This page will stay on top until November 11, 2009 and new stuff will post below.
Are you onboard?
First off, if you are a blogger who comes here, you should be on #TeamNavy. Once you are added to the Blogroll, you should automatically be directed to the page that lets you add a widget. If you have any technical difficulties with the widget, email me, I've got people. And despite what SJS says....they are not chained in the hull of a ship.
Next, do you have a Twitter account? You can add a #Valour-IT Twibbon to your avatar to show support. Then please retweet #Valour-IT tweets and use the hashtag.
Ok, maybe you don't have a blog....but I bet you have a FaceBook account. That's great too! If you go to this page, select the FaceBook icon and fill in your FB info. It will post to your Facebook. We also have an event page on FaceBook, go and RSVP.
There is an official Valour-IT blog and of course, everything you could ever want to know is on their webpage.
So you've looked at everything above and you've decided that you are not comfortable with clicking through to donate online.....no problem, here's the mailing info
Soldiers Angels
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
I would simply request that you mark your check as being for #TeamNavy.
OK, that was all the technical stuff. There will be posts below where I write about the accomplishments of the charity, post testimonials from Valour-IT technology recipients and link to other bloggers' Valour-IT posts. We have until November 11, 2009 to raise a pile of money to help bring this technology to our wounded military......raise awareness of the whole Project Valour-IT (it runs year round)......and to beat the snot out of the Army Team.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Project Valour-IT - Wondering How to Help #TEAMNAVY??
Maybe you aren't a blogger, but I bet you have a FaceBook page or a Twitter account. Do you belong to an online group? These are all places you could link blogger posts about Project Valour-IT.
Here are some suggestions -
Valour IT: Giving in Action
Valour IT: The story should be told. Again and Again and Again
Voice From The Noise "Valour-IT Fundraiser 2009"
From NavyCS "ECI at 1.5% and Valour-IT Reminder"
And if you are a blogger who hasn't yet signed onto #TeamNavy....well get over there and do it!!!
Here are some suggestions -
Valour IT: Giving in Action
Valour IT: The story should be told. Again and Again and Again
Voice From The Noise "Valour-IT Fundraiser 2009"
From NavyCS "ECI at 1.5% and Valour-IT Reminder"
And if you are a blogger who hasn't yet signed onto #TeamNavy....well get over there and do it!!!
Dear Anonymous
You have just left a comment in the post titled "Steeljaw Scribe"s Pep Talk". Ask that I contact you by email and that I not publish your note.
Well the later request is no problem, but the former....you are anonymous and you didn't leave an email address. So I can't contact you.
Why don't you try this, BostonMaggie at Yahoo dot com
Well the later request is no problem, but the former....you are anonymous and you didn't leave an email address. So I can't contact you.
Why don't you try this, BostonMaggie at Yahoo dot com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
People Tormenting Me
In an email -
"I know all of the organizers who are eager to have it covered in the blogosphere…and would arrange interviews."
Great, another totally cool thing I have to say "Thank you for the offer, but I can't."
Argghhh!
And I know General David Petraeus and Col. Buzz Aldrin are bumming because they would have had the chance to meet me. I have to go buy a lottery ticket. Because really no one should have to suffer like that.
If I win, my life will be nothing but a never ending series of lectures, conferences, visiting ships.....and Drink-EXs.
"I know all of the organizers who are eager to have it covered in the blogosphere…and would arrange interviews."
Great, another totally cool thing I have to say "Thank you for the offer, but I can't."
Argghhh!
And I know General David Petraeus and Col. Buzz Aldrin are bumming because they would have had the chance to meet me. I have to go buy a lottery ticket. Because really no one should have to suffer like that.
If I win, my life will be nothing but a never ending series of lectures, conferences, visiting ships.....and Drink-EXs.
More Project Valour-IT Posts
I loved reading these -
You have EagleSpeak with - The facts, just the facts.
"Project Valour-IT: Join The Navy!"
From the Spinosa Factor
Helping The Lives of Those That Defend Our Freedom
From "The Scoop Deck" over at Navy Times
Help Team Navy sink the online competition
You have EagleSpeak with - The facts, just the facts.
"Project Valour-IT: Join The Navy!"
From the Spinosa Factor
Helping The Lives of Those That Defend Our Freedom
From "The Scoop Deck" over at Navy Times
Help Team Navy sink the online competition
Monday, October 26, 2009
We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live
Project Valour-IT - Participating in the 5th annual fundraiser - Go #TeamNavy
Some people do it out of gratitude.
Some people do it to honor of their friends.
Some people do it to support people they've never met and likely never will.
Some people do it because they fear the Goddess of the Naval Blogging Strike Force!
So pay attention as CDR Salamander tries to warn you of the consequences should you fail to comply. Join Team Navy and help out......or else!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, this is just us playing, but seriously, Project Valour-IT is a very worthy cause and if you follow this link and read my friend Chuck's post and his wife Carren's post ....I know you will want to join us and help as many others as possible.
Some people do it out of gratitude.
Some people do it to honor of their friends.
Some people do it to support people they've never met and likely never will.
Some people do it because they fear the Goddess of the Naval Blogging Strike Force!
So pay attention as CDR Salamander tries to warn you of the consequences should you fail to comply. Join Team Navy and help out......or else!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok, this is just us playing, but seriously, Project Valour-IT is a very worthy cause and if you follow this link and read my friend Chuck's post and his wife Carren's post ....I know you will want to join us and help as many others as possible.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The 65th Anniversary of The Battle of Leyte Gulf
October 23rd through October 26th in 1944. Sixty-five years ago this weekend, the greatest naval battle in history took place in the Pacific ocean. The Allies, led by the United States Navy successfully fought the Japanese Navy.
This pic is from October 20, 1944 when, courtesy of ADM Halsey's 3rd Fleet & ADM Kincaid's 7th Fleet, GEN MacArthur lands at Leyte Island.
The Japanese commence Sho-Go (Victory Operation). The fleets of Admirals Nishimura, Kurita, Ozawa and Shima come at the Allies with their last ditch effort to defeat us or die honorably.
What happens between October 23rd and October 26th is the most incredible display of American determination, ingenuity and courage.
Lieutenant Commander Robert Copeland, skipper of USS Samuel B Roberts (DE 413), addressed his crew October 25, 1944 "This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can." 
A great recap is Episode 19 of Victory at Sea as @deremilitari pointed out to me on Twitter.
Other great posts -
From EagleSpeak's archives
The Battle of Leyte Gulf: 23-26 October 1944 & new Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday Ship History: The Battle of Leyte Gulf
From SteelJaw Scribe
65th Anniversary of Leyte Gulf
From Chaotic Synaptic Activity's archives Thursday Maritime Matters: Special Edition and from CSA today 10/25/44 the Last Great Naval Battle
/r GODNAVBLOGSTRIFOR
October 24th
Well it's UN Day.....blech!
It's the anniversary of the Treaty of Westphalia (geek alert - I knew that without looking it up).
But it's something more.....
Oh yes! It's John's birthday. Happy Birthday! Tell my friend Keira to give you an extra birthday hug from your favorite ex-wife.
I Could Live At Work
I've said it plenty of times in the past....and this morning I proved the point again. When I work the Saturday mornings I have to be here at 9 am....hafta. So this morning the alarm went off at 8 and apparently, instead of hitting snooze, I hit off.
The next time I opened my eyes it was 8:51 am. Yikes! I rolled out of bed and tried to think. It hurt. LOL But I realized the most important thing was getting here. So I literally pulled on my most disreputable sweats (the ones with the holes) and socks and a t-shirt and slipped on a pair of clogs. I went directly to the car. Drive through at DD for tea and was here at 9:05.
I walk in the door, shut off the alarm, take the phones off forwarding and get undressed!!!! LOL I went into the ladies room. There is a hairbrush, a tootbrush, tooth paste, mouthwash, face soap, moisturizer.....everything I need. Out of my gym bag I have good looking, non-holey sweatpants and sneakers.
Viola!
The next time I opened my eyes it was 8:51 am. Yikes! I rolled out of bed and tried to think. It hurt. LOL But I realized the most important thing was getting here. So I literally pulled on my most disreputable sweats (the ones with the holes) and socks and a t-shirt and slipped on a pair of clogs. I went directly to the car. Drive through at DD for tea and was here at 9:05.
I walk in the door, shut off the alarm, take the phones off forwarding and get undressed!!!! LOL I went into the ladies room. There is a hairbrush, a tootbrush, tooth paste, mouthwash, face soap, moisturizer.....everything I need. Out of my gym bag I have good looking, non-holey sweatpants and sneakers.
Viola!
Friday, October 23, 2009
USS New York (LPD 21) Commissioning
Guess who has a ticket?
Come on! Guess! Guess who has a white card with blue lettering and a red border that reads -
Come on! Guess! Guess who has a white card with blue lettering and a red border that reads -
OFFICIAL GUEST TICKET
Pier 88
Ceremony commences at 11 a.m.
on Saturday, November 7, 2009.
Please present this card for seating.
October 23rd In Naval History
October 23, 1944 - 65 years ago today The Battle of Leyte Gulf, a series of separate battles, begins with attacks on Japanese ships.
There wil be more about The Battle of Leyte Gulf in the next few days.
October 23, 1983 - Terrorist bombing of Marine barracks at Beirut airport in Lebanon kills 241 members of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit
To read more here are some links -
UltimaRatioReg posts at USNI blog
23 October 1983; A Blast that Still Echoes
The Armorer posts at The Castle Argghhh!!!
23 October, 1983. Some people you should remember
Arlington National Cemetary Website
Terrorist Bombing of The Marine Barracks, Beirut Lebanon
My post from last year had a list of links to blogs commemorating the 25th anniversary of the day.
October 23, 1983
There wil be more about The Battle of Leyte Gulf in the next few days.
October 23, 1983 - Terrorist bombing of Marine barracks at Beirut airport in Lebanon kills 241 members of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit
To read more here are some links -
UltimaRatioReg posts at USNI blog
23 October 1983; A Blast that Still Echoes
The Armorer posts at The Castle Argghhh!!!
23 October, 1983. Some people you should remember
Arlington National Cemetary Website
Terrorist Bombing of The Marine Barracks, Beirut Lebanon
My post from last year had a list of links to blogs commemorating the 25th anniversary of the day.
October 23, 1983
Valour-IT Fundraiser
To get this widget on your blog and join the winning team....#TEAMNAVY! go here, sign up and load your widget. If you have any questions, email me or Mary Ripley.
Random Stuff
At dinner tonight, Jen was telling stories of her adventures at the Plymouth Public Library. I had asked Jen to check me out a copy of "Last Stand of the TinCan Sailors". It seemed easier than trying to find which box my copy is in....yes...the bedroom still isn't finished. Jen knew it was non-fiction and she took a stab at finding it herself. When she couldn't find it, she went up to the reference desk and ask for help. The woman took the slip that Jen had the name of the book written on and wrote down the number. Looking at the number Jen realized that she had been very close, just one aisle over. Then the librarian put a hand on Jen's arm "Do you need me to go with you?" Jen replied that she would be fine and the librarian said "Catholic school?" Jen replied in the affirmative and asked if people went into the stacks never to return. The librarian said that they come back.....but often without the book.
Thank you Sister Ernestine Marie, Sr. Bernadette, Miss Ranaghan, Sr. Mary Esther! (It took a lot of nuns and even some lay teachers to keep on top of me!)
After dinner, Jen & Ed decided to have just one more glass of wine and wanted to try something different. Jen picked something from the wine list. Ed and the waiter had a discussion. When the wine arrived, Ed clearly didn't like it. She doesn't have a poker face. The waiter asked if she wanted to send it back. She demurs. He leaves. Jen tries it and says it's awful and use my water's lemon wedge to get the taste out of her mouth. One of the other waiters comes by and I flag him and say "Take this away." They bring her something else. The waiter removes her wine and Jen's wine from the bill. The last thing you'll ever catch me doing is putting something nasty in my mouth for the sake of being polite......it's ok for me to be risque...it's after midnight.
When I got home I realized that it was still very warm.....by the standards of a New Englander in late October. I have several windows open. I love the little bits of Indian Summer. I feel like I am getting away with something!
I am supposed to be blogging about this morning's DOD Blogger's RoundTable with RADM Landolt. It was at 0800 this morning. I rolled out of bed, brushed my hair, brushed my teeth, turned on the computer and called in wearing my favorite green silk wrapper....I don't think the admiral knew. I enjoyed the call. I always like it when I feel the person truly enjoys the subject matter. And I loved his attitude on social media.
Instead I am fooling around on Twitter, reading about net neutrality (thanks Tom) and listening to Lifehouse
Isn't she beautiful? There was a time when she represented the whole of my Navy experience in Boston. But now that the Navy has been kind enough to have me aboard several different types of ships....I can say that instead of being my only ship.....Old Ironsides is simply one-of-a-kind. Everyone should be as lucky as I was.
Thank you Sister Ernestine Marie, Sr. Bernadette, Miss Ranaghan, Sr. Mary Esther! (It took a lot of nuns and even some lay teachers to keep on top of me!)
After dinner, Jen & Ed decided to have just one more glass of wine and wanted to try something different. Jen picked something from the wine list. Ed and the waiter had a discussion. When the wine arrived, Ed clearly didn't like it. She doesn't have a poker face. The waiter asked if she wanted to send it back. She demurs. He leaves. Jen tries it and says it's awful and use my water's lemon wedge to get the taste out of her mouth. One of the other waiters comes by and I flag him and say "Take this away." They bring her something else. The waiter removes her wine and Jen's wine from the bill. The last thing you'll ever catch me doing is putting something nasty in my mouth for the sake of being polite......it's ok for me to be risque...it's after midnight.
When I got home I realized that it was still very warm.....by the standards of a New Englander in late October. I have several windows open. I love the little bits of Indian Summer. I feel like I am getting away with something!
I am supposed to be blogging about this morning's DOD Blogger's RoundTable with RADM Landolt. It was at 0800 this morning. I rolled out of bed, brushed my hair, brushed my teeth, turned on the computer and called in wearing my favorite green silk wrapper....I don't think the admiral knew. I enjoyed the call. I always like it when I feel the person truly enjoys the subject matter. And I loved his attitude on social media.
Instead I am fooling around on Twitter, reading about net neutrality (thanks Tom) and listening to Lifehouse
Isn't she beautiful? There was a time when she represented the whole of my Navy experience in Boston. But now that the Navy has been kind enough to have me aboard several different types of ships....I can say that instead of being my only ship.....Old Ironsides is simply one-of-a-kind. Everyone should be as lucky as I was.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Can You See Me?
I am on the aft, starboard side....
Isn't she just beautiful?
Doesn't it make you want to fan USS Constitution on FaceBook?
Isn't she just beautiful?Doesn't it make you want to fan USS Constitution on FaceBook?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
There Was No Cake.....
...but there were presents!!!
I never made it below decks for the grog, but Senior Chief Twiford found me and gave me this!
Can you even imagine how swelled my head was over this!!!
Jen & SouthieBoy may have to call in re-enforcements.
I had a marvelous time. I have been aboard Old Ironsides countless times, but never when she was underway.
I was sweating the time on my drive to the Navy Yard. Can you believe....I got up at 0500 for this! As you can imagine, there is a very short list of people that I would do that for. But traffic conspired against me and I was white knuckled that last few minutes between the North End and City Square.
I dashed up to the gate and as I approached the gate, fishing out my ID, the Sailor with the clip board addressed me by name and told "You're all set".....you'd think I go there a lot or something!
I boarded and casually made my way to the starboard side aft (or is it aft, starboard side?). I had already decided where I wanted to be standing and I wasn't disappointed. The weather was perfect and before we started out, I got to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over USS Cassin Young.
Ok, I promise more tomorrow, but I have to go to bed now. The plan was to blog this evening...here....the Castle and over at the Navy Memorial. However, at the last minute I had to go do something with Frankie. I may write about it. I may not. But I am exhausted, so this and the next post with some pics is all you get tonight baby.
I never made it below decks for the grog, but Senior Chief Twiford found me and gave me this!
Can you even imagine how swelled my head was over this!!!
Jen & SouthieBoy may have to call in re-enforcements.
I had a marvelous time. I have been aboard Old Ironsides countless times, but never when she was underway.
I was sweating the time on my drive to the Navy Yard. Can you believe....I got up at 0500 for this! As you can imagine, there is a very short list of people that I would do that for. But traffic conspired against me and I was white knuckled that last few minutes between the North End and City Square.
I dashed up to the gate and as I approached the gate, fishing out my ID, the Sailor with the clip board addressed me by name and told "You're all set".....you'd think I go there a lot or something!
I boarded and casually made my way to the starboard side aft (or is it aft, starboard side?). I had already decided where I wanted to be standing and I wasn't disappointed. The weather was perfect and before we started out, I got to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over USS Cassin Young.
Ok, I promise more tomorrow, but I have to go to bed now. The plan was to blog this evening...here....the Castle and over at the Navy Memorial. However, at the last minute I had to go do something with Frankie. I may write about it. I may not. But I am exhausted, so this and the next post with some pics is all you get tonight baby.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
