Warrior Games

I definitely want to attend at least one of the days! So inspirational.

The 2012 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte will be held in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 30 - May 3.

The Warrior Games presented by Deloitte help elevate abilities through athletic competition for wounded, ill, and injured service members by providing a focal event to empower the incorporation of athletics into military wounded warrior programs. The event is supported by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), the Department of Defense,Veterans Affairs, presenting sponsor Deloitte and the United Service Organizations (USO).

The Warrior Games serve as an introduction to Paralympic sports for injured service members by inspiring recovery, physical fitness, and promoting new opportunities for growth and achievement.

Spartan Race

Every morning when I workout at the gym on base, the guys are always talking about this "Spartan Race." Hey Jess, you gonna do the Spartan Race? My first reaction is they lost me at spartan. I now officially have an excuse though, because I'm going to be attending a wedding out-of-state that day.

In all honesty, if I was half as fit as the people that did this sort of thing, I'd be all over it. Low crawling through the mud under barbed wire? Yes, please. Some of the obstacles might give me unpleasant flashbacks from basic training, but I've always enjoyed taking myself out of my comfort zone every once in awhile.

If you're in Denver or in Colorado Springs, it's over at Fort Carson on May 5th.

For more info on registration (and some sweet videos), click here.

Phoebe Therese Salon

I just heard about this great salon in the Denver area that is going way above and beyond the call of duty in the services they offer.

While cutting the hair of a military wife who's husband had just returned from the Middle East that same day, the owners of Phoebe Therese Salon, decided they wanted to give back to the military community.

In an effort to recognize the sacrifice that not only the troops, but the spouses also make, this salon is opening their doors (and their hearts) on a day of the week they're normally closed to the public.

Spouses and women in the military have the opportunity to get their hair cut, colored and styled one Sunday every quarter. Tipping would be optional and appreciated, however, this service is free and requires no spending.

The offer is primarily for service wives of deployed husbands but also includes recently returned husbands, enlisted and commissioned service women scheduled for deployment (or have recently returned), and Gold Star Wives. 
 
The purpose is to provide a service they might consider but cannot necessarily afford. The owners want them to know they are appreciated for the hard work and the stress they live with.

"It's a day just for them," co-owner Therese told me.

If you would like to take part in this generous opportunity, they ask that you call the salon to get on the list so that their hairstylists know how many people to expect.

The number is 303-757-7940 and they are located at 3037 E. 3rd Avenue Cherry Creek North Denver, CO 80206. Parking is free on Sunday.

The next date is March 11, and they still have several spots available. They open their doors at 9:30 a.m.

Blackwell Becoming

Photo courtesy of Erin Blackwell Studio, LLC

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I can think of no better personalized present for the special man in your life than a gorgeous picture of ... you!

My friend Erin Blackwell is an amazing photographer that lives in the Denver area (but works in other cities as well). Before I got married, I had the opportunity to get dolled-up and present my soon-to-be husband with some gorgeous photos as a groom's gift on our wedding day.

Now the reason Erin is the subject of my blog post is two-fold. First, she is very patriotic and supports the military in her personal life and her business. Second, I'd like to inform my readers that she offers a military discount of 25% off the sitting fee for not only women who serve in the military, but for female military spouses as well.

If you are engaged and are in the market for a great photographer to capture your engagement photos and big day, I'd like to recommend her. But right now I'm here to tell you about her newest venture, called Blackwell Becoming. She works with a professional make-up artist and together they capture your best facial features in a photo-shoot. If you'd like to get a gorgeous headshot to use for yourself or to give as a gift, she is booking now. Becoming is also a perfect photo session for mothers and daughters, sisters and best friends.

Erin's a lot of fun and works with women of all ages, with a natural ability to make you feel at ease.

Happy Valentine's Day! And don't forget the 25% percent discount for veterans and their spouses.

Paws and Stripes

If you have never heard of the non-profit Paws and Stripes, you are in for a treat. It is truly one of the most noteworthy organizations I have come in contact with.

They pair rescue dogs (that they train at no cost to the veteran) with the person suffering from PTSD or TBI. The veteran and dog essentially end up saving each other's lives, such a simple yet powerful concept. 

I met the co-founder, Jim Stanek in Albuquerque, NM when I was there a couple of months ago on active duty orders for the Navy. I was drawn to his own story and how his rescue dog became his loyal friend and defender, constantly "watching his back."

These companions are trained to deal with each person's specific issues, and being on alert for them is a trait that someone with PTSD might need.

I talked to Jim almost every day that I was in town, each time growing more impressed with the work Paws and Stripes does, even meeting a couple of vets and the dogs that were paired together. What's amazing is that they become legitimate service dogs, and they go everywhere with their owners. 

I am still in awe of the genuine work Jim and his team are doing for those that sacrificed for our freedom, and returned home with "invisible wounds" and lives that will never be the same.

I look forward to do doing anything I can to assist them in getting sponsors and donations so they can continue giving comfort to dogs and veterans.

Hero's Wish

Many people are aware of the Make a Wish Foundation and its mission. It's an incredible organization that grants "wishes" for children with life-threatening illnesses, making their special dreams come true, if only for a day.

Veteran Tickets Foundation, or Vet Tix, the popular non-profit that provides free tickets to concerts and professional sporting events to veterans (I have been a lucky recipient) has created a similar concept geared towards servicemembers. It's called Hero's Wish and our men and women who are fighting for our country can request a dream outing to a concert or game prior to or upon return from a deployment. Many of these guys/gals are away for as long as a year, so the chance to go to the game of their dreams with the entire family, their spouse, or a few friends can be an experience of a lifetime. Vet Tix is all about enhancing the morale of our warfighters, who have the unique experience of not only being away from their families for extended periods of time, but have the risky profession of being in harm's way on a daily basis while deployed.

There are so many great organizations that make a difference in the lives of veterans who protect our freedom. I can't think of a better way to express my gratitude than scanning that wish list to see if there's something on there I can contribute to.

National Press Club Event: Helping Returning Vets

For those of you in the D.C. area, I just found out about this. It's a "must-attend" if you can make it!  My personal friend (and phenomenal woman!), Kathleen Gagg, co-founder of Camp Better America, will host a panel to discuss how volunteer organizations can help returning veterans reintegrate into society at a National Press Club Newsmaker.

Camp Better America is a volunteer organization that helps veterans and their families bond and reconnect after long, sometimes multiple deployments overseas. Experts brought in by Camp Better America provide inspiration to the families, help veterans heal both physical and emotional wounds, and let veterans and their families know they are appreciated.

Date/time: November 15, 10:00 a.m. at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. (Zenger Room)

Panelists include:  Colonel David Sutherland, Special Assistant, Warrior & Family Support Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as Captain Brad Cooper (Executive Director) from Joining Forces