Honor Flight

Please watch this INCREDIBLE video from our WWII VETS!!You will understand just what Honor Flight means. If you have a family member or friend that served during WWII, please talk to them about Honor Flight....they may say no, but show them this video...you just could change someone's life or bring them peace after many many years..... Thank you from Eastern Iowa Honor Flight and Mrs. Iowa United States All World Beauties

The Story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight - Documentary Trailer

Picture with an EX-POW

Patriotic Pops Concert

June 29, 2011~ I attended a concert of patriotic music performed by a choir of 90 community members. The event was very focused on recognizing Vets from all wars and the 4Th of July. I was in awe of the incredible voices I listened to! The voices and the songs chosen were beautiful! I was so impressed with how they made the Vets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam feel special. They each were introduced and able to state their branch of service. Special detail was given to the Vietnam Vets. Each war from WWII to present was announced and we stood for our time of service and were applauded. I really enjoyed at the end, all who served in the military were asked to stand together and salute our American flag. WHAT AN HONOR FOR ME!! I was able to salute ( in crown,sash AND heels) with my brothers, and 1 sister,in arms....what a privilege to share with these amazing service members, but especially those from WWII, Korea and Vietnam and even an ex-POW!!!! I enjoyed meeting members of the Cedar Rapids community and even got some hugs!

Educating Employers on Soldiers and Veterans

June 28, 2011 I was asked to be part of a panel of 9 people,( all Veterans but 1) to give a presentation to 40 people from various businesses on how to make their workplace more "Veteran/Soldier friendly". We were able to explain what benefits there are to hiring a vet/soldier, how to understand they way they are used to working, how military skills translate to civilian skills and different ways to support them. I was very happy to have alot to say and also have the opportunity to explain how PTSD is affecting our troops, how and why employers need to keep an eye on them. 1 in 5 soldiers will be affected by PTSD and if left untreated or unrecognized, many soldiers are taking their own lives out of desperation. I also touched on making the workplace adaptable for our wounded warriors returning home to their civilian jobs.
This was a very educational event and I would like more companies to consider hosting these to teach their employees about supporting the soldiers and veterans. There is a huge need for companies to understand just what a soldier is all about to ensure a good relationship between the company and soldier which helps them keep their jobs, as well as civilian companies benefiting from the skills the military teaches.
Thank you to Alliant Energy for hosting this event and for Eastern Iowa Honor Flight for inviting me to participate.

POP POP POP

What a fun night I had making popcorn! In support of the Regina Girls Softball Team and the Regina Class of 2012- I spent my evening making LOTS of popcorn for the game! We had an excellent turn out, raised over $600.00 AND....the REGALS WON!! Great job tonight ladies!! I had a fun time and I learned a new skill. I need one of those popcorn machines at home!

One Of My Favorite Pictures From An Appearance

Play Ball !!!

I HAVE to take time out for a "Proud Mama" day,as I call them! Between 3 of the kids,they play on 3 baseball teams and 2 softball teams. 5 different uniforms to wash, 5 ball schedules to juggle and a whole lot of time on the road, and the bleachers! Today it all paid off- Emily's Blaze softball team won their first ever Tournament Championship! These girls have played together several years and today they won big!
Adam's Blues baseball team played in the USSSA 14 State Tournament- AND WON!!! STATE CHAMPS!! This is Adam's 2ND state championship and today he hit a grand slam AND a 3 run home run!! And pitched very well,he is usually the catcher.
Reagan's Regina baseball team played in the USSSA 12 State Tournament- AND WON!!!
STATE CHAMPS!!!! This is Reagan's 2ND season with this team. After a somewhat disappointing last year, these boys pulled together,worked hard, and believed!!! This was their goal all year and they did it!!!

I could not more proud of my kids, their teammates and coaches!

In the photos of the Governor's Award, you will see our Governor Terry Brandstad, Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, both of whom I was pleased and excited to meet. Group photos of the volunteers that put on this ceremony, and a picture of an Iowa Ex- Prisoner of War! He also received an award today for volunteer service. Pleasure meeting him as well.
Later this week I should have a copy of the official photo taken of us.

IOWA GOVERNOR'S VOLUNTEER AWARD

June 24, 2011 Today was a very special day, I, along with Iowa Troop Pantry was recognized for our hard work and dedication to Iowa's deployed soldiers. We received the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award for our work sending care packages to the troops. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad started this award in 1983 during his first term as Governor to recognize all Iowans that go above and beyond the call of duty to support their communities. This was an incredible honor! We have spent countless hours on our mission and never once thought about getting rewarded for it....its easy to do great tasks when its your passion and you are following your heart. Every dollar raised, every box packaged,every new person we brought along on this journey....and every trip to the post office with my van stuffed with boxes....was worth it....we reminded a soldier that they were loved, missed and appreciated. Words not often heard during War. Congratulations to my Iowa Troop Pantry Family!!!!

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight

June 23, 2011 Tonight I went to my first meeting with this organization...VERY IMPRESSED!! An outstanding group of people that are stopping at nothing to make sure ALL 5000 of Iowa's WWII Veterans that want to go to D.C. will have the chance. They are working to have 4 flights this year,normal is 2 per year. They will be doing many fundraisers to help with the expenses to send them and they asked ME to join them in many!!I am more than happy to and look forward to getting started this week! We are going to make a great team- Veterans Helping Veterans!!!

IOWA'S HEROES

Stop by Facebook and check out my page for Iowa soldiers and their families-
Heroes At Home I created this page to allow us to connect and support one another during Iowa's largest deployment of National Guard troops since WWII. Feel free to post a comment that will brighten someone's day or let them know they are loved and thought about!!

Walk To End Alzheimer's

June 22, 2011- Today was our Kick-Off Party for the October Walk Fundraiser. Groups met throughout Eastern Iowa to register their teams and get started fundraising. I will be having my own team this year, TEAM BLING and the HEELS FOR HOPE CAMPAIGN. I have a goal of raising $1000.00, if I reach that goal I will be doing the 3 mile "Walk" in a pair of high heels! All of my teammmates will be offered the opportunity to join me in heels and of course....we will have LOTS of BLING!!! My purpose is to bring as much attention to this fundraiser as I can and doing something out of the ordinary should help me reach my goal. I pray for a day we find a cure for Alzheimer's and the more funding we have for research, the closer we will come to that day.

Remember Me

This week I received an invitation that brought tears to my eyes..... I contacted the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight and they would love for me to volunteer with them. They raise awareness of their program, and also raise money. The EIHF sends WWII and Vietnam Vets to Washington D.C. for free to see the war memorial made for them. Iowa has approx. 5,000 WWII Vets and our goal is to send as many as possible to D.C. I am honored to work with them, to have the opportunity to meet the Heroes of my home state and most of all..... EIHF asked me to fly with on their September 2011 trip!!! I have been asked to be a "chaperone" for the trip!! A dream for me!! I CANNOT WAIT TIL SEPTEMBER!!!!!

Miss Iowa America

June 11, 2011~ My husband Joe and I attended the Miss Iowa Pageant. The ladies I had the pleasure of judging last winter at their local pageant, competed today for Miss Iowa. I am more than thrilled to say, my 2 winners, were again winners!! Elizabeth is the 1st Runner Up and Jessica won Miss Iowa!! I am very proud of these ladies, their hard work the past 6 months showed!! Jessica will now compete in January 2012 for Miss America!! Wishing her the best!

Finding Your Inner Princess & Loving Who You Are!

Finding Your Inner Princess

I believe the key to being a confident successful woman, begins when you are a little girl. At a very early age girls compare themselves to other girls and the cycle of self doubt, lack of confidence and discouragement with life begins. I want to encourage girls and women of all ages to believe in themselves and to let the voice in their head be a positive one. I found Dove is working toward the same goal, they have incredible programs and opportunities! As I read through some their information, my own childhood insecurities began to surface. I remembered how I felt and how often I told myself "I wasn't good enough" for so many things in life.

My goal is to make sure girls have the resources, knowledge and support system to help them through these tough early years. I want to make sure no one feels the way I did!!
Please visit the following sites from Dove for more information on how you can make a difference!
www.girlsinc.org
girlsinc-online.org ~ this one is for the girls to check out!
www.dove.us
www.dovemovement.com
www.girlscouts.org and their Uniquely Me Program
www.BCGA.org- Boys and Girls Club of America

I am looking forward to encouraging and teaching girls and women my new self esteem program ~ FINDING YOUR INNER PRINCESS! I also will be working with Dove to share their message in communities across Iowa!

Taking care of Y~O~U!!!