Vietnam War Memorial Video~8th of November...

Vietnam War, 8th of November - Big & Rich

I DO NOT TAKE ANY CREDIT FOR THIS VIDEO.

IT WAS PRODUCED AND UPLOADED

TO YOUTUBE BY USER MATT5581!

Thank you Matt5581, great job!

Uploaded by Matt5581 on Mar 20, 2007

"The great song, 8th of November by Big & Rich,

with a little slide show type thing I've made with it.

I hope you enjoy".

http://www.youtube.com/user/Matt5581

HOLISTIC REMEDIES FOR SKIN RASH!

MayoClinic.com notes that liver disease and kidney failure can also cause itching.

Rashes and itchy skin, or pruritis, can result from a host of conditions. Skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and allergic dermatitis can cause severe itching, as can insect bites and contact with the volatile oils in poison ivy. MayoClinic.com notes that liver disease and kidney failure can also cause itching. Many people turn to holistic remedies to soothe itching, but if you have unexplained itching and rashes, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Also check with your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements.

Chamomile
Holistic healers and naturopaths have long recommended the flowers of the German chamomile, botanically known as Matricaria recutita, to alleviate itching and inflammation. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that chamomile is often used topically in a poultice for inflamed skin, and may be moderately effective in treating eczema. According to a review published in the January 2009 issue of the "Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology," chamomile has antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects; one of its constituents, the natural moisturizer levomenol, can promote healing and reduce itching. Before using chamomile, check with your doctor. Don't use it if you are pregnant, asthmatic, taking blood-thinning medications, or are allergic to asters, chrysanthemums or ragweed.

Calendula Oil
Calendula oil, made from the Calendula officinalis plant, is a traditional herbal remedy used by holistic healers for itching skin and rashes. Acupuncture Today recommends calendula, in conjunction with other oils, to treat insect bites, poison ivy, and weeping and crusting rashes and sores caused by eczema. There is some scientific research supporting the belief that calendula can soothe itchy skin. In a clinical study published in the April 15, 2004 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Oncology," researchers found that calendula oil was highly effective in preventing acute dermatitis caused by radiation therapy in breast cancer patients.

Homeopathic Sulphur
Holistic healers sometimes prescribe homeopathic remedies, particularly sulfur, for skin itching. In homeopathic medicine, practitioners attempt to treat symptoms by giving infinitesimal amounts of a substance that, in larger amounts, would cause the same symptoms in a healthy person. The homeopathic sulfur remedy is made from sulfur found in volcanic areas, which is then highly diluted; homeopaths believe that the resultant fluid contains a "memory," or essence, of the original substance. According to Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health, the sulfur remedy is particularly indicated where there is a rash that is very red, inflamed and intensely itchy. Homeopaths prescribe their remedies according to personality type. The personality type most suited to the sulfur remedy is self-centered, intelligent but impractical and disorganized. If symptoms worsen at night and in the heat, but are better with fresh air and cold drinks, this is another indication that sulfur may be the right remedy. Ask your doctor before taking homeopathic sulfur to treat a rash.

For more information go to the link below:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/270688-holistic-remedies-for-skin-rash-itching/

Pet Pardons Per Facebook has asked for your help!

Extremely Urgent - Dies Tomorrow!

If you live in or around the Gaston, NC region you may have heard that a "Demon" Pit Bull that had been killing farm animals has been caught.

Yup, a Demon. See how his eyes glow? Just like a demon... The farmer told reporters that the dog killed a pony, six goats and injured cows and other livestock.

http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/bull-63802-farm-pit.html

But here's the thing - nobody ever saw Dog #7454 kill any animals. The farmer saw a dog from a distance and assumed that this lone animal killed his livestock. And of course, that's a possibility but anybody who knows anything, knows that these animals were killed by a pack. The farmer stated that sometimes the animals were bitten all over, sometimes only on the neck area. This is pack behavior and in this area the mostly culprit is a pack of coyotes or a pack of feral dogs Odds are that #7454 only feasted on the left overs and therefore is blamed for the killing. Remember, nobody saw the animals being killed or what animal killed them. The farmer saw a brown dog running around the area and assumed. (Never assume. It makes an Ass out of U and Me).

I evaluated this dog on Wednesday, 11/23, and here are my findings:
He is not a starving stray dog. He is of good weight and excellent muscle tone. He's a well conditioned dog.

He's quite shy and lacks self confidence. He remained in a heel position on our walk in the park and would become nervous and unsure if I stopped or asked him to perform a behavior.

While I did not temp test for animal aggression (something that cannot be done at Gaston Animal Control) he made an effort to avoid other animals in animal control. While on our walk we saw Yorkies, cats and geese - all of which he turned his back to and tried to move in the opposite direction. This does not mean that he is not animal aggressive. It means that he is nervous and lacks confidence. My recommendation, if taken into rescue, is that he not be allowed loose with other animals until he can decompress and his true personality comes out. Then he can be tested for animal aggression. His fear and uncertainty about other animals could trigger a fight response if he feels threatened or cornered so please take caution.

He enjoys petting but rarely solicited affection.

Overall he's a good dog but confused to find himself in animal control. Given his physical appearance I do believe he has an owner. I also believe that this owner will not come forward because of the accusations against his or her dog.

Here is a video that I took on our walk:  http://youtu.be/9F6IkHOVNqk

Upon my recommendation, Gaston County Animal Control has made #7454 available for Rescue Only. If a rescue can take this dog they need to contact me at sukari1020@yahoo.com before 8am ET on Monday, 11/28.

Please cross post!

Thanks!
Jessica Rosman

Dogs of War: VIETNAM 1960-1975: First In.Last Out!

A Special Presentation From Hahn's 50th AP K-9, West Germany

There Is No Stronger Bond,Than That Of A HandlerAnd His Dog.

Were the dogs of Vietnam effective? Our military experts and "armchair Generals"  will probably be debating that question for the next hundred years.  But any Vietnam combat veteran, that happened to be part of a patrol, that was saved from an VC ambush because of a scout dog's alert or prevented from walking into a mine field...will tell you, the answer is definitely yes!!! *Estimates vary, but some state that the dogs may have been responsible for the saving of at least 10,000 lives in Vietnam.


In the last two years, four War Dog Memorials were dedicated to the Dogs Of Vietnam:

March Field, Riverside, California

Dedicated February 2000. Sponsored by the VDHA.

Fort Benning, Georgia

Dedicated October 2000. Sponsored by the VDHA.

Port Neches, Texas

Dedicated November 2000. Sponsored by the Citizens of Port Neches.

Streamwood, Illinois

Dedicated May 2001. Sponsored by the Citizens of Streamwood.

...all four Memorials honor the Four Footed Heroes of Vietnam and several include the war dogs of America's other wars and conflicts as well. Today the members of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association continue  to sponsor a drive to establish the first National War Dog Memorial, to honor all War Dogs, who Served the United States of America in Combat.

To learn more about the use of Military Working Dogs by the armed services during the Vietnam War, please visit our Link Page (access from the, US: Department Of Defense Page) for an large selection of different sites, by the guys who were there! To read about it, may we suggest Michael G. Lemish's book 'War Dogs,' published 1999 by Brassey's, Washington, DC. "The first important work on the subject in the last forty years!" War Dogs is a complete history of the MWD from its orgins to after Vietnam. Available at most Book Sellers, world wide. "A very good read!"

**For more information and the full presentation including the timeline of the "Dogs of War" go to:

http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History6/

Sterling Silver Awareness Ribbons & Beads.

Awareness ribbons help create change through causes!

Do your part to help awareness of a good cause. These charms are gorgeous keepsakes that are ideal for your own collection, and they also make thoughtful gifts for family or friends. Each year, the Charm Factory donates to fundraisers and educators, and we keep prices on our awareness products as low as possible to help support those of you working to find cures and supporting those touched by cancer and other diseases. Thank you for the work you do in your communities.

Many major causes are covered. There are autism awareness charms, AIDS awareness ribbon charms, breast cancer awareness ribbons and several other cancer awareness charms, just to name a few, and yellow ribbons to support our troops. All of our charms are beautifully designed using only the highest quality sterling silver. Each charm was also made in the US, assuring you of even greater quality.

Please click on the link below for more information on awareness ribbons.

http://www.charmfactory.com/awareness-ribbons.aspx

A guide to giving birthstone's this year for Christmas

Giving birthstones make a special personalized gift for all.

Precious stones & jewelry are wonderful gifts that sparkle & shine with unique timeless beauty & make a special personalized gift family & friends will remember forever. Birthstones ground & amplify celestial energies. Each of the twelve signs of the zodiac has traditional crystal affinities. Some from the birth month, others from the planets of the sign.

Use the chart below to find your friends & family's birthstones.

Capricorn(Dec 22 - Jan 19)	Jet, Onyx, Amber, Azurite, Carnelian, Fluorite, Garnet, Green & Black Tourmaline, Labradorite, Magnetite, Malachite, Peridot, Quartz, Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise, Aragonite, Galena.
Aquarius    (Jan 20 - Feb 18)	Aquamarine, Amethyst, Amber, Angelite, , Blue Celestite, Blue Obsidian, Boji Stone, Chrysoprase, Fluorite, Labradorite, Magnetite, Moonstone, Atacamite.
Pisces       (Feb 19 - Mar 20)	Moonstone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Bloodstone, Blue Lace Agate, Calcite, Chrysoprase, Fluorite, Labradorite, Turquoise, Smithsonite, Sunstone.
Aries           (Mar 21 - Apr 19)	Ruby, Diamond , Amethyst, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Citrine, Fire Agate, Garnet, Jadeite, Jasper, Kunzite, Magnetite, Pink Tourmaline, Orange Spinel, Topaz.
Taurus        (Apr 20 - May 20)	Emerald, Topaz, Aquamarine, Azurite, Black Spinel, Boji Stone, Diamond, Kyanite, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Rose Quartz, Rhondonite, Sapphire, Selenite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Tourmaline, Variscite.
Gemini       (May 21 - Jun 20)	Tourmaline, Agate, Apatite, Apophyllite, Aquamarine, Blue Spinel, Calcite, Chrysocolla, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Dendritic Agate, Green Obsidian, Green Tourmaline, Sapphire, Serpentine, Tourmalinated  and Rutilated Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Variscite, Ulexite.
Cancer(June 21 - July 22)	Moonstone, Pearl, Amber, Beryl, Brown Spinel, Carnelian, Calcite, Chalcedony, Chrysoprase, Emerald, Opal, Pink Tourmaline, Rhondonite, Ruby, Moss Agate, Fire agate, Dendritic Agate.
Leo              (July 23 - Aug 22)	Cat's or Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Amber, Boji Stone, Carnelian, Chrysocolla, Citrine, Danburite, Emerald, Fire Agate, Garnet, Golden beryl, Green & Pink Tourmaline, Kunzite, Larimar, Muscovite, Onyx, Orange Calcite, Petalite, Pyrolusite, Quartz, Red Obsidian, Rhondochrosite, Topaz, Turquoise, Yellow Spinel.
Virgo           (Aug 23 - Sept 22)	Peridot, Sardonyx, Amazonite, Amber, Blue Topaz, Dioptase, Carnelian, Chrysocolla, Citrine, Garnet, Magnetite, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Opal, Purple Obsidian, Rubelite, Rutilated Quartz, Sapphire, Sodalite, Sugilite, Smithsonite, Okenite.
Libra          (Sept 23 - Oct 22)	Sapphire, Opal, Ametrine, Apophyllite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Chiastolite, Chrysolite, Emerald, Green Spinel, Green Tourmaline, Jade, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Mahogany Obsidian, Moonstone, Peridot, Sapphire, Topaz, Phrenite, Sunstone.
Scorpio     (Oct 23 - Nov 21)	Topaz, Malachite, Apache Tear, Aquamarine, Beryl, Boji Stone, Charoite, Dioptase, Emerald, Garnet, Green Tourmaline, Herkimer diamond, Kunzite, Moonstone, Obsidian, Red Spinel, Rhondochrosite, Ruby, Turquoise, Hiddenite, Variscite.
Sagittarius(Nov 22 - Dec 21)	Topaz, Turquoise, Amethyst, Azurite, Blue Lace Agate, Chalcedony, Charoite, Dark Blue Spinel, Dioptase, Garnet, Gold Sheen Obsidian, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Snowflake Obsidian, Pink Tourmaline, Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Spinel, Sodalite, Sugilite, Wulfenite, Okenite.

How To Create The Easiest Thanksgiving Dinner Ever

Quick & easiest Thanksgiving dinner for eight


Even if you've never made a turkey or only have one child-free arm to stir the gravy, our step-by-step plan will make you seem like a Thanksgiving pro. The secret: Prep most of your dishes the day before the meal so you can focus your energy on the turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Our delicious menu feeds eight adults and a couple of young kids, but feel free to buy a bigger turkey and double the side dishes if your family is larger. Then gobble up all the compliments!

Grocery list for the easiest Thanksgiving Dinner

Make grocery shopping a snap. Print this organized list of everything you need to make our complete Thanksgiving menu and take it with you to the store.

Produce

• 1 bag celery stalks
• 2 shallots
• 1 bunch sage leaves
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 bunch parsley
• 2 lbs. green beans
• 5 large oranges
• 3 pkgs. (10 oz. each) cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 8 sweet potatoes

Dry Goods

• 1 pkg. (12 oz.) seasoned whole wheat croutons
• 6 cups low-salt chicken broth
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1 container (12 oz.) honey
• 1 bottle cinnamon
• 1 bottle (17 oz.) balsamic vinegar
• 1 bottle canola oil

Baking

• 1 box (18 oz.) cake mix, yellow or white
• 1 can non-stick cooking spray
• 1 lb. box powdered sugar
• 1 box cornstarch

Meat

• 1 pkg. (12 oz.) nitrate-free turkey bacon
• 15 lb. turkey

Dairy

• 1 container (15 oz.) part-skim ricotta
• 1 stick butter
• 1 container (6 oz.) plain Greek yogurt
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

FEEDING AMERICA ~ How they fight hunger...

The second annual Ameriprise National Day of Service will be held on November 18, 2011.

Ameriprise Financial and Feeding America are proud to join together again this holiday season to help fight hunger in our communities.

The second annual Ameriprise National Day of Service will be held on November 18, 2011 as more than 6,000 Ameriprise executives, employees and financial advisors will be collecting, sorting, and packing food at Feeding America member food banks and hunger-relief agencies at nearly 90 food banks in 44 states across the country.

In addition to their tremendous volunteer efforts, the Ameriprise Financial Challenge provides a 1:1 match up to $500,000 (four million meals) in support of Feeding America’s Thanksgiving appeal to provide food to the millions of Americans at risk of hunger, including nearly 20 million children and nearly three million seniors. The campaign runs from September 6 through November 30, 2011. Learn more about the program on the Ameriprise Financial Challenge page. 

Feeding America is pleased to partner with Ameriprise on this important mission, to provide the gifts of food, comfort and hope to the millions of families who need our help this holiday season.

For more information on the event happening tomorrow please go to the following site:

http://feedingamerica.org/how-we-fight-hunger/our-partners/promotional-partners/ameriprise-volunteers.aspx

American Censorship Day!

Today, Congress holds hearings on the

first American Internet censorship system.

This bill can pass.

If it does the Internet and free speech will never be the same.

Join all of us to stop this bill.

If this law passes, sites like Tumblr and Facebook could be shut down for letting users post freely. Join the protest to stop it.

Website Blocking:
The government can order service providers to block websites for infringing links posted by any users.

Risk of Jail for Ordinary Users:
It becomes a felony with a potential 5 year sentence to stream a copyrighted work that would cost more than $2,500 to license, even if you are a totally noncommercial user, e.g. singing a pop song on Facebook.

Chaos for the Internet:

Thousands of sites that are legal under the DMCA would face new legal threats. People trying to keep the internet more secure wouldn't be able to rely on the integrity of the DNS system.

For more information on Internet Censorship Day please visit:

http://americancensorship.org/

Home Of The Free, Even Banshee!

Here's To Your Freedom, Banshee & All Dogs!

Every year about this time, we begin to once again ponder the meaning of FREEDOM. What does it stand for? Have I, you, our nation lost most of our freedoms as so many believe today?

This captivating piece features Banshee, with his before and after shots, a purebred black lab who spent the first six years of his life on a chain. Banshee has a very high need for action and a job, and he must have been driven crazy on the end of that chain with nary a ball or toy in sight.

He proved to be such a challenging foster, he was the final prompt for me to write a book on fostering America's homeless dogs with an eye toward helping the people who are helping the dogs, appropriately entitled Scream Like Banshee: 29 Days of Tips and Tales to Keep your Sanity as a Doggie Foster Parent.

Banshee made me crazy at first, but we eventually came to an understanding. It took me awhile to fall in love with Banshee, but I finally have, and spend a lot of time taking him swimming and trying to meet his needs for a job. He's still seeking a home where he can swim and play fetch to his heart's content, if you are interested in adopting him, please visit the site athttp://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/adopt.html.

For more information on the artist and how to order other prints click on the link below:

http://www.tammygrimes.com/freedombanshee.html

A Veteran's Day Collage, Honoring All Our Veterans!

The site Picablog created a great collage of our Veterans.

Photos submitted to Picablog were gathered & used to create a great Veteran's Day Collage. It's wonderful & really turned out good. They did a great, we should all thank them.

Thank you Picablog, my Father's photo in the top right corner,

Sgt. Jimmy D. McDaniel, Special Forces, US Army.

To view the collage click on the link below...
 http://blog.picaboo.com/2011/11/veterans-day-2011-collage/#comment-871

I would like to honor my Father this Veteran's Day!

For my Father on Veteran's Day!

Sgt. Jimmy D. McDaniel, Special Forces/Forwarding Observer, Vietnam 1968. He joined the Army just after he graduated high school and trained with the Marines for a year to move onto the Army in Special Forces. He became a Platoon Sgt. In March of 1968 he was ordered to go to Vietnam as a Platoon Sgt./Forwarding Observer in Special Forces. He returned home in March of 1969 with hearing loss. He is now suffering from PTSD and Parkinson's Disease due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.


He has no regrets, he was and still is proud to have served his country. He is doing well and is my Hero. Happy Veteran's Day to my Father and to all of our Country's Veterans. They gave their all then and are still giving with their health.

Our country is a free country because of all the brave Veterans who served and are serving for us to be free. We owe them more respect and honor than we can possibly express. Today 11/11/11 is the day to do the best we can and express how grateful we are for everything they do, did and are still doing in more ways than we can even imagine.

To our Veterans, Happy Veteran's Day and please have good memories today. While you are thinking of our Veterans today don't forget their families and what they have been through and are going through, they are very brave and have to say strong for the Veteran in their lives. Give them a wonder wish today as well to keep them going and strong.

101 Ways to Thank a Veteran...

There are so many ways to thank a Veteran this Veteran's Day.

I have just listed ten here and attached the link to the site with the full 101 ways to thank a Veteran this Veteran's Day. Please go to this link and read the whole article, it is a really good one and full of great ideas.

 http://www.militaryavenue.com/Content.aspx?Name=ways_to_thank_veteran 

1. Take a Veteran out to eat; whether it is a fast-food chain or a fine-dining establishment.

2. Are you a knitter or crocheter? Make a scarf for the cold-winters ahead. Donate them at a local-VFW for a veteran in need or contact Operation Gratitude to see how to donate.

3. Listen to their stories with interest. If they are a war-veteran they have seen things you will never see. Listen and Learn.

4. Call and Visit a local nursing home or VA Hospital. Find out what you can do to help. If you quilt make a blanket for a needy veteran. If you bake call and find out if you can bring in something special. Bring a book to read to a veteran "ready and willing" to listen. We all have talents that can be used.

5. Send an 'E-Card' through the American Legion to the Veterans in your life that use email.

6. Support a Military Family through Operation Homefront. Watch their website for 'current needs': http://www.operationhomefront.net/currentneeds.aspx

7. Military-member at the same restaurant as you? Send them a drink or pay for their dessert.

8. Do you have a website? Make a page dedicated to our military. Need some help finding content for it?: For your site

9. Do you bake? Make an Apple Pie or another specialty and bring it over to a neighbor-veteran. Don't forget to grab a box of ice cream to take. Now I'm hungry!

10. Employers: Host a special luncheon for all of your veterans. Recognize their service to your company and your country.

Defending Free Speech on the Internet helps Bloggers!

How The 1st Amendment helped me in a recent court case...

VICTORY and it was well worth the stress I went through not only living in an uninhabitable apartment owned by a Slumlord, the daily harassment, threats, obscenities, throwing things at the wall, blocking & vandalizing my vehicles, turning off my utilities, removing my steps to my front door, refusing to fix the water leak that caused mold in the apartment, intercepting my mail, cutting off the only source of heat & hot water, harassing my family & friends to the point that they would not come back and all the written letters full of just evil things directed at me daily.

Because I complained to her about the things needing repairs and issues the harassment began, I was then forced to involve the Sheriff's Department and the City Housing Code Enforcement, nothing was resolved and it was all labeled as a "civil" matter (tenant-landlord issues). So I started researching online for anyone else who has gone through simular situations looking for advise on what to do next. I posted the issues on my blog and on other sites as well as commented on other peoples situations. I did receive some good advise and would like to thank all of you who responded.

In retaliation to me involving the internet and looking for help, my slumlord served me with a 30 day notice to move out. I did not do anything to be evicted so I filed a response and followed through with the hearing on Dec. 21st. The outcome of that was the Judge awarded me two weeks to find a new place and move out by Jan. 4th. My Slumlord did not get what she had hoped for, she was asking him to have me removed that day by accusing me of being a "cyber bully" and threatening my Slumlord.


Apparently this upset her very much and she then went to a different court and lied to obtain a Temporary Emergency Move Out Order/Restraining Order claiming I had threatened her and that she was not safe in her home. On Dec, 23rd I was awakened by the Sheriff's to serve me with a 15 minute move out order. I had 15 minutes to get what I could and get out or be arrested. I was then informed that I could not be within 100 yards of my Slumlord or my apartment nor could anyone else on my behalf until the matter was heard in court on Jan. 3rd, two weeks later.

THE OUTCOME OF THIS ISSUE AND THE JUDGEMENT OF THE FINAL HEARING WAS...

The judge did not hesitate to inform the plaintiff (SLUMLORD) of my 1st Amendment right and she had NO supporting evidence of any threats I had supposively made toward her. The Judge dismissed the case without any further discussion.

So I guess you could say justice and the American way went my way. My point is excercise your rights, do and say what you feel.


THE 1st AMENDMENT: Freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

We have the right to speak, post, and publish our thoughts and feeling on things that matter to us and affect our lives. Sometimes you have to go public with an issue to get results, which is what I did to resolve my ongoing issue with my former slumlord. She was given a very good lesson on the 1st Amendment and that was all she was given. I kept me freedom of speech and press and was able to move out without the "eviction" on my record.

The support I recieved from my family and friends helped keep me focused and not give up .So if you play by the rules, excercise your rights and continue to fight for what you believe in and not let anyone intimidate you or try to suppress you from stating the truth and facts you will get the results you deserve.

On the other hand if you are a Slumlord who continues to rent an apartment that has been marked as uninhabitable by humans due to several code violations as well as all the health and safety issues who has been doing for over a year (with at least 12 tenants during that time, which I was not aware of until it was too late) you will still get what you deserve KARMA, someday you will understand it, we can only hope!

Hopefully my story will prevent anyone else from becoming another one of her victims.

The Picaboo collage will be shown on Friday, Veteran’s Day!

UPDATE: We are not accepting images for the Veteran’s Day Collage.

Thank you very much for sharing this post with your friends and family. We received many beautiful images and we cannot wait to show you the Picaboo collage on Friday, Veteran’s Day.

About the Author:

Becca is the Social Media Marketing Manager for Picaboo. She is also the mother of two kids, a miniature cow and has a joyful husband. When she's not creating Victorian Photo Books, she can be found eating carrot cake and watching Six Feet Under reruns.

Remember the collage will be ready this Friday, Veteran's Day 2011!

Last day to submit photos for the Veteran's Day Collage...

Help us remember those who served!

We’ll need your pictures by 10 PM Eastern Time on TODAY so that we have enough time to create an incredible project with all of the photos. Help us commemorate as many Veterans as we can. Share this post by clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or StumbleUpon icons below. Please spread the word!

PLEASE GIVE ALL CREDIT AND THANK BECCA FOR HONORING ALL OF OUR VETERANS IN SUCH A GREAT WAY. BELOW IS A LITTLE ABOUT HER AND THE LINK TO HER BLOG.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BECCA

Becca is the Social Media Marketing Manager for Picaboo. She is also the mother of two kids, a miniature cow and has a joyful husband. When she's not creating Victorian Photo Books, she can be found eating carrot cake and watching Six Feet Under reruns.

http://blog.picaboo.com/2011/10/help-us-remember-those-who-served/#comment-720

Now that I have a son, the idea of sacrificing for my country is a reality. My son just started walking, so it’s a far-off worry. But it’s a relevant topic for me as I married into a military family.

My father-in-law is a decorated Colonel. He served in the Big Red One. My husband grew up on military bases and had moved 13 times by the age of 18. They were your typical military family. They bought groceries at the commissary, spent summers at the officer’s club pool and ate Thanksgiving dinner in the mess hall with the troops. Because of this, Veteran’s day has always been a big day for my family.

This year, Picaboo is putting together a collage to honor the men and women who have served our country, but we need your help. Send us a photo of a veteran you’d like to honor, along with their name, branch and rank to FBFan@picaboo.com and we’ll include them in our collage. Please make sure you send a high resolution image. A JPG is preferred but we’ll take any file format you have.

Veteran's Day is Celebrated on November 11th each year...

Veteran's Day also know as Remembrance Day.

The orange rose is a symbol of remembrance.

The emotional impact of the Vietnam War Memorial cannot be overstated

and it is a great challenge to capture on film. This picture speaks for itself

and the roses speak for us all.

The Orange rose symbolizes an expression of pride and amazement of great achievements in someone's life. A bouquet of orange roses would be appropriate for a graduate or to commemorate a promotion and express sincere appreciation for someones accomplishments. Therefor the orange rose is often the "Rose of Remembrance" and is given to family members of those who have passed on as well as laid at memorial and burial sites as a gift of great respect, admiration and to never be forgotten.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remembrance Day – also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

The "Ode of Remembrance" is an ode taken from Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen", which was first published in The Times in September 1914.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

FranceArmistice day is celebrated in France. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning - the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

We will remember them.

Army General Calls for Changing Name of PTSD!

Some members of the Army hope that renaming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, as an injury will encourage more soldiers to seek help.

The nation's second-highest ranking Army officer is calling on mental health professionals to change the name of the condition that has afflicted hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers. But some of those doctors are resisting the change.

The term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, carries a stigma that has discouraged too many soldiers from understanding the condition and seeking proper treatment, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army vice chief of staff told the PBS NewsHour. He would like to see PTSD called Post Traumatic Stress Injury, or PTSI, instead.

"It is an injury," Chiarelli said. Calling the condition a "disorder" perpetuates a bias against the mental health illness and "has the connotation of being something that is a pre-existing problem that an individual has" before they came into the Army and "makes the person seem weak," he added.

"It seems clear to me that we should get rid of the 'D' if that is in any way inhibiting people from getting the help they need," Chiarelli said. Calling it an injury instead of a disorder "would have a huge impact," encouraging soldiers suffering from the condition to seek help, according to the four-star general.

Rates of PTSD in the Army are estimated at 10-20 percent for combat infantry soldiers who experienced direct combat. In some units with high combat involvement, the rates are as high as 25-30 percent.

Chiarelli's call to change the name to PTSI comes at a time when the American Psychiatric Association is in the process of updating its "bible" of mental health illnesses. Officially called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM IV), it classifies and defines the criteria for mental health conditions. It is used by health and mental health professionals, ranging from psychiatrists to physicians to psychologists, according to the association.

The manual currently says that for a person to have PTSD, he or she must have been exposed to a traumatic event, and then have a number of symptoms for more than one month. The individual persistently re-experiences the event, such as through distressing dreams or intrusive recollections. The person also must seek to avoid stimuli associated with the trauma, such as avoiding activities that remind him or her of the event. Another symptom is increased arousal, including hypervigilance or difficulty staying asleep.

Chiarelli is not the only one calling for a name change. Former Army 1st Lt. Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said from a "national messaging standpoint," changing the name would help reduce the negative connotations associated with PTSD.

"We believe that PTSD is a wound you suffer in combat, just like a bullet wound, and if you don't take care of it, and you don't treat it, it's going to be a problem," Rieckhoff said.

However, the chairman of psychiatrists' committee overseeing the professional guidebook update of the PTSD diagnosis, Dr. Matthew Friedman, said he "sees no useful purpose to change the name."

He told the PBS NewsHour: "There is stigma attached to any mental illness. And PTSD is no different."

The discomfort with such a diagnosis "may be amplified in military culture," he acknowledged. In other settings, such as in the civilian world, "PTSD may be even less of a stigma," he said.

Friedman is also the executive director of the National Center for PTSD, the Department of Veteran Affairs' center for research and education on the prevention, understanding, and treatment of PTSD.

A diagnosis of PTSD does not imply that a soldier "doesn't have the right stuff," because it gives primacy to being exposed to a traumatic event, Friedman said.

This line of thinking sounds like "doctors are dancing on the head of a pin," argued Chiarelli. He emphasized that a name change would not be carried out for the sake of physicians, but help encourage afflicted soldiers and their commanders to embrace diagnosis and treatment. "If it was only doctors I had to convince to seek help, I wouldn't care if it had a 'D' at the end of it."

The soldier himself might be an obstacle to receiving treatment, said Chiarelli. "I have to convince a 19-year-old kid who thinks he's invincible that he's got an issue ... that he has to deal with. A no-kidding injury that he can't see. That many of his buddies don't even believe is real," he said. "But I need to get him the help that he needs ... A disorder is something, to a 19-year-old kid, that [seems] pre-existing that makes me weaker than other people."

PTSD's emergence after Vietnam...

The diagnosis of PTSD was first included in the third edition of the manual in 1980. Ochberg, who at that time was involved in updating the manual, said he and his colleagues wanted it called a disorder because -- only half-jokingly -- "we figured if we did, then Blue Cross would pay for it."

Ochberg was "part of the Vietnam generation who opposed the war but ultimately recognized the price the warrior paid," he said. "I saw the similarity between the rape trauma syndrome and military trauma. My take on the history of the time was that PTSD was the common ground between the male trauma of combat and the female trauma of rape, and incest and battering."

"All syndromes coming out of the DSM in 1980 were disorders," said another leading mental health professional, Charles Figley, director of Tulane University's Traumatology Institute.

An expert on trauma and author of the 1978 book, "Stress Disorders Among Vietnam Veterans: Theory, Research," Figley said calling the condition a disorder reflected a combination of factors. "Part [of it] was politics. To give Vietnam veterans their due. The hawks thought they [veterans with the illness] were whiny babies, and the doves thought they were crazy. So it was an effort to legitimize the pain and suffering they were going through."

Revising the manual of mental illnesses...

The American Psychiatric Association began preliminary work on updating its dictionary of mental health illnesses in 1999, and opened the draft text to public comment.

The committee received hundreds of comments, but not on changing the name of PTSD, said Friedman.

Asked if the committee revising the entry for PTSD would be open to changing the name if the Army formally made such a request, Friedman said "we would consider it" and that "the Army is part of the field. And they obviously are a very important constituent."

According to Friedman, the current name of the condition has proved helpful. "The most important thing about the name PTSD, prior the 1980 version of the manual," is that "we had a whole bunch of syndromes that were all named by the stressor," he said. "There was rape trauma syndrome, there was battered wife syndrome, there was war sailor syndrome, there was post-Vietnam syndrome, concentration camp syndrome, and on and on."

The "brilliance" of those who wrote the manual in 1980 is that "they understood that it really didn't matter what the particular stressor was," Friedman said. "If it was a traumatic stressor and the individual's coping capacities were exceeded, that it was the response rather than the stressor that matter."

The revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual will be released in final form in May 2013.