Jericho Producers Send Notes to the Troops

Whew, I am so deeply touched by what I just read over at the JerichoRangers4OurTroops website.
These messages mean more to me than any other message posted to the fans by everyone connected to Jericho.

Here is the link at JerichoRangers4OurTroops.com for this message.

Special Thanks the Producers and Writers of Jericho for sending these messages to the troops to accompany the 219 Season 2 DVD's donated:

“You are an inspiration to all of us”

~ Jon Turteltaub, Executive Producer

“There is no adequate way to say thanks for all you do for us, but maybe, just maybe, we can entertain you a little with these seven episodes of JERICHO. Hope you like them. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.”

~ Carol Barbee, Executive Producer

“Jericho, at its core, is a show about hope. You guys define hope. Thank you for all you do.”

~ Dan Shotz, Co-Executive Producer

“We are so lucky to have you fighting for us. Thanks for everything you do, day in and day out.”

~ Karim Zreik, Co-Executive Producer

“Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your sacrifice. You do us all proud. Come home safe and soon.”

~ Jon Steinberg, Creator/Producer

“THANK YOU…To all the men and women who are fighting in Iraq. I hope you enjoy SEASON 2 of JERICHO.

Keep up the good fight. I trust and hope you will all be home soon.”

~ John Peter Kousakis, Co-Executive Producer

“You’re the bravest and best America has to offer…thanks for carrying our flag forward. Stay safe, come home soon.”

~ Steve Scaia, Co-Producer

“Thanks for risking your butts out there so ours are safe back here.”

~ Matt Federman, Co-Producer

“Hope the show provides some much deserved relief. Our thoughts are with you always, get back safe.”

~ Robert Levine, Staff Writer

I know I have said this before, I am the Mother of sons who serve, and each time I see any messages like these I know in my heart that one day things will be right. My boys will be home, all of our family members will be home. And I know that these men and women who serve know we love them and keep them in our prayers.

To my sons , I miss you, I love you and I hope you will come home soon.

Interview with Hawksdomain of JerichoRangers4OurTroops.com

I have long wished to do a series of interviews to introduce (or reintroduce) the people who work on the various community efforts that were born our of our efforts to save Jericho back in May of 2007. One of the most well known efforts it the Troops effort. This is the group of people I will be starting my interview series with.

It is important to remember of course, that Jericho is first and foremost a TV show, an exciting show, a show worth fighting to save! We will soon be settling down in our chairs to view for the first time, the new episodes of Season 2, pop corn and drinks at the ready. Our goal for the time being is to get as many new viewers, new fans to hear about Jericho. What better way then (IMHO) to introduce them to all the facets of the show, the great cast and creative team we have, as well as the awesome experience we had fighting to save this show, and the community efforts we belong to, work on?

Today I would like to introduce you to Hawksdomain, the Web Mistress of the website JerichoRangers4OurTroops.com. Hawksdomain also happens to be my dear friend and boss over at the JR4OT blog where I post. Hawksdomain works very hard to make sure that the website remains functioning and is pleasant to visit. Hawksdomain also does a huge job of finding the content you see on the site, no small job to do each day!

Introducing ~ Hawksdomain:

1. All the Jericho Fans know you are a devoted supporter of the
troops and that any cause that is associated with the troops you
take under your wings. Have you always been involved with the
Troops? Tell us how you became involved.

I was born during the end of the Vietnam War. Growing up hearing of how the soldiers were treated upon their return home always seemed so very wrong to me. Support for our troops is something I believe all Americans should feel. Without soldiers, there would be no United States of America. Without soldiers, my friend in Kentucky would be in a different nation than I am. Without soldiers, the United States of America could be a German or Japanese speaking nation today.

During the first Gulf War, I was very vocal in my opposition to the war. Nonetheless, I did fully support each and every soldier that was involved. I showed my support for the troops while showing my outrage for our President. I am shocked at the number of people I encounter who are not supportive of our troops. It amazes me that people could think that it is the soldiers’ fault that we are at war. These men and women are simply the ultimate patriots by being willing to stand up and fight for our country. When they are deployed overseas, it is not by choice that they are leaving their loved ones behind. It is their job. If these brave men and women hadn’t stepped up and volunteered to be in our military, our President would have no other choice but to draft our young adults to handle the current conflicts our nation is in.

Tell us how you became involved.

I began envisioning Jericho Rangers 4 Our Troops after becoming friends with a mother of two soldiers. At the same time, my cousin was being deployed for a second time. I had heard of the idea of DVDs for Troops in late May, but had not thought of taking on such a project yet. At the end of June, I wrapped up working on Healthy Altitudes for Life, where Jericho Rangers sponsored a bicyclist riding in each of the 50 states fundraising for cancer education/research. We only raised a couple of hundred dollars for that and it was successful! Not long after that, someone else became involved in wanting to take on the DVDs for Troops project and was looking for help…

1. As the DVD for the Troops effort began to take off, what were
your hopes for the cause?

I never imagined that the DVDs for Troops campaign would be as successful for the Troops as it was. Knowing we had over a month to raise the money, I had hoped to raise about $1,000. I never imagined we would end up with about $3,500!

I also had hopes of this effort succeeding in getting the word out about Jericho more. We will see how well we all have done at getting the word out with all of our efforts in February, once we see how the ratings go.

2. What do you feel is the best way for someone who has never done
any community service before, to being volunteering for causes
associated with the Troops ?

Search the internet for ‘support troops’ and you will find thousands of ways anyone can be involved, and many do not require you to have any money to be able to contribute. Another option is to look in your phone book for the local VA or VFW. Just because a soldier is no longer fighting in a war does not mean that he or she does not still have needs not being met. So much can be done and every little bit does help.

1. Your web site, JerichoRangers4OurTroops has become a great place
for folks to come and touch base with the various causes out
there concerning the troops. Do you have any changes or
additions you are hoping to make to the site in the future?

There is much I would like to do. Money and time constraints are my biggest issues right now. Too much real life and just not enough to do the things I want to do!

2. Would you consider visiting your local Army bases in the future
to do Community Support or to cover such activities that occur,
on your blog?

yes

3. Tell us what areas of Troops support you feel is in need of more
attention.

Mental Health – see http://www.thisisforthesoldiers.org/ or http://www.iava.org/

4. What is the most surprising thing you have had happen because
your work with the Troops?

That we were recognized by the Pentagon Channel.

5. If you could have one thing for the Troops ( besides coming
home) what would you ask for?

Proper care and respect upon their return home.

6. Now for a few questions about Jericho:

1. What is the one story line you cannot wait to see in the
new season?

The War!! J

2. Who is your favorite character and what do you hope
happens for them in the new season?

I like them all. I enjoy the interaction between them all so much….

3. Has being involved in the Save Jericho Campaign given
you any changes in your personal life?

I have met many wonderful people and made lasting friendships.

Finally -


What does Hawksdomain enjoy doing that is NOT Jericho and Troops
related? Any hobbies?

Who has time for hobbies?? J

Many thanks to Hawksdomain for sitting down and doing this interview , I know how busy they are in Real Life! I will be introducing you to more of the folks who work in Community efforts in the near future.

Job well done Rangers....Pentagon Channel Interview

edit - this post is a repost of the one done earlier, due to tech difficulties in formatting. I apologize for any cross posting done due to this problem.


My dearest friends, my co~warriors you made this blogger very Proud. I find words hard to post right now, but know that as I watched the interview done on the Pentagon Channel I can not contain my heart in my chest.
Each one of you , every one of you who helped us to make this DVD for the Troops effort a success are angels. Please watch this interview and know that you will all remain in my heart for the rest of my life. You have given this mother of two who serve such blessings. Ahma, you did an awesome job in the interview, and you have my thanks.




There are so many others who deserve their names mentioned today in this post, Hawksdomain (Webmaster of JerichoRangers4Ourtroops.com) MikesMom, Scoobud, ChristyQ, GenPatton, so many names to remember in my prayers. Thank you all, for all your dedication, hard work, and love shown to this project. Many many thanks to the Pentagon Channel for doing this interview, it was an honor.

I would also like to thank everyone over at Staten Island Project HomeFront you guys rock!

I wish to say thank you to the real hero's, our Soldiers. You have given us reasons to strive to be better as people, and have given us the way to shine who we really are to the world.

God Bless You all.

Jericho Season One DVD's Recieved by Troops * photo's included*

The following is a copy of the email I received concerning the troops getting the Season One DVD's:

Attached please find photos of the first shipment of the Jericho First Season DVD sent to Iraq. They were thrilled and very excited to get the First Season. Thank you Jericho Fans and CBS. This is the note received by Major Jeff Groskopf regarding the Jericho DVD and the photo's are attached.

"Attached are a couple of pictures with the Jericho DVD and some other
DVDs that we received from a friend of the project, Clara. I can't tell
you how much it means for us to know that there are people like you and
your organization that support us. It fills us with pride knowing that
there are people out there who take the time and the effort to give us a
little piece of home and a little break from the day to day life in
Iraq.

Our time here is about at an end and our Air Force replacements have
begun to arrive. If it's ok with you, I would like to pass your
information to them as I am sure that they would also enjoy your
support.

Again, thank you so very much for your support".
MAJ Jeff Groskopf
Commander, Desert Sentry

This is a note we received from Lam Uy who is also deployed in Iraq. "I got the package with Jericho and the other treats. Thank you. You can
take my name off the mailing list now. Thanks for what you guys do".


***************************************************************************************
I am so proud of each person who has been involved in this effort, and today to see this email, well ... my heart burst with pride. And to be a parent of troops, it made my cry to think that my son's will one day be the recipent of a care package that you all had a hand in putting together with your efforts in this.
From the bottom of my heart, to you all........ thank you so much!
kystorms