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All updates written by Sue, unless otherwise noted. 05.31.2004
To all of my friends: There are also many people that serve our country in a different, but no less important capacity. Such as Bruce Jacobs with KFYI. If you haven't had a chance to listen to Bruce on 550 KFYI in the morning, please try to catch his show. He is on at the crack of dawn, but worth waking up for. This man is a true patriot and his commitment to this country and our military makes him a hero in my book. I have been blessed with many special friends throughout the last year that stood by me through thick and thin. Thanks to all of you for your support. Many of us have loved ones that are serving or have served. For those that have returned, I thank God. For those still deployed around the world, I pray for their safety. For those who have been injured, I pray for their speedy recovery and strength. One of my son's best friends, Pat Patenge is being flown home from Germany this weekend. His humvee was hit by an IED that was on the side of the road. I am asking everyone to please pray for him and his family. For those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Rick's best friend Gordon, I pray for their families. As I reflect, I realize how small this world of ours really is. I believe that our success in World War II is largely do to how we pulled together as a country. Everyone was involved and making sacrifices, not just our soldiers. Why is it when we have support rally's that most of the people that show up have loved ones that are serving? Is it that they are the only ones that care and haven't forgotten or do you think everyone is just too busy with other priorities in their lives. There is no time like the present to show your thanks and support for our troops. I know that their shoulders get a little more square when someone recognizes their sacrifices and simply says "Thanks". My prayer tonight is for more people like you and Ann Margaret. Thank you again for your friendship and support. Your
Fellow Patriot, ----- Forwarded by Sue McCormick/Augusta/Fonda on 05/31/2004 08:24 PM ----- Vietnam 1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time
in
A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around
the
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and
she
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd
like
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little
I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person
I come October 27, 2003 A Mesa, AZ organization is trying to put an end to "Hot dogs" in Iraq! No, they have nothing against the food that is being served to our troops, they are referring to Man's Best Friend, the mine sniffing dogs. These dogs risk their lives and have to endure the extreme temperature with fur coats on and no shoes. Cool Our Troops, a non profit organization out of Mesa, AZ wants to put an end to all of the hot dogs and troops in Iraq! They started their campaign on July 3, 2003 in hopes of bringing some much needed relief from the heat to all of our personnel serving overseas. So far, they have made some Marines, soldiers and yes furry friends, very happy with the personal misting device that they have provided. The fortunate ones that have received this gift say that it is the gift that keeps on giving and that it is a Godsend and life saver. These personal cooling devices cool the air by approximately 30 degrees making the conditions a little more bearable, or should we say, paw-able for our K-9 friends. There are approximately 135,000 troops who continue to go to work everyday in the 100+ scorching sun. Cool Our Troops has provided cool relief to 42,000 of them. "The hardest part of doing Cool Our Troops is not being able to give one to all of our troops. Each and every person sacrificing for us deserves their own unit, but finances can only stretch so far," states Sue McCormick, Founder of Cool Our Troops. Sue along with Co-founder Susan Czubek are getting the units at cost from the manufacturers, Orbit Irrigation and Misty Mate, Inc which help to make the dollar stretch. Both companies donated thousands of units to our troops to help cool our troops. The two woman team is sending the majority of the units to Iraq free of charge. They are hoping that the military will start issuing these to the troops before they deploy to a desert climate. Sue and Susan were under the assumption that the weather in Iraq would start cooling off in October. Unfortunately, much like Arizona, the heat hasn't let up yet and neither has the requests by the troops for the units. The units are being seen all over Iraq, but some of our troops just see them, and can't feel the heavenly cool mist because they don't have one. It is amazing, one person truly can make a difference in the lives of another. October 6, 2003 Oceanside, CA - Operation Cool Our
Troops is cooling down. This program has brought cool relief to
over 32,000 of our armed forces serving in Iraq. It has also brought
relief to our coalition forces and the Iraqi people. Cool Our
Troops has exposed something that most of us are not hearing in
the media these days, the GOOD in the human race. Cool Our Troops
is a not for profit organization that Sue McCormick and Susan
Czubek started on July 3, 2003 in an effort to help our service
personnel serving in the extreme heat in Iraq get cooled off.
The two women started the operation in hopes of providing all
of our troops a personal cooling device that requires no electricity,
no batteries and weighs less than 2 lbs, but can cool surrounding
temperatures by approximately 30 degrees. So
many wonderful Americans have gotten involved and have made a
huge difference in the life our troops. Ages vary from 5 years
old to 89. All across the generations, Americans have responded.
Misty Mate Inc, a Gilbert based company is one of the manufactures
that stepped up to the plate immediately. Before Cool Our Troops
even approached them, they had sent over 1,000 units to our troops
free of charge. The immediately agreed to sell the units to Cool
Our Troops at their cost, which enabled Cool Our Troops to send
over even more units to Iraq. Orbit Irrigation, another manufacturer
of personal cooling devices called Arizona Mist, also got involved
and donated 11,000 units free of charge and also provided additional
units at their cost. Even companies got in the game and had various
fundraisers to raise money to cool our troops. A true show of
American Patriotism by our business community. Several schools
took up the cause including Sonora Middle School, Life School,
Peoria High School and the Scottsdale Christian Academy in Arizona
raised money to cool our troops. Hospitals including Maryvale
Hospital and the VA Hospital also jumped on board and had fund
raising events to support our troops. Countless American Legion
Posts, the VFW's Nationwide and retired Marines including a very
special friend Len Fuchs who was instrumental in connecting us
with the military, Boyce Clark USMC retired who really spread
the word about our operation throughout the military community
and business community in Seattle, and soldiers around this great
country got involved to help their fellow brothers and sisters
in arms. A few of the recipients of these personal misters are returning back to the United States now after being relieved from their assignments by our coalition forces. "It gave Susan and I goosebumps all over again when we found out that they left the misters behind for the coalition forces to use." said Sue. This has been the gift that truly keeps giving and exposing the good in the human race. "Our goal was to "Cool Our Troops", but it has warmed our hearts!" stated Sue and Susan. Although the operation is drawing to a close, Sue and Susan encourage everyone to visit the website and the very touching tribute to 9/11 by the Marines stationed in Iraq. Also, they encourage you to share with them your inspirational stories via their email address at cool@coolourtroops.com. They are going to compile the stories that are shared and their own stories of inspiration in a book to help get the word out to the public about all of the GOOD things that are happening. Susan and Sue would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone for their support, especially all of the US troops and our coalition partners who help to make this world a safer and better place. JULY UPDATES FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mesa, AZ Cooler times are heading North to Iraq thanks to the efforts of some very special people involved with Cool Our Troops. Everyone involved with this project has been working non stop to get some much needed relief to our Troops in Iraq. Their efforts are paying off. The shipments of Misty Mates, a personal cooling device, are being received in Kuwait now and are being sent to the troops on the front line in Iraq who need them most desperately. Another 1,000 Misty Mates is enroute with a wonderful group of Marines thanks to the efforts of Robin at the March Canteen and Major O. Cool Our Troops founders Susan and Sue released another order of 1,000 Misty Mates that was picked up by FedEx today that will go to Iraq the first week in August. Even though the money is not in the account right now, they have faith that donations will come through to cover this shipment. They are receiving numerous requests for Misty Mates and are doing their best to fill them as quickly as possible. They wait until they can outfit a whole battalion or unit with a Misty Mate before sending them up North. The Media coverage is starting to come in from across the Nation. An
email was received today by a Senior member of the United States
Airfoce who had heard about the efforts of Cool Our Troops on
a radio while patrolling in Qatar and emailed to thank Cool Our
Troops for ------ For
Immediate Release Mesa,
AZ It is amazing what two people can do when they set their minds
to it. Two Mesa women are on a mission to provide a personal cooling
device called a "Misty Mate" to our military currently
serving in Iraq where the temperatures reach 130 degrees! Can
you imagine walking around outside in 130 degree heat sporting
70lbs of gear, flack jackets and a full uniform.? Well that is
what our troops endear everyday. Most don't even have access to
air conditioning! When hearing about the extreme heat, Sue McCormick
of Mesa, AZ sent a Misty Mate to her friend who is a Marine still
serving in Iraq. In a phone call home, he told Sue that she was
a genius. The gift lowered the temperature by at least 30 degrees
by providing a cool, refreshing mist. He went on to add that he
couldn't use his if all of his Marines didn't have one. You see,
Sue made a huge blunder and had only sent him one. This prompted
her into action! Instead of just watching and worrying, her and
friend Susan Czubek, who's fiance is a Marine currently deployed
overseas, founded "Cool Our Troops". The two women have
shipped 4,000 Misty Mates to our military since they started this
Non Profit organization on July 3! Misty Mates, Inc. has already
generously donated 1,000 units to our troops and are giving the
remainder units to Cool Our Troops at his cost.
Letters of appreciation from our troops who have received a Misty Mate are already coming in. One such letter from LTC Pat F. CDR, 3-187 IN unit #96083 reads as follows, "Please accept my most heartfelt thanks on behalf of the men of my battalion. Your generous donation has been a veritable Godsend for our troops. We have found many ways to use them. Perhaps the most ingenious is to hang them in our trucks where temperatures reach 130° and allow them to blow fresh, moist, cool air down on us. The difference in temperature and the corresponding difference in so ldiers' attitudes is astounding. Thank you for your generosity and patriotism." They have also been told that it is like Christmas in July for the troops and that this is the gift that keeps on giving. The soldiers and Marines state that they are using them 24/7 and they are a Godsend! Sue and Susan drove all night to get another 1,000 Misty Mates to an Air Force Base in California so that they can go on a military flight straight to Iraq! "The units will go directly to the troops on the ground that so desperately need them. Our goal is to get another 45,000 Misty Mates to our Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and we need everyone's help to accomplish this goal and show the troops that we care. We hate to turn down any soldier or Marine that requests one due to lack of funds" said Sue. You can make a difference! Please help "Cool Our Troops" by sending a tax deductible donation. On August 8 from 5-9 the Alaska Bistro in Mesa, AZ will host the next "Cool Our Troops" event. A $20 donation will get you a "Cool" time, great food, drinks and a raffle with lots of great prizes including a trip for 2 to Alaska that includes airfare, (a 10% surcharge will apply), accommodations and a charter fishing expedition donated by Alaska Bistro. Please join us in support of our troops. ------- For
Immediate Release Phoenix, AZ 45,000 U.S. Military Personnel are currently serving their time in the scorching heat of the Iraq desert without a way to cool themselves. Cool Our Troops has brought relief in the form of a personal cooling device called a Misty Mates to 5,500 of the soldiers and Marines stationed there. Their mission is to provide a Misty Mate to all of the coalition forces serving in Iraq that need one. They are counting on the generosity the civilian and corporate population to get these units to our troops. Ray Woolery of Zebra Signs & Graphics is willing to do what it takes to make this operation successful. He has been providing all of the banners and signage for our Fund-raising events and never says, "I 've Already Given Enough". It is this kind of spirit that Sue and Susan, founders of Cool Our Troops, expect from everyone. "If our troops can keep on giving of themselves, then it is only right that we do the same," says Sue. A call was received today by a woman in California that had heard about the operation. She called to inquire how to make a donation. She was sending a check out for $100.00. When asked if there was a particular soldier or Marine that she would like to send them to she replied, "No, just send them to who needs them the most". She was then informed that the next shipment was earmarked for the 101st Airborne, come to find out, that is who her husband is with! The next stop for a Cool Our Troops night is August 8 in ALASKA. Alaska Bistro in Mesa, AZ that is. Everyone is encouraged to come out. It is a great opportunity to get out of the Arizona Heat, enjoy great company, food and drinks and Cool Our Troops. It is also an opportunity to win a trip for 2 to Alaska to cool off, donated by Alaska Bistro. The temperature in Iraq is only getting hotter. Cool Our Troops has joined forces with Mike Meyers, National Veterans of Foreign Wars, to make sure that all of the military personnel getting ready to leave for Iraq are equipment with their own Misty Mates. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is also going to help Cool Our Troops by arranging transportation of the units to Iraq while also providing relief packages for our troops. Again, these Veterans are stepping up to the plate and you don't hear them saying, "We've already given enough"! To
help: Please contact Sue McCormick at 480-239-9364 or Susan Czubek
at 602-568-7473 Or contact them via email at cool@coolourtroops.com -------- For
Immediate Release "What a awe inspiring night at the Marco Polo Supper Club, the Cool Our Troops Event was a huge success. Susan and I had set a goal of raising $5000. We should have reached higher! I am thrilled to say that through the very generous support of our fellow Americans that turned out at Marco Polo Supper Club, we raised nearly $5000! We can't thank everyone enough for their participation. The food was delicious and plentiful, the wine and beer were flowing and the Band Kokomo who donated their time were awesome. I want to thank our Marines who guarded our money (we had them there to strong arm the money from people). They seriously did a wonderful job and helped us on the dance floor raise even more money! A big ooohrah to them. This night was one of making new friends and sharing stories. I thank everyone who took part and came out in support of Cool Our Troops. You can see us shipping the fruits of our labor tomorrow morning on Channel 10 around 7:00 AM, when 1,000 more Misty Mates are going to be shipped to our troops via Fed Ex. Also, you can catch myself and Steve Utter, CEO of Misty Mates on the Pat McMahon Show tomorrow. We need help spreading the word quickly. The Troops need us now. Thank you for your donation and please help us get the word out. ---------- July 24 Another 1000 personal cooling devices are being delivered to "Cool" US Troops in Iraq. Because of the generosity of some fine American's that showed up and donated items for the 'Cool Our Troops Night' at the Marco Polo Supper Club on 26th Street and Camelback in Phoenix on 23 July, Cool Our Troops was able to send 1000 cool misters to our overheated troops. That is the good news! The word is getting out to the military families of the cooling devices and more requests than can be filled are coming into Cool Our Troops. See photos here Sue
and Susan, co-founders of the organization are hopeful that all
Americans will get in the real game and step up to the plate.They
hate to turn any requests down due to lack of funds. "It
was amazing to me Since professional atheletes are obviously competitive, the 2 women decided to have a Cool Our Troops "Get in the Game and Step Up to the Plate" competition. They are going to post which professional Arizona team has raised the most money collectively to support our "Heroes" the men and women serving in the armed forces on their website: coolourtroops.com. This will be an easy game for the athletes. They don't even have to sweat! They just have to pick up a pen and write out a check and stick it any US Mail box a self addressed envelope will be provided along with a letter explaining the game. The athletes' donations will be posted as they are received so that the troops and the American people can thank them for their generosity. This is a team sport, so it is imperative that they encourage the other players to give from their hearts as well. The
men and women serving this great nation are enduring unimaginable
heat with no air conditioning. Can you imagine sitting at the
Bank One Ball Park in the middle of the summer with the top off?
Our soldiers and Marines are on patrol in the streets of Iraq
in 130 degree weather everyday wearing 70 lbs of gear in full
uniforms. They don't even get days off. ---- 23 July "What a awe inspiring night at the Marco Polo Supper Club, the Cool Our Troops Event was a huge success. Susan and I had set a goal of raising $5000. We should have reached higher! I am thrilled to say that through the very generous support of our fellow Americans that turned out at Marco Polo Supper Club, we raised a thousands of dollars! We can't thank everyone enough for their participation. The food was delicious and plentiful, the wine and beer were flowing and the Band Kokomo who donated their time were awesome. I want to thank our Marines who guarded our money (we had them there to strong arm the money from people). They seriously did a wonderful job and helped us on the dance floor raise even more money! A big ooohrah to them. This night was one of making new friends and sharing stories. I thank everyone who took part and came out in support of Cool Our Troops. You can see us shipping the fruits of our labor tomorrow morning on Channel 10 around 7:00 AM, when 1,000 more Misty Mates are going to be shipped to our troops via Fed Ex. Also, you can catch myself and Steve Utter, CEO of Misty Mates on the Pat McMahon show tomorrow. We need help spreading the word quickly. The Troops need us now.
Cool Our Troops Cools another 500 Cool Our Troops is sending another 500 Misty Mates to our troops in Iraq via Fed Ex to help them keep cool. "We only wish that number would have a couple of zero's behind it" says Sue. The two women will not stop until all of our troops are "Cool". They hope to have this operation accomplished, with the help of their fellow Americans, by August 1. The men and women serving the United States of America need them now! It is estimated that 50,000 of our Troops in Iraq are without air conditioning in 130 degree temperatures. A fund-raiser is scheduled for 23 July 2003 from 5-9 at the Marco Polo Supper Club located on 26th St. and Camelback in Phoenix, AZ. $20 gets you delicious food, drinks, a live band and a "Cool" time. It also provides a cool relief to 2 soldiers or Marines in Iraq. A raffle and silent auction are also scheduled to be part of the fun. Wonderful items include a 2 night stay in the Grand Canyon, Autographed items donated by various valley sports teams, a gorgeous painting by Jim LaRocca, sculptures donated by Furniture Affair and many other wonderful items. The next fund-raising event will be at the "Coolest Place in the Valley, Alaska Bistro in Mesa on Sossaman and Baseline". Please come out and join us from 5-9 for food, fun, and games. All proceeds will "Cool Our Troops". I know that all of the troops are wishing they could go to Alaska and get cool! If you can't make it out to our events, you can slip your donation in the mail immediately. Just mail your checks to Bank One, Tempe Towne Center, c/o Cool Our Troops, 20 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281. If you are in Arizona, you can just stop by any Bank One branch to make your donation. You may also call the bank directly at (480) 890 6191 to make your donation using your credit card. We started it off with a spot on Channel 12 News Live with Jineane Ford at 6:00 AM. From there we headed to Marco Polo Supper Club were we were on live with Perry Damon, 98.7 KLite. Thanks to both for the coverage. The media coverage is really helping us to get the word out to the public. We just need people to do their part and make a sacrifice to help our military stay "cool". Today is going to be another big day and we are looking forward to all of you joining us at Marco Polo Supper Club! We have been invited to be the guest on the Pat McMahon show today and we are appreciative of the coverage. Fox News will be doing a piece from Fed Up Mail and Shipping on us sending the Misty Mates to our Troops! Hopefully this will air on the 5:00 and 10:00 News. Tom Liddy from Liddy and Hill will be airing our plea on his show. ABC-15 and Fox-10 will also be covering the Marco Polo Event tonight. Again, we thank all of the media for their efforts in helping us "Cool Our Troops". Our goal is to get this spread around the country so that we can get these Misty Mates in our troops hands when they need them most, NOW. "My husband is serving in Iraq. I will mail a check to the address below. Thank you very much!" A wife of a soldier in Iraq. "I
know that my husband and many others view you as their own personal "I'm
going to forward your email address to my husband I'm certain
that he would like to send you an email but as his email access
is very unreliable I'm not certain how long it will take for you
to receive anything from him. I wanted to let you know that he
distributed the Misty mates you sent to him to some off the other
soldiers in his unit. He wants to get as many as possible for
another unit. This other unit has provided maintanence support
to our company when they have been seperated from our own support
logistically. They have also allowed our soldiers to use their
phones and internet access so that our soldiers could contact
their loved owns at home. This unit didn't have to provide our
soldiers with any type of support but they did anyway. My husband
would really like to have their unit taken care of as a way to
say thank you to them." The quotes above are just a sampling of responses we are receiving. It is amazing to us that these people have already been sacrificing so much for this country with their loved ones in harms way, and they are still willing to do more! What can you do to help? July 21 Misty Troops in IRAQ A request came from CWO4 Ron C. for 100 Misty Mates today. Chief Warrant Officer C. was not requesting the Misty Mates for his company, but another company that has been so helpful to his! He wanted to try and do something nice for them. Apparently the company he is requesting them for has been sharing much needed equipment with his unit. You see Ron's unit had very limited access to phones and computers. They could literally go months without talking to their loved ones if not for this unit. This is just one of the many requests from troops in all branches of the services that are being received by Sue and Susan, founders of Cool Our Troops. The Commanders of battalions are requesting Cool Our Troops to send a Misty Mate to everyone in their battalion so that no one is left out. Some battalions are made up of 1200 men and women. Unfortunately, these orders can not be filled at this time due to lack of funds. "I hate to turn any of our troops away, but we just don't have enough money to fulfil all of the requests at this time. I am hoping that the American public, the professional atheletes and movie stars, corporations and citizens will get in the real game soon and step up to the plate. Our men and women that proudly wear our uniform are counting on us to help them." said Sue. A number of people you talk to think that it is a great idea, but they don't take the next step, which is action. Going to the bank, mailing a check in or even calling the bank and giving a donation with their credit card. I realize that here in Arizona it is hot and people don't want to get out side if they don't have to. I encourage everyone to make a sacrifice from your heart. Think about what the Troops are giving to us. They are giving us the very freedom to live the life styles that we have enjoyed for centuries. Please encourage your family, friends and coworkers to support our Troops by donating from the heart to: Bank One Your support is greatly appreciated as soon as possible. Their need is urgent. Please help. July 20 Our website is up and running and Susan has even got pictures posted on it of 1st SGT. Dave J. with his 1000 Misty Mates for His Marines in the 1st BN 7th Marines back in Iraq. Dave will be delivering them to his Marines personally! This is our first "Leap of Faith" and I am proud to say it was a complete success. As many of you know, we didn't have the money in the account to cover all 1000 units at the time we ordered them and picked them up. My back up was my good old Gold Card! I am so happy to say, (and I am sure Rick will be thrilled) that I didn't have to mortgage the house or go into further credit card debt. The money was in our account by this afternoon to cover it by donations from our fellow Americans! Kathy, Rick's daughter came over today and she spent her time making donation boxes. These boxes will be placed strategically throughout the valley so that people that do not want to drive to the bank can just donate on the spot. She has also sent out an email to Oprah and we are anxiously awaiting a response. When driving home from the scrapbook store to get additional supplies for the boxes, the suburban in front of us had a Marine sticker in the window. I just knew that I was suppose to talk to the person in that truck. Kathy and I followed it ( I know you are all thinking I am a stalker now, but stay with me here) I told Kathy that if the truck didn't turn before the light I would call it quits. Of course, the truck turned immediately. I then said that if it didn't make an immediate turn that I would quit. (Kathy was praying it didn't turn at this point) of course, it did. When the truck pulled into their driveway, the first thing Kathy and I noticed was the yellow ribbons on everything in sight. I knew that we were in the right place. There was a Marine Flag hanging proudly in the front yard next to the waving American Flag. I approached the vehicle reluctantly. I figured that this poor person would think I am a lunatic. I was beginning to wonder myself! Instead, she recognized me instantly. Come to find out, her and her family had read an article about "Cool Our Troops" and wanted to get ahold of me. They were nervous about calling me and bothering me! Now here I was in her driveway reaching out to them! She immediately invited us in, introduced us to her entire family and friends. Through conversation and networking, it became clearly evident that we where there for a reason. Her son is a Marine currently serving in Iraq. It
is so amazing how total strangers connected in just seconds all
because of a Marine sticker! But I shouldn't have been surprised
because Rick has always told me that the his fellow Marines are
his brothers. So, after all, we are all family and in this together! FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dear
Friends and Family: I am also making a plea to all of our professional athletes, actors and actresses to get into the real game and step up to the plate to help the men and women serving in harm's way in defense of our nation on foreign shores in this unbearable heat. I will post their donations on our website as we receive them so please make sure to write Cool Our Troops a note to let us know it is from you. It is important for our Troops to know that we care and they have our support. Your
Fellow Patriot. ------ July 17 To all
of our friends and supporters: Please encourage everyone to make their donation as soon as possible. The quicker we get the donation, the faster we can send these Misty Mates out. We would like for the troops to have them as soon as possible. Rumor is that it will be even hotter in the next few weeks in Iraq. Please check our website for current weather conditions in Iraq and imagine being out in that kind of heat with 70 lbs of gear and people acting hostile towards you. All of our Troops are making sacrifices, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice. Cool Our Troops is dedicated to our awesome Military! Thank
you again for your support. I know the troops will appreciate
all of your efforts. |
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