Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Christian Golczynski
Many of our servicemen and woman are giving their lives for our country and many are leaving children fatherless and motherless. Those of us in Middle Tennessee have a chance to help one young man who will grow up without his father. The BoneFish Grill in Murfreesboro is holding a fundraiser dinner to help Christian Golcynski who lost his father to enemy fire while serving our country in Iraq.
Here is more information for anyone who wants to go and help out this young man.
Join Us . . .
in honoring our fallen soldier
Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski
with a fundraiser & silent auction for his son, Christian
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Bonefish Grill
505 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN
615.217.1883
Tickets are $30.00 for some of the best food and drinks in the “Boro”
Seating will be limited, so you must call for reserved seating by June 23, 2007
Seating times are 11:00, 12:15 & 1:30 pm ~~ Please come on time
Christian is the 8 year old son of Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski, who was killed in March by enemy fire in Iraq. 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to The Christian Golczynski Trust Fund. If you are unable to attend donations can be made at any Pinnacle National Bank. (Account #5028894). No credit cards please.
Donations can also be mailed to:
The Christian Golczynski Trust Fund
Pinnacle National Bank
Att: Rodney Barrett
114 W. College St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
. . .Support the Legacy
Tickets will be available at the following locations or call 615.217.1883 for more information
I copied and pasted the following from an email I recieved.
April 14, 2007Marc Golczynski: what it costs
Caption: Christian Golczynski, 8, receives the flag from his father's casket from Lt. Col. Ric Thompson during the graveside service at Wheeler Cemetery in Bedford County. Golczynski's father, Marcus, was killed by enemy fire in Iraq last week. Photo courtesy of DNJ/Aaron Thompson.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Andrew "Marc" Golczynski was buried in Tennessee this week. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's Third Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Fourth Marine Division, and was killed by enemy fire in Al Anbar Province during his second tour of duty in Iraq.
The Daily News Journal:
As 8-year-old Christian Golczynski accepted the flag from his father's casket, tears flowed freely from the mourners, and even Marine Lt. Col. Ric Thompson, who presented the flag to the boy, showed a trace of emotion.
"My Marc made the sacrifice for my freedom," said Heather Southward Golczynski, widow of the fallen Marine. "That is a debt I won't ever be able to repay."
A week before he was killed in action, the young Marine wrote this:
"I want all of you to be safe. And please don't feel bad for us. We are warriors. And as warriors have done before us, we joined this organization and are following orders because we believe that what we are doing is right. Many of us have volunteered to do this a second time due to our deep desire to finish the job we started. We fight and sometimes die so that our families don't have to. Stand beside us. Because we would do it for you. Because it is our unity that has enabled us to prosper as a nation."
This Sunday morning, take a moment to remember a fallen Marine and his family.
And all of the other men and women who have gone before.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Monell's For A Great Cause
So you like eating a good breakfast on Saturday morning! I have just the place for you to chow down on some of the best breakfast southern cooking in Nashville. A place called Monell's Restaurant in Germantown. Monell's serves all their food family style which means you go in a sit down at a large table until all the places are filled. Once the food is brought out, you can take what you want and pass to the left. All you can eat and plenty of choices!
Besides filling your belly with some of the best vittles around, I have another reason for you to head to Monell's on Saturday. The restaurant is hosting a fund-raising breakfast for Underwater Warriors Foundation. The breakfast is Saturday, June 9th from 9 am-11 am at Monell's Restaurant in Germantown, 1235 6th Ave, N.
The Underwater Warriors Foundation is a group that allows soldiers who have been injured in war a chance to experience the freedom of scuba diving. Check out the UW web site to learn more about the great things they are doing. The fundraising breakfast is in coordination with the Country Music Festival going on this week in Nashville and is open to the public.The cost is $15 each with part of the proceeds donated back to UW. In addition, a donation box will be set up all week during Fan Fair for UW donations.
If you are able to make it let me know what you think of breakfast, give a donation to the Underwater Warriors Foundation and eat a biscuit for me.
Besides filling your belly with some of the best vittles around, I have another reason for you to head to Monell's on Saturday. The restaurant is hosting a fund-raising breakfast for Underwater Warriors Foundation. The breakfast is Saturday, June 9th from 9 am-11 am at Monell's Restaurant in Germantown, 1235 6th Ave, N.
The Underwater Warriors Foundation is a group that allows soldiers who have been injured in war a chance to experience the freedom of scuba diving. Check out the UW web site to learn more about the great things they are doing. The fundraising breakfast is in coordination with the Country Music Festival going on this week in Nashville and is open to the public.The cost is $15 each with part of the proceeds donated back to UW. In addition, a donation box will be set up all week during Fan Fair for UW donations.
If you are able to make it let me know what you think of breakfast, give a donation to the Underwater Warriors Foundation and eat a biscuit for me.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Good Use For Frequent Flyer Miles
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2007 - Ten airlines are stepping up to the plate for families of injured servicemembers and encouraging their passengers to do the same.
"The president of CNN challenged his staff to do something over Memorial Day weekend," Jim Weiskopf, vice president of communications for the Fisher House Foundation, said. "They looked around at a couple options and they decided that they would like to do a drive to get us more 'Hero Miles.'"
The Fisher House Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. It also administers the Defense Department's Hero Miles program, which provides free airline tickets to servicemembers injured during their service in Iraq or Afghanistan and their families.
To get the ball rolling, CNN contacted all 10 of the Hero Miles program's airline partners and asked if they would agree to a challenge. The airlines agreed to match every frequent flyer mile their passengers donate to the program between 6 a.m. May 25 and 11:59 p.m. May 28, Weiskopf said.
"As you might imagine, most of the ticketing we do is all at the last minute because it's all connected to medical emergencies," Weiskopf said. "Normally, the tickets we're getting today are for flights leaving tomorrow and the day after."
If servicemembers' families had to pay out of pocket, those tickets average more than $1,300 each. Considering Hero Miles has provided about 9,800 tickets, that's more than $12 million the program has been able to save servicemembers and their families, Weiskopf said. That's the equivalent of about 450 million miles in the three and a half years since the program began.
While Hero Miles makes sure any family member who wants to be at their servicemember's side can be, it also covers what Weiskopf terms "close friends."
"I use the terminology 'close friends' because if you're young and single, it's nice to have your mother and father there, but you probably really want your boyfriend or girlfriend," he said. "If that will help you recover, we'll bring them in."
The same is true for any other person -- pastor or former coach, for example -- in a servicemember's life who might inspire a speedy recovery, he said. He emphasized, however, that the tickets Hero Miles provides are for medically necessary travel only. Tickets for regular leave requests cannot be accommodated.
Though Hero Miles accepts donations of frequent flyer miles year-round, those who would like to make donations during this weekend when they'll count twice as much can find links on each of the participating airlines' Web sites. AirTran, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United, and U.S. Airways are participating.
Links to these airlines also can be found on the Fisher House Foundation's "Hero Miles" Web page, www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heroMiles.shtml.
"We are so deeply appreciative for the generosity of the American flying public," Weiskopf said. "Individually, (the airlines) have all told us that this is perhaps the most meaningful frequent flyer program that they have been associated with in the history of the airline because (the miles) are going right to the people who need them most.
[Web Version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46126]
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2007 - Ten airlines are stepping up to the plate for families of injured servicemembers and encouraging their passengers to do the same.
"The president of CNN challenged his staff to do something over Memorial Day weekend," Jim Weiskopf, vice president of communications for the Fisher House Foundation, said. "They looked around at a couple options and they decided that they would like to do a drive to get us more 'Hero Miles.'"
The Fisher House Foundation is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. It also administers the Defense Department's Hero Miles program, which provides free airline tickets to servicemembers injured during their service in Iraq or Afghanistan and their families.
To get the ball rolling, CNN contacted all 10 of the Hero Miles program's airline partners and asked if they would agree to a challenge. The airlines agreed to match every frequent flyer mile their passengers donate to the program between 6 a.m. May 25 and 11:59 p.m. May 28, Weiskopf said.
"As you might imagine, most of the ticketing we do is all at the last minute because it's all connected to medical emergencies," Weiskopf said. "Normally, the tickets we're getting today are for flights leaving tomorrow and the day after."
If servicemembers' families had to pay out of pocket, those tickets average more than $1,300 each. Considering Hero Miles has provided about 9,800 tickets, that's more than $12 million the program has been able to save servicemembers and their families, Weiskopf said. That's the equivalent of about 450 million miles in the three and a half years since the program began.
While Hero Miles makes sure any family member who wants to be at their servicemember's side can be, it also covers what Weiskopf terms "close friends."
"I use the terminology 'close friends' because if you're young and single, it's nice to have your mother and father there, but you probably really want your boyfriend or girlfriend," he said. "If that will help you recover, we'll bring them in."
The same is true for any other person -- pastor or former coach, for example -- in a servicemember's life who might inspire a speedy recovery, he said. He emphasized, however, that the tickets Hero Miles provides are for medically necessary travel only. Tickets for regular leave requests cannot be accommodated.
Though Hero Miles accepts donations of frequent flyer miles year-round, those who would like to make donations during this weekend when they'll count twice as much can find links on each of the participating airlines' Web sites. AirTran, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United, and U.S. Airways are participating.
Links to these airlines also can be found on the Fisher House Foundation's "Hero Miles" Web page, www.fisherhouse.org/programs/heroMiles.shtml.
"We are so deeply appreciative for the generosity of the American flying public," Weiskopf said. "Individually, (the airlines) have all told us that this is perhaps the most meaningful frequent flyer program that they have been associated with in the history of the airline because (the miles) are going right to the people who need them most.
[Web Version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46126]
Monday, May 21, 2007
American Airlines Honors Fallen Warriors
Employees of American Airlines in Nashville, Tn have designed a luggauge cart which will be used to transport the human remains of Fallen Warriors.
An American Airlines employee whose son is currently serving in the Navy got imput from his son and helped design the cart which will ensure all fallen military personell are treated with the respect deserved. I think they did an awesome job.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Shout Out to Mark and Brigette
At least a few times every week, I stop by my local Tiger Market in Hermitage, to get a cup of joe for the ride into work. Because of my frequent stops I have become friends with two of the best Tiger Market employees in Nashville, Mark and Brigettte. Every time I'm in the store the two of them are in good moods with a smile on their face.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Mothers Day Tribute
My sister forwarded the following Mother's Day tribute you to me. I thought it was hillarious and wanted to share it.
MOM writes;
So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died.
Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and
nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on
this mat in our bathroom.
Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old,
3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves
chapstick. LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing
it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my
chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to
put it right back in the drawer when he was done.
Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around and try
to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys
are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my
little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a mess and
everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and
the amazing job that is motherhood.
We finally have the older one and and the baby loaded in the car and I
am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the corner
to go into the bathroom. And there was Eli. He was applying my chapstick
very carefully to Jack's . . . rear end. Eli looked right into my eyes and
said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right--their
little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to
mind. And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was the
FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth.
And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us
that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures,
there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your
chapstick on the cat's butt.
MOM writes;
So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died.
Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and
nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on
this mat in our bathroom.
Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old,
3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves
chapstick. LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing
it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my
chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to
put it right back in the drawer when he was done.
Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around and try
to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys
are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my
little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a mess and
everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and
the amazing job that is motherhood.
We finally have the older one and and the baby loaded in the car and I
am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the corner
to go into the bathroom. And there was Eli. He was applying my chapstick
very carefully to Jack's . . . rear end. Eli looked right into my eyes and
said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right--their
little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to
mind. And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was the
FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind or the hundredth.
And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us
that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures,
there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your
chapstick on the cat's butt.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Jim McGregor Story
The story of a WWII B-24 bomber pilot. Jim McGregor was stationed with the 8th Air Force in England.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Caleb Defend
News story about teens and drinking on prom night
I have been using blip.tv to post video on this blog. Blip even has a feature which automaticly sends your video to your blog when uploading.
I go to church with Caleb Defend from the story above. Caleb is a fine young man and a great kid.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Chris Self
A Special Forces soldier trains to run the Music City Marathon. Not a big deal for an elite Special Forces soldier, but Chris Self has overcome some obstacles.
Unedited video of interview with Chris Self, a Special Forces soldier who is an amputee and ran his first marathon in Nashville since losing his leg.
Chris mentions several organizations which have been a big help to him. I did not have the time to include information like this in the story so I thought some people might enjoy seeing the whole interview with Chris. This is a first time I have ever put up a complete interview unedited before. If you watch tell me what you think. Do it more? Pretty boring! What?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Promo Spot
A thirty second promo spot edited from a story I put together.
I haven't been able to do much VJing these days because I've been working as a photographer on the evening shift. (1:30-10:30pm) There was a need on the shift for some photographers so I was moved back to the evening shift. I miss being the Military VJ, but the powers that be did not think the beat was worth a full time VJ. I hope to be able to start working as a VJ on a regular basis again soon and I hope to be able to get back to the day shift. I have very little quality time with my wife.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
New Terrorist Tactics
Al-Qaeda lunatics are now using children to smuggle and detonate bombs. In the past US Soldiers typically have waved cars through check points if they noticed children. Al-Qaeda noticed this and have now started blowing up kids in there latest attempts to kill American Soldiers and innocent Iraqis. Click here to read more about it.
I don't understand how pulling our troops out of Iraq will be good for anyone.
I don't understand how pulling our troops out of Iraq will be good for anyone.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Rayon City Cleanup
Below is a slide show project showing people at my church fixing up our church. I wanted to try something different so I took still photos of the action and used sound recorded from the same time.
The church building in Rayon City is a satellite campus of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church. What does that mean you ask? Well HHBC took over a church about 10 miles from our current building. Rayon City Baptist church was struggling to keep it's doors open and were ready to close meanwhile, HHBC had been looking for a place to expand with a satellite campus. God had it planned out and put the two together. Members of HHBC help staff and attend Sunday morning services which are held at both locations with Sunday night and Wed. night services taking place on the main campus in Hermitage.
The video shows the Rayon City Campus getting fresh paint and the pews getting a makeover.
The church building in Rayon City is a satellite campus of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church. What does that mean you ask? Well HHBC took over a church about 10 miles from our current building. Rayon City Baptist church was struggling to keep it's doors open and were ready to close meanwhile, HHBC had been looking for a place to expand with a satellite campus. God had it planned out and put the two together. Members of HHBC help staff and attend Sunday morning services which are held at both locations with Sunday night and Wed. night services taking place on the main campus in Hermitage.
The video shows the Rayon City Campus getting fresh paint and the pews getting a makeover.
A still picture slide show with audio underneath.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Run to the Border
I guess you know I haven't made a post for a long time. Thanks for staying with me and periodically checking in on me. I haven't been doing the VJ thing for some time now (almost as long ago as my last post) but I will have a new story on the news soon. I'm writing this entry from Tuscon, AZ during a trip the Tennessee National Guard and Governor Bredesen. I traveled all day with the Governor and General Harget as they visited Tennessee National Guard soldiers who are down here helping to secure a very porous Mexican border. Just last night our Tennessee soldiers helped stop 320 pounds of marijuana from entering our country. Something like 62,ooo pounds of drugs were intercepted last year by US Customs and Border Patrol Agents. Enough drugs to fill 400 Ford Expeditions.
I've had a long day and it is late already with a very early wake up call (5am) ahead of me so I will tell you more later. Check out some of the photos I made today.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
101st Year in Iraq
Follow the link to see a slide show of the 101st Airborne Division's year in Iraq.
http://www.fortcampbellcourier.com/101Iraq/
http://www.fortcampbellcourier.com/101Iraq/
Monday, January 08, 2007
CNN's Warrior One
CNN'S WARRIOR ONE IS A LEAN MEAN HOT ROD. THE SUPPED UP HUMMER WAS NOT ALWAYS TRICKED OUT.CNN BOUGHT THE '93 HUMMER H1 IN KUWAIT AND USED IT TO COVER THE IRAQ WAR.
LAST OCTOBER, CHIP FOOSE, FROM TLC'S SHOW OVERHAULIN' ,TRANSFORMED WARRIOR ONE INTO A MOBILE TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY AND THE JOURNALIST WHO COVER THEM.
"I had tears in my eyes just like he(Foose) did when he got done with it. To see the expression of all the people and the veterans that see this at the end of the show. Outstanding" SAYS
GERALD SCHNEIDER, A RETIRED FT CAMPBELL SOLDIER. HE WATCHES OVERHAULIN' ON TELEVISION BUT GOT A CHANCE TO SEE WARRIOR ONE IN PERSON WHILE IT WAS ONE DISPLAY IN FRONT OF THE FISHER HOUSE AT FT. CAMPBELL.
"I'm really grateful to Chip Foose and his crew and to CNN, this is awesome" said Schneider.
THE TRICKED OUT WARRIOR ONE WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF ON JANUARY 20TH BY BARRETT JACKSON AUCTION HOUSE. SCHNEIDER THINKS THE HUMMER WILL SELL FOR AT LEAST A MILLION DOLLARS.
"If I had it I would by it for a million" SAYS SCHNEIDER WITH A CHUCKLE.
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE MONEY RAISED BY THE SALE OF WARRIOR ONE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION, A GROUP THAT BUILDS COMFORT HOUSES FOR HOSPITALIZED MILITARY PERSONNEL. IT IS ANOTHER WAY THAT CNN AND OVERHAULIN' CAN HELP SUPPORT THE MILITARY.
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