From The Columbus Dispatch

"A U.S. Marine from northwest Ohio died during combat operations in Iraq, his mother said Monday. Jon Michael Schoolcraft III, a 2001 graduate of Wapakoneta High School, was killed Saturday in the Al Anbar province, said Cynthia Ann Schoolcraft.

“It's a tragedy,” she said. “He loved his family very much. He liked to kid around, and he was a good person and a good soldier.

“From what I understand, his actions allowed others to survive and return home to their families.”

To read this story, please visit The Columbus Dispatch 

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Remember Me 

If You Want Me To 

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And please, say a prayer for all of those serving... 

President Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.”, and he was right. 

True freedom does not mean taking away the rights of Americans to pray as they choose. True freedom means working together to preserve and protect the rights of every American of every faith to pray as they wish. As a nation which values individual freedom and liberty, we can not and must not allow anyone to take away the freedoms that so many have selflessly given their lives to protect.  For the minute even one American looses their freedom, the freedom of every American is at risk.  As Moms, we are deeply grateful to have elected leaders such as Speaker Jon Husted who have the courage to take a stand on this important issue.

The word hero may be a bit old fashioned, but it fits Speaker Husted well.  Throughout our nation’s history, our country has been blessed with men and women who cared far more for the welfare of others than they did for themselves.  Men and women who believed in the American people, and in the values and traditions that have for so long stood the test of time in our great nation.  Men and women who had the courage to lead and a willingness to serve. And whether the issue has been freedom of speech, improving educational opportunities for children or working to improve Ohio’s economy, Speaker Husted has proven time and again that he has the courage and ability to lead, and the compassion and dedication needed to serve the people of our state and as moms, we are deeply grateful to have a person of his caliber leading our Statehouse.

Thank you Speaker Husted, for all that you are doing on behalf of all of our families and children... 

When Jon Husted was sworn in as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio was desperately in need of a change.  Weighed down by an antiquated tax code that was hurting our state’s ability to attract and retain jobs, struggling school systems and colleges that were unaffordable and kids that were suffering because of them, the Ohio House of Representatives had become more of a battleground than anything else.  While there were many state representatives who desperately wanted to find a way to help make Ohio a better place for Ohio’s families, the Ohio House was in urgent need of a leader who could bring them together and they found that leader in Speaker Jon Husted.

In talking with a number of state representatives around the state, one thing that clearly emerges is that not only do many of the representatives respect Speaker Husted, but they like him.  Known for his fairness and his willingness to listen to all sides of a discussion, he has earned the respect of many of Ohio’s state representatives.  Under his leadership, Ohio has brought much needed changes to our state and we are grateful for his efforts.

Speaker Husted On Education:  Speaker Husted has become well known for his determination to put the needs of our kids first and foremost.  While giving our children a good education has always been important, with the increasingly competitive job market we currently face it is now a necessity without which our children will not be able to succeed.  While a strong advocate for both our public school systems and school choice, Speaker Husted is best known for his efforts to improve our state’s educational system in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  Understanding that if Ohio is to re-emerge at the forefront of tomorrow’s economy we must change our educational focus, Jon has worked tirelessly to ensure that our schools will have the tools they need to provide our children with a better education in these areas.  Recognizing that many of our students struggle with the cost of attending college, Speaker Husted led the Ohio House effort to pass legislation that will provide a $100 million dollars in scholarships for our students.   In today’s world, the importance of a college education can not be understated.  If our children wish to succeed in the marketplace of tomorrow, they must earn a college degree.  As Moms, we are deeply grateful to Speaker Husted  both for his efforts to ensure that more of our children can afford to attend college and that they are better prepared to succeed once they arrive there.

Speaker Husted Gives A Helping Hand To Children:  One of the greatest gifts a child can ever receive is to have a family who loves them.  Sadly, while every child is a precious gift and deserves to be loved and cherished, not every child has a family to love them.  These children desperately need and deserve a home.  While foster care can truly be a blessing for a child who has been abused, it is not a good permanent solution.  A child needs to know that he or she will be loved-always.  Not just for a day.  In addition, there are a number of couples who would make amazing parents and  have so much love to give, but can not have children themselves.  Sadly, our country’s adoption laws can make it difficult for children who desperately need parents who will love them to be adopted by couples who have a home and the love to give them.  Adopted himself, Jon has been a passionate advocate for improving our adoption laws and for doing everything that can be done to help other children receive the same gift he did-a family who loved him unconditionally-not just on a temporary basis-but for always.  And as Moms, we are sure that there are many children and families who are deeply grateful for his efforts.  

Throughout the past few months I reflected and prayed upon an issue of great importance, one that has weighed on my mind and heart and one that must be addressed as we return to our work here in the House – the issue is that of protecting prayer.

After thoughtful deliberation, including the consideration of hiring a House chaplain, I have determined that our current guest minister program is working quite well.

As the Speaker of the Ohio House and the leader of this esteemed chamber I will not allow for our prayers to be censored – prayer is a time of reflection and guidance, a time which should not be governed by political advocacy or personal opinion. Our moment of prayer prior to each House session is a legislative tradition and I stand at the ready to protect this institution.

As such, while the Ohio House of Representatives is under my leadership we will not censor the content of prayers given prior to a House session.

PLEASE JOIN US!

5^th Annual Phone Card Luncheon

 “A Celebration of Patriotism and Bravery To Honor Our Military Personnel”

Please take a moment and watch Lizzie' s latest video, and please, say a prayer for our troops. Viceo:  If You Want Me Too

And if you ever wondered if our troops are helping people, please watch:  Helping Hands 

Editorial, Theresa Fleming, Director of Moms For Ohio

Having had the privilege of knowing State Representative Josh Mandel for several years, I can say with absolute certainty that there is only one reason that Josh Mandel is going back to Iraq. It's because he believes in this country and he wants to be there to help his fellow Marines in whatever way he can. During his time at the Ohio House, he has served the people of our state with a selfless dedication and integrity that has served as an inspiration for all of us and his loss will be deeply felt among all those who truly wish to serve our state.

From Cleveland.com:

"State Rep. Josh Mandel is headed to Iraq -- again.

The freshman state lawmaker, considered a rising star in Ohio Republican circles, has volunteered for a second tour of duty in Iraq as an intelligence specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

"I didn't join the Marine Corps to say no when the Marine Corps needed Marines in my field," said Mandel."

To read this story, please visit Cleveland.com 

Editorial By Theresa Fleming, Director of Moms For Ohio 

Since the founding of our country, over one million men and women have given their lives serving in our armed forces so that we might be safe and free.  President John F. Kennedy once said, "the cost of freedom is high, but Americans have always paid it".  And he was right.  America is, and has continued to be, the "Home of the Brave and Land of the Free", because we have always been blessed with people who care far more about the welfare of others than they do for themselves. 

We need to remember to thank them, and that is why I want to share with each of you a story about a Marine that my little girl and I met while shopping at the grocery store.  He touched our hearts, as I am sure he has touched the hearts of many-and saved their lives as well. 

We met this Marine as we stood in the aisle trying to find some fun foods to send to a friend who was also serving in the Marines in Iraq and we started talking about the war. He told me that he had also served in a war; he had served in Vietnam.  I thanked him for his service, for being willing to risk his life so that our children might live safe, and free.  And this brave, strong man, started to cry.   He was so deeply touched that someone would thank him, would appreciate what he had done.

As we stood there in the grocery aisle, he told me of how his father had served before him and how his two sons now currently served.  And he beamed with pride as he told me of the picture that hung above his mantel of his two sons in uniform.  And when he spoke of his family’s tradition of “Answering Our Nation’s Call”, he brought tears to my eyes as well.  This man, this family, is one of so many.  And we are so privileged to have so many men and women who willing to risk their lives, and who so often must live with the scars of war, so that we might remain safe and free.  And it struck me that if just a few words of thank you could touch this veteran so deeply, then we must not be saying thank you, nearly enough.

As we said good-bye, he wished me a “Blessed day”, and indeed it was.  Because I truly felt blessed to have met this man, a man of faith and a veteran of war.   And I will never forget his sacrifice, or the sacrifices made by the countless men and women currently serving in Iraq.  May God bless them and keep them safe. 

And as we celebrate our country's freedom this July 4th, may we keep each of these brave men and women in our prayers, and remember to thank them when they come home.  

Any May God Bless Our Great Country, and May We Always Remember These Brave Men & Women In Our Prayers... 

By Dr. Deborah Owens, Ph.D. 

I met an unsung hero last summer.   His name was Jeremy and he was sitting in the front row of my Summer  Buyer Behavior Class at the University of Akron, where I am a professor of business.  As a good looking , six foot five, clean shaven college kid, he was not very remarkable.  He was like many of my students, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, bright, eager to learn, and carrying a back-pack, and a cell phone.  There was also something quite different about him though. He seemed more serious than most of my other 20 something students, and there was an intensity about him that seemed to permeate his actions and his words.

A few weeks into the semester it started to make sense.   Jeremy was not just any student,  Jeremy was a Marine.  As a Marine Jeremy served two tours in Iraq where he had received a Purple Heart.  This last bit of information, I only found out recently when as an Army Reservists, he started his MBA Program and became a graduate assistant working in my department.  He explained that I should not be concerned if I noticed him staring at my mouth, as Jeremy had to read lips, due to a significant hearing loss he had as a result of injuries suffered while deployed in Iraq. His face showed no signs of the surgeries he had undergone, or the pain that his family and his fiancée must have known when they received the dreaded phone call. The only evidence was noticing how hard Jeremy concentrated on every word you spoke.

Jeremy (24)  is an unsung hero, and so is his brother Matt (26) who is now serving in the United States Air Force.  

"…After my fifth trip to Iraq to report on Marines, I've concluded that, at least among Marines, morale remains high - high not despite the public's disaffection with the war but possibly because of it. The declining poll numbers and rising political upheaval appear to have driven Marines closer together. "

By Dr. Deborah L. Owens, Ph.D.

It has been just over a year now since our eldest son,  Shane (now 21) left to start his military career at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Many people have asked me why he went when we live in such unsettled times of world turmoil, with continued fighting in Iraq, and Afghanistan and the growing potential for conflict in North Korea and Iran.  They ask me, aren’t you worried for his long term safety ?  Shane is a wonderful, young man, who was co-captain of his high school swim team,  and graduated with honors, and over a 4.0 grade point, and loved to read, snow ski and play video games.  So why did we let him go into a career in the military of all things?

Quite simply, it was his choice, not ours.  My husband and I firmly believe that our goal as parents is to give our children a firm foundation, and then give them wings to fly.  We have tried to do just that.

We have also relied on our faith and  to live out the verse,  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him”,  Proverbs 3:5-6. 

It has also helped that there are so many God centered people associated with the Academies, including a group called OCF, which stands for Officers Christian Fellowship (OCFUSA.org).  One of OCF’s missions is to support our military leaders and encourage their Godly walk as they lead stressful uncertain lives, often separated from their families, friends and church.

Don't miss this moving tribute to those serving in our Armed Forces:

Do I Make You Proud? 

The American Soldier 

Soldier's Story 

"The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress — and enduring style of USO delivery — is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates more than 130 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Afghanistan, Guam, and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 4.7 million times each year."

To learn morea about the USO, please visit their website at: http://www.uso.org/