AUSA Annual Meeting 2008

I was honored to get to go to DC from Oct. 4th to the 8th with USA Cares. Yes... yes... i got to be an adult for 5 whole days, with no Dora or Diego, apple juice or diapers!! We left on Saturday and drove to DC, stayed until the last day of the conference and then drove back home.

I had never seen anything of this size. The Convention Center itself was huge, but the exhibit hall and all the exhibits were simply amazing. I imagine this is equivalent to Disney for a child for a military buff! *grins*

Helicopters and Bradleys and vehicles and machines that i don't know the name of... all on display in the "booths" of these companies. I use the word "booth" lightly, because they all ranged from 10' x 10' to probably 100' x 100'. Some were 2 stories and had conference rooms and meeting areas. One had a theater! Companies i have never heard of that are some of the biggest defense contractors in the world were there. Did you know that Osh Kosh makes military vehicles? I thought they make cute little overalls for children and matching outfits, but instead, i learned that they make a vital vehicle for our forces... and part of it is made right here in Louisville!!!

I got to meet so many different people.

• I met and shook hands with all kinds of different people... I met Generals and Colonels and Lt. Colonels... i met enlisted soldiers of all different ranks... i met female and male soldiers... i met military wives and children... i met government workers and employees of some of the vendors... i met Directors and Presidents of companies and volunteers of others.
• I was honored to meet Steve Wilkos and Dennis Miller. They are both Spokespersons for USA Cares. Mr. Wilkos came on Monday and was very nice. He's just a regular guy... nothing like his big, bad persona on TV. He talked about his family and was very gracious. Linda, his Manager, i think, was fun and interesting to talk, too. Steve walked around to a few booths and some folks got their pictures taken with him. Mr. Miller came on Tuesday and did a 2 hour autograph and photo session. He spoke personally with every person that came through line and was very personable. He had flown in the night before, got up early and did his radio show from DC and then came to the Convention Center. As tired as i am sure he was, he took time to get on a personal level, even if only momentary, with each person and his smile never showed any sign of tiredness in any of the 140+ pictures he took with them.
• Michelle and Jennifer from Thumbs Up, Johnny!, Tania from Operation Life Transformed, the people from Battlemind, USO... these were some of the vendors around us. Very nice people that all believe in what they are doing and passionate about helping Service Members and their families. I even got to listen to some soldiers sing at the booth (Very good singers!) at the end of our section, the Army Installation Management Command.
  
• I got to see General Petreaus and Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren.

Most of all, though, i got to spend 5 days with some amazing people that have a passion for the jobs they do with USA Cares. Just watching them interact and discuss the organization with passers-by was almost an emotional experience everytime. You could hear it in their voices and see it in their eyes. They not only believe in what they do, but they know, most of them, from personal experience. 5 of them are ex-military, one grew up a military brat... they are very knowledgeable about their work and how it will best help.

I have been asked most, since being home, what the best part was. And while meeting Dennis Miller was a treat and there were a few surprising moments, my favorite part was watching the soldiers that i got to speak to, or one of the other people from USA Cares was speaking to, and watching their eyes and their body language when they learned about how USA Cares and what they are doing to give back to those that are sacrificing so much. They really were very appreciative and gracious with their words of support and thanks. Imagine that... they are thanking us?! There were many that talked about how they know of people this could help, or how they will definitely be giving to this organization this year thru CFC because of it being such a worthwhile cause.

Once people learned what we were all about, they were so recpetive to engage in conversation and were eager to learn more. I think the biggest thing was learning that USA Cares gives grants, not loans. Most organizations that give money to military families for bills and everyday living expenses expect to be paid back. And when people learned that USA Cares was not like this, they were not only surprised but grateful... and this was across the board, not only by Service Members but also by those that wish to support them.

I know i keep saying it, but i feel so blessed to be a part of something that does so much good, with people that believe in what they do and have a passion for not only the cause but for the people the cause supports.

I didn't get to see much of DC... well, i did get to see Embassy Row, that was pretty cool. I have to remember to thank Jack for that little detour. The entertainment was so good though (thanks to Jack and Bill for that, too!!) that i feel like i missed a few Embassies. I was there to work, so i didn't mind not seeing DC, but i am SO anxious to go back now and take the kids. It was such a busy city and so lively... and the food was good, too! And i feel like after 5 days, i could have done the Metro all by myself!

I had an amazing time... i learned SO much about the USA Cares. AND!!! Did i mention, i got to be an adult (no Dora or Diego to fill my conversations for the day) for 5 whole days?!

Crossposted at My Blog Cares