Recently I have been introduced to an incredible organization that supports Military families, and is there once the warrior comes home and keeps supporting after the welcome home celebrations are over.

The nightmare for most of our Warrior Heroes doesn't end the minute he steps off the place and hugs his wife, family and friends; in fact, that's when the nightmare begins in many cases.

The Veterans Administration is doing an excellent job, but the numbers of the deeply wounded Troops are, at times, overwhelming for the VA. That's why the creation of Mpower is so important to our Warrior Heroes and to America.

Folks, we cannot leave the job to healing and working our Heroes back into society to the VA or the government. Americans need to step up and help like we did at the end of WWII, and that's exactly what Mpower does. In many cases it's as simple as guiding the returning Heroes through the GI Bill rules, or educating them as to the workings of the VA and how to register. In other cases it's helping a wife and family adjust to caring for their wounded Warrior.

On May 15th, I will entertain and MC at the very first "MPower Illinois Dinner" at the Marriott-O'Hare. Doors open at 5:00 PM and I promise you, the event will change your life and I encourage you to attend if you live in the Chicago area. If you are not near Chicago, visit www.mpowernow.org and look up the Mpower group in your area and donate at least a few hours per year, or send a few dollars their way.

Below is a letter from Col. Richard Hayes, U.S. Army.

Col Hayes writes ...

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing you to ask for your support of an organization I believe strongly in. As you know I have served in the military for over 24 years. The last nine years have been especially taxing to military families in ways most Americans cannot understand. Only 1 percent of the country is actively engaged in supporting operations at home and abroad.

What this period has demonstrated it an unfounded dedication to this nation and the protection of our citizens. What is absent though is a strong network of support for not the soldier, but for their immediate families. While it is easy to imagine that the military has vast resources and a vast network of bases and facilities, the reality is that most family members are geographically dispersed across this great county.

I have personal experience of the issues of separation with my family. While great efforts are made to provide a strong network of resources, training, and mentoring to families, the reality is the geographic dispersion makes this extraordinarily difficult.  As a soldier, sailor, airman, marine gets set to deploy, their total focus is getting ready for their mission. There is no 8-5 Monday through Friday, there are 14-20 hour days, seven days a week; hardly an environment to facilitate getting the family members ready for what happens next.  While we have made many strides towards educating military members and their families, the reality is there is a lot of room for improvement.

MPower as an organization has latched on to something special when it comes to military families; their focus is not on the military member, but their family members.  This is a unique aspect to this organization which I fully support.

You never can understand what separation means when you deploy unless you experience it. For me it was more about worrying about my family and how they would cope than it was worrying about the environment I lived in while deployed. Most military members share that common experience regardless of where their orders take them.

I am asking you to consider attending their upcoming event on May 15, 2010 at the Marriott at O’Hare. Consider it date night with your loved one. If you cannot make it I urge your support for this organization as their approach is unique, focused, and will provide a means to make families more resilient in their support of our military and our members.

Thank you in advance for your support. It is sincerely appreciated.

Warm Regards,

Richard Hayes