Fort Polk, LA

As a special treat for several of the great support staff with our Fairway Independent Mortgage corporate office, last week my team sent the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" shirts to over 120 of the Fairway corporate employees. Here are Renola, T, Daccia and Ashley, proudly wearing their Christmas shirts. And you just have to love it - they also have their boots on! You can read about the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Celebration and parade HERE, held in Leesville, Louisiana, on December 10. To learn more about the boots and why you should get YOUR boots on - click HERE or watch a short video at www.SuitsInBoots.Net.

For every shirt purchased by our team to give away, another will be donated to one of the wounded warriors returning home to Ft. Polk, Louisiana, in October, 2011, from Afghanistan. We are attempting to purchase 1,200 of these shirts to give to each of those wounded warriors - if you are interested in contributing, check out the details in my blog post HERE.

I hope and pray all of you had a blessed Christmas day and enjoyed your time with family and friends!

During this season of giving, I would like to share with you an incredible opportunity for you to give a very special gift to some very special people - the wounded warriors of "Operation Enduring Freedom" deployed from our very own Fort Polk, Louisiana. These heroes were welcomed home this past Saturday, December 10, as the local Vernon Parish, Louisiana, community recognized and honored approximately 3,800 returning soldiers in the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" celebration and parade. This unit deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2010 and began returning to Fort Polk in August of this year. Over 1,200 soldiers from this group received injuries while deployed.

Local artist, and Gulf War veteran, Paula Baldwin, created this unique design especially for the event which included the names of all Units around the wreath. It has now been imprinted on shirts which we would like to make available as a special "Welcome Home" gift to these wounded warriors:

We believe it would be an incredible display of gratitude to present a shirt to each wounded warrior but we need your help! $15.00 purchases one shirt - or you can get two for $20.00. You can send a personal message to be included in your gift so that your generosity is recognized - or you can do anonymously.

To purchase, send your name, any message to be included, and your return e-mail address to info@teamthaxton.comand you will receive a PayPal invoice, or call toll free 866-960-9115 ext 3 for Traci.

All Photography by Next Generation Picture Studio

Day 16 of the 2011 December Blogging Challenge and I am to write an AAR - an "After Action Review" of our event last week, the "I'll be Home For Christmas" parade and celebration. As a civilian and business professional, I would have called it a "survey" - or maybe even a "testimonial". However, the chairman of the Military Affairs Committee which spearheaded this event is a retired military commander, therefore, it was an "AFTER ACTION REVIEW". Ed Williams was an incredible chairman and his former military experience served him well for this leadership position. He asked the volunteers for the celebration last week-end to send in their reviews by today. Below is mine:

"It was one of the most inspiring events I have ever attended. My team (15 of them!) flew in from Florida, and drove from Shreveport, Bossier City and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for one reason – to serve the troops. They considered it one of those very rare events where they had the OPPORTUNITY to serve the ones who serve – To give back in some small way to those who risk everything – the heroes of our nation – the men and women of our United States military."

"At the end of the day, several of my team who had chopped brisket and served the food for several hours (and actually missed the Change of Command ceremony because they stayed with it until everyone was served a meal) said they were “exhausted” but “excited”! They were so impacted by the patriotism of the community and the appreciation of the military. They left joyful and filled with a new appreciation of our heroes".

"Each time I have told someone about the event – tears still whelm up. I have not recovered from the emotion of the day. My only regret is that I only had one of my grandchildren there with me – and even she at the age of 13 was moved by the events. I wished later I would have made it a requirement for them all to attend (As a Grandmother, I can still do that!)".

"I thank all of you on this committee for your dedication and hard work. People thought this was impossible - but the community proved them wrong. God bless America - and God bless each of you!"

December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing - A Community Comes Together to Welcome Home 3,800 Troops!

The heroes from the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division were welcomed home this past Saturday, December 10, as the community, community leaders and the city of Leesville recognized approximately 3,800 returning soliders, in the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" celebration and parade.

The 4-10 deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2010 and began returning to Fort Polk in August of this year.

Welcome Home, Heroes!

Today I will begin to sift through the photographs from the "I'll Be Home For Christmas" parade and celebration held last Saturday in Leesville, Louisiana, home of Fort Polk Army Base and Joint Readiness Training Center. This event was to celebrate the return from Afghanistan of 3,800 warriors of the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

As you can see below - it is going to be hard to pick the "best" photos!

A portion of these photographs will be used by the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce along with other area businesses in sharing with others what this community did for the returning heroes. An unparalled event, for certain. A portion of the photographs will be used for a new team initiative for serving our military(more on that later!).

Of course, our team was excited to be a part of such a "give back" program to these 3,800 troops. Part of our business plan for 2012 is to form a strategy on how we can do more.

It's all about giving back and making a difference in the lives of the people who are making a difference - our military.