Korean War MIA Project Needs Volunteers

I read about this on the Genealogue blog and I thought it might be something genealogists in our online community might like to participate in.

The Korean War Project has information on Korean War MIA, KIA, and WIA. Due to changing times, the remains of many of these soldiers have now been located and turned over to the US.

Here's the problem:
Current family members are needed to do DNA testing to prove identity.

Here's where genealogists come in:
On the website, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/finding_the_families.html, there is a database of soldiers who remains must be confirmed but family hasn't been found. Your skills as a genealogist can come in mighty handy here! They need people who can take a soldier's name and locality, search through records, and try to find information on family. THEY ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH THAT FAMILY. Your job is to find possible leads. Genealogists do this everyday while searching the census, then obituaries and telephone directories.

The database is searchable by name. You can also pick individuals by locality or branch of service.

There are benefits to you. First, you'll feel pretty darn good knowing you helped a family locate their loved one's remains. Second, I don't know any genealogist who doesn't need to improve their skills. Working on someone else's lines is a way to pick up research skills you might not have otherwise seen in your own research.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:
IslandRoutes.com (my website) has adopted the state of Hawaii and Oakland, California (with the help of our friends at genealogyforum.org). We need people who can search the census, obituaries, city directories, etc.

We making our home base on the genealogyforum.org message board. You will find it here: http://z9.invisionfree.com/GenealogyForum/index.php?act=idx You must be a registered member to post to the posts. Set up a user name and password, then join in the project!

If you find information, reply to the post with that person's name. Keep all information about each person under their post so we don't get confused.

If you are interested, please see details on the genealogyforum.org message board. Their are hundreds of
name in the Korean War database, but if we make a dent in HI and CA, we'll be doing our small part.

Rap it up, Palestinian Style

Growing up in Hayward, California wasn't easy for Ibrahim Batshon. He was the only Arab in a largely African American and Latino neighborhood. Batshon is the son of Palestinian immigrants who also had a speech impediment. Kids were merciless with their teasing.

he had a penchange for poetry as a teen and used it as an outlet to voice his frustrations. At the age of 24, he's turned it all into a career. He's a bright new star on the Rap Music scene and has his own record label "Revolution Now". He's got a CD coming out called "Son of a Refugee".

The CD springs from a trip Batshon made back to the home of his ancestors in Palestine. He wanted to know where his people came from. He came back with stories and a sense of reality that he has not beena ble to shake. His humble roots in Hayward were seen as royalty compared to how his Palestinian cousins lived.

Batshon's music carries touches of American and Palestine. He has taken his early struggles and given them a voice. People seems to like his style. He's getting orders for his CD from places as varied as Canada and the UAE.

Citizenship to Descendants of Slaves

Tourism is a big industry in Ghana these days. It's a country that draws African American searching for their ancestral ties. As Ghana was a slave trade route, many can lay claim to ancestry in the region.

In order to capitalize on the growing interest, Ghana is waving a bone at their American cousins. They will begin offering lifetime visas to those who are descendants of slaves. They will also be offering dual US-Ghana citizenship to those who are interested.

They are still working out all the details--including who qualifies. There is a catch to citizenship. The individual who applies must be willing to invest time or money in delopment projects in Ghana. "Citizenship carries some responsibility" according to Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ghana's Tourism Chief.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence. There are plans for educational events surround the country's role in the slave trade. They hope to draw American who have roots in their nation who might seek citizenship. In exchange, Ghana may get some needed aid.

Ship's Crew Saved

A 654 foot ship (the Cougar Ace) carrying 4813 Japanese cars sits precariously on it's side in the shores off an Alaskan island called Adak. It was hit by a large wave on Sunday. The crew clung to the ship for hours waiting to be rescued.

A Coast Guard cutter was on the scene Monday. All 23 crew members were rescued then shuttled to Adak Island. They were treated for minor injuries and severe muscle strain.

Attention now turns to the car carrier. At this point, they have no idea what condition the cargo is in. If the carrier holding all the cars is intact, they may be able to salvage them. Work won't begin until a ship from Matui OSK Lines can get on the scene which will be in a few days.

Big Papi has a Big Heart

I'm a huge Oakland A's fan. The other night, while watching my poor team be slaughter by the Boston Red Sox, there was a brief interlude.

In between batters, they showed David Ortiz of the Red Sox, in the stands. He was walking with a little boy no more than five years old. He had taken the boy to the dugout and given him one of his bats. The boy walked next to this giant holding the bat that was twice his size. Ortiz walked the boy back to his seat and lifted him over the rail to his father. A wide smile spread across the boy's face.

Although Ortiz was the "enemy" (at least for that night), I couldn't help but smile at this display of heart. He wasn't even in his own ball park. Yet, he took the time to not only meet this little fan, but to give him a gift that he would always remember. I think that's pretty classy myself.

Strange Bedfellows

Environmentalists are shown as the stereotypical tree huggin', sandal wearing hippies in the media. As public lands are being sold off to the highest bidder, the face of environmentalism is changing.

In Valle Vidal, New Mexico a battle is brewing. In 1982, Valle Vidal has been available for public use. It's a nice peace of wilderness with forests, meadows, and elk. Hunters, fisher folk, hikers, nature lovers, and the Boy Scouts enjoyed the beauty of the area. Now energy interest want to do some exploratory drilling in the wilderness.

The people who use the park regularly are standing in opposition. Outdoorsmen and nature lovers are joining forces to save their park. They are beginning to see how the all end of losing once the land is exploited. The landscape is changed, the animals die off, and quiet wilderness becomes riddled with the noise of machinery.

They've gotten the ear of Representative tom Udall. He's sponsored legislation that will ban Valle Vidal from exploration. The bill has passed the House and goes on to the Senate.

As the government looks for new energy sources in the wilds of America, battles will increase. As one area is exploit, another follows. Already eyes are turning to the shorelines of California and Florida where moratoriums block oil drilling. The folks who fish, hunt, and hike find themselves on the same side these days. They realize if they work together, they can preserve our public lands for everyone. I imagine we'll see more alliances like the one in New Mexico.

Apologies for the lack of blog entries

I would like to apologize to my reader(s) for the absence of blog entries this month. At the beginning of July a family member was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Within two weeks, she was in the hospital having major surgery. Then four days later she was at my house recuperating. It's been tense and whirlwind like.

The world also seems to be caught up in it's own flurries. India was bombed. Pakistan is increasing nuclear weapon production. North Korea tested missiles. Iraq is a chaos. Israel and Hezbollah or at war.

I always try to find something good to write about, but with everything going on, it's been tough! I really haven't found anything worthwhile the last two weeks. It's hard to find positive stories when everywhere you turn it's war and war, oh, and more war.

I'm making a fresh attempt though! I know there's good stuff happening. I just have to find it.

Thanks for your patience!

Dog Survives Plane Crash

A family of four met tragedy July 1st when their small plane crashed in Southern California. On boar was pilot, Robert Santoro, his wife Karen, and sons Ian and Dawson. Rene and Edgar Herrera were first on the scene and pulled the family from the wreckage. Robert and son, Dawson, survived the crash, but Karen and Ian did not.

Also on board the plane was the family's nine year old dog, Lindsey. Friends of the Santoro's had searched for Lindsey but finally gave up. Everyone assumed the dog was dead.

Six days after the crash, the Herrera's went back to the crash site. They continued the search for Lindsey though everyone said it was a lost cause. They found the dalmation in a ditch. He had severe injuries, including a ruptured diaphragm and broken leg, but was alive. They took the dog home, then to the Santa Barbara Hospital. Lindsey is recovering after her lengthy surgery.

The Santoro's will have to face the loss of their two loved ones. At least they won't have to add the loss of their loyal dog to the list as well.

DNA Sets One Man Free

In 1988, James Calvin Tillman was convicted of rape. He was sentenced to a 45 year in prison. At 26, he wouldn't be seeing the light of day for decades.

Tuesday, Tillman breathed his first breath of fresh air on the outside. He originally was convicted on a photo ID by the victim and circumstantial evidence. A DNA test has proven that they had the wrong man. Tillman's DNA was not a match.

He's 44 now and starting over. Meanwhile, it's back to the drawing board for the Hartford Police Department. The DNA from the attacker does not match anyone in Connecticut database or the Federal database.

Update on Sgt. Joey Bozik

You may remember this story of a military veteran who had three limbs amputated. The Sentinels of Freedom were helping him get his life together. This is an update on that story.

On the 4th of July, Sgt. Bozik, of North Carolina, arrived in Danville, California to restart his life. There was a parade and honors befitting a hero. Bozik and his wife were given a home equipt for a disabled person and a van so they could get around town. All of this was compliments of the Wounded Warrior program put together by the Sentinals of Freedom.

Joey and his wife Jayme may be strangers in Danville, but they aren't alone. The Sentinels of Freedom have made sure that one returning soldier will be getting the support he needs. With a job, a home, and assistance, Sgt. Bozik is ready to start the next part of his life.

Their First Election

Kuwaiti women have waited a long time to be heard. In 2005, they were given the right to vote. In June of 2006, they exercised that right for the very first time in parliamentary elections. Not only could they vote, but they also could run for office.

Women comprise 57% of the electorate in Kuwait. Of those, 66% turned out to vote. Some voted quietly and others came in bus loads. There was some opposition--from males and females. In most cases, things went smoothly. In one district, each woman was handed a rose after she cast her ballot.

Kuwait joined other Arab nations in given voting rights to women. Saudi Arabia is now the lone hold out.

You Make the Call

Have you ever wanted to manage your own baseball team? Fans will have the chance to manage the second half of a minor league team. Instead of yelling at your tv, you can put your money where your mouth is.

In a collaboration between MSN and LivePlanet called "Fan Club: Reality Baseball" fans will be calling the shots for the Schaumberg Flyers, of the independent Northern League situation near Chicago, Illinois. Fans won't necessarily sit in the dugout and dictate what the team does. They'll follow the team online and vote on which decisions to make. According to the FlyersBaseball.com website, fans will put together the batting lineup, fielding positions and pitching roster.

If all goes well, fan opportunities may expands. There are ideas to bring fans in to coach bases and participate at a higher level.

As MSN has over 1 million online members, they hope this new approach will generate alot of interests. Baseball fans (and non-fans) will be able to get in on the action making the sport more participatory. Time will tell if reality baseball is a hit or not.

A Day of Crime Fightin'

Aubrey Matthews is six years old. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor at a very young age. She's undergone chomo and is recovering from the side effects.

In June, the Make A Wish Foundation rolled into Boise, Idaho, to grant Aubrey a wish. She wanted to be a super hero for a day.

The Foundation set up everything so that Aubrey could act out her dream. Aubrey named herself Star and named other super heroes on hand as Lion Lady, Dog Man, House Lifter, and so forth. Super hero Star was hot on the case of some bad guys who had stolen a gold star from the Idaho Historical Museum.

After a hard day of crime fighting, the mayor of Idaho bestowed an honor on it's youngest hero. Aubrey was made an honorary police officer, complete with uniform.