Buxom Wench
08-22-2007, 08:10 AM
I'm cross posting this from MySpace to get the word out to more people.
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Please help and pass along
Today, I interviewed a little boy whose father, a Staff Sgt., was killed last February by an IED in Baqubah during a house-to-house search for insurgents. The boy just came back from CampLIFE! which helps kids cope with the grief of losing a loved one to violence.
In April 2006, some military spouses and others came together to form Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors (HUGSS). This is a new organization that offers support to the families of Soldiers killed in combat. They put together programs that help military families heal in positive, up-beat ways while still recognizing the profound pain of loss. They do it with a great deal of dignity and class. There is absolutely nothing "downer" or "maudlin" about HUGSS. They are about progress and healing, and they are good at what they do. It is the largest of its kind and is based at Fort Hood.
The government does not fund this group. HUGSS exists on donations and volunteer work. And they are getting ready to set up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They will need volunteers and support. They will need you and people you know.
I'm not asking for money, but I am asking that you spread the word about this organization. The story I wrote today will go to press tomorrow night and run in the August 23 issue of The Fort Hood Sentinel. These families need help dealing with loss and this conflict is only getting worse. I don't need to tell you that more families are going to need the support services of this group in the future. I think you know that. Other Gold Star Families need to know that this organization exists to help them. Many more Families are going to need to know. I hate to say that, but this is the reality of war.
The Families of our Soldiers are in this war right alongside their loved ones emotionally, even though they are mostly here at home. Often, after they lose a parent, sibling or spouse, they're left to deal with the loss on their own. I can tell you personally that grief can rip a family to shreds, regardless of the circumstances. You can imagine how losing one to war feels. But finally...FINALLY, someone is looking after their well-being. I just wish it had the backing and support that it deserves.
If you do nothing more than mention this organization at work and let people know it exists, you will have done more than I asked. I would be grateful. But more importantly, the widow and three children of Alan Shaw and others like them would appreciate it more than you know.
The yellow ribbon magnet on your car shows that you are aware. Supporting HUGSS will show your care.
Respectfully,
Janna Casstevens Lewis
Queen Margaret of Scotland
Scarborough Renaissance Festival
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please help and pass along
Today, I interviewed a little boy whose father, a Staff Sgt., was killed last February by an IED in Baqubah during a house-to-house search for insurgents. The boy just came back from CampLIFE! which helps kids cope with the grief of losing a loved one to violence.
In April 2006, some military spouses and others came together to form Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors (HUGSS). This is a new organization that offers support to the families of Soldiers killed in combat. They put together programs that help military families heal in positive, up-beat ways while still recognizing the profound pain of loss. They do it with a great deal of dignity and class. There is absolutely nothing "downer" or "maudlin" about HUGSS. They are about progress and healing, and they are good at what they do. It is the largest of its kind and is based at Fort Hood.
The government does not fund this group. HUGSS exists on donations and volunteer work. And they are getting ready to set up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They will need volunteers and support. They will need you and people you know.
I'm not asking for money, but I am asking that you spread the word about this organization. The story I wrote today will go to press tomorrow night and run in the August 23 issue of The Fort Hood Sentinel. These families need help dealing with loss and this conflict is only getting worse. I don't need to tell you that more families are going to need the support services of this group in the future. I think you know that. Other Gold Star Families need to know that this organization exists to help them. Many more Families are going to need to know. I hate to say that, but this is the reality of war.
The Families of our Soldiers are in this war right alongside their loved ones emotionally, even though they are mostly here at home. Often, after they lose a parent, sibling or spouse, they're left to deal with the loss on their own. I can tell you personally that grief can rip a family to shreds, regardless of the circumstances. You can imagine how losing one to war feels. But finally...FINALLY, someone is looking after their well-being. I just wish it had the backing and support that it deserves.
If you do nothing more than mention this organization at work and let people know it exists, you will have done more than I asked. I would be grateful. But more importantly, the widow and three children of Alan Shaw and others like them would appreciate it more than you know.
The yellow ribbon magnet on your car shows that you are aware. Supporting HUGSS will show your care.
Respectfully,
Janna Casstevens Lewis
Queen Margaret of Scotland
Scarborough Renaissance Festival