Cathy Clark : An Idea for Deployed Military

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An Idea for Deployed Military

By: Cathy Clark
Monday, July 16, 2007 4:37 PM

At this point in time, most of us know, or know of, someone deployed to some pretty dangerous places. If not, some of us live in Military towns and would like to support our troops, whether we agree with the deployment or not.

This is my idea. Create a page on my website and a blog dedicated to local Servicemen and women who are deployed. Ask for pics, a short bio, and a way to send a message of support and thanks to that Serviceman or woman. The messages would be screened (No protesters. It is my website, after all!). It would be a place that "locals" could acknowledge other "locals" and their families for their sacrifices. Military pics and family pics (just to make it more personal) would be welcome. Since our Service Members do have limited access to the internet, the blog would allow them an opportunity to read messages from their hometown.

I've emailed a friend of mine whose husband and step-son were just deployed to ask her opinion and to gain some insight into what the families might want. Does anyone out there have a friend or family member deployed and what are your thoughts on this?

I don't want this to be a "marketing" thing but rather an acknowledgement of local heroes and an outlet for communication for them, their families, friends and just other locals who wish to support them.

What do you think?

Comments

Member Since '06	Arthur Peterson said: Cathy, As a former Marine (just got out last May) I think you have a wonderful and sincere idea. However, from the perspective of living in a military town (Jacksonville NC home of Camp Lejeune) care must be taken to ensure that it is very clear that it is not a marketing scheme. Too often it seems that businesses will jump on the patriotic band wagon with "thank you's" and "we support you's" etc. only as a marketing scheme to get the military member to bring their money to them. Those of us who have been around the military for awhile have seen it all too often, and we see right through it. I do not doubt the sincereity of what you are attempting, and I think it will be a wonderful thing once implemented. I would recommend setting up a Yahoo group for this purpose and link to it through your website. This way it can function whether someone comes for real estate or not. This will make it very clear that your intention is not to join the band wagon patriotic marketing, but to sincerely assist the military members of your community. Sincerely, Arthur Peterson July 16, 2007 3:16 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Cathy, I think it's a great idea! I do have a friend who spent almost a year in Iraq and I'm sure he would appreciate if something like this was done. What I don't understand is why would it be so bad if it in fact was part of your regular marketing? What if part of the comission resulting from business that would be generated through this part of your website went some Military charity fund? ... phone cards, supplies, to the families, etc. Arthur, you can probably explain it to me the best since you have first hand experience with this ... why would it be so bad if someone was upfront about it? July 16, 2007 4:28 PM
Member Since '06	Cathy Clark said: Thank you, Arthur. I appreciate your comments. I don't want this to become a marketing ploy. My friend, whose husband and stepson are deployed, got back to me and told me she knew this was not "marketing" and she would be able to relay that to other families. She knows me better than that, but I truly do appreciate your concerns and am trying to be very careful. The page will have no tags, and will be hidden from the 'bots. I want this to be a community page where many can support our Troops. Renee (my friend) and I have come up with an idea of drop off points in the schools and local businesses to donate the necessities that our Troops need. I believe Renee and I have devised a way to make this work without appearing like I'm looking for business. Last thought: Arthur...Many Thanks for keeping my children and me safe. And Many Thanks for securing our Constitution and making sure that it means something. July 16, 2007 4:33 PM
Member Since '06	Cathy Clark said: Michaela, Mike & Renee are former Clients and have sent many referrals my way. Directly and indirectly. More importantly, they are friends. I just don't want this to be "marketing". It's "too close to home". Mike was, and still is, my son's favorite football coach. Tough as nails, as any US Army Sarge, or Bourne Police Dept Sarge, would be. His "kids" always listened, paid attention (that's all they could afford!) and soaked it up, like sponges, every word. My son's last words to him, at the "send-off" were: "See you next season, Coach" (it starts in two weeks. Mike just left). Mike's response was: "A little longer than that, Buddy. But I'll see you again." Mike, ever the Alpha Male, still gave my son a huge hug. July 16, 2007 4:53 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Cathy, my military friend is a former client of mine as well. I remember how hard it was for his wife to be home alone while he was gone. And every time they visit, I just hope he isn't visiting to say he's going over there again. So I definitely know what you mean. July 16, 2007 5:17 PM
Member Since '06	Arthur Peterson said: Mipeco, In a military town during times of heavy military deployment you will notice every business in town advertising "we support you" and various other patriotic themes. Yet at the same time they prey on the military to make their pockets fat. That is why the older smarter military folk know not to buy anything in town, especially when they start saying "thank you" etc. What I am saying is that the idea must be carried out in away to clearly distinguish it from the local predatory businesses. Cathy has the right idea and I think it will be wonderful once implemented. Cathy, no need to thank me, it was my sincerest pleasure to serve. Arthur July 17, 2007 7:50