January/February 2002 Issue
Newsletter editors:
Joyce Lisiewski
SSgt Missi White
This issue is in tribute to America’s fallen sons and daughters --
Theirs is the ultimate sacrifice towards this countries freedom
Captain Matthew W. Bancroft, US Marine Corps
Lance Corporal Bryan P. Bertrand, US Marine Corps
Gunnery Sergeant Stephen L. Bryson, US Marine Corps
Sergeant 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman, US Army
Staff Sergeant Watler F. Cohee, III, US Marine Corps
Master Sergeant Jefferson Donald Davis, US Army
Staff Sergeant Scott N. Germosen, US Marine Corps
Sergeant Nathan P. Hays, US Marine Corps
Captain Daniel G. McCollum, US Marine Corps
Sergeant Dwight J. Morgan, US Marine Corps
Sergeant 1st Class Daniel Henry Petithory, US Army
Staff Sergeant Brian Body Prosser, US Army
Sergeant Jeannette L. Winters, US Marine Corps
Also, in gratitude to the countless others, all over the world, who have dedicated their lives to ensure America, remains,
“One nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE!
Note from one of this month’s editors…
All I can say is “WOW”! For those who have been with AdoptaPlatoon for the past couple of years, this newsletter first started off as a monthly “What’s Happening” email, written from my shoebox of an apartment in New Jersey or while deployed to Tuzla, Bosnia. Then again, we also only had a handful of Platoon Moms (no Dads at that time), and the question of being able to match all of our deployed members with support, was readily on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
In the short year that I have been away from the ‘mix’ of AAP business, while on yet another yearlong adventure of my own (Korea), I am absolutely touched by how AAP has grown and the endless support Armed Force members, like myself, continue to see. It takes all of you to make this happen, from our Majestic Founder, Beautiful Mrs. Ida Hägg and The ‘Almighty of the House’, Joyce Lisiewski, through the Platoon Moms and Dads, down to every single supporter…it is a true miracle what dedicated hearts can accomplish. All the best to each and every one of you!!!
Now, to quote Eddie Murphy in Nutty Professor, “Let’s get Busy!”
--SSgt Missi White
WELCOME HOME OUR OWN SSGT MISSI WHITE
After one a long one-year deployment to Korea, our own AAP board member and active Air Force SSGT, Missi White, has returned for a short one-month vacation until she heads off to another yearlong assignment in Honduras. Missi is one of the most dedicated members of our military AND supporter of our soldiers for AdoptaPlatoon. Not only does she serve our country, but while she is serving, weather it's in Turkey, Saudi, Bosnia, Korea, Egypt, she is also supporting other soldiers and working hard on AAP paperwork. Missi used to send out a monthly update (see above) but sometimes it's difficult with her military duties. So enjoy her comments above, and let's welcome her home (even if it's for a short while.) Here are a couple of great pictures of Missi – one while on leave NOW with her friend, fellow Air Force national guard, Jeff (on left) and Missi when she was in Korea with her chemical gear on (on right).
IN THE NEWS…
Air Force recognizes events of Sept. 11
Aircraft nose art with the words "Let's roll!" -- America's two-word marching order in the fight against terrorism -- will be displayed on various aircraft throughout the Air Force as a way of recognizing the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93, made the words famous. Beamer, a 32-year-old businessman, Sunday school teacher, husband, father and hero, led other passengers in fighting terrorists for control of Flight 93 before it crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania. He was overheard on a cellular phone reciting the Lord's Prayer and saying, "Let's roll!" as passengers charged the terrorists. The passengers of Flight 93 won one of the first victories in the fight against terrorism
The "Let's roll!" nose art is being used to continue the remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, spur on the nation's current patriotic spirit and pay tribute to the heroes and victims in the war against terrorism. It is anticipated that the art will start to appear on Air Force aircraft around Jan. 15.
Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act
Many times families encounter financial difficulties as a result of sudden activation and mobilization (deployments). Under the provisions of this act, qualified members may receive and or all of the following:
- Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments
- Reduced interest rate on credit card debt
- Protection from eviction if your rents is $1,200 or less
- Delay of all civil actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings
For more information:
Department of Defense Announces Tax Break for
Operation Enduring Freedom
Service members deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, effective September 19, 2001, will receive an extensive tax break. Enlisted members and warrant officers will pay no federal income tax on all basic pay and special pay. Officers will pay tax only on portions of their pay that exceeds the highest enlisted pay plus the $150 imminent danger pay.
Eligible service members also receive an automatic extension to file their taxes.
For more information
The Navy
has developed a web-based alternative
to benefit members of all services. The program can be
reached at the Navy LIFELines Services Network at
http://www.LIFELines2000.org
or
http://AnyServiceMember.Navy.mil
Army News Link
Remember our U.S. deployed soldiers on Valentine’s Day © by sending one or two boxes of children's Valentine Cards and lollipops! After writing, “We’re proud of our U.S. soldiers” on each card, tie a small red ribbon around the lollipop, add your name, city and state and attach a lollipop to each card using clear tape. You can also send Valentine Candy hearts (the ones with messages on them) with your Valentines. Send one box of candy for each card. Your Valentine © will be passed out to our soldiers. Mail in a (free) Priority Mail box obtained at the U.S. Post Office (don't forget to ask clerk for custom form). Please contact EyesOGren@aol.com or marysworker@aol.com, to find out where you can send your Valentine gifts© to our Soldiers.
Please add the word “AdoptaPlatoon” within your return address, just under your name, for security reasons.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - LUV LETTERS
For the past five months, Southwest Airlines' employees and their families have been adopting U.S. soldiers deployed overseas. "We have most of the platoons in Kosovo right now, and have more trickling in everyday who need to be adopted," says Lacey Waldrep, LUV LETTERS team leader. LUV LETTERS has grown to involve the entire company, system-wide, including more than thirty work groups and more than 100 individual employees. The LUV packages have included edible goodies to reading materials to encouragement videos. "Recently, I viewed a video that our People Department put together that shows Southwest Airlines employees singing, dancing and performing skits – sure to add a little laughter to our soldier camps overseas", says Waldrep. "What a great feeling to know that our Southwest spirit is being felt so far away," says Waldrep. A big “HOOAH” is sent to this wonderful organization for supporting our American heroes. We're glad you're part of AdoptaPlatoon!
PLATOON MOMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
(Drum-roll Please…)
Platoon Mom Tanya Eversole
Pretty Mrs. Tanya comes to us LIVE from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the proud leader of the following Marine pack and the Proud wife of a retired Marine (Semper Fi). Her two sons and daughter-in-law are marines (left), and her nephew (right) just finished boot camp. Otherwise lovingly known as ‘The Slavedriver’ by fellow AAP managers, Tanya, believes in a “nose to the grindstone,” philosophy and possesses a heart that expands further than the Great Plains. She has been a major asset to AAP's work in making sure our rosters are correct and getting our soldiers adopted out in a timely manner. YOU ROCK, TANYA!
Platoon Mom Dee Edsall
Sweet Mrs. Dee, a longtime dedicated, “let’s get motivated” Platoon Mom, comes to us from Oscala, Florida, and is a proud mother and wife AND recently, the proud grandmother of a new grandson, born January 6th. Dee has been with AAP from the beginning and has contributed articles and edited previous newsletters as well. Her dedication to our soldiers and her patriotic spirit is awesome. YOU ROCK, TOO, DEE!
SPOTLIGHT SOLDIER TIM MORTENSON
PFC Timothy D. Mortensen
PFC Tim is with the HHD, 504th MP BN platoon, and currently deployed to Kosovo as an intelligence analyst in the TF 504 S-2 platoon. He is originally from Hibbing, Minnesota, where he enjoyed riding his racing quad (four wheelers), hunting, fishing (especially with his dad), and most important, spending time with his loved ones ~ mom, dad, sister, brother, and of course his niece and nephew. Tim takes his work in the army very seriously, and we know that his family is very proud of him - as we are!!!!!
Carla & Randy – A Sweet Love Story
“Randy and I have always said our love is unique, special and growing stronger everyday. And that is was definitely fate which brought us together,” says Carla LaVigne of Westlake, Ohio. Randy Wessels, a specialist with the Massachusetts National Guard and an EMT for a living, came across the AdoptaPlatoon website in July 2000 and was impressed with the support given to our military. After checking out the site, he met his beautiful future wife, Carla, who was a devoted volunteer with AAP since 1999.
We are proud to announce that family and friends will join them on September 1, 2002, in Niagara Falls, Canada, to witness their special day as they make their vows to become husband and wife.
Randy is now serving our country with the 1-181th Infantry in Bosnia, and Carla works as a deputy museum director at the maritime museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Randy is dedicated to writing to school children in Cleveland, Ohio, while being deployed and plans to visiting them with Carla when he returns home.
Our congratulations to this beautiful couple on their engagement and upcoming marriage.
