An Internet first: From the Frontlines airs today! LIVE at 4pm Eastern/1pm Pacific; Update: Midnight $1,055,719!!!!!!
(Screen grabs courtesy Tim Sumner)
I’ll be in beautiful Mountain View, CA all day today for “From the Frontlines,” our ground-breaking web-a-thon for the troops. Move America Forward’s Melanie Morgan and I will go live on Ustream.TV and right here at MichelleMalkin.com (as well as at HotAir.com) at 4pm Eastern/1pm Pacific. (Just hit the play button on the embedded video player above when showtime arrives; if you’d like to join the live chatroom, make sure to register at UStream beforehand!) I’ll be updating this post all day as I liveblog the event from UStream’s studios. Thanks to all our fellow bloggers who’ve helped spread the word!
We’ve got a star-studded line-up of troops, military charities, celebs, and talk radio stars — from Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin to Dr. Laura and Laura Ingraham to musician John Ondrasik and “Lone Survivor” author and Navy SEAL hero Marcus Luttrell — who’ll be joining us in our eight-hour marathon fund-raising drive to help send the largest number of care packages in history to our men and women in uniform serving overseas.
Sean Hannity announced yesterday that he’s personally donating $15,000 to the From the Frontlines effort. Awesome. Here’s my challenge to regular readers and commenters of this site and Hot Air. At the end of the web-a-thon, I’d like to see you collectively match that donation. Can you take up the challenge and make a pledge? Can you all help me walk the troop-supporting walk and raise $15,000 by the end of the night? Can we do it? Yes, you can.
You can sponsor a care package right here, with items ranging from $15.99 to $899.99. Let me know what you picked out (leave it in in comments or e-mail me) so I can keep a running tally.
I’ll start things off with the purchase of a $499 “The Deluxe Platoon Pack,” which contains:
Containers of SPF30 Ultra-Sweatproof Sport Sunblock
Sticks of Delon Intense XL Deodorant
ChapX Lip Balms
Packs of 100ct. Baby Wipes with Aloe and Lanolin
Insect Repelling BugButtons
Maxi Mini Fans with belt clip and break-away neck rope
Packages of Premium Jerky
Gatorade Drink Mix packets [1 Gallon Size]
Bags of “Connoisseur Class” fresh ground coffee
Tubs of Deluxe Military Emblem cookies
Bags of Jelly Belly “Candy Diplomacy” packages
Diana Nagy’s new CD feat. “Where Freedom Flies”
As it happens, today is the birthday of the greatest, most decorated Marine in American history: Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller. He was born June 26, 1898. We couldn’t have picked a better day to hold “From the Frontlines.” General Puller’s heroism, esprit de corps, and leadership are legendary. And an inspiration to us all:
Born in the peaceful village of West Point, Virginia, where his father had a wholesale grocery business, Puller was reared on tales of Confederate glory. His grandfather, Maj. John Puller, a heroic cavalryman, was killed in 1863. Determined on a military career, Puller completed one year at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1918. VMI may have given him the exaggerated military bearing for which he was nicknamed, but it was during more than four years as a Marine NCO and concurrent lieutenant of the Gendarmerie d’Haiti (1919–23) that Puller developed his distinctive leadership techniques: perfectionism; mission overachievement; and fearless, inspirational conduct under fire. Varied assignments followed his commissioning in 1924, including two tours in Nicaragua, in each of which he was awarded the Navy Cross. His third and fourth Navy Crosses came during World War II at the Battle of Guadalcanal and at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island; and the fifth in Korea where Puller commanded the 1st Marine Regiment in the assault landing at Inchon, the seizure of Seoul, and the fighting at the Chosin Reservoir.
Fuller was promoted to brigadier general in 1951 and to lieutenant general upon retirement in 1955. During the 1950s, the colorful and outspoken Puller gained attention as a champion of tough, realistic training; a defender of the basic soundness of American youth; and a critic of higher leadership. His legend continued to grow; photographs of his bulldog visage hung in homes and service clubs across the country as a symbol of invincible heroism and fidelity to traditional military standards.
Among Puller’s most famous quips:
“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time.”
“Great. Now we can shoot at those bastards from every direction.”
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies our problem of getting to these people and killing them.”
“Remember, you are the 1st Marines! Not all the Communists in Hell can overrun you!”
“Take me to the Brig. I want to see the real Marines.”
“Alright you bastards, try and shoot me!” (to Korean forces)
“Where do you put the bayonet?” (upon seeing a flamethrower for the first time)
“You don’t hurt ‘em if you don’t hit ‘em.”
“Hit hard, hit fast, hit often.”
If those don’t prompt you to pitch in and help the troops, nothing will! God bless ‘em all and stay tuned for the From the Frontlines web extravaganza.
***
4:00pm Eastern/1pm Pacific. We’re about to start…get ready! Rush Limbaugh is scheduled to come on about 4:20pm/1:20pm.
Rush is blasting the PBS documentary airing next week on how America was morally equivalent to our enemies during WWII. Joined us by webcam from Palm Beach.
4:40pm Eastern. Oliver North is with us now via webcam.
5:17pm Eastern. We’ve reached the $297,283 mark!!!
5:33pm Eastern. Sean Hannity is on.
6:41pm Eastern. John Ondrasik just gave an amazing interview. I’ll try and clip it for you later.
7:25pm Eastern. We’re taking a quick technical intermission. Back in a flash.
7:30pm Eastern. Current tote board total: $448,553!
8:42pm Eastern. New total: $614,448!!!
10:05pm Eastern. Laura Ingraham has kicked in $15,000! Tons of great folks have joined us. We are now at $698,011.
12 midnight. We heard from the White House and the office of Gen. David Petraeus and troops from Ft. Leavenworth.
Final tally: $1,055,719!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all!!!!!!
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I’m in for:
2 Personal Comfort Paks and
2 Goodies from Home Paks
Along with my personal note of thanks and prayers, of course.
What a blessing that you are doing this, and what a privilege to join in!
Soap
Good friend of ours flying in Air Force says wipes are needed, particulary for the ladies. Glad they’re in the package.
Goodies From Home Large Pack – Help 4 U.S. Troops
Keep up the good work!
Mark me down for a “Personal Comfort Large Pack”, 79.99, order went thru without problem. I am an army Vet from ’69-’72, My Son served 15 months in Iraq doing raids every night..I would love to spend a bit more for some “personal” time with “lgm”.
I do not give a crap what your politics are, the troops are above political lines in the sand.
BayState,
I know. I have a boy in Afghanistan and I know they are important. lgm was questioning why baby wipes. Of course he is afraid of a shortage because he has to remove his head out of his arse to type.
Michelle, is that a reflection on your laptop, or do you have a tie-died laptop, leftover from your hippie days…
On-my-soap-box said (#75):
It’s nice to give to charities, but you’re supposed to do your due diligence on them first. What is their overhead — what fraction of what you donate goes to the cause and what fraction is salaries for the organization? Neither of the organizations involved had any such information.
If you want to help our troops, you could contact your Senators and Congressmen to urge them to support troops by improving care of wounded vets, increasing pay, and, or course, providing armor.
Comment on 911familiesforamerica.org (message to MM2) from homesforheroes.com that they, “sponsored the $499 package.”
http://www.911familiesforamerica.org/?p=916#comment-9713
“The Super Squad Pack” – Comfort Items & Delicious Goodies for an entire Squadron of U.S. Troops
They send everything listed in the pack.
lgm
You are an idiot. Will you just shut your pie hole. IDIOT, click on my moniker and tell me, do you think – maybe – I know about charities?
$16 is all I am asking you to send. You cannot send $16 without worring about it? No, you are here trying to make yourself some kinda hero with your tripe. The fact that you cannot part with $16 for our troops makes you the biggest loser on the thread today.
******************************
That is not Michelle. No way. Michelle would be munching on chips. Who is that imposter?
lgm: I understand your concern about due diligence for charitable giving. I am also, concerned, but trusting Michelle to have done her homework.
Armor: The troops have good armor for the person and vehicles. They have for over three years now.
In closing, I request that you give all of us a pleasant surprise.
1) Take it on faith that your $15.99 will be well spent, or
2) hop off this thread and troll elsewhere.
lgm, These folks are doing a great job, I know what it costs to send a large package to Iraq, I do it once a month to any soldier. Stop looking for lame excuses, put up or shut-up you spineless turd.
I’m in with a Personal Comfort Pack!!! I served, and my brother is there now. This means a lot, thank you MM!!!!!!!
/s/
the guerilla
I’m in for a Goodies from home 2-pack, but having transaction approval problems… lets hope it due to overwhelming traffic! Will try again later…
you know if lgm dosnt have the malkins to put up , Im going to put up another 149.99
out of my pocket that puts me at almost 300.00$ today .
We dont need people like you lgm , your not worth it your the scum of the earth .
better get back to your code stinko rally /circle jerk
OK, so I can barely hear Melanie, Mark or Michelle when they’re on screen, either. I think you all need to practically swallow that mic!
I got paid today, so I think $40 of that will be earmarked for one of the packages – I’m so sorry, that is all I can afford.
MM,
I matched your purchase of The Deluxe Platoon Pack.
God bless the troups
I’m in for another Goodies from home pack.
lgm,
If you’re so worried about wounded vets get your A$$ to DC and help the blue and gold start mother’s. Volunteer for Move America Forward. I actually belong to Gathering of Eagles we can always use more bodies.
So instead of preaching to us get in and join the pool party!
I think it is just amazing how people who have issues with funds, find a bit of their money to help our military and all persons who need help. We, as conservatives, have hearts that one day will be given an ‘atta boy’ from a God who knows how each in their hearts deals with others. Most here will get the ‘atta boy’.
L
Mom2jack don’t feel bad, give what you can. I might even do another platoon pack, need to check cash flow. I’m very lucky (and work very hard) so it’s something that I may be able to afford another one of (already sent a deluxe squad and deluxe platoon pack).
I’ll have to see.
Thanks everyone for what you do to help out here… For those of you who aren’t well hopefully you won’t be talking about how you support the troops but not the mission again, not holding my breath however.
Question…
On the page titled “Domestic Order Form.” there are “Bill To:” and “Ship To:” input boxes.
They’re not going to ship the goodies to ME, are they?
I’m gonna chip in for another $79.99 – this time with the comfort pack.
That website has gotta be swamped, took five minutes for me to “add to cart.” LOL
#122
See earlier posts about this.. No if your bill to and ship to are the same the goodies still go to the troops.
No, these will get to the troops and not you
You know Soap, when I get a chance tonight I think I’ll kick in that money for the Clown. I so appreciate Chap’s donation I am in a wonderful mood and will donate again this evening.
Don’t hold your breath all for the troll turd to do anything but mock this great event.
Michelle: Any chance of getting a subtotal of donations from this site (my earlier contributions were due to http://www.michellemalkin.com
)
Strike #122
The answer is in #24
I’m in for a “Personal Comfort Squad Pack” – Helps a Squadron of U.S. Troops
The site was terribly slooooowwwwwww so I hope that indicates large volume.
Thanks Michelle and Melanie for helping us help our Troops.
Pledged Goodies From Home x2
Yeah, you’ll have to be patient with the site at this point. I’m at the “submit your order” point right now. It’s taking about 15 minutes total to push through.
Still running into issues with the transaction being declined, as I did this morning. I’ll keep trying.
My husband did two tours in Iraq, and is now retired from the Army. We know firsthand how much it helps morale for our soldiers to know they are appreciated, so we just made a contribution. Thanks to all who’ve contributed, and more importantly, thanks to all our servicemen and women for keeping up the good fight!
Cool, I’m from the town NEXT to Mt. View, Los Altos, it’s a nice place, hope you enjoy Michelle.
I will be spreading the word via my BTR show tonight, I hope to see that thermometer burst at the top!
This is really exciting doing something positive for the troops!
$79.99
“Goodies From Home Squad Pack” – Helps a Squadron of U.S. Troops
Wish I could have given more.
I’m also sorry I forgot to post the notice sooner on my site. 
Great program, Michelle. Glad I could participate. I’m in with a Super Squad Pack.
#135 – Nice. I’m working in Palo Alto right now. I don’t really live in SJ, Sunnyvale actually.
I feel like going for a pint or three in downtown Mountain View tonight. Good place to unwind.
I was gonna say it would be nice for Sussman to chime in today, and there he is. He’s got a great show on KSFO in the evenings.
Just purchased 2 x “personal comfort pack” ($39.99) and went through very smoothly. Was a little slow, but no biggie.
I also would like to thank whomever is ultimately responsible for the free shiping – I assume someone somewhere covers that cost, so thank you!
With all due respect, if you don’t like the troll or his comments, quit summoning the troll!
If everyone is quiet, he might go somewhere else.
UStream won’t let me log in
This is driving me crazy, I keep getting declined!
Is there a trick to this??
Almost 500K AWESOME!
#144 DJ try back later it might be busy some of us had the same problem earlier
Well Mom2jack, he’s been around for a long time and he won’t go away no matter how much we want him to get back under that bridge. It’s not going to happen. We’ve tried before and it shows up like that bird poop on the window when you just washed your car.
I’ve just submitted the 15.99 packet. I was going to say for the troll but instead did it in honor of my husband.
Melanie, I can use a drink too!
Thanks #146
It finally worked!
Super Squad Pack $169.99
Soap, I will add your son to my prayer list as well. I forgot to add that earlier. God Bless you.
In honor of Soap-Box’s son in Afghanistan.
I would like to send a package in honor of someone else. Any idea how to do that? Obviously my name in the billing, their name in the shipping?
In for a 15.99 pack
I just put it in the comments section at the bottom of the first page.
Of course, the troops will probably be like “whet the hell kind of name is ‘On-My-Soap-Box’ and who is his son?”
Bogus declination. I’ll try again. Comfort pack/39.99.
God Bless You, Michelle.
Wow Chap, that’s so great of you! I know she appreciates it as do I.
Rough day at the hospital with the sweetie pie but your kindness to us all is bringing tears to my eyes, thank you and God Bless you, although I’m sure we’ll always disagree on the folks who are at Club Gitmo.
I donated a Personal Comfort Pack and a Goodies From Home Pack.
echo…echo…echo…
#148 Glad it worked very generous gift for a great cause!
Good night all, have limited bandwith and cannot hear the broadcast but I’m sure it’s fun to listen too.
terrig said:
Night, God Bless
I keep getting declined too. Maybe I’ll wait until tomorrow and try again.
I sure hope some or all of this will be available somewhere to view later. There are some interviews I missed.
Great job everyone!!
I just bought the personal comfort large pack for 79.99 so add that and Michelle I just got back from Operation Fresh Air here in VA for injured soldiers from Walter Reed….it would be great if you could make it out for one of them…..Soldiers Angels and the state park as well as another group put it on and there were people from the Wounded Warrior Project there as well. The troops get to fish and get barbeque….it was a beautiful day today and they got to stay a little later than anticipated….fun was had by all.
It is great to support the troops I would suggest everyone do it because it just FEELS GOOD!!!
Laura Ingraham is the QUEEN of conservatism….I am just her loyal subject
OK, Michelle asked for us to step up. I added a second platoon package.
Current total
1 deluxe squad pack
2 deluxe platoon packs
Don’t ask anymore, you might get me to do a company pack too. And I’ve spent probably my ‘allowance’.
GREAT cause
omg that was painful! but well worth it!
1 Personal Comfort Sqaud Pack – $149.99
Do I hear $1,000,000???? Woo-hoo!:)
Goodies from Home Pack . It’s worth it .
I’m in for the $39.99 pack for two. I figure I miss one movie at the theater for one weekend for a GREAT cause. Come on people…..step up to the plate for whatever you can afford! Thanks Michelle and Melanie for all you do for our MEN and Women in uniform!!!
Hey, its my birthday today too! My kids just gave me a single pack Goodies from Home! $15.99.
Its contagious!
My husband and I just ordered the $169.00 squadron pack. It’s great to be able to do something to help our brave warriors!
Two Goodies From Home packs.
One for Terrig’s husband and one for Chapoutier’s brother-in-law.
Our family sponsored the $39.99 Personal Comfort Pack for 2.
We are grateful every day for all of our troops (especially our Navy boy), but today we sincerely thank Michelle and Melanie for organizing this event and all the talk show stars supporting it!
Is it possible for my heart to burst with pride? These soldiers and their incredible patriotism… WOW!
Just got a Personal Comfort Pack for 2 – thanks for the opportunity to do something nice for those who protect and serve overseas!!!
OK. I’m in for 3 “Goodies from Home” single packs. I don’t have much to spend but want to spread it around.
In honor of my brother KIA Vietnam ’69.
God Bless Our Troops
I did a $39 goodie to go with the one purchased earlier this week.
May God Bless America and protect our Troops.
Amen to that CCM!
I just did $39.99 pack. Will do another $39.99 when I get paid tomorrow. I think I can do a couple of $39.99 a month going forward or maybe one 79.99 a month.
Did a squadron pack earlier and it was really slow, but it was a pleasure to wait as that meant traffic was heavy. Soap, lgm raises the hackles on my neck too, but I’ve decided that he is such a nothing that the only jollies he gets in life is to see his name in print, hence the provoking comments he makes, he’s such a loser that if he’d tried to make an intelligent point, everyone would ignore him. The only way he gets attention is to provoke, you recognise that behavior don’t you, I saw it all the time at the pre-school I worked at.
Great job today, Michelle!
What a wonderful event. Your tearful moment was very touching.
I telephoned in my latest purchase and had to wait as well. Off hand, I’d say this event is a huge success.
okay, I see Mookie has kicked in, time to hear from Rusty.
flmom,
The thing that really bugs me about lgm is all the young minds he poisons as a teacher.
If he ever spilled his pablum to my kids, I’d knock him on his ass.
MAF-1021 “Personal Comfort Pack” – Help 2 U.S. Troops 1 $39.99
MAF-1020 “Goodies From Home” – Single Pack 1 $15.99
Total: $55.98
I truly regret that I couldn’t give more, but I have little to give. Other than church (which I haven’t attended in years), I’ve never given much to charity before (I know, I know, shame on me). But as a faithful MM/Hotair reader, I couldn’t say no. I actually was able to put a little money where my big typing fingers are. In no way does my small form of appreciation equal the sacrifices these soldiers are making for the sake of us Americans.
I’d say “screw the MSM,” but it would’ve been nice to have their attention so that the totals would be higher. Then again, I think this shows that the MSM is becoming less relevant by the day.
With this groundbreaking event, Michelle, Melanie, and co. are establishing something that should be emulated and duplicated. Sure, it’s had some technical issues, but for a concept in its infancy, I think it’s been doing very well.
Despite the criticism you get (serious understatement), Michelle, I know you’ve got a heart of gold. Not only am I proud of our troops, I’m proud of you. Thanks and congratulations.
JT, I hear you, he’s one of the reasons my husband and I busted our butts to send our 4 kids to parochial school.
Thanks Michelle…it is awesome. We donated of the 3 of the individual care packages.
Melanie and Michelle should receive the Medal of Freedom for this effort. No, I’m not kidding.
If this were done during our American Revolution, their work would rival that of Thomas Paine and the other pamphleteers. Well done ladies and a huge thank you for this enormous effort.
CO2, One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story of the woman who gave her last pieces of silver to the poor, Jesus said that she gave more than the richest man, because she gave all that she had. Sorry can’t recall which passage, but you just reminded me of that story.
God Bless all the supporters. This has been great. Perhaps another web-a-thon before Xmas. Do another $1,000,000.
Thanks to Michelle for turning me on to the campaign store, and whomever turned me on to Any Soldier.
My eyes have been leaking all night, esp. when I tried to explain to Mrs. BSR what MM, Mel and Co. have accomplished.
I placed my order (had to use phone, CC online kept declining) for Goodies from Home @ 39.95 in addition to the Personal Comfort Squad Pack @ 149.99 I had committed to on the thread this morning.
What a noble effort.
BSR
$910,006 !!!!
flmom, you callin’ me a woman?!
Just kiddin’.
Thanks for reading my comment. In between jobs right now n’ trying to figure out my future. Just have to figure it out a little quicker now.
I remember that story, too. It may be what prompted me to do this. I’m not as devout a Christian as I used to be, but the lessons have stuck with me.
Count me and mine in for a Goodies from home 2 pack.
Our troops are the greatest!
-annoying little twerp
Sent a goodies from home squad pack. It went through in rapid time no problems at all.
Great to see the STRONG support here!
Do you ever see or hear of the libs doing anything like this?
LGM go bite a pillow you worthless disease.
I’m in for a Comfort Pack for Two and a Goodies Pack for Two.
Saw Melanie and Michelle at the Support the Troops rally last year in D.C. If any of you ever have a chance to attend one, please do so; it will warm your heart and restore your faith in your countrymen.
God Bless America!
I sent “The Super Squad Pack” – Comfort Items & Delicious Goodies for an entire Squadron of U.S. Troops. $169.99
Don’t you wish you could see the troops when they open their packages? It’ll be like Christmas!
Me too keystone…“The Super Squad Pack” – Comfort Items & Delicious Goodies for an entire Squadron of U.S. Troops….in honor of my nephew on his 3rd tour.
I wished that I could have donated more but thanks to my dental bills I couldn’t.
My dad isn’t registered on the site so I had to post up for him.
He did a personal comfort squad pack.
As all have said it sure feels good when you hit the submit order button!!!
This is such a small gift for such a large sacrafice. I hope the troops enjoy the “Super Squad Pack” being sent on behalf of my family. Thank You and Safe Home!