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| (Image from McNaughton Fine Art Company) |
"The Soldiers Of The Cross"
When everything is gone, which
you thought could never be taken;
And your morale—that you guarded
like a child—has up and left you;
And your world of certainty has
spiraled into an abyss of unknowns;
And you feel so alone, because no
one could possibly know your pain;
Remember, that you are never alone,
although you may be on your own! You
are positively surrounded by "Soldiers Of
The Cross," who are with you every day.
You have known them since boot camp,
or—perhaps—since this morning. They are
your fellow U.S. Military Personnel, who
are forever calling you to where duty is.
Your "Soldiers" come to you in more
ways than you can possibly imagine.
They come to remind you where your
duty does—and even does not—exist.
They come to confront you in your
fear and behold you in your courage.
For, it is only when a fear is faced
that courage is beheld in its place.
To your "Soldiers," you too are a "Soldier" and
are here to remind them, as well. For, you are
"The Soldiers Of The Cross" who have been
remembered—since you will never be forgotten!
And you have been called by duty as the way
to remember who you are. So, remember, you
are always in the presence of "The Soldiers
Of The Cross," because you are one, "Soldier."
-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in The Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"
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My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2012): On patriotic holidays, such as Armed Forces Day, I truly enjoy listening to music that celebrates the heroic service of all the men and women in the United States Military (both past and present) who are the real reason that America is "The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave!" And I also truly enjoy showing my appreciation for those who are heroically serving in the United States Military, each and every day, by making donations to charitable organizations that Support Our Troops! –Paul Whiting (written May 19th, 2012, revised May 31st, 2022 and revised August 16th, 2022)
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My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2022) [May 21st, 2022 Update]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 21st, 2022—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—and I made a one-time donation to the USO (United Service Organizations) on the USO.org website in order to "salute" the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces!
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written May 21st, 2022, revised May 26th, 2022, revised June 26th, 2022, revised August 16th, 2022, revised November 24th, 2022, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised May 19th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023, revised November 18th, 2023 and revised May 18th, 2024)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'my writing,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'my writings' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2022) [May 21st, 2022 Update—Continued]: I have decided to start a new tradition as a way to "salute" U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel!
–Paul Whiting (written May 21st, 2022 revised May 22nd, 2022, revised May 29th, 2022, revised August 16th, 2022, revised December 27th, 2022, revised May 19th, 2023 and revised May 20th, 2023)
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My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2023) [May 20th, 2023 Update]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 20th, 2023—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—and I made a one-time donation to the USO (United Service Organizations) on the USO.org website in order to pay tribute to the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces!
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month! –Paul Whiting (written May 20th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2023) [May 20th, 2023 Update—Continued]: I have started a new tradition as a way to pay tribute to U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel! –Paul Whiting (May 20th, 2023)
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My Writing About How I Have Changed The Way That I Label My Blog Posts 'Updates' For Any Additional 'Updates' That I Write, After The First 'Update,' By Using A Simple Numbering System, Which Starts With The First 'Update' [October 24th, 2023 Update No. 7 (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog)]:
I have changed the way I label the blog post 'updates' that I write because I oftentimes write more than one 'update' per day!
And in the past, I have labeled the second, third, fourth and fifth 'update' with the following extensions—on the days that I write more than 'update'—to differentiate any additional 'updates' from the first one, as follows:
[1st] Month Day, Year Update
[2nd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued
[3rd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further
[4th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More
[5th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More Than Before
However today, October 24th, 2023, I actually had more than five 'updates' to write, so I decided to change how I differentiate any additional 'updates,' from the first 'update,' by using a simple numbering system, which actually starts with the first 'update' that I write, as follows:
Month Day, Year Update No. 1
Month Day, Year Update No. 2
Month Day, Year Update No. 3
Month Day, Year Update No. 4
Month Day, Year Update No. 5
Month Day, Year Update No. 6
Month Day, Year Update No. 7
Therefore, that is why this 'update' is the seventh one for today! –Paul Whiting (written October 24th, 2023 and revised October 28th, 2023)
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My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2024) [May 18th, 2024 Update No. 1]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 18th, 2024—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—so, I did a Google search for "Armed Forces Day 2024 USO" and found the following USO (United Service Organizations) search result:
secure.uso.org
https://secure.uso.org › donate
Uso - Official USO Website
We're thanking our troops with shows that boost morale. Donate today to show your support. Our military heroes make incredible sacrifices. Support them with a donation today. 200+ Centers worldwide. 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. Give hope to the wounded. Boost troop morale.
And, after I read the search results above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
★★★USO★★★
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR AMERICA’S TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Honor their sacrifice by making a donation today.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Amount
[ ] $35
[ ] $50
[ ] $75
[ ] $100
[ ] $250
[ ] $500
[ ] $1,000
[✓] $ 25.00
Name
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Zip: [redacted]
Email: [redacted]
Cell Phone (optional): [redacted]
DONATE $25
Your donations will support:
Transitioning Troops and Deployed Troops
During deployment, you can provide troops with a connection to their families, along with entertainment and relaxation. After service has ended, you can continue to support troops as they transition to civilian life.
Military Families
You can help keep families strong and connected both during and after deployment. The USO provides a wide range of programs that support the entire family every step of the way.
Wounded Warriors and Families of the Fallen
Some troops return home with physical or invisible wounds. You can provide therapeutic and reintegration services as they navigate the road to recovery. You can also provide support to families of troops who have paid the ultimate price while serving their country.
And so, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org in order to support the USO's statement, "Our military heroes make incredible sacrifices. ... Give hope to the wounded. Boost troop morale."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (May 18th, 2024)
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My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2024) [May 18th, 2024 Update No. 2]: I have started a new tradition as a way to pay tribute to U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel! –Paul Whiting (May 18th, 2024)
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My Poetic Notes:
The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: This poem is dedicated all of the United States Military Personnel, or "The Soldiers Of The Cross," who serve their country—all over the world—defending freedom and democracy!
And, speaking of United States Military Personnel, I have decided to start a new tradition as a way to "salute" U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day! Instead of having a celebration for Memorial Day—since that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died in war—I think that the celebration to honor the sacrifices of Military Personnel should really be Armed Forces Day. Thus, I am planning to have a celebratory dinner on Armed Forces Day as a way to celebrate of the many freedoms that we enjoy here, in the United States of America, thanks to the United States Military Personnel!
By the way, this poem is also a rewrite of a poem that I wrote to help my uncle titled, "Calling All Angels," which is published on this blog. (Please see "Calling All Angels-Style Poem" in labels for the poem.)
And, just to let you know, this poem was originally rewritten and published, on July 12th, 2010 at 2:10 PM! However, at some point in time, I decided to make this my official poem for U.S. Armed Forces Day, since this poem was written as "Dedicated To 'The Soldiers Of The Cross,'" as you can see from this post's original link, which is now defunct:
https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com/2010/07/dedicated-to-soldiers-of-cross.html
Now, here is where this explanation is kind of complicated: you see, I was editing this post over the first weekend of May 2023 (specifically, May 5th to 6th, 2023), when I finally realized that my official Armed Forces Day poem was actually published in July of 2010!
Therefore, I decided to republish this post—by setting the date and time of publishing—to Armed Forces Day 2010, which was on Saturday, May 15th! And I decided to highlight the original link (as seen above) to acknowledge the fact that this post was originally published in July of 2010. (I hope that makes sense!)
And this poem was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."
This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.
-Paulee
https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com
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"Armed Forces Day History" from the United States of America Department of Defense
A brief overview of the article can be found below:
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.
In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas" and said, "it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Mr. Truman stated:
"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense".
The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense." It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. Although this was the theme for the day, there were several other purposes for holding Armed Forces Day. It was a type of "educational program for civilians," one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show "state-of- the-art" equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.
According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: "This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty."
The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. In Washington D.C., 10,000 troops of all branches of the military, cadets, and veterans marched past the President and his party. In Berlin, 1,000 U.S. troops paraded for the German citizens at Templehof Airfield. In New York City, an estimated 33,000 participants initiated Armed Forces Day "under an air cover of 250 military planes of all types." In the harbors across the country were the famed mothballed "battlewagons" of World War II, the Missouri, the New Jersey, the North Carolina, and the Iowa, all open for public inspection. Precision flying teams dominated the skies as tracking radar were exhibited on the ground. All across the country, the American people joined together to honor the Armed Forces. ...
... Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May.
Please see the hyperlink below for the article:
https://afd.defense.gov/History/#:~:text=Armed%20Forces%20Day%20is%20celebrated,over%20any%20period%20in%20May.
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May 4th, 2022 Update: May is Military Appreciation Month! So, I signed a Military Appreciation Month card "thanking our service members for everything they do to protect our country" from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, May 4th, 2022, that I received today via an email with the subject line, "[SIGN THE CARD] Military Appreciation Month", which stated the following:
Happy Military Appreciation Month, Paul!
At moments like this, it’s more important than ever to take that extra step to make sure members of our Armed Forces know how grateful we are for their incredible courage and sacrifice — especially as thousands remain in Eastern Europe, ready to do whatever it takes to support our NATO allies.
That’s why we need at least 50,000 proud military supporters — including you, Paul — to sign the card thanking our heroes by midnight tonight: Will you add your name now to make sure our service members know you appreciate their service and sacrifice?***
America’s service members make immense sacrifices every day, from the safety and security of home to special moments with their loved ones, like birthdays, first steps and holidays. It’s challenging, but they do it because they believe freedom and democracy are worth defending.
I was honored to serve our country as a member of the Air Force, and now I’m honored to work with the USO to support today’s service members and their families. You are a crucial part of this mission too, Paul.
It means so much to a service member far from home to know that patriotic Americans like you understand the sacrifices they make. So please, take a moment and sign the Military Appreciation Month card for our service members before midnight tonight.***
Thank you so much for standing with our heroes in uniform!
[Name redacted], USO
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to America's service members, "Thank you for fighting to keep us safe and free. We are so grateful for your service, and we’ll always have your back."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written May 4th, 2022, revised May 7th, 2022, revised May 21st, 2022, revised May 26th, 2022, revised June 13th, 2022, revised June 22nd, 2022, revised June 25th, 2022, revised June 26th, 2022, revised August 16th, 2022, revised September 4th, 2022, revised November 18th, 2022, revised November 24th, 2022, revised December 27th, 2022, revised December 29th, 2022, revised April 11th, 2023, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023, revised May 2nd, 2023, revised May 14th, 2023, revised May 17th, 2023, revised June 14th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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May 21st, 2022 Update [My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2022)]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 21st, 2022—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—and I made a one-time donation to the USO (United Service Organizations) on the USO.org website in order to "salute" the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces!
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written May 21st, 2022, revised May 26th, 2022, revised June 26th, 2022, revised August 16th, 2022, revised November 24th, 2022, revised April 21st, 2023, revised April 27th, 2023, revised May 19th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023, revised November 18th, 2023 and revised May 18th, 2024)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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May 21st, 2022 Update—Continued [My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2022)]: I have decided to start a new tradition as a way to "salute" U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel!
–Paul Whiting (written May 21st, 2022 revised May 22nd, 2022, revised May 29th, 2022, revised August 16th, 2022, revised December 27th, 2022, revised May 19th, 2023 and revised May 20th, 2023)
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May 1st, 2023 Update: May is Military Appreciation Month! And I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, May 1st, 2023, with the subject line, "A Military Appreciation Month gift for you!", which stated the following:
Happy Military Appreciation Month, Paul!
We’ll be celebrating this special month with all sorts of ways to honor and support our heroes in uniform, but first, we’re kicking it off with a special digital giveaway for our most dedicated military supporters — including you!
We designed these exclusive phone backgrounds with patriotic Americans like you in mind, and we hope you love them as much as we do. Click here to choose and download one now and show your military pride this Military Appreciation Month!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD***
We’re so grateful for supporters like you who help keep our brave troops connected to family, home and country through every step of their military journey. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you do to stand with our troops.
[Name redacted], USO
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And so, I selected my "favorite patriotic phone background to download it and show [my] military pride during this special month." Plus, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website in order to support the USO's statement, "Our service members keep our nation safe. And we work hard to keep them connected to home — but we can’t do that without support from military supporters like you. Our troops are counting on you to be a part of this important work for our country."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (written May 1st, 2023, revised May 2nd, 2023, revised May 18th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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May 4th, 2023 Update: May is Military Appreciation Month! So, I signed a Military Appreciation Month card from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, May 4th, 2023, because "during Military Appreciation Month, it is more important than ever to make sure all of America’s courageous service members know how much folks back home appreciate the incredible sacrifices they make to keep us safe and free." And I received that card via a text message today, which stated the following:
Happy Military Appreciation Month! 🇺🇸 In honor of this special time of year, we set a goal to reach 150K signatures on this thank-you card for our troops - but our deadline is approaching and it looks like we're missing your name!
SUPPORTER ID: 5********5
SIGNATURE: MISSING
We know you're a patriotic military supporter who wouldn't want our troops to feel forgotten as they risk their lives to protect our country - so please, don't miss this chance to show them you care. 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬?***
-USO
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to America's courageous service members, "During Military Appreciation Month and always, we are so grateful for everything you do to protect the country and freedom we cherish. We promise to stand with you no matter what!"
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month! –Paul Whiting (written May 4th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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May 16th, 2023 Update: I sent a message to our troops from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, May 16th, 2023, that I received today via an email with the subject line, "Special Military Appreciation Month opportunity for you!", which stated the following:
We’re halfway through Military Appreciation Month, Paul!
As we continue to celebrate this special month and honor our heroes in uniform, we’re inviting our most dedicated military supporters — including you — to write a personalized message to our troops to thank them for their service.
SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR TROOPS***
As a military spouse, I have a deep understanding of the challenges our troops and their families face every day. From deployments to PCS orders and relocations, it never gets easier being away from your loved ones — and I know just how much a few words directly from you would mean to our brave heroes this month.
Your message will help send support to heroes like my husband who risk their lives day in and day out to defend our country. It’ll make such a difference for service members stationed far from home to know that folks back home understand and appreciate the immense sacrifices they make for us.
That’s why we need 50,000 dedicated military supporters via email to write their own unique personalized message to troops before our midnight goal deadline. Please, will you write a note now to show your gratitude for our courageous service members as they sacrifice everything to protect our country?
SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR TROOPS***
Thank you for voicing your support for our military heroes, today and always.
[Name redacted], USO
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
Plus, after I sent the message, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to our brave service members, "Thank you for protecting our freedom."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month! –Paul Whiting (written May 16th, 2023, revised May 18th, 2023, revised May 30th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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May 20th, 2023 Update [My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2023)]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 20th, 2023—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—and I made a one-time donation to the USO (United Service Organizations) on the USO.org website in order to pay tribute to the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces!
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month! –Paul Whiting (written May 20th, 2023, revised July 28th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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May 20th, 2023 Update—Continued [My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2023)]: I have started a new tradition as a way to pay tribute to U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel! –Paul Whiting (May 20th, 2023)
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May 20th, 2023 Update—Continued Further: I was on the USO (United Service Organizations) website today, May 20th, 2023—since Armed Forces Day is today, which is the third Saturday in May each year—because I was planning to make a donation to the USO for Armed Forces Day 2023!
And a prompt appeared titled, "There’s a service member who really needs to hear from you", which stated the following:
There’s a service member who really needs to hear from you.
A simple “thank you for your sacrifice” will mean so much. Send a message to the troops today.
And so, I decided to send a message to the troops for Armed Forces Day 2023 with my official Armed Forces Day poem titled, "The Soldiers Of The Cross" (which was originally published on my "Small All White in the Forest" blog), as follows:
Insert a custom message here...
Armed Forces Day:
"The Soldiers Of The Cross"
When everything is gone, which
you thought could never be taken;
And your morale has up and left you...
https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com/2010/05/for-armed-forces-day-soldiers-of-cross.html
Sincerely,
First Name: Last Name:
Paul Whiting
Then, after I shared my "The Soldiers Of The Cross," poem, I made a one-time donation to the USO (United Service Organizations) on the USO.org website that is the donation I mentioned above in my 'May 20th, 2023 Update,' which also appears as 'My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2023)' on some of my blogs.
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month! –Paul Whiting (written May 20th, 2023, revised July 30th, 2023, revised September 27th, 2023 and revised November 18th, 2023)
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October 24th, 2023 Update No. 7 [My Writing About How I Have Changed The Way That I Label My Blog Posts 'Updates' For Any Additional 'Updates' That I Write, After The First 'Update,' By Using A Simple Numbering System, Which Starts With The First 'Update' (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog)]:
I have changed the way I label the blog post 'updates' that I write because I oftentimes write more than one 'update' per day!
And in the past, I have labeled the second, third, fourth and fifth 'update' with the following extensions—on the days that I write more than 'update'—to differentiate any additional 'updates' from the first one, as follows:
[1st] Month Day, Year Update
[2nd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued
[3rd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further
[4th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More
[5th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More Than Before
However today, October 24th, 2023, I actually had more than five 'updates' to write, so I decided to change how I differentiate any additional 'updates,' from the first 'update,' by using a simple numbering system, which actually starts with the first 'update' that I write, as follows:
Month Day, Year Update No. 1
Month Day, Year Update No. 2
Month Day, Year Update No. 3
Month Day, Year Update No. 4
Month Day, Year Update No. 5
Month Day, Year Update No. 6
Month Day, Year Update No. 7
Therefore, that is why this 'update' is the seventh one for today! –Paul Whiting (written October 24th, 2023 and revised October 28th, 2023)
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May 1st, 2024 Update No. 1: May is Military Appreciation Month! And I received an email from the USO (United Service Organizations) today, May 1st, 2024, with the subject line, "This Military Appreciation Month, remind our heroes how much their service means to you", which stated the following:
IT'S MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH!
★ ★ ★
MAKE SURE OUR SERVICE MEMBERS KNOW YOU SUPPORT THEM!
GOAL: 150,000 SIGNATURES
SIGN THE CARD NOW***
May is Military Appreciation Month, Paul. And we want to invite you to take a moment and thank our heroes in uniform.
Top military supporters from around the country are coming together to recognize everything our brave service members do for us: From risking their lives in some of the world's harshest and most isolating conditions to sacrificing time with their families, our heroes deserve our unending gratitude and recognition.
That's why, in honor of Military Appreciation Month, we've set a goal to get 150,000 grateful Americans to sign our thank-you card via email and text messages by the end of the month. Please, show your gratitude as a top military supporter by signing now:
★ ★ ★
Happy Military
Appreciation Month
– we appreciate
everything you do!
ADD YOUR NAME***
Our service members continue to make tremendous sacrifices day in and day out — from providing humanitarian relief around the world to keeping us safe back home.
The men and women in our military are heroes. And all too often, they don't get the recognition they deserve.
Truly, the least we can do is ensure they feel the gratitude and appreciation from top military supporters like you. So please, take a moment and sign our Military Appreciation Month card for our service members before our goal deadline.
ADD YOUR NAME***
Thank you so much for supporting our heroes in uniform.
The USO
SIGN THE CARD***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
So, I signed a Military Appreciation Month card "to recognize our heroes who have sacrificed so much, particularly those who are stationed far from friends and family in dangerous parts of the world." Plus, after I signed the card, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org website to say to America's service members, "Happy Military Appreciation Month! We’re so thankful for your heroic service and sacrifice. Sending our deepest gratitude, respect and appreciation."
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (May 1st, 2024)
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May 18th, 2024 Update No. 1 [My Writing About Armed Forces Day (for 2024)]: Armed Forces Day is today, May 18th, 2024—since Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May each year—so, I did a Google search for "Armed Forces Day 2024 USO" and found the following USO (United Service Organizations) search result:
secure.uso.org
https://secure.uso.org › donate
Uso - Official USO Website
We're thanking our troops with shows that boost morale. Donate today to show your support. Our military heroes make incredible sacrifices. Support them with a donation today. 200+ Centers worldwide. 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. Give hope to the wounded. Boost troop morale.
And, after I read the search results above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
★★★USO★★★
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR AMERICA’S TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Honor their sacrifice by making a donation today.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Amount
[ ] $35
[ ] $50
[ ] $75
[ ] $100
[ ] $250
[ ] $500
[ ] $1,000
[✓] $ 25.00
Name
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Zip: [redacted]
Email: [redacted]
Cell Phone (optional): [redacted]
DONATE $25
Your donations will support:
Transitioning Troops and Deployed Troops
During deployment, you can provide troops with a connection to their families, along with entertainment and relaxation. After service has ended, you can continue to support troops as they transition to civilian life.
Military Families
You can help keep families strong and connected both during and after deployment. The USO provides a wide range of programs that support the entire family every step of the way.
Wounded Warriors and Families of the Fallen
Some troops return home with physical or invisible wounds. You can provide therapeutic and reintegration services as they navigate the road to recovery. You can also provide support to families of troops who have paid the ultimate price while serving their country.
And so, I made a one-time donation on the USO.org in order to support the USO's statement, "Our military heroes make incredible sacrifices. ... Give hope to the wounded. Boost troop morale."
In addition to that, I already make a recurring monthly donation to the USO in order to show my support for our U.S. Military Personnel! You see, I usually make one-time donations to the USO each month—as often as I can manage when they request a donation via email or text message. Therefore, I am planning to continue making one-time donations to the USO in the future, as often as I can manage to make donations, in addition to making the aforementioned recurring monthly donation.
By the way, did you know that the USO is a not-for-profit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DoD)? The following description of the USO is from their 'About Us' webpage:
"The USO is not part of the federal government. A congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities, and is powered by a family of volunteers to accomplish our mission of connection."
So, that is why I 'volunteer financially' as a member of the "USO Home Team" through a recurring monthly donation, as well as through one-time donations to the USO each month!
–Paul Whiting (May 18th, 2024)
---------------------------------------------
May 18th, 2024 Update No. 2 [My Writing About Celebrating Armed Forces Day As A New Tradition For Honoring The Service And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military Personnel (for 2024)]: I have started a new tradition as a way to pay tribute to U.S. Military Personnel in honor of Armed Forces Day!
Instead of having a celebration on Memorial Day—because that holiday is really designed for grieving, and/or mourning, and/or paying respect to those who have died while serving in the U.S. Military—I think that the celebration to honor the service and sacrifices of U.S. Military Personnel should really be on Armed Forces Day.
Thus, I plan to have a holiday dinner on Armed Forces Day, and I also plan to listen to patriotic music, as a way to celebrate the many freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America thanks to the service and sacrifices that are made, each and every day, by U.S. Military Personnel! –Paul Whiting (May 18th, 2024)
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This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 109 was edited on May 18th, 2024.
"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]
