U.S. radio clubs to 'Ham it Up' for troops

Ham radio operators and amateur radio clubs plan to "Ham It Up for the Troops" on May 28 during the second annual Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day to thank active duty, veterans and retired military people for their service and sacrifices to the nation, according to ARMAD's founder and former Air Force sergeant Emery McClendon.

"ARMAD is a day when all amateur radio operators and amateur radio clubs worldwide are invited to gather at public locations to allow our citizens to express words of thanks and appreciation to our military members and coalition forces in a live format," said McClendon, who founded and established ARMAD in Fort Wayne, Ind., almost a year ago.

"The original purpose of ARMAD was to encourage amateurs worldwide to use our hobby to express thanks as a public service for those that serve in the military, including active duty, veterans and retirees," said the former aircraft refueler. "We also wanted to allow their families to support one another with words of encouragement by contacting other ARMAD locations."

Ham radio operators set up in public locations such as shopping centers, parks, Veterans Affairs hospitals and sporting events to express verbal positive support "live" over the radio for active duty military people, members of the reserve components, veterans, family members and military support groups, McClendon said.

ARMAD is associated with National Military Appreciation Month and is being held during the weekend of Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in the nation's service.

This year, amateur radio operators will participate from several states -- Florida, California, Washington, Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, North and South Carolina and others. Operators in several foreign countries also are slated to participate, including Australia, Greece, Kuwait and England, and members of the Iraq Amateur Radio Club are expected to join in as well, according to McClendon.

"We expect many others, including ships and military hospitals, as we approach the event date," he said. "Last year, we had more than 25 different groups in the U.S. and about 15 foreign countries participating in ARMAD," McClendon noted. "We expect participation to triple for the 2005 event. We've had great response just by word of mouth. With publicity, we will grow, and reach many more troops and communities."

• Visit the Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day website

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