Out of the Darkness

Every 16 MINUTES in the United States, a parent grieves. Every 16 MINUTES, someone commits suicide and leaves behind those who do not understand.

This is Kristin and her younger brother Christopher. Of course, they grew up. They were very close. Christopher joined the US Navy and was serving as a Hospital Corpsman when at the age of 21, he committed suicide. He was my brother-in-law's nephew. The family has been deeply and irreversibly affected by Chris's suicide.

Kristin says

My brother Christopher served three years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. On January 27th 2008, at only 21 years of age, he was able to take his life. The series of events that led to his death that night could’ve been prevented. He screamed for help and his cries went unheard. A child is supposed to outlive their parent, grow old with their siblings and one day have children of their own. Chris left us still just a child. Please help my family and I honor Chris’ memory and raise awareness for the prevention of suicide.

The Out of the Darkness Overnight Experience is an 18-mile walk over the course of one night, from sunset to sunrise. Net proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, funding research, education, and awareness programs – both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide.

While Kristin has reached her original (modest) monetary goal, I ask that you consider donating to Kristin's efforts to not only honor her brother, but to honor all those in our military who have died by their own hand in the hope that this money and the efforts to raise awareness and further education and efforts at suicide prevention will save lives. And help Kristin and her family heal.

Kristin's Pledge page is HERE.

AHOY, NAVY SEALS !!!

Dunkin' Donuts & Homes for Our Troops!!! Apr. 21

Dunkin’ Donuts announced a special "Iced Coffee Day" event for April 21, when Dunkin’ stores throughout the country will sell small iced coffees for the reduced price of only 50 cents. Five cents from each cup sold will go to Homes for Our Troops, a national, non-profit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.

Dunkin’ Donuts is also launching a nationwide call to recruit one million new volunteers to support Homes for Our Troops’ efforts. The first 200 people to sign up as volunteers will receive free Dunkin’ coffee for one month.

Not only is Homes for Our Troops one of my favorite charities, DD is (and has been) a favorite of mine and my family since I was in HIGH SCHOOL (and that was a long time ago!!) In fact, every morning of high school from sophomore year on (when we got our driver's licenses and cars :-) my twin sister and I and our friends went to the DD in Wheeling, IL and had 2 long johns and coffee before school EVERY DAY! and sometimes on the weekends as well!

So let's all support Homes for Our Troops... every little bit helps!

Annapolis Smile

My seeastar sent this to us... Go Navy (and Bravo Zulu, Seals!)

Taxed Enough Already Protest - Prescott

Prescott, AZ -- Everybody's Hometown (and Arizona's Christmas City)! The Protest started with a prayer to the Almighty asking that He impart on our elected officials real wisdom to deal with this economic problem... wisdom which has escaped them all so far!.Then there was the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge. There were 4,000 people at the height of the TEA Party -- and people were riled up throughout. The cold temps may have kept people away, but there was an exuberant bunch on hand. We live in horse & cow country and while no one was suggesting we string up the horse thieves, the sentiment was not lost on this crowd. The crowd was filled with veterans and conservatives -- and the joke of the night was just how dang proud we all were to fall in one or both of those groups! I could not get my pics or videos to post up at PJTV... so I'm putting some up right here!

My Tax Protest Poster

My Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party Poster!!

DON'T TAX ME, BRO!!