Amateur Radio goes to the White House [Archive]

g4tut

09-20-2007, 09:25 AM

Amateur Radio goes to the White House

On September 16, 2007 Emery McClendon, KB9IBW, an Amateur Radio Operator from Fort Wayne, Indiana, traveled to Washington D.C at the invitation of "Families United for a Strong America" for a three-night trip.

Families United is a grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, Veterans, and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission.

Emery got involved with this group late in 2005 after they contacted him regarding Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. ( http://www.armad.net/ ) Emery is the Founder of ARMAD, which was started in 2004 as a way to allow our communities to come out to public places to show verbal appreciation to our Troops, Veterans, Military Retired, and our First Responders.

The trip departed on Sunday morning with arrival at Reagan National Airport, and The Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City. On Monday morning there was a welcome breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel with distinguished guests.

After the breakfast there was a private tour of the Pentagon, and I was able to also promote ARMAD and pass out information to the Pentagon staff for posting. After the tour we went to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath ceremony with General Peter Pace, Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff.

On Tuesday morning our group was invited to breakfast at The White House with President and Mrs. Bush on the South Lawn. Also present was Vice President Chaney, Condolesa Rice, and others from the Administration.

During the White House visit I was able to speak with The President, and shake his hand. I also took a photograph with Mrs. Bush. I spoke with the White House Staff about ARMAD and was allowed to leave information about ARMAD. Several staffers express interest and praise for the project.

Following the White House visit I went to the Capital and spent almost two hours with my Congressman. He escorted me to the private section of the Galley and I was allowed to sit in the section reserved for the Speaker of the House family to observe the activities on the floor.

After the trip to Capital Hill there was a huge press conference at Upper Senate Park, and a dinner at the Marine Corp Museum located at Quantico.

Emery McClendon, KB9IBW

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K7SU

09-20-2007, 11:43 AM

Emery,

I wish I had known you were there. #We could have gotten together, although the schedule we kept was almost cruel! #HI

I was there to broadcast a 2 hour program on our radio station in Twin Falls, Idaho, live from DC, Monday night. #I interviewed several members of that group.

Tuesday morning at the White House was an awesome event! #The entire event was emotional.

73

Kelly
www.K7SU.com

w6em

09-20-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote[/b] ]and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission

Just what IS their mission in Iraq? #We know what it was/is in Afghanistan.

"Mission Accomplished". #Those words, placed on a US Navy aircraft carrier several years ago were echoed by our President as he stood on its deck.

I mourn every lost life of the men and women in uniform who have fallen in Iraq while placed there in the crossfire of waring criminal factions.

And, especially those in Afghanistan, who have fallen in their mission which was originally to search and take out Osama Bin Laden and the real Al Qaeda.

Before the United States Senate one week ago the Honorable John Warner, R-Va, asked General Petraeus, commander of US forces in Iraq: "Does our military presence in Iraq make America safer?" #His response was: "I don't know. #I hadn't thought about it much." #

A four-star man, and most of our Army and Marine Corps ordered to be there, to do something, but, not clearly defined what that something is. #A new mission? #If the commander of the US Forces in Iraq doesn't think our military presence there will make America safer, just what are we doing there? #Protecting the oil fields? #Acting as a buffer for Israel? #Keeping Islamic waring factions at bay? #Making Cheney's Haliburton stock worth yet more? #Making billions for other contractors like GE, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin?

Since we sent our military there based upon false pretences in the first place, why is it still there? #Why aren't, instead, the forces of neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt there instead to act as policemen?

Our military should only be used to defend our nation, not wander from place to place in the middle of a civil war in a foreign nation. #Bring them back home, then throw a party on the White House lawn.

{P.S. #If my diatribe offends anyone, I'm sorry. #But, instead of being about amateur radio as the byline says, its a description of a ham being part of a non-ham group who's giving us a play by play of the group's Washington tour.}

KC2PFV

09-20-2007, 04:58 PM

Something tells me Bush doesn't even know what Amateur Radio is.... He appears to be a fool on TV and his actions in Iraq.

-KC2PFV

KW0U

09-20-2007, 05:09 PM

I was afraid the thread would go off into another cross-fire...look this "news" article is straight propaganda, but at least it puts a positive spin on what amateur radio can do. While I express my opinion by adding and then Xing out Bush's name on the back of my outgoing DX QSLs, such commentary probably has little place in a public forum. Can we ever call a truce and just enjoy the better parts of our hobby together?

WD8NUP

09-20-2007, 06:15 PM

When a posting like this is made what do you expect?

W9WHE

09-20-2007, 07:32 PM

"Something tells me Bush doesn't even know what Amateur Radio is.... He appears to be a fool on TV and his actions in Iraq".

Typical angry liberal.
Hateful, mean-spirited name calling.
Anybody that dares to disagree with them is a "fool". And when they loose the argument, they sink to name-calling. How sad. How very sad.

w6em

09-20-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote[/b] (W9WHE @ Sep. 19 2007,13:32)]...... they sink to name-calling. How sad. How very sad.
Then Bush shouldn't be mentioned by name?

yi1dz

09-20-2007, 09:00 PM

Good Emery, dose any one intrested in your efforts ( I hope so )....

n4xts

09-21-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote[/b] (W9WHE @ Sep. 20 2007,12:32)]"Something tells me Bush doesn't even know what Amateur Radio is.... He appears to be a fool on TV and his actions in Iraq".

Typical angry liberal.
Hateful, mean-spirited name calling.
Anybody that dares to disagree with them is a "fool". And when they loose the argument, they sink to name-calling. How sad. How very sad.
hmm..see plenty of name calling here...why does someone get called a "liberal" for merely disagreeing with you. sounds like the pot versus the kettle to me.

kb9ibw

09-21-2007, 01:16 AM

Pictures will be posted at www.armad.net soon. Look for the Wash. D.C. Link.

n9zip

09-21-2007, 01:31 AM

Keep up the great work Emery. It's been to long since our last QSO.

73's
Ken N9ZIP

KC2ESD

09-21-2007, 03:06 AM

All this happened just 15 miles from me. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

As for the Bush Bashing comments keep it in the rag puke section, I don't need to see the bashing garbage here.

Rick KC2ESD/4

ad7hd

09-21-2007, 03:58 AM

pres.bush has met hams after katrina and elsewhere. why do some try to turn a good thing into a political bash? to all veterans I say well done.
they are military,not politicians they go where politicians send them into harms way.also,I find passing out info on this gentelmans time should be recognized. can we at least keep it that way? don't like the way the things going overseas? VOTE!

ad7hd

09-21-2007, 03:59 AM

WD8AQS

09-21-2007, 05:49 AM

As far as I am concerned, #the men and women in uniform embody the very best that America has to offer. Hollywood celebs, sports stars and politicians are nothing compared to our overworked and underpaid service men and women. Any organization that actually helps our troops through deeds and actions, whether they are political or not, deserve a thank you, deserve to put that sticker on their car or wear that pin saying "We Support Our Troops". #ARMAD seems like one of those organizations and sheds a positive light on ham radio.
Check out their site at armad.net
I don't have a sticker on my car or wear a pin. Other then sending letters and care packages to two nephews who have served in the war zones, one three tours and getting ready for a 4th, I feel that I haven't done enough. #I wish we could just bring them all home but that will not happen any time soon. #At the very least we should find a way to shorten their deployment. Maybe we should bring back the draft, say those 40 to 60, and eliminate those pesky deferments that were oh so popular during the Vietnam War. Do that and I bet a hundred euros that any future wars would be as rare as hens' teeth.

K6UEY

09-21-2007, 07:06 AM

KB9IBW,
Tnx Emery for the update ,sounds like you had a memorable experience ,Keep up the good work !!

Don't let the Anti-American Liberals get to you,they have divided the country in time of WAR and they won't be satisfied until enemy troops are marching down our streets.
If they had been gifted with intestinal fortitude they would be shoulder to shoulder with the real Americans who defend our country instead of trying to tear it apart!!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

kb9ibw

09-21-2007, 09:18 AM

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/younews/9895972.html

Also http://www.wane.com/global/story.asp?s=7108228

For news stories.

kb9oze

09-21-2007, 12:23 PM

Emery - #I know that you have put in much effort at great personal expense into making ARMAD what it is today and I know your efforts are a Blessing to our people in Military Service to our country. #Kudos my friend! #I ask God to Bless your ministry for our people in uniform!!
-- Joel de kb9oze
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

w6em

09-21-2007, 03:02 PM

While its certainly right to support and honor those in uniform, it is wrong for politicians to use the military to accomplish their self-embellishing purposes, as is the case for Bush and Cheney involving our military as an occupation force in Iraq.

You folks continue on with your "liberal this and liberal that" stuff all you want. #True conservatives don't do what the present executive leadership is doing to our military and our way of living by running up unphathomed budget deficits.

We've just been handed an inflation recipe (interest rate cuts) that will see oil at more than $100 a barrel and gasoline at probably $5 a gallon very soon and a US dollar worth a lot less than a Canadian dollar. #Don't bother to ask what a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread will be soon, either. #All this while the best-paying work in America is being shipped off overseas. #Its no wonder the housing market is collapsing.

Don't look now, but the Middle East just bought a good chunk of the NY and the NASDAQ stock exchanges. #And, part of Bush-daddy's Carlyle Group (the private company that had a Bin Laden brother on its board sitting next to GHWB). (All in today's NY Times, BTW)

N2MDA

09-21-2007, 03:41 PM

It looks like its going to be Bush's way or no way. Even though the bulk of the american want this war to end, that does'nt matter. Back in November when we elected all of the Democrats to get our message in to the White House, they too are spinning their wheels. If you get involved in a fight, go in there like you mean it and win the war. Going over to "NEST" and build bases and playing cat and mouse just wastes time and lives. A very high price to pay.
I've seen this all before, in a place called Vietnam. A superpower fighting a third world country, it was really a joke. It could have been over quickly if those folks in The Beltway wanted it to be over. They don't. Just follow the money trail

kb9ibw

09-21-2007, 07:22 PM

Here is a very good CBS news video link to this post.

www.wane.com

News 15 Fort Wayne (http://www.wane.com)

W9WHE

09-21-2007, 08:14 PM

N2MDA writes:

"Even though the bulk of the american want this war to end, that does'nt matter".

While a "majority of people" want the war to end, they do CERTAINLY DO NOT want it to end with America surrendering to those that have pledged to kill us. A majority of Americans want to win BY DEFEATING those that want to wipe us off the map or force us to convert to Islam.

And that, my friend, is what a majority of people want.
If a majority wanted out at any cost, the democrat controlled congress could get enough votes to cut off funding entirely. But they can't...so they won't.

N2MDA also writes:

"It could have been over quickly if those folks in The Beltway wanted it to be over. #They don't. #Just follow the money trail".

I agree. Follow the money trail from the democrat controlled congress straight to MoveOn.org, the really big money for democrat types, along with construction companies, where Diane Feinstein gets her money.

W9WHE

WA5BEN

09-21-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Sep. 20 2007,09:58)]Something tells me Bush doesn't even know what Amateur Radio is.... He appears to be a fool on TV and his actions in Iraq.

-KC2PFV
President Bush is one of the smartest -- and most honest and down-to-earth people around. Like many people with high intelligence, he is slightly dyslexic. Like many with high intelligence, his grades were not stellar. Several of the "great inventions of the century" people had both high intelligence and low grades -- but they changed the world for the better.

It amazes me that the "liberals" who claim to want to help everyone are the most likely to bash people as "stupid" (but only the ones with whom they disagree), make fun of mangled speech (but only by the ones with whom they disagree), and generally do things that put people DOWN instead of build them up.

....and it also amazes me that "conservatives" (who tend to make less money per capita than "liberals") consistently give almost DOUBLE per capita to charity than do "liberals", and tend to volunteer and serve significantly more.

My IQ is among the top 1% or 2%, dependent upon whom you wish to believe. I was invited to join MENSA. My grades were less than stellar, because I was absolutely bored in school -- EXCEPT when I was challenged. Then, I made A's. I have done some of the dumbest things you can imagine. It took me a long time to get a little bit smart.

Some of the absolutely most stupid people that I know have high IQ. They have the CAPACITY to learn, but they have not used it -- because they KNOW they are "smart". The people whom I most admire are not the Rhodes Scholars (many of whom are far from "smart"), but the truly SMART -- and those are most frequently those without a MENSA-level IQ.

NH7TR

09-21-2007, 11:41 PM

W6EM, and friends....I must say it is a sad day when one can take a topic that puts ham radio into the spotlight, and make comments that are not related to the story for their own agenda. Lee, while you are a very intelligent man, you seem to have forgotten to look one step ahead. Please don't comment without reading and thinking about the following for about two minutes; Al Qaeda has mentioned on numerous occasions that they intend to take over the oil fields in Iraq and Saudi Arabia to destabilize the US economy. While we get none of our oil from Iraq, we do import from Saudi Arabia. Iraq's oil goes to china, Russia, etc. If these terrorists take over the oil fields in Iraq, they have two options. One is to pump it out of the ground and charge outrageous prices per barrel, or the other, not pumping it at all. Either way, the price of crude oil worldwide will skyrocket. This does not even take into account the oil fields in Saudi Arabia. Have you ever had to pay $12 for a head of lettuce or a gallon of gas?? The entire worldwide economy is based almost solely on the petroleum products needed to get procucts to market.
I, like most don't think we should have ever gone into Iraq, but I can't change history and the above scenario is what we are left to deal with.

Regards,

de NH7TR

N7YA

09-22-2007, 01:18 AM

So should we just stay there just so they cant have access? just like all natural resources, the oil WILL run out. what we should be doing is taking advantage of, and embracing, alternative energy source. we have some seriously intelligent people working for our country, im sure we can figure something out...and guess what business the Bush family is in...heres a hint, its NOT alternative energy sources.
This country has been divided into 2 parts, right and left, and both sides vehemently feel the other side is wrong and attach all sorts of imagery to their ideology.

The right side envisions anyone who isnt on board with them as a bunch of New York or L.A. homosexuals who pray to satan daily, or worship movie stars and do whatever the liberal media tells them to do, converting everything to "green" so they can make money off the hard working americans. never wearing socks, smoking weed, making millions and cheering when american soldiers get killed.

The left side envisions anyone who isnt on board with them as fat, angry, white, christians who sit there in their trailer scowling while polishing one of the 200 guns they have in a survival vault, listening to angry AM talk radio all day. dessing up like Hitler and marching around lamenting about the South losing the civil war.

Both sides are wrong about the majority of the people across from them, but the manifestation grows in our minds since we particularly prefer to hang out with like minded people. nobody wants to give an inch and each side feel the other one is SURE to be the downfall of our country...sounds like the code debate to me. The results are potentially the same, division is what will bring downfall, and the worst part is most americans want national unity, but only on their terms.

This is the stuff civil war is made of, hopefully we can all shut up and calm down just long enough to come up with a few ideas we can all agree on...but human nature dictates that we must always push our own philosophies without interference. so im not banking on anything resmbling "world peace" anytime soon. oh, by the way, i heard that scientists say a comet is headed our way and should be here in about 5 years...go make some friends.

What does this have to do with ham radio?

...absolutely nothing.

73...Adam, N7YA

w6em

09-22-2007, 01:36 AM

Quote[/b] (NH7TR @ Sep. 20 2007,17:41)]Al Qaeda has mentioned on numerous occasions that they intend to take over the oil fields in Iraq and Saudi Arabia to destabilize the US economy.
And, they have mentioned lots more too, I'm sure.

And, that goofball Achmenejad wants to annihilate the Jewish state too. #And, says the Holocaust never happened.

The world is full of lunatics.

The Saudi royal family is well entrenched. #All of our money given them for oil has bought lots of protection and sophisticated defenses. #Who do you think routs out thugs and deals with them in ways we would consider inhumane? #None other than the Saudis.

If you think the stable Middle Eastern states like Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia want instability or bands of thugs running rampant, think again. #This is, as you point out, in their back yard. #Not on the other side of the globe. #That's why they should participate and take over a peacekeeping role. #And, guess what? #They speak the language (Arabic). #BTW, Iran doesn't. #They speak Farsi.

As to energy security, there is more oil in Canadian sands (that has a relatively high extraction cost) so I'm told, than in proveable reserves in SA. #As to reserves, the Gulf of Mexico is a lot larger than we're told. #Plus, we have coal that can be converted to liquified products. #And natural gas, of course, to supplant oil in many applications. #As my dad used to say many years ago, from the oil fields of Kern County, CA, "oil companies drill lots of wells that are producers and just cap them so they can control the supply."

If you want to worry about oil security issues, worry about China's unending thirst for more and more petroleum and their garnering sources of worldwide supply. #They're buying up African oil interests with all of those dollars we send them and will probably be buying more reserves and taking them for their own needs as time rolls on. #Don't forget, they tried to buy Union Oil of California for cash.....

And, speaking of China, expect them to be selling a good deal of those US Treasury Bonds they hold, since the dollar is now sliding down precipitously against foreign currencies. #And, with the proceeds from the sales, buying up oil assets. #What will that do to long term interest rates? #(Hint, they'll go in a direction opposite to what Bernanke of the Fed would like).

Any aggression upon a sovereign nation is considered a serious matter by the UN. #Iraq's invasion of Kuwait was. #Many nations participated in Desert Storm, including quite a few of Saddam's neighbors. #

Now, its my turn. #Think about this for two minutes and ask yourself, why aren't any of them in Iraq right now?

w6em

09-22-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote[/b] (NH7TR @ Sep. 20 2007,17:41)]W6EM, and friends....I must say it is a sad day when one can take a topic that puts ham radio into the spotlight, and make comments that are not related to the story for their own agenda.
Ham radio has had many opportunities to be spotlighted in front of Bush. #ARRL has sent him many letters. #And, memory serves that he did acknowledge ham radio with a letter of appreciation.

This thread is about Emery's description of his trip to Washington with a military families group. #A group composed of many who have lost family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. #While on the trip, he tells us he passed out information about his Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day activities. #Hey, that's great. #Maybe out of this could come a reinvention of MARS so it again can serve those in uniform, not the baggage handlers at civilian airports.

By placing Bush and Cheney in the middle of the story, it became a political story. #And, open to commentary about Bush and Cheney using respect and support for our military (as they usually do) in a convoluted way to support their own decisions and actions. #That's why I said what I said.

My vehicle has a sticker on the back that says: #Support Our Troops, Not Bush. #My future son in law just got back from 15 months over there and we just took down the big yellow ribbon off a tall tree in our front yard. #I'm thankful he made it back alive and uninjured. #Not all in his unit did......

73.

w4trs

09-22-2007, 02:28 AM

Quote[/b] (K6UEY @ Sep. 21 2007,02:06)]If they had been gifted with intestinal fortitude they would be shoulder to shoulder with the real Americans who defend our country....

But instead they are shoulder to shoulder with us sitting in the comfort of our homes posting to this forum. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

N7YA

09-22-2007, 02:29 AM

Lee, i am thankful he returned alive as well.

73...Adam, N7YA

N7YA

09-22-2007, 02:32 AM

W4TRS, exactly!

Well, i think ive had enough of this forum for one night...its time for me to go get on a stage and play music for people trying to find a partner for the night, i have no complaints about my life that i cant fix personally...at least i DO get out of the house. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73...Adam, N7YA

w4trs

09-22-2007, 02:35 AM

Quote[/b] (WA5BEN @ Sep. 21 2007,17:39)]-KC2PFV
President Bush is one of the smartest -- and most honest and down-to-earth people around. #Like many people with high intelligence, he is slightly dyslexic. #Like many with high intelligence, his grades were not stellar. #Several of the "great inventions of the century" people had both high intelligence and low grades -- but they changed the world for the better.[/quote]

Next time you see or hear "Drinking the Kool-Ade" remember the above quote.

W8AB

09-22-2007, 04:20 AM

If you support our troops you certainly want them home from Iraq today. #The Iraqi war hurts America in every possible way. #It bleeds us of billions of dollars, kills our young men and women and hurts America's reputation in the process. #The Iraqi war causes more terrorism than it stops. #Stop the corruption, stop the torture, stop this war before it damages America for one second longer.

Bring our troops home today.

w6em

09-22-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote[/b] (w4trs @ Sep. 20 2007,20:35)]Quote[/b] (WA5BEN @ Sep. 21 2007,17:39)]-KC2PFV
President Bush is one of the smartest -- and most honest and down-to-earth people around. #Like many people with high intelligence, he is slightly dyslexic. #Like many with high intelligence, his grades were not stellar. #Several of the "great inventions of the century" people had both high intelligence and low grades -- but they changed the world for the better.

Quote[/b] ]Next time you see or hear "Drinking the Kool-Ade" remember the above quote.
Larry's opinion. #Do add to all this the inability to tell who, important in this world, is either alive or dead. #"Like Nelson Mandella, who's dead." GW Bush at a news conference, 9/19/07

But, I must say, as in Larry's self-example of what he describes, an area of exceptional expertise always pops out. #James Clerk Maxwell, for example. #Or, Albert Einstein. #And, Larry's accomplishments.

However, in Bush's case, no areas of exceptional accomplishment have thus far been displayed. #Just the opposite. #Just more bumbling and stumbling and riding on the political coat tails of his father to get wherever he's gone.

Has Yale, his Alma Mater, in the last 7 years, invited him back to speak at a commencement? #Or, ever, for that matter?

But, a junior college in Miami did, as I recall.

W0DLR

09-22-2007, 12:59 PM

I would have been happier to have read an article that Ham Radio went to the Outhouse than go to the White House.

A kinder, more gentle America, An America the world trusts and wants to model themselves after....yeah right.

I'm sorry I took the time to read the article.

kb9ibw

09-23-2007, 01:35 PM

I am very proud to be an Amateur Radio Operator. I worked hard to get my license, all the way up to Extra Class years ago. After earning my license I tried to think of ways to promote the hobby here at home and abroad. I interacted with local Amateur Radio Operators, and others around the country and the world to promote this hobby. I have never put myself first or tried to be in the spotlight.

I started ARMAD after receiving very positive feedback from broadcast employees, and our local community about the idea. Our local Amateur Radio Operators also picked up on the idea and have done more than their fair share to make this idea work.

Every where I go I promote this hobby, and try to build interest. I think it is sad to see the type of response that I have receive here on this forum for my trying to help promote this hobby.

From before the invitation to attend this event in Washington DC with Families United, I have pushed our hobby forward to schools, scouts, political officials, on TV and Radio, and to people in general. All of this was done without ONE thought of personal gain. I have tried to gain the backing of all Amateur Radio organizations, and even suggested that ARMAD be turned over to them as a general operating event.

When I went to Washington, D.C. I took hundreds of Flyers about Amateur Radio, and a travel bag full of ARMAD T-Shirts. I passed these out from the moment I left my front door, at all of my stops along the way, and all during my stay in D.C. I spread the word about our hobby, and received many inquires about how to become an Amateur Radio Operator.

Yes, the main purpose of this trip was for Military Support Groups, however I saw an opportunity to add promotion of Amateur Radio to it. I was able to talk with White House Staff, people at the Pentagon, The U.S. House Of Represenatives, and to over 300 peole that attended the event. Not to mention the soldiers, and fellow passengers that I meet along the way and gave T-####rs, and flyers. Most of these folks were amazed that we as Amateur Radio Operators would provide a service like this for free. Many had never heard of the hobby.

Many over the years of my promotion of our hobby have asked for Amateur radio support at their events, and many more would like to have us attend and operate at future events. Let's unite to make that happen, and drop the bad comments. #We cannot grow or promote our hobby unless we place ourselves in public view.

This post was never intended to spark politcal debate, but to PROMOTE Amateur Radio. I would never make a statement about someones intent with out knowledge of that persons character.

I am proud to help grow this hobby, and I will continue to do so even if people take shots at me. I know my heart, and I know that I am doing what GOD has called me to do for my community, our Troops, Veterans, and my Country. I also am a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and the Indiana Air National Guard. I am very proud of my military service, and I am happy to serve those that fight for our country.

The question to ask yourself is what am I doing to promote Amateur Radio. It is easy to sit back and bash, but true dedication acts.

"LET'S HAM IT UP FOR THE TROOPS."

w6em

09-23-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote[/b] (kb9ibw @ Sep. 22 2007,07:35)]I am very proud to be an Amateur Radio Operator. I worked hard to get my license, all the way up to Extra Class years ago. After earning my license I tried to think of ways to promote the hobby here at home and abroad. I interacted with local Amateur Radio Operators, and others around the country and the world to promote this hobby. I have never put myself first or tried to be in the spotlight.

I started ARMAD after receiving very positive feedback from broadcast employees, and our local community about the idea. Our local Amateur Radio Operators also picked up on the idea and have done more than their fair share to make this idea work.

Every where I go I promote this hobby, and try to build interest. I think it is sad to see the type of response that I have receive here on this forum for my trying to help promote this hobby.

From before the invitation to attend this event in Washington DC with Families United, I have pushed our hobby forward to schools, scouts, political officials, on TV and Radio, and to people in general. All of this was done without ONE thought of personal gain. I have tried to gain the backing of all Amateur Radio organizations, and even suggested that ARMAD be turned over to them as a general operating event.

When I went to Washington, D.C. I took hundreds of Flyers about Amateur Radio, and a travel bag full of ARMAD T-Shirts. I passed these out from the moment I left my front door, at all of my stops along the way, and all during my stay in D.C. I spread the word about our hobby, and received many inquires about how to become an Amateur Radio Operator.

Yes, the main purpose of this trip was for Military Support Groups, however I saw an opportunity to add promotion of Amateur Radio to it. I was able to talk with White House Staff, people at the Pentagon, The U.S. House Of Represenatives, and to over 300 peole that attended the event. Not to mention the soldiers, and fellow passengers that I meet along the way and gave T-####rs, and flyers. Most of these folks were amazed that we as Amateur Radio Operators would provide a service like this for free. Many had never heard of the hobby.

Many over the years of my promotion of our hobby have asked for Amateur radio support at their events, and many more would like to have us attend and operate at future events. Let's unite to make that happen, and drop the bad comments. #We cannot grow or promote our hobby unless we place ourselves in public view.

This post was never intended to spark politcal debate, but to PROMOTE Amateur Radio. I would never make a statement about someones intent with out knowledge of that persons character.

I am proud to help grow this hobby, and I will continue to do so even if people take shots at me. I know my heart, and I know that I am doing what GOD has called me to do for my community, our Troops, Veterans, and my Country. #I also am a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and the Indiana Air National Guard. #I am very proud of my military service, and I am happy to serve those that fight for our country.

The question to ask yourself is what am I doing to promote Amateur Radio. #It is easy to sit back and bash, but true dedication acts.

"LET'S HAM IT UP FOR THE TROOPS."
Thank you, Emery, for creating ARMAD, and for working hard to promote amateur radio.

And, I am sorry that politics entered into the discussion. #Some of us have some rather strong opposing opinions concerning specific politicians and their motivations, not the institutions of our government.

I sincerely hope, as I believe I have already said, that your efforts while attending the event in Washington will serve to motivate others that you met to support our military and to further promote the service aspects of amateur radio.

Too many in government don't address the people side of those in the military sufficiently. #Your mission is helping to address that. #Stories of neglect and lack of proper treatment of those injured in action abound in the media. #You're helping to promote the respect and recognition that those who serve and have served deserve. #Keep up the good work.

If the DoD people who run MARS from the pentagon listened to you, it might again be serving those in the military as it used to do, instead of now searching for ways to be a free communication service for federal agencies.

I would urge you to contact the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and share with them your objectives and what you have accomplished and ask for their support.

73.

kc0rom

09-24-2007, 06:00 AM

W9WHE, WHERE DO YOU GET THIS LIBERAL CRAP FROM ? BUSH HAS BEEN THE MOST LIBERAL SPENDING JACKASS OF THIS CENTURY,GET OVER IT,THESE TERMS ARE USED TO DEFINE PEOPLE OR LABEL THEM AND THE ONES WHO ARE USING THEM ARE TOO IGNORANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN.GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND AMERICA AND OUR WAY OF LIFE,WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE GOOD THAT IS BEING DONE BECAUSE POLITICIANS WITH THEIR OWN AGENDAS DON'T GIVE A DAMN,IT'S NOT ABOUT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ANY MORE IT IS ABOUT US AS A NATION. THINK BEFORE YOU COMMENT. 73 KC0ROM

ai4ho

09-24-2007, 12:54 PM

Why Oh why can't we just recognizewhat this man (Emery) has done for our service men & women! As a disabled veteran and the spouse of a vetran, and the father of a daughter who is serving in the U.S. Army, I think its high time that we stop to remember what our military men & women are doing for our country!

Its all well and good, to say so & so is a libereal, or gee Pres Bush is the biggest fool ever, name calling never accomplishes anything it makes for hard feelings all around. What you have to remember, our troops DON'T HAVE A CHOICE they go where they are told to go and when to go. This has been said before in this post I know, maybe it needs to be said more often!

73 de Mark
AI4HO

ka5piu

09-25-2007, 05:30 AM

Hello.

This is what we can expect, a bunch of whining.
Amateur Radio in the White House was the topic, not issues about the middle east, or GW, or any of this other hoopla.
I think that having somwbody take Amateur Radio to the forefront is a wonderful endeavour.
Keep up the good work!

w6em

09-25-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote[/b] (ka5piu @ Sep. 23 2007,23:30)]Hello.

This is what we can expect, a bunch of whining.
Amateur Radio in the White House was the topic, not issues about the middle east, or GW, or any of this other hoopla.
I think that having somwbody take Amateur Radio to the forefront is a wonderful endeavour.
Keep up the good work!
The problem is, the 'buy line' is wrong. There isn't Amateur Radio in the White House. We had our chance back when Barry Goldwater ran for President in '64 and blew it.

Actually, there is someone in the White House who doesn't give a d*** about amateur radio, or the importance of HF communications. (Scary thought, isn't it, when you think of not only commercial aviation, but even the military needs for effective HF communications)

Whining, perhaps, but a great deal of angst about the occupant of the White House, for many justifiable reasons.

Emery went there as part of a group with a noble mission. But, not to bring amateur radio to the White House. And, the visit to the White House by the group was part of a visit to numerous places in the Washington area.

While we should thank Emery for doing a good deal more salesmanship of amateur radio in the right circles than even the ARRL, people need to understand that the Department of Defense isn't right now interested in amateur radio, as it has all but jettisoned MARS. MARS now exists to supply a supplemental free communications service for government agencies outside the DoD. And, as I said above about Dubyah, well, he's pushing BPL, a concept that will all but ruin HF communications.

It isn't about politics so much as doing the right things.

WA5BEN

09-27-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote[/b] (W8AB @ Sep. 21 2007,21:20)]If you support our troops you certainly want them home from Iraq today. The Iraqi war hurts America in every possible way. It bleeds us of billions of dollars, kills our young men and women and hurts America's reputation in the process. The Iraqi war causes more terrorism than it stops. Stop the corruption, stop the torture, stop this war before it damages America for one second longer.

Bring our troops home today.
Your opinion is 100% the OPPOSITE of what I hear from the men and women who are serving/have served in Iraq. They are ardently opposed to any pull-out.

If the %$#$ media would tell the FACTS, instead of their "editorial position", you would understand why.

W8JWA

09-27-2007, 02:24 AM

Perhaps you all have forgotten there are 3 things we don't discuss in Ham Radio,Poltics,Sex,and Religion.Here a guy was trying to do something good for Ham Radio,and you bash him for it.You naysayers should be ashamed of yourselves and go crawl in a corner.

K4FX

09-27-2007, 07:05 PM

To NH7TR

I agree with what you're saying and all this does not belong here, I think it's a good example of how fed up the people are with this war, me included, way too much dying going on.

K4FX

W9WHE

09-27-2007, 07:08 PM

K4FX writes:

"....I think it's a good example of how fed up the people are with this war, me included, way too much dying going on".

Then help us DEFEAT the enemy and win the war sooner, instead of emboldening our enemies with talk of surrender.

W9WHE

w6em

09-28-2007, 02:08 AM

Quote[/b] ]Then help us DEFEAT the enemy

Jonathan, who IS the enemy?

Quote[/b] ] and win the war sooner,

What does winning look like?

Quote[/b] ]instead of emboldening our enemies with talk of surrender.

Surrender? #Surrender what? #Sending an occupation force home so that local forces can do their expected duty is a transfer of responsibility as I see it.

W9WHE

09-28-2007, 03:10 PM

W6EM writes:

"Jonathan, who IS the enemy?"

This comment is MIND-BOGGLING.
It highlights the effect of liberal, hate-mongering propiganda. MOST people understand that practionners of radical Islam have declaired "jihad" or "holy war" on us, and will not stop until their version of "shairia" or "Islamic law" governs the world. But a small band of kook liberals have convinced some people that the enemy is not the radical Islamists on the battlefield, but in the White House. Amazing. Simply Amazing.

W8AB

09-28-2007, 06:53 PM

W9WHE Wrote:

"This comment is MIND-BOGGLING.
It highlights the effect of liberal, hate-mongering propiganda. MOST people understand that practionners of radical Islam have declaired "jihad" or "holy war" on us, and will not stop until their version of "shairia" or "Islamic law" governs the world. But a small band of kook liberals have convinced some people that the enemy is not the radical Islamists on the battlefield, but in the White House. Amazing. Simply Amazing. "

My Response -----------------------------------

Is your hate for Americans that are more liberal than you the same exact foolishness that thinks invading Iraq, a right-wing secular goverment some how equates to fighting radical Islamists.....

You seem to know very little of the situation in the Middle East, much less Iraq, you are not conservative, what you are is uninformed.

GM4BRB

09-29-2007, 07:40 PM

I notice the outrageously one-dimensional terms used on the "Families United for a Strong America" website. Quite different to the "9/11 families for a Secure America" site that is of course in place at the bequest of 9/11 family survivors. All such people at least have the meats to come out and openly question such as the 9/11 Commission & the NIST reports on the WTC and not blare away in inbred fashion at the need to go get Ahmadinejad & Iran because it's going to make you boys feel all bristly and juiced.
You've been to the Whitehouse, well then as Pogo so shrewdly observed, "We have met the enemy, and he is us. It's our own fault and somewhere deep in our souls we know it."

By calling for further militarist adventurism against Iran at best you are falling into the trap laid by a burgeoning Military Industrialism as warned by your former President Eisenhower in 1961 & who are far from being either altruists or patriots. Eisenhower was no left wing 'do-gooder' and committed some real atrocities when serving in WWII under MacArthur.

Plus, to show that I have some idea of what being an American patriot is about, I lived and worked with a Vietnam veteran and his family over the course of 2 years back in the early 1980's.

Please don't be insulted by my Innuendo!
G4BRB for Juntawatch.com (http://www.juntawatch.com)
JuntaWatch: Addressing The Post 9/11 Military Industrial Complex.

af6de

09-30-2007, 02:49 PM

It's about time someone had the "stones" to approach Washington with a push about how "GOOD" Amateur Radio is. Most folks only blame the "Ham" radio operator when they get TVI from something they can't explain. I just hope this makes a lasting impression on folks who can help keep out allocations and give us a stronger voice in the nations capital.

73's

James
AF6DE

af6de

09-30-2007, 02:52 PM

just a fyi, see http://911mysteries.com and download the 3 part documentary, it might open you eyes.

W8AB

09-30-2007, 05:42 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote (W8AB @ Sep. 21 2007,21:20)
If you support our troops you certainly want them home from Iraq today. #The Iraqi war hurts America in every possible way. #It bleeds us of billions of dollars, kills our young men and women and hurts America's reputation in the process. #The Iraqi war causes more terrorism than it stops. #Stop the corruption, stop the torture, stop this war before it damages America for one second longer.

Bring our troops home today.

Your opinion is 100% the OPPOSITE of what I hear from the men and women who are serving/have served in Iraq. #They are ardently opposed to any pull-out.

If the %$#$ media would tell the FACTS, instead of their "editorial position", you would understand why.

------------------ #My Response:

Hi Larry,

The occupation of Iraq hurts America and should not continue just because a few of the people in our armed forces wants it to continue.

I don't want an America that is ruled by the military, do you???

I think actually, most want to come home:
http://www.vaiw.org/vet/index.php

Did you know that over 90% of our military people have been lied to in Iraq???
They were told we invaded Iraq because of Saddam's role in 9/11. #Saddam had no role in 9/11, our troops have been lied to by their commanders!

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

This war must stop, all it this war does is hurt America, hurt Iraqi and damages the world. #There are NO patriots that want this war to continue, not a single one... #Real patriots do NOT support a war that hurts America!

Amen