29June2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
It was announced that in keeping with honoring the wounded and ill of our Armed Forces, the Silver Star Families of America will begin issuing certificates of appreciation to military medical personnel.
Qualifications: Must have been involved in the actual treatment or transportation of our wounded while serving in a war zone from any war;
This would include medics, helicopter pilots, doctors, nurses or anyone DIRECTLY involved in treating the wounded in a war zone that is defined by the Department of Defense.
Janie Orman, President of the SSFOA stated, “This is a new program for us but we believe that it is in keeping with our mission to remember and honor our wounded. Those who place their lives on the line to make sure our wounded come home should be thanked and this is a good start.”
To apply, please go www.silverstarfamilies.org
5May2008
Posted by darkblue under: holidays.
while making my rounds on May 1st in order to honor the wounded, I wanted to check out the remembrance tree, which has been planted near the Fisher House. I found out about this tree not too long ago, the Remembrance Tree was planted in May 2006 dedicated to all those soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The tree was planted in memory of five soldiers Alex, Cory, William, Brandon and Shane, battle buddies who lost their lives 2 years ago…
Marine Cpl. Cory L. Palmer, 21, of Seaford, Del.; assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 6 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio of wounds sustained May 1 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marine Sgt. Alessandro Carbonaro, 28, of Bethesda, Md.; assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 10 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds received May 1 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marine Cpl. William B. Fulks, 23, of Culloden, W.Va.; assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 18, at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, from wounds sustained May 1 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.
Army Spc. Brandon L. Teeters, 21, of Lafayette, La.; assigned to the 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Texas; died May 12 in Ludwigshafen, Germany, of injuries sustained April 20 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad.
Army Capt. Shane R. Mahaffee, 36, of Alexandria, Va.; assigned to the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve, Knoxville, Tenn.; died May 15 in Ludwigshafen, Germany, of injuries sustained May 5 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat patrol operations in Hillah, Iraq.
…they all had something in common, they gave their life for our freedoms and they passed through Landstuhl within the same time frame, like so many others… I managed to find the tree, because I was fortunate enough to hear its story, but then its not public knowledge, nor is there a plaque or sign hinting at it… too bad - I think it should be made more public to give everyone who passes by a chance to pay its respects…
1May2008
Posted by darkblue under: holidays.
We pledge on our honor
To remember and assist the wounded
And ill of our Armed Forces
From ALL wars to the best of our ability.
We pledge that we will never forget
That we will always remember
The sacrifices you have made.
The blood sweat and tears that you shed
Will remain on our minds and in our hearts
And we will forever be grateful
We pledge that we will remind others
So that all remember
That you gave up so much
So that this Nation would not perish from the face of the earth.
God bless the United States of America SILVER STAR SHINING FOR SACRIFICE AND HONORING OUR WOUNDED
SSFOA Germany spent the day all over Landstuhl, trying to distribute much needed items to about every corner we were able to get to… our trip started off with the chaplains office, delivering blankets, phone cards, hygiene items, pocket bibles and cross stitched crosses…
thanks to the help of Assisteens from Gladstone, MO; Mandy Jacobson and Mrs. Sandy Hughey from Carmel, IN we were able to help the chaplains closet to stock up on some needed items.
Next stop on the list was the Fisher House, where we had a special delivery to take care of… Donna Ward from Beanies for Baghdad (www.beaniesforbaghdad.com) kindly sent us a huge stock of beanie babies, please visit their web site, they are doing a terrific job. I helped Mrs. Gregory (Manager at the FS at Landstuhl) to fit the furry cuties into a special basked, which will help children who are visiting and the wounded to find some comfort on their own… Mrs. Gregory was delighted to be able to offer such a wonderful selection…
With more beanie babies, snacks, cross word puzzles, DVDs, games and get well cards in tow, we headed to our next point - the new outpatient facility. We were lucky, CPT Gawlik was in, she greeted us and helped to put our goodies out for the wounded outpatients who are presently staying at her facility.
again, a round of thanks goes to the Assisteens from Gladstone, MO; Mrs. Sandy Hughey, Kathy B. and Donna Ward for all their hard work and support.
Next and our last destination today was the hospital itself, we visited the wards and the nurses stations… its been a looong, but rewarding day.
1May2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
We are pleased to announce that to date 44 states, the District of Columbia and over 100 cities across the country and Germany are joining in to declare May 1 as Silver Star Day to honor our wounded. Many cities and states have made Silver Star Day a “permanent” day to honor Wounded. Five states have recognized the SIlver Star Service Banner as their Official symbol for the wounded and ill.
The Silver Star Families of America’s mission is to remember honor and assist the wounded in any way we can. We primarily do this by issuing thousands of Silver Star Banners and Certificates to the wounded or their families. When someone sees a Banner in a window or a Flag flying we want them to remember the sacrifices made for this country. Many of our members have wounded children or have been wounded themselves. They are dedicated to this cause and they are dedicated to the wounded.
Please join us by honoring a wounded Hero with a Silver Star Banner visit a V.A. Medical center a veteran’s home a military hospital drive with your lights on where permitted say a prayer requests Banners at: http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/RequestSSBanner.html or Sponsor a Silver Star Banner for a wounded Soldier http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/SponsorSSBanner.html . If nothing else at 5:00 PM central stop and REMEMBER. Remember those that have shed blood and given up so much for you and I. Remember those who have been affected by the horrors of war. It is all about our wounded kids and the more we reach–the more we can help and honor. This has been an all-out team effort. We are also asking all veteran organizations to join with the Silver Star Families of America to say thank you to our wounded. The SSFOA honor and respect all who support our military.
Please let us know how you support our Wounded Heroes on May 1st Silver Star Day and throughout the entire military appreciation month of May.
American Forces Press: http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/Content.aspx?ID=44975468
Respectfully, Steve NewtonFounder stevenewton69@hotmail.com
Janie Orman President janieorman@gmail.com
Silver Star Families of America 525 Cave Hollow RD Clever MO 65631-6313
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service |
| WASHINGTON, April 28, 2008 - Last year, 44 states and the District of Columbia proclaimed celebrated May 1 as Silver Star Day.This year, Silver Star Families of America, which began the grassroots movement, is hoping all 50 states will remember and honor their wounded and ill veterans May 1 to kick off Military Appreciation Month.”While we want every state to join with us, this year we are going to the cities and asking them to help,” Janie Orman, the organization’s president, said. “We wanted 50 cities across the United States to hold ceremonies and remember our honored wounded.”
Cities across the nation are responding “beyond our expectations,” Orman said.
“To date we have received proclamations from 44 states, the District of Columbia and 89 cities, with more coming in every day,” she said. “It has been a long time since I have seen such an outpouring of love and respect.”
Silver Star Families of America is a banner organization, similar to Blue Star Mothers of America and American Gold Star Mothers. Since its founding three years ago, the organization has given out thousands of Silver Star Service banners and certificates to wounded U.S. veterans from all wars wherever they live.
The tradition of the Silver Star banner for the wounded and ill goes back to 1917 and lasted for years until it faded into history. Silver Star Families of America brought back this tradition so that every time someone sees a Silver Star banner in a window or a Silver Star flag flying, they remember the sacrifice of wounded servicemembers.
The Silver Star Service banner and flag fly at military hospitals, Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and combat support hospitals.
“We hope everyone will take a minute to reflect on the sacrifices of our wounded and ill soldiers on May 1,” Orman said. “I also invite everyone to hold their own ceremonies or banner presentations.”
Silver Star Families of America is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home or abroad. |
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Related Sites:
Silver Star Families of America
America Supports You |
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Landstuhl events; holidays.
here is a short follow up on our Easter event at Landstuhl… thanks to the help of some great folks and SSFOA National we were able to fill and pass out plenty of Easter bags… 
all ready and done…
Janines famous Easter Cake… yum….
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
March it was announced that the Silver Star Families of America is working to have all 50 states declare May 1st ”Silver Star Banner Day” for the wounded of the United States Armed Forces from all wars.
Last year, 44 states, the District of Columbia and cities across the United States joined in the effort to remember the wounded.
Janie Orman, President of the non profit 501 C 3 SSFOA stated, ”One of our organizations prime missions is to make sure the sacrifice of the wounded is never forgotten. Having one day set aside to hold special recognition events is the least we can do.”
Orman continued by saying; ”This year we hope that the states will make May 1st the permanent day of respect for the wounded. Every year we have to go back and ask the Governors for a proclamation. This year we are requesting that it become a permanent part of our societyâ€TMs recognition of those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
While this effort is just starting, two states have already come on board for Silver Star Day and several states are looking to make this day of recognition a law.
The SSFOA remembers the wounded by presenting them or their families a Silver Star Banner and Certificate. They state; ”It is our wish that every time someone sees a Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that they remember the blood shed for this country.”
The SSFOA is asking all our friends to contact their state governors by e-mail or phone and letting them know you support this effort.
The organization has grown and now provides a number of programs geared to the wounded including: The Hear4You program which is an Instant Messaging hotline manned by the SSFOA H4Y support team.. The program is a safe and supportive tool to benefit those who are struggling after a deployment; The Hand to Hand program which provides hand held games to poly trauma patients, the Honoring Hungry Hero’s program which provides food cards to patients tired of hospital food, an extensive PTSD resource program and a letter writing team.
The organization also supports the Veteran Administrations stand downs for the homeless and is a member of the V.A. Volunteer Services Board. They can be contacted at: http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/
Steve Newton
SSFOA
525 Cave Hollow Rd.
Clever, MO. 65631
Stevenewton69@hotmail.com
*taken from the Gathering of Eagles March Newsletter http://gatheringofeagles.org/
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
More than 60 years after the custom was last observed, five states have endorsed the Silver Star banner as their official symbol for honoring war-wounded veterans. The practice began in 1918, and the Silver Star banner was granted semi-official status by the Army adjutant general. Sometime between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II the practice was lost. Silver Star Families of America has been working to get the banner granted official status since 2005. To date, five states — Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana and Missouri — have done so. For more information, visit the Silver Star Families of America website.
See more Wounded Warrior news on Military.com.
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
At the Willow Grove military base in Horsham, wounded veterans were honored for their service and their sacrifice. It gave Fox 29’s Bruce Gordon a chance to delve into the minds of those who willingly risk life and limb, to protect others.
watch the clip at this Video Link
30March2008
Posted by darkblue under: Silver Star news.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service |
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2008 - More than 60 years after the custom was last observed, five states have endorsed the Silver Star banner as their official symbol for honoring war-wounded veterans. The practice began in 1918, and the Silver Star banner was granted semi-official status by the Army adjutant general, said Steve Newton, founder of Silver Star Families of America. Sometime between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II, he said, the practice was lost.
Silver Star Families of America has been working to get the banner granted official status since 2005, Newton said. “When Congress approved the Blue Star and the Gold Star (as official service banners), it did not designate a Silver Star banner,” Newton said.
Blue Star banners designate families with a member serving in the military, while a Gold Star banner honors a family member who was killed in action.
The efforts of Newton’s group to work with Congress to get the Silver Star banner designated nationally as an official service banner led to some stalling points, however. Congress wanted the Silver Star Families of America to narrow its definition of wounded, Newton said.
“We decided to … go state by state, because we didn’t want to leave out post-traumatic stress (disorder) or Agent Orange or Gulf War Syndrome or accidents that occur in the war zone that will affect somebody for the rest of their lives,” Newton said. “We thought that they needed to be honored also.”
In 2007, the group presented each state with a proclamation to endorse the Silver Star banner as its official service banner to honor war wounded. To date, five states — Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana and Missouri — have done so.
“To me it’s a sign of honor,” Newton said. “When a state takes an action like this, it means that they want to remember the sacrifices of the wounded.”
Janie Orman, the group’s president, said that while the five states agreed quickly and others are on the brink of declaring the Silver Star banner their official service banner for the wounded, some declined.
“A couple of them said, ‘No, thank you,’” she said. “A couple of them felt like they had their own programs, I believe.”
In 2007, 44 states honored their war wounded by proclaiming May 1 as “Silver Star Day for the Wounded,” with at least two of those states working to make the proclamation permanent, Orman said. Silver Star Families of America hopes at least that many states will endorse the Silver Star banner, she added.
The Missouri-based group is a supporter of America Support You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad. |
|
Related Sites:
Silver Star Families of America
America Supports You |
