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.............
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......
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....