AN UNBELIEVABLY ELEVATING DAY!

Yesterday, January 3, 2007, Give2TheTroops® had the privilege to join Xerox® in ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange at 2 Broad Street, New York City. 

A few weeks ago, Xerox asked me if we knew some troops who had recently returned from Iraq or Afghanistan who the NYSE & Xerox could publicly thank and honor for their service to our country.

Now, all the troops whom I know on a personal level are extremely humble and none would have accepted a public "recognition ceremony" so I was careful in how I phrased the invitation, omitting a few details.

Given limited advance notice during the Christmas and New Years Day holiday, I really didn't know if anyone would be available, but I didn't want to turn down such a wonderful opportunity for our troops to be publicly honored on television. Fortunately, the 5 guests I invited accepted and they included 4 troops who were direct care package recipients of ours: 

MAJ Michael Waltz (US Army - served in Afghanistan, G2TT Care package recipient), Mike took a train from Washington, DC to join us.

Maj. Vaughn Ward (USMC, Commanding Officer for C Co. 1/25 MAR who had served in Fallujah, Iraq, G2TT Care package recipient), Vaughn flew up from Virginia to join us.

1stSgt Ben A. Grainger (USMC, C Co. 1/25 MAR who had served in Fallujah, Iraq, G2TT Care package recipient)
  
Sgt. Terry Rathbun (USMC, C Co. 1/25 MAR who had served in Fallujah, Iraq, recipient of 2 Purple Hearts and a G2TT Care package recipient).

Col. (Ret.) Carl Venditto (USMCR and USAR Ambassador). Carl is an ESGR committe member at my work.

Somehow, our plans fell into place pretty seamlessly.  Note: Ben, Terry and Carl reviewed their life insurance policies prior to accepting Andi's invite to drive them to NYC from Connecticut.  They had an 'interesting' drive down!  

We met up with Vaughn on Vesey Street, who was wearing his dress blues uniform (like Terry and Ben).  So there I was being escorted down the streets of New York City by three sharply dressed Marines wearing their dress blues and Carl, who looked like a Diplomat in his business attire. 

Strangers came up to thank them for their service. Then, one man said to me, "And thank YOU for what you are doing for them!" I was stunned. I have no idea who he was but I guess either he saw my Give2TheTroops logo bag or he thought I was their mother! 

We proceeded to TGIF's for lunch before the event. Naturally, I bought a round of drinks to ease the nerves of the poor souls who endured my car ride down and the colorful language they heard whenever someone cut me off ...    

When we arrived at the NYSE, Michael Waltz (wearing his Army dress blues) met up with us and we joined Xerox in the NYSE Boardroom where we chatted with Xerox and NYSE members.  Later, medallions were presented to all of us.

The highlight of the day was when we were led around the NYSE trading floor and brokers stopped what they were doing to look.  Suddenly, they all broke out into a huge applause and began cheering as they saw "our guys" on the floor.

Many brokers rushed up to them to shake their hands and thank them personally.  I was awestruck.  If only you could have seen it!  To be by the side of these heroes as they received such outstanding public recognition - well, I am at a loss for words to describe my pure happiness for them and the honor and pride I felt.  

Several times, Terry leaned down to me and kept saying, "This is awesome!" as we were led around several areas and the applause increased.  My heart was filled with joy for them.   

  We ended the day joining Xerox to ring the closing bell on a balcony which overlooked the trading floor. (see photo & details below)

Here's a link to the webcast of the closing bell.  You can fast-forward it - we appear in the beginning & end of the clip only: 

http://mfile.akamai.com/7096/wmv/nyse.download.akamai.com/7096/cbell_xerox_letsaythanks_300.asx

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING & RECOGNIZING ALL OUR TROOPS FOR THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE THEY DO FOR OUR COUNTRY ...

Pictured with me are several Xerox representatives and our heroes/guests:

Major Michael G. Waltz (front row, first from left);
Sgt. Terry Rathbun (front row, 3rd from left);
Major Vaughn Ward (back row, standing under the second "X");
Carl Venditto (back row, standing behind me and next to Major Ward);
and 1stSgt Ben A. Grainger (from row, 1st from the right.)

  We are forever indebted and grateful.

Love,
Andi 
  

That is really impressive and not just about Xerox and the NYSE but to all of you at Give2TheTroops. You all are making a world of a difference to our troops and everyone I know sees that.

It is heartwarming to see that our troops are cared about by the people whose freedoms they are protecting ----thank you our AMAZING SERVICEMEN and WOMEN, XEROX, the NYSE, and to G2TT and their amazing volunteers.

On another note, and yes, I know that Andi will get mad at me for posting this, but it is incredible what she has been able to accomplish. G2TT is an amazing outlet that allows individual citizens to show the men and women that are in harm's way for us how much we care about them.

As a former Marine I know how powerful the phrase “Thank you” is, much less the amazing acts of kindness that thousands of volunteers are performing on behalf of our men and women in uniform. As I read the stories of what G2TT seems to accomplish on almost a daily basis, I think back to one of the first conversations that I ever had with Andi (at that point she was just the wife of a Marine that I had served with in Syria---boy, didn’t she turn out to be sooo much more!!! Sorry, but I have to give her a hard time.) I remember her passion about starting an organization that would show troops how much the average American cared about them; I remember her excitement over her final selection of the name and the logo. I also recall my skepticism over how well this organization would take off. I am proud to look back now and say that my initial skepticism was not warranted, but I am much prouder to say that even though I have never met Andi, I am honored to call her a dear friend.

Andi – you display many of the qualities; compassion, caring, esprit de corps, and leadership, that the brave men and women who don our Country’s great uniforms possess. You have also managed to organize a citizen army that follows in your footsteps and continues to say that all important phrase of “Thank you”!!!!

In that spirit, “Thank you” – Andi, “Thank you” – thousands of extraordinary G2TT volunteers and supporters, and last but certainly not least, “Thank you” – to the men and women who bravely stand on the front line to defend and protect our freedoms!!!!
Semper Fi,
Brian A. Floyd

Sgt. Brian Floyd - First, you are not a "former" anything. You are a UNITED STATES MARINE. Though I've never met you in person, you have been one of my very first inspirations for getting these care packages out. You personally financed the postage for hundreds of the care packages I sent from my basement before we became a certified "organization".

You and your wife, Nancy, carried me on your shoulders - from Texas - while my husband was deployed. Your phonecalls and emails of support were unreal and so appreciated. I wouldn't have made it through his year deployment without you two.

I understand the "brotherhood" our troops hold dear because you have always included me in that. I am grateful and honored by your words. And yes... you are correct - you will GET it for embarrassing me!

SF.
Love,
Andi

What a wonderful honor for our troops. It must have been amazing.
That is the way they always should be treated.

I am very pleased to see Xerox leading the way in a national campaign to support our troops. I am glad they're acting on what they believe in. It shows they actually care about our young men and women in harm's way. Kudos to Give2thetroops for your hard work. Xerox was smart to partner with you and the troops are fortunate to have your backing.
Sincerely, JRW.

Hey - that is really great! What an experience for all of you! I love it when troops are thanked and recognized for their service. Way to Go!

I would have loved to have been there. That was a great thing to do for our troops. Thanks for initiating this. JD.

You guys are doing good things for our troops - it would be nice to see if the media picks up on any of it. All we see and hear is the negative but I like coming to this blog and web site cuz I get to read about the good things Americans are doing. As a veteran, I appreciate seeing the outpour of care and respect for our men and women in uniform. This web site is one which I have bookmarked and intend to follow. Thank YOU volunteers.

Awesome job, you guys! My uncle and brother-in-law are in the service and they saw you guys!

Thank you to all of our troops, thank you Xerox, thank you Andi Grant for starting such a wonderful organization, and thank you to everyone who supports our troops!:)

That is really great. I have always wanted to go to the NYSE. I like how you guys were under an American flag and I saw a POW flag on the webcast, too. I will be following this blog closely to see what's NEXT! Seriously - good job, G2TT!

Wow it sounds like you had quite an experience, like all of your trips! That would have been nice to have been there, and maybe when I get home I can arrange something.

I appreciate the things you send us, I really do. Because I look at your site and read what you all do and it's much more than just putting packages together and sending us boxes. I can see that.

I can't show you exactly how much everything you do is appreciated. Even the guys who are not signed up with G2TT are thankful. When I distribute the things I get from you all it really puts a smile on everyone's face. :)

Thanks,
Eric

Once again..."YOU ROCK". Thanks to NYSE and Xerox. It's very heartwarming to know they are supporting our troops!!

How awesome of Xerox to recognize and honor the troops in that way! Thank you to Xerox and Carl Langsenkamp for their continued support!!

That is awesome. Thanks Xerox and thanks Give2TheTroops for providing our troops with such positive patriotic support.

Great job on this! Glad to see that people are doing great things for our troops. We'll have to get a Give 2 The Troops branch going in my state one of these days.