There is a charity which is being linked around the blogosphere quite a bit at the moment. It’s called Project Valour-IT (Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops), and this is from their “about” page:

Every cent raised for Project Valour-IT goes directly to the purchase and shipment of laptops, software and equipment for the wounded servicemembers.

Currently we are forming “libraries” of laptops equipped with the voice-controlled software for wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines at each major military medical center to check out during their stay. Copies of the voice-controlled software for use on home computers are also available to servicemembers who still need it as they leave the medical center. In special circumstances, a laptop may be provided to a soldier for his or her permanent use.

As is well known by now, the survival rate for wounded American soldiers in the current conflict in Iraq is unprecedented. They are surviving injuries that would have been fatal in previous wars, thanks to magnificent medical attention in the theater and quick transport to well-equipped hospitals in Germany and the United States. Many are surviving with multiple amputations. The value of obtaining and learning to use voice-activated laptops to these men and women should be obvious. Even for those with injuries which will heal, the ability to stay connected with family, friends and the wider world during rehabilitation is clearly an extremely helpful thing. The genesis of the Project Valour-IT project came from one such soldier, who had been maintaining a blog until he was wounded, and ultimately found his way to return to doing it after being given a gift of voice-activated software by a reader.

Click here for Project Valour-IT’s donate page.

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From the Army Times, this story on the fight currently going on in Husaybay, Iraq:

“We surprised them coming into Husaybah from the west,” said Capt. Brendan Heatherman, commander of the battalion’s Kilo Company. “I think they started pulling back to spots where they can set up a better defense.”

The assault on Husaybah began at dawn Saturday, after two Marine infantry battalions moved across the desert to the city’s western edge, right on the Syrian border.

The long movement was an attempt to surprise insurgents in the city, who Marine commanders believe were expecting any assault to come from the east, in the neighboring village of Karabilah, where Marines hold a line of small firebases occupied during fighting in October.

At least three Marines were wounded in Monday’s fighting, which was sporadic and light until near sundown, when Marines began taking small-arms fire and responded with a deafening volley of rifle, machine gun and cannon fire from infantry on rooftops and amphibious assault vehicles in the streets.

Several small groups of insurgents opened fire on Kilo Company as Marines began entering and searching houses near the city’s eastern edge.

Farther east, F/A-18 Hornet fighters launched a series of air strikes at sunset that shook the ground and shattered glass across the city. The fighters often dropped their bombs within a few hundred yards of Marine positions, showering them with shrapnel.

Heatherman’s Marines also detained several Iraqi men whose hands tested positive for gunpowder residue, an indication they had recently fired weapons. One man, who said he was an Egyptian electrician, identified himself with the name of a wanted insurgent cell leader.

The company came across dozens of families, many of whom warned of possible traps and bombs on nearby streets. One family told Marine Sgt. Jerame Roodhouse they were trapped in the city while visiting friends, and had no food or water; Roodhouse gave them several Meals, Ready-to-Eat and bottles of water.

The same story indicates that more intense fighting is expected as the final blocks in the east of Husaybah are searched on Tuesday, as this is likely where any remaining combatants are holed-up.

Addendum: Follow-up story from the Army Times here. The fight moves east to Karabilah.

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