Greetings!

It is my distinct honor to begin this blog, which is something I've wanted to do since I started my tenure here at Spirit of America. Most of you already know about this great organization that Jim Hake started almost five years ago. But I'm the new guy, having been here at little less than two months now. I was hired on Veterans Day 2008, which I felt was appropriate since Spirit of America exists to support our troops, and since I myself am a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard.

A lot goes on at our office, and we are in constant contact with those troops whose vital projects we fund thanks to our generous donors. So, I promise to blog nearly every day and I will do my best to include the following: information about what's going on with our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa; inspirational stories that we get to hear nearly every day about our military heroes overseas; links to other important blogs or newsworthy events; videos and podcasts when I can get them; some of the greatest photos you'll ever see; updates on our staff and board; fundraising news, opportunities and events; Spirit of America public relations efforts; and general ramblings from yours truly.

There is one thing I won't do, and that's blog about the bad stuff. I'll let everyone else voice their opinions about the war, and the politics, and the economy, and everything else. If you want to read about and comment on those issues, this probably isn't your place to be. I'd rather write about the fact that the vast majority of people in this world want the same thing - freedom, peace, and the ability to realize their own dreams. That's the product that Spirit of America has to sell, and that's what keeps me getting up early and working late every day.

So if you're the visual type like me, and you want to see what I'm talking about, then take a peek at this terrific video sent to us by US Army Staff Sergeant Kaylan Jennings, who recently completed a tour in Iraq. She has managed to capture what Spirit of America is all about.

Support our troops!

Dennis Norris