Why again is it that we can only donate on Thanksgiving?

Every year the scenario is the same. We, the fortunate, gorge ourself on bird and trimmings and several assorted side dishes that we probably only eat on this one day of the year. Some families come together on this solitary day and live someone distant or "not as close" for the remaining 364 days of the year. Isn't it ironic that those you are most thankful for are not truly as close as maybe you once were.

OK. I know this sounds like a "self disclosure" and maybe it is a little. That may not be your picture to a tea, but I can safely say at one time in my life, it was probably close to mine. Just through conversations with others, I can guarantee that it resembles the situations of many more than I alone.

It is not a complete picture of my current world... but, at one time it was. But, then it donned on me one Thanksgiving, why in the world is it that I could be so grateful for the many relationships and the feel the share while I partake in the feast.

It doesn't take rocket science to realize that it is guilt! We are driven by the guilt of knowing the "shoulds".
1. We "should" be closer.
2. We "should" give to the needy.
3. We "should" be thankful for the fact that we are all capable of giving of ourself.

So, here is the personal pact that I made to myself some time ago. I would put forth "a little effort" to be closer to those in my circle, give when I can even if it is not right around Thanksgiving, and be more thankful for the people I have in my life and the things I have been blessed to receive.

Guilt... put in check!

Navy Knowledge Online, er, NKO there for Retirees

A while back, I posted some information pertaining to the various information "portals" that are provided by the various armed forces. I mentioned that most are offered to retirees as well. Those that are not right now, will be in the near future as they bring their network up to speed with the Navy and the Army. For that part of the discussion, I refer you to the past post "Didja Know about NKO, or AKO... Did you?" You can find it below or listed in the archives at the right.

One thing that I negelcted to mention was the address to the Retiree Onward Portal within NKO. As an active member of NKO since it came online, I have compiled some of the information that would be helpful for a retiree and put it into one page. Of course, in order to get to the link, it will lead you to your signup or login page. That is one of the beauties of these systems, they are many more times secure than any of the other sites out there. And some information hits there first, because it is like the "straight from the horse's mouth concept". The Navy or Department of Defense makes a decision or passed a regulation and informs folks via their network first and then passes it on to the news media and other internet sites via press releases. So, generally it is on NKO first. I am pretty sure that the Army does it the same way.

Here is the link: CPOTonyStewart-Retiree Onward Portal .
As I also have info from the other services, I am looking at using their option to signup on their sites and present the same thing. At least, the Army system presents the opportunity for me to enroll there as well. And so on and so on.

Remember, BEFORE you click the link above, you must have access to the NKO Website. When you click the link above, it will take you to that page. If you are a retiree, active duty service member, or a dependent of one and enrolled in the DEERS System, then you can register at that time as well. Once you log in, it will take you straight to the Retiree Onward Portal or "ROP". I will eventually add the link to OUR LINKS at the right for future use. I will do the same for the other services as I am able to build them.

As always, if you have questions or comments, click the "comment" link below this message and I will get back to you!

eCare Packages to Military & Their Families

I came across this Press Release from the American Forces Press Service. Anytime I see something positive out there for those securing freedom, I just got to pipe off. Check it out!

America Supports You: Online ProgramSends Care Packages to Troops, Families

SANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 17, 2006 - Just in time for the holidays, Operation Homefront has launched "eCarePackage," an online service that allows caring citizens to send care packages to deployed troops and their families.

Operation Homefront is part of CinCHouse.com, a community for military wives, and is a team member of America Supports You, a Department of Defense program connecting U.S. citizens with members of the military.

Servicemembers and families can register on www.ecarepackage.org, which protects their identity and location, and visitors can "adopt" them based on common interests. Then visitors select individual items to create a customized care package for their chosen servicemember or family and include a personal message.

Operation Homefront's team of volunteers takes the order, boxes the selected items and ships them directly to the servicemember or family - always protecting their identity and physical location.

"There's nothing like a care package to cheer a deployed soldier or a lonely military family, especially during the holidays," said Amy Palmer, executive vice president of operations for Operation Homefront. "With operational security for the troops so tight, we were concerned that care packages weren't getting through. So we built eCarePackage to ensure our troops and families continue to 'feel the love' from Americans."

Items available in the eCarePackage store range from toiletries and necessities to games, books and candy. Most items were donated from sponsors, particularly The Dollar Tree, which runs its Operation Appreciation program in most stores nationwide.

Donated items are not marked up, so eCarePackage visitors often pay only the cost of handling and shipping - making eCarePackage less expensive than doing it yourself. Moreover, Operation Homefront has partnered with DHL, which provides postal service to overseas troops, to ensure direct and timely delivery of all care packages to deployed troops.

The eCarePackage program is an extension of Operation Homefront's mission to provide emergency support and morale to our troops, the families they leave behind during deployments, and wounded warriors when they return home. Operation Homefront recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defense Department to ensure greater collaboration.

OK I am back!

I am back! OK, those close to me are aware that I recently had a surgery that put me out of action for several weeks. I won't go into too many details. But, I will say thank you for the cards, letters, and emails that I did receive.

Whether someone contributes to the blog or not, it is still nice to know that there are lurkers out there stopping by. "Lurkers" is the term used for internet surfers that are just readers and not writers or participants. Kind of like window shoppers, huh? I look at it this way. If I spark one person, at one moment, to do one positive thing either for themself or for others, then I am OK with that. I have done my job on Planet Earth. ha-ha!

Well anyway. I don't want to go into any details and such regarding my surgery. But, I will leave it as I am healthier than I have been in the last 5 years! And am looking forward to a fitter me!

Take care and god bless!