A few weeks ago I heard from Len Palmer-Davis, the mother of four sons -- one in law enforcement, two who have signed up to go into the Army, and son Joel who's currently on his second tour of Iraq.  Joel was gone 18 months his first go-round.  He's been away from home for 14 months now, and Len (short for Helen) hopes he'll be home in time to help her celebrate her 50th birthday in November. I am blown away by the sacrifices this family makes for us, and I'm hoping that by sharing a bit of Len's story you might be encouraged to contribute to her cause which is "Pillows for Patriots."  I'd have never thought of it, but the Army doesn't issue pillows to our soldiers as they are not as important as working weapons and vehicles.  Joel is working missions in 135 degree weather!  I can't imagine being the parent of a soldier, but I would want him/her to have a pillow from home to lay his/her head down on at night!

Len is involved in a ride this weekend, symbolically happening on September 11th, that you can participate in.  The police-escorted ride starts Saturday morning at Frazier's Harley Davidson in Hall County, and ends at Chattahoochee Biker Gear in Helen.  Registration is from 8 - 9:45 a.m. -- $20 per bike -- kickstands up at 10 a.m.  If you can't make the ride but you'd like to make a donation, find out more at www.pillowsforpatriots.org.