Move America Forward has started its Troopathon effort for 2011, and Hot Air once again is sponsoring a blogger team in the competition!  The Hot Air Steamers will square off against 5 other blogger teams — the COINS, Team 6, The Greyhawks, The Anti-Jihadists, and our friends at Free Republic on their own as The Freepers.  The Steamers team includes Maggie’s Notebook, Lonely Conservative, and No Sheeples Here.

We’re combining up to sell care packages for our troops overseas.  Prices range from as low as $24.99 for individuals to battalion packs at $999.99:

You can help make the daily routine of our troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq a little more bearable and thank them for their services all at the same time.

We’ve heard from countless members of the Armed Forces serving in the Middle East about items that the military does not provide, are hard to come by and they really appreciate getting . That’s why Move America Forward has responded and compiled care packages that contain these goods as a way of saying “thank you” for their sacrifices and courage.

Most importantly, each care package will include a personal message written by you where you can express your gratitude to our military.

Move America Forward is a 501(C)3 so all care package donations are tax deductible.

Care Packages include include any or all of the following:

MAF has a great video talking about the impact your gift will have on our men and women abroad:

We’ll all take part in the Troopathon on June 23rd, when we’ll find out how the Steamers managed to do against our stalwart competitors — but this is one contest where everyone wins, especially the men and women who receive these packages and feel some small part of the support we all want to give them. Be generous, and thank you for your efforts!

Also, I will be covering another effort to show support for wounded veterans put on by the Palazzo in Las Vegas next weekend. It looks like an impressive event in which wounded vets will be honored, entertained, and even pampered a bit in luxury:

President John F. Kennedy once remarked that our veterans “are evidence of a harsh but inescapable truth–that the survival of freedom requires great cost and commitment, and great personal sacrifice.”

Our company couldn’t agree more. In honor of Armed Forces Day, The Palazzo will roll out the red carpet to our nation’s wounded veterans with an extravagant weekend of entertainment, dining, and relaxation. During their stay, the troops will be treated to the height of luxury.

They’ll relax in lavish accommodations. They’ll receive free tickets to Blue Man Group and the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys. They’ll enjoy the ultimate sports fan experience at Lagasse’s Stadium. And they’ll feast at a gourmet cookout hosted by Omaha Steaks at The Pools of The Palazzo, all the while availing themselves of the rejuvenating services at Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Of course, nothing we do or say will ever repay these veterans. But this is our small way to express our gratitude.

Stay tuned for more on both events.  I’m hoping to talk with some of the participating veterans and tell some of their stories.

Note: The Palazzo will pay my travel expenses to cover the event in Vegas.

Update and Bump: One person asked how to specify the Hot Air Steamers when donating.  The link itself does that automatically.  I bumped this forward to remind everyone once again of the opportunity to participate.