Welcome to Connecting & Protecting, the site to connect and educate the public about the United States military service members. This site was created by Debra Zerr, a Girl Scout dedicated to showing her appreciation to men and women in the military. She started Connecting & Protecting because she wanted to hopefully influence people to never forget about the military and to strengthen the connection between military and the general public. She also did it to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting.
Connecting & Protecting is on a mission to help the general public have a better connection with the US Military and to educate everyone about what the men and women in arms go/went through. On this site you will find interviews with Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC members, pictures and posts from Debra’s project, facts about each military branch, have a chance to connect with military members, and so much more!
When you’re done checking out the site, take a quick survey to help us better our services and abilities.
Connecting & Protecting 
I am so proud of my daughter and her determination and desire to do this project!
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This is a beautiful site in every way, Debbie! Congratulations on a great project!
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Yeah for you Debbie! This is a great accomplishment and a great project! We’re so proud of you!
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Proud of you Debbie. It is an honor for you to incorporate folding Pocket Flags for our troops into your Gold Project.
From what I understand, the Gold Project in Girl Scouts is equivalent to the Eagle Scout award in Boy Scouts. Having worked with about 300 boy scouts who used Pocket Flags as their Eagle Project, I commend you. You are in a very elite group.
FB & LinkedIn — Pocket Flag Project
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Debbie you should be very proud of what you have accomplished. Way to go! The Girl Scout Gold Award is a great award to earn. I can honestly say I know how much work you have to do to earn that award. Keep on reaching for the stars and being the person you are.
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I don’t have a lot of connection to the military but have learned so much from your website Debbie. I have a much richer appreciation after listening to some of the interviews. You have done a fabulous job and have put in lots of hard work to bring this project together. Your passion and hard work have culminated into something to be truly proud of. Congratulations and Thank You!
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Great job Debbie! You have done such a wonderful job with this website and your entire Gold project. You’ve really gone above and beyond, like the military persons you are highlighting in your “connecting and protecting” efforts have done for America for so for many years. Congratulations for your commendable efforts!!!
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Congratulations, Debbie! Your efforts are truly commendable. Love the info!
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I had the fortunate opportunity to be interviewed by Debbie. What an impressive young lady. For someone of her age to take such initiative and work so hard on something she truly believes in truly renews my faith in our future. As someone who speaks to young people on a daily basis, she is definitely a breath of fresh air. The great thing about her is that she will not only have a profound influence among her peers, but she also has the ability to influence and have a lasting impact on people much older than she. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with her. Whatever path she chooses, success is on the horizon.
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Nicely done Debbie.
Speaking as a combat veteran I would reiterate the fact that the people you serve with become like family. When you are under fire you learn very quickly that your best chance of surviving is if everyone with you also survives. You do everything you can to insure they make it out alive and you trust them to do the same for you.
Have you ever seen Band of Brothers? It is the true story of an infantry unit from boot camp to D-Day through to the end of World War II. Very powerful story of the strong brotherhood formed by those men as they fought in some of the bloodiest battles of that war.
Terry McAninch
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When Debbie started this project out I did not know that a girl scout gold project even existed. She took on an enormous project, something that I truly believe some of the best university students would never be able to handle. She did not get discouraged by this at all. She truly embodies the characteristics of one of our nations best. Her drive and unwaivering dedication, determination, and self discipline is something to even leave a Marine aw struck. She set the bar higher than most CEO’s ever would even consider or be able to organize and handle. I talk to young adults on a daily basis Debbie is unlike any I have met before. This project is something that will continue for generations to come. Debbie has initiated a change that will ripple far and wide. She is passionate about her cause and dead fast in accomplishing it. She has empowered women every where and set the example of what it means to be a first class citizen. She is detailed and thorough in her execution of her project. Watch out world Debbie is going places. It was absolutely my pleasure to have been able to meet this wonderful young woman.
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Congratulations Debbie, on a job well done. I imagine you might be tired of hearing the same story but I think this was no small act. For many people who serve, there is a flag ready to see their service through. It is nice to see someone trying to make a place for our men and women to come home to. A home worthy of their service. This is what I see you changing Debbie and this makes me happy.
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This is wonderful, Debbie! What amazing work you have done!
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