Hometown Proud!

30 August 06 ~ Today was such a great day.  And I was honored to be there as Tacoma Fire Department swore in their new Chief.  Ron Stephens was surrounded by family, friends, firefighters, community leaders, and locals who were happy to see that Tacoma really got it right when they chose him over the other national contenders!  (Nothing against any of them, but we love our Chief!)

Chief Stephens has been an amazing supporter for HeroToHero.US and we were a little concerned when we heard that the city had decided not to just make him the official choice after his time as acting Chief.  But there is no doubt now.  After a nationwide search was conducted,  Chief Stephens rose once more to the top.

Let there be no doubt that he has earned this spot.  Aside from being loved and respected by so many he has truly earned his bugles.

Joining TFD in 1977, he truly worked his way up that fire ladder. From field officer; lieutenant, captain of the training division; deputy harbor master; assistant manager of the Tacoma Emergency Operations Center; assistant chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau, equal employment opportunity officer; to the deputy chief of administration.

That would seem like enough, huh?  But no, you have to add: Coordinator of Hazardous Materials Team; member of the South Puget Sound Regional Hazardous Materials Team; certified hazmat technician; board member and service as treasurer of the Puget Sound Marine Firefighting Commission ... and a Hero to us at H2H!

Chief Stephens, congratulations, and SALUTE!

 

lj

The latest

Greetings from H2H!

So, let's see.  Looks like we need an update as we near our annual Shirt Drive KickOff.  We are undergoing MAJOR changes in the program ... All due to the growing popularity of this Troop Morale Campaign!  Stay tuned.

First off, the Journal is being slowly updated as well. (Having to prioritize things right now.  Sigh.)  Think I'm partially through NYC as of this input.  C'mon, there was a LOT that happened on this tour!  Want to try to remember ALL of it. 

Which reminds me, if I left something out of a visit, PLEASE let me know and I'll get it in there --- Especially links to some of the great events and programs that you all do for your communities, our Troops, and more.  This is a great place to share those things!

Anyway ... Here's the latest.

We will kick off the 4th Annual Shirt Drive for HeroToHero.US, on September 11th.  Remember the deadline Valentine's Day so that we have them all in time for Pack-Out on Saturday, February 24th, 2007

TROOPS --- September 11th also marks the first day for TROOP ADOPTION REQUESTS for this cycle.  To be considered, a unit must be desert-deployed, and able to receive mail in mid-March 2007.

We do not send to 1 or 2 in a unit, we adopt the ENTIRE unit.  This is all first come, first served.  We will adopt every unit for which we are able to get shirts.  Contact your hometown fire/police depts and get them onboard!

For a unit to be adopted, you MUST fill out a Request Form on the main site.  You will be notified that the adoption request was received ... If you do not receive a response, the request did not reach us, and we ask you then to contact us at once, at HeroToHeroUS@aol.com   You will be advised of your acceptance once we arecertain we can outfit ALL of your Troops.

Every unit must have TWO points of contact, one of which must be a Commander, 1st Sgt/NCOIC, or Chaplain.  Foremost, these POC's are responsible for seeing that every Troop receives 1 item each.  We ask units send photos back to the program and donators of the items they receive, as this is a show of support and respect both ways!  It is, afterall, Hero To Hero.

All requirements for adoption will be posted on the Adoption page.  Watch the site ... Remember, we are updating.  The website is under construction, too.

For the record, we have shipped out over 11,000 shirts over the last 3 years.  This year Sarnia, Canada came on board, and they will be sending shirts from their First Responders to their Troops, who are with our Troops in Afghanistan.  We welcome this sister effort, and are proud to welcome Canada to HeroToHero.US!

The tour was amazing!  I apologize for the delay in inputting the words for all of the pix, but if you can understand that I do this part of the effort alone, perhaps you will be able to grant me some leeway.  (Please?)  Check it out in our archives.

FIRST RESPONDERS --- September 11th set out boxes in your depts for shirts to be placed.  Use permanent ink black/silver Sharpies to write messages of support on dept logo'd shirts.  NO politics!  These shirts will hopefully find their way to deployed hometown Troops via H2H.  Attach a business card/contact info if you'd like a possible response from the Troop receiving your shirt.  *NO sealed items for security reasons.  Take lots of pix of your efforts and send them our way, we'll share them on the journal.

DEADLINE: Valentine's Day send those shirts to us via US Mail to:

HEROTOHERO.US

ATTN: L JACKSON

PO BOX 98954

LAKEWOOD, WA 98498

If using UPS/FedEx/DHL, etc., contact us for a street address where we will accept shirts.

Check specifics on the "Make a Pledge" page of the main site.  *Again, watch for updates as we move forward.

First Responders interested in attending the Pack-Out, February 24th, 2007 in the Tacoma, Washington area, please advise us as soon as possible.

We are starting up meetings again, and welcoming in new volunteers as the latest deployments have begun, and this year's adopted Troops are homeward bound.  Hooray!  If you are local to Fort Lewis/McChord AFB, and interested in getting involved, we'd love to hear from you!

So there you have it, Heroes.  We need you ALL to do your part.  Spread the word.  If EVERY hometown fire, police and first responder would send us one shirt & one dollar each year 'til the Troops come home, we could get a shirt on every hometown Troop.  

Let Them know that no matter our personal politics, or views, They are not forgotten, and we will support Them!  We've begun asking for a dollar donation with each shirt this year.  Not a lot to make a Troop smile!  (It costs us +/- 90 cents per shirt, to send to the desert ... We are open to any alternatives, BTW! )

Well, I think that's it.  No matter what you do on September 11th, please take a moment and remember America's Fallen, our Heroes, and their Loved Ones.

Note:  The posted photos are from this past national tour and from Troops who are paying respects to Their stateside Heroes for the shirts off their backs. 

Check out the "It's Official" shots ... There are lots more of them!  THESE are our Heroes!

lj