Valour-IT

Today, after work, I was checking my favorite MilBlog sites and found the kick off notices for the Valour-IT projcet. Bloggers who have served in the various services are teaming up to raise money in a military kind of friendly rivalry for Valour-IT. (...by the way that stands for Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops...)

I hate to admit it, but I had to think about it for a few minutes. I've done a lot to spread the word about Any Soldier (...even made a video for 'em...hopefully I can post it in here one day soon...) And, my daughter and son-in-law currently serve in the Army. I wondered if I should join Team Army. But, I had served Air Force in the early 80s. So, I notified the Team Air Force CO, Op-For that I am on board! So, any old...or new for that matter...Air Force folks...and anyone else who wants to (...as Team Air Force, of course...) who can help, join the team and spread the word! (...do we dare let the grunts, jarheads and squids out do us?...)

Here's the gist of what's going on from Soldier Angels:

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, provides voice-controlled laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries or amputations at home or in military hospitals. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field without having to press a key or move a mouse. The experience of CPT Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered severe hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important this voice-controlled software can be to a wounded servicemember's recovery.

And, for those who ABSOLTELY must support another service branch (…I will find you later…) here’s the list, as reported by BLACKFIVE:
Jarheads (Marines) will be led by Villainous Company
Zoomies (Air Force) will be led by Op For
Squids (Navy) will be led by Chaotic Synaptic Activity.
Doggies (Army) led by Matt and Jim of Blackfive


It's a tax-deductible donation and eligible for matching funds from companies who do that sort of thing (see: http://soldiersangels.org/valour/irsinfo.html for proof for the cautious). Just click the donation link at the top of the page to do the electronic thing. The snail mail address for those who'd rather donate that way (be sure to put AIR FORCE in big letters on the check):
Soldiers' Angels
1150 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248

Let's be a part of something big.