On This Memorial Day weekend.. Remember Our Troops...

This is my cousin Mike.

He likes to run.

He likes to run Marathons.

He will be running The Marine Corps Marathon in DC in Oct.

to raise money for Operation Homefront.

It's a great organization, you can read about the run here:

http://www.active.com/donate/TeamOH2010MCM/MPennal

Mike will be running in support of our Troops.

This run is close to his heart, Our hearts.

Our cousin Thomas Robert Tormanen was a Marine.

He lost his life in the first gulf war.

On this Memorial Day Weekend I think of Tommy.

I remember him as a young preschooler

playing in the sand with trucks

fishing with his dad

eating ice cream...

The things that all of us do with our cousins,

kids, dads, brothers, and friends.

Tommy was proud to be a Marine.

Proud to serve.

He would be especially proud of Mike.

On that day in Oct. there will be many runners.

All with one thing on their minds

and in their hearts...

Our Troops.

I hope as you enjoy your camping, bon-fires, cookouts,

parades, fishing, gardening, swimming,

and family this Memorial day weekend.

I hope you take time to remember those

who made all the freedoms we enjoy Possible.

Take some time to remember those who have given their

lives for those freedoms..

Then remember those who are serving today.

They are far away from home, camping,

cookouts, fishing, swimming, bon-fires, and family.

Remember them, and support them.

Thanks Mike

Thanks for running...

Our hearts will run with you..

Favorites: Troop Support Group Event..

This is one of My Summer Favorite Photos...

As some of you know I belong to a Troop Support Group..
"My Heart Supports The Troops" (http://www.mhstt.com/) Our group mails Theme packages to our deployed Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan about every 2 weeks for the length of their deployment.

The photo above was taken at one of the many events we are invited to each year. We set up the trailer at various events in the area. We have information about the group available, letters from the Troops, photos they have sent us, along with some cool stuff that is available for a donation.. The donations are used to pay our shipping costs.

I love attending the events. I love meeting people, especially our Troops and their families. At many of the events we bring stuff and let anyone who wants, pack a box complete with a note from that person. It's interesting to watch the people who will pack a box. They are hesitant at first, then once they start they really get into it.

I've been part of the group since May of 2003. (they started in March of 2003) I love it. It is one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. The group members can adopt a name off the list. That means that they will pack that box, write letters, and add an extra little treat or two occasionally. I've met some of the most delightful young men and women during the last few years. I still hear from a few of them even though they have returned home. I have made some great new friends too.

I hope that if you get the opportunity, that you support our Troops in a similar way. Letters from home are so important. We just had two of our Troops visit our last meeting. They both repeated what we have heard from every person on our list. " The boxes are great".. "It's so great to know we have so much support from home" etc. the list could go on and on.
take time today to thank a member of our Military. Let them know you support them.