Starting today, sending an Operation CookieJar pack to an American Soldier is even easier! We’ve established a PayPal account, so you can make your donation quickly, easily, and securely.

Just head over to the main Operation CookieJar site and click on the link (left side menu) that says “Send a Care Package.” Pick one of the six options, then click the “Donate” button. This takes you to the Secure PayPal site. You can use a credit card or, if you have a PayPal account, your PayPal balance. Nothing could be quicker, easier, and secure!

Thanks for supporting the Brave Men and Women serving our Great Nation!

Mitch & Steve 

(Author unknown)

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

I thank our Brave Warriors, who put everything on the line to preserve our Freedom. I thank their parents, for raising their children so well. I thank them for instilling the values and morals that make them stand proud and tall. Our Great Country would be lost, if not for those who selflessly serve. Thank you for your Service to Our Country!

Mitch Selleck
Reno, Nevada

Here’s an update to my earlier post about Cell Phones for Soldiers:

The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started in April 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts. Read more about these two imaginative and Patriotic Americans at Cell Phones for Soldiers.

AT&T has donated over $500,000 worth of prepaid calling cards to the program so our troops can phone home . They are also providing drop off locations at over 1,800 of their company owned wireless stores. This makes donating an old, unused phone quick and easy.

As I said before, this is an absolutely magnificent idea! If you’re like most of us, you have an old cellphone laying about. Can you think of a better use for it than this? Take that old paperweight down to your local ATT Wireless Store, and recycle the thing (working or not) for this important cause!

Not only will you get rid of that dusty old thing, you’ll help out one of the folks serving our country in a way that is truly meaningful! Do it now, while you’re thinking about it. Don’t wait, because you’ll forget about it later. You know you will!

Get more information at the Cell Phones for Soldiers website:

http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Hi, Folks!

While we prepare to enjoy this year’s Holiday Season, and we’re putting together our list of Cards to send, why not do something really special?

Why not include an American Soldier who’s recovering from wounds received defending our Great Country?  A small effort on your part can mean so much to one of our Brave Warriors this Holiday Season.  Here’s the address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed  Army Medical Hospital
Washington, D.C.  20307-500

I’m personally addressing 100 or so, and adding a handwritten note thanking them for their service to our Country. I’m also including my eMail address, in case they might want to write back. Who knows… you might make a new friend for life, and you’re sure to bring a warm feeling to someone who has made a personal sacrifice so we may celebrate the Holidays with our loved ones.

Another thought: why not include a paperback book, or a magazine? I know they’ll appreciate something new and different to read.

Just my two cents, but think of all the good this small gesture will accomplish.

Happy Holidays to all,

Mitch Selleck
Reno, Nevada

Veterans Day is not “Just Another Day” to me. The first thing I did after awaking and quickly throwing on some clothes was to go outside to put up “Old Glory” for all to see! While there may be folks who consider it merely another three day weekend, and another opportunity for a barbeque (weather permitting).

I see this as much more than “Just Another Day.” Today is a day to truly thank all who have proudly served our country, as well as those who serve today. These selfless Warriors deserve a heartfelt ”Thank You” from every citizen. America is the Greatest Nation in the World, and would be a Third World Country if not for their Loyalty, Dedication, and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Freedom so many take for granted is not free. It is ours to enjoy only because we are fortunate enough to have so many Brave Men and Women serving our Country. Today is the day to reflect on this and remember. Today is the day to say “Thank You” to our Veterans loud and clear. Past, present and future, I thank them one and all for the Freedoms I enjoy today.

No, today is NOT “Just Another Day” to me. Today is Veterans Day, and I thank God we are blessed, and pray he watches over our Brave Warriors. I pray for their safety, and speedy return home when their job is done. I say loudly and clearly, ”Thank You” to our Brave Warriors, wherever they serve our Great Nation.

Thank you!
Mitch Selleck
Reno, Nevada

A brief History of Veterans Day:

Originally called Armistice Day, this day is now Veterans Day, and refers to the day World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a Holiday in the United States in 1926, and a National Holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. Veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

I was visiting my local ATT Cellular Store, and noticed a very interesting sign above a box with a slot in it. The sign said something to the effect of, “Donate your old cellphone, and we’ll give a soldier a $100 calling card to phone home!”

Now, I think this is an absolutely magnificent idea! Most of us have an old cellphone laying about. I can’t think of a better use for it than this! Why not take your old phone down to your local ATT Cellular Store, and recycle the thing (working or not) for an outstanding cause!

Not only will you get rid of that old paperweight, you’ll help out one of the folks serving our country in a way that is truly meaningful!

Do it while you’re thinking about it. Don’t wait, because you know you’ll forget about it!