Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Oliver North


Yes, that is Taylor standing with Col. Oliver North's arm around her! This past Saturday, a real gift was given to Taylor and I. We got to have dinner with Oliver! It was a fund raiser for the Fallen and Wounded Soldier Fund, 2 tickets were given to us to attend and it was a fantastic evening. Taylor however was not happy with her attire, seeings that we were going to be around some uber rich people and this was a fancy event, she had to 'dress up'. She tried a dress on and that was amazing for her, but once it was on, it came right back off. 'Can't I wear my boots?' she asked me (meaning her combat boots!!!).

We were given access to the VIP lounge and wouldn't you know it, as soon as Oliver came out, he was right at our table and he and Taylor talked for a minute. He called her sweetheart. Taylor put her hands right on her hips and told him directly that she was no sweetheart, she was a Gunny!

As things were winding down in the VIP lounge and it was getting close to dinner time, Taylor was able to go up and talk with Oliver again. This time, she was able to talk to him about her passion, helping the deployed, our veterans and our wounded warriors. He told her he was so proud of her and her work and boy, did Taylor ever smile. She told him she has to go back to Washington in the fall for her own medical testing and that she would like for him to be with her when she goes and visits the wounded again. We will cross our fingers that this may happen.

I have to tell you, even before he got done speaking his sentence about how the media treats our troops, Taylor was clapping her little hands as hard as she could, yelling OOH RAH and AMEN. He hit it on the head in speaking of how piss poor our media has treated our deployed troops. In fact, he got very passionate about his disdain and it was great to see.

He gave a check for $1,000 to go to the FWSF only under the condition that at least 10 other people did the same. Within a minute, he had over $42,000. How outstanding is that? By the end of the evening, over $250,000 was given!

We also got to meet a young man by the name of Robert LaMarche, 82nd Airborne, 73rd Cavalry 1st Squadron. In June of 2007, he was shot in the neck in Baghdad. He was paralyzed from the chest down and told he would never walk again. Saturday night, we watched him walk up on the stage with the help of a cane. A real miracle. He was as humble as all the other wounded warriors that Taylor and I have had the honor of meeting, he was just doing his job he said. He thanked Taylor for her work and she thanked him, he just smiled this sweet smile to her and she gave it back. It was a moment between the two that only they knew what was what. Sadly, I did not get a picture of her and him together, but I know that my little Gunny will always remember him.
I am so fortunate in that I am able to sit back and watch Taylor enjoy herself doing what she loves. I love being able to sit and listen to her talk to people about her cause. We were sitting next to one gentleman whose name I never got, but he and Taylor talked for awhile. As he left, he gave Taylor $40.00 to help with a care package. How nice of him!
She was able to sit and tell people of the Wounded Warrior Barracks and Hope For the Warriors. When she was asked how she found people to send to, by did she ever rattle on about Marty and his site, http://www.anysoldier.com/ It was kind of funny to watch some of these very well to do people stand back and not say a word and Taylor filled them in. There are a few times when she is approached, she is almost sort of timid, but not when it comes to what she believes in, she has no trouble finding the words. There are many people that do not believe in this war. Taylor said it perfectly when one told her this, 'it doesn't matter if you believe in it or not, our guys NEED our help and that is what is important'. The mom pride came out full blast on that!!! Why can't more people see it that way my child does? Plain and simple, help the guys out no matter what.


Tuesday, April 22, 2008

WHAT CAN I DO?


This is just a reminder to one of Taylor's favorite conversations. One time she was asked 'what can I do to help?' It amazed her that she was asked this, for she knows how to be patriotic and she knows how to be a supporter. It wasn't always like this though, there was a time that WE asked 'what can I do to help?' Taylor loves to educate those that ask, and even those that don't ask.

Go visit a veteran, or when you see a veteran you make it a point to go up and say THANK YOU. Send cards (see post below).

You can help the wounded, this is something Taylor feels very strongly about. One of her favorites, http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/ is an excellent place to donate to. She was able to see first hand the work they do when she was at Camp Lejeune.

You can go to http://www.anysoldier.com/ (which leads to http://www.anymarine.com/ http://www.anyairman.com/ http://www.anysailor.com/ http://www.anycoastguardsman.com/ ) Find a contact to send to. You know, sad as it is to say, our government doesn't supply 100% of what our troops need over seas. You might be very surprised at just how slim it is for them at times.

Our beautiful and strong daughter has stepped up to do her part and then some, she invites everyone to help her out!

Cards for veterans


Taylor is still collecting her cards to deliver to veterans in the nursing homes. To date, she has over 900! She is so excited about this project, as she feels veterans do not get the proper recognition they deserve. She took this project on so that some veterans will know they are loved and not forgotten.
(blogspot isn't allowing pictures right now, once I can I will post a picture with her and the cards)

Remember, if you want to help out on this, you can send cards to
VETERAN IN CARE OF TAYLOR BATTEN
PO BOX 350
MENDON MI 49072

Daughters of the American Revolution




Taylor has received another award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has won the national award of Mary Desha Founders Youth Award!

We got to go to Lansing and have a wonderful dinner, and watched many other young adults get their awards as well. I tell you, it is so uplifting to sit in a room and listen to what these kids have done. Gives you great hope for the future!

Taylor's medal had not gotten to the State Regent in time for the presentation, but she was the first one called up to the podium and the State Regent talked of all that Taylor has done for the troops, deployed, wounded and veterans. This last week, we were invited to another luncheon where Taylor got her medal. While there, we were able to hear a presentation on the WW11 Navajo code talkers, very interesting!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Veterans


Taylor had gotten an invitation in the mail to join the celebration of the American Legion's birthday. When we got there, a lady came up and asked if she was Taylor and Taylor told the lady it was her. The lady then came over and put a flower on her. HHMM, why? She then told us that we had reserved seating, again, HHMM why?

The night went on with a great dinner and the naming of the past commanders that have died, then the names of the past commanders still living. Officers were thanked and many other things were talked about. Then, the commander started to talk about someone who had a heart bigger then the whole room. He got a bit emotional, composed himself and then started talking again. He started listing off things that sounded really familiar, and sure enough, he was talking about Taylor and all she has done for the troops and the veterans. We had NO clue this was going to happen!

Taylor was called up and given a very nice certificate and a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the Veterans of the United States of America.

It was a great night and Taylor sure did have a big ole smile the rest of the night!
Taylor is still collecting cards for the veterans. I don't have a real count at this time, but I can tell you it is over 600 cards she has gotten so far! If you haven't done so, please consider helping her out or send the information on to others! All cards will be delivered to homebound veterans and to local nursing homes as well as the VA nursing homes. Taylor is so excited about the amount of cards she has gotten so far and hopes to get many more and this way, the veterans she delivers to will be able to get more then one card each.