Singing For Our Boys

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By M. MarksPosted In: MilitaryTagged: ,

 

 

There hasn’t been a charity hit like it in over 15 years and it ranked as the fastest-selling single since 2008.  So who did it and what did they sing? The Military Wives sang “Wherever You Are” and it must have really hit home because over £500, 000 was raised for military charities throughout the UK. 

The amount raised even shocked the 100-piece group that came together to form this winning combination following a British TV show called ‘The Choir.’ Along with help from professional choirmaster Gareth Malone, they worked hard and won the fight against Little Mix’s rendition of Damien Rice’s Cannonball to the Christmas.

Up In Lights

Last night, the song – comprised of wives of soldiers living in Plymouth, UK – was shortlisted in the ‘British Single’ category at London’s 02 Arena Brit Awards. Mingling with stars such as One Direction, Adele and Jessie J., The Military Wives enjoyed a night filled with anticipation and hope for possible future fame for the choir, even though they ultimately didn’t win the award which went to One Direction for their hit single last year, “What Makes You Beautiful.”

‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race for the Wounded Warrior Program

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By DouglasPosted In: MilitaryTagged: , , , , , , ,

Last week, ExxonMobil donated $20, 000 to the Wounded Warrior Program, an organization that works to provide empowerment and honor to wounded soldiers through increased awareness, aid and various other services.

The donation was made through ExxonMobil Open’s ‘Top Brass’ Charity Sled Dog Race, which invited six of the United States’ most elite Armed Forces representatives to compete for the Top Brass title in a three mile race.

Each of the military men was given a three-dog team and a musher mentor from last year’s ‘Top Dog’ charity race, which has been part of Alaskan tradition since 1973. Aaron Stryk, ExxonMobil public and government affairs advisor, explained that the race is a way of recognizing the official sport of Alaska while emphasizing the institutions that contribute greatly to the community. The sponsors especially wanted to pay tribute to the nation’s wounded warriors, he said.

“Thank you for all you do in service to Alaska and our country,” Stryk said. “I hope this can be our way of saying thank you.”

Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus was one of the five senior leaders participating in the event.

“This was excellent and really fun,” he said, after winning the competition by nearly a minute with the help of Cooper, Eeyore and Lizzy. “About 100 yards into the trail, you don’t hear anything except the dogs breathing and the sounds of the sled runners going down the trail.

“This was my first time mushing, but I had a team of veteran dogs in front of me, keeping me on the sled. I also followed the advice I was given to just hang on to the sleds and the dogs will do the work for you.”

Katkus added, “I would like to thank ExxonMobil on behalf of all the military. I want to convey the importance of their donation and how it’s going to change people’s lives for the better.”

 

Armed Services YMCA

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By M. MarksPosted In: Military, UncategorizedTagged: , ,

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), was set up by the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America.  Its goal back then – a century-and-a-half ago – is the same as it is now; to help all military personnel and their families, in an attempt at providing them with a higher quality of life.  The organization seeks to do this via Christian principles that are manifested in the “educational, recreational, social and religious programs” it creates for them.

Working with the military in this endeavor, the ASYMCA, has, over the years, been highly successful.  Our soldiers and their families have benefitted greatly from its work.  The idea has very much been to provide all our soldiers with “a quality of life commensurate with their service to the Nation.”  However, while the ASYMCA indeed seeks to improve conditions for all soldiers, there has, in recent years, been a special focus on the services on the young, Junior Enlisted Troops and Families, since it is those soldiers who are at highest risk and thus have the greatest needs.