Video Tribute to Veterans - "Home"

Here's a video that was put together to honor our country's heroes who fight for our freedoms. It's a set of various soldier photos set to Daughtry's song called "Home". I got his new cd for Christmas from my soldier and love it. ;) Click here to try it out!

Lyrics to "Home":

I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old.
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.

Wednesday Hero - Parents of Soldiers

Here's today's 'Wednesday Hero' Blogroll post. :)

Every once and awhile I'll do a Wednesday Hero that doesn't profile a single soldier. Sometimes it's been two or three from the same unit, sometimes it's been an entire group of soldiers like the Navajo Code Talkers. I even did an organization once, Operation Iraqi Children. This weeks Wednesday Hero is one of those sometimes. This weeks Wednesday Heroes are the parents of soldiers.

These people sacrifice just as much, if not more, than the soldiers themselves. They, in many cases, are having their babies leave home for the first time in their lives. While most parents only have to adjust to them moving a few miles away or going off to college, these Blue Star Parents have to watch their children go off to a very dangerous situation and can only hope and pray that everything will turn out okay. I don't have children of my own, so I can't even imagine what that is like. We have a few Blue Star Parents in the blogroll, so to them, and every parent of a Hero, I tell you we all stand with and support you and your family.There's a site that everyone should check out if they haven't already. Blue Star Mothers Of America.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Today's Amazon Friday Sale is full of lots of items for that special soldier in your life as well as yourself!

Today's Amazon Friday Sale is full of lots of items for that special soldier in your life as well as yourself! Prices are only good until Midnight tonight (Eastern time).
Christy

Care Package Items
Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap, Funny Berry Scent, case of 6 $14.99 (Reg. $17.23) & FREE Shipping
Pampers Kandoo Wipes Refills, Jungle Fruits Scent, Case of 6 - 100 Count Packages (600 Wipes) $19.99 (Reg. $24.20) & FREE Shipping
HOOAH! Soldier Fuel Energy Bars, Apple Cinnamon (Pack of 15) $13.99 (Reg. $29.85) & FREE Shipping
HoMedics 4-Piece Aroma Sampler Set $1.77!!! (Reg. $15) & FREE Shipping -- covers up Iraq smell (hopefully) hehe
Wonka Laffy Taffy 24-Count Boxes (Pack of 2) $17 (Reg. $22.36) & FREE Shipping
Clifford Crunch Cereal - Pack of 6 - $9 (Reg. $26.94) & FREE Shipping
Slim Jim Teriyaki Jerky, 1.8-Ounce Unit (Pack of 6) $10 (Reg. $17.94) & FREE Shipping
Invicta Watch Repair Kit $19.99 (Reg. $59.99) & FREE Shipping
West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper $27.99 (Reg. $39.99) & FREE Shipping --- Would be awesome for those with no access to microwave!
Insta-bench 6-Seater $42.99 (Reg. $89.99) & FREE Shipping --- GREAT for your deployed soldiers & his/her buddies!!!
Gerber Suspension Butterfly Opening Multi-Plier, and Sheath $24.94 (Reg. $46) & FREE Shipping


Pamper Yourself!
Creating Keepsakes Happy Holidays Album Scrapbook Kit $29.99
Relaxing Overnight Body Cream And Mint Lip Nutrition $8 (Reg. $9.99) & FREE Shipping
eb5 Facial Gift Set
Rachel Perry Calendula-Cucumber Oil Free Moisturizer, Sunblock SPF 15 with Echinacea $13 (Reg. $17.95) & FREE Shipping
HoMedics 4-Piece Aroma Sampler Set $1.77!!! (Reg. $15) & FREE Shipping

For that Special Soldier
Pacific Outdoors Elite Rifle Rest $34.99 (Reg. $99.99) & FREE shipping
Milwaukee 6546-6 2.4-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Screwdriver with 3-Piece Bit Set $78.64 (Reg. $155) & FREE Shipping
Braun Cruzer3 Shaver with Free Gillette Fusion Manual Razor $49.13 (Reg. $59.99) & FREE Shipping

Variflex 14' Band Trampoline $189.99 (Reg. $299.99) & FREE Shipping

Wednesday Hero - Sgt. Roy A. Wood

A new edition to the armyngntcfamily blog is a feature we'll post every Wednesday to honor a hero - a fallen United States Soldier - courtesy of the author(s) of this blog. All politics aside, let's just focus on the importance of honoring our soldiers - especially those who have given their precious lives for our Freedom! May God Bless their families.

Sgt. Roy A. Wood
47 years old from Alva, Florida
ODA 2092, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
January 26, 2005



Sgt. Roy A. Wood, a Special Forces medical sergeant, was fatally injured when the vehicle he was riding in was involved in a traffic accident near Kabul, Afghanistan, during a return convoy from Qalat to Bagram Air Base.

His 24-year military career with the Army Reserve and Army National Guard was distinguished and unique. After receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in 1979, he was first assigned to the Army Reserve’s 421st Quartermaster Company (Light Airdrop Supply).

While assigned to the 421st, he received training as a quartermaster officer, a parachute rigger, and participated in both basic airborne and jumpmaster courses.

In January 1982, he left the 421st to begin an association with U.S. Army Special Forces that would last until, and beyond, his death.

His first SF assignment was to the Army Reserve's 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Meade, Md., where he served in the 3rd Battalion’s Company A as the detachment executive officer for Operational Detachment-A 1175.

In May 1983, he became Detachment Commander for ODA 1175 after returning from the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course.

In October 1984, he left ODA 1175 to become the Company Logistics Officer.

He served in a variety of positions at the 11th SFG over the next 11 years, including operations officer and support company commander.

After four years at USSOCOM, he served a year with the Army Reserve’s 73rd Field Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., before switching from the Reserve to the Army National Guard and renewing his association with Special Forces.

He was assigned to 3rd Bn., 20th SFG in December 2001, where he served for a year as the Battalion Surgeon, supervising medical coverage of three Special Forces companies and one support company.

In December 2002, he resigned his commission to become a Special Forces medical sergeant on Operational Detachment-A 2092, Co. C, 3rd Bn., 20th SFG.

He, with ODA 2092, was mobilized in July 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

At the time of his death, he was pending appointment as a Special Forces warrant officer, a position in which he would have served his team as an assistant detachment commander.

During his service, he received the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Achievement Medal with Silver Hourglass device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Basic Parachutist badge, the Parachute Rigger badge, the Ranger tab and the Special Forces tab.

Sgt. Roy Wood leaves behind a wife and two children.

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Partcipating In Wednesday Hero

Right-Wing & Right Minded
Hooah Wife & Friends
Yankee Mom
Bear Creek Ledger
Mail Call! Supporting The Troops
Yeah, Right, Whatever
CrosSwords
Gazing At The Flag
Gawfer
Ohio Military Reserve
DeMediacratic Nation
My Point
A Day In The Life Of.....
Blue Star Chronicles
Prying1
Pet's Garden Blog
Pictures From My World
Freedom, GUNZ, Glory and EBYJO
Gunz Up
Say No To Politically Correct B.S.
Did You Ever Get The Feeling
A Rose By Any Other Name
My Weekly Thoughts
Rightwing Guy
Trying My Best To Support The Troops
American And Proud
Maryannaville
Not Ready For My Burqua
Perry Nelson's Website
A Fresh Start
Right On!
Echo9er
Befuddled
Potpourri
Conservative Cowboy
Petrus
Pettifog
Tanker Brothers
Chicagoray
Gop3
ArmyNGntcfamily
Soldiers' Angels New York
My Republican Blog

“The Soldiers’ Night Before Christmas” - book for kids w/deployed soldier

Deployed Christmas: Book, traditions help children cope with parents away at holiday

By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal Staff Writer

When Dodie Heinrich reads “The Soldiers’ Night Before Christmas” to her two young sons, they ask a lot of questions about their deployed father, Fred Heinrich.

Five-year-old Connor is especially interested to see that the soldiers slept on cots and all in the same tent. He loves it when Sergeant McClaus delivers the soldiers presents and then flies away (avoiding the military’s radar) in his flying jeep.

Dodie bought the book at Ellsworth Air Force Base and believes it’s been a big help in comforting Connor and 1-year-old Brennen. In a way, the book gives Connor a vehicle to ask the questions he didn’t know how to ask, she says.

Fred Heinrich is currently in Texas, training for a deployment to Afghanistan with the 235th Military Police Company of the South Dakota National Guard. He will be home for five days at Christmas and then he’ll be deployed until 2008. It’s his second deployment, but with his youngest son so little, Dodie feels the stress of the deployment more this time.

“I’m afraid Brennen might not even go to him. … I’m afraid he won’t even know Daddy at all,” she said.

Those fears will likely be felt by others here in the Black Hills, and throughout the nation this Christmas, with thousands of United States troops currently deployed. In some cases, only one parent is deployed during the holidays. In other cases, both are.

So how do the families at home ensure that the children have the best holiday possible?

Angela Winchester, of the Family Member Program at Ellsworth Air Force Base, said the military has various programs to help families throughout deployments. But there are plenty of things families can do at home to help kids deal with the separation.

Here are suggestions for easing the stress and anxiety of deployment during the holidays:

- Winchester said the first step for families is addressing the holidays before deployment. Talk as a family about where Mom or Dad will be and how the family will celebrate the holiday.

- At home, follow the family’s holiday traditions as closely as possible. If the tree always goes up Dec. 15, put up a tree on schedule. “That provides some security and comfort for the child,” Winchester said.

- Before leaving, the deploying parent can record herself reading a favorite Christmas children’s book. Then, during the holidays, the kids can listen to it. A deployed parent can also record the book and ship the recording home.

- A deployed parent can send photographs of their living quarters, preferably decorated for the holidays. Even better, have the children send decorations and then take a photograph of the living quarters decorated with them. “They have some connectedness then. … The security that Mom and Dad are OK,” Winchester said. “It’s that the children know that the parent has a secure living arrangement in the deployed location.”

- When it comes to the school holiday programs, ask the schools if family friends and grandparents can attend. That softens the blow for the child when Mom or Dad can’t be there. “That validates the child’s participation in the program,” Winchester said.

For Dodie Heinrich, the holiday will be less difficult this year because her husband can be home for a few days. But the rest of the year and next holiday, she expects her children to face plenty of separation anxiety.

She tries to ease the sadness by giving the boys plenty of mommy time. And that often manifests itself as snuggling up with a good book. Their favorite right now is “The Soldiers’ Night Before Christmas.”

Where can I get the book?

The book “The Soldiers’ Night Before Christmas” is written by Christine Ford and Trish Holland. It is available at Borders or Waldenbooks in Rapid City. Inspired by the famous Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore, the book tells the tale of some homesick soldiers serving in the Middle East.

Where can families find help?

Military families with deployed members can call the Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 for information, educational material and general assistance.

Back up and Running!

Hello!
ArmyNGfamily is now back open! :-)

What's different?
*A new moderator was added to help me moderate the group as it's been changed from unmoderated to moderated. Please welcome Crystal (cmcginne) to moderator status!

*The name & link of our group was changed to armyNGfamily rather than armyNGntcfamily. Please update your bookmarks, email contact list, and email filters.

*Members with email addresses that were "hard bouncing" (a.k.a. no longer active) have been removed.

*Members with email addresses that were "soft bouncing" (email ups & downs) were sent a reactivation notice. If they continue to bounce, they also will be removed so make sure yours isn't bouncing.

*Some messages such as forwarded jokes & such were deleted since we're in the 30,000 message range. This will continue until I'm finished.

* Attachments have been turned off so unfortunately that means no more forwarded emails. If you'd like to share something that has been forwarded to you, you'll have to copy and paste it into a new email message or post. Please try to keep it military related.

It's unnecessary to send virus warnings to the group since everyone is supposed to be keeping their virus scanner updated & running it frequently. It's also unnecessary to send urban legends to the
group. Check out snopes.com if you don't know what urban legends are.
Your participation in the group is required if this is going to be a *support group* for military families.

Watch for future contests and prizes! (Rules and restrictions will apply). Coming soon!

Down for Maintenance

Hello! This is a message from your friendly neighborhood group owner , Christy, to let you know that the group will be closed for maintenance until Friday. If it turns out to be a little longer I will let you all know.

There's some tweaking to be done and changes to be made to make the group more user friendly and helpful. Every once in a while things get mundane around here and need to be changed up a little to keep the group interesting yet a resource for comfort and companionship for those faced with a deployment.

When the group opens back up, we look forward to "seeing" you all again!

***In the meantime, if you haven't figured out what to send your soldier for Christmas, send him/her an Amazon.com gift certificate that can be used anytime! (It can be emailed & they can pick out what they need!)***