I want to tell everyone that contributed to the latest coffee drive that I truly appreciate your help. This will probably be my last coffee shipment while I'm here in Huntsville, but I hope to be able to do it again wherever I end up next. Thanks to some outside help, I was able to lower my needs from $500 to about $350 and you came through with flying colors.

As promised, I entered everyone that donated into a drawing for two signed Gary Trudeau books. For every $5 that was donated, I entered your name into a drawing for these books. One would think that people who gave more had a better chance of winning, but surprisingly that wasn't the case since one of the two winners was only entered once! I won't say who is who, but I will say that every dollar counts and no one is greater or lesser for only being able to do so much. I am just as thankful for the $5 donations as the $100 dollar donations.

The winners of the signed Gary Trudeau books are:
Doug Baker won the signed copy of "The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time"
Sally Reynolds won the signed copy of "The War Within: One More Step at a Time"

Congratulations to both winners and thank you all for your continued support. Don't forget to enter our Second Amendment essay contest to win one of three Ranger Up 2nd Amendment shirts! This requires no money at all!!

[UPDATE: All entrants must agree to allow their submission to be posted on A Soldier's Perspective and/or the Ranger Up blog to be eligible.]

I love being a Soldier. I love being a Soldier because my entire purpose in life is to defend this country and protect the Constitution – all of it! It's such a beautiful document and, when combined with the Declaration of Independence, are without a doubt the most important documents in the history of the world (after the scriptures, of course).

As an avid shooter (and a Texan), the Second Amendment holds a special place in my heart. Being the Army, it's sometimes hard to fathom as I'm sitting on the range qualifying on various weapons that I'm getting PAID to shoot guns! It doesn't get any better than that.

Unfortunately, the Second Amendment is under assault. For fear of pissing off the Air Force, I won't go into detail about the origins of this assault, but let's just agree that it's under assault (or disagree, I don't care). It's with that in mind that Ranger Up and I want to know YOUR opinions on the Second Amendment. Should it stay? Should it be repealed? Is it strong enough? Is it too weak? Is it really under attack or just a figment of my imagination? What would this nation be like without it?

Learn about this contest below.

It's along those lines that we want to hear from you. In 100 words or less (you won't be penalized for writing more, but I may get bored quicker) tell us your opinions about the Second Amendment. Send your submissions to cj@soldiersperspective.us by 25 August with "2nd Amendment Essay Contest" in the subject line. Why 25 August? On August 25, 1789, the Second Amendment resolution was sent to the Senate from the House. For the next two years, the amendment would be debated and changed made to make it what it is today. Now, 220 years later, it is under attack. What a great way to raise awareness of this important part of American life!

In addition, Ranger Up has created a Second Amendment t-shirt. Together, we will choose the best three essays and each writer will win one of the shirts for FREE!! If you don't have a Second Amendment t-shirt, you haven't experienced the high quality shirts they produce. They've quickly taken over my wardrobe, as those who were at the Milblog Conference can attest.

So, get writing and send in those essays. Only 25 days to go!! If you don't WANT to write an essay, but simply must get your hands on one of these t-shirts, click HERE and pre-purchase one today. Ranger Up was founded and is run by veterans!

[bump] Today is the last day!!

A couple of months ago, the American Institute of Philanthropy released a report card on veteran's charity organizations. At the bottom of the list – not surprisingly – was Army Emergency Relief. But, at the top of the list was Fisher House and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. One of my stated causes when I started They Have Names (don't remind me, I beat myself up enough!) was the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Long time readers may also remember a young man by the name of Luke Stricklin, a former National Guard Soldier, who released a CD titled "American By God's Amazing Grace" (click the link to hear the title track).

Thanks a generous offer from AAFES, I've got three copies of Luke's CD to raffle off. I'm not going to name a price for the raffle tickets. Anyone that makes a donation through the donation link in the sidebar will be entered to win one of the CDs. All money will go directly to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. I'm gonna keep this on top for a few weeks. On March 10th, I will combine the donations and send the money to the Fund and announce the three lucky winners. I'll pay for shipping. Good luck and thank you for supporting a worthy cause.

Congratulations to the winner of the "This Is War" DVD – Faith!! Woo hoo!! Stay tuned because we'll have many more give-aways in the future. I've decided to do away with asking for money for raffles and auctions, so I'm just giving stuff away that is sent through the site. If you didn't win, please find a way to watch this compelling documentary. It's worth whatever trouble you have to go through to get it.

I didn't completely forget about the drawing for the "This Is War" DVD. I've just been busy. I have been getting emails, so if you sent one, you're in. If you'd still like to enter, I'll be doing the drawing after work tonight so today is your last day to enter. It doesn't cost anything but a black email to me (address on the sidebar) with "This Is War Contest" in the subject line to enter. I'll announce the winner tonight. Good luck.

Everyone is talking about the war. No one is talking to the Soldiers.

Lucky Forward Films has a new movie out called "This Is War: Memories of Iraq", a movie that follows the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Oregon National Guard, through a tour in Iraq.

The Oregon National Guard had a tough deployment. They were tasked to provide support in Najaf, Baghdad, and Fallujah among other locations. The movie takes you through their boredom, their tragedies, their pride, their successes and their failures. It's perhaps the most honest and unbiased movie about Iraq that I've seen to date. The film is a no-holds barred portrayal of real combat fought by real people. The troops of the Oregon National Guard are citizen Soldiers called to serve their country and bring peace and stability to the people of Iraq. 1LT Erik McCrae, SPC Justin Linden, SGT Justin Eyerly, SPC Eric McKinley, SPC Kenny Leisten, SPC Ben Isenberg, SGT David Weisenburg, SPC David Johnson, SPC Dave Roustum gave their lives during their deployment. The unit hadn't suffered such casualties since WWII.

This Is War is accented with perfectly cued music that fits perfectly with the videos of the Soldiers' lives in a combat zone. It will take you through a roller coaster of emotions as you live the war the way these Soldiers lived it. You will feel pain of loss, frustration, anger, joy, pride, and sympathy. As hard as some parts of the movie are to watch, I highly recommend EVERYONE, regardless of your feelings of the war, to find and watch this movie. Not all Soldiers depicted in this film are for or against the war. There's a healthy representation of the many opinions we hold in the military. It's perhaps the most balanced memoir of Iraq I've seen to date. Those of us who have been there will relive many experiences along with these Soldiers.

I am giving away my copy of the film that was sent to me to one lucky reader. To enter, send me a blank email (address on the sidebar) with "This Is War Contest" in the subject line. No raffles, no donations, just a blank email to enter. Only one entry per email address. The winner will be chosen on President's Day. Good luck.