Flag Still Stands For Freedom's 2010 Veteran's Day Campaign & Virtual Telethon

John Miterko – “Texas Coalition of Veteran’s Organization’s Legislative Liaison”

Laura Kennedy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:34:47 +0000

John Miterko, Army Veteran & TXVO Legislative Liaison

John Miterko was appointed as the Texas Coalition of Veteran’s Organization’s Legislative Liaison in 2008 where he has brought a broad range of experience and knowledge for the benefit of veterans. John will be joining the 2010 Veteran’s Day Telethon live from Texas to talk about legislation pending that effects our veterans and their families and how we can help.

From 1968-1972 John was a U.S. Army Captain, Military Intelligence serving as a Special Area Agent and Area Intelligence Collection Officer. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1971-1972 as the Chief of Military Intelligence Collection Operations for the 3rd Military Region RVN. John is the holder of the Bronze Star.

In 2003, John retired from Telecom Systems Division of 3M Company after a 30-year career. Since that time he has devoted his time and energies to multiple Veteran Service Organizations at the local, state, and national level. John is dedicated to defining, promoting, and implementing legislative programs that directly benefit veterans, their families, and their communities, and to increase the effectiveness of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.

John’s Veterans Service Organizations Affiliations:

• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter # 195

• Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans

• Board of Directors and Chairman Veterans Outreach Committee, Vietnam Veterans Memorial on State Capitol grounds

• Military Service Coalition, Austin, Texas

• Vice Chairman, Communications Advisory Committee, Texas Veterans Commission

• VA VISN 17 Veterans Advisory Board

Terry Burkett – “Texas Capital Vietnam War Monument Project”

Laura Kennedy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:50:38 +0000

Terry Burkett, Vietnam Veteran

Terry B. Burkett is a 22+ year retired Navy veteran having served from June 1964 to December 1986. After a remarkable career, Terry retired as an Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer while attached to NMPC Det Dallas, TX.

Upon transfer to Fleet Reserve, Terry worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company Austin Division and a number of other defense contractors until full retirement in 2007. He now resides in Austin, TX with his wife Karen and is actively involved in veteran issues. Terry is an active Life Member of VFW Post 3377 Manchaca, TX serving as the Post webmaster. He also is webmaster for three other veteran related websites.

Texas Capital Vietnam War Monument with artist Duke Sundt

Terry will be joining us live from Texas on the 2010 Veteran’s Day Telethon to talk about the “Texas Capital Vietnam War Monument Project” and what it means to him. More than 500,000 Texans served in the Vietnam War. While the war is history for some, the healing continues for others. That’s why the Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument is being created.

Terry will also be discussing VA healthcare as well as sharing stories about his vast Naval career and Vietnam War experience. His career included:

Training as an Aviation Electronics Technician before becoming an Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator in September 1968. From 1966 through May 1971 he was attached to VP-9 and then VP-17 and served as an aircrewman aboard the P-3A and B model Orion. During this period, Terry made Westpac deployments to Naha AB, Okinawa, NS Sangley Pt. PI, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Cam Ranh Bay, SVN, and Utapao, Thailand where his squadrons flew missions in support of Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf and Operation Market Time off the east and west coast of South Vietnam.

From 1975 through December 1979 Terry was assigned to VP-47 at NAS Moffett Field, California and made three Westpac deployments to Misawa, Japan and Kadena AFB, Okinawa.

“Field of Blue” With the Dina Preston Band Join the Veteran’s Day Telethon Lineup!

Laura Kennedy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:09:53 +0000

Dina Preston Band "Ambassadors of Goodwill"

“Field of Blue” was written in tribute to our men and women who served and are stationed overseas in the Armed Forces. You are the”STARS” in the “FIELD of BLUE”

The Dina Preston Band has performed over 20 Armed Forces Entertainment and U.S. Embassy Tours representing Arizona and the United States as Ambassadors of Goodwill in over 32 countries, including a recent trip tour to South Korea to provide “Music from Home” for our troops and families stationed abroad.

Currently the band is working with Mission Bell Studios producing a TV Show Concert & Documentary on their two decades of music and service to U.S. military personal and families stationed overseas and in war zones titled “Music from Home”.

Visit the Dina Preston Bands website http://dinapreston.com for bookings or more information on their upcoming “Music from Home” concert in San Diego California on the USS Midway!

“Totally American” By Dan Smee & Shoba Sreenivasan Join the Veteran’s Day Telethon Lineup!

Laura Kennedy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:09:26 +0000

Utilizing the American military experience, a one of a kind exciting new book “Totally American” inspires readers to take charge of their lives. By tapping into the uniquely American traits of optimism, perseverance, and resilience, the book offers a compelling approach to move forward in a mission-driven plan to success and fulfillment in life.

Author Dan Smee, a returning Iraq War Veteran who served as a combat medic with the US Army, was inspired to use his front-line war experiences to write Totally American, a book filled with hope and optimism for every American who struggles to succeed and find fulfillment.

Co-author Shoba Sreenivasan, Ph.D. weaves her inspirational message into the book with her experiences while working with combat veterans at the VA.

Totally American is a roadmap to success rooted in the American Constitution’s tenant of the right to the “pursuit of happiness”. The book offers a “can-do” template drawn from army field manuals and first- hand experience of the wisdom gained from protecting our democratic way of life. Woven into a tapestry of ideas from philosophy, psychology, theology, and literature, Totally American takes the reader on a journey of discovery. The book identifies the core values that helps define our goals, identify obstacles, recognize capabilities, and the steps to achieve goals. You can get your copy of the book by visiting Dan & Shoba’s website!

Vietnam Veteran Honored Four Decades After His Death

Laura Kennedy — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:12:26 +0000

Original Article: Fox 8 News

2010 Veteran’s Day Campaign Has Launched!

Laura Kennedy — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:18:04 +0000

Support Our Veterans Around The Globe “Show Us Your Red, White & Blue”

Long Island, NY –July 6, 2010 Flags Still Stands For Freedom will launch its 3^rd annual “Support Our Veterans” campaign” to honor and celebrate the thousands of men and women across the globe who have served in defense of this country and who have fought for our honor and our FREEDOM. We rally every person who is proud to be a citizen of this country to collectively plaster our Country; the good ole United States of America with “Old Glory’s” symbolic colors of Red, White & Blue on Veteran’s Day, November 11^th, 2010.

What began as a radio talk show 2 years ago is now blossoming into a full scale virtual telethon much like the ones our mentor; Jerry Lewis does for MDA on Labor Day. This campaign not only shares the experiences and memories of Veterans and their families but highlights the success and triumphs that our Veterans have brought to this Country not just on the battlefield but back here on our home soil.

The goal of the “Support our Veterans” campaign is to remind each of us that our “Flag Still Stands For Freedom” and our Veterans need to know we are supporting them both here and abroad. Using the POWER of Social Media, we will again make our flag and its colors blatantly visible across the globe with a unified statement of support for our troops, both past and present.

In conjunction with this campaign, Laura Kennedy (and her broadcast partners) will once again air a 24 hour live talk show on LauraKennedyLive and simultaneously over several other broadcasting networks; a show dedicated to:

Sharing memories and stories of our “fallen” soldiers;
Celebrations of the servicemen and women who are still serving this Country; and
Showcasing the talents and successes of our returning Veterans.

Tell your friend, families, co-workers, and everybody you come in contact with to get involved with this campaign today! For more information about how you can contribute to this campaign, please contact Laura Kennedy, USN-Ret, at 516-442-9126 or at LauraKennedyLive@gmail.com

Our 2009 Campaign Site is Going Down

Laura Kennedy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:59:25 +0000

Yes, it’s true. Our 2009 Veteran’s Day Campaign site “Flag Still Stands For Freedom” is coming down this week in preparation for the 2010 Veteran’s Day Telethon. If there is anything on the current site that you would like to have copies of, please contact me immediately at LauraKennedyLive@gmail.com and I will be happy to forward it along!

I sincerely hope that our site has brought you good content, shared memories and even a few laughs over the last year and I look forward to doing even more of the same in our 2010 campaign.

If you are interested in being part of the team that puts together our 2010 24-hour Veteran’s Day Telethon, or have an idea that you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to contact us either via email or on our Facebook Fanpage.

As a side note, if you haven’t already joined our Veteran’s Membership site for ongoing and up-to-date benefit and association information, I encourage you to do so right away! Join here!

God Bless each and every one of you and thank you for all you do to support our troops!

Laura Kennedy, USN-Ret

VA Announces Change to Medication Copays for Some Veterans

Laura Kennedy — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:01:02 +0000

Press Release on June 10, 2010

WASHINGTON – As previously announced on January 7, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) froze prescription copayment increases for six months. Veterans who generally have higher income and no service-connected disabilities – referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 Veterans – will now pay an additional $1 for each 30-day supply of outpatient medications. Taking effect July 1, the increase to $9 from $8 is the first change in VA’s medication copay since Jan. 1, 2006.

“Because of the harsh economic reality facing many Veterans, we delayed the change,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We’re now ensuring the Veterans most in need of VA care are those least affected. Yet, even with this increase, VA medication copays are lower than much of the private sector.”

This change does not impact Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 who will continue to pay $8 for each 30-day supply of medications for their non-service connected conditions unless otherwise exempted. These Veterans will also continue to have their out-of-pocket expenses for VA outpatient medications capped at $960 per calendar year.

Veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a disability rated 50 percent or greater – who are known as Priority Group 1 Veterans — are exempt from the copay.

VA generally sets its outpatient medication copay rate based upon a regulation that ties the rate to the Medical Consumer Price Index for prescription drugs.

Veterans who have difficulty paying co-payments for outpatient medications should discuss the matter with their local VA enrollment coordinator. Veterans may also contact VA at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VA’s health eligibility Web site at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .

2 Connellsville-based guardsmen died for love of their country

Laura Kennedy — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:12:40 +0000

By Daveen Rae Kurutz and A.J. Panian
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, June 14, 2010

Bryan Hoover and Robert Fike served in the military together for years, dedicated to defending their country. Although they lived more than 100 miles apart, they died together during a suicide bombing Friday in Afghanistan while on their second tour of duty together.

The two served as military police with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Company C, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry, based in Connellsville. Hoover, 29, of Lyndora, Butler County, a staff sergeant, was an assistant track and cross-country coach at his high school alma mater; Fike, 38, of Conneautville, Crawford County, a sergeant first class, worked as a corrections officer at SCI Albion in Erie County.

“They both died doing what they loved,” said Sgt. Lucas Murtaugh, who was assigned to the 28th Military Police Company with the men. “They are outstanding people who loved their country and will be missed.”

A male suicide bomber dressed in a burqa — traditional Arabic women’s outerwear — detonated the explosives Friday morning in the Bullard Bazaar in Zabul Province in southern Afghanistan, military officials said. At least two civilians died and 16 others were injured. Hoover and Fike were on a foot patrol when the blast occurred. A third soldier from the Connellsville unit, Pfc. Anthony Spangler of Centre County, was wounded but has returned to duty.

Hoover, a former active-duty Marine, enlisted in the Army National Guard in March 2005. He received a bachelor’s degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania and was an assistant coach at Elizabeth Forward High School, from which he graduated in 2000. Students erected a makeshift memorial at the school Saturday after hearing of Hoover’s death.

“He was a great young man and a great coach and role model. He’ll be sadly missed,” said Kerry Hetrick, athletic director at the high school. “The kids looked up to him. He was always visible and working with the students.”

Bryan and Rick Hoover looked out for their younger brother, Ben, an athlete at Elizabeth Forward, said Hoover’s aunt, Blanche Hoover. Just before his deployment, Hoover moved from West Elizabeth to Butler County with his fiancee, Ashley Pack, said his brother, Rick. Bryan was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing hockey and running, Rick Hoover said.

“He was a great guy who enjoyed life,” Rick Hoover said. “It was his childhood dream to be in the military — that was all we ever played as kids. It was what he lived and died for.” Rick Hoover said the unit deployed to Afghanistan in the fall.

Bryan Hoover was a good role model, his aunt said, never swearing and always behaving like a “perfect gentleman.”

“Bryan was so caring. Anything you ever needed, he’d do,” said Blanche Hoover. “He was so respectful … and Bryan really believed in what he was doing.”

That is something he shared with Fike. Everything about Fike’s military career reflected a willingness to sacrifice. Each month, Fike made a roughly two-hour drive to specialized drills with the 20th Military Police Company in Johnstown.

“Sgt. Fike was, obviously, very proud of his work. I think the drive from his home to Johnstown was minuscule compared to his love for being a military policeman,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Hileman, senior enlisted adviser of the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

Fike’s love of the military, in general, was ever-present, said his father, James Fike of Trafford.

“I think it was always there,” said Fike, 63, a retired sergeant major in the Guard and a veteran of the Vietnam War. “He’s third-generation military. ”

Robert Fike’s paternal grandfather, the late Ross Fike Jr., and his maternal grandfather, the late Joe Balkovec, served in World War II.

Robert Fike will be remembered as a lover of the outdoors and an avid hunter and fisherman who would often wet a line at nearby lakes with his 12-year-old daughter, MacKenzie. A 1989 graduate of Penn-Trafford High School, Fike went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in organic chemistry from Edinboro University in 1992 before joining the Guard in September 1993.

Both men will add a posthumous purple heart to a long list of military awards. In his 16 years of service, Fike served two overseas tours — Saudi Arabia from 2002 to 2003 and Iraq from 2007 to 2008. While in Iraq, he served with Hoover. Murtaugh called the men “military friends” and said they always looked out for the best of the troops.

“If somebody was feeling down, (Fike) always tried to cheer them up,” Murtaugh said. “(Hoover) was always ready for the mission and never complained. They always looked out for the best for the men.”

James Fike spoke yesterday while traveling with his wife, Christine, to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to meet their son’s body.

“I think, under God’s law, there should have been another commandment that parents should not have to bury their children,” he said. “Today’s going to be a day of reckoning. So far, this has felt like kind of a surreal episode, like a dream you keep thinking you’ll wake up from. But today, we’re driving to greet him … see his flag-draped casket … and it’s all going to hit home.”

Why is the American Flag Important?

Laura Kennedy — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:51:55 +0000

By Stuart Michael M

When we talk about American flag, it has always been associated with ‘Old Glory’ and ‘Starry Banner’. This flag is the most respectable and it is recognized throughout the world. Why? The answer is simply because United States is categorized as one of the most powerful and dominant countries from the past history. From the history itself, all the leaders have worked with full dedication and determination to bring independence to United States and to become a respected country to its nation. Until today, it is said that the national flag, American flag is one of the most valuable asset for the States. The design of American flag is simple. In the flag itself, there are 50 stars that represent all different states in US. All the states that joined the Union are represented by the 13 stripes.

So, why is the American flag important?

We have heard around how great is United States in the history from the day the got the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This has given a freedom to the States from the British rules. Since then, it became important to indicate an independent government. It has been spelled out clearly under the United States Constitutions. The flag becomes important to show the pride and joy of United States. All the important elements such as liberty, righteousness, pride, fairness are carried along together in the flag. Besides all these, it also signifies the leaders’ effort, sweat, blood and tears contributed for the success of United States.

The American flag survived in the two World Wars for more than 200 years. The flag is used is a lot of wars as a symbol for unity and fight till the last drop. When the flag is raised, it symbolizes the US pride and winning.

This is flown only on specific events such as Memorial Day, Veteran Day, Independence Day and Flag Day to show its importance. Flag Day is the day when American flag is first accepted. This flag is also displayed throughout the year at the White House in Washington, the Nashville City Cemetery, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.

It is important to the nation as it keeps all the history of the States. The people of United States are proud of their flag as it symbolizes winning. Today, American flag is respected everywhere especially during international tournaments and competitions.

Stuart is writing for many websites, He enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Flags of the World and Why Is the American Flag Important. You may visit for more details.

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