America Matters
All Matters American....Because America Matters.................Email us at LT-CG@AmericaMatters.org
America Matters' Bio
"America Matters was born out of the respect and love that two friends, LT and CG, have for this country.LT and CG share a common thread in the business world. Having worked together in the transportation industry for years and continue to do so to this day. LT and CG both share a military upbringing. Lt. having served our nation and CG the son of a military man. They've always talked about creating an outlet to express their admiration for all things American and the blogosphere has offered that outlet. The inspirational force behind AM is their mutual respect and admiration for 97.1 FM talk radio in St. Louis. Jamie Allman of 97.1 and his blog, BullMooseAmerica has helped plant the seed that soon became America Matters. Thank you Mr. Allman." "Trying not to be just another political site, AM takes a look at all things American....past, present and future. There is an abundance of politics only sites roaming the internet. AM needed to be different. We share a fondness for our American past, a love for America now and we look forward with optimism to an America to come. There's certainly enough people out there blogging about the so-called problem that is America. Not so here. This IS America, We ARE America and America Matters.
America Matters
Changes Coming To America Matters
I was amazed to see the readers, the hits, the views ,and read the emails from those of you that have continued to come here to America Matters. Especially given that I have been overwhelmed in my personal and business life, just as my America Matters partner "CG" has... and America Matters has been neglected in the past few months because of it. Yet you continued to drop by, and I can't tell you how much we appreciate that. It means a great deal..So much and thank you all.
America Matters is about to go through a bit of a change. A change that I am very excited about and one that myself and CG are very passionate about. We are going to go ALL MILITARY. In other words...ANYTHING that pertains to America's military. Let me explain....
We are not only going to keep you up to date on news going on in Iraq and Afghanistan but anywhere an American soldier puts his/her boots on. No politics unless it pertains to the military. The primary "driver" of this new America Matters is going to be "YOU"... We are going to take stories of your loved ones serving overseas that you email us about and post them right here. Just as you have written them! Stories of your own experience in the military. Stories, photos,
quotes...etc.
We are also going to link all of the great organizations that support the military. The USO, Operation Homefront, Adoptaplatoon, and many others.
We will be posting events, memoriams, and honorary ceremonies of great organizations from the VFW, The American Legion, Sons Of The American Revolution and so on..... So much more. Keeping you up to date.
It's going to be a big job, but one we are determined to provide. We will be posting military video footage, talking about military history and even military movies and heroes.
The primary "mover" is going to be YOU the reader and the personal stories you have of your loved ones serving or your own experience in serving our country.
In the past I have blathered on about many subjects no doubt and I am going to take that to another blog new blog address to be announced later....and maybe starting a military blog now seems a bit of odd timing..But why? It's not just going to be about our wars but EVERYTHING military and EVERYTHING that tells their story and brings these brave men and women honor and helps us understand their lives and those that love them.....
If you have any comments or suggestions? Please feel free to email me at
armytuff@hotmail.com and I WILL respond ...Your input is very much
appreciated.
Thx LT............. 
Inauguration Day
What better time to come back to blogging than after a few week hiatus ,than on Inauguration Day. Originally I had every intention of coming here tonight and writing about how I disagree with now President Barack Obama's stance on issues. I had every intention of making clear what President Bush's TRUE legacy will be to the world after the smoke clears. However, as I watched the inauguration, all the coverage, and pomp and circumstance I changed my mind. I realized even with all the disagreements we have as Americans.....This is a day for ALL Americans. With a huge and historic event of an African American becoming President of the United States and most powerful man in the world. All of this is quite the spectacle. However, it is about something much deeper than that, it's not all about Barack Obama, this is all about US....yes America.
This is how I have portrayed and explained this day to my kids. It was important for them to know the significance of this day and together we are America, but none of us as individuals are more important than that. So, though like you ,I will criticize this President just like we do all Presidents? Today and tonight however this is a celebration and a respect for the office of this great country. Pride and the showing of that pride takes many forms. There are few times that we can enjoy a time like this as one. We have four years to criticize and get angry and upset over the decisions of the President. We have a rough road ahead no matter what party your beliefs cling to.... Very few times like this do we have the opportunity to put those aside.
God Bless America!
Thx LT......
2009 A New Year!
Here Ye! Here Ye! Tis a new year upon us!
Through the craziness and relentless vitriol epsisodes of an American election year.
Experience is important. Change is the catch phrase. Guilty by association. He's too old.
A name makes one anti-American. No credit to victory in Iraq. Our soldiers stuck in the middle. The media blurs the truth. Liberal and right wing nuts. Far left and far right. Corruption and lying. Bail outs. Big Oil. Recession. Pending Depression. Bush's fault. Clinton's fault. Mergers. Addicted to oil. Iranian nukes. China steel. Gaza rockets. Israel handcuffed. Going green. Child exploitation. Celebrities of celebrity. Auto makers. Unions. Darfur. Anwar. Drill. No Drill. On and on and on.....
I wish a much more stable 2009. I wish an end to silliness and for more common sense in 2009.
I have faith in an America that can make this happen... I wish a great 2009 for America.
Thx
LT......
A Great Christmas
I hope that everyone had the perfect Christmas. I wish that everyone had a joyous and memorable Christmas day with friends and loved ones. I pray that everyone looked back and dreamed about the wonderful Christmas memories as child and that your day was filled with the joy that only this time of year can bring.
I was talking with CG the other day... He was on his way with his boys to basketball practice. We talked about Christmas and what it means to us. In the conversation we wondered how such a powerful feeling of goodwill and joy and memories could have ever been created? I mean, the anxious wait for Santa Claus. The Christmas tree. The scents and warmth of Christmas. We wondered how and when in the world such a wonderful feeling was brought forth, how it "got here". The music and stories and the nostalgia and the history and great literature like Dickens, all deeply entrenched in this great Christmas spirit.
The true meaning of Christmas, is summed up in the picture above.
However anyone celebrates or acknowledges this great day is different I understand. Regardless, it is a special time for everyone. I myself have said "Why can't we carry the Christmas feeling and share it with one another all year 'round?" Many of us have said that at this time each year. Tonight is the night to make that effort isn't it? I believe if we think deep and brush the earthly things aside and see the light? I have no doubt we can get closer to living our lives and follow the message of what this day means to the world.
God Bless and Merry Christmas from America Matters.
Thx LT..........
Stay Tuned America Matters!
Sorry for the unexpected hiatus. Long hours at work, family, and a screwed up schedule has kept myself and CG from America Matters. It however looks like we are in the clear. I talked to my "silent partner" CG this week as well and he will be back in full force very soon. I have a lot on my mind and a lot to talk about and I am looking forward to being back here daily. Man Oh man have things been freakin' crazy.. I want to thank everyone for continuing to come back over the past month and digging into our archives. To see the continuous hits here was refreshing and thank you for your emails of course!
I will be back by weeks end, and I look forward to venting. Or waxing sentimental, or whatever needs to be said.... It all matters.
Thx LT.........
USO Honor Flights/Allman In The Morning/ 97.1FM Talk
Christmas at the USO 1942
Just a bit past Veteran's Day and yet the love of our past and present troops and those serving just keeps growing. Those that fought the greatest war ever fought by Americans and our allies are dying at a rate of 1500 a day. Most are in their eighties and are the icons of their family units. They are the strength and storied guides to tradition and stability within their family units and because of these traditions and strong family units and their morality and common sense they have given us the rewards of the 20th and 21st century. All was hard fought and the sweet rewards we love are all because of these heroic men and women. There is nothing like them. Nothing like them.
It is incredible to think what they went through with such pride and dignity and resolve. It was a given to them in what they had to do to defeat the enemy and with that great strength they turned America into a freight train of innovation and a freedom loving people that are willing to fight for that very freedom that humankind deserves. America has a tall order to fill, and it's proven it can be done by those that fought in WWII. So much to say about them. We love you. Thank You.
America Matters' friend Jamie Allman of St. Louis' 97.1 FM Talk did something very cool this week. With no mention of this till the day before. Jamie went down to Lambert Airport here in St.Louis on Saturday morning about 5AM and talked to and filmed WWII Vets and their family members before they boarded for a USO "Honor Flight". I had never heard of these flights until Jamie had made us aware of them. It is very cool. SouthWest Airlines and the USO take WWII Vets to Washington DC early in the morning and they spend the day there visting the WWII Memorial and other memorials and they are flown back that same day. It is the neatest thing and heartfelt. Something that makes an American feel good to know that it is taking place....
Here is the the YouTube link to Jamie's morning with a group of our heroes...... Thanks heroes and thanks Jamie for bringing this great unsung event to out attention!
Right Here!
Thank You!
LT......
Veteran's Day 2008
Another Veteran's Day.. Each year they become more and more meaningful to me. Every Veteran's Day I always think about my grandparents. When I think of veterans and heroes... I think of my grandparents. Although we have heroes and Vets of many wars and events fought since WWII. It's the stories that I was told since I was kid that resonate through my mind. Most of the stories I was told were jovial and a kind look back at history. A positive look back on a very difficult time for families and our troops. It says a lot for a Vet and our Armed Forces when the positive is passed on, and the pride in service creates a contagious patriotism and love of country. There is something to be said about and to admire about this frame of mind. It is surely instilled in the troops when serving. However, this dignity and honor I believe are always there and sometimes it takes serving with brothers and sisters for one common cause and a mission that solidifies it's true meaning.
God Bless our Vets who fought in ALL of our wars from our Revolution to our troops who have and are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am so proud of you and I thank all of you and your families for everything you have done and dealt with...from the bottom of my heart. This is your day. It is a day to honor you and everything about our country you have protected and given us. For everything you have sacrificed. For all you have done and all you have seen and witnessed for the love of America. Thank You and God Bless You!
Thx LT.....
Election Day Matters
President Elect Barack Obama. What a surreal and exciting time. He is far from my choice as President. However, I would like to not kick up the same old dust we have heard through this viscious election circus. I'm tired, I'm beat. I'd really just rather just talk about Election Day and what it means or at least what it meant to me and mine.
Their was excitement and cheeriness throughout the whole day really. At work people were coming and going to and from their community polling places. Some wearing their "I Voted" sticker...A sticker which I haven't decided if it is to wear with pride, or to wear to show your boss you actually left work to vote. Regardless, there was humorous exchange on who was voting for whom. No one was ridiculed.... There was respect for the vote and a citizen's choice of who they deemed best to run the country. I really enjoyed it. It had a true "big game" atmosphere... I was pumped up.
At arriving home from work, I pulled into the drive the very moment my wife and kids did . My kids in perfect unison (both excited to tell me) yelled "Dad we voted at school today and McCain won 265 to 62!" I said "Hey That's great! We'll see what happens tonight!" We went in and made pizza and began to watch the coverage as the numbers rolled in....
I was really surprised to see my eight year old son and six year old daughter show such interest. It really made me very proud. "Dad, McCain HAS to win Indiana!" Etc Etc.... Then I got the question about the Electoral College. Had to explain that. "Why is most of the country mostly red dad, and McCain's still losing?" On and on and it was an absolute blast. We got a real kick out of the special effects each station had in bringing the coverage. We were all over the place and on every station. My daughter through part of the exciting night, made a card board sign with crayons while we weren't looking. She walked around with it raised in the air and it read " I Vote We Have Snickers!" It was hilarious! She even commented (Now she is six mind you) "Dad why do they keep showing Obama's crowd (Chicago) and not McCain's" I couldn't believe it! I rarely talk about politics or media around these rugrats but they were all over it.
Anyway..... Though I came to grips months ago that Obama would win this election.... The outcome matters to me, but what Obama will and won't do is for the next four years to say. We have plenty of time to talk about that. My Election Day was great and it is one of the greatest honors and greatest day we can have as Americans. I was proud to share that with my future mini- voters who happen to be cool little Americans.
Thx LT........
Fallen Hero Brought Home To Highland, Illinois
My family and I have had a very somber but humbling and special experience over the past couple of days. Highland Illinois is the town that my kids go to school in, that we celebrate festivals and homecomings in. It is a fantastic and All-American town. It's picturesque and something to brag about always. This week was a coming together of citizens in Highland in that we lost an American and one of our own...We lost a hero in SFC Gary Vasquez. SFC Vasquez was on his third tour in Afghanistan when on Sept 29th his vehicle was hit by an IED and he along with two other heroes...SFC Vasquez was killed. Vasquez was a Green Beret, the best of the best and by his fellow soldiers' comments, he was a "Tell it like it is and No nonsense" soldier and that's why they liked him so much.
Take a read of this article and please watch the video...... Right Here...
As I drove into Highland to pick my kids up that day, I couldn't help but be humbled and proud... and a bit choked up at the flags lining the streets of Highland, all along the procession route and beyond. Flags on homes and businesses..flags everywhere. It was something to behold.
When I got to the kids' classroom to pick them up, they clamored to tell me about what they had witnessed. Both of them were holding little American Flags....The school had taken the students to line the street as the procession drove by...My daughter (6) said "Daddy, we saw a soldier brought home, he died to make everything better. It was sad" My son said "Not really Sis, it's a happy day too because he is with God now"... I was so proud of both of them. They told me about the Patriot Guard, a group of veteran and patriot bikers who have been an absolute blessing of support for families and friends of the fallen. It was a somber and surreal day in town, but it was also a day of learning for little ones and a reminder for the adults of how lucky we are to have such brave souls making the ultimate sacrifice. God bless SFC Gary Vasquez and his family and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
More Info and Footage Here......
Thx LT....
One Year Of America Matters
Tommorow marks the One year anniversary of America Matters. The portrait above was the first portrait posted on our very first entry. It was titled "Hello America"...and I wish I still had that entry saved in our archives but since I know just enough about computers to be dangerous, I somehow deleted it. Go figure.
My buddy CG and I started America Matters for one........ Our own therapy. Two, to talk about issues that aren't only politics and just the issues that drag the spirit down or make us angry but the fun stuff too. We are known to go off on rants but we also love to write about the sweet and simpler side of America that makes us proud and of the topics that hit home.
I remember having lengthy phone calls daily with CG about the state of American politics and current events and the ridiculous celebs and silliness in our media. We wanted a place to counter that and here it is. There is so much more to America than what we hear, see, and what we read in the media. It' about how we grew up here. Our families. Our neighborhoods....Our memories and the heart of America.
When reading America Matters, you never know what will be posted. It is all on a whim. It may be current and "right on" with the pending issues of the day. It may be sports. It may be about entertainment, or it may be a heartfelt entry about family or friends. It's just a blog about stuff that matters...Stuff that matters to the reader or stuff that we can all relate to.
America Matters is dear to us in that it gives us a forum to connect to other Americans and oddly enough we even get email from folks overseas, of which I am so grateful. The readership has grown by leaps and bounds and continues to do so. We hope to improve over the next year and we hope to get more feed back from you, the reader. If you think we suck or if there is a category you would like to read more about or if you have any suggestions...Please feel free to email me at armytuff@hotmail.com I will respond promptly you have my word.
It has been a joy to post here and we intend to grow America Matters and make our second year even better. Thank you sooooooooooo much for your huge response and your readership and for coming back everyday!
Thx So much.......LT.