September 11, 2001 – one of those days where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing.  I hope that that we don’t just say that we remember and will never forget when we’re reminded on an annual basis.  This event changed the entire landscape of our country, and how we act and react as Americans.  We at Blue Yonder are grateful for those who put their lives on the line everyday to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in this country.  Thank you to the military, fire, police, federal agents, secret service, intelligence agencies and everyone else who serve and go above and beyond.

• Original: “Those who “abjure” violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf”

• Better known version: “We sleep peaceably in our beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf.”

Great article by Dave Shiflett in The Wall Street Journal. He talks firsthand about the lives of family members of soldiers serving abroad. It is a great article and features some great thoughts and quotes.   WHILE MY SON SERVES

A few snippets:

• “After his enlistment I had to ask why he would join an organization where taking orders is a way of life. “It’s how you get to the big game,” he replied. Put another way, he’s a single young man looking for adventure—and perhaps meaning—and tends to believe that the people who man the office cubicles are the real drones.  He certainly chose an unusual path: Fewer than 1% of Americans wear the uniform these days. That, in turn, puts families of deployed soldiers in something of a world of their own. “
• “When I’m out in the desert, I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing,’ our son said after returning home. Sometimes you have to travel 7,000 miles to find a sense of purpose.”
• “It does seem that the people with the biggest heart for war never seem to have any blood on the line. “

Besides writing for the Wall Street Journal and other publications, Mr. Shiflett posts his writing and original music at www.daveshiflett.com.

(excerpt taken from the Buy Veteran website)

The message is simple: “Hey America”, you trust veterans and want to thank them for bravely serving our country? Then support the 3 million American businesses owned by military veterans. Buy Veteran.”  A recent nationwide poll revealed that 95 percent of American consumers feel a sense of gratitude toward veterans and two-thirds said they’d be more likely to buy from veteran-owned businesses. Americans trust veterans who trained under a strong code of ethics.

The American people want to “thank” veterans, not “donate” to them. Big difference.  Eat at a veteran-owned restaurant. Let a veteran-owned contractor remodel your house. Hire a veteran-owned tax preparer or lawyer. Drop off your laundry at a veteran-owned drycleaner. It’s good business. And it’s good for our economy.

Buy American. Buy Local. Now Buy Veteran.

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Blue Yonder Inc is a proud supporter of Buy Veteran (www.buyveteran.com) and the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA).  Please visit their site to find a local veteran company.

On this Veterans day, all of us at Blue Yonder would like to say thank you to all of our nations Veterans who have served or are currently serving.  Veterans Day is a day to honor those who served our country and to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the rest of us.  It is so very important to educate the future generations about Veterans Day and to help them understand the sacrifices these brave soldiers made and continue to make.

We are grateful for the example of dedication and  service to their country.  The men and women who put themselves in harm’s way, who sacrificed personal safety and comfort, are our heroes.  We thank them for their service, and on this Veteran’s Day – like every day – we honor them.

Please take the time to say thanks to the Veterans you know.  It you would like to do more, please visit our site and consider giving to these worthy organizations:  Our Pledge

On 13 October 2010, Blue Yonder broke ground for the Green Houses Project at the Danville VA Hospital in Danville, Il.  The project is the first of it’s kind in the State of Illinois, and also the first of it’s kind on a VA installation in the country.  Blue Yonder joined VA officials and local politicians to commemorate the historic event.

Please read the following local news releases for more information:
The News Gazette
Commercial NewsVermilion County First

Video of the event:

Wand TV

WICD TV

WCIA TV

Information about the Green House project.  For the whole story, please visit their official website:

“THE GREEN HOUSE® model creates small, intentional communities for groups of elders and staff to focus on living full and vibrant lives. The model is a radical departure from traditional nursing homes and assisted living facilities – altering facility size, interior design, staffing patterns, and methods of delivering skilled professional services.

Each Green House home is unique, but all are intimate spaces, with warm interior designs and staff that help elders live better and with more independence. In a Green House home, elders receive a high level of personalized and professional medical care and support with daily living, without feeling that their lives are being disrupted or overtaken.”