Bake Me a Wish

Apparently, I was queen for a day in the middle east, thanks to an idea to send my shipmates over in Afghanistan a cake from Bake Me A Wish. I have a few friends stationed in Kabul for a year as Individual Augmentees (IA) for the U.S. Navy as Public Affairs Officers.

A little birdie told me that my LCDR friend had a thing for oreo cookies. Ok, I cheated and I asked her husband on Facebook. Good thing I did, because I learned she pretty much just likes chocolate cake. They have a special "Freedom Cake" that you can order for yourself, and Bake Me A Wish will send a cake to a soldier serving overseas.

Here's the cookies and cream one I ordered for my friend. They are very courteous over the phone and the cake got there pretty fast, considering. It was packaged very nicely so it arrived fresh and delicious!

I love how 5% of all orders go to Operation Birthday Cake, which donates birthday cakes each month to forward deployed soldiers. This is part of their partnership with the very generous organization, Soldiers Angels.

Oh, and if you watched the Today Show this morning, you saw all of the other great things ordering cakes from this company can do! *Come home soon, Christine!

Spotted: Angelina Jolie and Bradley Cooper boosting morale in D.C.

I had to post this because it's been all the rage here in D.C. Talk about a morale booster.

Recently Angelina Jolie made an unannounced visit to Walter Reed to chat with the wounded soldiers. Word on the street is she gave the troops she visited with $1,000 gift cards to Best Buy. She's been spotted around town filming her new movie "Salt." She also discussed her desire to visit our men and women in uniform during her recent visit to Iraq.

"The Hangover's" Bradley Cooper just came off of a USO tour with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and of Staff, as well as other celebrities. After landing at Andrews Air Force Base, he made a few stops at some DC hot spots.

Bradley and Angelina...D.C. welcomes you anytime!!

Redskins Cheerleader Dawn visits USS Harry S. Truman

I met Dawn about two and half years ago. We were both attending a prep class for the Washington Redskins cheerleaders and we happened to be sitting next to each other. I wanted to hate her. I really did. She has beautiful long black hair and green eyes, dimples and a perfect figure. But she was instantly nice to me and I realized there is nothing to dislike about her. We were both new to the D.C. area and had a lot in common. She is hilarious, smart and a great person. I think the first conversation we ever had she told me about her deep appreciation for the military, and that unfortunately she lost a very dear friend who served in the Marine Corps.

It was then that Dawn and I became friends and she's been my biggest cheerleader ever since (pun intended). She even attended my commissioning ceremony. She is on her third year with the Washington Redskins cheerleaders and is doing so many good things. Not only does she get to cheer on our Skins in front of 90,000 fans at FedEx Field, she takes advantage of the opportunities to interact with the local community as well as members of our Armed Forces.

Last weekend she and a group of cheerleaders spent a few days aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Friday was spent at sea, and they stayed overnight on the ship. I couldn't wait to talk to her about her first experience with the Navy. She'd been on other tours to Europe with Armed Forces Entertainment, but never on an aircraft carrier.


"They made us feel so at home. We stayed in the staterooms; mine was called the NATO Room. I couldn't believe how spotless it was. Every corner of the room was clean. They were so hospitable - when we arrived were given hats with our names embroidered on the back, and in our rooms we had robes to borrow and shower shoes," she said.

Dawn says that they were in awe of the food aboard the carrier and they enjoyed dining in the wardroom. Saturday they were back in port and performed for the USS Truman's Family Day, a time for families to bond before the ship deploys. They did a variety show which included four dances and some fun contests. They were also given a complete tour of the carrier, including watching planes take off and land on the flight deck. "Our guides were so incredible, they were so proud of being in the Navy."

To meet Dawn and all of the other First Ladies of Football, go to their Calendar Premier party next Thursday at Public Bar (1214 18th St NW) in Washington D.C.

All photos courtesy of Dawn. Pictured below: Dawn and Melanie pose in front of the USS Harry Truman during a gorgeous sunset.

Read more about the Redskins cheerleaders' visit in my column in the Examiner here.

MilSpot of the Week

Be the first to see G.I. Joe!

I just saw this on the U.S. Army fan page on Facebook.

GI Joe: Rise of Cobra is coming to Andrews AFB on July 31st. RSVP now for your chance to see a free a screening by emailing GIJOESCREENING@paramount.com

www.gijoemovie.com

Coming up this week...

D.C. movers & shakers who make a difference...

First I'll be having lunch with Krista Johnson, my fav gal about town and one of the stars of the CW's Fall DC-based reality show "Blonde Charity Mafia." She is one of the most patriotic girls I know and recently visited wounded service members at Walter Reed. She's the blonde on the left hand side of the poster.

Then you'll get to hear all about the Redskins Cheerleaders' visit last weekend aboard the USS Harry Truman from my friend, Dawn (pictured right, photo courtesy of Sabrina, middle).

Finally there's a local music label that supports talented music artists who also happen to be in the military. More on that, soon! I'll be writing about all three as well, in my Military Living column in the D.C. Examiner.

My new sanctuary

My friend Sara Damelio is a great American. Not only does she give the most luxurious (and organic) facials at The Still Point spa in Takoma Park, she uses her powers for good. I've blogged about this product before - the skin cream she invented that is bringing much relief to servicemembers over in the Middle East. They're dealing with sand flea bites, sunburn, and dry skin on a daily basis.

Combat Ready Balm is from Sara's Skincando product line. If you want to help a servicemember in need, visit her website http://www.skincando.com/ and donate a jar.

If you're in the D.C./Northern Virginia or Maryland area, book an appointment at The Still Point, and enjoy glowing skin for days!

Spotted: General Peter Pace at Washington Nationals game

Last night I rounded up a few of my good military friends and we headed to see the Nats defeat the Mets 4-0 (!) in what turned out to be a perfect summer evening. Our seats were right behind home plate, the weather was good, beer was cold ... oh, and I happened to see one of my idols... General Peter Pace, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

General Pace and his wife Mrs. Lynne Pace were handing out information about an organization they support called Our Military Kids. "Our Military Kids provides tangible support to the children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve personnel and to the children of the severely injured service members through grants for sports, fine arts and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country."

He was very gracious to pause and pose for pictures with me and my friend Amanda Sena, who I pointed out also happens to be an Army vet. Thank you General and Mrs. Pace for your continued service to our country.

I can't rave enough about what a great time we had. The service in the presidential seats was just perfect, the presidential mascots were adorable, and the nachos were in-credible. We were especially touched at the patriotism the Washington Nationals organization displays. They honor the military with pause for a "military salute" at each game (with vets in attendance), and constantly have military appreciation nights, working with such non-profits as the USO and Vet Tix.

There's nothing more American than Washington D.C., baseball and a military hero. I'll be going back -- a lot. See you at the next game! Check out their schedule here.

Here is the note he left at the Vietnam Memorial the day he stepped down as Chairman. I tear up every time. EVERY time.

Vr,

Jess

Guest Blogger: Meet Jesse Herman with the Mesothelioma Cancer Center

Many Veterans Exposed to Asbestos and living with possible Ailments

The twentieth century brought us the start and end to many wars for Americans, all of which were fought mainly overseas. In that time many soldiers were killed or brought back injuries through their sacrifice. Much of the military returned healthy. But this does not mean there are not a variety of issues if you dig a little deeper. One often overlooked issue is mesothelioma cancer, which results from asbestos exposure.

Roughly 30-40 percent of all reported mesothelioma patients in the United States are former members of the military. Asbestos is an excellent fire retardant that in many ways protected veterans throughout the years. In addition to being dangerous if the fibers are ‘loose’ and breathed in, it is fairly cheap and effective. This fiber was used in every branch of the military up until the late 1970’s and was specifically valuable to the Navy, which used it in engine and boiler rooms and other areas below the deck for safety reasons. It was used in the tools they used and the rooms where they slept.

In particular, veterans who served from the 1930s and 1970s have the greatest risk of getting mesothelioma, with the disease not settling in sometimes up to 50 years after asbestos exposure.

Pursuing compensation for mesothelioma and other breathing ailments that can result is not easy. VA Claims sometimes can help but you must prove that you were only exposed while in the military. The military does not list mesothelioma as a service-related disease. Some think that the Obama Administration will push through policies to make the VA Claim process easier. Another avenue to take is to sue the manufacturer of the product (not Uncle Sam) but litigation is typically tough because diagnosis often occurs many years after exposure.

It is safe to say that asbestos is one of the worst corporate catastrophe’s of the 20th century because manufacturers knew about the dangers since the 1920s and the mesothelioma survival rate equating to almost certain death within a short time (varies but typically within a couple years). The full breakdown of mesothelioma facts is interesting, to say the least. Most Americans think that asbestos is an old issue but veterans are still reporting cases at a frequent pace, reminding us of era that brought many wars and poor industrial standards.

If you need help you can call a Patient Advocate at (800) 615-2270

Bubba's Belly Run

What is Bubba's Belly Run? I wish it didn't exist because that would mean that an American hero was still with us. However, it's an important event for you to show your support for the death of a fallen servicemember. A Soldier. A dad. A father to his young son and an unborn child. Here's the story:

Brian "Bubba" Bunting and his wife Nicki started their race towards a big family on their honeymoon, and wanted to keep on steadily gaining ground. Bubba’s deployment put a halt on their plans. Bubba’s race to grow his family continues after he was tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan-just 4 days after returning from spending 2 weeks at home with his family for R&R. Neither he nor Nicki knew at the time he was killed that they had succeeded in attempts to expand their family over his short break from deployment. Nicki found out she was pregnant just days after the news came of Bubba’s death. Their son, Connor, would have a sibling after all. Bubba’s Run is a 5K run in honor and memory of Captain Brian "Bubba" Bunting’s race to grow his family and for the benefit of his children’s education.The race will be held the weekend of Nicki and Bubba’s wedding anniversary, when his original race began. Register here. Visit http://www.bubbasbellyrun.com/ too.

The First Annual Bubba’s Belly Run - September 27, 2009

All proceeds generated from this race will be used to support Bubba’s children’s education, The Fisher House™, American Widow Project, and Flat Daddies. 5K Run/Maternity Walk & Fun Run Bullis School – Potomac, Maryland. Join Us As We Celebrate Our 1st Annual 5k Run/Maternity Walk & Fun Run. Bubba’s Belly Run has been established to honor the memory of Brian "Bubba" Bunting, an American Hero, and to help raise money for other heroes and their families. We hope to see the community help honor Bubba’s "race" by joining us. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. If you have any questions or comments please contact Nicki Bunting at

npbunting@yahoo.com

Bear with me

Sorry I have not been posting very much lately...I am working on tweaking the format a bit. G.I. Jess will be back in a few days and better than ever! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Great interviews with Luke's Wings

Outstanding interviews with my friend, Fletcher Gill about his D.C. based military non-profit, Luke's Wings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz2KAUvRqls

USMC parade

Summer is in full swing, so take advantage of all of the free military events D.C. has to offer. Though we got rained out of the Marine Corps' Sunset parade at the Iwo Jima memorial yesterday about 3/4 of the way through, we were in good company! Mrs. Roberta McCain was there and more charismatic at 97 years young than all of us put together! :)

Special thanks to the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Carlton Kent for inviting us to his reception and parade honoring military families. Ooh-rah!

For all info on summer military events, refer to my previous post here.