☆ Honor Them's 1st Birthday ☆

I started my mission, quest or duty to Honor Them on twitter on June 30, 2010.  Now, admittedly it took me awhile to find my voice. I followed maybe 100 - 200 people when I first began.  I would get online and tweet a quote or a piece of news in hopes that someone out there saw it and felt as strongly about it as I did.  Truthfully though, I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I knew that I wanted to Honor Them but i just didn't have all of my proverbial ducks in a row on how to go about doing it.

Months went by and I just didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything. Finally 2011 hit and I guess you could say something hit me.  I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not sure why I hadn't though of it before. It seemed so clear to me when I finally had thought of it.  With the casualty numbers rising in the middle east I decided that someone needed to remember the ones who have given their life for a war that had gone on for nearly 10 years.  With every announcement of a new troop being taken from us I felt as though the faces, names and memories of those fallen were becoming a distant memory.  And while the war in itself is horrible, I felt that was an even greater tragedy. 

I don't remember what day I started tweeting the names of the fallen, but I do remember that I told myself on that day I would never miss a day of honoring them and their sacrifice.  Sadly, I will admit there have been 2 days with circumstances beyond my control that I was unable to do so.  It was with great regret that I wasn't able to fulfill my promise to both those troops and myself.  I was sure to include those that were missed on the following day, but I feel strongly that each one of our selfless heroes that pays such a high price deserves that one day of remembrance for them and their fellow brothers and sisters.

Since I started honoring our fallen on a daily basis it woke me up I guess you could say. In some ways you might even say it inspired me.  When I post those names everyday, I'm seeing their faces, their ages, where they're from, etc.  Each one of them has their own story.  These weren't just faces on a television screen that you happened to glance at while flipping channels.  These were people.  These were men and women who went to fight a war in a strange land.  We live in The United States of America.  That in itself is a huge blessing, but they left all that behind and sacrificed so much of themselves in the process.  Now I've heard people say things like, "Well they joined" or "They knew what they were signing up for" and similar comments to that effect.  And I say to those people, yes, they did!  They did join!  We are not under a draft.  They joined proudly to defend this great nation. Yet our Military accounts for only 1% of our population.  Only 1% of Americans have stepped up to defend their country.  That is a very telling statistic.  Now of course we have veterans who have served and ones that who would like to serve but maybe cannot due to a medical disability or perhaps another situation that may disqualify them, however that wouldn't make that percentage jump that much.

I talk about this all the time, but we are so very fortunate to live in this amazing country.  Our forefathers had inventive and courageous ideas about what they wanted not just for themselves but for their children, their grandchildren, and for the rest of this country.  They were some very brave and smart men.  They took those beliefs and dreams and forged the most important document that any American will ever know.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for being fortunate and blessed enough to be born in such an amazing place.  And I'm sure most of America would agree with me on that.  What I fear the most though, is that we're forgetting the very people who defend this nation which we all hold so dear.  I've said it before in my posts and I'll say it again.  This country would be nothing without our military.  Our politicians and government are not protecting our liberties and freedoms, our troops are!  I will be the first to admit I do not have what it takes to fight a war, but I have the heart of a lion and I will fight on the homefront.  I will fight for our troops and veterans.  I will support them and stand by them and give them reassurance, making sure they know just how much their sacrifice means. 

I have heard many ask me why I do what I do.  "Why dedicate your time, Amanda?"  "What was the catalyst to make you so driven to support our troops and veterans?"  Honestly, I could give you all a million different answers, but its hard to put into words what you feel so deep inside your soul.  Some people are born warriors, some aren't, but I guess I was born to be a tenacious fire under everyone's behind in hopes that everyone starts to Honor Them and their sacrifice. One person can show their support, shake a hand or smile and say thank you, but it takes an entire nation to show our military that we mean it. 

So, with all that being said I am asking for a birthday present from each of you.  And since it's my 1st birthday, which is a special one, I ask you all to please participate.  Now, before you all rush out to the nearest store to buy me a gift maybe you should hear what I'm asking for.  I'm kind of picky.  :) 

Starting today, 6/21/2011 and for the next 10 days I would like you all to find your own way to Honor Them and leave me a comment here on the blog (If you wish the comment may be left anonymous, all I ask is for participation) telling me what you did.  Thats all.  I don't want anything for myself.  I just want our troops and veterans to know how much we love them and how much we all are so thankful for their service and sacrifice. Now, I may have joked about being picky, but really I'm not.  There is no minimum requirement, no maximum limits.  Here are just a few things you can do to say thank you:

• You can say thank you by shaking a hand.
• Take a box of donuts to your local VFW. 
• Take a $5 or $10 gift card to your local recruiters office.
• Call your local VA Hospital. They are always in need of donations (items you may have in your home but no longer need) and/or volunteers.
• Adopt a troop.  There are countless organizations to do that, including Homefront Hugs.
• Make a donation to organizations which help the families of the fallen. That Others May Live is one that is always in need of help. (no amount is too small)
• Make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project.  These troops come home facing new obstacles. (no amount is too small)
• Make a donation to programs assisting troops and veterans with PTSD and TBI. Operation PTSD is one of many organizations which could use your support (no amount is too small)
• If you're at the diner and see a veteran or troop, buy their meal.

The list of how many ways you can thank our troops and veterans could go on and on, because truthfully there are just so many ways you can say thank you and Honor Them for their service to our country and to us. Some of these things will cost you nothing, some may cost you a few dollars, the important thing is finding something that you can do.  Find something that is within your ability.  This birthday wish of mine is not about breaking your bank account or causing you stress, its about giving back to an amazing organization, our U.S. Armed Forces so that they know despite everything they've been through they have a whole country of a different kind of warrior standing behind them.

Thank you all.  God bless you.  God bless America.  And God bless our United States Armed Forces!  ~ Amanda :)