Aug 9, 2010
…I CAN guarantee if you don’t, you won’t.
Simple as that – CCI isn’t just gonna give you a dog, and I’d like to believe no other reputable organization will, either.
OIF Veteran Andrew Pike and his CCI Service Dog Yazmin
And, while it might not seem that way at first, that’s exactly how you want it. You don’t want someone to just give you a dog, or tell you they already have a specific one picked out for you and all you need to do is fill out the … Read More
Aug 6, 2010
I had a great conversation yesterday with Beth Zimmerman, the founder, Executive Director, and CEO of Pets for Patriots.
You definitely need to read their site and blog for the details of how they’re going to make this happen – it’s a good plan – but here’s their stated mission:
“Pets for Patriots’ vision is to end animal homelessness by supporting the permanent placement of adult dogs and cats with every available, able, and willing military family in the U.S.”
Great concept in general, but what really caught my … Read More
Jun 11, 2010
NOTE: I previously incorrectly referred to the VA payments as a monthly stipend. I’ve made those corrections here and on other posts as well. There’s enough misinformation on the subject of service dogs out there already without me adding to it – my apologies.
My friend Christina Roof at AMVETS just posted a reminder about this a few days ago, which reminded ME that I shoulda put this up when it first happened in April, and didn’t (no good reason).
Veterans with service dogs are now eligible for the same … Read More
May 20, 2010
In case it’s not real obvious which one (or you’re just a wiseguy): one of us hasn’t been to space – me.
It was my great privilege and honor to spend a large portion of Monday and Tuesday this week with three astronauts from Space Shuttle mission STS-131 who just returned from space April 20th – Commander Navy Capt Alan Poindexter, Pilot Air Force Col Jim Dutton, and Mission Specialist Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger.
The occasion was a visit here to Colorado Springs including Challenger Middle School, Challenger Learning Center, Mountain View … Read More
May 16, 2010
When I heard Rocky Bleier was coming to the Warrior Games, I knew I had to meet him, although I had no idea how to make that happen.
If you don’t know who Rocky is or his story….well, you should. Go look it up right now – I’ll wait.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 60s and early 70s and was already in the Air Force by the time Rocky and the Steelers won their first Super Bowl in 1975. Matter of fact, I was actually home from DC … Read More
Dec 15, 2009
Saw this USA Hockey Magazine story about the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program via the Walter Reed Army Medical Center fan page on Facebook yesterday – talk about motivational! (Not to mention probably the coolest hockey story I’ve ever seen.)
“I’m probably the only person you’ll ever meet who opted to have their leg amputated so they could play hockey, and that was my whole goal. I spent two and a half years at Walter Reed, and everyone there knew that my first goal in life was to get back
Aug 7, 2009
Don’t really need to say anything about this one – the video speaks for itself.
Read more here:
Double Amputee Skydives at Walter Reed
Dana Bowman
Jul 23, 2009
It’s just been announced that Sergeant First Class Jared Monti from Raynham, MA has been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan in June 2006.
Here’s a must-watch three minute video:
You can read more details of his actions that day at Blackfive:
Jun 23, 2009
The Warrior Legacy Foundation is a brand new organization just launched on Memorial Day that deserves your attention.
WLF is “a non-partisan organization committed to the protection and promotion of the reputation and dignity of America’s Warriors” and is “a passionate advocate for the preservation and elevation of the hallowed legacy of the American Warrior Class.” Their core tenets are:
I. Defend the Defenders
(Through advocacy and policy influence, we will enhance our warriors ability to fight and win)II. Care for the Wounded
(We will never stop fighting for
Jun 5, 2009
Very nice article in the Fort Carson, Colorado Mountaineer newspaper today about my friend Susanne Harlandt, the American Red Cross Station Manager there.
It’s a very personal interview where Susanne really lays out her feelings for the troops and where those feelings come from. Very enlightening, too, since I don’t know that most people understand that the Red Cross does the kinda things she talks … Read More
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a volunteer, to include being a past member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent. Actively looking for a paid position performing these functions or other similar meaningful work. More...
