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Valour-IT kicks off today

Posted on 2009 under Blogs, Military, Operations In Afghanistan, US_Military | No Comment

26 Oct

I have mentioned Valour-IT on this blog several times before and it is no mystery that I am big fan of it. Valour-IT is a fundraising project by Soldiers’ Angels. Valour-IT’s big fundraising drive kicks off today, October 26th until Veteran’s Day, November 11th.

The purpose of Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries.  Technology supplied includes:

  • Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
  • Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).
  • Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops and other technologies can be to a wounded service member’s recovery.

Chuck Ziegenfuss is one hell of a soldier, milblogger and a friend. In fact last week while spending several days at Blog World Expo in Las Vegas, I hung out with Chuck quite a bit and even though I have known him for a couple of years, I really got to spend some quality time with him this year and know him even better. He is a walking testament of the influence and importance of these voice-controlled laptops on the troops.

I have given to Valour-IT for the last several years and I plan to again this year, however I am going to try and give a little more and want some of your help to do that. As you may or may not know, all the T-shirts in my Bouhammer Gear Store have the profits go directly to four great charities. However the hats and embroidered shirts that are in my store have their profits come to me to help off-set the costs of running this blog, web-space, Bouhammer Enterprises, LLC, etc.

But during the time of the Valour-IT fundraiser (10/26-11/11) any embroidered shirts or hats that are sold will have 100% of the profits go directly to the Valour-IT fundraiser. So I hope all my readers help out by donating just a little something to this great project that directly helps our wounded warriors. And if you were thinking about buying a Bouhammer polo, button-down or hat then hopefully this will motivate you to pull the trigger to get one and help these guys out.

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DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s), myself included, and not intended as a directive or recommendation. Your ability to in turn express your opinions are just one of the rights I defended as a United States Army soldier. I respect and encourage that right. I ask only this; if you disagree with any of the material presented, either by the author or by posters, take a deep breath and think before you post. Be introspective. Be concise. Form a complete, well thought, and above all polite response before posting. The inability to communicate politely and succinctly on emotionally charged issues will do nothing to promote productive sharing of viewpoints. We must speak rationally and intelligently to each other as individuals before we can ever hope to do it as a country. To do anything less is to denigrate each other, hide away the truth, and perpetuate that which we seek to overcome.