[BCVHFA] Fwd: America Supports You: Radio Clubs to 'Ham it Up' for Troops

[K8CM]

My apologies if this is a repetitive posting.  I think it is the first time 
I read it so I thoughht I'd send it along to you as well.

In terms of credits, it was gleaned from the mvarbb mailing list  in Dayton.

73  <>  Carl

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>Subject: America Supports You: Radio Clubs to 'Ham it Up' for Troops
>
>======================================================
>By Rudi Williams
>American Forces Press Service
>
>WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2005 -- Ham radio operators and amateur radio clubs 
>plan to "Ham It Up for the Troops" on May 28 during the second annual 
>Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day to thank active duty, veterans and 
>retired military people for their service and sacrifices to the nation, 
>according to ARMAD's founder and former Air Force sergeant Emery McClendon.
>
>"ARMAD is a day when all amateur radio operators and amateur radio clubs 
>worldwide are invited to gather at public locations to allow our citizens 
>to express words of thanks and appreciation to our military members and 
>coalition forces in a live format," said McClendon, who founded and 
>established ARMAD in Fort Wayne, Ind., almost a year ago.
>
>"The original purpose of ARMAD was to encourage amateurs worldwide to use 
>our hobby to express thanks as a public service for those that serve in 
>the military, including active duty, veterans and retirees," said the 
>former aircraft refueler.  "We also wanted to allow their families to 
>support one another with words of encouragement by contacting other ARMAD 
>locations."
>
>Ham radio operators set up in public locations such as shopping centers, 
>parks, Veterans Affairs hospitals and sporting events to express verbal 
>positive support "live" over the radio for active duty military people, 
>members of the reserve components, veterans, family members and military 
>support groups, McClendon said.
>
>ARMAD is associated with National Military Appreciation Month and is being 
>held during the weekend of Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those 
>who have died in the nation's service.  "It was felt that to honor those 
>that serve during this special day would be fitting as this day was 
>already special to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this 
>country," McClendon noted.  "On this day, many people gather at events to 
>pay tribute to those that have died for our freedom."
>
>This year, amateur radio operators will participate from several states -- 
>Florida, California, Washington, Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana, Colorado, 
>Texas, North and South Carolina and others.  Operators in several foreign 
>countries also are slated to participate, including Australia, Greece, 
>Kuwait and England, and members of the Iraq Amateur Radio Club are 
>expected to join in as well, according to McClendon.
>
>"We expect many others, including ships and military hospitals, as we 
>approach the event date," he said.   "Last year, we had more than 25 
>different groups in the U.S. and about 15 foreign countries participating 
>in ARMAD," McClendon noted.  "We expect participation to triple for the 
>2005 event.  We've had great response just by word of mouth.  With 
>publicity, we will grow, and reach many more troops and communities."
>
>McClendon served four years on active duty in the Air Force, including 15 
>months at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, and two years in the active 
>Indiana Air National Guard.
>
>McClendon said he received several heartwarming comments during last 
>year's ARMAD, which was held at Fort Wayne Memorial Stadium.  Noting that 
>local government officials read proclamations of support for the military 
>during a small ceremony, McClendon said, "After hearing these local 
>officials speak over the radio, some of our military members remarked that 
>they were pleased and felt privileged that a government official would 
>take time away from families for such a cause.
>
>"There were also many heartwarming comments from young children expressing 
>thanks to our men and women for what they do to keep America free," he 
>noted.  "Many kind words were exchanged from all over the world to 
>American and coalition troops.  One man from Kuwait joined us on the air 
>to say thanks to America for freeing his country from Saddam Hussein.  His 
>statements moved the crowd in the stadium."
>
>McClendon emphasized that ARMAD is not affiliated with the Military 
>Affiliate Radio System in any way, except that many MARS operators are 
>amateur radio operators.  But MARS plays an active role in ARMAD.
>
>"ARMAD is for those that serve our great country," McClendon said.  "We 
>want to spread the word to as many military members and communities as 
>possible so that we can help boost the morale of those that serve in this 
>positive and manner."
>
>====================================
>Related Sites:
>
>America Supports You 
>[<http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/>http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/]
>
>Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day 
>[<http://www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw>http://www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw]
>
>NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK, the 
>official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at 
><http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2005/n02162005_2005021611.html>http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2005/n02162005_2005021611.html.
>
>Visit the Defense Department's Web site "America Supports You" at 
><http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/>http://www.americasupportsyou.mil, 
>that spotlights what Americans are doing in support of U.S. military men 
>and women serving at home and abroad.
>
>Visit the Defense Department's Web site for the latest news and 
>information about America's response to the war against terrorism: "Defend 
>America" at <http://www.defendamerica.mil/>http://www.DefendAmerica.mil.