[Boatanchors] Ham It Up for the Troops" on May 28

[AI2Q]

The quote "McClendon noted: On this day, many people gather at events to pay 
tribute to those that have died for our freedom" is pure blatent Bushie BS 
politicization of a series of enormous failures in Iraq. The way to support 
our troops is to bring them home, and vastly increase veteran's benefits. 
Our GIs are not there to foster "freedom," but to ensure American hegemony 
so we can glom Mid-East oil.

Vy 73, AI2Q, Alex in Maine
http://users.adelphia.net/~alexmm/ai2q.htm




----- Original Message ----- 
From: William L Howard
To: boatanchors at qth.net ; armyradios
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:57 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Ham It Up for the Troops" on May 28


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/]
Amateur Radio Military Appreciation
Day [http://www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw]
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_______________________________________________________
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.