Monday, December 25, 2017

Very Merry 2017!










I was asked to give the blessing before the meal at our Pleasanton Military Families Christmas party. Next to my prized presentation flag flown over the war zone, it was the biggest compliment and honor of my life. 

Dear Lord,

We are happy tonight and truly grateful for the opportunity to be together at Christmas time. It’s the time of year we celebrate the decision you made to leave your heavenly home and come to us, to make your home in our hearts. 

You have made us a family. The hands we hold are priceless to us. They are the evidence that you are mindful of our every need and that you have just the right person at just the right time to help meet those needs. These hands we hold remind us of the bond that ties us together: we love someone who chose service and honor as a way of life.

Even now, as we share this meal, we pray that those serving far away from us, our military sons and daughters, husbands and brothers are opening care packages that shower them with our gratitude, our pride in what they are doing, the warmth of home at Christmas and most of all with the certainty that they are SO loved by all of us, SO loved by God. 

Fill us with your peace tonight as we lay our heads down knowing that it is your good pleasure to protect and guide your children no matter where they are.

Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing our Christmas gathering and thank you for the lasting memories you are making for us tonight. 

They will remind us forever that we have indeed “all received one blessing after another” and that we have witnessed with our own eyes “the wonders of your love”. Amen.





Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Glad Tidings




The Pleasanton Military Families Christmas Pack Out was on November 18th, and we have already starting receiving thank you notes from our recipients.

This letter was beautifully written and I wanted to share. Home away from home is what he loves....

Hello,

I would just like to express my appreciation and thanks for the care packages your organization sent our unit. It's clear that a lot of effort was put into putting them together, and for this I'm truly grateful. Your gift has provided me with some comforts from home and has shown me that there are many at home who support us. It's gestures such as this that motivate me, and remind me why I serve. I put on the uniform to serve and protect the people. Without the support of the people, I wouldn't have any reason to serve. I also especially wanted to say thanks for the Christmas trees you included in your shipment. It's extremely difficult being away from home during the holidays, but having those Christmas trees helps us celebrate and gives us some sense of normalcy. Once again, thank you so much for everything from your organization. Take care, and God bless.


Thanks,
name withheld




Friday, October 20, 2017

US Marine Major John Kelly Stands Up For The Best 1%

Speaking about events surrounding President Trump's phone call to the wife of Sgt. La David Johnson killed in Niger (one of four killed in an ambush on October 4, 2017), Chief of Staff John Kelly gave this powerful statement to the press. I sat in my car, in the driveway, to listen as every word touched my heart. Every American should hear these words.

On October 4th America lost Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright and Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, highly decorated and deeply loved.


John Kelly EMOTIONAL White House Press Briefing 10/19/17




Retired United States Marine Corps general John F. Kelly, White House Chief of Staff and the former commander of United States Southern Command, the unified combatant command responsible for American military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

HEROES 4 HEROES



Zack (left) from Alameda waited for his buddy at the rest stop...
he was slowed by a flat out on Mines Road.
They were among the 25 doing the 115 mile ride. 

Well over 200 incredible human beings showed up on the back roads of Livermore on October 7, 2017 to cycle their butts off for a good cause. Cycling 4 Vets (C4V) held its Annual Event to support the military yesterday in the Livermore Valley Hill country. Riders chose from 30, 55 and 115 miles to log with the goal to support military veterans and current in-service personnel. All fundraising benefits veteran and active military organizations including: the Las Positas College Veterans First Program, Sentinels of Freedom, Student Veterans Organization (SVO), Blue Star Moms – Danville Chapter, and Pleasanton Military Families (PMF).




This rider came in overheated, vowing to finish the 115 miles when his
longest ride to date had only been 60 miles. He said, anything less than the 115
didn't seem good enough for the military. He rode off with a buddy who would make sure he arrived home safely.
Sounds like the military.
Pleasanton Military Families hosted 2 rest stops for cyclists to refuel and get much needed water...It was hot out there with little shade and 5,000 foot elevation gains, making every ride much more challenging. But you know, every rider came in with a smile on their faces and a story to tell. Pumped and happy to support our military! Don't you love it?

Our Rest Stop by the side of the road







Many female cyclists sweated out the 115 miler!
Sorry I didn't get her face in, but
the jersey tells the story.

Silicon Valley Cyclist Club was awesome yesterday!

A Marine Mom 115 miler...on a mountain bike!!!
I don't know how much money was raised for vets and active military yesterday, but I'll post when I find out. What I do know, is that there are a pack of proud and grateful Americans who consider it a privilege to pound out hard, hot, uphill miles on a bike to say "Thank You!!" to every service man/woman out there who has considered America a country worth fighting for. 
Thank you and God bless you all!

Monday, September 11, 2017

9/11/2017: Memorials and The Survivor Tree

It is 9/11/2017. Because it is so easy to forget, I wanted to revisit what happened on 9/11/2001 and what has happened since to memorialize the lives lost on that most horrible day. I learned a Memorial has been established in Pennsylvania where United Flight 93 was taken over by terrorist hijackers and crashed into a field where all passengers including 3 children under the age of 5 and all crew members died. This was the 4th plane to have crashed, but not without a fight from heroic passengers.

United Flight 93 Crash site near Shanksville PA on 9/11/2001 killing 40


As the site looks today
Gate leading to the crash site memorial


A Memorial Wall holds the names of the 40 victims who were killed on 9/11/2001

Locally, the Fire Departments in both Pleasanton and Livermore held a moment of silence and lowered the flag to honor those who died, so that we might never forget. A small group gathered at the flag pole of Station 1 in Pleasanton at 6:59 am. 





On the 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial website, there is a beautiful story of the Survivor Tree...a pear tree that was buried in the Trade Towers rubble, nursed back to health and survives today as a testament to life on the memorial grounds. Click the link and watch the wonderful video they have created to tell the story.


May God continue to be a source of strength and comfort to those who carry on, whose lives have been changed forever.



Tuesday, August 1, 2017

A MUST READ story from 2011

Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice.


I found an article yesterday posted on the drudge report in conjunction with the appointment of Lt. General John Kelly to White House Chief of Staff. Although it was written in 2011, the words ring true, loud and clear in 2017. It is a long article, very well written and worth the 5 or 10 minutes it will take to read. Please click the link below to "hear" his powerful message about supporting our military.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/01/AR2011030106355.html?sid=ST2011030106452



Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly, nominated to the powerful position of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates's senior military assistant, knows firsthand the pain and loss of many military families caused by war. On Nov. 9, 2010, his son 2nd Lt. Robert Kelly stepped on a land mine in Afghanistan and was killed.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Prayer Request from Military Mom

This email came from Pleasanton Military Families…Mom had met our Pat Frizzel at the farmers market and then followed up with the info about her sons…I with held full names


My middle son, S deployed today.  The 27th Aero Squadron will be based in Dubai, and flying F-22's into Syria for three months.  Simultaneously, he and his fiancé, "C", are planning their Wedding for November..   "C" is an Air Force Flight Nurse and is already one month into her three month deployment in Germany.
"S's" older brother is training to bea ParaJumper/ParaRescue.   And, my youngest son is in the Army training in Armor- tanks.  He will be transferring from Fort Benning, GA to Ft Hood, Tx this month.
Please keep them all in your prayers along with all of our military?
Our country is so blessed to have such fine young people…"

We do pray. For this mother's three sons in harm's way. Lord, keep these young men safe and sound. Surround them with support and strengthen them from within. Let them know they are loved and honored by those of us at home for whom they risk their lives. Thank you for telling each son, "I know you and I love you." 

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Independence Day 2017


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men 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 Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776


"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"
Galatians 5:1




"For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13


"Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, 
may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and 
preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
Francis Scott Key 1814


We owe so much to the brave men and women who have served brothers and sisters in love..so that we may enjoy freedom and continue the call to serve. 
Happy Independence Day America!


 

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Memorial Day 2017

The key note speaker at the Pleasanton Ca. Memorial Day Ceremony was Colonel Windsor S. "Shane" Buzza, Chief of Staff, Pacific Division, 75th Training Command. 

He encouraged the audience to find a way to support the families of the Fallen 
in any way we can, 
because that is what they would want us to do. 







Sunday, March 26, 2017

Making Cards for the PMF June Pack Out

Been having a great time making some cards to put in the 
next Pack Out in June.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Adopt a Box!



Yesterday was a big day for Pleasanton Military Families and me too! The Easter Pack Out was the first order of the day with over 200 care packages going out. At least half the crowd of volunteers were first timers. So great! 

Later that afternoon, we set up outside of the Cellar Door to introduce people to the Adopt a Box program where anyone can make a donation that will end up filling and sending a care package overseas. Some of the folks had their photos taken in front of the flag with a sign showing they had adopted the care package. That photo will go right into the box when it is shipped. I love that our troops get to see the faces of those back home who SO appreciate their service.


We also had a table where people could write a note of thanks and encouragement to our troops. Those letters go out in the next Pack Out on June 3rd. 


Best news of all? 
$830 was raised for buying and shipping items over to our deployed men and women all over the world.




Thursday, February 16, 2017

Love in a Box

Right in my own town, Pleasanton Military Families (PMF) is making a difference every day in the lives of very important people-our men and women in service as well as in the lives of their families here at home. 

The next PMF Pack Out to our deployed military is coming up in March. A flurry of emails has been coming my way regarding preparation for the event. 

I wanted to pass on one of these emails: the thank you letter that arrived in my "IN" box today...from a chaplain stationed in Afghanistan. He has been sharing the contents of PMF care packages that come his way.



2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.