Do you know this man?

Is that impressive or not? lol. Aside from Chuck’s antics, he is impressive. It’s because of Chuck who had an idea, that Valour IT was born.

Here’s the story: Project Valour-IT began when Charles “Chuck” Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005.

During his deployment he kept a blog (an online personal diary, opinion forum, or news analysis site-called a milblog or military weblog when written by a servicemember or about military subjects). Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.

As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss’ fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.

A fellow blogger (blog author) who writes under the pseudonym FbL contacted Captain Ziegenfuss and the two realized they shared a vision of providing laptops with voice-controlled software to wounded soldiers whose injuries prevented them from operating a standard computer. FbL contacted Soldiers Angels, who offered to help develop the project, and Project Valour-IT was born.

In sharing their thoughts, CPT Ziegenfuss and FbL found that memories of their respective fathers were a motivating factor in their work with the project. Both continue their association with this project in memory of the great men in their lives whose fine examples taught them lasting lessons of courage and generosity.

How does VALOUR IT work?

Every cent raised for Project Valour-IT goes directly to the purchase and shipment of laptops for severely wounded service members. As of October 2007, Valour-IT has distributed over 1500 laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines across the country.

Valour-IT accepts donations in any amount to support the purchase and distribution of laptops, but also offers a sponsorship option. An individual or organization may sponsor a wounded soldier by completely funding the cost of a laptop and continuing to provide that soldier with personal support and encouragement throughout recovery. This has proved to be an excellent project for churches, groups of coworkers or friends, and members of community organizations such Boy Scouts.
Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying possible laptop recipients. Wounded military personnel can also directly request a laptop through the sign-up form or through the Valour-IT/Soldiers’ Angels representatives at the following medical centers:

* Balboa Naval Hospital

* Brooke Army Medical Center

* Madigan Regional Medical Center

* National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital)

* Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton

* Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms)

* Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Thanks to the efforts of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Valour-IT is also able to reach patients in VA hospitals who would benefit from a Valour-IT laptop.

How to donate?

Our goal for this fundraising netathon is $240,000 and runs from October 28th through November 11th (Veterans Day). Each service team (Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army - hey where’s the Coasties?) has a $60,000 goal I’m on Team Air Force, so if you’re going to donate then click on MY AF BUTTON…….please?

Note - Oct. 29th at 3:15 - there’s a technical glitch with the donation widget which the wizards behind the curtain are working furiously to correct.

Note - Oct. 30th at 10:30am - we’re changing donation widgets. The widget on my right sidebar at the top seems to be functioning correctly but I’m having a problem embedding the new code in a posting. So, you can also donate to the Air Force Team goal by going to this link.

Or if you’re not an online person then you can mail in a check to

Soldiers’ Angels
Project Valour-IT Fund
1792 E. Washington Blvd
Pasadena, Ca 91104
If you donate by mail, then be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email address. And I’d really appreciate it if you would include that this is for the Air Force Team considering that’s my team! If you have any questions you can call (615) 676-0239.

Soldiers’ Angels has been designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity by the IRS. Donations are tax-deductible and may be eligible for matching funds from donors’ employers (ask your employer). Be sure to consult your tax advisor for further information.

Readers, besides donating, you can also help by…..

# Check for employer matching donations (or lay the groundwork for a corporate donation during the fundraiser)
# Find items to auction—check with authors, celebrities, etc., or offer your own service or product for auction. Items can be military-related or of general interest
# Give a heads up to your local press/political connections by offering links to Valour-IT sites and telling them about Valour-IT’s history

If you’d like to receive this information in an email format ( so you can forward this information to everyone in your address book…heheh), you can contact me at bearcreekledger@bearcreekledger.com.

Technorati Tags: Valour IT, Wounded Warriors, Support Our Troops, Military, netathon

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