UPDATE | DU's Outreach to Mari333 and her Family

[nostamj]

Mods: This thread contains updated and corrected information. The earlier "A Death in the DU Family" can be locked if necessary. Thanks.

As most of you know by now, Mari333's husband (Hogarth on DU) was killed in a car accident on Thursday night. Since then, over 700 Duers have posted their condolences and many have asked what they can do.

Condolences Thread

"To my Husband" by Mari333

Here's what we're doing:

CONTACT SENATOR LEVIN

Mari's number one request is help in keeping her stepson, Michael Shepard at home. So, she has asked that we contact Senator Levin who came to her aid when her other son was caught in the 'stop loss' trap and urge him to help keep Michael from being returned to Iraq. According to posts in the original thread, his staff has stated that they have received 'tons' of calls, faxes and emails. Let's keep it up. Especially Michigan voters!

http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

WASHINGTON
269 Russell Office Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2202

Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

DONATIONS

Mari has reconsidered DU's offer of a cash gift to help with the added expenses.

As of this writing we have $980 in direct PayPal donations and an unknown amount on it's way through snail mail. The vast majority of these donations have been $10 or $20, so the number of people has really made the difference.

You can make a donation via PayPal at Amanda Kato (vetwife)'s website.

http://groups.msn.com/UnitedVeteransofAmerica

From vetwife (Amanda Kato)I am the Founder of A Veterans Organization and can accept whatever you feel you want to give and then the organization will cut Marie a check from these donations.

This is for all of you who feel the need to do something for her in the way of a personal monetary way. United Veterans of America is a Non Profit Veterans Organization 501 c (19) and the Tax Id number is listed on the link and page. I will list it here as well. 58-2516283.

If you prefer to donate through snailmail, please contact Amanda: [e-mail] (this is posted at her request)

You can also make chose to make a contribution to Military Families Speak Out (www.mfso.org ) in her husband's name (Scott Shepard). they don't have PayPal so you'll have to send checks via snailmail:

MFSO
P.O. Box 549
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

FLOWERS FUND

From Ann Arbor Dem:

I just spoke with the funeral home. The family isn't going to have a memorial service there....they are planning a luncheon at the Methodist Church. I spoke with the folks at the church and the timing of the luncheon hinges on when Michael gets home (of course).

I've set up an account with Laura at The Rose Shop in South Haven. ( 253 Center Street South Haven, MI 49090) The phone number is 269.637.3252. They will be in touch with the church to find out when the luncheon will be held. (Gotta love small towns...the lady I talked to knows the secretary at the church.)

Because we don't know how much money will be sent by the DU folks, they will start with a floral arrangement. And then, depending on the amount of money that is sent, they will add some nice plants in planters.

She said they don't charge a delivery fee for the funeral home orders, and since this is for a memorial (and the church is just down the street), they won't charge a delivery fee for our orders.

The card will read "From Your Friends at DU" with individual names. (Cool thing...the lady at the flower shop is not a fan of our current administration either.)

When people call, they don't to ask for Laura. They can just say it's for the Scott Shepard Memorial.

As far as a cut-off date/time....Laura knows it will depend on when Michael gets home so she will let callers know when she finds out.

Marie's Story Online
http://groups.msn.com/UnitedVeteransofAmerica
Listed on sidebar "A Military's Mom story"

[liberalmike27]

1. Wow

This sounds a lot like something that happened on iwon a while ago.

Can anyone speak to the veracity of this claim?

[nostamj]

2. the 'veracity' of what 'claim'?

Mari is a long-time and respected poster here. At least three members, including myself, have been in off-forum contact with Mari since this happened. Will Pitt has featured her story (pre-accident) on truthout.org.

thanks for sharing.

[Eloriel]

3. Yes, I can.

Mari333 and Nostamj have been very active and highly respected contributing DUers for a very long time, as has Vetwife. They are part of the heart and soul of this place. This is no scam.

I suppose it's normal for you, a relatively new DUer, to have suspicions esp. since you seem to have had a negative similar experience at some time in the past. But it's such a discordant note in the "DU Family's" time of grief.

The best thing to do, if you or anyone are not sure about this, and since you don't know them, is to just ignore the appeal (which as I understand it has also been given an okay by Admin).

[nostamj]

4. thanks Eloriel!

and I should have included the fact that Skinner is well aware and gave his support to this effort.

[vetwife]

6. Attention Skeptics....from Vetwife

United Veterans of America, Inc. was featured on C-Span. C-Span does not cover organizations that are not for real ! I am the Founder. Nostamj is a pro activist and huge in political activism including the Question W Review. He is also with the New York Bureau of the Guy James Show. I will post my IRS letter that shows the Organization to be recognized as a 501(c) 19 legitimate Veterans organization if necessary. The Tax ID is 58-2516283. I can also post my Active Secretary of State incorporation if need be. This organization is legitimate with a Board of Directors and Mission Statement.Better yet click on the C-span interview listed on the Web site.

Marie 333 has been interviewed across the nation and is very ANTI-WAR ! The Funeral Home and the Floral Shops are certainly verified in the State of Michigan.

Marie did not want any money but we here at DU are the REAL compassionate conservatives and this is a real reach out and help someone in need. If you do not feel like contributing that is fine but please do not question our motives.





To view at C-Span click link: http://www.c-span.org/c-span25/stories.asp?code=kato

[Florida_Geek]

5. donated and kick

:kick:

[tlcandie]

7. Another LOVE kick !

:kick:

[nostamj]

8. please keep this kicked

thanks.

[the Kelly Gang]

9. Aussie DUer here sends love to Mari333..thinking of you

[wellstone_democrat]

10. kick for continued visibility

:kick:

[wellstone_democrat]

11. front page kick

:kick:

[vetwife]

12. More info for any skeptics..

http://www.cafepress.com/nostamj



CO PRODUCER OF THE QUESTION W REVIEW AND ONE HELL OF AN ACTIVIST !

He is also nicer than me !

[nostamj]

14. who's that geezer?

actually, no beard in the summer months.

better website than my online store is:

www.questionw.com

[vetwife]

15. I don't know you have a pretty good website !

This should be enough proof. They can go to both websites and get any info they want. Like I said...You are nicer than me. I say to the skeptics. Lead..follow or get out of the way !

[wellstone_democrat]

41. damn handsome too

*

[calimary]

13. Can I just add a reminder here? CALL CARL LEVIN MORE THAN ONCE!

Don't be hesitant. It's like nagging your kid to pick up his socks from the living room floor. Please don't assume that one call has done the job. Reminders are essential!

Besides...

Each of these Senators and Congresspeople has a staff of MANY assistants, paid and unpaid. The office phones ring all day, from constituents and nonconstituents, and they have to have more than one person answering the phone. You are very likely going to speak to different people if you call more than once. Sometimes, too, the person answering the phone will not ask for any info from you - such as your name and/or zip code. Sometimes they merely make a note of the issue about which you called, to keep track of how much interest said issue has garnered.

So FEEL FREE to call in more than once. You'll make CERTAIN, that way, that your voice is HEARD, and your issue is WELL-NOTED - and, well, KICKED.

Just do it.

First thing Monday morning. After all, these are the Good Guys. They'll need something to uplift them while the Bad Guys are generating lies, propaganda (would that be CRAPaganga?), Texas Tall Tales, and other assorted spew at their convention.

[vetwife]

16. Call Carl Levin Monday ! IMPORTANT !

[LWolf]

17. I really appreciate the work you've done

organizing the DU effort on Mari's behalf.

:loveya: :kick:

[vetwife]

18. The latest money contributions

1065.00 ....As of about1:55PM EST
Thanks ...

[vetwife]

19. Kick to the top ! Call Levin Please !

[calimary]

38. Kick from me, too. JUST DO IT.

Be squeaky wheels. We need many. And loud ones.

[RetroLounge]

20. Made Paypal Donation

and kicking thread...

RL

[Tsiyu]

21. Too poor to help today

Only $1.85 in checking. Sorry! But i can: :kick:

And thank you to all who are helping.

To the Doubting Thomas above. Most on DU ( and I haven't been here so long but...) highly respect mari and vetwife and our TOON man. This is legit and done to help a very wonderful, remarkable family.

'nuff said :kick:

[vetwife]

23. Hey...no problem ...Calling Levin's office is important !

Keeping her son home is her focus right now. We all do what we can.
No one should feel bad if they can't give. Calling or contacting Levin is a GREAT contribution as well.

[Jazzgirl]

24. I understand Buddy. I'm a tad broke too.

But Mari333's stepson went to Iraq right at the same time my brother went to Afghanistan. I haven't been here that long either but to the doubter....you should research before you write. Kinda like look before you leap.

Jazzgirl

[vetwife]

22. For NY protestors..Marie has a request

For anyone protesting in New York Marie has requested a sign to be carried in her husband's name. In memory of Scott Shepard who never lived to see his son come back from a war based on lies.

I talked with her and so did a couple of others and her blender of emotions has turned to anger and that is so understandable. Crying and sobbing , then enraged over this whole insanity of blood for oil.
She asked me to post this and for any New York protestors, she really wants this.

[vetwife]

25. kick !

[vetwife]

26. Marie will talk a few minutes on The Guy James Show

[nostamj]

28. scheduled for appx 4:10pm Eastern n/t

www.theguyjamesshow.com for the live stream.

it will also be archived at www.whiterosesociety.org

[nostamj]

36. she was heartbreaking and passionate.

what courage.

if you missed it, please listen when the show is posting on www.whiterosesociety.org this evening.

[nostamj]

83. now that the protest march is over

maybe this will last a few more minutes...

[jukes]

27. nostamj

tx++ for updating this info. i was able to make my contribution, very easy!

[nostamj]

31. you should throw a

:thumbsup: to vetwife for setting up the PayPal and making it as easy as possible. and Ann Arbor Dem did a great job coordinating the floral donations.

it was, and remains, a DU-team effort.

[Lindacooks]

29. Kick with love

:kick:

:grouphug:

[TacticalPeek]

30. Kick.

:kick:

[nostamj]

32. gentle nudge

let's try to keep this up...

[calimary]

39. Sorry, I'm not into gentle today. KICK, DAMMIT!

[mike_c]

33. kick

:kick:

[Ladyhawk]

34. I'm going to forward some information to my local peace group.

They're a great bunch of people and maybe some of them can help.

[Bunny]

35. kick

Thanks again, folks!

[Fatima]

37. I am late to hear of this, but I want to say how sorry I am

My heart is with you at this time of your grief Mari, may the peace and blessings of Allah (swt) be with you and your family and I will send a communication to Senator Levin on behalf of your stepson.

Fatima

[calimary]

40. Well, people who are only in catechism class for the first time are late,

too. Doesn't matter. Not at all. What does is that you are HERE, and that you CARE. Your prayers and any help with which you can back them up - are MUCH appreciated. Bless your heart.

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. Some possible good news. I just spoke to PassingFair (DUer) who

is a delegate down at the convention today in Detroit. Carl Levin just finished speaking and is down on the floor right now. I told her to try and snag him and explain the situation face to face...I hope she is able to do this. :hi:

I am about to leave for there. There is a showing of F/911 and Michael Moore is supposed to be there. I do hope PF can get to him.

[laylah]

43. Thanks for mailing addy, VW

Check goes out tomorrow. You and Nostamj ROCK...my thoughts are with Marie and her family...may they find some peace in all of this craziness!

Jenn

[Ladyhawk]

44. Thank you, nostamj, and everyone else, for organizing this.

I'm sending good thoughts to Mari333. This is just so terribly devastating.

Thanks, DU, for helping someone in need. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[vetwife]

45. Kick !

[kimchi]

46. A kick for love of Mari

Mine's coming snail mail.

Thanks, VetWife!

[nostamj]

47. IMPORTANT!!!!!

Michael is back BUT, they plan to ship him back to Iraq in TWO WEEKS.

please keep the pressure on Levin, Stabenow, whoever.

remember, Michael has scoliosis and NEVER should have been sent.

[nostamj]

48. please....

I have to leave for the evening.... keep this in sight.

[ezekiel333]

49. Will do

[ezekiel333]

56. Kick

[GreenPartyVoter]

50. 2 weeks?! Will get right on it!

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. Need Michael's name and rank etc. I can't just ask them to

"Let Mari's stepson stay home" although I would if I thought that would work.

[nostamj]

54. it's Michael Alan Shepard.

he's Army Reserve and was a prison guard at Abu Gharib... AFTER the atrocities!

[stavka]

57. Private -USA (reserve) 428th MP BN

[antigone382]

55. See the original post

His name is Michael Shepard. I don't see his rank up there, but the name is the most important thing.

I just have to say that it's amazing to see this group effort here. I'm a relatively new DUer, but the way everybody has pulled together to support Marie confirms all of my hopes about this place. You guys are really wonderful.

Also, anyone who hasn't posted condolensces to Cuban_Liberal, whose 19-year-old nephew was just killed in Iraq, please do so. Look under "As soon as I saw they were soldiers, I knew."

It sure has been a sad week.

[underseasurveyor]

58. Ooooh God Noooo...I didn't know about Cuban_Liberal's Nephew

:cry: SHIT SHIT SHIT! Oh C_L :grouphug:

Damnit, this "war" has got to FUCKING STOP!

[Auntie Bush]

60. Yes...it sure has been a sad week...Surfermaw's daughter died the

same day as Marie's husband. I cried when I read Cuban Liberal's letter and Maria's too. So very sad!

[calimary]

51. Scoliosis? YES! Just more ammo for getting him sent home FOR GOOD!

[ezekiel333]

61. Kick

[wellstone_democrat]

79. kick

:kick:

[joanski01]

53. DU people are the most wonderful

people in the world! Thank you all so very much. I shed tears for Mari and I shed tears of gratitude to all of you wonderful people.

[neomonkey]

59. I just called

And left my plea for common decency.

[berry]

62. An evening kick

:kick:

And thanks to vetwife and nostamj and all who have organized this effort. I sent money (not as much as I would've liked, though) and feel good about how it was organized. If Mari doesn't need or want all of what pours in for her, the remainder will go to a cause after her own heart, United Veterans of America. Excellent.

I'll send e-mails to Congresspeeps now, and make calls on Monday. It's little enough to do, to try to help a little. But it helps me too, to do even something small, to fend off hopelessness in the face of so much that is wrong in our world.

[vetwife]

63. My lights have been off and computer down but this will stay kicked

I am working now on sheer exhaustion but it is the people here tht has made the difference. Jeff and I were here to direct traffic.
Any worthy cause is worth the effort and as far as Marie wanting the gift, she will take it , she will need it. I encourage all to call Senator Levin's office and those out of state to call as well.

There is another fellow who was against the war and his name is Robert Byrd. We need to let him in on this as well. West Virginia folks please contact Sen. Byrd.

[nostamj]

64. MERGE LEFT

'traffic cop' reference! ;-) i'm at the end of my physical/emotional rope now. was going to go the DU meetup in NYC but... didn't happen. hope to see some DU folk tomorrow though.

please keep this afloat.

[burrowowl]

65. KICK

Keep it floating!

[smirkymonkey]

66. Thanks nostamj for organizing this!

:kick:

[vetwife]

67. Kick for the next shift !

[vetwife]

68. I passed worn out about 8 hours ago..this traffic cop has got to

get some rest to. Help us keep this kicked. Nite ya'll

[calimary]

69. I'll help. We've GOTTA keep on this, guys.

For Mari. For another DUer here named Cuban_Liberal, whose nephew has now DIED IN IRAQ. Repeat - his nephew Charlie has DIED. He's one of the almost ONE THOUSAND AMERICAN DEAD. PLEASE, guys! This requires whatever we've got to give - our prayers, our fingers on the keyboards typing up letters and sending out emails, and dialing phone numbers, our lips - passing the word along WHEREVER we can, as far as we can.

DON'T GIVE UP!!! Let's keep Michael HERE AT HOME. Let's bring the REST OF THEM home, too, while they're still alive!!! Let's not lose ANY MORE OF OUR LOVED ONES, as Cuban_Liberal's family just did!!!!!!

KICK, DAMMIT.

[ClassWarrior]

70. kick

[roguevalley]

71. Kick. Leave voice mails about this with Levin and the others. Make his

voice mail box explode so when they come back Tuesday, they will be facing this crisis from the git go.

[DemWitch]

72. Contacted Clinton and Schumer via e-mail...

Will call offices Monday.

Candle still lit...

[xxqqqzme]

73. a late night bump

n/t

[ngGale]

74. An early morning bump...n/t

[Tsiyu]

75. A 4:11 AM kick

:kick: for all of us

[Swamp Rat]

76. Kick

It sure was tough to hear Marianne recount what happened, when she called the Guy James Show. :cry:

[DemWitch]

77. Post Meet the Press...

Kick...

[vetwife]

78. Kick for Marie !

[vetwife]

81. For Marie

[Terran]

80. Kick

Gods Bless everybody for helping out. This is great!

[nostamj]

82. .

[DemWitch]

84. Celebrity Poker Showdown...

kick

[nostamj]

85. sticking with Sci-Fi cheesy movies

kick

[Tsiyu]

90. Kcik (kick spelled backwards?)

:kick: for those who are curious

[nostamj]

86. well, this may have run it's course

but a fine course it was. bravo/brava DUers for your help!

[vetwife]

87. My heartfelt thanks to Jeff and all of the folks who helped ! There

will be an update when all is accounted for. Thank you and God Bless.
We still have to call Congresspeople however.....We still must do this !

[Scout]

88. sunday night kick

[burrowowl]

89. I second that

kick

[slutticus]

94. AM kick.......

[juajen]

91. Yet another

love :kick: :kick:

[AmyDeLune]

92. Yet one more...

:grouphug:

[Mari333]

93. Update on Michael

He is still disoriented. Does not seem to fully realize his dad is dead. I saw Scott dead, I was with him and held him and spoke into his ear as they took him off life support. I had to be with him for that moment.
Michael never saw his dad dead. He came home, and his dads body was in an urn, on an altar now I have made for his dad . His dads pictures surround it.
Michael and I and my other son sat and played a card game last night together. Scott had bought a pack of cards last week for the family to use to play cards together.
So we played cards for Scott, played cards for his dad, in honour of his dad.
My sons lost their father, so they are there for Michael to help him understand the pain, which, they told him, comes in waves. And when you least expect it.
Michael is still in a state of disbelief. He had bought his dad a watch , for when he came home, to surprise him with.
Michael isnt eating much, but we are trying to make him eat a little.
Today when he wakens, I will talk to him about seeing my counselor today or tomorrow .
I dont want to overload him with information, he just came out of a war zone, and is reeling with new information, trying to wrap his mind around the fact he will never see his dad on earth again.
I boxed up what his dad would want him and his sister to have . Pictures, photos, clothes, Scotts camera, Scotts computer.
The children need to touch what he owned so they can find some closure in their lives and have these things to show their own children someday about their dad.
Michael has, thank god, his brothers with him. They are his strength now, his whole strength, along with the strength of the greater power that is there with him, even if he doesnt know it.
We shared memories of his dad last night, and talked.
We will survive this as a family, and yesterday I turned on C Span and saw the protests..I told Michael his dad was there, in spirit, and to be proud. Michael was so happy to see the protests. He just said "wow!"
I downloaded all of your condolences, and had over 100 pages!!
I showed them to Michael and said "You keep these..these are real people, who care very much for you and your dad and us...they love you...show these to your children someday so they know who your dad was, a gentle man, a true patriot."
again. DU. thank you for helping heal this child's soul as he returns from Iraq to all of this insanity and death.

[Ripley]

96. I'm so glad all of your sons are there with you Mari.

And DU is amazing the way everyone has rallied for Michael. I hope Senator Levin is listening.

Take care of each other and I hope Michael can stay home for good and together your strong family unit will help each other through this time.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

103. CHECK YOUR INBOX. Juicy bits therein. (nt)

[GreenPartyVoter]

111. Mari, we're continuing to pray for you all *hugs*

[myrna minx]

95. Keep this kicked.

This is so important. :kick: DU has the most wonderful people. :loveya:

[vetwife]

97. We have hit the 1300.00 mark not counting all snail mail !

Thank you all !

[myrna minx]

98. Mine little contribution is coming via

snail mail. :kick:

[nostamj]

101. that's great news!

thanks for the update...

[anarchy1999]

107. Amanda, contact me.

I need to help you add some more to the count.

S.

And a very loud thank you to everyone that has shown support and have offered help to Mari and her family. It will be appreciated for a long time to come.

Let us all make sure Michael stays home or out of harms way and may we bring all of our soldiers home soon.

www.dallaspeacecenter.org
Sherry B.

[Mandate My Ass]

99. Kick

*

[WonderGrunion]

100. Kick (n/m)

[burrowowl]

102. KICK!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[GCP]

104. Keeping this kicked for Mari and Michael

:kick:

[wellstone dem]

105. thanks for keeping this kicked

so that I could donate.

[Melinda]

106. *kick*

for Mari, Scott, and their kids.

[Bunny]

108. kick n/t

[Ilsa]

109. Big Kick back up.

:kick:

[myrna minx]

110. Kick

:kick: