Miracles Happen Even Today .... Praise God Norris Is HOME!

Galatas returns to MeridianBy Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Sgt. 1st Class Grayson ''Norris'' Galatas, a Meridian soldier in the Mississippi Army National Guard who was wounded in April, looked weary when he arrived at the Meridian Regional Airport at about 9 p.m. Saturday night. But he said it felt good to be home.
"I didn't know how much everybody loved me until this happened," Galatas said while choking back tears. "I want to thank everyone who prayed for me. I was afraid I wouldn't know what to say to everyone who was so supportive of us while I was gone."
Galatas, who is a member of the 150th Engineer Battalion from Meridian, suffered severe lacerations to his stomach, buttock and back and had shrapnel wounds over much of his body. He was wounded when a roadside bomb exploded.
He said he was looking forward most to sitting in his recliner and eating "regular" food.
Galatas' wife, Janis, said Saturday she was excited that Norris was coming home. But
she was a little worried about his physical condition.
"Just because he's out of the hospital doesn't mean he's not still a patient," she said. "I'm a little overprotective of him because his wounds were really devastating and he almost died twice."
Mrs. Galatas said Norris will be home for 30 days on convalescence leave. After that, he will return to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to appear before a medical review board. She said it is not likely Norris will return to Iraq because it may take a year or more for his wounds to heal completely.
More than 100 people came out to welcome Galatas home including Ken Storms, Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Meridian, several members of the Mississippi Air National Guard and Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross, Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, also was on hand to welcome Galatas home.
"He left a lot of blood on the battlefield for America," Cross said. "But he brought 100 percent of his spirit, his commitment and his future back to Meridian, Mississippi. He is a true American hero."
Mrs. Galatas said she and Norris aren't planning many activities while he's at home. The most important thing, she said, is for him to relax and recover. She said the city is planning to throw a party in Galatas' honor sometime before he returns to Washington, D.C.
But even though Galatas could have died as a result of his injuries, Mrs. Galatas doesn't want him to leave the Army National Guard.
"We don't have children and the National Guard has been his family," she said. "We have been married for 15 years, and I know he loves what he does."
Before he left Washington, D.C. on his way back to Meridian, Mrs. Galatas said her husband had just one request - that he return home in desert camouflage, an unusual request that would normally not be granted since Galatas is not returning to Iraq.
"But Harold Cross said if that's what he wanted, then he would make it happen," she said. "He's a soldier and he wants to remain one.
He is a remarkable man, he's tough and he's always been tough. We know he was blessed."

General: U.S. could start Iraq pullout in spring

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Wednesday that the U.S. military could begin a substantial troop pullout as early as next spring.
Gen. George Casey, who spoke to reporters during Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's unannounced trip to Iraq, said some conditions would have to be met for the withdrawal to take place.
"I do believe that if the political process continues to go positively and if the development of the security forces continues to go as it is going, I do believe we'll still be able to take some very substantial reductions after these elections in the spring and summer of next year."
Elections in Iraq are scheduled for the end of this year.
Casey said he could not say how many of the approximately 135,000 American troops would be withdrawn.
At the same time, transitional Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who met with Rumsfeld, said it was time for a coordinated plan to transition from the American to the Iraqi military and urged that it be done in a speedy fashion.
Casey said there was no agreement on how many insurgents are battling coalition forces.
"The level of attacks they've been able to generate has not increased substantially here over what we've seen in the last year," Casey said. "This insurgency is not progressing."
Referring to the large-scale attacks mounted in recent weeks and months, Casey said "what you are seeing is a change in tactics to more violent, more visible attacks against civilians and that is a no-win strategy for the insurgency."
Last week, national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie told CNN that he'd be "very surprised if the coalition forces will not start pulling out by middle of next year."
Rubaie said he believed the withdrawing coalition forces would be "in sizable numbers."
Rumsfeld said Iraq needs to be more aggressive in its stance against interference from neighbors such as Syria and Iran, and the borders with those countries should be closed to stem the flow of insurgents into Iraq.
"They need to be aggressively communicating with their neighbors to see that foreign terrorists stop coming across those borders and that their neighbors do not harbor insurgents and finance insurgents in a way that is destructive of what the Iraqi people are trying to accomplish," Rumsfeld said.
Rumsfeld's comments echo those of Iraq's defense minister who criticized Syria on Tuesday for ignoring Iraqi demands "to stop the infiltration of terrorists."
Rumsfeld also encouraged the Iraqi constitution committee to meet its August 15 deadline to come up with a draft of the country's constitution. If the draft is approved by the transitional National Assembly, it will be put before voters in an October 15 referendum.
Rumsfeld's visit coincides with polls that cite declining support for the U.S.-led war in Iraq and a lack of confidence in the United States' ability to help establish a permanent Iraqi government and train Iraqi security forces to defend the country without coalition support.
According to a recent CNN poll, 60 percent of Americans say they don't believe the United States will be able to establish a permanent government in Iraq. In addition, a Pentagon report issued last week said 171,000 Iraqi security forces are now trained and equipped but that only 2,500 are capable of mounting counter-insurgency operations on their own without Coalition Forces help.

How You Can Make A Difference Too

www.seeingeye.org This is a charity that raises and trains guide dogs for the blind

www.pedaids.com This is Elizabeth Glaser's Foundation For Pediatric Aids Research; She was the wife of Starsky and Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser who died of Aids.

www.jimmyv.org This is Coach Jimmy V Foundation For Cancer Research

www.payitforwardfoundation.org This is a wonderful site and a wonderful movie rent it and visit this site!

www.nleomf.com This is the site for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Fund in Washington DC ... My Grandfather was placed on the wall two years ago... it is a wonderful memorial for our fallen police officers.

www.anysoldier.com This site is where you can go and send care packets and mail to any soldier serving in Affy or Iraq!

These are a few of my favorite charities... there are tons of good charities out there... pick one or two or ten and make a difference!

We can change the world and it starts with one person ..... you!

One Scout Makes A Difference!

Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops is a non-profitorganization started by 12 year old Dylan DeSilva.Dylan wanted to find a way to honor our soldiersfor their service, dedication and sacrifices to our country. With the help of his family and friendshe sends care packages to our soldiers in Iraq andAfghanistan on a weekly basis.
If you would like to donate items for the care packagesplease see our list of suggested items and Drop Off Locations below.
We do accept monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping.You may also sponsor a complete care package for a soldierat the cost of $40.00. If you know of a soldier who would like to receive a care package please provide ustheir name and mailing address.
Thank you for supporting Cape Cod Cares for OurTroops through your donation and prayers.

www.capecod4thetroops.com

In Memory Of Our Fellow Scouters Who Lost Their Lives At Jamboree...

Boy Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Boy Scout Law
A Scout is:
Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent

Boy Scout Motto
Be Prepared!

Boy Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily!

The Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation minded.

Come To The W-E-L-L A Prayer By Max Lucado

Lord, I come thirsty, I come to drink, to receive.
I receive your WORK on the cross and in your resurrection.
My sins are pardoned, and my death is defeated.
I receive your ENERGY.
Enpowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christm who gives me strength.
I receive your LORDSHIP.
I belong to you.
Nothing comes to me that hasn't passed through you.
And I receive your LOVE.
Nothing can seperate me from your love.
Amen

Clarion Ledger Article On 150th ... Way To Go Guys & Gals!

Mississippi Guard praised for capturing insurgents
By Holbrook MohrThe Associated PressA group of Mississippi Army National Guard soldiers in Iraq is being credited with the capture of more than 100 suspected insurgents in raids that also yielded explosives, rockets and ammunition, the Department of Defense says.
The soldiers from the 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team captured the insurgents during sweeps last week near Owesat, Iraq, just south of Baghdad, according to a news release from Maj. Erby Montgomery, a public affairs officer for the 155th.Montgomery said the soldiers also seized a weapons cache that included 186 mortar rounds, 65 hand grenades, 500 pounds of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons and ammunition."Some from brigade have said that this was one of the single biggest, if not the biggest, raids in Iraq," Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Kelly said in an e-mail from Iraq. "Over 100 insurgents in one single mission wasn't that bad ... and the boys from Mississippi did it."Kelly said no soldiers were wounded during the operations, even though a five-ton armored vehicle was disabled by a roadside bomb. He praised the teamwork among the soldiers from several different companies that make up the 155th."Everyone was involved in this mission and they did an outstanding job," Kelly said.The 155th Brigade Combat Team is made up of 3,500 Mississippi Guard soldiers from 49 communities in the state and others from throughout the country. The 150th Engineer Battalion, which is part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, is headquartered in Meridian, with companies out of Lucedale, Carthage and Okolona. The soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.The 155th trained at Camp Shelby south of Hattiesburg and spent a month of desert warfare training at Fort Irwin in California's Mojave Desert before being deployed to Iraq in January.Thirteen members of the 155th have died during the deployment.

The 150th Making Us Proud... Keep Up The GREAT Work Guys!

U.S. Soldiers capture insurgents, weapons and explosives
Blackanthem.com, FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, July 24, 2005
U.S. Soldiers captured over 100 insurgents as well as weapons and explosives during a recent operation in the vicinity of Owesat.

Items seized and subsequently destroyed include:
(173) 60mm mortar rounds
(13) 120mm mortar rounds
(3) 122mm artillery rounds
(13) rocket propelled grenades
(2) rocket propelled grenade launchers
(65) hand grenades
(8) cans of small arms ammunition
(500) lbs of explosives
(4) mortar sights
(2) sniper rifle scopes

The Soldiers are from the 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team. The 155th BCT is a U.S. Army unit assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

By MAJ Erby Montgomery, public affairs officer, 155th Brigade Combat Team

This Book Blessed My Heart --- Hope It Blesses You As Well

God Thinks Your Wonderful by Max Lucado

God is fond of you!
If he had a wallet your photo would be in it
If he had a refridgerator your picture would be on it
He sends you flowers in the spring and a sunrise every morning
Whenever you want to talk he'll listen
He can live anywhere in the universe and he chose your heart
Face it... He's crazy about you
By the way, it may be difficult for you to believe that God knows your name...
But he does.... written on his hand... spoken by his mouth....whispered by his lips
Your name!
"I have written your name on my hand" Isaiah 49:16
Our hearts are not large enough to contain the blessings that God wants to give
So try this. The next time a sunrise steals your breath... or a meadow of flowers leaves you Speechless.... remain that way
Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers "Do you like it? I did it just for you."
If we give gifts to show our love, how much more would he?
He could have left the world flat and gray... but he didn't
He splashed orange in the sunrise....and cast the sky in blue
And if you love to see geese as they gather, chances are you'll see that too
Did he have to make the squirrel's tail furry?
Was he obliged to make the birds sing and the funny way that chickens scurry...
Or the majesty of thunder when it rings? Why give a flower fragrance or give food its taste?
Could it be he loves to see that look upon your face?
So promise me you'll never forget that you aren't an accident or an incident... you are a gift to The world, a divine work or art signed by God.
"You knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
You were knit together
You weren't mass-produced. You aren't an assembly-line product.
You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth... by the Master Crafts-man.
He thinks you are the best thing to come down the pike in quite a while
Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run
Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps
God is for you!
Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled
If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper
If there's a tree in heaven, he's craved your name in the bark
Maybe you don't want to trouble God with your hurts but... "he cares about you" (1Peter5:7)
He is waiting for you to embrace you whether you succeed or fail
Your heavenly father is very fond of you and only wants to share his love with you
"Blessed be the Lord your God who has delighted in you"... 1Kings10:9
Untethered by time God sees us all; vagabonds and ragamuffins all, he saw us before we were Born and he loves what he sees.
Flooded by emotion overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, "You Are my child. I love you dearly. I'm aware that someday you'll turn from me and walk away. But I want you to know I've already provided a way back."
You have captured the heart of God
He cannot bear to live without you
God's dream is to make you right with him
And the path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to call us back
"He is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending his Son to be the way to take away Our sins." 1 John 4:10
"Can anything make me stop loving you?" God asks
Never
No
Not In A Million Years
Never Ever
"You wonder how long my love will last? Watch me speak your language, sleep on your earth, And feel your hurts. Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That's how much I Love you."
God does more than forgive our mistakes; he removes them! We simply have to take them to Him. You can talk to God because God listens
Let a tear appear on your cheek, and he is there to wipe it
He has sent his angels to care for you, his Holy Spirit to dwell in you... his church to encourage You, and his word to guide you
As much as you want to see him, he wants to see you more
If you want to touch God's heart, use the name he loves to hear
Call him Father
He thinks you're wonderful!

They'll Know We Are Christians by Carolyn Arends

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind Never boasts, not full of pride Always hopes, always trusts The evidence of Christ in us

Was Doodling The Other Day And... It Is Still Rough Around The Edges ...But Wanted To Share!

Dealing With Deployment In Iraq; One Aunts Perspective
By Tracye Wynne Malone Prewitt

When we heard the news of our nephew, Jonathan’s deployment last August we were floored. It had been in the back of our minds ever since he joined the National Guard that he could be deployed but we were hopeful that he wouldn’t have to serve. With his deployment came the difficult chore of saying goodbye! We stood strong but inside we were so afraid, sad, and bewildered. We still are scared. Everyday watching CNN is; hold your breath time. We have also had to come to the realization that he has grown up; this little toe headed boy that we love so much (aren’t you supposed to be 12?)… We look at him now and realize that he is a young man… he is a son, a husband, a grandson, our nephew, and a soldier. He makes us so proud because he is serving our country with compassion for his fellow soldier and the Iraqi people. He has sent us pictures of him with the Iraqi children and it warms my heart that their first impressions of America are of Jonathan. He is a typical American boy… clean cut, kind, reverent, patient especially with kids, sincere, and loving… his smile is radiant. My two sons adore him and he is their hero. I know the children of Iraq love him as well because he is one of those people children are enamored with usually from the first meeting. We check email a lot more now than we did before; we watch the news more than we did before; and I think we pray a lot more than we did before. We all have been strong through this (or at least have tried to be strong we do have our moments) and I guess that is what military families do we just dig in and get through it. Being new at the military family thing; we have had times of not doing so well with this. I want to hear from him daily and if I don’t hear from him for a week or two; I get a little antsy. I know he can’t tell me much but I just want to know he is ok. Thank God for SFC Kevin Kelly’s daily blog, Wayne’s World blog, and the Dixie Sapper website… they all keep me up to date and sane! We here at home are trying to help in the humanitarian side of this war… there have been families, churches, schools collecting shoes, school supplies, toys, candy, etc for the children of the villages where our nephew and his fellow soldiers patrol. They have adopted a school so we also have adopted that school. Then there is Mohammed who has captured all of our hearts. He is a little boy with major medical problems, who our nephews unit found by accident. Now we are all trying to get this little boy to the USA for much needed surgery. I think this child probably thinks that Americans are wonderful because every time the unit goes to his village now they take him boxes of goodies from all of us back here at home. I have tried to get a box of letters to send the soldiers so that one mail call every soldier gets a letter. I call it Letter’s From Home like the country song. We are about half way through our deployment now and I wonder what more do these brave Mississippi sons and daughters will face … they have lost friends due to IEDs, they have faced mammoth sand storms, 130 degree temperatures. They have been chased by featherless chickens and three legged dogs… What lies ahead of them… I worry about the ones who have seen the horrors of war and what these images will do to their hearts and minds in the years to come. We must celebrate them all home with much fanfare we must never allow liberals and activists to scar their homecoming like they did the brave soldiers returning from Vietnam. We must welcome these warriors home with love, gratitude, and thanks for a job well done. We got to see our nephew in May he got to come home for R&R for 14 days. While home he presented his brother with his high school diploma … he was very emotional and meaningful to us that he was greeted with the cheers of the stadium as well. These young men and women are after all serving the cause freedom, liberty, and democracy; and they are insuring that these blessings will prevail not only for the US but for the world. My wish is for the Iraqi people to drink in their new found freedom and embrace democracy for what it is… and their country will flourish and be a shining example to the rest of the region. For all the soldiers with the 155 and their families who have sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice we salute your memory.. you died a hero… To the soldiers who are coming home scarred and physically changed forever we salute your sacrifice for our country. We will take up your mantle and charge forth renewing ourselves to the causes of freedom around the world. To the terrorist who is hell bent on destruction and death … what kind of God promotes murder? Why don’t you want to live in peace? What is so wrong with watching your region flourish and grow into the beautiful desert oasis that it used to be before all the killing… look around you… look into the eyes of the children of your country and see the fear and the hopelessness… you put that sadness there…. Why? For What? I think that your God would be and is very upset with you… this is not what he wants… this is not what anyone wants… Let it go and put your hate in God’s hands and let him reconcile it. And finally to my nephew and all those who are serving in Iraq and around the world… you stay safe … keep your faith, remember that God will make a way when there seems to be no way! Let us at home hear from you and watch out for each other. Love the children of Iraq for they are the future enemies or allies that our children will have to deal with one day. We love you all and we are so proud to call you all Mississippians and Americans!

I Love This Poem!

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will.When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.When funds are low and the debts are high.And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.When care is pressing you down a bit.Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.Life is queer with its twists and turns.As everyone of us sometimes learns.And many a failure turns about.When he might have won had he stuck it out:Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –You may succeed with another blow.Success is failure turned inside out –The silver tint of the clouds of doubtAnd you never can tell how close you are.It may be near when it seems so far:So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

Take You Back.... Jeremy Camp

Jeremy Camp - Take You BackFrom the album Restored
The reason why I stand The answer lies in you You hung to make me strong Though my praise was few When I fall and bring your name down But I have found in you A heart that pleads forgiveness Replacing all these thoughts Of painful memories But I know That your response will always be
(Chorus) I'll take you back always And even when your fight is over now Even when your fight is over now I'll take you back always And even when the pain is coming through Even when the pain is coming through I'll take you back
You satisfy this cry Of what I'm looking for And I take all I can And lay it down Before the throne of endless grace, now That radiates what's true I'm in the only place That erases all these faults That have overtaken me But I know That your response will always be
(Repeat Chorus) I can only speak With a grateful heart As I'm pierced by this gift Of your love I will always bring an offering I can never thank you enough
(Chorus Two) You'll take me back always And even when my fight is over now Even when my fight is over now You'll take me back always And even when my pain is coming through Even when my pain is coming through You'll take me back always Even when my fight is over now Even when my fight is over now You'll take me back always Even when my pain is coming through Even when my pain is coming through You'll take me back

Now In Sports

Seven Bulldogs Earn Coaches Pre-Season All-SEC Honors
07/20/2005
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Seven Mississippi State football players were voted to the pre-season Coaches All-SEC Team, the league office announced Wednesday.
Senior halfback Jerious Norwood (Brandon, Miss.) earned first-team all-league recognition from the conference head coaches. The 6-0, 202-pounder rushed 195 times for 1,050 yards, a 5.4-yard per carry average, and seven touchdowns in 2004. He is the league¹s leading returning rusher and ranked 28th nationally a year ago.
Senior defensive end Willie Evans (Waynesboro, Miss.) was voted second-team all-SEC on the defensive line. The 6-2, 259-pounder was second on the '04 MSU team in total tackles and led the club in both tackles for loss and quarterback sacks. His 67 tackles led all SEC linemen a year ago, and he ranked fourth in the league in tackles for loss (14.5) and tied for 10th in sacks (5.5).
A total of five Bulldogs were accorded third-team, all-SEC honors from the coaches. Sophomore tight end Eric Butler (Moss Point, Miss.), junior offensive lineman Brian Anderson (Butler, Ala.), and senior center Chris McNeil (Petal, Miss.) also represented the State offense. Junior linebacker Quinton Culberson (Jackson, Miss.) and senior defensive back Kevin Dockery (Hernando, Miss.) were selected from the MState defense.
A breakdown of total selections follows: Florida 12
Auburn 11
Tennessee 10
Alabama 9
Georgia 9
LSU 8
Mississippi State 7
Ole Miss 6
South Carolina 4
Arkansas 3
Kentucky 3
Vanderbilt 2

MSU 4th On SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll
07/22/2005

STARKVILLE, Miss. -­ Mississippi State placed 29 first-year student-athletes on the 2005 Southeastern Conference Freshman Academic Honor Roll, the fourth-highest total among league teams in the sports in which MSU competes.
State trailed only South Carolina (49), Florida (42) and LSU (39) on the academic performance list recently released by the league office. Kentucky (28), Vanderbilt (27), Arkansas and Georgia (25), Alabama and Ole Miss (20), Tennessee (19) and Auburn (13) rounded out the ranking. Those figures represent honorees in MState-sponsored sports only.
The 2005 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll is based on grades from the 2004-05 academic calendar.

Mayors Trophy to be held one more year at Smith Wills

Palmeiro's 3,000th career hit puts him in elite company

07/16/2005
Associated Press
SEATTLE - Rafael Palmeiro curled an RBI double to the leftfield corner, locking up his place in history.
Palmeiro became the 26th player to reach 3,000 career hits on Friday night, doubling in a run in the fifth inning before adding a sixth-inning single in Baltimore's 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Melvin Mora and Sal Fasano hit solo home runs for the Orioles, who remained one game behind first-place Boston in the AL East.
Palmeiro's milestone hit came off starter Joel Pineiro (3-5), who good-naturedly tossed the ball to Baltimore manager Lee Mazzilli as the Orioles rushed from their dugout to swarm Palmeiro at second base.
Palmeiro has 566 home runs over his 20-year career, joining Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers.
Palmeiro's double tied him with Roberto Clemente for 25th place on the career hits list. He passed Clemente with a clean single to center off reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa for hit No. 3,001.
Baltimore's slugger was cheered on each at-bat, and flashbulbs popped on every pitch with the record pending. Teammates mobbed him with hugs after his 3,000th hit, and he received a lengthy standing ovation from the Safeco Field crowd.
Palmeiro's sons were on hand to enjoy the night, too. Ten-year-old Preston Palmeiro documented the event with a video camera and another son, 15-year-old Patrick, was a Baltimore batboy.
Rickey Henderson was the most recent player to reach 3,000 hits, accomplishing the feat Oct. 7, 2001, for San Diego.

2005 Mississippi StateFootball Schedule
SEPTEMBER 3 Murray State 6:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 10 at Auburn 1:30 p.m. on JP sports
SEPTEMBER 17 at Tulane 7:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 24 Georgia TBA
OCTOBER 01 LSU TBA
OCTOBER 08 at Florida TBA
OCTOBER 22 Houston (HC) 1:30 p.m.
OCTOBER 29 at Kentucky TBA
NOVEMBER 05 Alabama TBA
NOVEMBER 19 at Arkansas (little rock) TBA
NOVEMBER 26 Ole Miss
DECEMBER 03 SEC Championship Georgia Dome Atlanta

412th Soldiers Head To Iraq

412th soldiers head to Iraq for 18 months
By Elizabeth Bice
[7/21/05]When U.S. Army Reserves Capt. Patrick Chambers comes home from Iraq, his son Dillon probably will be saying complete sentences and may even be in preschool.On Wednesday, the 19-month-old was in his grandfather's arms crying "DaDa" as Chambers and 30 other Reserve members of the 412th Engineer Command were deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, saying goodbyes to about 150 family members and friends for 18 months."It's tough," said Patrick Chambers, who also is leaving behind his wife, Jennifer, and sons Matthew, 8, and Tanner, 6."He'd rather be held by his daddy than his granddaddy," Patrick Chambers' father, Mike Chambers of Vicksburg, said as he tried to calm Dillon.Patrick Chambers has been in the Army for nearly 20 years, and this is his first tour of duty. "But I think we're certainly prepared. We've assembled a very good team, and we're very confident we'll get the job done," he said.During a farewell ceremony at the George A. Morris Army Reserve Center on Porters Chapel Road the Chambers family was not alone in tears and long goodbyes.
Jennifer Wilson of Jackson videotaped her fiance´, Sgt. Dan Henry of Vicksburg, to remember him while he is gone."We only got engaged about a month ago. I guess everything will be on hold until I get back," said Henry, 26.Wilson, 20, said she dreads trying to communicate with a 9-hour time difference. "We can do it, though," she said.Henry has been in the Army for five years and said this is his first deployment.
"And hopefully the only one," Wilson said with a squeeze of his hand.For Staff Sgt. Jason Belcher, the newest dad in the bunch, the next 18 months will see a lot of changes.Belcher embraced his wife, Heather, and 11-year-old son, Preston, in a long group hug as he looked down at 6-month-old Madison in the baby carriage.When he returns, Madison will be walking and Preston will be finishing junior high."He'll miss a lot. It's definitely hard," said Heather Belcher of Vicksburg.Maj. Bart Kemper, an engineering officer, said the unit has known about deployment for several months now, and before heading overseas will train at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg for six to eight weeks."We don't really know much. We know we're going to Iraq, but more details are yet to come. We'll be there to help with whatever is needed," said Kemper, a Baton Rouge native.Maj. Gen. Robert Williamson, commander of the 412th, said this is the fourth mobilization of the unit since the War on Terrorism began. The team consists of mostly engineers and surveyors who will serve as an engineering consulting firm for the commander in Iraq."They'll be on basic engineering duty for the reconstruction phase," he said.Williamson, a Memphis native, just returned in January from serving seven months in Iraq as part of the Senior Engineering Multi-National Force.His wife, Darlene, is one of the leaders of the Family Readiness Support Group and said the hardest part for families is the separation."We stay in contact with the spouses and family members and have regular meetings. We support them emotionally and remind them what needs to be done at home while their spouse is gone," she said.The 412th is part of the U.S. Army Reserve and has members from Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii and New Mexico. The unit is headquartered in Vicksburg, and the 30 leaving Wednesday were to join up with 50 other unit members stationed in South Korea, Hawaii and Europe.Williamson said the last significant mobilization of the unit was in February 2003, when 50 soldiers were deployed for a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

I Never Met An Atheist In A Foxhole! By Lt Col. Tim Powell

You’ve probably all heard the saying, "I never
met an atheist in a foxhole." I recall this statement
from a former acquaintance of mine, Bob, who
served in the Paci. c Theater . ghting the Japanese
during WWII. He said that fear in combat led
soldiers to pray and brought about the desire for a
closer relationship with our Creator.
My friend spent four days in a foxhole, . lled with
water from rains that constantly soaked that Paci. c
island. He said that his prayers, along with those
of his fellow soldiers, saved many lives during the
battle, and that many of his comrades became
Christians as a result. Bob was a Christian before
the war.
And, so it is with our 155th BCT currently serving
in the Middle East. Prayer is a part of their daily
lives, not necessarily because of the war, but
because their beliefs were formed much earlier in
life. These troops are not shy about their beliefs,
as so should we all be. They pray before and after
missions, before they lay down for what little rest
they get, and again when they wake for the next
day’s events. They participate in nightly revival
services, Sunday services, and conducted Easter
services where several were baptized.
Waid Prather, reporter and editor of the
Carthaginian newspaper, was with the 155th BCT
while they were training in the Mojave Desert at
Fort Irwin, Ca. He observed their daily devotions,
even late at night when they should otherwise be
sleeping. He said that was as much a part of the
155th as was their training in preparation for their
missions in Iraq.
Prayer is a lot like the uniform that we wear. The
military uniform is a common denominator for all of
us, and so it is with prayer. Let us all continue to
pray for our troops overseas, and for their families
back home as well.
Many have different beliefs, but for those who
believe that God answers prayers will hopefully
continue to petition Him for protection and a safe
return home.
"And this is the con. dence that we have in
Him, that, if we ask any thing according to his
will, He heareth us: And if we know that He
hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of Him."
1 John 5:14, 15
FROM THE EDITOR:
Lt. Col. Tim Powell

We Are Sadden Once Again

We have lost three Mississippians in recent days

Travis Cooper
Scottie Bright
Blake Mounce

God be with their families!

God is with us in the darkness never forget that ;He is ALWAYS with you even to the end of the age!

Who I Am

Who Am I
by Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Here Is A Little "Discussion" From One Source Site During Radio Cast

Aunt Tracye Says: July 15th, 2005 at 3:21 pm
When my nephew got called up last year we were worried and we are still worried because of the situation he is in but we have faith in him and faith in God that he will be safe and he will come home to us. He is so young and I hated for him to be introduced to the horrors of war. I had an Uncle who served with Patton in Europe and experienced The Battle of the Bulge and who came home with a wounded soul which never healed. I didn’t want this for my nephew but in life sometimes we have to let go and let God! I am still struggling with the letting go part.We did get to see our nephew in May when he was home for R&R! He got to present his brother with his HS diploma and it was a very special and emotional time that we will never forget. You hear about all the bad that US Soldiers do the Abu Ghah scandals etc but I see all the good that these soldiers are doing in the lives of these desperate Iraqi people especially the children. Most of these people have absolutely nothing. My nephew has told us that he thought he had seen poverty in MS but he had seen nothing compared to the poverty he had experienced in Iraq. We are all pitching in at home to help as well.. we are collecting school supplies, shoes, toys, candy to send to the children of a school that Company A has adopted. There is the little boy called Mohammed who has captured the hearts of Co A as well as all of us at home. The company is trying to get him and his family to America for desperately needed surgery. Here at home I am trying to stay busy so I am collecting boxes of toys to send to the kids of Iraq. I have sent our little man in Iraq a box of clothes and toys. I got MSU to send some media guides, a flag, and posters to the guys. I am in the process of collecting letters to send to the troops… my goal is that for one mail call everyone in Co A or at Dogwood get a letter from home! You can send the letters to Letters From Home 352 Marian Lane Vicksburg MS 39183! And we check email most everyday for word and we read SFC Kelly’s journal everyday to keep up with the guys over there! And we wait, count the days, and pray! That really is all we can do! Thank you for your article on our guys in Co A. We appreciate your reporting on a bunch of guys from Mississippi who are doing remarkable work in a desolate country so far away from home! This means alot to them as well as all of us back here in the USA! Thank you so much!

jc Says: July 18th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
Aunt Tracye obviously has a good heart. I hope God hears her prayers. But, presuming everyone in harms way in Iraq is being prayed for, and presuming, in a war, some in the offense as well as some in the defense must die, have their bodies torn apart and mangled or be condemned to live with mental visions they find intolerable, how does God choose who will return home safely and who will not? Those whose prayers are concerned with defeating those who resist them seem also to be numerous. How does God choose? This task, based on the number of unanswered prayers, roughly half of them given probably about 50% will be pro and about 50% con any issue or wish or goal, seems to be beyond the ability of God. It would seem to be merely charitable to an overwhelmed God to withdraw the troops who are not on their home territory and end the mayhem. It would only seem to be in accordance with Christianity and Islam, both apparently worshipping the same God. It is hard to imagine that God would not be pleased to be relieved of the irreconcilable choises being presented by the prayers, and is not pleasing God to be a far greater goal than those of the praying?

Aunt Tracye Says: July 18th, 2005 at 8:39 pm
In response to JC….
Let me set at least one thing straight God has never been or never will be overwhelmed. And I am not really sure what God Islam follows and I am not here to get into that religious discussion but God is NEVER overwhelmed … we humans with our desire to controll every aspect of all of his creations it is us who get overwhelmed…..
I know we are doing wonderful amounts of good in Iraq… these people were being murdered by their wonderful dictator Saddam for the cause of SCIENCE and well if you said anything negative about him or his inbred sons you were killed… thousands have succumbed to his genocide. He is a modern day Hitler… what is so wrong in going and disposing such a barbaric leader? I see no harm in it….
There is evil in this world and the USA and her troops are not at the root of it all… We didn’t want war war was brought to our doorstep on September 11, 2001. When thousands died at the hands of Islamic Extremists if you want to see evil look into Osama’s eyes! I lost a friend at the Pentagon on September 11… his family is having to live a life without him and that was not fair… he wasn’t at war he was sitting at his desk doing his job.
The US and her troops and her government are not the enemies here!God is in his heaven and in control of our UniverseSo stop worrying and start praying!
I am going to try and answer you by quoting from Max Lucado’s Book (written as the ashes settled from 9-11) America Looks UpChapter 1 Where is God?Many people are wondering today how God could allow the tragedy of 9-11 to happen… what could he be thinking? Is God really in control? Yes he is very much in control I know alot of liberal minds would like to lead people to believe that we (humans) are in control but God is in his heaven and he is in control…. His ways are not our ways his thoughts are not like our thoughts….We believe preserve the body he is thinking save the soul. We dream of a pay raise he dreams of raising the dead. We avoid pain and seek peace. God uses pain to bring peace. We love what rusts he loves what endures. We show our kids the NBA superstar and say be like Mike. God points to the crucified carpenter with bloody lips and a torn side and says be like Christ. How vital that we pray armed with the knowledge that God is in heaven.. pray with any lesser conviction and our prayers are timid. shallow, and hollow. It is as important to know that even though God is in another realm he does bend close to see our sorrow and hear our prayers he is not so far above us that he is not touched by our tears. Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lifes and this war. So we entrust him with the future and with our lives and the lives of our enemies. Chapter 4 Good Truimphant….. How could God allow such evil (the terrorist attacks on 9-11) to bring so much destruction and loss? As the rubble still smolders and our hearts still ache, our questions continue. And yet we’ve already seen goodness emerging from the ruins… heroic deeds, selfless compassion, sense of community. Somehow in the midst of something so awful, goodness fights to prevail.
In this war goodness will prevail and the Iraqi people will one day enjoy freedom and prosperity …..
There are heroic deeds and kind acts that accompany our soldiers daily. The peek a boo with a two year old child; handing our school supplies and shoes to children who would not have any otherwise; handing our medical supplies to clincs stripped bare by insurrgents; caring for a fallen enemy and tending to his wounds as you endanger you own life (that happened yesterday or today)… because it is your job to save lives! And the list grows on a daily basis! God maybe sent us there for a reason did you ever think of that? I know of one little boy who is grateful that Co A found him and he will be getting medical attention after being born 7 years ago with life threatening birth defects… he was found because we were there….. chance …. NAH… God!
I am sorry I ranted but I love my nephew and I love my God and I believe in what both of them are doing!

wonderwomanjoa74 Says: July 19th, 2005 at 9:42 am
WELL SAID, AUNT TRACYE!!!!! You and I really should chat…

jc Says: July 20th, 2005 at 2:31 pm
It may very well be that an equivalent percent of Iraqi women have feelings and wishes and hopes and beliefs indistinguishable from those of Aunt Tracye. Unfortunately, since the paricipants and supporters of the events in question are each trying to destroy the other in order that their own interests will remain intact and safe, many of the women on both sides will have their dreams crushed and they will suffer agonies. And all these women, Christian and Muslem, claim to be praying to the same God. Incredible. This seems to show little respect for God to ask him to both do something and not do it in the same circumstance. I understand that faith may be all there is to cling to when control is entirely out of reach and one can do nothing to help. I am sorry.

Aunt Tracye Says: July 20th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
I am sorry for you too JC to have no faith to cling to when things go wrong to have no God to turn to when sorrow overwhelms you… to have no place to go to get away from all the horrors in the world…

Oh ye of little faith!

At least I have God if nothing else; and when my world is falling apart I have him to turn to; He is the constant in my life… he will never forsake me and he is always there even when evil comes to visit.. he is there and he is in control of my life as well as the lives of our soldiers and their enemies.. I know it is a hard concept but I have found help in understanding by reading Max Lucado books… he has a way of explaining the unexplainable! I suggest you invest in some of Max’s books as well!

I am sorry you have not let God into your heart I hope that by talking to me that you will consider it … faith is a wonderful thing….

Treats For Troops (Care Packages Ideas)

This is from treatsfortroops.com and we've been told it is ok to share.Thank you to Karen Gill! - Treats for Troops CoordinatorSample/Travel Sized toiletries are best, especially for guys in the field that have to pack their gear on their backs. All liquids and powders must be placed in ziplock bags and have other aborbent materials (i.e. magazines, newpapers, etc) packed in the box in case of leakage. I use 1 Qt Freezer Ziplock/Glad Bags and have one toiletry kit per bag. For example: 1 Shampoo, 1 Lotion, 1 Soap, 1 Deodorant, 1 Disposable Razor, 1 Toothpaste, 1 Toothbrush.An example of one of my care packages: 8 Bags of Toiletries, 3 Magazines, 6 pair of Socks, 1 Foot Powder, 8 samples Sunscreen, 1 Can Drink Mix, 2 Top Ramen Noodles, 1 Lg Bag Beef Jerky, 8 packs Chewing Gum, 6 pkgs Licorice, 2 Decks Playing Cards, 1 electronic hand-held Game, AA Batteries, 3 pair Sunglasses.Socks & Foot Powder are huge needs over there. So even if that was the only thing you sent, they'd be more than thrilled. Right now summer temperatures are taking their toll, so anything that keeps them cool is greatly appreciated. Temps in the Summer range from 100-140 Degs F. Imagine wearing a full uniform and boots in that extreme temperature!I've attached a list of the items requested by the troops. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me again.Thank You for Supporting Our Troops!God Bless America and Our Troops!!Sincerely,Karen GillTreats for Troops CoordinatorUsing USPS Priority Mail packages arrive in the Sand Box on average in 16 days.Order your USPS Priority Mail supplies from the USPS website, they'll deliver the items to your home (ALL FREE). Use No. 7 Priority Mail boxes (25 boxes per case) 12" x 12" x 8", Priority Mail Shipping Tape, Priority Mail Address Labels and Customs Forms Declaration. When you get to the website, type in the search Priority Mail Boxes, there should be 3 pages of items, No. 7 boxes are located on page 2. Go to:http://shop.usps.com/cgi-bin/vsbv/postal_store_non_ssl/home.jsp?appName=SSOLGUIDELINES FOR SENDING MAIL TO THE TROOPS:**All mail must be addressed to a specific service member. Mail addressed to "Any Service Member" will be returned to sender.**FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SEND REGULAR MAIL NEED TO USE THE SOLDIER'S FULL NAME (WITHOUT RANK), UNIT AND APO ADDRESS, AND INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS.**Families should not put the country or the base camp's city on the mail, officials said, because it might get sent through the host country's mail system.**Most areas of the Middle East have been authorized Free Mail for personal correspondence being sent from the service member overseas back to the U.S. However, family members sending mail to service members in a free mail zone must still include postage.**Each country has customs regulations that apply to all incoming mail. These may include prohibitions on certain kinds of food or entertainment products. Host countries mostly prohibit the entry of alcoholic beverages of any kind, narcotics, munitions, pork and pork by-products, pornography, and material contrary to the Islamic religion.**Wrap packages securely.**Liquid-filled containers tend to break.**Powdered items can open during transit causing concern over what kind of substance it is. Please pack the items in sealed plastic bags Ziplock types or Vacuum Sealed types.**Label packages properly and list all contents.One box/care package example: Boat & Car Magazines, 10 ziplocks of toiletries, 8-Rice Krispies Treats, 4-Top Ramen, 2-Cup Noodles, 10 pkgs Licorice, 1 bag Sunflower Seeds, 3 pair Sunglasses(Enough items to share with 8-10 buddies)Another creative and fun care package is:Pizza Party in a BoxAluminum Pizza PansPizza CutterMixing BowlPizza Mix in a BoxCan Sliced MushroomsCan Sliced OlivesPepperoni or Turkey PepperoniPackets of Red Pepper & Parmesan CheeseRed & White Checked Pizzaria NapkinsPlates or Small Personal Pan Pizza BoxesThe guys who received it said it was the best meal they had over there! I'm sure it brought many smiles as well as happy taste buds to all the guys/gals. They'll find an oven somewhere, where there's a will there's a way! Some have cooked it on the pan on a bbq grill, they'll find a way. I think it would be easy and fun to send Pizza Hut personal pan boxes over. Just to remind them of home.More Themed Care Packages“Surviving the Sandstorms”- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chapstick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc“Laundry Load”- Laundry soap (‘sample size’ or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes….in case there are no washer/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze“Lotta Java”- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee“Thanks a Million!!”- Things that may “seem” expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”; .“Hang in There!”- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn’t have to be refrigerated); Monkey’s in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.“A Day at the Beach!”- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;“Medicine Cabinet”- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.“Staying Healthy”- nutrition/health bars (ex: Powerbar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated);“MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit”- restaurant size condiment packs of: bbq sauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc“Correspondence Carton”- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back once it is full);“Action Hero’s”- Powerbars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc“To Be A Kid Again”- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee’s; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);“Bathroom in a Box”- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc“Ruck Sack Snack Pack”- packed full of your loved one’s favorite snacks….possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M’s; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc.“Breakfast on the GO”- mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang;“Tube O Tasties”- Just as something different…send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.“Stress Reliever”- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo’s; bubbles; squeezy tension ball;“Sloppy Kisses”- since we know chocolate melts over there….send a bunch of Hershey’s kisses. Bound to be “sloppy kisses!”“I’m Nuts About You”- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter’s; Peanut Lover’s Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts“Rock On” or “Charlie ROCK”- pop rocks; music cd’s“Chili Today, Hot Tamale”- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids , Jalapeño Ritz;“And this little piggy went to the sandbox”- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl’s boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers;scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)“How do you eat your OREOS??!!”- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos“Muchas Gracias…Nachos Supreme”- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don’t forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapenos (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla’s in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit“Sweet Tooth”- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won’t melt)“Pamper Party” (for females)- Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc);“Congrats on your promotion”- congratulation party favors; all your loved ones favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.“For the Fisherman”- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths);“Say CHEEEESE!”- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheese nips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta;“Kick Back & Relax”- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd’s; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc);“Christmas in July”- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies;“Italian Stallion”- Italian cheese Ghardetto’s; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo’s; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc;“American Classics”- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; Necco Wafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes“Deployed on Thanksgiving”- canned turkey; instant mashed potato cups; hard breadsticks; gravy in a jar (wrapped in bubble wrap); Hostess apple pies; small can of corn (or other veggie); something special to cheer them up on Thanksgiving (pictures from home; magazines; tape recorded tape; small scrapbook; etc)ITEMS SOLDIERS HAVE FREQUENTLY REQUESTED FOR:1. Easy Mac & Cheese2. Tuna in a Pouch3. Hearty Soups/Stews4. Beef Jerky/Beef Sticks5. Any can food you can warm up like soupTOILETRIES & PERSONAL ITEMS (travel size where applicable):After shave lotionAntibiotic creamBaby powderBaby wipesBig bath towel & wash cloth (dark colors only)Black Kiwi cream shoe polish (paste only)Blister padsBoot powder,Breath mintsBug Repellent & Mosquito CoilsCarmex (tub style) Wal-Mart $1Chilly willies (these can be used as cold and hot compresses too)http://web.cetlink.net/~angel111/chillywilly/Chilly%20Willy%20Neckties.htmClorox/antibacterial wipes - for surfacesCombs, brushesComfort bath body towelettes (one pkg. Is 2 complete body baths)Cot organizerCotton ballsDental flossDeodorant, sample sizeDisposable camerasDisposable razorsDr. Scholl's footpadsDust masksEmergency toothache kit.Eye drops Wal-Mart $1EyewashFace cleaning wet padsFacial tissueFeminine Hygiene ProductsFly swattersGel insolesGold Bond (for feet)Hand Warmers (little bag type warmers)Hand/body lotion (unscented)Imodium pills, ibuprofen, aspirin, cough drops, etcInsect Repellent, Wal-Mart $4 OR SKIN SO SOFT (Avon)Lip balm with sunscreen, also handy in winterLiquid antibacterial soapMedicated foot powderMouth wash - Walgreen's OR Wal-Mart sample display $1 (make sure itdoesn't contain alcohol)Nail file and clipperOdor Eaters (for boots)Parachute cord or small line for laundryPersonal cooling system from Sharper ImagePlastic bags, trash and zip lockQ-tipsRolaids or TumsSaline Nasal SprayShampoo & conditioner, sample sizesShaving cream, individual use sachets are greatShower shoesSingle use cold compressesSkin Softeners (moisturizes)Soap or body washSoap, for body and clothes Wal-Mart samples aisle 2/$1Socks, whiteT-shirts, undershirts, whiteSolar showerSports cream or ben-gaySqueeze breezeStandard bed pillow / case (dark colors only) you can roll pillow to squeeze out all the air and secure with shipping tape to keep it small for shipping.Sunglasses (wrap around)Sunscreen/SUNBLOCK - even in winter, the sun can be harshThermal UnderwearToilet paper/tissueToothpaste & toothbrush Walgreen’s has a small Colgate with a compact covered brush for $1T-shirtsUnderwearVaseline skin care lotionVitamins, multi, c, zinc, b-12, etcWash clothWaterless antibacterial hand soapWet onesWool/cotton blend or 100% cotton men's socks (dark solid colors onlyblack, dark green, blue or gray, men’s size 10-13)Zinc oxideZiploc bags- dollar tree has these for $1 a box and the ones with zippers are excellent! FOOD:Any kind of prepackaged snack foodsApple Cider Mix PacketsApplesauce in pouchesBeef JerkyBeef summer sausageBreakfast and granola barsBrowniesCandies that travel well, like gummy bears and licorice and trail mixCandy CanesCanned chips, pringles, Single serve bags of chips,Canned soup, any canned food they love - without porkCereal, Single Size BoxesCheese CrackersCheese in a canChex mix, individual packetsChips, individual packetsChocolate – any kind that travels wellChocolate BiscuitsChocolate drink mixesCoca Cola and other soft drinks in Plastic BottlesCoffee, creamer and sugar, in individual packetsCoffee, Instant and flavored coffee mixesCookiesCountry time lemonade sweetened powdersCracker JackCrackers - Triscuits and Ritz crackers are greatCrunch & MunchCup Of NoodlesDried FruitEasy CheeseFast food condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepperpackets, relish, Mayo)Fresh breeze or other throat lozengesFruit Roll UpsFruit, Canned For One in Pull Back LidsGatoradeGranola BarsGumHard CandiesHot Chocolate, individual servesJelly, individual packsJuice in pouches or boxes (CAPRI SUN, ETC)Kool aid, pre-sweetenedKraft Easy Mac,LicoriceLife Saver CandyLittle Debbie snack cakesLunch box size-Jolly Ranchers have been suggested)Lunchables (non-refrigerated)Mini Marshmallows for Hot Choc. Mix (and for packing material)Non-melting candy, gum, marshmallows, lollipopsNoodle packets, instantNuts, individual packsOatmealOreo CookiesPop TartsPopcorn, Microwave packs (some units have access to microwaves)Powdered hot chocolatePowdered sugared drink mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, sweetened ofcourse, etc.)PretzelsPringlesPudding For OneRagu ExpressRaisins - HEB has a bag of tiny packs for $1Ramen SoupRavioli, Canned with pop top/ pull back lidsRice Krispie TreatsSalad dressing & any other sauces they can use to dress up their MREsSalsa and corn chips of course! Bean and cheese dips are a favorite!Sardines Shoe String Potato Sticks in a CanSlim JimsSoup, Instant or cannedSpices (Onion powder, garlic powder, spice all, etc)Sunflower Seeds, individual packsTea - powdered lemon tea or Iced Tea MixTea bagsThroat LozengesTostitos Snack Packs (especially for our Texas guys!)Trail mixTuna Snack KitsTuna, in pouch or cans with pop top/ pull back lidsTurkey breast in pouch or cans with pop top/ pull back lidsWater – bottled drinking waterFREE TIME MATERIALS.Address BooksAir mattressBalloonsBandannasBannersBaseball capsBatteries (like AA, AAA, etc)Battery powered fan for cotBirthday decorationsBoard games (chess, checkers, Monopoly, etc.)BooksCrossword BooksDartboardsDisposable camera – include a padded mailer with the appropriatepostage so that they can mail it back to you for developingElectronics hand held gamesEnvelopesFilmFlashlight w/red lensesFrisbeesHackie sacksJoke booksJournalsJump ropesKey chains games and puzzlesMagazines (wrestling, boxing, fitness magazines, sports magazines, comic books, Mad, Field & Stream, Guns & Ammo, Outdoor Life)Mini hand held fansMini or full size foam footballs and basketballsNewly released movies, movies you tape from cable or TV programs (pornography is not allowed)NewspapersNotepadsPaper and envelopesPatriotic Stickers or Bumper StickersPensPhone cardsPlaying CardsPocketknifePortable CD playersPost cards from your home statePuzzlesRadio headsetsSidewalk chalkSilly puttySingle sheet sets (sets such as spongebob are a hoot!)SlinkySmall Photo AlbumsStampsStress ball.Tiny Christmas Trees With DecorationsToys and Games…anything extra silly.Travel Board GamesTrivia BooksWalkman radioWord puzzle booksYo Yo's

They Said What.... Famous Quotes From Famous People!

And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), Inaugural address, January 20, 1961

We make war that we may live in peace.
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Nichomachean Ethics

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
Chinese Proverb

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997

Love is everything it's cracked up to be…It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.
Erica Jong, O Magazine, February 2004

Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times.
Rita Rudner

Love is an irresistable desire to be irresistably desired.
Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.
Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC)

Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none.
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.
Agnes Repplier (1855 - 1950), Americans and Others, 1912

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.
Michael Pritchard

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon (1940 - 1980), "Beautiful Boy"

The unexamined life is not worth living for man.
Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC), in Plato, Dialogues, Apology

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC), The Lion and the Mouse

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Ettiene De Grellet

Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever.
Margaret Cho, weblog, 03-11-04

The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Knowledge is power.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626), Religious Meditations, Of Heresies, 1597

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.
Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey, 1995

Joy is not in things; it is in us.
Richard Wagner

There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life.
Sister Mary Rose McGeady

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana (1863 - 1952), The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), Pro Publio Sestio

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.
George Moore

While there's life, there's hope.
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), Ad Atticum

I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.
Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967), Incidentals (1907)

If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play at it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf.
Bob Hope (1903 - 2003)

There isn’t much better in this life than finding a way to spend a few hours in conversation with people you respect and love. You have to carve this time out of your life because you aren’t really living without it.
Real Live Preacher, RealLivePreacher.com Weblog, August 27, 2003
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard, "Families"

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
Dorothy Bernard

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?"
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "Back to Methuselah" (1921), part 1, act 1

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without asking a clear question.
Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.
Elmer G. Letterman

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.
Jack London (1876 - 1916)

If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.
Bruce Barton

Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.
Rabbinical Saying

The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
Sam Levenson (1911 - 1980)

Man is what he believes.
Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904)

In America any boy may become President and I suppose it's just one of the risks he takes.
Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965), Speech in Indianapolis, 26 Sept. 1952

I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American.
Daniel Webster (1782 - 1852)

The Pledge Of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
And To the Republic for which it stands
One Nation under God
Indivisible with liberty and justice for all!

Red Skelton's Explanation of the words in the Pledge!

I ------Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge ----Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance ------My love and my devotion.

To the Flag ---Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United -----That means that we have all come together.

States ---Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic ---Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern.

For which it stands ----And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

One Nation Under God ----One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible -----Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty ---Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice ----The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All ---For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

What We Are Fighting For....

The Preamble To The Constitution....
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,
Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
And our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States
of America!

From The Constitution Of The United States Of America...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (and women) are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

The Gettysburg Address......
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought fourth on the contitnent a new nation,
conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men (and women) are created equal.
Now we have are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so
conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We have met on a great battlefield of that war.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here
gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should
do this.
But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor
power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but
it can NEVER forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to
the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of
devotion... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the
people shall not perish from the earth