Below is a a tribute to SSG Michael Elledge, killed in Iraq March 17, 2008. The MFSG helped to honor
SSG Elledge when he was brought home to El Dorado County. He was
buried in Placerville, Calif., where his wife Carleen is from.
A nationwide program launched by the
Department of Defense. Recognizes citizen’s support for our
military men and women and communicates that support to members
of our Armed Forces at home and abroad.
Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into
more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S.
troops stationed overseas in 2008. To do so, Cell Phones for
Soldiers expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month
through a network of more than 3,000 collection sites across the
country.
The El Dorado County Department of Veteran Affairs was
established by the Board of Supervisors of El Dorado County to
assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors in obtaining
entitlements from federal, state, and local agencies
administering veterans programs. It is not affiliated with the
Federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Collectively we will ensure that the sacrifices our
courageous warriors have made are not in vain, and that the
heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been
charged with such a vital mission will be given the support they
need to complete their mission. The members of our organization
know well why these brave individuals choose to serve. We know
that these humble Americans leave their homes and loved ones
with the knowledge that they are making the world a safer place.
And we know that these dedicated service members are committed,
first and foremost, to seeing their mission through to
completion.
Our custom made charm – each with the words “Until You Come
Home” engraved on the back and YOUR picture on the front.
Homes for Our Troops
is a non-profit, non-partisan, 501 (c)(3) organization founded
in 2004. This organization is strongly committed to helping
those who have selflessly given to their country and have
returned home with serious disabilities and injuries.
*All services provided by Homes for Our Troops are at no cost to
the veterans we serve.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) -
www.iava.org
Founded in June 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the
Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the
civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.
The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to
provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize
U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through
this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized
postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.
Military & Family Life Consultant
Program -
www.mhngs.com
The MFLC Program addresses issues that
occur across the military lifestyle and helps service members
and their families cope with normal reactions to the stressful
events created from deployments of war and reintegration.
Move America Forward is a non-partisan,
not-for-profit charitable organization committed to supporting
America’s efforts to defeat terrorism and supporting the brave
men and women of our Armed Forces.
The post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance
Act of 2008 greatly improved the benefit for those who've served
since Sep. 11, 2001. The American Legion played a vital
role in the development of the new benefit, as it did when
members of the organization drafted and passed the Servicemen's
Readjustment Act of 1944 - the original GI Bill. This site will
provide you with all of the benefit information that you need to
take advantage of the new GI bill.
Steve Cotcher, CEO of MyHuggy, knows firsthand the significance the teddy bears
can have and is trying to get as many bears to departing troops as possible. When
he was deployed
in the Marine Corps, he left behind his young wife and two-year-old son. “I was a Marine. When I came
home from deployment my son didn’t know me,” said Cotcher. “My Mother and I came up with this concept.”
He vowed that no one else would experience the pain he did if he could help it.
MyHuggy teddy bears have 20-minute recording devices in them, so the troops can say whatever they want to
say to their families, who will never be without their voices.
“When you’re not around, your kid can hug
the bear and feel like you’re there,” Cotcher said. “They can close their eyes and hear your voice.
They don’t understand why we have to leave.”
We are proud of our troops and are looking
for ways to help. Unfortunately there are some vets and military
families that are struggling with little help in sight. Our
goal is to provide short-term financial support and assistance
to vets and military families in a pragmatic and
non-bureaucratic way.
With more and more
soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health
concerns, NAMI recognizes the need for increased services for
veterans and their families. With our Veterans Resources Center,
we have attempted to consolidate the most useful online
resources. Whether you are looking for information on
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, mental illness, or how to obtain
Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, we have tried to provide
an extensive list of sites online where you can find that
information.
For the first time, veterans, service members, their families and service providers have one comprehensive website to find vital information:
- Crisis counselors specifically trained to help returning soldiers and members of their families
- College and job training programs available to veterans
- Housing, shelter and homeless services
- Social networking tools they can use to connect with and find support from members of the military community
With 1.5 million veterans expected to return home in the next
two years, Network of Care is an essential bridge to information
about health services and programs available to veterans in
California.
Seeks to lift troops' morale, and bring a
smile to their faces by sending care packages addressed to
individual service members deployed overseas. Operation
Gratitude care packages contain food, toiletries, entertainment
items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with
good wishes of love and support.
Returning OEF/OIF service members have a newly enhanced VA Web site just for them. The returning service members' site offers tailored information on
VA services and programs, as well as Internet-savvy video
features, stories… even a blog.
We are a family business that makes
products to support the U.S. Military and their families. We
were the first DoD certified manufacturer of the Service Flag
after 9/11.
The "SPC Mathew Taylor Wounded Warriors
Organization" was started in memory of SPC Mathew Taylor, who
died September 26, 2007. Mathew passed away from injuries he
received from an IED attack on July 23, 2007 in Afghanistan.
Provides aid and comfort to the men and
women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast
Guard, and their families.
T*A*P*S (Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors) -
www.taps.org
Provides a wonderful support network for
the surviving families of those who have died in service to
America. To accomplish our mission, TAPS has a small
professional staff and a large national volunteer network,
managed by our Board of Directors and supported by our Honorary
Board.
Mesothelioma.com is a leading Internet resource for information about mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer. It is maintained by Doug Karr who is also a veteran of the United States Navy, and a proud advocate for veterans. He maintains a veteran-focused blog on Mesothelioma.com, connect with vets & members of the military community via Twitter, and assist with veteran outreach. Our website has also been recognized by the Health on the Net Foundation as a reliable & trustworthy source of medical information on the web.
As you may know, mesothelioma cancer is caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Countless veterans and civilians who have worked in a shipyard or in the shipbuilding industry were exposed to asbestos while aboard naval ships, while repairing military vehicles and aircraft, and while residing in military housing. Troops currently serving in Iraq & Afghanistan are also at risk of asbestos exposure, making this a very timely health and safety issue for veterans and all members of the military community.
Bright Hope Designs,