Work @ MindSay 
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By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
May 16, 2008 - The support Chrysler LLC offers its activated military employees is "an investment in freedom," the company's chief executive officer said today. Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's top official, was at the Pentagon today to discuss his company's initiatives with senior defense officials.
The visit comes on the heels of the car maker's official kick off of its "Honoring Those Who Serve" program.
"We're here to talk about basically a three-pronged program," Nardelli said. "What we're trying to promote here is an awareness of the importance of, first of all, creating jobs."
There is nothing better to do for the self-esteem of servicemembers than to create job opportunities, Nardelli said. In working to make that happen, the corporation has reached out to its 3,500 dealers across the country, and all of them are on board, he said.
To support this aspect of the initiative, Chrysler is putting training programs online so when servicemembers are discharged they can already be certified, qualified and aware of opportunities available to them.
The company also offers sound financial support to its employees who are National Guardsmen and reservists.
"We make up any gap in payroll, [and] we continue to support all of their benefits [while they are activated]," Nardelli said. "Beyond that, we also have a transportation program where we offer not only active men and women, but retirees, a substantial reduction in the cost of owning any Chrysler vehicle [and] services."
In addition, Chrysler, working with home-front groups, has sent more than 300,000 care packages to deployed troops and has contributed to the Pentagon Memorial Fund.
"Those are the kinds of things we're actively involved in [to show] our kind of support, our recognition, our appreciation for these brave men and women," Nardelli said. "I think there's no higher calling than to serve their country.
"I don't think we can thank them enough," he added. "I don't think we can honor them enough."
Before departing the Pentagon, Nardelli took in some of the performance by the "Lt. Dan Band." The band, co-founded by actor Gary Sinise, plays mostly for military audiences and was on hand for the 4th Annual America Supports You Salute to Our Military Men and Women.
Nardelli also took time to stop and talk with representatives of 38 home-front groups that attended the event to show their support of troops and share information about their groups' activities.
Chrysler is a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
A wild trout was just an added bonus
Somewhere around 30 you realize you're an adult- not that you even want to be anymore. God I sometimes wish I could go back to being 18, 19, 20 etc... I wouldn't be in such a hurry to grow up. Becasue after 30 what the hell do you have to look forward to- getting old, working more, not being able to wear clothes you wore when you were younger blah blah blah I could go on. The worst thing about being an adult is work. I don't hold on to the memories of a dream job or exciting career as I did when I was in my 20s. Now I know it ain't gonna happen, its get a pay check, pay bills, enjoy your short weekend and do it all over again- is that exciting or what.?! God I wish I had the money to retire at 30. I would travel the world, be able to afford my hobbies and buy a house.
Today was a really hard day which is making me want to run away. My job just really sometimes suck. I'm not the type of person who slacks off at work or doesn't pull their weight- in fact I'm quite the opposite. I have a strong work ethic but right now there is just so much going on I can't get it all done. I could stay there 12 hours a day and not make a dent. It is so frustrating and annoying. It would be much easier if I had someone to help me but it's like I'm on my old little island- which I wouldn't mind if this were a vacation but it's work.
I must confess that I miss coming here during the week as I once did. *Sigh* After work these days, I don't have much energy left! I used to have a life! hahaha Now, I just work, eat, sleep ... and get up to do it again.
Good thing life comes and goes in seasons, hmmmmm? I'm hoping this season doesn't last too long, but trying to make the most of it. :)
See you at weekend time! lol
~ B
I suppose it comes to a point where real-world social contacts become paramount to spouting to online communities that can pretend to be whoever they want to be. Case in point - simply compassion and humanity....
I was fishing a month ago...I saw an elderly man coming out of the woods with some fish. I turned around, continued to fish, then looked back and minute later and didn't see him. I thought about it for a second then wondered if he had somehow slipped by me. Something made me concerned, so I stopped and walked where I saw him last, and sure enough, he was face down in the mud, having fallen over a tree. I ran to help him up, somehow terribly panged by that feeling of watching someone in such a helpless state. Thoughts ran through my mind, knowing that this old man was once like me, able to bound over fallen trees, slinking through the woods, fishing on precarious outcroppings of rock...
In short, I think I saw myself in this old man, years from now...
If I fall in 50 years, will there be anyone there to help me up?
He thanked me as he plodded along, back to his car. For a moment I wondered who he was, what he believed, who he had at home...
In real life you don't immediately start your first or second introduction to a person with "This is who I am, and this is what I believe, and all other people who believe choice B are idiots". You have introductions, chance encounters, getting to know time, becoming familiar with who that individual is as a person, coming to enjoy their company, accepting their differences from your own.
Online, we forgo with all of that. I'm sure there are many of you out there who I would like and you would like me if we had a chance encounter on the street some random day. Sometimes internet mouthpieces are too loud...
So I wonder now, what did that old man believe in? Was he a devout evangelical who thought Obama was a Muslim and not fit to lead this county? Perhaps. But he was grateful to me, and I to him, even though I don't know him.
Now I know why sometimes saying less is more.
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