REDBOOK's Strength and Spirit Awards

Last night, fellow spokesman Donny Daughenbaugh and I had the honor of presenting LeAnn Rimes with REDBOOK's 2007 Strength and Spirit Award at the Hearst Tower in New York City. LeAnn was honored for her work with charities, in particular, the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes. LeAnn has been constant inspiration to the wounded troops we serve. A woman with her commitment, generosity and passion is so rare and we so blessed to call her our friend. LeAnn, thank you for reminding millions of Americans that we can lift one another with a helping hand, or a voice in song. It was an honor to present her with the 2007 Strength and Spirit Award!

Furthermore, it was extremely special to so warmly greeted by the REDBOOK and Hearst staff. Thank you to everyone who helped put this incredible event together.

Back to Iowa we go ...

- B.J. Jackson

We're on the red carpet in New York City!

To follow up on J.R.'s last post ... Donny Daughenbaugh (wounded Marine and fellow CSAH spokesman) and I are in New York City today to honor LeAnn Rimes, on behalf of REDBOOK, with the 2007 Strength and Spirit Award for her charity work, especially with the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.

We just walked the red carpet with her ... man there were a lot of flashing lights! We felt like celebrities ourselves. Now we are on our way to give her this much-deserved award. More later....

- B.J. Jackson

CSAH in REDBOOK's November Issue

Many props to our long-time friend and ambassador, LeAnn Rimes. LeAnn is featured (again) in the November issue of REDBOOK. In the article on page 160, REDBOOK features her amazing work with our organization. If you snag a copy, you'll even see a picture of LeAnn and I at a press conference in New York with Kellogg Company.

If you do not know already, LeAnn donated the acoustic version of her new song, "I Want You With Me", to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes and Kellogg's for a special promotion. You can pick up a box of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops or Frosted Flakes with LeAnn's picture on the box or go to www.kelloggsalutes.com and find out how to download this song for a minimum $1 donation to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.

You rock, LeAnn! Thanks for helping us spread the message!
- J.R. Martinez

"Covering the Wounded"

I was asked by my good friend, Ron Martz (former military reporter at the Atlanta Journal Constitution), on behalf of the The Association of Military Journalists (www.militaryreporters.org) , to represent my fellow injured OIF/OEF veterans on the panel called "Covering the Wounded" at their annual conference in Arlington, VA on October 12, 2007.

There I answered questions from the press on my perspective of how this subject has been treated by the media, what I think they are doing right and what I think they are doing wrong. I'll let the answers I gave there remain exclusive to those who attended, but I can tell you that the media has been my friend during my recovery. Since 2004, I have been the National Spokesman for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes so I've had my fair share of interactions with the press. The press holds all the power with their pen and paper to tell the American public our story. Thanks to the journalists like the ones I met at this conference, the public is now more aware than ever of the battles our families when returning home severely wounded. Without these stories, too many Americans may forget that our freedom is not free.


General Sanchez was the keynote speaker at the event. Here he poses for a picture with me. I have a lot of respect for the former General.

Thank you Ron for this great honor to represent the wounded service members at your conference. Thank you to all who attended.

For more information on The Association of Military Journalists, visit www.militaryreporters.org.

- Posted by J.R. Martinez