Put It Above Ground

Much has been made of the fact that the number of US deaths in Iraq has now surpassed the number of victims of the 9/11 attack.Although this is a terrible waste of life we must once again not get caught up in numbers.

These were 2,975 individuals. These are someone’s sons or daughters, fathers or mothers, husbands or wives.

These are mostly young people who had their whole lives in front of them.

The average age of those killed is 26 years old.

Many of these young victims had very young children having just started families.

Their widows and children were left with very little.

After 9/11 the world came together to support the families of the victims and still it was not easy.

5 years later and we are still fighting to properly honor those killed and to recover the remains of those who died.

The families of those killed in the current war have no such support system.

After pressure from numerous groups the death benefit was finally increased but it is still no where near what is needed.

Few are not even aware that widows of those killed in action are forced from their base housing six months after the death of their spouse.

To many this was the only home they ever had.

Now they have lost not only a spouse and a parent but a home as well.

We spend hundreds of billions every year on the military but practically nothing to take care of those injured or the families of those killed.

Even if we spent 5% of the military budget on these items we would be able to properly care for those who have been injured or the families of those who have died for our country.

Please take a moment and read the commentaries from earlier this year.

We should be thinking about things like these and not just playing with numbers.

Put It Above Ground

Our Fallen Heroes No One Seems To Be Listening (1/19/06)

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14505

Our Fallen Heroes No One Seems To Be Listening Part II (2/17/06)

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16701

OUR FALLEN HEROES …SOMEONE FINALLY LISTENED (3/03/06)

http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17852

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

“Jack, did you hear me?”

“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him.. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said.

“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing.. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.

“I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.

“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said

“He’s the one who taught me carpentry,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly.

“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.

“The box is gone,” he said

“What box?” Mom asked.

“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’” Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said. “I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. “Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,” the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belse r” it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

“Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.”

The thing he valued most…was…my time

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” Janet, his assistant asked.

“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.

“Oh, by the way, Janet…thanks for your time!”

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,”

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3 A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

4 Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13.. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Happy New Year

Put It Above Ground

Nothing new to report as no work was completed today.

The schedule is to work 3 days this week and 3 days next week.

A decision should be made shortly on where the left over material will be shipped after it is processed at 11 Water.

Fresh Kills remains the likely candidate but Pataki will leave that decision up to Spitzer.

No update on the personal items or the City Council resolution.

We will continue to pursue both.

We will also be sending over a list of things we have not received from the city in regards to the recovery effort to Community Board 1.

We are also coordinating a tour of 11 Water for family members. Anyone interested can contact Dennis McKeon at dennis.mckeon@where-to-turn.org

We will keep you posted.

Put It Above Ground

To All,

During this Holiday Season we will all be receiving that certain gift that we either will never use or already have. If we don’t spend hours on that return line this gift will sit in a closet or a drawer until it is finally thrown out when we do our Spring cleaning.Where to Turn and Put It Above Ground would like to give you another option.Donate your unwanted gift and we will make sure it gets to someone who could use it.

Toys will be given to local hospitals or shipped to needy children in Mississippi or Louisiana as part of our adopt a school program.

Clothes will also be sent where needed.

DVD’s and CD’s will be sent to injured soldiers in military hospitals.

For things that fall into that “other� category we will store them for a major flea market in the Spring.

All proceeds from the flea market will go to cover shipping costs for our various relief programs.

If you would like to participate all you need to do is ship the gift or drop it off at

Where to Turn
150-L Greaves Lane # 312
Staten Island, NY 10308

Or

ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE CUSICK
1911 RICHMOND AVE
STATEN ISLAND, NY 10314

COUNCILMAN ANDREW LANZA
3944 RICHMOND AVE
STATEN ISLAND, NY 10312

We are also looking for additional drop off points.

If you would like to be an official drop off point please contact us at info@where-to-turn.org

We will arrange to pick up donated gifts at your convenience.

We think that this will be a great way to help out the less fortunate and would like to get as many schools and organizations involved as possible.

Hope you will join us as a re-gifter.

Happy Holidays

Dennis McKeon

 

What is Christmas?

It is tenderness for the past,
courage for the present, hope for the future.
It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow
with blessings rich and eternal, and that every
path may lead to peace.

Agnes M. Pharo