The Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund sponsors New Year’s Eve Party for Wounded Warriors at National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland

Muffin and retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen Paul Vallely’s ‘Scott Vallely Soldiers Memorial Fund’ sponsored a New Year’s Eve Luncheon Party at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for severely wounded troops, their families, and hospital staff. Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney led a group of Stand Up America friends including Jed Babbin, retired Navy Captain Chuck Nash, Wayne Simmons, Diana West, Clare Lopez, Gayle and Fred Gedrich, and Melanie and U.S. Army Reservist SFC Jose Ramirez (who recently completed his second year-long tour of duty in Iraq). Fresh Grill Bethesda donated a variety of deliciously grilled hamburgers and Armand’s DC Pizzeria supplied a mix of deep-dish pizzas and sandwiches. About 100 people attended the event which was held in the hospital’s amputee and traumatic injury ward.

The hosts collectively stated, “It was an honor to spend a few hours with some of our heroes who have given, and sacrificed, so much in service to country. They inspire us and deserve our continued undying support for their dedication and bravery. Please keep these heroes in your thoughts and prayers as they recuperate during the coming year.”

Here are some photos from the event:

Soldiers Memorial Fund Hosts: Wayne Simmons, Jed Babbin, Diana West, Tom McInerney, Clare Lopez, Chuck Nash, and Fred Gedrich in front of the Wounded Warrior Statue in the main lobby of the hospital.

The hosts await the entrance of the soldiers, ready to serve!

The buffet set up.

More of the buffet line.

Hear the Tear-Jerking, Fastest-Selling Single in Britain in 3 Years…

By a Group of Military Wives

The song has become The fastest-selling single in Britain in the last three years. It sold 556,000 copies in the last week, more than the rest of the top 12 combined. And it’s not the work of a teen pop sensation or even a “professional” musician. Rather, it came from a bunch of military wives singing their hearts out. And the result is nothing short of tear-jerking and spectacular.

“This is so surreal. Who would have guessed in those first rehearsals that we could take Christmas Number 1? The choir’s director, Gareth Malone, told the Telegraph. He formed the group for a BBC singing competition called, “The Choir.” And they all struck singing gold.

The song is called “Wherever You Are,” and the video features not only the song, but a behind-the-scenes look at the song’s recording:

Understandably, the patchwork group of singers has captivated Britain. The Daily Mail’s Melanie Phillips tries to put into words why:

As a TV programme, The Choir shone out from the dross of reality TV and all the tawdry and vulgar shows that pass for entertainment on the box. Yet this three-part series was broadcast only as a niche programme on BBC2.

And even now the BBC doesn’t seem to appreciate quite what a gem it has created, by tucking away a condensed 90-minute version late last Thursday evening. Surely it should have been elevated instead to the Christmas or Boxing Day schedules. For what this series showed us was something really remarkable and uplifting – the power to enable people to transform their own lives.

We saw these military wives at first too shy even to perform in front of each other. Purely through his blazing faith in the transformative power of song, the absurdly youthful Malone coaxed them first to sing in front of him, then each other, then soldiers on the base, then in a local market, then at Sandhurst and finally at the Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Whereupon there was not a dry eye among the viewing audience. It was not just that we saw these timid women grow in confidence and blossom in hitherto unsuspected talents – and then have the guts to display those talents in public which previously none of them would have dreamed possible.

And just in case your heart wasn’t warm enough, all the proceeds from the song’s purchase go to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

“Britain sometimes seems to be sliding beneath the weight of its own depression and sense of inexorable decline,” writes Phillips.

“Here’s a New Year hope – that Gareth Malone’s choir is a turning point which will inspire the whole nation to sing instead.”

By Kerry Patton – SUA Kitchen Cabinet Member

This weekend, I learned about the death of another amazing World War II era Veteran. Those of them who remain are quickly leaving this earth simply due to time. George Meissler left us this past Saturday at 5pm in his Florida home—he was my Grandfather.

Grandpop was a former U.S. Army Air Corp mechanic during the war. That’s about all I knew of his military experience. I never spoke to him about his military years even though I followed his footsteps serving in the U.S. Air Force. I don’t know of his training, his tours of duty, where he went to party on temporary assignments, nothing.

In fact, my memories of my Grandpop are far and few. He lived hundreds of miles away but that is inexcusable. Sadly, within the past twenty four hours, I have realized that life is simply too short to take for granted—something, for the most part, we all do—something I now realize I had done.

Even serving in numerous war torn nations and seeing tragedies from first-hand accounts, I should have known to open better interpersonal lines of communications with those I actually admire and love. Do I regret not being better at embracing my World War II Grandpop? You bet.

There is a generation of real heroes leaving this world faster than I would like. They are men and women who served in some of the most complex times yet prevailed in victory. Victory—arguably, it’s something we as a nation have not seen in quite a long time. How great would it have been to listen and learn what true victory was really all about? This was a conversation I never had with my Grandpop but I sure wish I did.

My grandfather is no longer capable of speaking his words of wisdom. He can no longer articulate the good times and the bad. The only things left are the few memories we once had—him wearing his incredibly tight sweatshirts of my old high school, holiday dinners, and his smile.

Life is short. Even for those of us who have been to war and fully grasp the realities of life, we sometimes lack realization to life’s precious moments. We become too consumed over the petty—jobs, politics, sports, etc. Family values, while they may always be in the back of our minds, they often lack the physical necessities of total embracement.

If you know of a World War II veteran, if you know of a Korean War Veteran, if you know of a Vietnam Veteran, or any Veteran for that matter—embrace them. Embrace them and ask them to speak so you can listen to their stories. Listen and learn. They are a world of knowledge that we as an entire nation should consume. These brave American patriots can, and will, teach us a plethora of lessons but only if we take the time to listen and learn.

Life is much shorter than anyone realizes. Always say I love you to those you care about. Never waste an opportunity to give a hug and no matter how far someone is, always find a way to let them know you’re thinking about them.

George Meissler will be greatly missed. He will be buried in his American Legion Color Guard uniform—an outfit he admired more than life. His coffin will be draped with the American Flag and the U.S. Air Force Color Guard will be present. The only thing missing will be the time lost that can never be brought back.

Kerry Patton is also a Senior Analyst for WIKISTRAT. He has worked in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, focusing on intelligence and security interviewing current and former terrorists, including members of the Taliban. He is the author of “Sociocultural Intelligence: The New Discipline of Intelligence Studies” and the children’s book “American Patriotism.” You can follow him on Facebook.

The Soldiers Memorial Fund sponsored and hosted a cruise and gathering on Flathead Lake in Montana for wounded warriors and veterans. Paul and Muffin Vallely, aided by many volunteers celebrated the service of Montana veterans last month. The event was well attended and the veterans had a great time on a great day for a cruise on beautiful Flathead Lake. They embarked from Bigfork and then enjoyed a great gathering on the shore.

Please take a moment to view the slide show below:

If you click on the images, you will be linked to the album where you can copy the pictures you like to your desktop, or a file in your computer.

The “Celebrate America and Remembering 9/11” Event in Kalispell, Montana was one of the greatest events staged in America on September 11 ,2011. This event was sponsored by the Flathead Valley Republican Women and Stand Up America. The slide show is worth watching. LTG Thomas McInerney of Fox News Channel was the keynote speaker and MG Paul Vallely was the Master of Ceremonies. All First Responders, Active Duty Armed Forces, Veterans and Patriots were honored at the event. Please pass this slide show on to other to view and view what real Patriotism is in America.