Toledo Mayor Boots Marines

This info came in through email - definitely worth reading and reacting!!!

Friends,

We have another maverick Mayor that has asked Marines to leave. This time Toledo, Ohio.................let's start the email rolling......... Here's the Mayors email: mayor.toledo@toledo.oh.gov

What is it about elected officials that don't get it? They hold their positions as a result of the lives, blood, body parts, family sacrifices of our military members. Doesn't Mayor Finkbeiner understand that Toledo may one day have an Islamic terrorists target his city and may need Marine urban warfare trained Marines.....

Another disgusting display of dishonoring America, and our Marines.............

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret


Mayor kicks Marines out of Toledo


1-24th Marines were scheduled for weekend urban warfare training in downtown
Toledo, when Carty gave them the boot


href="http://www.nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=94192">http://www.nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=94192

href="http://www.nbc24.com/uploadedImages/wnwo/News/Stories/carty-finkbeiner-180.jpg"> class=pic alt="Carty 180"
src="http://www.nbc24.com/uploadedImages/wnwo/News/Stories/carty-finkbeiner-180.jpg?w=250"
width=250>

By href="http://www.nbc24.com/about/bio.aspx?id=253">Darsha Philips
class=story_date>Posted: Saturday, February 09, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.

TOLEDO, OH -- Mayor Carty Finkbeiner on Friday ordered some
200 members of Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th
Marines from Grand Rapids, Michigan, out of Toledo just before the
unit was suppose to start a weekend of urban warfare
training downtown.

The mayor’s spokesperson Brian Schwartz said, “the mayor
asked them to leave because they frighten people. He did not want them
practicing and drilling in a highly visible area."

Toledo police said they knew about the training and had approved the unit’s
use of the Madison Building and the Promenade Park area. The
training was scheduled to start Friday afternoon and last until
Sunday. Police said the unit’s presence would have a minimal impact
on the city. Police issued a press release earlier in the week
saying the marines would be wearing green camouflage uniforms, operate military
vehicles, carry rifles, perform foot patrols, and fire blank ammunitiion during
the exercise.

Schwartz said there was a breakdown in communication between police and the
Finkbeiner administration that led to the mayor’s action.

“The marines drilled here three times during the Ford administration and once
under the Finkbeiner administration. After the last visit, the mayor told
then police chief Jack Smith, that he did not want the marines back.
Smith failed to inform the current police administration of the mayor’s
feelings,” Schwartz said.

NBC24 spoke to Jack Smith who recalled that after the marines last
visit, he and the mayor had a heated exchange about the training.

“He told me he did not want them, as he put it, 'playing war in Toledo,'"
Smith recalled. "I told him, as a former marine, that if one young
marine’s life is saved because of training he or she received in Toledo, Ohio,
then it was worth the inconvenience.”

Smith said if the mayor objected, then he should have been the
one to convey those feelings to police. Smith took his run-in with the
mayor as an objection to that last visit, and not future training in
Toledo.

As a result, the Toledo police went ahead, granting approval to the
1-24th Marines to conduct the routine exercise. The police
notified members of the Finkbeiner administration, who were not aware that the
mayor objected to unit’s training in Toledo.

When the mayor found out, he sent a member of his staff to tell marines they
could not conduct urban operations in Toledo.

The unit was notified about 3:30 p.m. after an advance team arrived in
Toledo. Five buses carrying some 200 marines traveled four hours
from Grand Rapids, only to find out the training had been shot down.

The unit briefly stopped at a another 1-24th marine base in
Perrysburg Township, then returned back to Grand Rapids where training was
expected to be held this weekend.

A spokesperson for the marines said they were disappointed by the mayor’s
decision especially after the city had been so helpful in the
past.

Wear Red On Fridays To Show Support To Our Troops

You may have seen this email before - but it is worth reading again. DO NOT MISS THE MESSAGE AT THE END!!!

Will you give this to my Daddy????

As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays".

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I
Was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
Beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
Unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi."

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy
For her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself,
Said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then
Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the
Biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was
Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They
Started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people
Resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around,there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.. We get no liberal
Media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many
Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize
That the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity
And respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday
Until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
Acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long
Before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
Once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more
than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make
things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

There is no author's name with this email. Is it a true story - I would like to think so as we hear of things like this happening so often. But the point is that if it gets one more person to say a prayer for our troops or gets one more person to wear red and show support for our troops, then it is worth telling - over and over again.

God Bless Our Troops! God Bless America! Thank You, God, for Our Freedom and for Those Who Continue To Put Their Lives In Harm's Way To Protect Us & Our Country!
God Bless Americans Like Marnie, Who Do So Much To Give Back To Our Veterans!

Michael Reagan Fallen Heroes Poster Collection #3

This poster #3 contains the most recent portraits of Fallen Heroes that have been presented to the families by artist Michael Reagan at no charge through the foundation and organization that Mr Reagan has set up. Please visit www.fallenheroesproject.org for more information.

If you know of a family who has suffered the loss of a Fallen Hero, please contact Mr. Reagan so he may have the opportunity of presenting them with a special portrait of their loved one.

Thank You & God Bless,
Judi

Michael Reagan Fallen Heroes Poster Collection #2

This poster contains the second group of the 960+ portraits of Fallen Heroes that have been created by Michael Reagan and presented free of charge to the families of these men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and our country - not to mention the freedom they brought to thousands of others who did not even know what freedom was!

God Bless Our Troops - God Bless Michael Reagan for the beautiful gift he is giving to the families of our Fallen Heroes.

Judi

Michael Reagan Fallen Heroes Poster Collection #1

This is the first poster "collage" of Fallen Hero portraits by Michael Reagan. He has just released his third poster. Check here for posters number 2 and 3.

PORTAITS OF FALLEN HEROES CREATED AND GIVEN TO FAMILIES BY WORLD CLASS ARTIST MICHAEL REAGAN - PORTRAIT ARTIST TO PRESIDENTS AND CELEBRITIES

After after a most prosperous career spent in creating portraits of presidents, celebrities and wildlife, Mr. Reagan has closed his profitable studio and is devoting his life work to providing portraits of fallen heroes at no cost to their families. Letter after letter from family members contain comments on how Mr. Reagan, a Viet Nam Vet himself, has captured features that only they could have recognized in their loved one and how his portraits have brought life and happy memories back into their homes. Go to the at the artist’s website at www.fallenheroesproject.org to read just a portion of these beautiful letters and the story of how Mr. Reagan came to doing these portraits. This is a unique, special story of dedication, love and faith.

If you know of anyone who has suffered the loss of a Fallen Hero, please contact Michael Reagan so he may have the opportunity to bring them some peace and more with the gift of a very special, world class portrait of their loved one. Contact information for Mr. Reagan is listed below.


Clifford Adams Spohn

Hello Mike,

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You truly are an amazing artist that has a talent far greater then words could even describe. I was completely compelled when I opened the picture you drew of my hero, my husband. And the look on my daughters face light up when she saw the drawing. And even more amazing is out of the group of photo's I sent to you. You choose the families especially mine and my daughters favorite picture of him. And I never once led you to knowing that was the favorite out of the group of them. So that in it's self was so touching, makes me wonder if my husband was sitting along side of you telling you to draw that one. And believe this or not, I was looking through the legion magazine just two days before I received your portrait and was sitting and reading an article about your work and your promise to give these soldiers an eternal life through your drawings. And you have locked in this single portrait my husband who will forever be living an eternal life. Thank You so much, and saying that I know I could never repay you or say thank you enough for giving this gift to me and my daughter to look at and remember the good times a chance to smile a little more. And all because of a drawing, who would have ever thought a drawing could touch someone so much. Thank you again...

Sincerely,

Amanda Spohn


Matthew Emerson

You are phenomenal! My husband opened your envelope last night and burst into tears. In looking at the drawing, it is as if Matt is about to speak to us—the features are so perfect, accurate, and lifelike. You captured him perfectly! We heard many reports about your work, but never dreamed it could be so unbelievably like a photo rather than a drawing. I have looked and looked at the drawing, first of all trying to figure out what medium was used—looks like charcoal, pencil, and possibly some pen/ink—not sure. But knowing you started with a blank canvas, leaving space for white and with the stroke of a “tool”, you have reproduced our son’s likeness on that canvas, well—it’s beyond us to understand how you do it.

Forever grateful,
Ginger & L.J. Emerson
Parents of CPL Matthew J Emerson


Jason Lantieri

Dear Mike,

My family and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for
taking the time to sketch our fallen hero Jason Lantieri. I cannot find
the words to express how touched I was when I received his portrait. When
I read how others were thanking you for bringing their fallen heroes'
spirits back into their homes, I was wondering if that would happen to
me. It certainly did - you captured Jason's charm, love and poise, as
well as so many other precious qualities that made him the special person
that he was. You also captured that mischievous twinkle in his eye that
only he possessed! The tears flowed freely once I opened it, but they
were tears of joy, love and comfort from Jason's spirit. That a man of
your talent would take the time to do this for my family and I is
humbling, and we will forever be grateful to you for sharing your gifts
with us and for comforting us in our time of need. Your love for God, for
country and for fellow man is greatly appreciated, and returned to you.
Thank you again!

with love,
Maryanne (Lantieri) Healy and family


Michael G. Reagan, Artist/President
"I will never forget"
The Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation
www.fallenheroesproject.org
19410 Hwy 99 Ste A
PMB 136
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Email: mikier@comcast.net

Mr. Reagan has finished over 960 portraits, but his goal is to present one to the family of every Fallen Hero. This is a true gift from the heart. If you can help this artist to reach out to a family of a Fallen Hero, please do so. As you can tell by reading the letters, every one of these portraits have meant so much as soon as the families see their loved one drawn with Michael's special touch.

Thank You for any help you can provide. Thank God for the talented and loving people He has placed here to help others of us when we are in need. God Bless You, Michael!
Judi & Jeff

Twas The Night Before ... In A Soldier's Small House

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF

PLASTER AND STONE.


I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY

WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO

IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.


I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,

A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,

NOT EVEN A TREE.


NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,

JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES

OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.


WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,

AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT

CAME THROUGH MY MIND.


FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,

IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,

ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.


THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,

SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR

IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.


THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,

THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED

A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.


WAS THIS THE HERO

OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,

THE FLOOR FOR A BED?


I REALIZED THE FAMILIES

THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS

WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.


SOON ROUND THE WORLD,

THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE

A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.


THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM

EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,

LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.


I COULDN'T HELP WONDER

HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE

IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.


THE VERY THOUGHT

BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES

AND STARTED TO CRY.


THE SOLDIER AWAKENED

AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

"SANTA DON'T CRY,

THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;


I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,

I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD,

MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."


THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER

AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,

I CONTINUED TO WEEP.


I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,

SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED

FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.


I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE

ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR

SO WILLING TO FIGHT.


THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,

WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."


ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,

AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

According to the email, this poem was written by a Marine stationed in
Okinawa Japan.

May God watch over all of our military members, past and present, and their families. May every American take a moment on Christmas, Hannakah, Kwanza or whatever holiday they celebrate to say a prayer of thanks for these very special men and women who volunteer to protect our country and our freedom. Better yet, may every American say a prayer every day for our Heroes of Freedom and their families.
Judi & Jeff