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

[rkerr]

Troll.

AI2Q wrote:

> 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]
> <spacer type= vertical size=5>
>
> _______________________________________________________
> 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.
>
>
>
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