Packages from Home puts together boxes of items like sun screen, Gatorade, t-shirts, books and phone cards; anything, really, to make soldiers’ time overseas go a little bit easier. American troops in the field often have to dig into their own pockets to buy those items.
Winds of Change has also put together a long list of aid organizations.
Memorial Day emerged from the Civil War as a day of remembrance for service men and women who have died for this country. NPR pays tribute to the fallen, and remembers those who are still serving in harm’s way.
| Al Gross invents the “Walkie Talkie” |
| Al Gross, who passed way in December, 2000, developed the first portable 2-way radios. Gross pioneered VHF radio and developed a portable hand-held radio transmitter-receiver in 1938 while he was still in high school. It got the attention of the US Office of Strategic Services — the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency — and led to the invention of a two-way air-to-ground communications system used by the military behind enemy lines. After World War II, Gross set up Gross Electronics and launched Citizens Radio Corporation to design, develop and manufacture personal wireless transceivers. In 1958, Gross Electronics received FCC type approval for mobile and handheld transceivers for use on the new Class D 27-MHz Citizens Band. Cartoonist Chester Gould asked if he could use Gross’ concept of a miniaturized two-way radio in his Dick Tracy comic strip. The result was the Dick Tracy two-way wrist radio. |
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