Let's Bring 'Em Home

11/30/2022

OOPS!

I was unaware that the post I scheduled for Nov 11th never posted. I apologize for not checking, but you'll get why in a minute! Here's what I had tried to post.

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We had *every* intention of having a 2022 season! Then life recently smacked all three of us, HARD. My mom just passed away unexpectedly. Ernie is still struggling to recover from Hurricane Ian (last I heard, limited power, etc, which is why the website is not updated). And Bibi's youngest was diagnosed with a very serious health issue which is requiring LOTS of time driving back and forth to treatments while still trying to work full-time.

If it was just one of us, the other two would just pitch in and cover. But all three of us at once? It's a big huge flashing sign that we physically and mentally should not try see which one of us would end up in a psych ward first. We're gutted, probably as much as most of you. BUT - I am going to find ways to make this happen in 2023, dang it!!!!!!! We will come back; we love this too much to not!

Please, hold your loved ones tight this year, even if it's over facetime. Life is short and precious. ~~~ Love, Kat
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So, that catches you up. Wish I had found out the post was missing earlier, but I've been distracted by family and arrangements. If you have a question and I don't reply, Mom's memorial is this coming weekend - I'll check in after Dec 5th!

11/27/2022

As many of you have already guessed, we are sorry to say that we are unable to open this season. We had been planning to, since COVID travel restrictions were lightened, but a series of unavoidable circumstances has occurred, preventing us from doing so this year. We currently hope to, and plan to resume next season. Thank you to all who have continued to support us, and to those who serve. - Bibi

11/11/2021

We put this decision off as long as we could, hoping with all our hearts that it would change/improve.

There are still too many constantly-changing international COVID protocols and DoD restrictions. Domestically, our airlines are in turmoil over staffing and looming layoffs, etc., and hundreds of flights cancelling so people are getting stuck for a few days plus about 50% of those that we ticket are under 21, which is the age requirement for many hotel chains IF there are even any hotels available.

The simple truth is these issues, coupled with the inherent inflexibility of military leave, mean we can't in good conscience book young troops and put them at potential risk of disciplinary action for failing to report.

We could just repeat the rest of last year’s post, but I don’t want to “jinx us”. Let’s just say we have strong hopes for next year and we WILL be accepting donations again and adding them to the pool so we can have a record-breaking season in 2022!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your understanding and support!!

- Kat, Bibi and Ernie

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen EIGHTEEN nineteen years ago I asked some of you folks for help with an idea I had.

11/08/2020

It is with a heavy heart when I say, there will be no LBEH ticketing campaign this year. The DoD has an abundance of Covid-19 travel restrictions in place for both military and civilian personnel. So much so in fact, that active duty military personnel are being allowed to accrue twice the normal amount of leave because they aren't allowed to travel.

Please understand that our decision not to do LBEH this year is based exclusively on these DoD travel restrictions. We do not have an opinion on whether or not Covid-19 is not being taken seriously enough, or blown way out of proportion. We don't care who won the presidency, or who you voted for. We are not pro-mask or anti-mask. We are not anti-science or anti-freedom, or any other of the political spins one can apply to the current state of affairs.

The simple truth is these restrictions, coupled with the inherent inflexibility of military leave -- at a time when there is a marked increase in the number of last minute flights delays and cancellations due to Covid-19 -- we can't in good conscience book the few valid requests we might get, knowing full well their itineraries stand a greater than normal chance of getting bounced around.

Thus Kat, Bibi and myself talked it over and we all arrived at the unanimous decision to put a pin in LBEH for this year. I know this isn't the news you were hoping for, and we put this decision off as long as we could hoping something would break but it didn't. And so we have to make the tough call here and turn our eyes towards next year.

For those military folks hoping to get a ticket this year, I can only offer my most sincere apologies. The Year Who Shall Not Be Named just conspired a little more against you than it did everyone else, and I'm sorry for that.

And to the folks who would still like to donate, I implore you to do so. A nice influx of donations this year would set us up for a very nice start for next year. And rest assured we won't take your money fly off to Fiji -- the flight would probably be cancelled anyway, haha -- and your donation will still help to get a young service member home for Christmas. It'll just be Christmas of 2021.

So with another eight weeks to go in this year from hell, keep your head down a little longer, and we'll see you all next year. You know, provided there are no murder hornets. -- Kat, Bibi and Ernie

TL/DR: no ticketing this year due to DoD's covid related travel restrictions for military personnel, but accepting donations to get a head start on 2021.

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/planning-your-move/what-do-travel-restrictions-mean-for-service-members

http://www.lbeh.org/?help

The Department of Defense restricted all domestic and overseas travel to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease. The department has taken this action to protect your health and well-being and to keep the military force effective and ready.

11/23/2019

Domestic (CONUS) applications are now open!

11/16/2019

Applications were open all day again today and will re-open again MONDAY, 11/18/19 morning at 8 AM CT, as a continuation of round 1 of applications. IF I have time, I'll try to open them for a bit on Sunday this weekend, but I'm not making any promises. - Bibi

11/15/2019

I've had applications open all day, every day this week so far. They will be open again tomorrow starting at 8:00 AM CT...still on round 1 of applications. That means right now, we are only taking in applications for international requests (any time within the season), and CONUS Thanksgiving travel.

We still are in desperate need of donations, so please, help spread the word. We only exist and can do this each year, due to your help.

11/12/2019

Applications were open all day today and will re-open again tomorrow morning at 8 AM CT, as a continuation of round 1 of applications. - Bibi 11/11/19

Round 1 opens November 11th around 8 am central time. This round will be ONLY:

- International, Nov/Dec/Jan, originating outside CONUS and going to CONUS.

- Alaska and Hawaii, Nov/Dec/Jan, (travel dates that are highly expensive will be blocked)

- CONUS travel is for Thanksgiving ONLY. (you may return in December but must originate November)

International, Alaska, and Hawaii will be limited this year to the first 15 approved applications. Be sure you give accurate and complete information (automatic rejection) as you may not get another chance to apply. We’ll open up for CONUS December travel about a week before Thanksgiving at the earliest. (We’ll be limiting the number of tickets to match the funds left over after the Int’l/Alaska/Hawaii.)

11/11/2019

Applications are still open...they have been open all day.

11/11/2019

Today is opening day for us, and we've had applications open since 7:45 AM CT.
This round will be ONLY:
- International, Nov/Dec/Jan, originating outside CONUS and going to CONUS.
- Alaska and Hawaii, Nov/Dec/Jan, (travel dates that are highly expensive will be blocked)
- CONUS travel is for Thanksgiving ONLY. (you may return in December but must originate November)

International, Alaska, and Hawaii will be limited this year to the first 15 approved applications. Be sure you give accurate and complete information (automatic rejection) as you may not get another chance to apply.

We’ll open up for CONUS December travel about a week before Thanksgiving at the earliest. (We’ll be limiting the number of tickets to match the funds left over after the Int’l/Alaska/Hawaii.)

To see the eligibility requirements, please go to

11/09/2019

Round 1 opens November 11th around 8 am central time. This round will be ONLY:
- International, Nov/Dec/Jan, originating outside CONUS and going to CONUS.
- Alaska and Hawaii, Nov/Dec/Jan, (travel dates that are highly expensive will be blocked)
- CONUS travel is for Thanksgiving ONLY. (you may return in December but must originate November)

International, Alaska, and Hawaii will be limited this year to the first 15 approved applications. Be sure you give accurate and complete information (automatic rejection) as you may not get another chance to apply.

We’ll open up for CONUS December travel about a week before Thanksgiving at the earliest. (We’ll be limiting the number of tickets to match the funds left over after the Int’l/Alaska/Hawaii.)

To see the eligibility requirements, please go to www.lbeh.org/?request