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Brief Introduction
USDef.org is a clearinghouse for military advocacy resources that
you can use to support our troops. Too often, we have forgotten our
troops after a time of peril. I hope that this site can become a
bulwark against that tide. USDef.org (short for U.S. Defense) is — and
will remain — a not for profit operation. See the "Topics" on
the left for information about how you can get involved. I am adding
information and resources on an almost daily basis. Please come back
often, and send information and resources that I can make available to the community.
This site is very much a web log, and entries are listed in order of
date entered; however, the topics listed on the left have "Highlighted
Resources" that remain on the top of their respective pages. |
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Recent Entries
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13 December 2003
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Ready.gov is the official government site dedicated to terrorist attack preparedness. The Department of Homeland Security has put together an easy to use site that contains information you can use to prepare for an attack. At Ready.gov you will find check lists for items that should be contained in your emergency kit. The site also has an excellent downloadable communications plan (PDF version) that your family can use to stay in touch during any type of emergency. The Department of Homeland Security
recommends that all citizens prepare an emergency kit. Emergency kits
not only protect Americans, but also these kits make attacks more
difficult for terrorists. Thus, by creating your own kit you help
defend America. |
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11 December 2003
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Do you have some extra frequent flyer miles? Would you like to help a service person on R&R or emergency leave get home? Operation Hero Miles can help you donate your frequent flyer miles to a deserving service member. Operation Hero Miles
was founded recently by U.S. Representative C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger,
and already hundreds of thousands of air miles have been donated to our
troops. To donate your miles, click on the Airlines Accepting Donations, and look for your airline. New airlines are joining the program each day, so check back if you do not see your airline.
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5 December 2003
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Treats for Troops has succeeded in its mission of making it easy for anyone to send a care package to a service member. At Treats for Troops
you can send a wide variety of care packages to a specific service
member or an adopted soldier. It only takes a few minutes and a few
clicks to send a present that would be appreciated by a soldier in the
field. |
 Anheuser-Bush to Create Scholarship Fund
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12 May 2003
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I doubt that I needed another reason to drink Budweiser; nevertheless, I now have one. Anheuser-Busch, maker of the King of Beers,
has announced that it will create a $1 million Fallen Heroes Fund
dedicated to scholarships for families of our fallen soldiers. The fund
will be managed at no cost by the Intrepid Museum Foundation, a foundation that supports patriotic education, including oversight and administration of the U.S.S. Intrepid Museum.
Family members of fallen U.S. and British soldiers are eligible for the
scholarship fund, and the Foundation plans to contact the families of
every fallen soldier to notify them of eligibility. The Intrepid Museum Foundation was founded in 1982 by Zachary Fisher who also founded Fisher House
for families of service members who need medical treatment. Since its
founding, the Intrepid Museum Foundation has delivered more than $15
million in aid to families of fallen U.S. service members. Those
wanting more information about the scholarships can contact Dave
Winters, foundation senior vice president, at 212-957-7020. Fox News Business Wire
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7 May 2003
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Founded
after the 9/11 attacks, SOAR (Support Our American Recruits) has the
unique mission supporting our troops by educating our children about
the values of patriotism. SOAR accomplishes its mission by conducting
letter and care package collections at schools and scout organizations, and by conducting an annual essay contest. SOAR chapters are located in Georgia and Kentucky, and those interested can sign up for email alerts on their site.
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6 May 2003
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The
Disabled Americans Veterans (DAV) is the official organization of
disabled U.S. service members, and the DAV relies on a network of
volunteers who provide transportation to disabled veterans needing
transporation to VA facilities. Those wishing to volunteer should
complete an online form. (Select "Voluntary Services" from the list at top.) For more information about the DAV, see their web site.
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5 May 2003
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Operation: MOM is the military support group that includes all family members of all military branches. Operation: Mom sends care packages and letters to our service members, sells T-shirts to fund support operations, and runs message boards
that provide mutual support for families. (Warning: the message board
may take a long time to load.) The group also has an excellent calendar of events that provides a good overview of Operation: Mom activities. Chapters are located in California and Georgia; however, the organization is trying to start new chapters in other states.
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2 May 2003
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The VA Voluntary Service is your connection for volunteering at a Veterans Administration
(VA) hospital near you. VA hospitals, centers and homes serve 98,000
veterans each day, and there are 163 VA hospitals nationwide — with at
least one in each of the 48 contiguous states. I cannot think of a more
noble way to serve those who have already served the United States. See Volunteer Now to find a hospital near you and to send an email to a contact there. The VA Voluntary Service has an organized Student Volunteer Program designed to provide students with new skills, and the Service has a Corporate Volunteering program that allows companies to get involved.
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Organization:
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VA Voluntary Service
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Address:
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810 Vermont Avenue NW
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City, State & ZIP:
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Washington, DC 20420
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URL:
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http://www.va.gov/volunteer/
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Telephone:
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202-273-8952
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1 May 2003
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Show your support by sending a gift to the family of a service member. The AAFES
has a gift certificate program that allows you to send a gift
certificate to the family of a U.S. service member. Gift certificates
donated through this program are distributed by the Army Community
Services programs, including the Families of Seriously Injured and Very
Seriously Injured Soldiers. See the description of this program or go directly to the online purchase page.
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1 May 2003
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The
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) now has gift certificates
available for purchase online. Recipients can use the gift certificates
at any PX or BX (Post or Base Exchange) worldwide. Visit the link above
for a description of options for sending a gift certificate:
If you know the address of someone who is deployed, select the first
option, and the gift certificate will be sent to him or her. The other
four options allow you to donate a gift certificate to a worthy
recipient. For more information about the AAFES, visit their web site.
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