Our Troops say "Thank You!"

To Pat and Pleasanton Military Family 

(emphasis on FAMILY)

You guys are amazing, as usual. We received all the care packages and distributed them to our soldiers here; additionally, we gave some to the first generation of Afghan female commandos, some of whom are mothers and took the goods to their families! They were extremely thankful and happy, pictures to follow! 

We also used the Christmas trees to spread a bit of Christmas cheer around the various outstations... everyone loved it. 

Every year for over a decade, you guys have consistently put smiles on soldiers faces... we can't thank you all enough. You guys are family to me and all the soldiers you touch, and I will always appreciate all you guys have done! 

Attached is a thank you pic from some of the members of this organization, we really appreciate you this Christmas season! 

All my love and gratitude!

(name with held) 

More great photos...

Thumbs up from Guantanamo Bay

A smile from Kuwait

Is "Life of Pi" a True Story?

Last night we watched the movie "Life of Pi". I had avoided it because I thought it was about math...funny. 

For us, the movie was mesmerizing, and while watching the young Pi lost on the ocean in a small boat with a Bengal tiger, being pelted with flying fish and learning to master his fears, I was wishing I had seen it when it first came out because it is full of wisdom. I bought the book...looking forward to a slow read. 

I found these quotes from and about the author Yann Martel on Wikipedia:

Life of Pi, according to Yann Martel, can be summarized in three statements:  

"Life is a story ... You can choose your story ... A story with God is the better story." 

Pi at the end of the book asks "If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for?" According to Gordon Houser there are two main themes of the book: "that all life is interdependent, and that we live and breathe via belief."

A story with God is the better story.

That seems like a Christmas story.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

First Lady of The United States, 
Melania Trump, pictured as she welcomes an 

enormous Christmas tree at the White House. 

She has chosen a patriotic theme for this year's displays.

Veterans Day Gift: Gary Sinese is helping Kenton Stacy get a new home

Have you heard of EODC Kenton Stacy? He is a Navy Man. He was in Afghanistan serving our nation when he walked into an IED. The son of one of our PMF mothers was with Kenton Stacy that day, and being the close friends they were, he was allowed to go and stay with Kenton in the hospital in the early days when he was in the most serious condition. The attack happened Nov 9, 2017. Today, Gary Sinese is helping to build him a home for his 4 children (one with special needs) and his wife. You can donate to Kenton on The Sinese Foundation website and learn more at Stacy Strong on Facebook.

Meet Kenton Stacy:

Donate to Kenton's new home at the link below...when you fill out the donation form there is a place where you can select the recipient of your donation. It says "apply your gift to". Click that. You will see a list of names/causes...Kenton is there...just scroll until you find him.
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/

Donate to Kenton's new home at the link below...when you fill out the donation form there is a place where you can select who you want your donation to go to. It says "apply your gift to". Click that. You will see a list of names/causes...Kenton is there...just scroll until you find him.
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/

Hurrah for the Pleasanton Veterans Day Parade!

Everyone from Pleasanton Military Families had fun marching in our annual Veterans Day Parade (which is always held on the first Sunday of November). It was a cloudless 80 degree day without a whisper of a breeze...perfect for a parade! The city turned out to wave flags and cheer on our incredible veterans. It was a day of smiles in Pleasanton CA! Thank you to our Marines, Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers who have served to protect Americans everywhere.Watch the great video of our small town celebration or just scroll through the snapshots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOiNgx6v85E&feature=youtu.be

Veteran and PMF member Duane Meyers in his big patriotic truck.

Our PMF team before step off.



Proud PMF Moms.



These words of President Trump bear repeating...

If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first. The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. The future belongs to sovereign and independent nations who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors, and honor the differences that make each country special and unique.

Something I remembered just now

1. Do you know this song? I love this song. I feel we all need to know this today.
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
   Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
   Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
   Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
   • Refrain:
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long;
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long.
5. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
   Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
   Angels, descending, bring from above
   Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
6. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
   I in my Savior am happy and blest,
   Watching and waiting, looking above,
   Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
7. Frances J. Crosby, 1873
   
   Live by Alan Jackson. Click the link.
   
   blessed assurance

The Future Belongs to Patriots

President Trump at the United Nations 

September 24 2019

If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first. The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. The future belongs to sovereign and independent nations who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors, and honor the differences that make each country special and unique.

Gearing Up For PMF Gala!

Our "Red, White and You Gala..An Evening Under the Stars" is just around the corner...September 21st. Pleasanton Military Families is putting on the Gala to raise money for our care package program. We are getting our silent auction baskets ready, deciding on our raffle prizes and excited about making our orchid centerpieces. Last year's gala was indeed a beautiful outdoor event and we are hoping for a sold out event this year. Barone's Restaurant in Pleasanton is hosting the event from 6-10 pm with a live band, dancing, and 4 course salmon or steak dinner. 


$100 Tickets are available at www.pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org

Two Green Berets Killed in Afghanistan August 21, 2019

Horrible news out of Afghanistan. One of our PMF families has a son serving in Afghanistan on his 13th deployment -- he knew these two fine men. It is a grave loss to him and to all who knew, loved and served with them.

Two U.S. Special Forces soldiers were killed August 21 2019 in Afghanistan. 

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command has released their names 

24 hours after their families were notified. 

The two men were Master Sgt. Luis F. Deleon-Figueroa, 31, and Master Sgt. Jose J. Gonzalez, 35. 

They were both assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 

or 7th SFG (A), stationed out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"Our priority is to now provide the best possible care to the families of our fallen warriors" 

said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th SFG (A) commander. 

"We ask that you keep their families and teammates in your thoughts and prayers."

Both soldiers were posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant, 

and Deleon-Figueroa was also awarded the Bronze Star, given to 

U.S. Armed Forces members for heroism, and the Purple Heart, 

awarded to service members who are wounded or killed while serving.

Happy Independence Day America!

Our care packages mailed June 4th have arrived! We have received great letters of thanks from those away from home on the 

4th of July so that we can 

enjoy freedom at home...

To the Pleasanton Military Families,

Thank you for the care package you shipped to LCDR Chris Bjornnes.  I am currently with him on board USS RONALD REAGAN, and he's been very generous in sharing your gifts.  

Hearing support from folks back home provides a genuine and instantaneous morale boost to the crew.  There are Sailors all over the ship who start to beam after catching a glimpse of packages.  And for those who didn't have something coming this time (myself included), groups like you win the day.

It is a privilege and honor to serve and your kindness makes it even better.  Much appreciated.

Semper fortis,

LT Rik Andrews
Task Force Deputy JAG

Hey Aunt Barbara,

I apologize for not emailing sooner. I have had back to back courts martial for awhile now, and I have been traveling way too much.  But I wanted to reach out and thank you for the care packages. My paralegal and I received them, and it was really fun for us. It made us feel like the people back home were thinking of us. I know for my paralegal, he has been having a pretty rough time away from his family. They definitely made him smile. They were very special. Please pass on our gratitude to the people involved putting those boxes together. Again, I appreciate it, and I am sorry it has taken this long for me to write.

Anywho, sending my love.

Hello,
I just wanted to thank all of you for the amazing care packages you mailed to our son Joe Urban! He’s currently on deployment on the USS Abe Lincoln, and was very surprised. Joe said receiving mail is a group event, so it brought fun and excitement to his buddies as well!

He emailed us to say thanks, so I wanted to pass it along. The 4th of July toys/goodies were a hit for all of them! Also, they enjoyed reading the letters from the kids.

This event is so great for the troops, but also the families! It warms my heart to know strangers are praying, supporting and going out of their way to give my son a gift that has value beyond the actual items! 

My daughter and I were able to help with the “pack out,” and were amazed with the amount of work, desire and joy so many had to do put this together!

We are truly thankful, and hope to see you for the gala and the next pack out! 

Joan and Mike Urban



And finally... a letter with great photos from a deployed unit opening their surprise packages....

Dear Azi,

Thank you and the Pleasanton Military Families for these packages. I have passed the packages to 5 separate platoons in our company evenly. So many times I've heard these Soldiers say," this made my day" or " I can't believe this". I cannot express the appreciation I have for you and what you all do . You have lifted the spirits of my guys up and I'm sure receiving these packages is a story they will tell later down the line.

Here are a few photos that came out decently that were taken by my guys of them opening these packages .

 

Heart Breaking News About West Point Cadet

This news I saw on TV tonight just breaks my heart...and all of our hearts. We do not know the reason why the West Point Military training vehicle overturned but it did and many others were injured. Let us pray for this young man's family and for the heart of America who is mourning a great great loss.

The lone cadet to die in a violent rollover crash near the U.S. Military Academy in West Point that hurt nearly two dozen others, including two U.S. Army soldiers, has been identified as 22-year-old Christopher Morgan from New Jersey.

Morgan, of West Orange, New Jersey, was a law and legal studies major, and a member of the Army Wrestling Team. West Point wrestling Coach Kevin Ward said Morgan was "a talented, hardworking, and determined athlete who loved his sport" and said the team was "devastated."

The tactical vehicle overturned around 6:45 a.m. as it was headed to a land navigation site as part of standard summer cadet training. Two soldiers and 19 other cadets -- all from the class of 2020 -- were injured. Williams said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

West Point cadets will hold a vigil to honor Morgan on Friday evening. A memorial ceremony for the West Point community and private funeral service will be held at the academy next week.

219 Care Packages Shipped To Beloved Troops

This week, Pleasanton Military Families joyfully dropped 219 care packages at the Sunol Post office for troops stationed all over the world. Thanks to all the packers and donors for making this possible!

Chris Miller, Dennis Colvin, Connie Teshara, Duane and John...

Azi taking photo.

Peaceful Remembrance

... a very beautiful look at the essence of our Memorial Day Ceremony in Pleasanton last month.

Getting Ready for our next "Adopt a Care Package" Event!

At PMF we are getting geared up for our next Adopt A Box event at the Pleasanton 

Farmer's Market, May 18th. 

We staff a booth near Main Street on Angela and invite shoppers to donate $20.00 - $40.00 to help us fill and mail military care packages around the world...here we are at past events...I'll let you know it goes :-)

log onto www.pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org if you want to make a donation anytime.
Thanks!

Names of Marines we lost on 4/8/2019

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOD Identifies Marine Casualties

---

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Resolute Support.

The following Marines died April 8 while conducting combat operations in Parwan province, Afghanistan.

Cpl. Robert A. Hendriks, 25, of Locust Valley, New York.

Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, of York, Pennsylvania.

Staff Sgt. Christopher K.A. Slutman, 43, of Newark, Delaware.

These Marines were assigned to 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.

For additional background information on these Marines, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve Communication Strategy office at (504) 697-9312 or roger.hollenbeck@usmc.mil.

The Eyes of Freedom Memorial: The Story of Lima Company

by Anita Miller

I just learned from PMF president Pat Frizzell that Las Positas College in Livermore will host the traveling Memorial "Eyes of Freedom" from April 29-May 3rd. This Memorial, in honor of the Lima Company Marines killed in Iraq during 2005, came to be from a dream in the middle of the night by one American woman who wanted to honor the fallen. 

Today, many have joined her side to make the beautiful tribute possible.

You can watch the official video about the dream, the memorial and Lima Company here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dapVyL9XA_s&feature=youtu.be

They have a beautiful website as well. www.limacompanymemorial.org

painting by Anita Miller, Eyes of Freedom Memorial



The Fallen

• Private First Class Christopher R. Dixon
• Lance Corporal Christopher P. Lyons
• Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Goodwin
• Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Youngblood (Navy Corpsman)
• Sergeant Justin F. Hoffman
• Staff Sergeant Kendall H. Ivy II
• Lance Corporal Nicholas William B. Bloem
• Corporal Andre L. Williams
• Lance Corporal Grant B. Fraser
• Lance Corporal Aaron H. Reed
• Lance Corporal Edward A. Schroeder II
• Sergeant David Kenneth J. Kreuter
• Lance Corporal Jourdan L. Grez

• Lance Corporal William B. Wightman
• Lance Corporal Timothy M. Bell, Jr.
• Lance Corporal Eric J. Bernholtz
• Corporal Dustin A. Derga
• Lance Corporal Nicholas B. Erdy
• Lance Corporal Wesley G. Davids
• Sergeant David N. Wimberg
• Lance Corporal Michael J. Cifuentes
• Lance Corporal Christopher J. Dyer
• Lance Corporal Jonathan W. Grant
• Cpl. David Stephen “Bear” Stewart
• LCpl. Kevin Waruinge
• Sgt. Bradley Harper

Wonderful Note of Appreciation from the Coast Guard

Pleasanton Military Families reached out to our Coast Guard during the recent government shut down to help out with emergency needs. It is really because of the fabulous support of our community at the Red, White and You Gala that we are able to help more and more. Thank you donors and supporters.

Here is the thank you note that PMF received from Coast Guard Rear Admiral Peter Gautier.

Hero Puppy Love for Heart Day

Love the recent story of the Army vet who waited and waited and watched until his military best friend/dog was retired out 
so he could adopt "Tess" into his own family...

That's a "God thing" to me...

"I will not leave you as orphans" John 14:18

"The father went out to watch for his son each day until he returned and when he did, he ran out and embraced him and threw him a party"
my take on Luke 15:20

Here is the whole story...click away
www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/02/04/army-veteran-adopts-dog-he-served-with-in-afghanistan/

Snow in them thar hills: Overnight in the Livermore Valley Feb 5 2019

Las Positas Vets and C4V Thank You Program last night

In October we staffed the rest stops for C4V (cycling for vets) in the Livermore Valley. The turn out was wonderful and the weather fantastic. So we finally found out the results of the donations last night. But the best reward of all was the thank you from the vet who was there with the specific purpose to thank PMF for his Christmas. All three kids were in attendance, hanging on to Dad who they clearly adore. Here is the letter he wrote and photos of his three fab kids.