Perhaps you just graduated high school and are looking forward to attending college. Or working your first job.  Or maybe you are a teen who obtained your driver's license and are now driving your friends around.  Fulfilling summer plans with family such as eating out together, playing sports, jogging to the public beach, camping, swimming, water skiing and attending festivals, etc. You can go to work or school; you can take vacation; you are of legal age and can drink beer and other alcoholic beverages; you can live on your own and you can do anything and everything you want.  Life is truly great and opportunities are abundant.  Many seize as many opportunities as they can get in life.  After all, this is America.  Home of the free and the brave. 

But not everyone has opportunities that others take for granted. Some live compromised lives due to their sacrifices to serve our country. To be an American soldier.... to go to war and sacrifice personal goals to support the good old USA.  One particular Iraq War Veteran lives a compromised life everyday with a bullet in his brain and the deficits surrounding the bullet damage he sustained almost six years ago when he was shot by sniper fire in head during the Iraq War.   Although he has survived 11 surgeries, he remains at high risk for medical complications and loss of function and even loss of his life.  Many of the items listed above he can never do again since they are contradicted to his traumatic brain injury and/or he has lost the ability to be able to perform them due to the bullet damage.  He requires 24 hours/day nursing supervision.  But he deserves each day to count and to have a life worth living, despite his deficits.  

Winlom"Noah" Woods will celebrate his 38th birthday on July 6, 2012 which ironically is the next date of Jammin' on Janesville.  Acres of Hope and Aspirations is asking the Muskego community and businesses to stand behind this disabled veteran by wishing him a "Happy Birthday" and thanking him for his service.  Let's give this man the biggest birthday celebration he could ever imagine.  He has no guarantee he will live until his next birthday and everyday he is alive is truly a blessing. We should all embrace this opportunity to make a difference to a man who needs all the support he can get.  Please stop by the Animal Doctor on July 6 and look for him with the Creatures of Rehab from Acres of Hope and Aspirations and wish him a Happy Birthday and extend your gratitude for his service.  Anyone wanting to send him a birthday card or donation of items can be sent to Acres of Hope and Aspirations, W147 S7138 Durham Place, Muskego, WI 53150.  Please contact us through our website at: www.acresofhopeandaspirations.org or email at: acreshope@yahoo.com.  

July is a reason for Winlom to celebrate and to be sad all at the same time - it's bittersweet for him. Although his birthday is July 6 and as a serviceman of 11 years, 4th of July is always a great holiday, the anniversary of being shot in head in the Iraq War that has changed his life permanently is July 15.  Happy Birthday Winlom from all the rehab staff and Creatures of Rehab from Acres of Hope and Aspirations!!!  We salute you for your service to this country and applaud you for your courage and determination to try.  Strength to live, Winlom!!! Strength to live!!

Please Muskego show this hero what Muskego is made of and give him the best birthday celebration he so rightfully deserves for his sacrifices that almost took his life.  Remember freedom is not truly free. As Independence Day is approaching, please thank all the service men and women who gave us that right to have freedom and celebrate the 4th of July.  Heroes truly wear dog tags, not capes. Embrace the opportunity to make a difference and share in the celebration of what being an American is all about.