October 20, 2009

TroopSpace has teamed up with Aon to help them promote their upcoming benefit/Job Fair saluting America's Wounded Warriors program.

ANY veteran is eligible to attend the event- so if you are vet and need a job- this is the place to be in November. If you know a veteran in need of a job or careermove- please let them know!

-Edward

All of us should be very proud of the men and women serving our country and fighting for our freedoms. However, despite their unwavering courage, many of America's service men and women return home from duty only to become part of a group of unemployed veterans that has reached dire levels. Currently the rate of unemployed Veterans is at an all time high: over 185,000 individuals. Many of these talented individuals need our support in order to make a successful transition into the private sector and have a chance for economic prosperity. How can you help give these veterans the resources and confidence they need to make this transition? You can join us on November 20, 2009 when The Aon Salute to America's Wounded Warriors event will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago to help raise awareness of this growing crisis, lend support to the job-search of disabled veterans throughout the Chicagoland area, and connect them with Chicago-based firms that have employment opportunities. Aon CEO Greg Case and General Richard B. Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be hosting a networking session in honor of these veterans.

General Richard B. Myers

At Aon, we are honored that General Myers serves as a member of our board of directors, and we are equally honored to have the opportunity to contribute in some small way to the betterment of the men and women who risk their lives to defend the freedoms that we take for granted. We believe strongly in what the Wounded Warrior Project is trying to achieve on behalf of our veterans, and I hope that your organization will join in this noble effort.
We are working with the Wounded Warrior Project, the Veterans Administration, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Disabilityworks to identify disabled veterans in Chicago who are unemployed or underemployed and who are looking for careers in business. Lee Hecht Harrison, Aon's outplacement provider, has generously agreed to provide these veterans with the skills necessary to conduct a successful job search.

We need your help! If you know wounded veterans who would like to participate, or if you know companies with job vacancies who would like to have a presence at the Wounded Warriors Networking Fair, please let us know. With your help, we can make Aon’s Salute to America’s Wounded Warriors a Success.

What: Aon’s Salute to Wounded Warriors Who: Companies with job openings and qualified, employment-seeking veterans When: November 20, 2009 Where: Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Dr, Chicago
Why: To connect companies that have employment opportunities with qualified veteran candidates

For more information, or to submit the names of veterans or companies who would make good candidates for the Wounded Warriors program, please contact:

David Dahler: 312-381-3213, David_Dahler@aon.com
Adam Glick: 212-479-4590, Adam.Glick@aonbenfield.com
Sara Marzo: 312-381-3644, Sara_Marzo@aon.com
Dan Hubicki: 312-381-5187, Dan_Hubicki@aon.com


Aon is a global leader in risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and outsourcing with more than 36,000 employees in more than 500 offices in 120 countries worldwide. Visit www.aon.com to learn more.

October 5th, 2009

Hello TroopSpace! I had meant to share this article earlier in the summer and it slipped by me. Here it is now! The original can be found here

It was written by TroopSpace member T.J. Shady Jr

-Edward

Soldier visits Hickman to thank students for care package

A soldier, who recently returned from Iraq, stopped by Hickman to thank students for their care package from the Adopt a Soldier program.

COLUMBIA – When Hickman High School students sent care packages overseas in December, they didn’t think that the candy in their packages would be used in military missions.

In November, Ericka Sibit’s classes adopted Staff Sgt.* T.J. Shady Jr. and sent him a Christmas care package.


A soldier, who recently returned from Iraq, stopped by Hickman to thank students for their care package from the Adopt a Soldier program.

"Everybody pitched in and brought in supplies and then we got all that together and shipped that over to him," said Sibit, who teaches math at Hickman. "Care packages included baby wipes, candy, beef jerky, games, DVDs. We had a bunch of Sudoku puzzles ... gives him a little treat of our math classes."

Shady, who was serving in Iraq at the time, stopped by Hickman to thank the students on Friday and explained the importance of the candy the students sent over.

Shady's unit, along with an interpreter, was responsible for talking with village elders to find out about terrorist activities in their area. But, it's difficult to speak to the elders because the village's children are required to be by their side at all times, he said.

That's where the candy came in handy.

“What we get to do is distract the children with candy, with crayons, coloring books … we grouped these children over here," he said, motioning with his hands while speaking to the class, "so the interpreter can talk to the intelligence officer to find out what’s in the area, what’s been going on since we have left that village or that area.”

Sibit said that the students were excited about Shady's visit.

"The students get to see that it's not just about them. They get to see the broader picture," she said. "Because he got to come, they got to meet him and see what those packages did, I think they're realizing that it's nice to help others."

Hickman sophomore Brittany Avery was one of the leading students in adopting Shady and making the care package.

“I think it’s amazing that he has done so much for our country, and it’s awesome that he’s coming here to talk to us about it,” she said.

Shady's home of record is in Maquoketa, Iowa at his parents' home. "My plan is to go back overseas to my troops." He is currently at a two-star general’s discretion, meaning he could be contacted via e-mail to let him know when and where he’s returning to duty.

After being in the Middle East since 2006, Shady said that 13 different groups sent him care packages such as the one from the Hickman students.

“To you it might seem insignificant," he told the students. "The things you put in those packages accomplished the mission. It reduced the injuries that could have been caused in their culture where their children are taught to be suicide bombers and things like this.”

Sibit hopes to continue adopting a soldier every year.


September 19th, 2009

TroopSpace member John Michaels has what I think is a STELLAR idea- Cigars for heroes. I know I have enjoyed a stogie myself on occassion- check it out!

Edward

Cigars for Heroes provides premium, quality cigars to our heroes in uniform serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you have a loved one serving and would like to send your gift directly to them, please call 877-249-1510 or email sponsors@cigarsforheroes.com

Anyone who has ever served in military service knows that a quality, premium cigar is one of the very few luxury items that can be enjoyed while deployed in harms way. Come and join us in supporting our heroes in uniform deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan with fine, premium quality cigars each month.

Supporters can send their gift of premium, quality hand-rolled cigars shipped directly to our fighting men and women on the battlefield in Iraq, Afghanistan.

Show your support today. When you support Cigars for Heroes, you are assigned a platoon, rifle company, or squadron that your cigars are sent to. We work closely with the military chain of command and Family Readiness officers to get your cigars directly into the hands of the troops.

We work to provide a channel of communication that connects you with your unit, platoon, or squadron. Share in the victories and the celebrations with your fellow heroes in military uniform. Support Cigars for Heroes today!

* Your $29.00 donation includes
The Field Pack. The “Field Pack” consists of 5 Premium rolled cigars, shipped and stored in a Spanish cedar box with a cigar cutter and box of cigar matches included.
* Your $79.00 donation includes
The Unit Pack. A 20 pack box of high quality cigars sent in a Spanish cedar box with a cutter and box of matches included with every box.
* Write a Note to a Hero
Each box you donate is shipped with your personalized message inserted and addressed to a solider, airman, sailor or marine. You write it. We send it!

Cigars For Heroes supports the fighting US Marines stationed in Taqaddum, Iraq. Seen here enjoying premium cigars from Cigars for Heroes.

"The cigars arrived late yesterday. They look great. We will be having a small get together on Saturday evening to watch football and smoke with our fake beer. I will have my camera out and will get some group shots. Can you shoot me some emails so I can thank each contributor individually? What ever you think would be the best way to express our collective appreciation. By the way we will be watching Navy take on the Ohio State University. The line is Twenty two but anything can happen just ask Michigan. Thanks again and I will continue to spread the word."

Semper Fidelis,

'Hank'

M M Mancini

Col USMC

With portions of proceeds, Cigars for Heroes supports the Wounded Warrior Program

September 3rd, 2009

Hello TroopSpace! I don't know if any of you have seen a movie called "The Hurt Locker" but it is incredible!! I thought I would share a trailer of the movie with the TroopSpace community...enjoy!

-Edward