This year's Milblog Conference was even better than last year's! Have to say, it's going to be hard for Andi to top the Presidential opening remarks, but if anyone can do it, she can. The panels were great, the luncheon provided by Soldiers' Angels was wonderful. It was nice to get a chance to say hi again to the bloggers I met last year, and to meet some I didn't know.

A couple of things from this year really stood out for me...

Mr. Robert Stokely addressing us brought home the import of what we do more than almost anything else could have. If we bring some comfort to families of our fallen heroes, that in itself is a reason for our existence. BlackFive has video, here.

At the luncheon, the conference honored some of the Soldiers' Angels present - and one of them, surprisingly, was me! The inscription on the plaque I received is worth more than I think any other honor could be:



Still makes me cry every time I look at it.

John of Argghhh! gave the closing remarks, and led us in a Castle Argghhh "dance" - the conference ended with the soft sounds of Taps, and a room full of heads bowed in remembrance of fallen Heroes. It was a fitting close to a very full day.


And then, on Sunday, I went to Walter Reed. We were at Mologne House for a Barbeque with some of the Heroes there. Before we chowed down on some great food, we had the chance to visit with some amazing Heroes. Patti made sure that we had some goodies to give out, and I depelted my supply of t-shirts pretty quickly. I also had a Hero ask for one of the Soldiers' Angels pins; I only had one left - the one I had on. It's an honor to know that there's a Hero out there who now sports a pin I gave him. I was also there when Project VALOUR-IT handed out laptops; they've now passed the 1,000 mark! Chuck Z made an incredible speech. He told our recovering Heroes that the world didn't stop when they got wounded - that they would get better, and they would more or less just have a new version of "normal." It was great - one Soldier to other Soldiers, words of encouragement from one who had been where they were now. And any of you who have ever heard Chuck know that "entertaining" is really an understatement some times. He also spoke at the conference; there's video here. I was fortunate to be able to spend a little time speaking with Caren, and I tell you, they don't make better than Caren and Chuck. Everyone who works with Project VALOUR-IT - Beth, Chuck, Lynette, Jim - are top notch, and deserve every word of praise that is sent their way. What an incredible program.

I took lots of pictures of the laptop presentations, but I'm not going to post them here. One, I didn't get specific permission from those Heroes to do so, and Two, I am not going to take the risk of any of those pictures being used by some knucklehead. If you were there, and would like copies of the pictures, I'd be happy to send them to you.

My husband asked me later that evening on the phone, "How was Walter Reed?" To be honest, I struggled for an answer. It's hard to explain. Yes, some of those Heroes have devastating injuries. There are missing limbs, shrapnel wounds. But when you spend time with them, it's not their injuries that leave the lasting impression. The Heroes I met at Walter Reed are possessed of incredible character. One, when I asked him if there was anything he needed, said "No ma'am - you all have done so much for me already...you all are amazing." When you meet them, it isn't pity that you feel - it's incredible respect and love. I remember being struck by how young most of them looked. One Soldier was with his wife and infant daughter, and I remember thinking that he didn't look old enough to have a family...And as young as they are, they have seen more, endured more, done more... than most people far older. Many are possessed of a wisdom, a strength, far beyond that others achieve in their whole lives. They are truly Heroes, and it was a humbling experience, and a great honor, to be able to spend a few hours with them on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Labels: heroes, Milblog Conference 2007, Project VALOUR-IT, Walter Reed