It has been over a year since I decided to give money for the troops. Many of you know that I have worked for the Federal Government and have taken an early retirement to pursue many projects. Some of which are my desire to give to worthy causes; and others are to get people to hold the various Government Agencies accountable for their blunders or procrastination.

      Over a year ago, I was looking into selling my home to speed up facilitating my pet projects. I had just pulled up to the house to meet a realtor who was

 lobbying to sell my place. The Market was high, and I reasoned that he would help me to get a good price for my place and I would be about my Mission.

      As I pulled up in front of my place, I was listening to the radio. What I heard on the news horrified me!

      I heard that a lot of the troops were not being issued the body armor they so desperately need. Not surprising that in a time of war supplies have trouble getting through in a timely manner. That is understandable. The thought that the Pentagon was juggling funds and were remiss about doling out the money for our troops. Inexcusable! But nothing new.

     In response to this shortage of gear that the Sons and Daughters of America so desperately needed, people here at home who loved their friends and relatives fighting in Iraq raised money to purchase needed body armor for our troops.

    Makes sense doesn't it?

      Their actions are reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter mentality during World War Two where Americans here and abroad operated like one well-oiled patriotic machine. This is an attitude that America so desperately needs.

     What rocked my sense of sanity was that, the Army was not allowing the troops to wear these life-saving gifts. Their dubious logic was that even though they could not afford to give the troops the body armor that they really need: they (The U.S. Army) could not in good conscious allow their troops to wear armor that was not authorized to be issued. Some Army publicists claimed that they did not want the troops to be wearing inferior equipment... instead of the armor that they were unable to supply them.

     EXCUSE ME! What kind of brain dead pile of horseshit is that? Who are these idiots making these decisions? Anyone with one brain cell would realize that three wet T-shirts would be better than nothing!

     As I met with my realtor, I was a man on a rant. My rant got him ranting. As it turned out, this news had been chewing on him, since he has a son in Iraq who was getting pulled back into a second tour. Evidently, his son did not have body armor either.

     He wringed his hands as he ranted; seemingly real tears were misting his eyes. He told me that he spent many a sleepless night fearing for his son who was in harms way. Shaking with frustration, he lamented that he wish there was something that he could do. He wished that people would just stand-up in force and call their legislators.

     The Seed for an idea was born. I said, "You can do something.

     "You can agree to give up your commission from the sale of the house and I will match you dollar-for-dollar.

     He blinked several times as if I was an alien.

     "Why would you do that? Do you have any relatives in Iraq?"

     I told him that I do not, but that I am a person that believes if you expect or want other people to do something... you have to lead by example.

     In other words, you can't just talk bullshit; you have to put your money and your body where your mouth is. You got to 'Walk the walk!"

Unfortunately, this realtor was all talk and he started to avoid me and not return my calls. Of course I would not give him the listing.

Evidently, the tears and the professed love and concern for his son was felt sincerely and deeply - For only fleeting moments.

     My mind reels from such behavior. I say this, because I am the type of person that would move heaven and earth for people I love... even people I care for as mere friends.

      This is not an idle boast, as I can show legal documentation and other resources to anyone that would dare to question the credibility of my assertions.

     I can point to many examples of exemplary people that go to great lengths to protect and nurture their loved ones.

     I decided to shop around for realtors that would give their commission.

      Most lamented the problem our troops faced and even offered to give $500.00 dollars towards the cause. (if they could list my house and if it sold).

     I finally found a wonderful realtor that promised to give all of his commission.

      Unfortunately, the problem was that I could not deliver an actual address or organization that would take the money for the body armor and show everyone an accounting as to how the money was spent and where the equipment was sent.

      No one I talked to wanted to donate any money to the "Pentagon's or the Army's general fund". They were to say the least... distrustful.

     After e-mailing many times, every Federal Legislator in the United States, I received only one response. That response was from Congressman Peter DeFazio.

      He instructed me to draft a letter to the Pentagon asking them for a place outside of the general fund to send the money. He promised he would send this letter on for me. He also sent me two links that I could hopefully get both information and support.

      Unfortunately, I have as yet to hear from the Pentagon, DeFazio, or anyone for that matter.

      The websites that DeFazio sent me are dead ends. Neither site has any method or portal with which to contact anyone.

     I contacted by letter and e-mail many of the legislators telling them of my dilemma.

      I asked them to look into where we could send money and show our troops and the world that Americans have not lost the patriotic spirit. I had hoped that the world would see that most Americans would do more than put a flag on their trucks, a bumper sticker on their car stating "Support our Troops" or spouting off all sorts of rhetoric.

      Despite all the fact that each legislator has a banner of a link stating, "Support Our Troops - Regardless if you are for or against the war. Evidently, their feelings on the matter was also sincerely and deeply felt at the short instant that those icons were inserted on their websites.

      So there I was, left holding my metaphorical dick in my hand, thereby diminishing my credibility in the eyes of realtors and people that I wanted to encourage to rally about.

AND THAT PISSES ME OFF!

     I handed my cards to National Guard personnel some of them high-ranking. I told them what I wanted to do. I asked them to find out where I could give the money. I have not heard a peep from anyone.

     I never suspected that it would be so hard to give money away towards a good cause.

      Months ago, I was sitting at a Starbucks coffee shop, drafting letters to legislators.

      I over heard a conversation from a few of the regular patrons.

      One young lady, was tearfully bemoaning the fact that one of her dearest friends was in Iraq... on the front lines. They were all whining about how their friends and loved ones were not getting the protection and supplies needed to keep them safe.

     I had to engage them and tell them what I was trying to do. I asked them how dedicated were they to their friends. They assured me that they would give their lives and their very possessions for the safety of their friends.

     Of course they were stunned to learn that not one government official would tell me where to send the money.

    The pretty young lady, who had been the most distraught over the safety and welfare of her friend mentioned to me that she worked for a military recruiter.

She assured me that she would make it her mission to ask him where I and other people could send money for body armor and other supplies.

     Somehow, over the course of weeks, this information never seemed to materialize.

      It wasn't that the recruiter did not have the info. No, it was more depressing than that. She could never seem to remember to even ask him where to send money, even though she sat at a desk right across from him.

      After asking her several times if she happened to remember to ask, she started to avoid me. Evidently, the pain felt and the tears spilled, was genuine and deep for only the fleeting moments that they were discussing the topic. She and her friends were unable to maintain the concern to even bother who they could go to.

     She and her friends never seemed to forget the special sales of material items that would be on sale that day or in the weeks to come.

      Evidently, their concern for these items and the concerts they wanted to see - was very genuine and deeply felt for prolonged periods of time.

     It is odd, in between chatting about nonsensical crap pertaining to this item that they purchased or want to purchase or the latest reality TV that they can't stand, but will slavishly watch, they talk about the war and how they would like to do their part and perhaps, join up and become Navy Seals.

     Some one should point out to them that they do not have a Seal Team mentality.

     If fact I would be dismayed to have them on my team.

     I am beginning to suspect the sad fact that the federal employees I use to work with are right, "Most People Talk Bullshit!"

    For me it is sadder still to realize that this insight comes from many people that lack any character and depth within themselves.

     I have found a beacon of light however. I have found that people who are members of Fraternal Organizations, such as the Elks, The Moose Lodge and The Eagles and other such fraternal organizations take very seriously their part of the community and their commitment to helping our troops in Iraq and the troops coming home.

     Most people have told me that people who join such groups are only involved to get cheap drinks. The fact is, they are their to be involved with positive goals and as a side benefit, they do have access to cheap drinks.

    I told them what I wanted to do, and a Jim Marston with The Elks (Lodge 1168) who sent me to CERVIS Interfaith Care Community, and the Eagles Aerie No. 2093 also have many wonderful people who are helpful with information as to where

     I can give money.

     Also, the Loyal Order of the Moose No. 178 in Gold Hill also has been a fount of information.

      So here I finally sit. Ready to help out the people who have given their lives for our country.

      It doesn't matter if the war is just or unjust, it doesn't matter if the people who went were brainwashed, stupid, forced or eager high-functioning patriots. The fact is they went and many of them are coming home.

      Unfortunately, many of them are coming home injured, and without prospects. A condition I had hoped to see prevented by getting Americans to rally around total support for the troops as we collectively figure out if we should even be over there or not.

      Jim Marston advised me to go to Interfaith Care Community and see a William McCullough. I went there and was introduced to a wonderful and selfless woman named Sharon L. Schreiber.

      She is the executive Director of this organization and she is looking for all the help that she can get.

     I had told her the history of what I had been attempting and we both lamented that the prevention of what I was trying to see happen fell on deaf ears, and now we have many troops with injuries, brain injuries that will plague them for the rest of their lives.

     This will cost them and America untold billions that could have been avoided.

      I pledge to her money from the sale of my home. I also pledged to her, my willingness to spend my time and money to generate income with which I can continue to give more and to spend my time encouraging other Americans to show the world that we do indeed have our troops back.

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