Another week, another Military Monday. There is no lack of brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Please take just a moment to honor their memory
{ 0 comments }
I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last posted. I sincerely apologize – file “do a better job with this” under the To-Do list. Please take some time out of your day to pause and reflect on those we’ve lost. Since I’ve missed some time doing this, the names aren’t going to be the same as some of my fellow bloggers, but they should be remembered nonetheless, even as late as I’m getting to them.
Thank you again to Marilla for the names, and Yoyo for the nudge 
{ 0 comments }
For this week’s Military Monday I wanted to shine a light on the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an organization that I learned of through one of my favorite bands, O.A.R. The guys from O.A.R. (Of A Revolution, for those not familiar), together with IAVA, launched a campaign to grow support of our troops and veterans, called Open Up Your Arms.
From the site: “After meeting our injured troops at Walter Reed and later in Iraq we felt a very personal connection to the plight of the physically and emotionally injured warrior. We believe it’s time we opened up our doors, minds, and hearts to the men and women who need our support. “War Song” is a song written through and for the warrior,” said O.A.R. lead singer Marc Roberge.
I woke up this morning with an overwhelming need to hear this song. I don’t know how or why, considering I had the Juicy Fruit jingle stuck in my head from watching the Family Guy “Something Something Something Darkside” DVD last night. Irrelevant, I know, but I had to throw it in there
The last time I saw O.A.R. was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC – it was a private show benefiting the chain’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign (supporting the WHY organization). I was impressed by how involved O.A.R. is in different causes, and that good will makes my affinity for the group that much stronger. They performed War Song during that show, and it resonated more with me than ever before. Some moments I captured:
I am happy to support Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and figure you might appreciate knowing more about the good work they strive to accomplish.
“Today, veterans are facing new battles at home trying to navigate a complex VA health care system, access mental health care treatment for combat stress, or find a job to support their families in an uncertain economy. As Americans, we have an obligation to support these men and women and to ensure our nation’s newest generation of veterans receives access to top-notch health care, a chance to pursue a quality education on the new GI Bill, a fair chance at a good job.”
I recommend taking a few minutes to learn more about how you too can show your support for our troops and veterans, as well as remembering those we’ve lost. You can also watch the video for O.A.R.’s War Song. Thank you YOYO and Marilla, as always. Please remember those we’ve lost
{ 1 comment }
Last night I was so worn out. Having slept pretty badly Sunday night, then braving the mall for some gifts for the mom and hunting through FOUR supermarkets to find buttermilk to make red velvet cupcakes for Christmas, the day handed my rear end to me. So it’s no wonder I fell fast asleep forgetting completely to update with this week’s Military Monday. So I thought to myself that I could just let it go since I already missed it. But then it dawned on me that I’ve missed a couple of weeks, so I’m channeling an old cliche and saying: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.
I recently clicked through to Blog 4 Mom because one of the PR/Social Media/Marketing pros I follow, Chris Brogan, tweeted his thoughts were with this woman and her family. I remember at the time reading her tweets (which are now private) regarding her son. Out of respect for her privacy, I won’t discuss the details I recall, but she did lose her child and I hope she knows my thoughts, too, are with her and her family. I hope they find the peace and quiet they need to mourn their loss.
I bring this to light for my Military Monday post because while looking through her site, there was a posting that struck me and I wanted to share it in the context of the MM posts.
Operation Love Reunited is an organization that arranges free professional photography sessions to service members and their families to capture the moments surrounding deployment. This group of photographers volunteer to shoot the pre-deployment, deployed, or their homecoming/reunion – at no charge to the family. “Pre-Deployment & Deployment sessions help you say goodbye and cope with being away” while photographers shooting returning sessions “will want to accompany your family to the welcoming home of your spouse or loved one, and capture that first glimpse, that first embrace, and all the love that surrounds every person who walks off that plane, into their families arms.”
All you have to do is use the locator to find a photographer in your area, contact them and let them know you’d like to be photographed as part of the program. The photographer should take it from there. It’s a beautiful and touching service (look through some of the images if you need a good, cathartic cry) and if you’re a photographer with the means and the resources, an excellent way to show your gratitude for the real heroes of our country.
Thank you once again to YOYO for inspiring us to participate in Military Monday, and to Marilla for being on time with her posts, allowing me to find the names for the week. After the jump is a long list, since I missed a couple of weeks.
Please click and take a moment to pay your respects to those brave souls we’ve lost
{ 0 comments }
Now that Thanksgiving over and done with, it’s officially the Christmas season. It’s a time of year that if at no other time throughout the year, we pause to think of all our blessings. We spend time with family and loved ones. We give a little more, and think a little less of ourselves.
This Military Monday, maybe we can think about ways to give back to the brave souls of our military. The American Red Cross has some wonderful ways to help our service members and their families. You can put your contribution towards a number of different options, from phone cards for those deployed overseas to reach out to family ($20) to training classes for families to learn how to cope with the deployment of loved ones ($250 – which is actually just 1/4 of the total cost of said training). Check it out.
It’s one of many options for showing support of those who support us, bravely and willingly. Please take a moment to read through some of the service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, after the jump. Thank you again to YOYO for encouraging us to participate in Military Monday, and to Marilla for the use of her list of names.
photo courtesy BL1961
Click for the wonderful men and women who we’ve lost
{ 2 comments }
Good morning, and thank you for visiting Karma Cooler. This is a nice short work week, which I am very thankful for. Seems a little trite to be thankful for something like that when there are so many more blessings in my life. Like I mentioned last week, I am extremely thankful for, and owe a debt of gratitude to those brave men and women willing to put themselves in harm’s way to secure our freedoms and preserve our liberties.
My heart breaks for the families of our fallen soldiers, and I wish they could all know just how eternally grateful so many of us are for the bravery and sacrifice of their loved ones. Please remember them when you pause to consider all you are grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Thank you to Cupcake Rehab for the lists, both this week and last. Thank you topstitch for always inspiring us to stop and appreciate.
Click to read through this week’s list of heroes.
{ 0 comments }
I haven’t actively participated in Military Monday yet on Karma Cooler but I figured why not start this week? Miss YOYO and Marilla have been doing this every week – listing 100 soldiers who have died in Iraq, in order to honor them and always remember the great sacrifice they’ve made in the name of freedom. It doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with the war – what matters is that we pay respect to the brothers and sisters we’ve lost and just as importantly, show our support for those who continue to defend and represent this great country.
I’d like to mention a quick and easy way you can show your support for our troops. You can visit Let’s Say Thanks and enter a message to be sent via postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. All it takes is a minute of your time.
And if you could, please take a few moments to remember those we’ve lost:
Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, Army Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Kansas City, Missouri
Carl J. Morgain, 40, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Butler, Pennsylvania
John B. Ogburn III, 45, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Fruitland, Idaho
Joshua T. Brazee, 25, Army Specialist, May 23, 2005 Sand Creek, Michigan
Russell J. Verdugo, 34, Army Staff Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Phoenix, Arizona
Bryan Edward Barron, 26, Army National Guard Specialist, May 23, 2005 Biloxi, Mississippi
Audrey Daron Lunsford, 29, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Sardis, Mississippi
Saburant “Sabe” Parker, 43, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Foxworth, Mississippi
Daniel Ryan Varnado, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Saucier, Mississippi
Christopher S. Perez, 30, Marine Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Hutchinson, Kansas
Randy D. Collins, 36, Army Sergeant 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Long Beach, California
Charles A. “Chuck” Drier, 28, Army Sergeant, May 24, 2005 Tuscola County, Michigan
Dustin C. Fisher, 22, Army Specialist, May 24, 2005 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, Army Private 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Hoopeston, Illinois
Peter J. Hahn, 31, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Metairie, Louisiana
Alfred Barton Siler, 33, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 25, 2005 Duff, Tennessee
David Neil Wimberg, 24, Marine Reserve Sergeant, May 25, 2005 Louisville, Kentucky
Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, Marine Reserve Major, May 26, 2005 Mission Viejo, California
Matthew Scott Lourey, 40, Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW4), May 27, 2005 East Bethel, Minnesota
Mark A. Maida, 22, Army Sergeant, May 27, 2005 Madison, Wisconsin
Joshua Michael Scott, 28, Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW2), May 27, 2005 Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Phillip N. Sayles, 26, Army Specialist, May 28, 2005 Jacksonville, Arkansas
Albert E. Smart, 41, Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, May 28, 2005 San Antonio, Texas
Michael S. Barnhill, 39, Marine Reserve 1st Sergeant, May 28, 2005 Folsom, California
Victor M. Cortes III, 29, Army Staff Sergeant, May 29, 2005 Erie, Pennsylvania
Derek Argel, 28, Air Force Captain, May 30, 2005 Lompoc, California
Casey Crate, 26, Air Force Staff Sergeant, May 30, 2005 Spanaway, Washington
William Downs, 40, Air Force Major, May 30, 2005 Winchester, Virginia
Jeremy Fresques, 26, Air Force Captain, May 30, 2005 Clarkdale, Arizona
Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, Marine Corporal, May 30, 2005 Snohomish, Washington
Steven M. Langmack, 33, Army Sergeant 1st Class, May 31, 2005 Seattle, Washington
Miguel A. Ramos, 39, Army Reserve Sergeant, May 31, 2005 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Phillip C. Edmundson, 22, Army Corporal, Jun 01, 2005 Wilson, North Carolina
Louis E. Niedermeier, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 01, 2005 Largo, Florida
Virgil R. Case, 37, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jun 01, 2005 Mountain Home, Idaho
Linda J. Villar, 41, Dept. of the Army Civilian, Jun 03, 2005 Franklinton, Louisiana
Antonio Mendoza, 21, Marine Corporal, Jun 03, 2005 Santa Ana, California
Eric J. Poelman, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 05, 2005 Racine, Wisconsin
Brian Scott “Scotty” Ulbrich, 23, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 05, 2005 Chapmanville, West Virginia
Justin L. Vasquez, 26, Army Staff Sergeant, Jun 05, 2005 Manzanola, Colorado
Theodore S. Westhusing, 44, Army Colonel, Jun 05, 2005 Dallas, Texas
Carrie L. French, 19, Army National Guard Corporal, Jun 05, 2005 Caldwell, Idaho
Brian M. Romines, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 06, 2005 Simpson, Illinois
Robert T. Mininger, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 06, 2005 Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Jonathan L. Smith, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 06, 2005 Eva, Alabama
Eric T. Burri, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 07, 2005 Wyoming, Michigan
Terrence K. Crowe, 44, Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Jun 07, 2005 New York, New York
Michael J. Fasnacht, 25, Army 1st Lieutenant, Jun 08, 2005 Mankato, Minnesota
Douglas E. Kashmer, 27, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 08, 2005 Sharon, Pennsylvania
Louis E. Allen, 34, Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant, Jun 08, 2005 Milford, Pennsylvania
{ 2 comments }
It’s unfortunately too easy to be so busy living life that you momentarily lose sight of just how fortunate we are to experience all the freedoms, all the choices, all the opportunities we are given. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who put their own lives on the line – all for the sake of securing a country, and a world where its citizens can live freely and make a better life for themselves and their families.
On Veterans Day, and any day, there are things we can do to pay our respect and show our support for these incredible people. Here are just a few ideas, please add yours in the comments:
Visit a national park commemorating where they fought and served their country. This idea stems from the NPS and according to their site, “contains a sampling of National Park Service sites that can help visitors gain an understanding of what America’s veterans fought for, and provides a link to our past, present, and future.”
Send an E-Card through the Easter Seals expressing your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Easter Seals offers community-based services and support for America’s military service members, veterans with disabilities and their families. As service members return from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Easter Seals Military and Veterans initiative is responding to the needs of injured military service members transitioning to civilian life.
Work with the USO – become a partner, make a donation, become a volunteer. They proudly serve the men and women who serve our country. Learn more here: United Service Organizations
Scan the web – take some time out of your day today and visit sites like Honor Our Veterans. Read up on the history of Veteran Day on military.com’s page. The least we can do is take pause and reflect on their bravery and dedication.
Support great causes and spread the word about them – one I love is the Honor Flight Network. It was created to give veterans the opportunity to travel for free to visit the memorials created in their honor, because they may not have the financial or physical freedom to do so.
Participate and support your local chapters of veterans service organizations like the American Legion and VFW. Keep your eyes and ears open for events run by your local chapters, and come out when they run tricky trays, blood drives, food drives.
photo courtesy of Wigwam Jones
{ 1 comment }
Are you proud to be an American? If you are, chances are you hold the country’s flag in very high regard. You wouldn’t let it touch the ground, you would bring it to your local American Legion or VFW if it was “tattered and torn.” Chances are you would wear your red white and blue proudly on your body, you would get involved in projects to support veterans new and old and send packages to soldiers. You would take time out of your week to reflect on the sacrifice of our soldiers. With pride comes respect and reverence – this is something most people who are deeply connected to their American pride understand.
How about this: are you *proud* to be a citizen of this earth?
Are you aware of how your daily life impacts the earth? Seems a bit melodramatic, but when you add up all the lives and all the days, you get to a point where it’s big enough that 9,000+ bloggers are shining a light on the issue in an effort to affect change.
Climate change is the topic for this year’s Blog Action Day, and we’re hoping to reach out and encourage our readers to take pause and consider what’s happening around you and what you can do to lend a hand.
People use the word “GREEN” so much it makes me want to vomit. No, scratch that – PROJECTILE vomit. It’s so overused and so under-analyzed. If you thought hard about it you could probably claim to be green for the littlest reason, and I honestly think a lot of companies and individuals hang their “green” hats on that baseline effort. Winning sales by claiming GREEN is lame – and I challenge people to do their homework and hold companies to higher standards.
The idea is not to do as little possible and claim to be earth friendly. Individuals and companies alike can take some time to look at everything and try to go beyond the minimum. I’m definitely no angel when it comes to conservation and preservation, but I’m arming myself with some knowledge to get in the game and try to make more of a difference.
Interested in seeing some of the effects of Global Warming? Click to the Top 100 Effects of Global Warming. Take it with a grain of salt, but be warned, some of this stuff is scary (and I’m not just talking about the possible eradication of pinot noir – read down to the parts about malaria, famine, natural disasters).
There are a number of resources on the internet for you to gauge your personal, household or company’s carbon footprint. Check out some carbon calculators here:
At the end of some of these calculators, you are provided with options to offset your carbon footprint. The first option typically seems to be making a donation – which is a very worthy and noble course of action. But my first suggestion is to look at ways to minimize your impact on the earth. Some things I can speak to that you might want to try include:
- Carry a tote bag to work every day with your meal(s) instead of grocery or brown bags.
- Invest in reusable grocery tote bags or at the very least, use plastic and bring them back to the supermarket for recycling
- Recycle cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and any household items that your city/town encourages.
- Buy one bottle of water on Monday and reuse it through the week, refilling it from the water cooler
- Save on gas and oil whenever and however possible. Carpool, buy more fuel efficient cars, use public transportation.
- Save energy and water when you can. Unplug electronics, don’t just power off. Don’t keep the faucet running when you don’t need it.
For more ideas, visit Scientific American and be sure to click through the 4 short pages of solid information.
It’s October, it’s getting cold here in New Jersey. You can bet your ass I’m freezing mine off when I emerge from underneath the very fluffy, very warm comforter in the mornings now. But I’m resigning myself to the goal of sucking it up for as long as possible before begging for us to start up the heat 
That’s just one thing I’m going to try – but there will be more.
This blog is all about spreading good karma around the world – how about we take some time to read up on the world itself and see how we can respect and nurture it?
No bit of difference is inconsequential.
earth egg image copyright azrainman
{ 0 comments }
Most people who know me are well aware of my borderline obsession with the Food Network. I really got into it when I had a full week off my feet after surgery. Talk about kindness, I’m not going to get too gushy but Mike really went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable while I was stuck home during the healing process. So while I was cuddled up in the most comfortable blanket ever created, I tuned in to watch a variety of different personalities creating some amazing dishes, and I was hooked.
We cook a whole lot now. It’s pretty much a necessity when you are trying to be healthy – so while Paula Deen might not be the best option, there is still a great deal of inspiration I find from the many recipes I witness unfolding on the Food Network. That inspiration has branched out a bit, however. Recently I’ve been seeing some promos for the network’s official charity partner, Share Our Strength.
This organization, in their own words, works hard to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 6 children in this country is at risk of hunger. The charity has a number of different efforts to end childhood hunger, and the work they’ve done so far is really impressive.
One key nation-wide Share Our Strength initiative that can help you get involved is coming up pretty soon, the Great American Dine Out. Bestow a random act of kindness on someone you love, and take them out to eat at a participating restaurant September 20-26. Get involved and support these establishments: “Some restaurants are donating a portion of sales for the week to Share Our Strength, while others are selling T-shirts and bounce back coupons or even creating special menu items to raise much needed funds.”
I’m a fan of pitching in, helping out, getting involved in anything that will help spread good karma around the world. But when it truly speaks to your passions in life, it’s beyond win-win.
{ 9 comments }
