Obama defies Palin to cut off benefits for Alaska service members

In January of this year, after learning that the president was going to cut off retirement pay to a select group of individuals who had been members of the alaska Territorial Guard, then governor Sarah Palin sent a letter to the president:

Dear Mr. President:

It was with great concern that I learned of the recent decision by the Department of Defense to rescind the program that currently provides retirement payments to veterans of Alaska's Territorial Guard (ATG). This unfortunate decision was made without any notice to those affected and will cost a group of elderly Alaska veterans a significant portion of their retirement income at a time when the cost of living, particularly in rural Alaska, is substantially higher than in the rest of the United States.

In 2004, Congress fully vetted this issue and decided that service in the ATG was the same as military service. This is the right and proper way to honor these brave individuals who answered the call of duty during times of great national peril.

Prior to World War II, Alaska's territorial Governor was authorized by Congress to organize a two-branch military response organization - the organized National Guard, and the ATG, which would mobilize to help defend Alaskans in the event of an invasion. An estimated 6,600 men and women, mostly Alaska Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts, responded to that calL Instead of hunting, trapping and fishing, they patrolled rural Alaska and served as the eyes and ears of the Army for more than five years without pay and benefits.

It took our nation almost 60 years to have these defenders of our territory honored for their time in the ATG, and for their service to be counted the same as federal military service. While most died waiting for their recognition, some have survived to receive their honorable discharge from the United States Army.

Now they are being told, again, that their ATG service is not worthy of federal recognition, and that is not right.

These people are our heroes.

The stellar service of these mostly rural, mostly Native, soldiers is to Alaska today what the service of the militia at Lexington and Concord was to New England.

I urge you to remember all that these valiant members of the ATG sacrificed while defending this country and ask that you reconsider this decision and immediately reinstate the retirement benefits that Congress already recognized in 2004 and that these heroes have certainly earned.

Thank you for considering my views.

Sincerely,
Sarah Palin

Senators Murkowski and Begich helped to define service for active duty, and as a stop gap measure, the Territorial Guard vets would continue to receive their retirement payments from an emergency fund until congressional legislation could define their service and help them to continue to receive benefits.

I can't help but wonder if our fine president has a vendetta against our state, and Sarah Palin, when he does some of the things he does. Now comes this article from the Anchorage Daily News:

Senators fight for Guardsmen's war pension

PROTECTED SHORES: 26 members of Territorial Guard could lose funds.

WASHINGTON -- In a strongly worded message to Congress outlining presidential priorities for a military spending bill, the Obama administration said Friday it disapproved of including money for pensions for 26 elderly members of the World War II-era Alaska Territorial Guard.

The White House move drew swift rebuke from the state's two senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich, who had together sponsored the pension fix.

The legislation honors 26 elderly Alaskans who are the few remaining survivors of a military unit that served the country with valor, Murkowski said, calling the administration's direction "deeply disappointing, bordering on insensitive."

A Senate military spending bill up for a vote in the Senate allows the former Guard members to count their service as part of active military duty, and it reinstates the pension payments.

State lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year to fill the pay gap until Congress made a permanent fix, but the White House said Friday it didn't think it was "appropriate to establish a precedent of treating service performed by a state employee as active duty for purposes of the computation of retired pay."

"We are talking about 26 brave, elderly Alaska Natives who served honorably for this country during World War II," Begich said in a statement. "I, frankly, find it puzzling how the administration could object to giving these men the recognition they deserve. The federal government deserted these men at the end of the war, and I hope the Congress and my colleagues in the Senate won't let that happen again."

Murkowski doesn't appreciate the apparent minimization of Alaska's Guardsmen during the war.

"The administration's justification, which is that the legislation will set the precedent of treating service as a state employee as federal service, defies logic and history," Murkowski said in a statement. "Sixty-two years after the Territorial Guard was disbanded, the Obama administration minimizes the contribution of this gallant unit to America's success in World War II by calling its service 'state service.' "

The Guardsmen are among those assigned to protect Alaska from the Japanese during World War II. The Army decided this year it would no longer count service in the Guard when it calculates the military's 20-year minimum for retirement pay -- although it still counts for military benefits. As a result, those eligible for pensions saw them decreased in January.

An estimated 300 members are still living from the original 6,600-member unit formed in 1942 to protect Alaska, then a territory, from attack. The 26 men have enough other military service to reach the 20-year minimum for retirement pay but would see it decreased if their Territorial Guard service doesn't count.

The Senate is set to vote next week on the defense spending bill. The Obama administration objected to a number of items in the legislation other than the territorial pensions. They include the decision by the Senate to provide money for what the White House described as "10 unrequested C-17 airlift aircraft" and the decision to cut $900 million in funding for the war in Afghanistan.

Alaskool.com defined this group very well: The Alaska Territorial Guard was formed to allow the United States the means to identify further potential incursions of the Japanese in Alaska along the vast coastline of the territory. There was some initial controversy in recruiting and arming Alaska Natives as at the time there was legal and social segregation by race across Alaska. The participation of Alaska Natives in the military during World War II, in spite of these bitter circumstances, speaks well of the patriotism and hopefulness of that generation of Alaska Natives.

The cutting off of benefits for these men is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. These 26 men and the men who served with them are heroes. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many measures were taken to protect the United States mainland. The Aleutian Islands of Attu and Adak were battlegrounds and American servicemen were brought to Alaska to help defend it. The Alaskan Highway (Alcan) was built mainly for purposes of bringing men and materials to Alaska to help defend it. Alaska's Territorial Guard was a big part of this effort. Alaskan Native men were very prepared for the climate and it's challenges and proved invaluable to the cause. It is unconscionable that the Obama Adminstration is thinking of denying these men what little financial security they have left after their brave service.

Please follow these links and check out the video to learn more about this brave group of men who deserve better than what they are receiving from our current administration.

The Alaska Territorial Guard on Wikipedia

A continuation of Sarah was right.....

by Upinak

I mentioned a couple days ago about the problematic issue with Iran and nuclear facilities they have and their missiles, when Obama is dismantling ours, and showing Sarah Palin was right about missile defense.


Now that we have been threatened by North Korea, which bluffed and now warned by Iran… how off is Sarah Palin now concerning Missile Defense in our own country? Even Defense Secretary Gates is beginning to wonder what the deal is and is saying letting Afghanistan go is a bad idea, even after he as well as our federal law makers stopped the F-22’s manufacturing. I wonder what the “Law Makers” are thinking now. Yet Obama is letting the Gitmo detainees out one at a time, so not to draw attention is seems.

It really doesn’t matter. We are at the mercy of what Iran and their leaders may do. Israel is telling the U.S. to take a stand and take action, but unfortunately it looks as though Israel is on its own, as we are under the missile bubble as well. Yet Obama still sits and grins and campaigns as usual, this time for his kids and a longer school session. Isn’t there something to worry about then worrying about children’s education later? How about Americans and ALL of their children?

I also mentioned that Venezuela is seeking its own uranium, and possibly with help. What a concept, Russia is helping them. I also saw that China is going to be involved. It seems I was right about that as well, but one country that I thought would be on our side, India, is now in the battle who can have the most nukes. When is Pakistan going to get into the mix, is anyone’s guess, but I am thinking soon.

So while all this is going on in the world which we should be on high alert, what is going on in the House is the Democrats are PUSHING for all illegals to have healthcare. Where was the plan to have Obama make them citizens as well?

Yes, I know this isn’t good news, this is depressing news. Does anyone see anything positive under the Obama Administration?

Sarah Palin and those like her, should start talking and soon about the upcoming events. This is not the time to remain quiet. Nor is it the time to look past the issues that are right in the face of the world.

As I was posting this, FoxNews.com reported that 2 medium range missiles have been fired.  It is now 8:18 PM in Alaska.  I will post the story when available as there is no link .. yet.  Say an Our Father, soon.

Update 8:26 Alaska time:  From Reuters.com

Iran has test-fired medium-range missiles, state TV reported on Monday, a day after the Islamic Republic's elite Revolutionary Guards launched short-range missiles as part of several days of war games.

 So Obama, should Americans be worried now?????

cross posted at www.thepalination.com

Despicable: Barack Obama Orders Pensions Cut Off To WWII Veterans

Once again, Barack Obama proves he is not fit to serve as commander-in-chief to our armed forces. In a continuing despicable act, Obama is refusing to honor WWII veterans who fought for our nation in it’s darkest hours.

From the McClatchy News Service:

WASHINGTON -- In a strongly worded message to Congress outlining its priorities for a military spending bill, the Obama administration today said it disapproved of including money for pensions for 26 elderly members of the World War II-era Alaska Territorial Guard.

The Guardsmen are among those assigned to protect Alaska from the Japanese during World War II.

The Army decided this year to no longer count service in the Guard in calculating the military's 20-year minimum for retirement pay, although it still counts for military benefits. As a result, their pensions were decreased in January.

An estimated 300 members are still living from the original 6,600-member unit formed in 1942 to protect Alaska, then a territory, from attack. The 26 men have enough other military service to reach the 20-year minimum for retirement pay but would lose it if the Territorial Guard service doesn't count.

A Senate military spending bill up for a vote in the Senate allows the former Guard members count their service as part of active military duty, and it reinstates the payments.

State lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year to fill the pay gap until Congress made a permanent fix, but the White House said Friday it didn't think it was "appropriate to establish a precedent of treating service performed by a state employee as active duty for purposes of the computation of retired pay."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who along with Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, sponsored the fix, called the administration move "deeply disappointing, bordering on insensitive." The legislation honors 26 elderly Native people who are the few remaining survivors of a military unit that served the country with valor, Murkowski said.

"The administration's justification, which is that the legislation will set the precedent of treating service as a state employee as federal service, defies logic and history," she said in a statement. "Sixty-two years after the Territorial Guard was disbanded, the Obama administration minimizes the contribution of this gallant unit to America's success in World War II by calling its service 'state service.' "

This is beyond the pale, and just shows Obama’s continual disregard for what has made America the greatest nation on earth. To diminish these brave Alaska Natives as "state employees" is to diminish all of the brave men and women who served their nation in all sorts of ways during WWI.

For those that don’t know, the Japanese attacked and invaded Alaska’s Aleutian Islands at the same time the battle of Midway was about to take place. It was part diversion, part payback for Doolittle’s bombing of Tokyo.





Above: Japanese bombing of Dutch Harbor, 4 June 1942...

Historical Photo - Public Domain: Naval Historical Center

Department of the United States Navy





Above: Japanese transport burning after U.S. air attack on Kiska Harbor, 18 June 1942...

Historical Photo - Public Domain; Naval Historical Center

Department of the United States Navy





This was a tragic bit of history for Alaskans, more of which you can read here and here.

From Wikipedia:

The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) or Eskimo Scouts was a military reserve force component of the US Army, organized in 1942 in response to attacks on American soil in Hawaii and Alaska by Japan during World War II. The ATG operated until 1947. 6,368 volunteers who served without pay were enrolled from 107 communities throughout Alaska in addition to a paid staff of 21, according to an official roster.

The ATG brought together for the first time into a joint effort members of these ethnic groups: Aleut, Athabaskan, European American, Inupiaq, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Yupik, and most likely others. In later years, all members of some native units scored expert sharpshooter rankings. Among the 27 or more women members were at least one whose riflery skills exceeded the men. The ages of members at enrollment ranged from 80 years old to as young as twelve. (both extremes occurring mostly in sparsely populated areas)

Two things stick out in my mind. One, these 6,368 Alaskan Territorial Guards, of which the 26 men being denied by Barack Obama are part of, served their nation during war time, for NO PAY.

Second, the situation was so dire that old men and children all pitched in.

You can read more here.

Another historic perspective can be read here:

The Alaska Territorial Guard: A Debt of Honor Unpaid. As this article points out towards the end:

In 2000, largely due to efforts by former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, a bill was signed into law ordering the Secretary of Defense to issue Honorable Discharges to all members of the Alaska Territorial Guard. The bill was intended to repay the debt of honor we as a nation owe these people, these Americans, and provided many of the surviving members (now in their 80’s and many living far below the poverty line) with retirement pay and survivor’s benefits and medial care.

However history views Ted Stevens it must be noted that he was largely responsible for righting a dishonorable and inexcusable injustice. However, the story of the ATG doesn’t end there – most of the elderly surviving members of the ATG live in remote and inaccessible locations. Finding them was long and difficult.

In 2003 Colonel Bob Goodman USA(ret), undertook the effort to find and assist the remaining members of the ATG, at first funded by the state and later out of his own pocket. So far he and his people have located over 150 former members of the ATG, and they estimate there are several hundred more – and they continue their efforts to this very day.

Many of those located in the last five years have since died of old age. For those who remain, the benefits provided aren’t much, some medical care and a couple hundred dollars a month, but for folks who now live far below the poverty line in villages where gasoline costs more than $10 per gallon – those benefits mean the difference between life and death.

Those benefits, that mere pittance in retirement pay, would seem to be the least we can do for those forgotten veterans of that long ago conflict.

It would seem to be the very least we could do.

But it’s not.

It turns out we could actually do less.

It turns out that the Army could suddenly decide, say yesterday in fact, to reinterpret the law to read that these men and women of the Alaska Territorial Guard, these men and woman who came to defend our nation in its time of need, these men and women who fought bravely for a flag not even their own, who built the roads and the airfields and the hospitals and the bridges and who rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors and braved the cold and the isolation and the horror of war – these men and women – are not, in fact, entitled to even that small effort.

That’s right. The Army has decided to cut off retirement pay for the twenty-six surviving members of the ATG. Twenty-six, and applications from thirty-seven more identified by Colonel Bob Goodwin and his people have been suspended. Apparently we can not afford to take care of even this small handful of people, this small handful of veterans, this small handful of Alaskans, this small handful of Americans.

However, in a good hearted move, the Army will not seek to recoup past payments.

Big of them, wouldn’t you say?

It goes without saying that this issue has been boiling for some time. Senator Stevens indeed had worked to get these brave WWII veterans, these brave Native Americans, their due.

In what some might say was odd timing, or Chicago style politics, just two days after Barack Obama had taken the Oath of Office as Commander-In-Chief, ABC News reported:

The Army has decided to cut off retirement pay for veterans of a largely Native militia formed to guard the territory of Alaska from the threat of Japanese attack during World War II.

The change means 26 surviving members of the Alaska Territorial Guard — most in their 80s and long retired — will lose as much as $557 in monthly retirement pay, a state veterans officer said Thursday. The payments end Feb. 1.

Applications for retirement pay from 37 others have been suspended.

The state is pursuing a remedy for "these brave Alaskans, who did so much for the cause of freedom during a time of great national peril," Gov. Sarah Palin said.

The action comes almost a decade after Congress passed a law qualifying time served in the unpaid guard as active federal service. The Army agreed in 2004 to grant official military discharge certificates to members or their survivors.

An Army official said the law was misinterpreted. The law applies to military benefits, including medical benefits, but not retirement pay, said Lt. Col. Richard McNorton, with the Army's human resources command in Alexandria, Va.

"The focus is to follow the law," he said. "We can't choose whether to follow the law."

The Army doesn't intend to seek to recoup past pay, he said.

About 300 members are still living from the original 6,600-member unit called up from 1942 to 1947 to scout patrols, build military airstrips and perform other duties. But only a fraction had enough other military service to reach the 20-year requirement for retirement pay.

Among those who did is 88-year-old Paul Kiunya in the western Alaska village of Kipnuk. Kiunya was 16 when he joined the territorial guard and worked in communications, reporting by radio any unusual noises or the direction of aircraft, including some Japanese planes he spotted.

"We did not get one cent being in the territorial guard," he said. "And we worked hard."

Kiunya — who later put in 22 years in the National Guard and another decade in the Guard reserves — will lose more than $358 a month in his retirement package because of the Army's decision. With gasoline in his village at almost $10 a gallon, that's a huge amount to lose.

For her part, Governor Sarah Palin, in her role as Commander-in-Chief of the Alaska Defense Force, the modern day equivalent to the Territorial Guard, signed SB 89 which funded, these pensions until 2010.

For those that don’t know, the Alaska Defense Force is a federally recognized state militia, that trains as an auxiliary police force, as well as a military defense force, and is part of Homeland Security’s readiness plan, and is under the command of the Governor of Alaska.





This situation is incredibly disturbing. All indications are these brave WWII veterans served Alaska and the nation with honor. To purposely cut these aged men off, in the twilight of their lives, goes against everything America stands for. In fact, as this cuts off not only a substantial part of their paycheck, but other benefits, such as medical, one might even say this is sort of a death panel, especially knowing that winter is coming, and heating fuel is quite expensive in Alaska.

I can’t speculate what makes Barack Obama such a heartless and cruel man. I do know that once again, Obama’s radical, communist upbringing has shown it’s self front and center. Obama must really hate America, and Americans to pull a stunt like this.

Obama should be ashamed of himself, but I fear that is an emotion he is incapable of.

What can you do?

You can call your Senators and Congressmen and tell them that this dog just don’t hunt! Tell them cutting off pay to these brave WWII veterans is inhumane and un-American. Our veterans deserve better.

You can also call Barack Obama at the White House: (202) 456-1414

Tell Obama this cannot stand. Tell Obama this will not stand!

My Birthday Present from Sarah Palin

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com





Today, September 27, 2009, is my birthday. Nevermind how old I am; that's not important!

I imagine every one of us has received great birthday presents over the years: clothing, dinner and a movie, money, etc. Some presents stand out more than others, however. That's what I want to talk about today.

Okay, the title seems misleading, but really it's not because it is the truth that Sarah Palin gave me the greatest birthday present ever--a present that was delivered to me a year ago. It's a present that--unlike other year-old presents--has appreciated rather than depreciated in value. It is a present that has grown rather than diminished.

A year ago when Governor Palin showed up on the scene, she personally gave me things that changed my life. I know I'm not the only person who received these gifts from her because I have heard multitudes of people say she gave them the same gifts.

Prior to September 2008, I had never felt passionate about America, about the military, about the unborn, about special needs. If I had been asked, I would have stated emphatically that each of these were important to me and worthy of admiration and respect. I would have declared the importance of someone standing up for every one of these. It's just that that someone had not been me. Until September of last year, I had never realized that there was a call upon my life to make my voice heard, to make a difference in this way.

I was never a patriotic person. I mean, I knew that this country was a good one, that we were blessed to be Americans, but I simply wasn't what I'd call passionate about America. Something happened when Sarah Palin showed up with such a love for America, its people, and its future. Something happened as I watched the sincerity in her eyes as she stood and reverently pledged allegiance to our flag. Somehow I went from appreciating this country to loving my country.

My uncle fought in the Korean War and my dad was in the Vietnam War, so I understood that men and women sacrificed their own personal freedoms to fight for a cause greater than themselves. I understood that they placed their lives on the line for the sake of America and what she represents. But to be honest, I didn't really love our military...until Sarah Palin. When she spoke about the cause of freedom, the soldiers--like her own son--who made their own independent decisions to fight for the cause of freedom, something clicked within me. All of a sudden, I loved these men and women, I honored their sacrifices, and I wanted to see them given every opportunity to successfully complete their tasks. I never wept on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day...until Sarah Palin. I never participated in a Fourth of July parade...until Sarah Palin, which brings me to another point.

Sarah Palin's present to me took me all the way to Alaska for a month this summer. It is unlikely that I would have ever even heard of Wasilla, AK--nevermind visited Wasilla, AK for a chunk of my summer. But on July 4, 2009, I was marching in a parade in Wasilla with other great Americans, marching with a pride that can only be explained in two words: Sarah Palin. March in a Fourth of July parade? Before Governor Palin, I couldn't even stand to watch a 4th of July parade! But there I was.

To back up a little, I never really prayed for an election like I did last year. Somehow I grasped what was on the line, and I began to cry out to God for this particular election before I even heard Sarah Palin's name. She was that answer to prayer. And once she showed up, I had someone to vote for. Before her, I had never truly voted for a candidate. I voted against a candidate in 2004, but I didn't really vote for anyone until 2008--and that someone was Sarah Palin. I rejoiced to cast my vote for her.

And I wept on the eve of that election day--for the first time ever.

It was shortly thereafter that I got involved with the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee, eventually becoming the New York State Organizer, an Executive Board Member, and the Media Director. Me...involved in some kind of political movement? No way! But I knew on the night that Barack Obama became President-elect Obama, that we had not seen the last of Sarah Palin. In fact, that is exactly what I said through the sadness that night. I just knew at that moment--as surely as I knew my own name--that it wasn't over, and so I wanted to throw myself behind supporting someone who had so changed my life and my focus.

It was during this time that I became involved in Team Sarah. I had never seen such a power house emerge so quickly. People from all over the country--and even some from other countries--were committed to remaining strong in their support of America's governor.

The next month, I knew I had to do more, I had to say more, and I had to fight more. That's how Motivation: Truth was born. Little did I know at that time, that this conservative blog would draw readers from all over the world. Little did I know that it would stand strong alongside other blogs that support conservative principles and conservative leaders like Sarah Palin. How was I to know then, also, that I would end up being a contributor to at least ten other blogs that stand strong for Governor Palin? This is another gift Governor Palin gave me.

In February, I went to CPAC, the largest gathering of conservatives in America. I had never been there before, nor had I ever heard of it before. But there I was in the company of Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, John Ziegler, Joe the Plumber, Fred Thompson, Michelle Malkin, Mitt Romney, Michael Steele, and so many others. There I was handing out stickers and buttons with 2012 Draft Sarah on them. There I was meeting with Team Sarah members. And there I was fired up to come back home and continue the fight.

Sarah Palin's voice made me raise my own voice on issues of life. I became involved with the local Alight Pregnancy Support Center, offering support to those who are facing unplanned pregnancies. I decided that the best way to fight abortion was to work ahead of time and teach sexual integrity classes, which a friend and I began doing. Starting next month, I am taking that message to my junior high school through our afterschool program.

I now have a deeper appreciation for our special needs children, something I never really thought a lot about before...until Sarah Palin. Through Trig I have an understanding of how much they teach us, how much growth they cause in us, and how perfect they are in God's eyes. It's a lesson that has influenced my classroom and interaction with my students. It's a change of heart that transpired only when Sarah shared Trig with us. I got the message because Sarah gave me that gift.

Probably the most incredible gift Sarah Palin has given me is the gift of friendship. She probably will never know the amount of people she has brought together. I have friends now that I never would have had. In fact, I was marvelling at the fact that my first three birthday wishes came, not from New York, but from three different parts of the country. My first "Happy Birthday" came from Irma in Georgia, followed by Tracey in Alaska, and then Mary in Houston. By the time I returned from church today, I had about 50 different birthday messages from all over the nation--people from Facebook, Twitter, the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee. These are people I connected with simply because Sarah Palin brought us together. I communicate with hundreds of people because that's the birthday present Sarah Palin gave me. It is absolutely amazing.

My trip to Alaska, for example, allowed me to meet people who left an indelible mark upon my life.

Of course, meeting Sarah's parents and children were an absolute joy. Her mom, in particular, remains a highlight for me. Her sweet spirit truly left me better off than before meeting her. I saw in her eyes a kindness that is so needed in this world. In her voice is a gentleness that makes those in her presence feel comfortable and safe. In her spirit is a sweetness that explains where Sarah got the same spirit.

I also met a few people who follow my blog. That was fun. Rosie is one such person. She was excited to meet me at the Wasilla picnic after the parade and to take a picture with me. I was like, "Me?!" By the time I had left Alaska, Rosie and I had seen each other several times, I had met her husband and children, we had lunch together, and just had a wonderful time.

I met Ivy, a woman who works, from the heart, for Sarah Palin. You want to talk about true-blue. Ivy is true-blue. My prayer for Sarah is always that she will be surrounded by those who have her best interest at heart, those who would give their absolute all to stand beside, defend, and support her. She has that in Ivy, and Ivy made me feel at home on the Fourth of July. She was the one who invited me to walk in the parade with the Valley Republican Women's Club, welcomed me to Wasilla, and introduced me to Sarah's parents and Piper.

I cannot say enough about Tracey. Tracey and I hit it off from the beginning. We connected, and still communicate just about every day. From meeting for lunch several times, to dinner at her home with her family, to hanging out at Pandemonium, to traveling to and from Fairbanks, we spent much time together. This is a friendship, I believe, that will last forever.

Jessica was also a delight to meet. Many know her as Jessica Beehive, Sarah Palin's personal hairdresser. We know what a talented hairstylist she is just by looking at Sarah, but she is also a sweetheart. Meeting her was a treat, one that I will cherish always.

Eddie Burke, beloved Alaskan radio talk show host, has become dear to me. He opened his studio and allowed me to come on and talk about the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee and Sarah's resignation. After I returned to New York, he had me call in to the show to talk about Obama's address to students on September 8th. He has been an encouragement to me and a great defender of Governor Palin. Would I have ever met Eddie prior to Sarah Palin? I doubt it.

Lynette Bergh is my dear friend--more like a sister. She and her husband were such a blessing to me during my stay in Alaska. They opened their home and their hearts, fed me delicious meals, including the long-awaited moose chili, and treated me like family. We, too, will always be friends.

I would be remiss not to mention April Moore. She is responsible for showing me so much of the great state of Alaska: Fairbanks, Wasilla, Palmer, Anchorage, Homer, Seward, McCarthy, Valdez. We were everywhere--and none of this would have been possible without April.

I am forever indebted to Tom and Kim. Had it not been for them, I never would have had the confidence to plan this trip to Alaska. Tom told me months before going that I not only would enjoy Alaska, but that I needed to go to Alaska. He sensed there was a purpose in it all, and it was a confirmation to me. He was right. His prayers, and his wife's, provided me with wisdom that I needed--and the rest is history.

I spent the last part of my trip with Olga. What a blessing she and her daughters were. Olga and I are still close, communicating often. Olga's prayers move mountains, and I have no doubt that I needed to end my trip to Alaska with her. She blessed me in ways I can't fully express. I could say so much more, but I will simply say that I believe Sarah Palin is so very blessed in part because people like Olga are always praying, always interceding.

Meghan Stapleton's name speaks for itself. I would never have met Sarah in New York had it not been for Meg. I am grateful for her, and for her support of Sarah. She is another who is true-blue. When I think of her, I think of a person who possesses a servant's heart--something so lacking in this world and yet so needed.

Todd Palin, too, truly touched my life and blessed me. When I first met him, I thanked him for being such a secure man, exemplifying such "quiet strength" as he selflessly stands by his wife while she does what she's been called to do. He assured me that they work together, each doing their part.

The problem with naming names is it's impossible to name everyone. There are so many gifts from so many cities in this great nation: there's Lynn, Gayle, Jill, Denise, Billy, Ana, Pastor Kalnins, Jo, Phil, C4P, KJNP, Mayor Graham of Watertown, NY, Kristina, Randy, Susan W, Lisa, Ron, Atlas Shrugs, Kenton, Rachelle, Raj, JD, Nande, and on and on. Sarah Palin has brought all of us together. Like I said, she will never know the full impact she has had on all of our lives.

Obviously, the moments I spent communicating with Sarah herself are moments I will never forget. They left me better off. They gave me the added assurance that she is the real deal, as if I didn't know that already. They gave me a deeper desire to stand up for her, for no one else has had to take the abuse that she has taken for us--for me. If she can do that for me, the very least I can do is stand up for her. They gave me a better understanding of how vital she is to America's progress. More than anything, they gave me a stronger commitment to pray for her.

Sarah Palin's gifts to me are too numerous to count and name. I know this is bigger than she is, however. I believe God has used her to get me to a place He wanted me in. He used Sarah to ignite a fire within me so that I would stand up for what's right, be active, and fight with everything within me. He used Sarah to bring multitudes of people together who would never--before Sarah--have had an occasion to talk, to meet, to stand together for the cause.

When Sarah Palin walked into America's heart, a fire was shut up inside my bones--a greater love for God, for America, for our military, for our children, for freedom, and for life itself. I had never experienced such great passion, and I told a few people, "Well, if it disappears in about two weeks, I'll know I was just caught up in the moment. However, if it remains, I'll know there's something to this thing." I think it's safe to say there's something to this thing! I do not have it all fully figured out yet, I do not yet know all that God wants me to do with what He has birthed within me through the gift of Sarah Palin, but I do know He's got a plan--and I will work with all my might to support the one he's used to light that fire.

Thank you, Sarah Palin, for giving me so much and making my birthday so special.

Giving Back: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Our veterans deserve the best America has to offer for all the sacrifices they have made in serving our great country. When I heard Sarah was going to be a part of a benefit auction on eBay to aid wounded veterans, I was so excited because I knew this charity would greatly benefit from Sarah's star power. I am so happy that a great woman, Cathy Maples, from Huntsville, Alabama, won the chance to have dinner with Sarah and Todd with a winning bid of $63,500.





As a great supporter of our men and women in uniform, as well as an ardent supporter of Sarah, there is no doubt in my mind that Cathy is going to get to experience the chance of a lifetime in meeting Sarah. As I was watching the news (Fox News Channel) this morning and drinking a cup of coffee, I was thinking about what an awesome experience Cathy would have in meeting Sarah when I saw a story that truly touched my heart. It is stories like the one I am about to describe that makes me truly thankful to be living in a country where so many great individuals and organizations do so much for our great men and women in uniform. It is this story, fellow readers, that inspired today's random thought post.





The inspiring Fox New's story focused on the outstanding work of The Lakeshore Foundation, a non profit organization that serves people with disabilities. The foundation's motto is: "healthy, active, independent." According to the foundation's website, Lakeshore serves more than 3000 people with physical disabilities each year. The individuals they help range in age- from six months to those in their 90's. According to the Foundation's website:

"Lakeshore meets their critical needs for access to exercise and recreation opportunities--needs that can't be met elsewhere. We are setting a standard in this country and changing the perception of people with disabilities."

Not only does the foundation allow disabled individuals the chance to experience many of the things we may take for granted, it also allows them to experience the fun with their families.





This weekend, the foundation has invited 30 injured veterans and their families to take part in activities they normally otherwise would not be able to partake in part of what the foundation calls "Operation Rise and Conquer." Think of your own life- think of all the outdoor activities you do without so much as a thought. Now, think about how hard participating in these same activities would be for an injured veteran. This puts life into perspective, doesn't it?





This weekend, brave men and women from across the country, who have given and sacrificed so much, are finally going to be able to experience the joys many of us get to experience on a daily basis. For injured veteran Orlando Pettis, this means the world:

"It (waterskiing) was amazing! Just to know that I'm able to do stuff that other people take for granted that I can do. It's just amazing."





Fox New's Channel's Marianne Silba asked Orlando what being able to participate this weekend means to him as an injured veteran to which he replied:

"Coming here is amazing because it not only brings together the injured military from all across the country, it also brings the family members. It shows us that it's not only competition, it's not only just going and leaving with a disability. We can do this other stuff and have fun with our families and our service members, just get together and be together."

For men and women like Orlando, they will get to participate in amazing activities such as waterskiing, target shooting and archery. This organization adapts these experiences to fit the needs of the veterans. For example, when waterskiing, veterans can sit or stand- how amazing!




For many of the 30 veterans and their families, this may be the first time they have been able to experience sports activities together since being injured; therefore, this weekend will allow them to re-connect with their loved ones, which is crucially important.





There are over 34,000 injured veterans living in America today, and The Lakeshore Foundation will continue to be a service to these brave men and women as they have been to so many since beginning "Operation Rise and Conquer" four years ago. It is so important that we have organizations like The Lakeshore Foundation. Many of us forget the important fact that just because a service member comes home, does not mean that the rough times are over. Our disabled men and women in uniform are so important and need to feel as if they are no different than anyone else just because they are disabled. The Lakeshore Foundation is setting the bar for this and making sure our disabled vets are not forgotten, but instead built up and made to feel that there are no limits, only limitless possibilities.



To learn more about The Lakeshore Foundation or to contribute, visit the foundation's website: http://www.lakeshore.org.




(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)

Sarah was right on Missile Defense, now all we can do is watch the showdown.

by Upinak

Today as I watched the blogs, the news, and any reports coming in I noticed that only a few places seemed to be alarmed about Iran, until Ahmadinejad started fielding questions. FoxNews.com, HotAir.com, and DrudgeReport.com. Jawa Report and a few of the more Islamic watch blogs always have something, so when it goes over to more the main stream and conservative media it is worth taking notice. And it is now viral, even in Europe.

Nuclear weapons, yellow cake uranium and the fact that Iran has two different areas in which they are converting the uranium into weapons grade, for nuclear weapons. And now Venezuela is helping with the search of yellow cake uranium for itself and I am sure with Russia’s help as well as China’s and possibly North Korea, well honestly is scares the absolute ---- out of me. Please excuse my language. I don't scare too easy. I have been almost stomped by moose, charged by grizzlies, in two different commercial plane crashes and washed down rivers as well as almost drowned three different times. This is more adrenaline pumping than any of those. Especially since we, as in the United States, have known about it for years. Great!

The process to get the yellow cake uranium into weapons grade takes months and at times over a year. Even then it is slow as they have to slow down the process due to temperature that can make the uranium stable enough to assemble into a warhead. It can take quite a long time. Three years is about the longest, but it has been known to take about nine months to build a complete nuclear weapon.

Sarah Palin had already chastised Obama about the missile defense. God help us as we know he and Gates didn’t listen to the warnings. Now we are in a quandary. What can we do, since most of us hard working Americans KNOW Obama will not do anything for the sake of America and Americans?

Do we stock up on food, water, ammo, fuel, as well as blankets and clothing?

Should we be worried? Or let the supposed “Intellectuals” take this power struggle to its fullest extreme?

Honestly, I would rather be like the song I am listening too then have to worry about this. But this is what we are dealt with. I hope it doesn’t come to anything…. caustic.

H/T FoxNews for pic.

crossposted at www.thepalination.com

September 25, 2009 Synopsis of Governor Palin's Accomplishments

Governor Palin just returned from her first commercial speaking engagement in Hong Kong, delivering a 90-minute address that wowed friends and enemies alike. The speech covered government intervention in the economy, health care, China, terrorism, foreign policy, and investment in Alaska.

Governor Palin exclusively retained the elite Washington Speakers Bureau to manage her speaking engagements.

Governor Palin donated a dinner with herself to Ride 2 Recovery, which will be using 100% of the proceeds to benefit wounded warriors. Defense contractor Cathy Maples won the dinner with a $63,500 bid. Ms. Maples wants to see Governor Palin be President in 2012.

Her son, Track returned home from a year-long deployment in Iraq.

Governor Palin continued defining the health care debate with her Facebook postings on the subject. Obama's health care bill does not enjoy popular support and she has him on the defensive.

Another significant Facebook posting addressed the Associated Press' use of a slain soldier's image in news coverage against the grieving family's wishes.

In yet another significant Facebook posting, Governor Palin expressed her support of Glenn Beck and secured major viewership of his series on the Obama administration.

Though not physically present at the September 12 Tea Parties, Governor Palin's image and likeness dominated the events, and a 12-year-old girl inspired by her spoke at one of these gatherings.

An ethics complaint against Governor Palin's former communications director was dismissed.

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