Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

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About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

Updated Convoy Schedule Link! Mission Matters Newsletter

An update from the Wreaths Across America organization.  Please note that US Branch #25 of the Royal Canadian Legion will be participating in the ceremony at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo.  For more information, please visit:

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/163858/Overview/?relatedId=0


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Hi there,

The excitement here in Maine and across the country is palpable! It’s almost National Wreaths Across America Day! The professional drivers are rolling in with their beautifully wrapped trucks and patriotism to pick up their truckloads of respect, and thousands of sponsored veterans’ wreaths are headed to their final resting place at one of our 2,525 participating locations.

These last few days, all our amazing volunteers across the country are ‘grabbing another gear’ to get the job done! We hope you will join us however you are able to this year, whether you’ve sponsored a wreath, helped plan an event, registered to volunteer to place wreaths, or helped share our stories in some way, YOU all play a part in fulfilling the mission!

Please follow us on our virtual escort this week and if you are able to help us reach our goal at Arlington, know that every $15 will place a live balsam veteran’s wreath!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart – your support of this mission is what makes this all possible.

Remember, Honor, Teach!

Karen Worcester

Volunteer Executive Director

Wreaths Across America

Sponsor a Wreath

MATCHING CHALLENGE FOR ARLINGTON

Wreaths Across America is proud to announce that Jersey Mike’s Subs has once again stepped up help WAA reach its goal of placing a live balsam veteran’s wreath on every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreath sponsorships placed through Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/JerseyMikes or through our Facebook fundraiser here will be matched by the company, up to $300,000!

 

Jersey Mikes Subs
Fox News

Follow the 2020 Virtual Convoy!

Our 2020 Convoy kicks off on Tuesday December 15th and we want you along for the ride! In anticipation of the necessary changes being made throughout the country for health and safety, including at Arlington National Cemetery, Wreaths Across America has made some necessary modifications to its annual escort of wreaths to Arlington, however the public IS INVITED to join along the roadside with signs, flags and cheers to welcome the escort as it arrives to new communities. Wreaths Across America Radio will also be streaming LIVE content on local FM radio dials for drive-in style broadcast in each new town we roll into! Find the full schedule here.

You’ll also be able to join us virtually on social media! In partnership with PenFed Credit Union’s digital media content team, PenFed Digital, this year’s escort will also be shared virtually for the nation to join along from the safety of their own homes. PenFed Digital and WAA are overcoming pandemic-related challenges to ensure fallen heroes are honored safely. During the escort and leading up to its departure, viewers can follow along, learning about the mission and hearing stories from the people it impacts on Wreaths Across America’s Facebook and PenFed’s Twitter, Facebook,  Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. From the professional truck drivers hauling this precious cargo to the hard-working, dedicated volunteers receiving them on the other side of the country, we are going to share their journeys too!

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Tune In To Win!

Wreaths Across America Radio will be sharing live updates from the road and giving away prizes all week! Simply share a picture of the escort or a picture from a headstone in your cemetery or of a veteran you honor on the Wreaths Radio Facebook page. You could win one of our fabulous “swag bags” and qualify for our grand-prize drawing Friday night during our live FB feed from D.C.

Download our radio app now, or listen online and stay connected for more details! www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio

Featured Merchandise

Limited Edition 2020 Theme Long Sleeve T-Shirts! Supporting our heroes is one thing that should never go out of style, just like these classic t-shirts featuring the Wreaths Across America 2020 THEMED logo and sleeve print. Add one to your collection and show your support for our mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach.”

Make sure to follow Wreaths Across America official channels on social media for the most up-to-the-minute news on the mission:

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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504

CWGC Newsletter

A newsletter from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.


Welcome to the CWGC’s latest newsletter.

Why are there Chelsea Pensioners buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery?
You can discover a new story with every visit to a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery. Often, when you explore our larger cemeteries around the world, you’ll notice distinct sections dedicated to different wars, to different nationalities, or to different arms of the forces. At Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England, one plot hidden amongst the trees is dedicated to the veterans of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London; the Chelsea Pensioners.
The Chelsea Pensioners are the iconic faces of the United Kingdom’s veteran community. Any former soldier of the British Army over the age of 65, who is facing spending their advanced years alone, can apply for residence at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Some of these men and women now lay at rest at Brookwood, buried as they lived – among friends and comrades. Learn more about how we care for the graves of the Chelsea Pensioners by exploring the resources below.

The History of the Chelsea Pensioners’ Plot

Discover the story of why hundreds of Chelsea Pensioners now lie at rest in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Surrey in our latest blog.

Q&A with a Stonemason 

From gardeners to archivists to commemoration officers,  CWGC’s staff carry out a wide variety of roles to ensure the fallen are commemorated. Check out our live Q&A at Brookwood with Alistair, one of our stonemasons, over on our Instagram channel. 

Discover more about Brookwood Military Cemetery

With over 5000 service personnel commemorated here, Brookwood is the largest CWGC cemetery in Britain. Alongside the graves of Chelsea Pensioners, you can find the graves of men and women from across the Commonwealth, as well as French, Czechoslovak, Italian, Belgian, Polish and American war graves.

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Copyright © 2020 Commonwealth War Graves Commission, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7DX

A special Planet Canada offer for you! | Meet the newest C100 Charter Members

An item from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.


Wednesday 12.9.2020

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

What a turnout for this riveting conversation with John Stackhouse on his latest book, Planet Canada: How Expats Are Shaping the Future. Missed the conversation? Not to worry, we have you covered!

In recognition of today’s event, John and his publishing team have extended a special offer for the C100 Community! The Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future ebook edition is now on sale until Friday, December 18th. If you enjoy reading on your Kobo, your Kindle or your phone, you can purchase it for the sale price of $10.99 US or $12.99 CAD. Pick up your copy today! US link & CAD link

THE NEWEST 2020 CHARTER MEMBERS

C100 Charter Membership is a by-invitation community of influential global Canadians united in their motivation to positively impact Canada and to champion the next generation of brilliant Canadian technology leaders. They have led distinguished careers as impact-driven senior leaders, outstanding entrepreneurs, and sought-after investors.

This year, C100 welcomed 10 new Charter Members:

Get to know these accomplished and talented Canadian leaders in a special C100 piece!

CANADIAN TECH NEWS

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Interested in giving back to the community?
Consider deepening your engagement with C100 as a Member.

C100 Members are entrepreneurs, investors, and operators in the technology field, with a special focus on Canadians living abroad who wish to connect with one another and to give back to Canada’s ecosystem. They enjoy high-value, intimate virtual events, a Members-only C100 Slack space, and exclusive Member communications. All prospective Members must have their application sponsored by at least one active C100 Member.

C100’s mission is to support, inspire, and connect the most promising Canadian entrepreneurial leaders through mentorship, investment, partnership, & talent. Apply to join as a member today!

Thank You to Our Partners

Foundational Partners

Corporate Partners

Choose our cover for next issue of Canada’s Ultimate Story!

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Cast your vote for the next cover of Canada’s Ultimate Story!

Choose our cover for the next
issue of Canada’s Ultimate Story!
ON NEWSSTANDS FEBRUARY 1
SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION: WINTER 2021

The next issue of Canada’s Ultimate Story is Canada’s Great Naval Battles. Help choose the cover by casting your vote.

The sea brought explorers, colonizers and navies from Europe to North America—as well as rivalries and wars. Life revolved around the sea and waterways, and naval power ruled. In the world wars, Canada built its own robust navy that could stand its ground with anyone. And today, the Royal Canadian Navy operates around the world. Join naval historian Marc Milner as he retraces Canada’s history—all from a nautical point of view.

VOTE NOW

Front Lines
How Churchill’s wartime speeches empowered the very people he appeared to loathe

How Churchill’s wartime speeches
empowered the very people he appeared to loathe

Story by Stephen J. Thorne

It is now a matter of public record that Winston Churchill was racist and worse. But what is less widely known is how his wartime speeches championing resolve, resistance to tyranny and the steadfast defence of freedom and democracy empowered the very people he appeared to loathe.

Churchill served two stints as prime minister: 1940-1945 and 1951-1955. But it was during those first five years, as France fell to Nazi Germany and Britain faced a daunting onslaught, that he rose to power, prominence and ultimate victory—largely on the blustery winds of some of the greatest speeches ever written.

READ MORE

Military Milestones
Getting the mail out

Getting the mail out

Story by Sharon Adams

During the Second World War, the Canadian Postal Corps delivered millions of letters and parcels to and from military personnel, earning the nickname The Morale Department.

“It was long hours and hard work,” said Harry Gower, who unloaded mail in England. But it was also rewarding. “They were always thrilled to get mail,” he said in a Memory Project interview. “It was a big deal for them, because you were away from your family for several years.”

READ MORE

World War 2 3-Pack
This week in history
This week in history

December 8-9, 1941

Japan bombs Hong Kong and Singapore in a prelude to invasion.

READ MORE

Arbor Memorial
Legion Magazine