America Supports You E-Newsleter 110607

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

November 06, 2007

E-Newsletter Volume CXXXV

Ashland, Ohio

Air Force Master Sgt. Tim Chandler (left), of Ashland, Ohio, and Staff Sgt. John DeLeon, of Redlands, Calif., both currently assigned to 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, during a live broadcast of an Internet radio show. Chandler hosts the show during his free time, giving airmen like DeLeon a way to send long-distance dedications back home to their loved ones.

Washington, D.C.

Sgt. Jill Stevens, Utah National Guard member and the 2007 Miss Utah, smiles after crossing the finish line at the Marine Corps Marathon last week.

Las Vegas, NV

Frys.com Open patrons sign a banner for deployed servicemembers outside the military hospitality chalet on the 18th fairway of TPC Summerlin on Saturday, October 13th.The banner, provided by America Supports You homefront group Soldiers’ Angels, will be sent to troops deployed in Iraq.
New on the ASY Team
America Supports You is proud to welcome three new homefront organizations to the team this week!

Hire Heroes USA, in Alpharetta, Ga., serves as a link to employment opportunities nationwide for veterans returning home.
Patriotic Hearts, based in Carlsbad, Calif., serves military members through various types of employment help.

Salute Military Golf Association, located in Germantown, Md., provides rehabilitative golf experiences for combat wounded war veterans, including golf equipment, lessons and playing opportunities.
ASY from Coast to Coast and Across the Ocean
Air Force Master Sgt. Tim Chandler of Ashland, Ohio, a member of 455th Expeditionary Communications Flight, is spreading the ASY message to servicemembers in Bagram, Afghanistan. Chandler hosts an Internet-based radio show in his free time, giving Bagram airmen a way to send long-distance dedications to their loved ones. “I started practicing in May while I was still back in the States, and when I told the station manager (for the Web-based “Taboo Radio”) I was coming over here, he suggested that I do a show for the troops,” Chandler said. “I thought it was a cool idea.” Currently Chandler has some 60 listeners around the world, and has plans to expand his show’s capability to support up to 500 listeners. “We’re so remote that people don’t understand that we have real lives and real feelings out here. Being able to use an artistic ability to give some people gratification is really rewarding,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. John DeLeon, a singer/songwriter from Redlands, Calif., and currently assigned to 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight. DeLeon performs his songs on the show.
Read More
Miss Utah Jill Stevens recently showed her ASY spirit, participating in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. In addition to being Miss Utah, Jill Stevens is a member of the Utah National Guard. “I’m first-off a soldier, always,” says Stevens. Stevens was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2004 as a combat medic with 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Group. Originally she laughed at the idea of beauty pageants but she realized the Miss America program and the military have parallels: both promote education, fitness and well-being; teach leadership; and encourage everyone to be at their best. “I saw a great opportunity that would open doors,” she said, referring to the titleholder’s position. While in Washington for the marathon, Stevens met with families and visited soldiers recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. “I thought of them along this run,” she said. “I’m doing this for them.” Stevens said she intends to participate in more marathons before her reign as Miss Utah is over. In each one, she will run for the organization Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which provides a support network for the surviving families of those who have died in service to America. Read More

The Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during the Frys.com Open’s “Military Appreciation Day” patriotic celebration on the 18th green at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.

As part of America Supports You corporate supporter PGA TOUR’s ongoing commitment to honor the brave men and women of our military and their families, the Frys.com Open teamed up with Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV and rolled out the red carpet for the U.S. troops during a week-long series of special patriotic activities conducted both on and off the golf course. The tournament provided active duty and retired personnel from all five branches of the military, including Reservists and members of the National Guard, and their families with complimentary access to the tournament. A hospitality chalet was set up on the 18th fairway for military personnel and their families, offering shade, complimentary refreshments, and a large screen television. ASY homefront groups Blue Star Mothers and Soldiers’ Angels were present at the chalet all week and provided tournament patrons with many patriotic giveaways. Patrons were invited to write notes of encouragement to the troops on two large banners, which were subsequently sent to military men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Frys.com Open designated Saturday, October 13, as “Military Appreciation Day,” which began with a job fair for servicemembers sponsored by the tournament. Participating businesses included the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Henderson Police Department, Las Vegas VA and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. The day concluded with a special patriotic celebration complete with the Nellis Air Force Base Color Guard presenting the colors and the Nellis Men’s Quartet performing the National Anthem as hundreds of tournament patrons stood with pride holding small American flags following the final putt on the 18th green.
The Department of Defense’s America Supports You program is gearing up this holiday season to offer a way to show appreciation to servicemembers located far from home with “Giving Thanks,” a special text messaging initiative. Participants will send a text-message by dialing 8-9-2-7-9. In return, they will receive a reply from an active-duty military member. Those who text will also be given directions to the ASY Web site, at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil, to learn about other ways to show support. The “Giving Thanks” initiative will begin at 6 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 17, and continue through midnight on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22.

Featured on the ASY Web Site Last Week:
Team River Runner
“Everybody in this group, from the veterans’ side … has mobility issues.…I believe strongly in giving them the opportunity to do what everybody else does, which is to earn what they get.”
-Joe Mornini, Director, Team River Runner
ASY In the News
dailypress.com (Va.) covered the America Supports You program’s “Giving Thanks” initiative, which allows people to send servicemembers a cell phone text message, letting them know Americans are thinking of them this holiday season.

The Daily News (Longview, Wash.) included an article about America Supports You homefront group Cell Phones for Soldiers.
Stars and Stripes reported on the Marine Corps Marathon and the first servicemember to cross the finish line, Air Force 1st Lt. Brian Dumm, who is stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea.

ASY Homefront Organization of the Week
Citizen Soldier Connection (CSC) was founded in early 2006 by Colorado Springs business people and citizens, in response to the arrival of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team who had relocated from Korea to Colorado Springs after serving in Iraq. CSC connects Ft. Carson soldiers with volunteer citizens in the community for the purpose of providing a much needed local support network. This Thanksgiving the homefront group is providing a place for Ft. Carson soldiers to spend their Thanksgiving by getting them in touch with local families, for a nice holiday before many depart for Iraq. For more information, please visit www.citizensoldierconnection.org.

From the Troops:
“I don't think many people realize how big an impact America's support has on us military members. It means the world to us knowing that while we are on the front, America has our back….Thank you for all the endless support that you have given. Even the smallest of letters or comments mean the world.”
- A1C, United States Air Force/ Leslie Anderson, Boise, Idaho

“Thanks again to all of you back home for what you do. It means a lot to us over here to know that you are still thinking about us and we're not forgotten. Your dedication is very much appreciated!”
- SPC / ARMY/ Holli Albert, Binghamton, N.Y.

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

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