A look at 2010
Wow 2010 went by fast!! It held a lot of new experiences and adventures for myself and the Volunteers of Operation HOT!!!
I'd like to thank all of the HOT Volunteers!! They were very dedicated and helpful!!!
May 2010 Operation HOT volunteers helped an organization called God Cares with a booth at the Warrenton Home & Garden Show. The money was used to help homeless veterans in Warren, Lincoln & St Charles County area.
June 2010 The 2nd Annual Operation HOT motorcycle ride. It was extremely hot outside; we had under 50 riders, although definately down from motorcycle rides in the past few years....we still had a good time w/the WZ Civil Air Patrol presenting the flags, Chelsea singing the National Anthem, and retired Marine Vic speaking to the crowd!! Half of the money raised went to Sgt Kisseloff's family. He was killed in action May of 2010 and his family lives in the St Charles area.
September 2010: The softball tournament for the Fisher House and Wounded Warriors of Ft Sam Houston TX. The Hazelwood PD team came in 1st and the Lake ST Louis Police Association came in 2nd w/the Wright City Fire Dept team coming in 3rd. We had a total of 6 teams, it was a beautiful day and a lot of fun!!! :-)
October 2010: 2nd motorcycle ride of the year organized by Lori Elliott also for the Wounded Warriors and Fisher House of Ft Sam Houston, TX. Part of the money from this ride was set aside to sponsor a Dog/Wounded Warrior Team from Pennys from Heaven. They rescue dogs and train them to be service dogs for Wounded Warriors suffering with PTSD.
October 16th 2010: The Craft & Bake Sale at the Warrenton Armory was organized by Kathy Daly and myself. We had over 30 booths. It was a lot of work but well worth it. We presented the Fisher House of St Louis, MO with a check for $1600.00. $400 additionally raised w/our bake sale booth went to TX for the Wounded Warriors!
A Fisher House is like a Ronald McDonald house only for Veterans and Wounded Warriors. The Ft Sam Houston, TX Fisher Houses (4) are self contained. They are run completely by donations. The wounded who stay there are from all over the US. There is also a 400 room Wounded Warrior Barracks, as well as some other base housing near Brooke Army Medical Center. BAMC deals with alot of burns, amputees, & brain traumas.
October 27th thru November 7th 2010: Was our Ft Sam Houston, TX Fisher House Trip. Several Ladies I met from the Marcus Luttrell Fan Page on Facebook came to TX to help volunteer for the week. We helped prepare and serve breakfast. We painted picnic tables. We made lunches through the week, threw the residents of the 4 houses a Halloween Party!! It was a lot of fun! The biggest part of the day was the soldiers and families carving pumpkins!!! :-) We met some long lasting friends...and learned just a portion of the sacrifices the men/women of the US Military are paying for our Freedom!
We were able to present Inge Godfrey the House Manager a $1000 for expenses towards the Fisher House.
We have a lot of events and things planned for 2011 in the way of helping our American Men/Women of the US Military!! Its the least we can do for them!!! If you'd like to participate as a volunteer with OperationHOT, please send me an email!
God Bless!
Della
June 12th, 2010
2nd Annual Operation HOT Motorcycle Run
The ride was Saturday, June 12th at the St Charles Harley Davidson Dealership in St Charles , MO.
We had about 36 riders’ w/7 passengers...with a lot of volunteers!
The totals for the day were $1169.00.
A check for $585 (Half of the profits) will be sent to the Sgt. Kisseloff Foundation. Sgt. Kisseloff was killed in Action on May 14th, 2010 while serving with the MO. National Guard in Afghanistan . He leaves behind 2 children who are now orphaned as their mother passed away a couple years prior.
The other half of the profits will be used to send care packages to deployed droops in Iraq and Afghanistan . As well as, assist w/Wounded Warriors.
I would like to thank the St Charles H.D. Dealership for allowing us to use their facility for another year! The St Charles HOG chapter for helping promote the ride and show up! I’d also like to thank Terry Martin from the American Legion Riders; he worked diligently in passing out flyers and getting the word out. He also presented Operation HOT with a check for $100 from the Elsberry VFW.
We had 2 booths besides Operation HOT. Operation Homefront MO/SWIL and Soldiers Angels.
Thanks to all of my volunteers:
Lt. Dale Dothage and Barb/Chris. Their friends Pat and Carol who spent the SMELTERING day GRILLING for us again! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Carol’s mom also was gracious and donated $50 to Operation HOT.
Also to Kriss & Susie Ellis-they were instrumental along w/the Dothages in putting this ride together another year.
Thanks go out to all of my volunteers for showing up and helping:
Kimbra Callis, Lori Elliot, Trish Heidler, Terri Clark, Caleb Wilson, Ally Witmer, Paul Burkemper, Dave, Becky & David Schoolcraft, Beth & Jake Lions.
This year’s speaker was Retired Marine Master Sgt. Vic Brewer.
Flag Presentation by the Wentzville Civil Air Patrol
April 30th, 2010
Below is an email I sent out to Friends/Family and who ever else it may have been sent too...it was sent June 6th 2009...Since that time a lot has changed...OperationHOT is up and operational! We are in the throws of our 2nd motorcycle ride...I spent several hours last nite finding emails and contacts of motorcycle clubs inviting them to the Ride! There is a definately a LOT of behind the scenes work...
Again, I have a GREAT group of volunteers... :-) I've been so blessed!! :-) I can only hope OTHERS want to get involved!!!
We are really hoping for 300 bikers this year...the 1st 300 who pre-register will receive a ride pin! :-)
"Life isn't about us"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQebS8WUYuA
Have u ever been traumatized by someone elses' sorrow? Pain? Terror???
I think I may have nightmares tonite...and many nites to come...my heart is just over shadowed w/the sorrow...yet the triumph of Marcus Luttrell.
Marcus Luttrell wrote a book "Lone Survivor" He was a Navy Seal...on June 28th 2005, himself and 3 other members' of the navy seals position was compromised in Afghanistan. I remember wanting to read the book...I'd known just briefly what it was about...and LT Doering from LSL got the book but our schedules never meshed for me to read it and just basically forgot about it...then one of the Foristell Ofcrs was visiting today...and he brought it up...and showed me the youtube links. I put one on here, if it doesn't come up...then search marcus luttrell on youtube and it will be the one that says marcus luttrell speaks. Its 22mins long.
The basics: They were on a mission. They could encounter 80 to 200 taliban...they were sent to get intell on a guy high up in Bin Ladin's army...
Their position in the mountains was compromised by a sheep farmer and his son...they discussed what they should do...if they should kill them or let them go...they ended up letting them go...it would be the worst mistake...4 went in, 1 survived and the ONLY way I can figure he survived at all was God HIMSELF. After u listen to him...u'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
I've sat here all day...Sad...and teary eyed...and praying...when I was finished watching a few of the videos...my heart was just hurting...and the only thing I could think about to ease it was Psalms 23. I spent time reading the Psalms...hoping for some comfort...I am NOT sure how I can need comfort when this didnt' happen to me...but my heart aches horribly for the families...for Marcus. He has to live w/these images and what happened everyday of his life...he NOT only bares the physical scars from that day, he bares the mental scars! These guys walked thru the valley of the shadow of death! As Luttrell puts it, HELL was reining down on them!
I was just having a heavy heart for these men...and the women too...who have seen and done things we'll never understand...they've lived thru things...that NO human should EVER have to experience...and it affects their minds as well as their bodies...
"our" lives and our troubles are microscopic compared to the sacrifices of our American Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq!!! And even if we are NOT sure what we are doing over there...we have men/women who have signed up and agreed to defend America!!! They go where they are sent...
I've been contemplating getting out of Soldier support...For no other reason than I just haven't felt good this year...and I just don't have any help...and I don't want to put these events on by myself anymore... :-( I was going to continue writing the wounded...and just helping those close to me who were going back over...
But...I can't just do something like this halfway!!!! Its NOT in me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am NOT sure what type of events I am going to do...but I will come up w/something...Times are hard...and I understand that...the economy is tuff...but I am sure w/a little creativity...we can keep the support of our American Troops going!!! :-) No one knows the actual sacrifices until u listen to a story like Marcus'.
Just remember...when your life is NOT going right...and things are looking BLEAK...there are others suffering beyond what our minds could even imagine!!!!
I am truly blessed to be an AMERICAN!!!! I do NOT say this flipantly!!! When I think where God could have placed me...I am just humbly grateful...He chose America!!!!! When I think of how I could have grown up in a religious culture that has NOTHING to do w/the Bible...I shutter!!! I am truly blessed to be an AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope u will join me in the prayer for our American Soldiers...that God will Bless them...keep them Safe. Protect and comfort their families!!! Comfort those who's loved ones have died...and comfort and ease the pain of the wounded...to touch their wounds not only to their bodies, but their souls and minds as well!!!
Della
P.S. There is an official Marcus Luttrell Facebook Page!
March 11th, 2010
Its March already, can you believe how fast the time is flying? 2010 is well underway! My mind is floating with a lot of different Soldier Support Projects I'd like to do this year! As the war in Iraq and Afghanistan rage on...our Men/Women of the US Military are still fighting hard for our Freedom...I am compelled to continue to support them in anyway I can.
The 2010 Operation HOT Motorcycle Ride planning is in full swing! I am again using my GREAT partners from the year before, Lt. Dale Dothage and Officer Kris Ellis and their family and friends...
This year we are offering an Operation HOT pin for those who pre-register...at least the first 300. My goal has always been 400 bikers...and this year we may actually get a chance to see that number! I've been in contact with the St Charles H.O.G. chapter, I went to a meeting and passed out flyers...June 12th was reported as a good date for them!
I am once again...making plans to visit the Wounded Warriors of Ft Sam Houston, TX. Last year was not a success in completing that goal...but hopefully 2010 will see that accomplished. The people of the Fisher Houses at Ft Sam Houston have been very gracious and kind and friendly and I look forward to working with them!
Until my Next Post...please continue to remember our Troops...log onto Soldier Support sites like Adopt-a-platoon and AnySoldier.com and adopt some Soldiers...sending just a letter or card can cheer them up!
Always keep them in your PRAYERS!!
God Bless!!!!
Della
November 19th, 2009
That wonderful time of year is upon us again!! Its CHRISTmas!!! I know I know...we've not even had Thanksgiving...but I just include that into the CHRISTmas season!
In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...I would like to say...THANK YOU to all of our American Troops!! I am very blessed to be an American, living on American soil...I am even blessed to be born and raised in the state of Missouri!!!
I am Thankful for my Family and Friends...without them I could NOT be so involved in Soldier Support!!
Thanks Caleb for making the website and working on it!! U r the BESTEST Nephew EVER!!!
My CHRISTmas plans have changed this year, Operation HOT's original plan was for myself and Volunteer Dawn to travel to Ft Sam Houston, TX and volunteer at the 4 Fisher Houses. WE were excited...to be giving back to our Wounded just a tiny fraction of what they gave for us to be FREE!!!!
However, as plans go...things changed!!! Although the Bike Run was the BEST I've ever been a part of...Lt. Dale Dothage and Ofcr Kris Ellis did an AMAZING job putting the even together...the date I chose...was a flop! haha On October 3rd 2009 it was COLD!!! We didn't have a good turn out of bikes but we had an awesome turn out of Volunteers including the Rams Cheerleaders!
The money we did raise will be used to purchase gift cards for the wounded staying at the Ft. Sam Houston Fisher Houses.
I am in the mist of helping Kathleen with the Girl Scouts earn her Gold Award...she wanted to do a Soldier Project! Its a lot of work...but Kathleen is doing a GREAT job!
On December 5th, she will have collected enough items to provide toys for all the kids of the 1035th MP unit of the National Guard Christmas Party! Kathleens theme this year was "From our Troops to yours"
Besides all the CHRISTmas activities, Operation HOT is gearing up for a Trivia Night in Florissant, MO! Thanks to Volunteer Lori Elliott!!! Her son, John is deployed right now to Iraq...Lori has been doing ALL of the work for this trivia night!! We will have a professional DJ...Terre...it looks like it will be a GREAT time, again-ALL money raised benefits or American Troops!
God Bless
Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Della
October 7th, 2009
The 1st Annual Operation HOT motorcycle Ride has come and gone! It was a COLD day!! haha THANK YOU to all of my volunteers who stuck it out with me!!!
Although we did not have a very large turn out...a total of $740.00 was collected for the Wounded Warriors of Fisher House in Ft. Sam Houston, TX.
There were plenty of Operation HOT t-shirts sold...and many more to be sold! They are $20.00 if anyone would like one.
Trivia Night is set for November 6th at the Warrenton Armory!!! I hope to see a very large crowd there!!!
I would like to give the 57 Wounded Warriors at the 4 Fisher Houses a large Pizza Party with gift cards and gifts to show them, the people from the Show Me State...really do care!
Until Next time...
Della
August 30th, 2009
Holy Cow...I can't believe this summer is nearly OVER!!! NOT to mention ushering in September w/beautiful FALL weather!! :-)
There have been mornings I've left the house for work and I smelled "FALL" in the air!! Or been coming home from work and smelled a wood stove,
which always reminds me of FALL!!! We have been blessed this summer to have a lot of "cool" days! And I am excited for FALL to truly arrive!
To see all the HARVEST colors; Gold, orange, greens...the trees will start to change their colors...and I am always reminded how BLESSED I am that
God seen fit to place me in Missouri in the United States of America!!! I recently read a Marine blog of some Marines stationed in Basra Iraq.
The conditions are exactly those of a 3rd World Country. NO real sewage system...they have NO running water...they shower with water bottles.
The place is over ran with wild dogs...and according the Marines it limits their P.T. cuz when the Marines are running around their base, the wild dogs
seem to want to chase them!!! The mice and RATS are in excess!! Which I don't know about u...but my skin crawls everytime I think of a mouse!!!!
I think back to earlier this summer when I went to the gas station to fill up...and I'd just put the nozzle in the tank when out of the corner of my eye
I noticed a speck of brown movement. At first I thought it was a little bird...I think they are called finches...just hanging around the trash can. So
silly me went to inspect...and what should my horrified eyes see...but a MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A tiny brown MOUSE...and I was paralyzed in FEAR!!!
I had on flip flops and I was scared that crazy thing would run across my bare foot. haha And its OK, u can laugh...I was laughing...although somewhat
hysterically cuz I was SCARED!!! I was so scared and so focused on the mouse...I didn't realize people were watching me until this older gentleman
came over to see what was wrong. And of course he laughed at me...and said its just a little mouse...it won't hurt you!!! And in my mind...I kept trying
to tell my self...its just a little mouse, it won't hurt me...but it wasn't working!! My eyes kept telling me...its the cutest mouse I've ever seen, it litterally
looked like something off a cartoon. A tiny brown mouse w/a tiny tail and HUGE black eyes...and it kept looking up at me. It only attempted to
approach me once...I let out a scream...and it decided maybe it should stay where its at!! haha Finally, a kind man had enough pity on me, he finished
pumping my gas, gave me my receipt and I got in the car and I sped away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silly huh...yet...our American Men/Women are living w/mice and rats!! They made a joke that if u snuggle up to the rats at night, they'll leave u alone in the day!!!
And...I don't know about you all...but the thought of a snuggling up w/a rat is equivelent to snuggling up w/a grizzly bear...or an alegator...or a rattler snake...I mean
u get my point right??? We thank our Troops for their "sacrifices"...but do we really know what "those" sacrifices really are?????
I am MORE appreciative of my American Troops the more I learn of their sacrifices!!! The more I learn about what they see and what they are doing
over there...I am more and more BLESSED to be an AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To have been born and raised in America!!!!!!!
So...the next time you see a Soldier...a Marine...a Sailor...an Airman...please shake their hand...give them a hug if they'll allow it...and just tell
them how Blessed you are to be an American...Thank them for the Sacrifices they chosen to make for your comforts. Because if we didn't have
people voluntarily joining the services, they could very easily start the draft again...
If you don't have the opprotunity to see any Military people, stop by a Recruiter office...I know in Warrenton, there is the National Guard Armory
behind Pizza Hut...I've worked with some of those guys/gals, they are AWESOME!!! In Wentzville there is an Army/Marine Recruiter station off the
Wentzville Pkwy in the building besides Starbucks. When you go for your coffee...get an extra gift card and then stop by the recruiter station and
say THANKS!! There is also a new AirForce Recruiter in the same building as Papa Johns off W Pearce Blvd in Wentzville. Go buy them a pizza
and say THANKS!!!! St Peters has all 4 branches of the military in one recruiter office...near Barns and Nobles and then a National Guard Recruiter
in the same area next to Subway!! Buy them a round of sandwhiches and say Hey...we appreciate you and your service to this GREAT Nation!!!
Its a little money...and a little time...for such Big sacrifices they are making for your Freedoms in the USA!!
Jesus Bless each and everyone reading this...
Until Next time...
Della
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