Ft. Drum Service Members To Receive Pre-Deployment Friendship Stones

    /24-7PressRelease/ - FT. DRUM, NY, May 02, 2008 - my stone company, creators of the friendship stone, announced today the company will be giving 150 service members of the HHD 63rd ORD BN Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), friendship stones prior to their deployment to Iraq.

"EOD soldiers have a dangerous job so we want to provide each of them with our Power of Two friendship stones," said Cathy Raff, president of my stone company. "the friendship stone provides a perfect, meaningful message before our service members deploy anywhere in the world."

Each soldier will receive two hand-selected Tiger's Eye semi-precious stones with pouches, a special note specifically for these service members, and the story behind the friendship stone as part of the Power of Two gift. One stone is for the service member to keep with them during their deployment in Iraq; the other stone is to give to a loved one: a child, spouse, or friend.

Now each service member can have a physical reminder of their families, why they are doing this, and who they are doing it for as they serve their country, said Jennifer Limerick, Family Readiness Support Assistant of the HHD 63rd ORD BN (Ordinance Battalion). the friendship stone can be carried in their pockets to touch and look at reminding them of their families and keeping them connected while apart.

"the friendship stone's appearance changes when viewed from different angles. This reminds us to look at adversities in our life from many perspectives until we find a positive one that will help," added Raff.

The Tiger's Eye, historically, was worn for protection and is a stone which keeps a constant 'eye' on us. Metaphysically, the Tiger's Eye is said to enable its owner to think clearly and to transform negative thoughts into positive energy. This promotes the attainment of dreams and helps one to judge situations and determine each obstacle in the best way possible.

the friendship stones will be given at a family BBQ on May 2, at Ft. Drum military base, just outside of Watertown, New York. The HHD 63rd ORD BN will deploy in stages due to begin around May 5. Their job entails locating and neutralizing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

"Service members see and read a lot of negativity in the press about the war, so giving them the friendship stone is a wonderful sign of support for the work they are doing and the sacrifice they are making," said Limerick. "Not many realize the sacrifice it takes; not only leaving their families and friends, but perhaps paying the ultimate sacrifice."

Events planned for the day include a Change of Command ceremony at 10am, a Deployment Ceremony at 11am, and the BBQ at 12 noon for the service members and their families. The day's events will end with a Family Readiness Group (FRG) meeting at 6:30pm for service members' families and spouses to help support each other while their loved ones are away.


About my stone company

my stone company hand-selects the finest Tiger's Eye semi-precious stones from South Africa that symbolize and portray friendship, love, and caring between its givers and receivers. Friendship stones are to be given to friends, family, co-workers, service members, that special someone, or anyone who needs a reminder of your friendship and love. my stone company gives 10% of all profits back to the community in South Africa where the friendship stone originates.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thefriendshipstone.com.

Media Contact:

Jill Raff
my stone company
917-887-5899
[email protected]

# # #