The Long Trail Home and Semper Fi Fund Anniversary

I do not know where people gain their inspiration, there are times that I do not even know where my own comes from. I do know that sometimes frustration causes me to take action. Today is one of those days.

Today my husband had his 90 day check-up for the intracranial aneurysm that he had repaired. The doctor told us that he was very pleased to see that all test results showed that the procedure had been successful and he did not need to see my husband for another year. What amazing, great news for myself and my family! How could I possibly complain?

Well, I can. I have been following The Long Trail Home since May, 2014 and though Matt Littrell and his team have been through various perils, he is no where near the 7 million dollars he wanted to raise for the Semper Fi Fund. Every day this man and the Semper Fi Fund crosses my mind.

On the way to the hospital today my son was telling me about a friend of his that claims the government and the military have done bad things. The friend thinks he would have a better life if he were to live in a different country. I can't imagine.

First thing that comes to my mind are my First Amendment rights. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press: or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

By voicing his opinion to my son, this kid just used one of these rights. He used another while he and his small group of friends were peaceably assembled discussing the unconscionable wrongs of the world. You've probably met a kid like this, one that is forming opinions based on their limited knowledge of living their entire life in these United States. He doesn't have any idea what life would be without these rights and Matt was willing to defend them with his body and soul. Matt's okay with that but he really wants to help soldiers that were not as fortunate as he.

Tonight I ask you to please stand up for your rights and prove this kid wrong. He is young and doesn't understand.

This November, the Semper Fi Fund is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with the 10 for 10 Challenge which is a matching campaign with the possibility of raising $10 million for wounded, critically ill and injured veterans. This challenge which was issued by The Bob & Renee Parson Foundation with support from GoDaddy and will be one of the largest matching campaigns in the history of veteran nonprofits. Through December 31, 2014, all donations to the Semper Fi Fund and America's Fund will be matched, dollar for dollar.

Please donate to Matt's Semper Fi fundraising page.  It's a great way to show we care and a wonderful way to help make history.

What is an RIN?

Your RIN is your Renewal Identification Number.  When you need to renew your driver's license, you probably need the RIN that is assigned by your state Department of Motor Vehicles.

I received an innocent looking card from the Georgia Department of Driver Services a few weeks ago.  I put it on my desk.  It sat there and I picked it up and glanced at it on occasion and finally I had no choice but to take action. My card didn't have the RIN so I was required to appear in person with four documents that the DDS was willing to accept as identification.

Crap.  I had to dig through the archives to find my certified birth certificate.  Then I had to search through my wallet for my Social Security card.  Finally, I needed proof of my residential address.  I had received the postcard from the DDS at my residence but that wasn't good enough because I needed something better such as a bank statement or utility bill.

Blessings to me because I did not need to bring my marriage certificate nor a divorce decree to prove a name change and since I have always been a US citizens I did not need addition documentation.

I griped and complained through two trips to the DDS.  On my first trip I was told that there was a four hour wait.  Since they were going to close in three I decided to go home!  My second trip was a success after three hours.

To save some time I should have studied up.  I know I created my own problems and you can avoid them by doing your homework!  I wish I had known that I could have visited www.USA.gov to verify all of the information that I needed.  A lot has changed in four years!

A Bit Off Subject

I was cleaning tonight and got to thinking about inflation.  A report I read claimed there was a 124.5% increase in grocery prices over the last five years.  I'm sure our health insurance has increased by 142.5% and gas is up 140.4%.  I suppose no government official will decide that cleaning is bad and there will not be an amendment to the Constitution stating that cleaning should not be done.  I do believe that gun control would not be a problem if these numbers were under control.  I encourage you to write your representatives!