I have got work to do!

2 years ago, I put myself intp the Triangle Girls on the Run 5K and fun run Fundraiser, and I completed the race.  I ran by myself listening to pulsing, pumping music on my iPod.  Got the mission accomplished.

This spring, I’ve asked the race promoters to partner me with a girl who needs some “coaching” to complete the course.

That means I’ve got to be in great running shape!  That crutch I’ve always used in races (music) will have to stay at home.

True, there will be a lot of excitement and beautiful scenery around the course this year.  The race is going to run around the Tobacco Trail.

Just the images of girls, girls, girls are pretty motivating.

I love this organization so much… for all that it represents.  The mission statement says it all for me:

The Girls on the Run® mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

I once served on its Board of Directors, and years ago, I was a running buddy:

YEARS.  I said  I took this on, years ago.

The 5k isn’t until April.  I’ve got some time to bang the body back into race mode.

I’m thinking of putting that couch to 5k tutorial back in my i-pod and get to stepping!

I’ve been on fire about my Zumba Dance Classes.  Running?  Not so much.

Game on!  This is a priority. Well, a priority behind finding a full-time job!

I would hate to disappoint a young racer, who is counting on me to help her cross the finish line like a champion.

Time to shape up!  Check back will you on my progress. Hold my feet to the fire, if you’re reading or seeing that I’m slipping up.

Find out more about this amazing organization and join the fun by clicking this link:

http://www.gotrtriangle.org/

82nd ABN Band + Me

    The General William Lee Celebration was last month, Sunday June 5th in Dunn.

    Everybody involved was so pumped for this celebration. 

   The planning was on point all the way, and from where I stood, everything was just perfectly executed.

   I was so excited to sing with such a gifted group of musicians.   I didn’t let their  talents fool me.  Know this.

   I am fully aware that these men (and women) have a unique skill set that allows them to become ferocious warriors at a moment’s notice. 

    In the weeks leading up to the show, I learned a good deal about the man whose life and contributions we were all honoring: General William C. Lee.

   The General, born in Dunn,  is considered the father of the United States airborne.

 Lee was known for his keen attention to detail.   He helped plan the D-Day drops into Normandy and he trained to jump with his men, but was sent back to the states a few months before the battle due to a heart condition.  He was replaced in command by another General, but his men did not forget him on that historic day.  To honor their “father”, the paratroopers yelled out “Bill Lee” as they made their jump on D-Day.

That loyalty to the General continues today.

Last month’s celebration began with a series of dramatic jumps.

From that point forward, the crowd enjoyed a night of entertainment… from rock, to jazz, to soul, to classical.

There was something for everyone!  Most everyone there had some tie to the military.

I had the honor of singing 4 songs with the 82nd Airborne Band.  I sang:  On A Clear Day, My Funny Valentine, Summertime, and Georgia.

I feel again so honored to have been in the company of these brave young men.  I am old enough to be a mom to most of them.  I often think of them and wonder if they are still at Bragg now or if they’ve been deployed to war zones.  My rehearsals with this band were brief and we got together only twice, but I connected with them. 

 From the heart, I think we owe our troops a huge debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make.  This is an all-volounteer service and these men and women are stationed around the world defending our country or helping others defend themselves.

They are on the front lines for us, and they need to know we care.  That is perhaps one of the biggest reasons I have jumped on board so strongly for any event/occasion that supports our troops.

It was completely unexpected because I wanted nothing in return for my contribution to the celebration, but Dunn’s Mayor Oscar Harris would present me with a key to city that night.  His wife, Jean is the one who took all these pictures by the way!

The General Lee celebration ended with a big bang.  There was a huge + spectacular fireworks show with patriotic music.  So beautiful.  They just lit up the sky!

Army brat that I am,  I am without question in love with the military.  My love is unconditional, unrelenting and unending.

It was an honor and a privilege to be among the military at Fort Bragg.

Airborne All The Way!!!

Te Temble.   The earth trembles.  I am told that is what the Haitians call the massive earthquake that crushed the country 18 months ago.

  I am just back from Haiti.  It was my first visit,  and because of major paradigm shifts, I have been doing a lot of emotional processing  upon re-entry.    I was advised about this before I left Haiti, but there’s nothing like having all of it hit you in real time.

   I worked in television in Miami for 10 years and in that time reported on the political and economic problems in Haiti… the detention camps in Dade County.. the boat people risking life and limb to come to Florida..and the Haitian diaspora in Miami’s Little Haiti community.

   I say all that to say I thought I was prepared to handle the level of desperation and despair that is present after such a catastrophe of epic proportions.  I was not.

   Haiti is a country just so full of contrasts.  I see people begging on the streets shamelessly… who live in squalor.

At another turn, I see proud families making sure their children are clean and healthy.  There is evidence they work hard to make sure that the bit of shelter they call home is tidy with a clear sense of order.  I witnessed an incredible will to live that is unshakable… even by such a monstrous earthquake.  I don’t feel they should be pitied or mourned.

I went to Haiti with many questions, but chief among them was the one I planned to ask of the Red Cross:  Why are reconstruction efforts moving so slowly?

There was naivete with that question that I didn’t realize at the time.

Here’s the deal:  Haiti was in very bad shape to start with, and weak for the mission it needs to execute.  I was constantly reminded that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere

There is no magic wand . What needs to be done is not easy to map out. What needs to be done is going to take time.  From what I saw, it had to involve  mobilizing the Haitian people to help themselves with the help of the international community.. foreign friends.

  In the words of  Kathy Walmer, the executive director of Family Health Ministries:  The Haitians are smart people. They know what their needs are, they know what the problems are. They know what the solutions are.  They need the resources to address their needs.  

 I shadowed Kathy and those who work with this awesome Durham organization for 4 days in Haiti.   I saw that while Haitians are tired, they are not defeated.

 In Haiti, I saw people going about their day. They really don’t have much choice.  They navigate around the rubble and debris.. and they go about the daily business of survival.

I saw evidence and heard stories of all the foreign interests in  Haiti and their hodge podge of projects to build back Haiti.

I was left with the impression that while all of this is good, it will be the Haitian men and women who will  ultimately build that country.  I could see in Fondwa, in Leogane, Blanchard and Jacmel that they have the will.  They have the ability. They need the opportunity.

I have a heart for Haiti and its people, and it beats strongly.

My life has changed because of this trip and I am all the better for it.

I am soon flying to Haiti with Family Health Ministries and students from Duke University in Durham.

My intention is to get a feel for how things have changed or not changed since the massive earthquake on January 12, 2010.

You could call it the problems and progress after the quake.

People here in the Triangle area rushed to give money to various charities who were providing emergency disaster relief.

Some of the images they see coming out of Haiti make them wonder if their money was used wisely to rebuild the impoverished nation.

I will meet with Red Cross in Haiti to talk about that.

They have a home construction project going on, but surely one of the big challenges remaining is the tent cities that have popped up across the landscape.

 I hope to visit one of them where it is been said the danger is not so much housing, as it is health.  That is surprising.  However as I learn more, I understand that garbage/sewage is dumped into the water and providing clean water to the outlying areas is not going well.

Cynics and critics of the rebuilding effort, call it business as usual.  They say that government leaders say one thing and do another.

I don’t expect to get that deep into politics.  I’m just stating a pretty widely held point of view from journalists who have spent a good deal of time digging into the government’s responses to crisis situations in thepast.

 I do plan to get an assessment of how things are progressing by talking with people from the Raleigh-Durham area who live there, and others who have firmly established NGO’s (non government organizations)  operating in Haiti/  They both seem to have a main focus on helping to  build strong healthy families in Haiti (strong mentally and physically)

 I am beyond excited about this PAMCAM journey and the stories I will have to share.

Onward + Upward

I stayed in a patriotic, military state of mind all weekend.

On Monday, I was honored to sing the National Anthem at the Raleigh Memorial Day Observance.

I’ve included some pictures in the blog that reflect some of the day’s activities at the State Capitol:  The wreath laying ceremony, the Marine color guard advancing the colors,   a spent shell casing from the 3-volley salute, and a ceremony reading the names of  MIA Veterans from the Vietnam War.

I was especially touched and moved by the keynote speech.  It was delivered by Major General USMC (ret) Tom Braaten.

The former General  began by telling us all that freedom is not free.

He encouraged us to pause and remember those who sacrificed.

“Listen to the sound of silence. It’s eerie, powerful.  That’s the sound of freedom.”

The former Major General  is a Vietnam War veteran.

There was a crowd of about 200 people who braved the heat to attend the ceremony.

He said, “We are here this morning to honor those servicemen and women who paid the price of freedom with their blood and tears. It’s our job to remember (them).”

I could not contain my tears as I considered the courage of the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The General said many soldiers and marines were likely scared as they fought for our country.  He likened them to teabags.. saying that we are tested when we are put into hot water.

This weekend, I watched war films on television that highlighted exactly what General Braaten said in his speech.

AMC featured a Memorial Day Movie Marathon.  It featured sit-down interviews with war veterans conducted by Tom Brokaw, video messages from soldiers overseas and some of the most iconic war film.

I watched: Patton, Apocalypse Now: Redux, The Longest Day, and The Bataan Death March.

I am especially drawn to all things military as I prepare my next music project which will honor the military.

Presently, I continue to sift through a song list of songs from War War II, Vietnam, The first Gulf War, and new music that salute the troops.

I am looking forward to my next opportunity to express my patriotism:   The General William C. Lee celebration in Dun THIS weekend.

It’s a big extravagana to honor Dunn’s hometown hero and Father of the American Airborne. Weekend-long events include, golf tournament, road race, veteran’s reunion, military displays, and music.

I’ll be performing with the 82nd Airborne Division Band.  Beyond excited. I am!

Onward + Upward!!

This collaboration has been months in the making.   However, it was early this morning that I finally got to stand in their building on post, and rehearse the songs we’ll be performing

We are part of the entertainment for the General William C Lee celebration on Sunday, June 5th in Dunn.

The event is really quite more than that!

There are days of festivities to honor Dunn’s hometown hero and Father of the American Airborne. Weekend-long events for the 25th Anniversary include, golf tournament, road race, veteran’s reunion, military displays, and lots of music.

There were six young servicemen in the music room when I arrived: Two on horns,  Two on guitars, one drummer, and their featured soloist (Ali).  He and I are going to sing “Summer Time” together, and man, is he good!

I tell you what:  I felt we were meant to be together.  There was not one problem opening and finishing our songs, and figuring out all the good stuff in the middle.  We were in good shape in just one hour.  Though we have scheduled one final rehearsal for next week.

I’d venture to say I am old enough to be a mom to each of these young men. They kept calling me mam. I liked that, though it was at first a bit disarming.

The songs I am singing are:  On A Clear Day,  My Funny Valentine, Summertime, and Georgia.

I say, make plans to come if you can.   We are really going to put on a show!

You can find more information about the celebration and about the General himself by clicking on this link:

Before we’re through with them, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell!
Admiral Halsey – December 1941

On Tuesday,  April 19th, I had the privilege and honor of flying with 100 World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see the majestic memorial created just for them to honor their service and sacrifice.

It would be an exhausting, emotional, and just exhilarating day.

It would also be a very long day.

Flight preparations began around 6AM.  We would return to Raleigh Durham International Airport around 8pm.

As I have stated before, my next music project will be an album to honor America’s servicewomen and men.

When I am in the company of these heroes, I am reminded that someone paid a dear price for the way of life I enjoy.  I do not ever want to take this privilege for granted.  The least I can do is say, Thank You!’

Veterans have a special place in my heart.  I was raised in a military family.  My father was a soldier in the U.S Army.  I was born at Fort Benning, Georgia.

All of this speaks to my motivation about this new CD project.

My patriotic juices are boiling over!

But back to the Flight of Honor.

The flight I was on was the 4th flight from the Triangle.

I knew going in, that this would be a challenge for me emotionally.. feeling as strongly as I do about the service and sacrifice our veterans give.

Still, I was not emotionally prepared for the sight I would see as soon as I emerged from the parking garage at RDU.

I had seen the video and heard the interviews from these aging veterans.   It was nothing like being there and seeing it all firsthand!

Cars dropping off the veterans were lined up outside the terminal. Marines and others in uniform would approach the vehicles, open the doors, then salute the veterans and assist them into the terminal to check in.  Lining the entrance at full attention were other veterans from previous conflicts, and so many American flags.

It was too much for me, and I began to weep. I grabbed a scarf from my purse to d my eyes. Useless gesture.  I couldn’t stop crying.

I composed myself in time for a live talk-back our morning news anchors (Bill and Renee)  and then I walked inside to join the veterans waiting for the charter flight to Washington.

My flight contained more veterans who needed wheelchairs and also more women.

The men and women who are the real muscle behind the Triangle Flight of Honor are in a word amazing.  It takes a good deal of work behind the scenes to make this mission run so smoothly. Hiccups are few and far between.  They sweat the small stuff.  Nothing is left to chance.  So, before I got on, a big tip of the hat to these fine folks who “manage” the local Flight of Honor.

When we reached the World War II  memorial, we all needed a moment to take it all in– this jewel of the mall.

I would interview three of the women about the flight of honor, and make them the focus of my report in the six o’clock newscast.  Two of them were nurses.  They were on the verge of tears telling me about how they attended the dead and dying during some of the major battles.  One veteran talked about the Battle of the Bulge, and how ill suited the soldiers were for the brutal weather conditions.  She talked about the major loss of lives.  I reminded her about all the lives she saved.

The memorial is impressive..  completed in 2004 to honor the 16 million service men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces, including more than 400,000 who died, and the multitude who supported the war effort from home.
It has quickly become the most popular Memorial in Washington. It is airy, open, refreshing and easy on the eyes.

The vets toured the memorial under cloudy skies.. which  gave way to heavy showers while we were there.  I guessed we’d been there 30 to 40 minutes or so before the vets had to return to the buses.

It was enough time for them to reflect on their service to this country and receive the thank you they so richly deserve.

Some of them told them they never thought they’d live to see the Memorial.  Others spoke of their appreciation of such an honor.

The men and women would see other war memorials before returning to the Triangle.  It was a long and emotional day for everyone.

During the flight home, I was invited to sing to the veterans during an emotionally charged mail call.  The veterans received letters of thanks and love from their family, friends, and school students.

I walked to the front of the plane and sang “Ill be seeing You” over the PA system.

This song was much loved during WW II. In fact, it became an anthem for those serving overseas.

Some of the veterans sang along with me.

It was again a trip I will long remember.  I was surrounded by giants who defended our freedom.  Heroes who assume such an unassuming stance despite all they gave to our country.

My life is richer from being in their company for that one day.

When you think about these veterans and all they did for this country.. it makes perfect sense that they would be written and talked about as the “Greatest Generation”.

Onward + Upward

Hey, if you’d like to read more about the Triangle Flight of Honor, just click the link I’ve included in this post:

triangleflightofhonor.com

So, today I had an amazing experience in the classroom.  I planned a course and worked my plan in front of 19 students at Weldon High School.

I was invited to participate in National Teach For America Week by Robert Orr.  Orr is  a Development Manager at Teach for America in North Carolina.

He is a talented and enthusiastic young man who goes above and beyond to secure funding for this organization.  Robert is a former corp member of TFA.  My daughter Ashley Marie introduced me to Robert.  They worked together in Miami when Ashley worked for TFA.  She still does.

Seeing first hand the mission lived out from this non-profit, has given me a whole new appreciation for the hard work that is required daily from educators who refuse to phone it in, when it comes to making a difference in the classroom + beyond.

TFA’s aim is high.  It works to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting the nation’s most promising future leaders to teach for two or more years in low-income communities throughout the United States.

Today at Weldon High School, I saw that when educators raise the bar in what they expect from their students, these young people will rise to reach it.  That appears to be  Miss Briana May is running things in her classroom.  The students were 100 percent engaged in the process I took them through.  They were uber inquisitive and respectful.  It was a pleasure teaching them.

I decided to conduct an exercise with the students on how a newsroom goes about the process of deciding how stories will be placed and played in a newscast.  They were given descriptions of about 15 news stories– from the fighting in Libya, to a murder trial, to William and Kate flipping pancakes.  Then, the students had to explain or justify the decisions they reached.  They were fantastic.

Later, a local newspaper reporter sat down with me for a few questions.

She wanted to know my impressions of the class. I told her the part about raising the bar.

She asked why I participated in the Teach For America  campaign.  I told her that motivated and dedicated teachers need to be returned to the pedestal on which they once stood.  Educators  are doing one of the most important jobs in the world.  Yet, they are often under valued and under appreciated and under paid.  I told her I was willing to support a campaign that seeks to change that.

This is not political.  It is a principal, that moves me to action.

To put a fine point on it. I loved the energy and the excellence displayed at Weldon from the administration.. to the educators.. to the students.

In the words of TFA leaders: One day, All Children.

Sunday, I was in the presence of a great group of men and women who are having a powerful impact on raising funds and awareness around the disease of HIV/AIDS.

I  was one of the entertainers performing at the Crepe Myrtle Black + White Ball in Raleigh.  See the beautiful flowers they gave me.

It was hardly the biggest crowd I’ve seen at a Crepe Myrtle Festival social event.  There were about 75 people in attendance.  It was however filled with people who are the real heart and soul of the organization.  One hundred percent dedicated to helping others.

They are the core group–the posse, who create, plot and launch the series of educational and entertaining fundraising events that will  culminate this  summer with an annual gala.

The tickets for the fundraiser I attended were fifty dollars.  Yes, it was a lot to ask for during these tough economic times.  The people who showed up were of course those who could afford it.  Yet,  money in this fight is desperately needed.  Now perhaps more than ever.

You see, the national HIV diagnosis rate is about 18 in 100,000. In North Carolina, it’s 20 per 100,000.

Some advocates for AIDS patients are concerned that states’ cost-cutting strategies could turn back advances to combat the disease by decades, to a time when patients had no or few treatment options and an HIV infection often led to full-blown AIDS, then death.

That is what scares me.  That is why despite the fact my entrance to the Black + White Ball was paid for,  I could not sit with that.

One of the first things I did the next day was to hop online and make a donation to the Crepe Myrtle Festival… now one of the nation’s oldest ongoing AIDS fundraisers.

From 1992 until today, some 40 different agencies have received more than $800,000 raised by CMF

CMF has become an important networking community.  It truly inspires all involved to do more.

I know that I intend to be even more involved.  Further, I invite you to do the same if there is a desire in your heart.

You can find out so much more about CMF and how you can donate your time, talent, and treasure by visiting the website:

http://www.crapemyrtlefest.org

My passion for the cause goes all the way back to the time I worked in Miami, Florida.  I was the health reporter back then, and reported on, and hosted several specials on the topic of breast cancer.  I found myself inspired by the courage and strength of breast cancer survivors.  Over time, that conviction for helping to cause a world without breast cancer has grown stronger.

At every chance I get, I work as an advocate for and participant in issues and events that support breast cancer research.
I have sang, run, and walked for a cure!

I was so honored last year to serve as honorary chairwoman for the 2009 Triangle Race for the Cure.  Further, I have also served on the board of directors.

I am on fire about the fight.

I love the words in the Melissa Etheridge song, I Run For Life:

I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all That is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me my friend, I run for life.

To me, that just about says it all when it comes to the intention of all those who participate in the Triangle Race for the Cure.

We were 22,000 strong last year.  Here’s to another great year!