Kenneth Blackstone, Jr SFC

- In the fall of 2006, we received an order from SFC Kenneth Blackstone with a note: “Ma’am, I am from Georgia, but please be advised I am in Iraq and need the products sent here. I have been asked to start teaching aerobics to soldiers who are interested, but it has been awhile. So if there be any words of wisdom or any workouts you could offer, it would surely help the morale, health, and welfare here. Pray for us in harms way.”

After sending Kenneth her entire collection, Gin wrote: “Let me say we are very proud to have you using our DVDs – I’m sure you are doing an outstanding job, and if I could see you there leading our brave men and women, I’m sure I would be impressed. Thank you for your hard work on our country’s behalf.”

Kenneth responded: “The guys in my unit are some of the most fit in the military. We have strong man competitions, there are some triatheletes and bunch of bodybuilders. Surprisingly alot of guys from my unit attend my class. I think it’s cool, that even here in Iraq, we can take an hour and forget the war. Last night I started the class by saying, ‘I know it’s Monday and I know you’re worn out. I know there are insurgents and IEDs waiting for us at every turn, BUT THIS IS OUR HOUR AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US.’ Cheesy I know but it got everyone going. Thank you for your kind words and the support you have shown.”

It was this back and forth connection made with a dedicated soldier that inspired Gin to create a workout specifically to honor our men and women serving overseas. After holding a contest to cast the workout titled “Cramped Quarters”, the 7 segments of the cardio strength circuit workout, designed to be done with minimal equipment and in small spaces, was finally produced.

The entire workout has been posted to view free online and is also available on a ‘cost-of-goods’ DVD.   Gin’s fans have wondered how she can afford to sell the Cramped Quarters workout on DVD for only $2.99, – but this not-for-profit project is intended as a gift for our men and women in service.

We hope that family members will share this gift with their loved ones overseas, that spouses can enjoy the workout at home and know that their loved ones are appreciated. We also hope that all of Gin’s fans – or any others who might be enjoying this great workout for small spaces – will be inspired in-kind by her gift of appreciation to the people who have dedicated their lives in service to our country.

For those so moved, there are a wide variety of organizations that support our military and their families and we hope you will consider paying it forward by making a donation to the charity of your choice. These are just a few of such charities:

National Military Family Association – the voice for military families – serves military spouses, children and families.

Operation Home Front – provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home.

The Armed Forces Foundation was established to promote the morale, welfare, and quality of life of the United States armed forces community, including active duty military, reservists, and retired personnel and their families. Last year, the Foundation donated 91% of all outside contributions directly to deployed military families.

Soldiers Angels - volunteer-based nonprofit, we have over 30 different teams supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting our troops, we make a visible difference in the lives of our service members and their families.

Armed Services YMCA – a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is a national member association of the YMCA of the USA and works with the Department of Defense. ASYMCA offers essential programs such as childcare, hospital assistance, spouse support services, food services, computer training classes, health and wellness services, and holiday meals, among many others.

The Fisher House™ – program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Homes for Our Troops – building specially adapted homes for our severly injured veterans

Intrepid Fallen Heros Fund - Join our effort to support those who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation. 100% of all donations fo to our programs; nothing is deducted for administrative expenses.

Operation Helmet sent over 35,000 shock-absorbing helmet upgrades to the troops, and still have a backlog of over 900 troops headed into combat with old-style helmet. They are a 100% volunteer, non-partisan, charitable organization headquartered in Montgomery, Texas (near Houston) with volunteer operations around the country. 99.96% of all contributions are used to send upgrade kits to our troops!

Wounded Warrior Project – Wounded Warrior Project provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

For a comprehensive list of more military-related charity associations, visit Military.com

And if all you can afford to give is time and words of appreciation – eMail Our Military. “eMOM” founder is a military wife, the daughter of a veteran and an avid troop supporter. They are volunteers from all walks of life who understand that regardless of our political views, our military service members deserve our respect, support & encouragement.

As this project has finally come full circle, we are pleased to note that Kenneth Blackstone has returned home and still serves in the military stationed at nearby Dobbins AFB in Marietta.

I did not know Andrew Corsini personally, but every day after class I stopped by the front desk at Froggy’s gym and chatted with his wife Missy.  The week before the tragic motorcycle accident that took Andy’s life, Missy had told me she was feeling ‘antsy’.  While the family had just moved into a new home, she was accustomed to a life of periodic relocation. 

I had often seen Andy before my class behind the front desk with Missy as I rushed by to get to class, and knew just by his appearance that he was a man of service.  Very fit, neatly groomed and always smartly dressed in black, his unmarked Dodge Charger with tinted windows parked outside, I had always assumed he was a detective of some sort.

It wasn’t until the funeral that I learned the extent of Andrew Corsini’s life of service.  Born on a US Army base in Japan, Andrew’s life journey in public service started in Washington DC in 1984 after he received a degree in Criminal Justice and Communications.  He held a variety of assignments in many locations from coast to coast and eventually ended up in the Keys.  His most recent position was in Miami with the US Department of Immigration & Customs Enforcement, having been promoted last July to Deputy Special Agent in Charge.

I was deeply moved by the ceremony that included a light-hearted eulogy from Andy’s siblings, and a pictorial presentation of family memories with photos of Andy grinning over bales of illegal drugs that had been thwarted on their way to the US.  It seemed sadly ironic that Andy had served a life of duty that often put him in harms way, only to have his life taken by one of his life’s passions.

Last Sunday evening, Andy and Missy were returning from a short weekend motorcycle trip to the west coast of Florida. In a moment of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a car crossed the center line on US 41 and took Andy’s life.  Missy was behind him and suffered minor injuries when Andy’s bike hit hers.

Missy sat in a wheelchair on the steps of the small church, surrounded by her children and the rest of Andy’s family, as hundreds of friends bore witness to the military tribute honoring his life of service. It was the first I had personally witnessed the Presentation of the Flags, the 10-7 Radio Call, Recession with Color Guard, the 21 Gun Salute, Taps and the mournful sound of bagpipes playing the Irish Blessing.  I was deeply moved.

As I went through the rest of my day, preparing for the weekend and thinking of Missy and her family’s devastating loss, I kept thinking about the words that filled the back page of the funeral program:

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on this tombstone from beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following with tears. But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents, all the time he spent alive on earth. And how only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own: the cars, the house, the cash, what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough, to consider what is true and real. And always try to understand, the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ver never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile…Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash would you be proud of the things they say and how you spent your dash?

 I am in awe of the many men and women who chose a life of such service and honor.  And I have deep respect for the family that follows their loved ones from coast to coast, who worries and prays, but supports their spouse’s call of duty.

To Andrew C. Corsini, Jr, his wife Missy and the children left behind,  I thank you for your service.  And on this Memorial Day weekend, it has brought me to pause in appreciation for all the men and women who serve our country.  For all whose dash is defined by a lifetime of service - to protect and defend the United States and the freedom of our democracy that we often take for granted –  thank you and God Bless you all.

(In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a trust fund for the children. Donations may be made to the Andrew Corsini Education Trust Fund – please make all donations payable to Melissa Corsini, P.O. Box 300, Tavernier, FL 33070)