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Pixels for Vets - Donate to Help Disabled Veterans!

I want to do something for those who are out there fighting for this country without regard for my political opinions or my views on our current military conflicts, with total emphasis on the troops and only the troops! The point here is to do something for the soldiers and families that have had their lives permanently changed, both recently and in the past. I don’t think we do enough as a country or as a people in the way of showing care and respect for those that have sustained injuries in a wartime environment. Currenty, the majority of our population is sitting comfortably at home while a few men and women have put themselves in harms way in order to protect the interests of our nation and homeland. Many of these people are my friends.

Although many people in the U.S.A. do not currently agree with our nation’s current politics, I believe that we as a nation should share the responsiblity for the final outcome and results; whether they are favorable or not. One of these results being injuries sustained by our soldiers in the line of duty.

During my enlistment I served as an Crew Chief on both the KC-135 Stratotanker and the C-5A Galaxy aircraft. I did this with the hope of eventually becoming a military pilot. In May of 2001 I came to realize my dream by earning USAF pilot wings, and I then went on to fly the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy on missions around the world. As my training in the C-5 was ending, conflicts in the world were beginning. Due to the occurrences of Sep 11th, I went straight from pilot training to flying full blown active duty missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle. I am currently a lifetime member of the D.A.V.

-Anthony

The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front lines. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: "The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother - their children."

During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the banner as well as guidelines indicating when, and by whom, the Service flag could be flown or the Service Lapel button could be worn. The banner can be seen hanging in the front window of Mrs. Ryan's house in the movie Saving Private Ryan. The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8 by 16-inch white field with a blue star(s) sewn onto a red banner. Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, whether the family member is a son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, husband, cousin, grandchild, etc.

The banner displayed in the front window of a home, shows a family's pride in their loved one serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America's freedom demands much. The blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five members of that family are currently in military uniform on active duty. A gold star replaced the blue star if that relative was killed or died in service. If more than one star appears on the flag, the gold star takes the place of honor nearest the staff.

Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today, although with a reduced membership. Blue Star Service Banners, while widely used across America during World Wars I and II, were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with nearly the same enthusiasm.

The Home Front Campaign

The war of the 21st Century is very different than World War II. We civilians were asked to make many sacrifices during the course of the war against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. There were ration cards for everything – from food to clothing to gasoline. We saved tin cans and metal to be recycled for the war effort. Most of the young men were serving in battle and most of the women went to work in the factories for the first time. They were called upon to sacrifice and they responded. They started out with a series of defeats and ended in unconditional surrender of the enemy and the triumphant victory. Just as civilians answered the call to support America then, it's time to again answer that call now.

Like the Imperial Japanese navy, the al Qaeda dealt our nation a terrible, sneak attack. Like that earlier generation, our military responded to this latest attack with a devastating and victorious attack against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Just like that enemy of World War II, the terrorists are surprised at the sleeping giant they awakened. The war against the terrorists continues but there seems to be so little we civilians can do.

AngelCare International is a 27 year old international relief and development organization. A Naval officer who was concerned about orphans being left behind by the U.S. Forces leaving Vietnam and had a desire to help the Vietnamese Boat people started it in the mid 70s. We operate schools and medical clinics in Third World countries. We work in U.S. schools to promote the USA Today/USA Weekend's annual Make A Difference Day and offers Americans opportunities to have short-term experiences in Cambodia, Guatemala, and Tanzania. The organization has a proven track record for addressing and solving real problems.

AngelCare wants to focus the attention of Americans upon the very real financial problems being faced by our military families because of our country's war against terrorists. We are inviting civilian Americans to join our Home Front Campaign to help our fellow Americans serving in the military.

American Legion

The American Legion is founded March 15-17, 1919, in Paris at the first caucus by members of the American Expeditionary Force. On Sept. 16, 1919 the U.S. Congress charters The American Legion. The American Legion passes resolution supporting the Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units that involve 64,000 youths. In June, 1923, the first "Flag Code" is drafted during a conference called by The American Legion in Washington, D.C. The code eventually was adopted by Congress in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to gain a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration.

American Legion Baseball program is created on July 17, 1925. Today, more than 60 percent of professional baseball players are graduates of The American Legion Baseball program. About 89,000 high-school-age youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year. Membership by 1931 in The American Legion increases to more than one million veterans.

The American Legion is rekindling the tradition and spirit of pride in our military men and women following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The American Legion is providing banners to families in communities across the nation.

VFW

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.

The VFW mission is to honor the dead by helping the living through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense.

Saving Private Ryan (1998) Play Movie Trailer Big-budget WWII Spielberg epic finds eight soldiers, led by army captain Hanks, forced to go behind enemy lines in order to rescue downed paratrooper James Ryan (Damon). He's the sole surviving brother of four soldier siblings and the government wants some good PR--the men pulling the duty are less than enthusiastic, however. Pick your favorite reviewer-speak word--gripping, moving, intense, masterpiece--any or all of them will work. The opening 25-minute graphic depiction of Omaha Beach on D-Day is, on its own, Oscar-worthy. Hanks and the rest of the cast (which included a few surprise cameos) are excellent. Spielberg deglamorizes war, without belittling the sacrifices made by those who fought. The actors (except Damon) went through boot camp in England in order to get the proper attitude.

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