12 December 2010

A Christmas Classic and a Classic American

Last night, Meredith and I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”, like so many families do every Christmas. As usual I was blown away by the kiss between Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I knew it was the first on screen kiss that Jimmy Stewart filmed since returning from his duty in World War II, but I was unfamiliar with the extensive nature of his service. His military career is impressive and inspiring, and like Frank Capra’s movie is worth celebrating every year.

Here are a few details of his military contribution:

-Stewart family members served in the Civil War, The Spanish-American War, and World War I
-Stewart enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps in March 1941 nearly a year before Pearl Harbor was attacked, but had to bulk up in pounds and be measured twice to make the weight requirement.

-He was an accomplished private pilot before joining the military, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1942, then began publicity performance duties and later pilot training.

-In 1943 he was finally granted his long-standing request for a combat assignment and became commander of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron as a Captain.

-He was promoted to Major after flying combat missions with the 445th Bombardment Group over Germany from the base in Norfolk, England.

-When Stewart became group operations officer to the 453rd Bombardment Group he flew the lead B-24 in order to command his troops from the front.
-His official total of missions is listed as 20, but the actual count is higher because he ordered that his missions with the 453rd go uncounted.

-He flew the 1943 mission to Schweinfurt, Germany known as “Black Thursday” where 60 of 291 aircraft were lost since the mission was beyond the range of the protecting escort aircraft.

-He is one of very few Americans who rose from the rank of Private to Colonel in four years.

-His decorations include:
+Distinguished Service Medal
+Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
+Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters+Army Commendation Medal
+American Defense Service Medal
+European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Service Stars
+World War II Victory Medal
+Armed Forces Reserve Medal+French Croix de Guerre with Palm
+Presidential Medal of Freedom
- In 1966 Stewart flew a combat mission in Vietnam marked by an in-flight refueling and a flap malfunction on landing.
-Stewart remained active in the reserves and was promoted to Brigadier General. Later after his retirement he was promoted to Major General by Ronald Reagan.
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10 December 2010

My brother and sister-in-law's 50 state bike tour


My brother Adam and my sister-in-law Christy are about to embark on a 50-state bike tour. Isn't that an incredible task? I've made it to about 12 states, and it took planes, trains, and automobiles to get there!


Here is a great interview with them on Patch:




And you can follow them on their tour (starting in March) at their site




They will be raising money to donate bikes to communities that need them for basic transportation and commers, and also donatin to Achilles international for specialized bikes for blind and amputee veteran bikers.


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18 November 2010

You can help medical teams get to patients in Haiti

A friend in Haiti, Lowell Adams, sent me an appeal this week, and it is a very worthy project.

Lowell is an OR nurse who used to run the recovery room at Geisinger, and now he and his family have pledged 4 years of service to Hatians on La Gonave Island through Wesleyan Church. In the picture below, Lowell is pointing out the seed pods of the Meringa tree, which can provide a renewable source of protein to a family and has the side benefit of helping defend against parasites.

I had the great opportunity to work with Lowell caring for patients at Wesleyan Hospital last month. The roads on La Gonave are horrible (or if you take the attitude of an off road enthusiast, GREAT!) and it is very difficult to get to villages in the mountain passes. Lowell is using a beat up old Toyota Land Cruiser, and I can tell you from experience that it is hanging on through bailing wire and duct tape, and it is very hard on the seat of a skinny guy like me!





As you will read below, There is a chance for Lowell's mission to buy a decommissioned British military Land Rover Defender (110 in. wheel base) That would help them reliably get medical teams to villages in the mountains, like La Fontina, where I got to visit the wonderful people myself. (Land Rover Defender example below: it may not be a Wrangler, but sure to get the job done.)




As of this post, Lowell has $7000 of the $24,400 they need for the vehicle. Consider helping them make the push in this worthy cause!




List of Wesleyan's Haiti Projects: (truck is listed as "community health vehicle")





And below is the email I got from Lowell with all the nitty gritty details:


Dear Friends,
We just received news tonight of a great opportunity to purchase a new Land Rover for the La Gonave Wesleyan Hospital and Community Health Evangelism project. Our friend Justin Dowd from Scotland came across this vehicle. Below is a portion of Justin's letter.
Cost of New Landrover is $64,000USD in country plus extra for seats 6/7
Cost of New LandCruiser is $57,000USD and there is a 4.5 month weight

I have managed to get a deal with the British Miltary for one of their excess vehicle Land Rovers which for licensing must go outside of Europe.

They have two varieties available and they are brand new diesel engine with air conditioning and armour plated steering rod protection. The vehicles are unused and have vinly seats inside.

The price of the vehicles is as follows

Land Rover 110 with seven forward facing seats in three rows all with seat belts is $27,255USD, left hand drive
Land Rover 110 with two seats in the front and then two benches in the back so vehicle capacity is 10 is $24,400USD and is right hand drive.

Now I have finance for the 7 seat vehicle for Lagonave with a large steel rack on top with ladder to the back and armour plated diff lock protection also. I also have the finance to ship the vehicle and this is where it gets interesting. I have to pay for the whole container and yet it is possible to get two vehicles in the one container. If you guys were thinking anytime soon of another vehicle or know someone who is then this is an incredible chance to get another vehicle brand new Land Rover for $24,400USD. I may be able to cover the $4400USD to be honest so this is a chance that someone could benefit by getting a vehicle that costs $64,000USD in Haiti for around $20,000USD. Dont know if this is pie in the sky but I wanted to let you know. These are the only two types of vehicles available and there is 35 of each in stock.
I have shipping dates and they would both arrive in the container 24th December in Port Au Prince which amazingly is just 5 weeks away but we would need to move quick on the decision as the shipping day is 26th and I need to pay for them to allow them to be moved to shipping port.

At this point I have $7000 toward this vehicle. If anyone would like to help with this purchase please let us know as soon as possible because of the time factor. We appreciate each of you, for your concern for the work here and we want to thank in advance those who can give at this time.

Blessings,

Lowell and Robin Adams
Global PartnersMissionaries to Haiti
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