting the military. On the concourse at PETCO Park, the team prominently displays a replica of the USS Midway, which stands before a wall featuring the names of every Major League Baseball player who served in the Armed Forces. These, along with dozens of other troop support initiatives, are how the “Team of the Military” has earned its nickname. Now part of the America Supports You program, the San Diego Padres will continue to demonstrate their strong commitment and support of the military community around the world. Read More

Men and women from the Army Reserve carry the American flag to the infield to kick-off the NASCAR Pepsi 400.e.Military members came from around the country to the NASCAR Pepsi 400 onJuly 7, where there was no lack of support for the troops among fans in the crowd. Service men and women carried a 1,400 lb American flag into the infield, while “America’s Got Talent” winner, Bianca Ryan sang the national anthem. As four U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle fighters flew overhead, service members in the infield were joined by thousands of fans cheering for their comrades. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Quinn, 741st Postal Detachment, 143rd Sustainment Command, was one of the 86 soldiers carrying the American flag who appreciated the fans showing their support. “It was rewarding for us soldiers. Racecar driving is a big American event; it really brings out people’s patriotism,” Quinn said. “It got me pumped up to hear people shout, ’USA, USA, USA.’ The esprit de corps that’s here, that’s what it is all about -- just knowing that these Americans support us.” After the pre-race ceremony, soldiers were invited to watch the race from various pits around the track. A lucky few, like Staff Sgt. Loretta L. Young, of the 1186th Transportation Terminal Brigade in Jacksonville, who served with the 143rd Sustainment Command during her deployment to Kuwait, rubbed elbows with the NASCAR stars. ”Richard Petty came by and shook our hands,” Young said. “That was fantastic. They really show us that there are Americans who support us.” NASCAR is a corporate supporter of America Supports You program. Read More

At the PGA TOUR AT&T National, fans came together not just to cheer on the athletes, but to show support for the many military men and women who serve our country at home and abroad. The Tiger Woods Foundation provided postcards for tournament attendees to write messages of thanks that will be sent to troops overseas. On shuttle buses from the parking lots and at booths set-up around the course, thousands took the time to write letters of thanks to deployed service members. Among the many words of thanks, one grateful American wrote: “Your courage and valor represent all that is American and your dedication and service make you role models and modern day heroes.” Well-wishers offered words of thanks and prayers of safe return: “As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I appreciate the freedom we enjoy in America. May we always be able to celebrate this freedom. Thank you with all of my heart. God bless you.” Many could not say enough about how grateful they were for the sacrifices of deployed troops: “Words will never be able to express our thanks and gratitude for your sacrifice to the American people and the world. Our prayers are with you and your families and also our love.” AT&T and the PGA TOUR are both corporate supporters of America Supports You Program

U.S. Army Major Jim Gregory, commanding officer of the 3rd Special Forces Groupt recently returned home from Afghanistan, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the PGA TOUR AT&T National .Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took time out of her busy schedule to visit service members attending the PGA TOUR AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods on July 6 at Congressional Country Club. She spent time with seven Special Forces officers and two wounded veterans who were enjoying a day watching golf, and she recognized the gratitude shown toward the troops during the tournament. “I have not seen a person out here who has seen somebody in uniform (and let them) pass by,” she said. “They thank (service members) for what they’re doing. That makes a real difference for the country, because I know that our troops know that they’re being supported, but it’s also important for the American people to have a way to show that support.” The appreciation given during the tournament and every other day does not go unnoticed by service members like Retired Army Sgt. Michelle Saunders, who was wounded in Iraq. “We signed up, we raised our right hand because we wanted to; it wasn’t because we were forced to,” she said. “I know a lot of people on the receiving end say it’s humbling for them, but it’s actually very humbling for us.” Read More

America Supports You homefront organization, Silver Star Families of America, celebrating Independence Day with a concert to show their support for the troops.On July 4 America Supports You homefront organizations celebrated Independence Day across the nation by showing support for active service members and veterans alike. Groups such as Cell Phones for Soldiers and Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter participated in Fourth of July parades. Music for the Troops held a benefit concert in Philadelphia, and Silver Star Families of America took part in a remembrance concert in Linton, Indiana where veterans were presented with “Remembrance of Service” proclamations.

For the third year in a row, Americans across the country are taking part in America Supports You Freedom Walks, now a national tradition to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, renew the country’s commitment to freedom, and honor our veterans, past and present. To date 94 Freedom Walks in 39 states are already being planned across the country. For more information on planning a Freedom Walk in your community, or to join an existing walk visit www.americasupportsyou.mil and click on the Freedom Walk link.

Featured on the ASY Web Site Last Week
9-11 HelpAmerica Foundation
”The 9-11 HelpAmerica Foundation’s mission is to recognize and support the families of… fallen and wounded warriors. (It’s) huge for families to know that people have not forgotten their sacrifice.”
-Mike Talleda, Founder, 9-11 HelpAmerica Foundation

True to the Red, White, and Blue
“Our mission is to show support of past, present and future military personnel, no matter where they are. At the moment, our main goal is to support all of our troops fighting overseas for our freedom.”
-Debby Aznar, Founder and President of True to the Red, White and Blue

ASY In the News
News 14 Carolina, NC covered a golf tournament held in Charlotte, NC to benefit America Supports You.

eMilitary.org wrote an article about the Tiger Woods Foundation sending America Supports You postcards to the troops.

MLB.com profiled the various ways major league baseball teams around the country joined with America Supports You in recognition of the troops on Independence day.
ASY Homefront Organization of the Week America Supports You homefront organization, Operation Thank You was started in 1992 by Brian Bolhman. He is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and currently serves as a chaplain in the Air National Guard. Since the organization began, Bohlman has been able to mail or personally deliver over 40,000 letters to deployed troops all over the world. It is Operation Thank You’s goal is to send 150,000 cards of support for the troops overseas. To reach the groups goal, and as a celebration of the Fourth of July, Operation Thank You set up booths in Gilbert, SC last week at the Lexington County Peach Festival. Community members were invited to write messages of thanks to the troops. Operation Thank You successfully collected over 3,500 cards that will be sent overseas. For more information, please check out:http://sohelpmegod.org/Projects/OperationThankYou/tabid/77/Default.aspx

Thank You's from Soldiers
“I am nearly done with my time in Iraq – 30 days left. I just want to say thank you for all the folks who sent care packages and letters, it really makes our stay go by faster.”

MSGT Sipe / Air Force
I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone back home for all the support you give us. One of the only things a soldier wants in life is to know that someone cares. And that's why I am so proud to serve you. I have been deployed six times in my career and because of people like you back home it gets a little easier. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart see you all soon.

SGT Kawika Castilliano, Wahiawa, USA

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

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