Back to the roots of, WTOT…

Fifteen years ago, December 1990, America’s troops were preparing for war. Operation Desert Shield brought forth the reality of the conflict to come, Operation Desert Storm. The first thing that came to my mind was, how would the American public regard the troops of this conflict? Would they return to the same treatment our troops received upon their return from Vietnam? With this question in mind I set out to make sure that that horrible experience would remain a thing of the past.

December 1990, I formed Operation San Diego Cares, the purpose of which was to give the public a very public way to show their support for the troops. Hatred and the words “War Mongers” and “Child Killers” never stood a chance to materialize, the public responded with hearts full of love and caring for our troops.

Corporate San Diego came on board on a grand scale. San Diego’s, First National Bank spearheaded a drive to produce “Care Packages” to send to our troops in the Persian Gulf, all branches of the bank and its’ employees participated.

Hotels, The Holiday Inn on Harbor Drive, The Ramada Downtown, San Diego Princess Resort, Best Western Columbia Hotel, Radisson Hotel Harbor View, San Diego Marriott Suites Downtown, were among the many that graciously donated rooms and Christmas Dinners for those troops that were unable to go home on leave due to being in deployment status.

San Diego’s Horton Plaza Park became the focal point of a promotion titled, “From The Heart of San Diego” inviting family members, friends, and the general public to participate in a campaign to send “Care Packages” to our troops already in harms way in the Persian Gulf. Radio Station KSDO made public service announcements for the event, and broadcast live featuring Michael Reagan, President Ronald Reagan’s Son. Postal Annex Plus received 271 packages and more than 50 letters all received postage paid by Postal Annex.

The highlight of Operation San Diego Cares was the production of a “Video Post Card” where family members, friends, and members of the public sent their messages of support to the troops.

The next message will appear at the end of the first week of January 2006 it will address the birth of, Operation Troop Support-USA the precursor to We Thank Our Troops, Inc. WTOT.

Stay tuned for more see you next week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

Bob Zimmerman

Christmastime 2005

Christmas, The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a day that evolved over time into an American tradition so much so the congress of the United States passed a law declaring the day a national holiday. For more than 200 years the nation celebrated the “Christmas Season.” Newspapers would report the 30 final shopping days before the big day, Christmas Day. During the month of December Christmas Carols were commonplace on the nations radio stations. Irving Berlin, a Jew wrote, “White Christmas” the most recorded song in history, He also wrote “God Bless America”.
During World War ll “White Christmas” was a favorite among our troops in harms way, it was also a favorite with loved ones back home.

Merry Christmas, the phrase, during the Christmas Season was commonly the greeting by everyone, the phrase greeted everyone at the market, the department stores, the bank, everywhere you went the joy of Christmas was loved by all. For non-Christians it was the warmth and spiritual feeling shared by all.

Our nation is again at war with an enemy far more dangerous than in any previous war, a war of ideology that is possessed by evil. This war was brought to our shores on 9/11, giving our nation 2 dates that will live in infamy. December 7, 1941, - September 11, 2001.

To the soothsayers I say, America is steeped in deep-rooted traditions. Our founding Fathers knew well the shortcomings of being ruled by the British King and the Church of England thus the separation of Church and State. That said, it simply meant, there would be no official state church, and there never has been a state church. Yes, In God We Trust, and the great strength of our nation has been the fact we are a nation of believers
never fearing to invoke the name of God in the public arena. America was never a Theocracy but definitely a body of religious people with each individual having the right to worship as they pleased without fear of reprisal. Prayer is as American as Apple Pie and Christmas is too, so “Merry Christmas.”

Enjoy, Christmas and the Apple Pie, :-)

Bob Zimmerman

A Guiding Hand Touches Our Lives

We go about our daily lives doing what we do without much thought as to how we got where we are, and are doing what we do. It seems each day is just another day in life. That scenario may be true for the vast majority of Americans but there are a select few who have chosen to serve our country or have chosen to serve those who serve. Doing what we do is a privilege and an honor.

If you're reading this message, more than likely you are serving your country, or you may be serving those who do, together a very special, close knit segment of the American Family. Together we have a very special bond that most Americans will never know, a bond formed by commitment of love for God and Country.

Nowhere have I experienced a more cohesive bond than here in San Diego, and specifically in my service to my friends, the Marines of the Medical Hold Platoon at Balboa Naval Medical Center. I’ve always been aware of the special bond among Marines, but until the past few months I have never had the chance to personally know and share the closeness of that very special bond.

For those of us involved in serving our military I believe we are doing the work of a higher power. Coupled with our troops we are on a joint mission, Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men, (purposely avoiding political correctness).

We are among the blessed of the blessed, a life experience that few will ever know.

A guiding hand does touch our lives. This is my personal Christmas message for those who sail on the ship of Love, Peace, and Happiness every day.

God bless.

My best personal regards,

Bob

Welcome to Bob Zimmerman's Weekly Rant. Please feel free to post your comments here, especially if you are a member of the Armed Forces or a Veteran.

Thank you for your service!