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Lonely Soldiers During Thanksgiving

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Our country is in turmoil and as kids we sometimes worry when we watch the news with our parents and see all that is going on around us. We can be so thankful to our older brothers and sister, cousins, aunts and uncles and family friends that serve in the military to protect us and our country.

Every Thanksgiving I think about the soldiers stationed across the seas and others prepared to fight for us should they be called to do so. I feel sorry for them spending their Thanksgiving in a submarine or battleship, in aircraft or trenches behind enemy lines. I think about the lonely soldier and military sniper who never see friendly people near them and are unable to talk for if they did they may get shot. I am sorry you can’t spend time with your family.

This Thanksgiving and everyday, each of us needs to think of these men and women and when we see them give them a thank you and a hug for all that they do for us.

OoRah to all of you for your service to the country.

The Medal of Honor Not a Game

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The Medal of Honor is More Than a Game

The Medal of HonorAs kids, when we hear Medal of Honor we think of the popular video game by that name. The real Medal of Honor is far from a game and regardless of your age should be given our highest respect. So kids, take just a moment away from your games and read this short article so that when you hear the words “Medal of Honor,” you will realize that it is the highest decoration than can be bestowed on any individual serving, or who has served in the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corp. or Coast Guard. [Read more…] about The Medal of Honor Not a Game

Should Our Troops Go or Stay

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The Karzai government asked the United States to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond Obama’s July 2011 timeline. I know that the Democrats and Republicans all have their own ideas why we should be there and why we should not be there.

As an American kid it is my opinion that Afghans request to keep troops in Afghanistan is a good idea for a simple reason. By having troops in Afghanistan we can better keep our eyes on the crappie  terrorist to prevent actions such as them shipping bombs to the United States.  If there is a terrorist attack or threatened attack close to Afghanistan  or some other nearby country we can be quick to eliminate the scum or defend .

During  World War II when we raided the beaches in Normandy almost 1,500 American soldiers lost their life on D-Day and over another 5,000 American solders were wounded. I wouldn’t want to see this type of slaughter ever happen again on a single day like it did then and on  D-Day or 9/11 when terrorist attacked America. I know that Normandy is not the same type of war as it is in Afghanistan but when I think of how easy it is for our troops to be killed when we are not prepared this bothers me.

A disadvantage of keeping troops in Afghanistan could be if an attack happened in the USA or very close we will have a lot less troops near by. Even so, we now have troops stationed overseas in over 150 different countries.

For these reasons I hope  our president will allow a few of our troops to stay in Afghanistan instead of having all of our troops come home.

~Seth W.~

Merry Christmas United States Merry Christmas Military

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Merry Christmas to the United States and the World. Merry Christmas to our soldiers that our guarding our freedom.

I am a kid that was lucky to be born in the United States of America. As a kid I am lucky to be able to celebrate Christmas. Yesterday after my baseball practice I went shopping with my grandpa. I didn’t like spending my money because I only had a few dollars. My grandpa reminded me that in the spirit of Christmas it is better to think of giving then receiving. Grandpa explained that giving from the heart is not the same as being forced to share the wealth and that no matter how little one has there were always others that had even less that would be thrilled to have just a little of what we had.

I asked grandpa what he wanted for Christmas. Grandpa told me that the gift he wanted was to see me share what I had with others because I wanted to and not because I had to. I saw a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and put money in the kettle. Grandpa had a smile on his face said Merry Christmas and put more money in the kettle and it made me real happy to.

Merry Christmas OoRah to our Military and the World and a Happy New Year too!!!

Kids Collect Cell Phones for Soldiers

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Britney and Robbie Berquist Cell Phones for Soldiers

As kids prove over and over us kids do speak for America. When I heard about Cell Phones for Soldiers that was started by 2 kids when they were in 6th and 7th grade I thought this was a really good idea because some soldiers  might not have the money to pay for phones and they should be able to call home to talk with their family.

My friends in 6th and 7th grade that don’t already have a cell phone really want one. I also would like one that I could text on but when I think about the lonely soldiers overseas I know they need a cell phone more than a kid like me. These soldiers really do need a way to call their family and friends.

When I went to their website I found out that Britney who is now 19 and her brother Robbie who is now 18 started Cell Phones for Soldiers when Robbie was 11years old and in 6th grade like me. His sister Britney was 12 years old and in 7th grade like some of my friends. When they started Cell Phones for Soldiers the idea came to them when they heard about a soldier with an $8,000 cell phone bill that he got from making calls home to his family and friends.

Britney and Robbie Berquist started Cell Phones for Soldiers with $14 from their own piggy banks and other kids at school gave them another $7.  While that is not a lot of money it was enough to get them started.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is now 7 years old and they have recycled almost 8 million cell phones and have over 8,000 drop off sites around the USA. People donate old cell phones and the cell phones are turned into millions of minutes of prepaid calling cards for our soldiers that are stationed overseas.

If you have and old cell phone donate it to Cell Phones for Soldiers!

Oorah Britney and Robbie and Cell Phone for Soldiers

Help the Marine Toys for Tots Help Kids

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Marine Reserve Toys for TotsI love the Marines and the Marines love kids. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve have Toys for Tots and every year  they collect toys for kids. I am a lucky kid for every year I get presents but lots of kids don’t.

Toys for Tots is a good program and it is not welfare. With Toys for Tots people give a new toy because they want to know that a kid that might not get anything for Christmas will have a smile of their face on Christmas day.

In every state and in most every city The United States Marine Corps Reserve collects and distributes toys.

To donate a toy or find out how you can get a toy Click Here

Medal of Honor to S.Sgt. Salvatore Giunta US Army

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Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta becomes the first living service member to receive  the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War a presentation from President Obama. The Staff Sergeant earned this honor when he risked his own life in 2007 to save the life of other soldiers. Staff Sergeant Giunta says he is just an average soldier. Sal Giunta is a brave man and good role model to kids and adults. He truly earned not only the nations highest reward for servicemen but the honor and respect that goes with it.

OoRah or maybe since Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta is in the Army we should say Hooah!!

Medal of Honor Winner Marine Corporal Jason Dunham

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When I heard of a warship being named after 22-year-old Marine Corporal Jason Dunham I wanted to write about it. I found myself at a loss of words for Corporal Dunham was a hero that had given his life to save the life of his comrades.

Not long before the death of Jason’s Dunham he was just a kid. Jason became a hero of a man who died in 2004 from wounds that he had received in Iraq when he threw himself on a grenade to protect the others in his convoy.

In 2007 President George W. Bush posthumously presented Jason’s parents the Medal of Honor that Jason had earned through his heroic act.

I want to say to the family of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham that you have one heck of a son that would throw himself on a hand-grenade to save the life of his comrades. Jason was a very honorable person and I am sad for your loss.

A huge OoRah to the family of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham.

The Medal of Honor as We Honor Our Vets

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Army (Navy, Marine, Coast Guard) Air Force

The Medal of Honor the nations highest military decoration that can be awarded to a man or woman serving in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.

General George Washington on August 7, 1782 established the Badge of Military Merit for rewarding acts of individual gallantry by the nation’s fighting men. Only 3 individuals were to receive this award with it following out of use until 1932 when it was reinstated as the Purple Heart.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Navy Medal of Valor into law on December 21, 1861 for enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps. A year later on July 12, 1862. The measure provided for awarding a medal of honor “to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier like qualities, during the present insurrection.”

While the Medal of Honor was created for the Civil War, Congress made it a permanent decoration in 1863. Members of all branches of the U.S. military are eligible to receive the medal, and each service has a unique design with the exception of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, which both use the Navy’s medal.

The President of the United States will often present the Medal of Honor personally or in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. Since 1863 3,448 men and one woman have received the award for heroic actions in the nation’s battles. As of last report 86 of these recipients are living.

The Medal of Honor is often incorrectly called, “The Congressional Medal of Honor” due to the wording of the (latter) authorizing U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle B, Part II, Chapter 357, Section 3741. The Medal of Honor should not be confused with the Congressional Gold Medal that is often called the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor and is the highest award that may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government and awarded to any individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States of America.

Due to its honored status, the medal is afforded special protection under U.S. law. Sadly though it is not illegal to claim to have been awarded a Medal of Honor as long as the claim is not for the receipt of benefits. There are many more imposters claiming to be Medal of Honor recipients than there are living genuine Medal of Honor winners. These phony heroes which should be considered the scum of the earth include a former sitting judge in Illinois who once kept two imitation Medals of Honor displayed on his office wall. A list of Medal of Honor recipients can be seen here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients

While not a violation of the law to claim receipt it is a violation of law for a non-recipient of the Medal of Honor to wear it. It is also a violation to sell and/or manufacture a Medal of Honor. (It is patented and may only be manufactured by authorized sources, and it is awarded, never sold.) Fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to a year may punish violators. These strong measures became necessary in order to preserve the honor of this award.

Not only on Veterans day but each and every day – every hour let each of us give special thanks to those that have honorably served in our military.

~Submitted to Kids Speak for America with a big OoRah by a Proud Parent.~