This is a tribute to a special project we participated in March 2005-and a special lady who is one of todays' angels-and a wonderful father and pediatrician uniting religion and culture and the plight of the Jewish victims of terrorism with the needs of our troops.  

Special Thanks Event Photos Letters from Congressmen The Event Web Site

The benefit event Shalom Troops 2005 took place on March 6, 2005 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida. The benefit helped over 300 U.S. Soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. Donations helped to fill 100 care packages. Over 233 soldiers will receive the special under-armor garments they requested to aid them with the blistering heat of the Middle East. Israel Ambulance and Emergency Medical Equipment: Half of all proceeds for this benefit were contributed to American Friends of Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI), an organization committed to helping the Israeli emergency response with the purchase of needed emergency medical supplies such as ambulances and mobile intensive care units. Both organizations below joined Homefront Hugs USA to make this happen . But the story about a pediatrician and father of adeployed soldier, and very special lady behind the scenes needs to be told.      Homefront Volunteers Shine     There are no words except to say I feel blessed to have made a friend like Debbie Herman and the gifts she has already given us  are priceless. With richness of spirit, with grace, with heart and soul..one can trust that Debbie Herman has made a difference in this world...and made it a gentler place. For all Debbie Herman has done to unite and support those who are victims of terrorism both in Israel and here and our troops deployed overseas, there is a halo waiting for her in heaven one day... Shalom troops was the culmination of many hours of work,fundraising, and tears so that money could be raised for our troops and their needs as well as the needs of emergency supplies and ambulances in Israel to help cope with the daily terrorism they endure. Debbie was joined by a tall wonderful pediatrician by the name of Dr.Dan Leviten  of Lakeland,Florida who had been a volunteer at Homefront Hugs and was the father of a hero - an Army officer- his son Joel - from  Ft.Bragg. He had enlisted Debbie to include Homefront Hugs in her effort ( Shalom Troops) to help the troops and Israeli needs due to terrorism through American Friends of Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI). Dr.Leviten happened also to be my son's pediatrician  during some harrowing times when he was first diagnosed with severe asthma. He represented Homefront Hugs at Shalom Troops and spoke of what it feels to be a father watching and waiting for news and praying for a safe return of your only son. Still today, Dr.Leviten and his wife Joy support their son, are continuing their adoption of a family and deployed soldier with Homefront Hugs, and Debbie Herman continues to support her adopted medic deployed in Iraq. Homefront Hugs owes these two wonderful volunteers many many thanks for their continued devotion without conditions to the morale and quality of life of our deployed troops...and our attempt to make this world a better place slowly and gently as we reach out to others and stand united across religion and politics. Hebrew Blessing: "Ye'varech'echa Adonoy  ve'yish'merecha. Ya'ir Adonoy  panav eilecha viy -chuneka. Yisa  Adonoy panav eilecha,  ve'yasim lecha shalom" (May God bless you and watch over you. May God shine His face toward you and show you favor. May God be favorably disposed toward you and grant you peace.) In friendship and peace- Freedom Endures. Alessandra Kellermann President Homefront Hugs USA

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Mid Florida Young Marines