ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A friend of ours heard about our "journey of faith, fisher, forests, family, friends and fun" and suggested we set up a Blog. A what? So here we are....on the road again with Bocahontas and Buba. Blessed with the freedom of time, we were inspired by two of our favorite causes. So we organized a road trip to Alaska which should not only be fun but also an opportunity to spread the good word about The Fisher Houses , The Orthodox Christian Mission Center/Programs and some of our National Parks. We are participating in a 2 week Mission in Tyonek, Alaska with the OCMC group in June. Feel free to check out the planned trip on the calendar link. Caribou Cabins? Blue Moose? Tundra Lodge? and our soon to be "favorite" Motel 6. Any and all suggestions, prayers and good karma are welcome and very much appreciated....poor Buba, in a car with Pam for 5 months. Lions, and tigers and bears oh my! Toggle down to the calendar and see where we are over the next months. We ask for your prayers.

Grab yourself a cold one and come along for the ride. Enjoy and laugh along with us viewing the daily blogs which are archived on the left side of this page in chronological order. We started April 22- Happy Trails!

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

The Fisher House

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The Fisher House Foundation, through the kindness of donations received, provides "comfort homes" that are built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable America's military families to be together during extended treatment for serious illness or lengthy physical sessions....very much like the Ronald McDonald homes for families of children in a similar situation. We were first introduced to Fisher House while visiting Brooke Army Medical Center (Burn Center) in San Antonio. We were so moved by the dedication and love of the staff and volunteers that we returned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Currently there are 44 Fisher Houses (more in the works) and our goal is to visit all of them and spread the good word to family and friends. Please feel free to peruse their website for a detailed explanation about the Fisher House Foundation and programs. Perhaps you will be inspired by the work this group does on behalf of our Armed Forces.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official foreign mission agency of all the Orthodox Jurisdictions (i.e. Greek, Russian, Serb etc.) The goal of the OCMC is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ where it presently does not exist and to establish vibrant Orthodox Eucharistic Communities throughout the world. We have had the privilege and pleasure to admire the work of this organization (headquarters located in St. Augustine, Florida) for years and now that we are retired we have the blessing to participate. We are on the road to Alaska to join a Mission Team in Tyonek for a couple weeks to do some construction and teaching in an Athabascan Indian Village. "If I had a hammer"...you'll be happy to know I deep sixed the acrylic nails in anticipation of caulking and painting. :) Please take a peek at the OCMC web site for details on all of the programs they are involved with throughout the world. And do stop in to see Father Martin and his kind and loving staff when you are in St. Augustine! We will also be visiting family, friends and Orthodox Churches while on the road to share the marvelous work of the OCMC.

National Parks

Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system – the first of its kind in the world –have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect, and share, the legacies of this land.


People from all around the world visit national parks to experience America's story, marvel at the natural wonders, and have fun. Places like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so too are the hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems like Rosie the Riveter in California, Boston Harbor Islands in Massachusetts, and Russell Cave in Alabama.


The American system of national parks was the first of its kind in the world, and provides a living model for other nations wishing to establish and manage their own protected areas. The park service actively consults with these Nations, sharing what we've learned, and gaining knowledge from the experience of others.


Beyond national parks, the National Park Service helps communities across America preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities. Grants and assistance are offered to register, record and save historic places; create community parks and local recreation facilities; conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways.


We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to explore the ways we can help you preserve what’s important in your hometown.

Friday, August 7, 2009

DAY 108 FISHER HOUSE MINNEAPOLIS

There is a little building across the street from the V.A. Medical Center in Minneapolis that packs a big wallop, called the Fisher House. You could drive by it and not even notice, but what goes on inside is much bigger than you can imagine. The Minneapolis medical center gets a lot of wounded servicemen and women from other parts of the country because it has a specialized polytrauma treatment. As a matter of fact we just had one Mom leave that has been here since December-attending to her son in treatment from Iraq.

The goal is to build another Fisher House home in the Twin Cities, and half the money must be raised locally. The Fisher House Foundation will match what is raised here dollar for dollar. They are on their way and have broken ground. The new home will add 22 rooms to the current 10 room house.

This is a very busy VA Med Center and parking was a premium. Marge is the "acting" manager. She has been a VA employee, currently as a patient advocate, for more than 30 years! Thank you for your service Margaret Mary! We loved hearing the story about her Dad serving on the Intrepid during World War II. We look forward to the removal of "acting" in front of your title! She has 3 terrific volunteers who make things happen: a retired chef who cooks on Monday nights (get in line!), a former housekeeper who comes back to help out and do whatever is needed, and a gent who is the computer guru for the house. Thanks for helping and thanks for a great visit Marge.

BONUS
While we were visiting the Fisher House here, Keith met a VA employee who is also a Vietnam Vet and President of the Minnesota Vietnam Vets Association. As typical of most Viet Vets, they are classically not "joiners". But Maynard Kaderlak did a great job explaining the organizaton and all it does on behalf of the Viet Vet and their families.

Of note is the lobbying on behalf of combat related illnesses recognized such as Agent Orange and it's associated diseases so the VA covers these Vets for treatment. They are currently doing a study on Autism and the relationship/ratio to Viet Vets and their grandchildren. Hadn't heard that correlation before? Maynard did such a great job that he sold Keith on the idea of joining and participating! Who says you can't teach and old dog new tricks.

Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA is organized as a not-for-profit corporation and is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.


VVA'S FOUNDING PRINCIPLE: "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another." Maynard shared that this group is acting like big brothers to the modern day warrior and the organizations they are starting up. I also appreciate the initial work and research the VV did on Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...which now is a common part of the treatment for many.l

GOALS: VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. Yep, they sure weren't thanked for their service to their country. So how about this for an idea, the next time you meet a Vietnam Vet just say thanks.

ORGANIZATION: Over 50,000 individual members; 46 state councils; 630 local chapters -did you realize over 6,000,000 folks served during this war time? So the 50k membership is really a drop in the bucket. Why not join my VV friends? http://www.vva.org/

No coincidences in life...it was a perfect day at the Fisher House.

Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 6:27 AM