Friday, September 15, 2006

Have You Heard About "America Supports You" Website?

I received this interesting article today from one of my news services and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share:

America Supports You: Chips Cure Munchies, Help Troops
By Samantha L. Quigley (American Forces Press Service)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2006 - Next time the munchies hit, Americans in some parts of the United States only need to look for the red, white and blue bag asking shoppers to "Support Our Troops."

The bags of Support Our Troops tortilla chips are now available in all 105 Lowes Foods stores in both of the Carolinas and Virginia, Amy Palmer, national executive vice president of Operation Homefront, said.

"Originally we did a market test on them, (and) they sold great, so we started pitching them to other stores," she said. "We're hoping to get them in other stores across the country."

Don't look for the chips in commissaries anytime soon, though, Palmer said.

"(The) commissary won't carry (a product) until it has a proven track record of sales," she said, adding that Homefront officials have met twice with Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials about carrying the chips.

A percentage of the proceeds will go to local chapters. Operation Homefront provides assistance to families of deployed servicemembers. The group is a member of the Defense Department's a America Supports You program, which highlights ways the American people and the corporate sector support the nation's servicemembers.

CoPak, maker of "On the Border" tortilla chips and margarita mix, approached Operation Homefront with the idea, Palmer said.

"We've been approached with similar types of things, but none of them have been a brand name that you know and respect," Palmer said. "That carries a lot of weight as far as ... (retailers) understanding the quality and knowing that when they decide to carry it they're getting a good product."

The red, white and blue store displays are helping attract attention to the product. Lowes Foods stores' initial order has sold, and they've placed another order, she said.

The corn tortilla chips, also available in bags of all red or all blue chips, made their debut in January at the first CinCHouse convention in San Diego. CinCHouse is an arm of Operation Homefront and keeps military wives and women in the military connected and informed through its Web site.

The chips run between $1.99 and $2.59 a bag, Palmer said.


Here is the website link/address for "America Supports You."
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx

Comments are Welcome!


It's been a few days since my last post, so I will play a little catch up by clearing a few things out of my noggin.

First things first. If you stumble upon this blog and find some of my rants interesting, then please feel free to comment via the comment links below each post.

In the future, as I learn more about this "blog" thing, I will be offering more interesting ways to discuss as well as new topics.

In the meantime, let me know what you think. Is the font too small? Is the posts too long? Either email me or leave comments.

Second thing, the purpose of a "blog" is to share. If you are checking things out and can think of someone else who might be interested, pass on the address. Can't remember the address? Just copy this address: http://www.SASMCNetwork.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Tony

Sunday, September 10, 2006

5 Years... Remembering, Saluting, and Holding On

On the anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, there will be documentaries on television, tributes held, callings for rememberance, and many more ways that we can hold the victims in our hearts and attempt to understand the events surrounding that day and the aftermath that continues to this day just 5 years after.

Please take a moment to remember those who died on that fateful day. It only takes a moment. I realize that in a short attention span world, a thoughtful moment of our time is a big task for some. It's easy to say, but to actually do it requires a little more than the usual. Remind yourself that it could have been anyone... on that day. Even if you don't know the names, remember that there were fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, someone's children, and friends who perished on that day. Remember their families, their children, and all those who were affected by the loss of their lives. It could have been you or me on that day.

Salute the Firefighters, Emergency Medical, and Law Enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line and took action in those critical moments of chaos. The city employees, contractors, and volunteers that waded through the rubble of ground zero. These folks do it everyday, but that day was more than anyone could have ever imagined and more than any of them had been faced with before. Many carry it with them through the names of their lost brothers and sisters in arms and the horrible flashes that haunt them. My heart goes out to them in hopes that they can find some sort of peace in the honor that they showed throughout the most troubled days of my lifetime.


Salute the city employees, contractors, and volunteers that waded through ground zero and the pentagon in those many months after continuing for almost the following year trying to locate missing victims, saving survivors, surveying and repairing damage, and cleaning up the rubble.

Unfortunately, mixed along with the kindness of this world will be some who will take advantage of these days to bend, shape, or twist whatever they can in order to form opinions, create discernment, shatter beliefs, or capture votes. I challenge you to rise above the surface discussion, the theories, and information presented when you are faced with these. With your most objective, caring eye simply ask yourself if what is being represented is in the vein of the greater good or an attempt to play upon our good-natured, American sympathy in order to wield our hearts as a vehicle for their own agenda. Not all information is mis-information, but some may be. If that is what you find before you, then follow your heart and turn them off. Because, they just don't get it. Feel honored and rejoice in the fact that you do.

Here are some websites that continue to carry the torch for Service Above Self related to the Rememberance of 9/11. It has been 5 years now and there are children right now that don't know what happened just because they haven't been exposed to it yet. If you find it in your heart to donate, volunteer, or educate through these organizations, I am thankful in the fact that I had the opportunity to bring you to their door for it is my way to provide a Service Above Self. There are more out there and all worthy of your time. Thank you for your time that you have shared reading this whatever precious moments it may be. Thank you!

Why Not Start With A Smile Or A Hello?

O.K. You wake up one day, look in the mirror, and decide that you would like to take a turn toward the common good. Where do you start? Alright, first things first. I could insert a big formula here for volunteer opportunities or something of that nature, which will come in many ways in future postings, but why not start out just a little bit more basic. How about a daily attitude check? I know that sounds a little harsh, but I am simply talking about beginning your day with a smile.

I know what you are saying. "Why do I have to smile?" "There is no one around and I shouldn't have to smile for anyone anyway." "They should smile first?" We'll guess what, you wouldn't be smiling for anyone BUT yourself. And if you are the first one, it is contagious.

That is just the point. By starting the day with a smile, you are forging your attitude for the rest of the day. It will make it easier to greet the folks you meet throughout your day and make you better equipped to meet any oncoming negativity.

How many people have you encountered in your regular day with those cold, "perma frown" looks on their face? No affect and generally looking down at the ground? You know what I mean? They are even easier to pick out in a crowd when they get in their older years because the perma frown leaves perm marks on our faces. It makes our cheeks droop more and in most cases just plain makes us look older.

Of course, some days a smile can be a challenge, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. If you are having a challenging day, then a smile just might not be on the radar screen. But, that is 1 day out of 365 a year. If everyday is a challenge, then still try a smile. You might find that if you try to peak through the darkness of a dreary day with a bright shiny smile you may attract just the right sort of people who can help pick you up as well.

So, I challenge you to put on a smile. You'll feel better and those around you will as well.

Give it a try! What have you got to lose?

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Didja Know About NKO, or AKO...Did You?

Most military personnel are well aware of the recent efforts of their respective service organizations to bring the world of information to the doorstep, or at least computer screen, of each servicemember. But, the word still hasn't completely made it out to the retirees that these same services are also available.

The information appears to grow daily and varies from online computer classes to library collections of audiobooks, music, e-books, congressional reports, and so much more.
There is the latest health news including alerts and ways to research concerns. There is legal information including downloadable forms and data to use as well as helpful links. There is information about job hunting, transition assistance, veterans organizations, financial services, counseling services, personal and professional growth services, and many more. For some people it is information overload and for others it is the new frontier. No matter what your take is on it, it is information that saves you money, time, and is always available.

I can at least vouch for the Navy and say that if a Navy servicemember (as well as Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel) doesn't know what is available to them on the "Navy Knowledge Online (NKO)" website, they must be living under a rock or just haven't reached that point in their life where they are investing in their future.

I know that the Army has the same system under the umbrella of "Army Knowledge Online (AKO)" and it is available to retirees. However, the Air Force version, the "AF Portal" reports the following, "Currently, the AF Portal team is focused on delivering capabilities to the military, civil service community and base support contractors. In the long term, the AF Portal will support the entire AF community: Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard, civil servants, retirees, dependents, and our support contractors. As we evolve the AF Portal we intend to offer capabilities to our retired and dependent communities such as quality of life information and self-service personnel and financial applications. Please stay tuned to the AF Portal and the AF Link public website over the next year for more information on AF Portal registration for retirees and dependents." It is just a matter of time before they too will be onboard and offering the same services.

To help "corrall" some of the resources within the website that I am able to access from my Navy affiliation, I have created a "Personal Community" within Navy Knowledge Online and will continue to build with references related to veterans that are able to access it. I was talking to another friend of mine about this and he asked me, "Why don't you just create a NEW website that everyone can access with all the information." Well, the information for NKO, AKO, and all the others is a combination of the efforts of hundreds of people and hundreds more contracted agencies who are experts in the field of information that they provide. I do not claim to be an expert of all that I come across. So, I will that to the professionals. However, there is no reason why I can't do what I can to help bring the information to a more collective section

So, if this is new information to you, here is some helpful links for you to begin your quest:
If you learn something new about ANY of these services, share the wealth! And let's pass it on!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

What is Service Above Self, really?

No matter how you look at it or how clear it sounds, the truth is that the term "Service Above Self" is still a little vague to some. Since everyone has their own, unique perspective on things generated from their childhood or life experiences, it is almost safe to say that things one person deems to be an act of "Service Above Self" may not be the same to someone else. So, let's start out with what I think as "Service Above Self". In my opinion, it starts with the thought process that there is more to life than an individual person. What? More to life than me? Why should I care about anyone else? What did they ever do for me?

Sound familiar? Well, if that is not how you see things, then there is probably someone close to you that does.

Let's face it! There are people with many times more at their disposal than others, yet they consider themselves unhappy "victims" because they lack the "more" things that they desire. While the content with many times less look for ways to improve the world around them. Why is that? Service Above Self. I would rather be content, than to consider myself a victim anyday.

There are others that make it through life by taking all that they can from every direction that they can find offering something regardless of whether they need it or not or whether it is meant for them. Doing so, without the positive pursuit of self-improvement to do what they can on their own to make things better for themselves. And, all the while, doing so without the slightest notion of sharing with the less fortunate when their situation improves. However, there are those, who despite the appearance of bleak moments in time, realize that only through a collective effort can true rosperity be gained. Sort of like, I can prosper through your prosperity and you through mine. Giving begets giving. Service Above Self.

How many times have you heard of a person or family stricken by an illness or a disaster who received an outcry of support from friends, loved ones, and volunteers. What one thing do you generally hear about within the character of the person receiving the support (not the supporters themselves)? They are generally caring people who had supported others before them prior to their unfortunate condition and probably will continue to do so after they get back on their feet. That's the circle of Service Above Self.

So, start the circle here and let's share those things that might improve our lives together on this planet. Service Above Self.