> >---------- Forwarded message ---------- >From: Press Service <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: America Supports You: Radio Clubs to 'Ham it Up' for Troops > >By Rudi Williams >American Forces Press Service > >WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2005 -- Ham radio operators and amateur radio clubs plan >to "Ham It Up for the Troops" on May 28 during the second annual Amateur Radio >Military Appreciation Day to thank active duty, veterans and retired military >people for their service and sacrifices to the nation, according to ARMAD's >founder and former Air Force sergeant Emery McClendon. > >"ARMAD is a day when all amateur radio operators and amateur radio clubs >worldwide are invited to gather at public locations to allow our citizens to >express words of thanks and appreciation to our military members and coalition >forces in a live format," said >McClendon, who founded and established ARMAD in Fort Wayne, Ind., almost a >year >ago. > >"The original purpose of ARMAD was to encourage amateurs worldwide to use our >hobby to express thanks as a public service for those that serve in the >military, including active duty, veterans and retirees," said the former >aircraft refueler. "We also wanted to allow their families to support one >another with words of encouragement by contacting other ARMAD locations." > >Ham radio operators set up in public locations such as shopping centers, >parks, >Veterans Affairs hospitals and sporting events to express verbal positive >support "live" over the radio for active duty military people, members of the >reserve components, veterans, family members and military support groups, >McClendon said. > >ARMAD is associated with National Military Appreciation Month and is being >held >during the weekend of Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have >died in the nation's service. > >"It was felt that to honor those that serve during this special day would be >fitting as this day was already special to those who have given the ultimate >sacrifice for this country," McClendon noted. "On this day, many people gather >at events to pay tribute to those that have died for our freedom." > >This year, amateur radio operators will participate from several states -- >Florida, California, Washington, Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, >North and South Carolina and others. Operators in several foreign countries >also are slated to participate, including Australia, Greece, Kuwait and >England, and members of the Iraq Amateur Radio Club are expected to join in as >well, according to McClendon. > >"We expect many others, including ships and military hospitals, as we approach >the event date," he said. "Last year, we had more than 25 different groups in >the U.S. and about 15 foreign countries participating in ARMAD," McClendon >noted. "We expect participation to triple for the 2005 event. We've had great >response just by word of mouth. With publicity, we will grow, and reach many >more troops and communities." > >McClendon served four years on active duty in the Air Force, including 15 >months at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, and two years in the active >Indiana Air National Guard. > >McClendon said he received several heartwarming comments during last year's >ARMAD, which was held at Fort Wayne Memorial Stadium. Noting that local >government officials read proclamations of support for the military during a >small ceremony, McClendon said, "After hearing these local officials speak >over >the radio, some of our military members remarked that they were pleased and >felt privileged that a government official would take time away from families >for such a cause. > >"There were also many heartwarming comments from young children expressing >thanks to our men and women for what they do to keep America free," he >noted. "Many kind words were exchanged from all over the world to American and >coalition troops. One man from Kuwait joined us on the air to say thanks to >America for freeing his country from Saddam Hussein. His statements moved the >crowd in the stadium." > >McClendon emphasized that ARMAD is not affiliated with the Military Affiliate >Radio System in any way, except that many MARS operators are amateur radio >operators. But MARS plays an active role in ARMAD. > >"ARMAD is for those that serve our great country," McClendon said. "We want to >spread the word to as many military members and communities as possible so >that >we can help boost the morale of those that serve in this positive and manner." > >Related Sites: >America Supports You [http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/] >Amateur Radio Military Appreciation >Day [http://www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw] ><spacer type= vertical size=5> > >_______________________________________________________ >NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK, >the official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at >http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2005/n02162005_2005021611.html. > > > >==================================================== > >Visit the Defense Department's Web site "America Supports You" at >http://www.americasupportsyou.mil, that spotlights what Americans are >doing in support of U.S. military men and women serving at home and abroad. > >==================================================== >Visit the Defense Department's Web site for the latest news >and information about America's response to the war against terrorism: >"Defend America" at http://www.DefendAmerica.mil. > >==================================================== > >Unsubscribe from or Subscribe to this mailing list: >http://www.defenselink.mil/news/subscribe.html >====================================================