Again...too much good stuff here so I'm just sharing the entire newsletter!

Newsletter Archive Our Message to the Military.... "America Supports You" May 23 , 2006 E-Newsletter Volume LXII Andrews AFB Linda Dennis of Connect and Join with America Supports You spokeswoman Roxie Merritt at the annual Joint Service Open House announce Connect and Join as the newest member of the ASY team. Washington, D.C. Navy pilot Lt. Cmdr. Rick Ryan "marathons" his way into the public eye to raise awareness for ASY team members. Iraq Soldiers featured on the CD "Voices from the Frontline" chronicle their experiences from the battlefield in Iraq. New to the ASY team: New grassroots organizations join the ASY team every week! This week, America Supports You welcomes Toys for the Troops' Kids as the newest grassroots team member. The California-based organization is already working to make sure kids at Beale AFB, Travis AFB, Lemoore Naval Air Station, Camp Pendleton and the California National Guard have a very merry Christmas this December. www.toysforthetroopskids.org ASY from Coast to Coast and Across the Ocean: ASY also welcomed a new corporate team member this week. Internet-communications company Connect and Join provides a safe and secure way for families and deployed service members to stay connected. Connect and Join functions as a virtual "family refrigerator" with ideas for projects, archival 'scrapbook' pages and a calendar that allows families separated by deployment to share "all those little missed moments," said group founder Linda Dennis. In honor of Military Appreciation Month and joining ASY, Connect and Join is offering a free 90-day subscription to military families to help keep them in touch. The announcement took place at Andrews Air Force Base during the annual Joint Service Open House in observance of Armed Forces Day. This year, the theme was "America Supports You-Our Military Men and Women." Read more. Lt. Cmdr. Richard Ryan, a Navy pilot, has undertaken a Herculean task to show his support for his fellow service members and their families. In the space of one year, Ryan has committed himself to running 24 full marathons plus one 30-miler, two 50-milers and a 100-mile race to raise awareness and financial support for a handful of service member support organizations. Though most would balk at this feat, Ryan said he needs to do it "to promote immense awareness ... one mile at a time." Already 12 marathons into his plan, Ryan has raised about $10,000 for his chosen charities: the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, the British Legion and Childhood First. TAPS and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund are both ASY team members. To support Ryan's crusade, visit www.marathonsforhope.org. Read more. Active ASY team member Frankie Mayo of Operation AC has more leads than ever "This ain't for a paycheck. This ain't for us to be known. This is for somebody to understand a soldier's life." --Prophet, Intro "Voices From the Frontline" in pursuit of her mission to supply the troops with what they most need while stationed overseas, and this time, it's a family affair. Mayo's son Army Sgt. Chris Tomlinson, aka Prophet, is currently deployed in Iraq and featured on a new CD that chronicles life on the battlefield from the soldier's point of view. Released last month, "Voices From the Frontline" is a portrayal of the raw emotions soldiers experience in the combat zone told through free-style hip-hop and "spoken word" audio vignettes. Five percent of the proceeds from the CD will go to benefit Operation AC's work. Fellow ASY team members Operation Homefront and CinCHouse.com are also helping Operation AC promote the CD, which is currently on sale at Best Buy, Walmart.com, CinCHouse.com, Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores and elsewhere. www.voicesfromthefrontline.com ASY In the News The Washington Post published a story on the Joint Service Open House at Andrews Air Force Base last weekend, themed America Supports You-Our Military Men and Women. The New Britain Herald (Conn.) and the Selma Times-Journal (Ala.) also reported on the America Supports You theme of Armed Forces Day 2006. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Ga.) informed readers of the local pick-up site for donations to the Checkers-Operation Gratitude-ASY Patriotic Drive. Team Member of the Week Tee It Up for the Troops works to support the families of fallen service members and disabled veterans through programs supported by donations generated through golf tournaments and fundraisers. The group's vision has also expanded in the last year to making the Friday closest to September 11th national 'Tee It Up for the Troops Day' every year, a day of golf saluting all those who have answered the call to duty. This year, Tee It Up for the Troops is also partnering with fellow ASY team member The Wounded Warrior Project to jointly raise funds for various supported programs. To learn more, visit www.teeitupforthetroops.com. Thank You's from Soldiers " Being deployed to Iraq in support of the freedoms and ideas we as a nation hold dear, is a great duty and an honor. It is great to know that what we do on a day-to-day basis is appreciated. We don't see it being over here, but going to this site and seeing the great messages of support from my fellow Maine-iacs is great and inspiring. Makes me feel that what I am doing really counts for something. Thanks for all of the great support. It is greatly appreciated." SPC Jeremy Waning, USARMY, Augusta/Winthrop, Maine "I am currently in Germany and recently returned from my second tour in Afghanistan. I would like to thank each and every one of you that supports us. It is hard being away from my wife and three kids, but knowing why I do this and knowing that you all support us means a lot. Once again THANK YOU!!!" SGT Samuel Silvano, Louisville Ky To read more messages, Click here. Our troops deserve to be applauded, and so do you! Join the Team! Subscribe to the America Supports You E-Newsletter

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