June 4, 2004
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When the Marines asked us for Frisbees in January it was specifically because they would foster interaction between the Marines and the local children. The Marines knew there was not much they could teach Iraqi children about soccer but Frisbees offered a teaching and laughing opportunity. The real point is the interaction - that's where relationships are built and opinions formed. The gift itself is more of a side note. That said, soccer balls are very popular and we're providing them, too.
The frisbees shown here are imprinted with "Friendship" in English and Arabic and the Spirit of America logo (which features Liberty). Posted by: Rhesa Rozendaal |
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May 8, 2004
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Following is a message and photos from LtCol John Lutkenhouse about the Marines giving Frisbees and soccer balls to children near Fallujah. You'll enjoy it.
When the Marines asked us for Frisbees in January it was specifically because they would foster interaction between the Marines and the local children. The Marines knew there was not much they could teach Iraqi children about soccer but Frisbees offered a teaching and laughing opportunity. The real point is the interaction - that's where relationships are built and opinions formed. The gift itself is more of a side note. That said, soccer balls are very popular and we're providing them, too. Posted by: Donovan Janus |
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January 23, 2004
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More photos from our January 21st volunteer event at Camp Pendleton when volunteers worked with Marines to prepare for shipment to Iraq 2 tons of "flying disks," 4 tons of school supplies and 3 tons of medical supplies.
Citizen Smash (aka LT Smash) and the lovely Mrs. Smash in their stunning Spirit of America fashionwear. 
Part of the early morning shot at the Las Pulgas gate for Fox News San Diego (Channel 6) shortly after sunrise. Fox reporter Ruben, decked out in camo gear, is the one kneeling. These hearty volunteers showed up at 6am. After this it was back to work. 
Marines and volunteers assembling school kits. 
A family from Los Angeles with our youngest volunteers. A family from Los Angeles with our youngest volunteers. 
Master Sergeant Lee. If you look up "Marine Sergeant" in the dictionary you are likely to see a picture of MSgt Lee. He demonstrated that the chain of command is a beautiful thing and kept the Marines in his charge focused and productive. Thank you MSgt Lee!! 
Around 10:30am a gaggle of television cameras and reporters showed up. 
Volunteers and Marines at lunch break. 
Hundreds of bags stuffed with medical supplies bound for Iraqi clinics and hospitals. 
LtCol John Lutkenhouse and some of the volunteers at the end of the day. Posted by: Donovan Janus |
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It's important to communicate that the goods donated by Spirit of America and by Americans serving in Iraq are understood to be gifts of friendship from the American people. We seek to communicate that Americans are friends and to improve perceptions and relations between Iraqis and Americans.
Click below to see some of the ways we communicated the message of friendship. 
15,000 flying discs were printed with "Friendship" in Arabic and English. 
The tote bags used for school supply kits were printed with "Friendship" and "A gift of friendship from the American people to the people of Iraq" in Arabic and English. 
The medical kits were put in high quality duffel-type travel bags. Each bag had a luggage tag with the message "A gift of friendship from the American people." 
We put stickers with the message "A gift of friendship from the American people" on some of the longer-lasting items: wirebound notebooks, stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. Posted by: Donovan Janus |
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It was a beautiful thing ... on Wednesday about 40 volunteers from all parts of Southern California and over 50 Marines worked side by side to prepare for shipment the goods Spirit of America had donated for the Marines coming deployment to Iraq. The items will be given to Iraqis as gifts of friendship from the American people. The goal is to help the Iraqi people and to build better relations between Americans and Iraqis.
Remember: this was just the first phase of our support for the 1st Marine Division. New donations will go to purchase goods that will go over on planes with the Marines in February and March. More details on everything can be found with these links: How much money we raised and how it was spent Media coverage of the SoA/Marines event The message of Friendship Background on the Marines request More photos Posted by: Donovan Janus |
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January 22, 2004
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Last summer (Summer 2003) when I started Spirit of America I had the great fortune to come in contact with two Marines serving in Iraq. LtCol Al Burghard and LtCol David Couvillon (“Couv”). As it turns out, Mrs. Smash was the one who helped us connect (thanks again, Mrs. Smash). Al and Couv emailed me asking for dental supplies and soccer jerseys for Iraqis in their areas. We raised money, bought the goods, shipped them over with help from FedEx. You can read about the results of Al with the dental supplies and Couv with the soccer jerseys. My experience with them was outstanding. The kind of thing that makes you truly glad and proud to have them representing you and your country — they were focused, committed and had a sincere desire to help and “do the right thing” in Iraq. They had more humanitarian instincts than many aid and charity workers I’ve met and yet they’d just finished fighting a war. They took initiative and got things done that no one asked them do. They just did it. We finally met in mid September ’03 at Camp Pendleton after they returned from their deployment. Several beers were shared at the end of the day. Cool and satisfying.
Posted by: Donovan Janus |
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