I am back! Happy Memorial Day!

My apologies for the 3 month absence, I have been busy teaching classes, but I am back  and my first course of action is to express gratitude our military for their service and to those who gave their lives for me and everyone who lives on American soil.Having to fight for freedom or to keep it is never easy. I am grateful to those who serve. My mother served with the Marines from 1966-1970, my uncle served in the Army and the Navy, and my grandfather served in the Navy during WWII so it is a family affair for me and I am blessed to have the blood of these brave men and women running in my veins.

Speaking of gratitude, there is an organization called OPERATION TROOP APPRECIATION which works to send requested supplies to our troops overseas. They send the things that the troops specifically ask for in an effort to make their time of serving a little easier. People from all over the country fill the requests in gratitude for their service. Kristen Holloway, founder and President of Operation Troop Appreciation in  March 2004 volunteered to provide Under Armour® t-shirts to a local Pennsylvania National Guard platoon (1/107 FA, Alpha Company 759 MP) of 38 soldiers deployed in Iraq. From that outreach this organization was birthed and the line of support has  increased to help more and more soliders benefit from the outpouring of love and support that many have volunteered to give to those who serve.

The wonderful thing about expressing generosity to others is that it many times rewards us in ways  we do not expect. Ms. Halloway met her future husband who was amongst the soliders that were receiving the care packages from her organization and they have been happily married for a few years now. An act of gratitude led to matrimony!

This is one of many organizations that have committed themselves to say thank you in so many ways to those who have served and continue to serve our country, please consider lending your support. If you see a solider, say thank you, offer to buy him or her a meal or some gesture of appreciation. I remember being on a bus and a solider was seated near me. When my stop came, before I got off, I turned and said, "thank you", he said "no problem ma'am" with a smile. I had no care package for him but the least I could do is show a little gratitude and we all can do the same.