Adopt-a-Platoon

Support our Troops in Iraq

Adopt-a-platoon is simply a way we can say thanks and show some support for our troops in Iraq. The idea is to secure a list of needs i.e., bacteria hand wipes, lotions, lip balm, bug repellent, beef jerky, dried fruit, car magazines, etc., for a unit in Iraq. Then goods are purchased and shipped to them. You can be part of this effort by donating needed items for shipment by us, cash contributions, or by starting a similar program yourself.  We have over 135,000 soldiers serving in Iraq right now.  Let them know we appreciate them.  For more information please contact me at John@kurowski.com.

On behalf of the troops, thanks for your consideration.

Reasons to Adopt-a-Platoon

SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

• Bed a little lumpy...
• Toss and turn any...
• Wish the heat was higher...
• Maybe the a/c wasn't on..
• Had to go to the john...
• Need a drink of water... ?

Yes...
It is like that!

Count your blessings,
pray for them,

Think of them...
Protecting your freedom!

The Flag of the United States of America

I Am the Flag of the

Of America

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I'm presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

BAKER COMPANY

The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is By taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that "WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN" and are proud to serve our country." Semper Fi  -- 1stSgt Dave Jobe

This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq.

143RD SIGNAL COMPANY

Our flags flying above our Company HQ	Sunset in the desert (these were the last clouds we've seen in May)	Toby Keith and Ted Nugent's visit	One of our tropo systems up north
140 degrees plus in the sun (no kidding)!	Our motorpool "sign" - my folks certainly are creative

PICTURES YOU RARELY SEE ON THE NEWS

RALLY ROUND THE TROOPS

Kurowski Development Co. and Street Rods Ltd. Held a ?RALLY ROUND THE TROOPS? event on July 10 ,2004 to create awareness and raise funds for the Adopt-A-Platoon program of sending things to our soldiers serving in Iraq. Following are some photos from the event.

• Hot Rod Rally Flyer

A display of a typical shipment of items that we send to the soldiers	Every boy needs a toy like this	A retired Marine signing the banner	Roy sending his personal greetings
Thanks to these soldiers for serving and helping out with our Rally For The Troops	This house needs a bigger garage for all those rods	Mom & Dad’s “Goin’ to Meeting” Rods	Grandma & Grandpa’s “Goin’ to Meeting” Rods
They can leave these in my garage any time	Wouldn’t you like to drive one of these?	John’s Favorite, by far!	Carol’s Favorite!

Independent Trucker

These are pictures of an independent trucker who has painted his cab and trailer with the names of all those who lost their lives in 9/11. The trucker 's name is John Holmgren from Shafer Minn. The trucker has been "pulled over" numerous times just so the troopers can get their picture taken with the truck

Be on the lookout for the truck, it might just come through your state.

Did you ever notice no one on ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC ever report anything positive out of Iraq? Do u think nothing positive happens there that is positive or that they are influencing the election?

This is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq:

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently:

(Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.)

• Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
• School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
• Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
• The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
• The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
• Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
• The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
• 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35% before the war.
• Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
• Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
• Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
• Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
• Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
• Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
• Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
• An interim constitution has been signed.
• Girls are allowed to attend school.
• Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, e-mail this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion"