The Real Santa Claus

I love our Marines - and I love commercials like this!

I truly believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the real image of all our men and women in uniform: tough, dedicated, honorable, courageous - and also tender, protective and giving.

Right now, Project Valour-IT, created and sponsored by Soldiers' Angels is going on in the blogosphere:

Project Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include

Voice-controlled Laptops - speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities)

Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

Cassandra is leading for the Marines, USNI Blog sails for the Navy, the Mudville Gazette flies for the Air Force, and BlackFive humps for the Army - I would ask my readers to please go to any one of these worthy blogs and offer your support to this magnificent cause. All money is pooled and goes to those most in need without regard to their branch of service; the fund raiser is simply a "friendly" (HAH!) competition between the services to see who can raise the most for this charity. Competition ends on November 11th, but donations are always accepted on behalf of our men and women in uniform.

Please return the devotion our troops give to us: donate generously!

The commercial, of course, doesn't have anything to do with Project Valour-IT; it promotes the Marine Corps' annual Christmas Charity, Toys for Tots.

So many families, especially in this time of economic trouble and unemployment, do not have the resources to bring the joy of giving to their children. The Toys for Tots program is a way that you can help - and it's sponsored by those tough, gritty Marines who stand on the front line every day in defense of our country. These men and women, feared and hated by the bad guys of the world (and with good reason!), open their hearts to the most vulnerable of us all: children in need.

A truly valorous heart is courageous, dedicated, persistent, honorable, compassionate, and loving. The men and women who wear the uniforms of our Armed Services are excellent examples of valor, and we are all blessed by their selfless service.

Please join with them to serve the children and their wounded brethren. Let them know that we honor them as our brothers and sisters and that we care about the things they cherish.