I know all too well the movie Groundhog’s Day is no comparison to the harsh reality of working on a LOGCAP or other DoD project in the Middle East. All the days run together with nothing but meal times to break them up. So, I won’t harass you if you’ve forgotten that Valentine’s Day is only 4 days away. But I will harass you if you don’t take a minute right now to show the person who is taking care of your business at some love and appreciation. Would that be your wife, mother, sister, dad? (I send my husband flowers all the time while he is on the road he loves it.) (Read the rest of the story here…)
Bob Hope’s dedication to our troops, especially at Christmas, unwavering commitment – The real deal
December 25, 2009 — ForsetiBob Hope’s unwavering commitment to the morale of America’s servicemen and women is entertainment history, indeed, world history. Many say ‘legend.’
For nearly six decades, be the country at war or at peace, Bob, with a band of Hollywood gypsies, traveled the globe to entertain our service men and women.
The media dubbed him “America’s No. 1 Soldier in Greasepaint.” To the GIs, he was “G.I. Bob” and their clown hero. (Click HERE to go to his official Website)
BOB HOPE: 50 YEARS OF HOPE
Note: This exhibit is located in Kettering Hall. (Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….It’s here! Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2009 — Ms Sparky
I would like to thank every soldier deployed and at home and every veteran who has served. Thank you for giving me and others the right to celebrate this Holiday as we choose. May you find comfort in knowing you are remembered and appreciated at Christmas and everyday. (Read the rest of the story here…)
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A Soldier’s Night Before Christmas 2009
December 24, 2009 — Ms Sparky
Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….1 day left
December 24, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the eleventh post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. It’s the day before Christmas and and I have enlisted the help of none other than Jose Feliciano to help me wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Halidays
Ms Sparky
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….2 days left
December 23, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the tenth post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. Another amazing Holdman House display choreographed to Music Box Dancer. WOW!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Ms Sparky
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….3 days left
December 22, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the ninth post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This light display the the Harrell House, I’m not sure where it is located and the song is O’ Tannenbaum from the Christmas classic Peanuts.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Ms Sparky
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….4 days left
December 21, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the eight post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This elaborate Christmas light display is choreographed to the song “Joy” by Apollo 100 and is located in Valencia, CA.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Ms Sparky
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….5 days left
December 20, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the seventh post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some very cool choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This house is located in Reno, NV and is choreographed to Carol of the Bells. That seems to be a popular song to use. Whoever recorded this should have been a little higher, if you watch at the bottom of the screen you can see the cars drive by.
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….6 days left
December 19, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the sixth post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This house in Greeley, Colorado is synchronized to that classic Brenda Lee Christmas song….Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. Look at that roof. It’s solid lights! I hope it doesn’t rain!
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….7 days left
December 18, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the fifth post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. These two Christmas light displays are synchronized to Linus and Lucy (The Peanuts Theme song) by Vince Guaraldi. The first display is located in Rochester, NY and I don’t know where the second one it located.
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….8 days left
December 17, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the fourth post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country.This is and awesome display at the Holdman House in Pleasant Grove, Utah. They used approximately 50,000 lights and 180 different channels. The music is an old time favorite Amazing Grace that has been jazzed up a bit.
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….9 days left
December 16, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the third post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some of the most amazing choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This house is located in Frisco, TX and is choreographed to “Wizards in Winter” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I told you before, I just love TSO!!
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….10 days left
December 14, 2009 — Ms SparkyThis is the second post in my Countdown to Christmas ‘09 featuring some very cool choreographed Christmas light displays around the country. This one is Holiday House featuring Queen of the Winter Night by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I love Trans Siberian Orchestra. Over 30,000 lights were used and timed to music via custom hardware and software. One of the best Christmas light displays located in Sacramento, California.
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Ms Sparky’s Countdown to Christmas ‘09….11 days left
December 14, 2009 — Ms SparkyI was searching YouTube trying to find a great Christmas light display choreographed to music that I could use as my Christmas post. There are so many amazing, artistic, talented people out there who expended a huge amount of time and money to put these displays together, I couldn’t decide on just one. So I am going to count you down to Christmas with at least one different choreographed light display every day. To all our troops and those supporting them in the Middle East and around the world, this is especially for you. I hope you enjoy it!
This house is choreographed to “Carol of the Bells”. This is the Holdman House located in Utah.
(Read the rest of the story here…)
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Happy Thanksgiving 2009
November 26, 2009 — Ms Sparky
By the time this is published on MY Thanksgiving morning (PST), a 100 thousand American Troops and civilians in the Middle East will already have enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal. Many sacrificing a meal with their families at home to share it with fellow soldiers and co-workers at their KBR Dining Facilities (DFAC) in the Middle East. I have to say, they put on a pretty nice Thanksgiving meal. I stress out over feeding 10 people. I can’t imagine trying to feed 10,000! On this day….The KBR DFAC staff get KUDO’s from me!
I send my most sincere Happy Thanksgiving wishes to:
- EVERY US soldier at EVERY base in the world. I am thankful to you for keeping my family safe.
- EVERY civilian who supports them. I am thankful you are doing your best to take care of our soldiers.
- EVERY family who will share this day without their loved ones.
- My friends who are all over the world. I am thankful for your friendship and guidance.
- My “Ms Sparky” readers. I am thankful for your insights, information and feedback. Without you, there is no “Ms Sparky”.
- Most of all, my family who supports me in my quest to make things better for our soldiers and civilians.
I have so much to be thankful for.
Most importantly. I have loved ones on the road. PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
Happy Thanksgiving
Ms Sparky
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Thank you on Veterans Day and EVERY day
November 11, 2009 — Ms SparkyRemember Veterans Day
November 10, 2009 — Ms Sparky
Frank Woodruff Buckles at age 16 and 107
Tomorrow, November 11, 2009 is Veterans Day. I am posting this today to give you ample time to plan. Go find your US Flag or go buy a new one if necessary. It does no good to have it stashed in some corner. HANG IT for all to see! Please don’t forget your flag etiquette.
What is Veterans Day? For most people it’s a paid day off from work and the the kids stay home from school. There are sales at the mall, parades and other festivities. But do you know why?
Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring the 24.5 million military veterans in the United States, 1.7 million of whom are women and 9.5 million of whom are 65 and older. Our oldest living veteran is Frank Woodruff Buckles, WWI veteran, age 108.
Veterans Day is both a federal and state holiday in all states and is usually observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.
Armistice Day was celebrated starting November 1919 until 1954 where is was official changed to Veterans Day and was to include all Veterans of all wars.
Be sure to thank a Veteran for fighting for and protecting your Constitutional Rights. Most important to me are our First and Second Amendment Rights:
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of the Press
- Freedom of Assembly
- Right to Keep and Bear Arms
China doesn’t have that. Many many countries don’t have that. We have our issues, but I have traveled all over the and there is no better country in the world than the United States of America.
There are veteran and war memorials all over the US. Here are four National War Memorials from Washington DC.
World War I Memorial; Washington DC
4,734,991 US Troops deployed; 320,518 killed and wounded; 1917-1918
World War II Memorial; Washington DC
16,112,566 deployed worldwide; 1,077,245 killed and wounded; 1941-1945
Korean War Memorial; Washington DC
5,720,000 deployed worldwide; 157,530 killed and wounded; 1950-1953
Vietnam War Memorial; Washington DC
8,744,000 deployed worldwide; 243,512 killed and wounded; 1964-1975
There are many Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran and War Memorials being built in the US. There is a National Memorial in planning for Washington DC, but I think there are some design issues.
Desert Shield/Desert Storm Memorial; Evansville, IN
694,550 Deployed to the Gulf; 849 killed and wounded; 1990-1991
Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan 2001-Present
XXX Deployed, 1514 killed, 4434Wounded
Operation Iraq Freedom 2003-Present
XXX Deployed, 4362 Deaths, 31,557 Wounded
Note: I could not find a current “Total Number Deployed” If you have a link to that info please send.
AMERICAS WARS-FACTS/STATISTICS
Icasualties -Fatalities and wounded stats
Please…do something special for a Veteran.
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Holiday Mail For Heroes 2009
November 2, 2009 — Ms Sparky
Send a touch of home to the real heroes of America and their families! Holiday Mail for Heroes is back again!
For the third year in a row, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are working together to collect, sort and distribute holiday cards to service members, veterans and their families.
How Holiday Mail works
We have established an extensive process to ensure all cards sent to our service members are safe and arrive in time for the holidays. Holiday cards will be collected through a unique P.O. Box address from Monday, November 2 through Monday, December 7*.
Cards from across the US must be sent to this address:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
If you would like to begin working on your cards now, here are some quick guidelines to ensure your cards makes to a hero as quickly as possible:
Do…
- Ensure that all cards are signed.
- Make cards more meaningful to a wide variety of recipients by using “Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran” rather than any more specific language.
- Send holiday-neutral cards rather than religious-themed cards. Note: Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.
- Limit the number of cards to 15 from any one person or 50 from any one school class, business or group. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
Do not…
- Send letters. Only cards are being accepted.
- Include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
- Include cards with excessive amounts of glitter. Because cards may be received by wounded service members and veterans in hospitals, large quantities of glitter could aggravate existing health problems.
- Include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
Click HERE to see how well we did last year and read a thank you from the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes.
If anyone recalls, I hounded you and hounded you last year to get those cards in the mail. I don’t expect this year to be any different. Tweet it, Facebook it, Myspace it, get your children’s class rooms or entire school involved. I am offering to sponsor my grandsons class room. It’s not just for kids. I will be sending my maximum limit of cards as well. You can get 15 cards for $1 at the Dollar Store. What can YOU do to make this happen?
Updated Nov 10: Here is a sample of one of the adorable cards made by my grandson’s 1st grade class. On the inside it says. “Thanks for keeping me safe” or something close to that hand written by a 1st grader. Now what’s your excuse for procrastinating!
Ms Sparky
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Happy Father’s Day
June 21, 2009 — Ms Sparky
I would like to wish all the great Father’s in the world a Happy Father’s Day.
A special Happy Father’s Day wish for all those father’s who are currently deployed and are serving our country. That makes being a Father extra difficult. Thanks to the moms and family members who are picking up the slack.
Happy Father’s Day to the civilian fathers who have chosen to support our troops and our country in the Middle East. It’s no less difficult being away from your family because you are a civilian.
And for those who have lost fathers in the Middle East or anywhere for that matter, a big hug for you.
So…go hug your Dad, go call your Dad, Dad’s away from home….call your family.
Ms Sparky