MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
The men and women of our
military – past and present – are our heroes.
For 233 years they have helped to build, defend and protect our country
and our freedom. They have left their
personal lives on hold to take care of our greater need. May is the month that
is designated as Military Appreciation Month.
I propose that we use May as our month to share our appreciation for our
heroes and to build ongoing programs that will continuously strive to show that
appreciation each and every day!
In March and April, Families
United leaders met in Washington DC to focus on training so we speak with one voice
whether we are in Arizona, Oregon,
Florida, Maine,
Texas or Nebraska.
Those leaders are home and developing State leadership teams. Each team will be sending out an email to our
members who have signed up from that state – looking for volunteers. Our States cannot operate via the leaders
alone – it takes a team effort to make everything happen – and there is
opportunity for everyone to share their ideas and participate – each and every
voice is important!
Sharing the good work of our
heroes on the front lines is a vital part of our mission. During May, we would like to fill our
National site with News From The Front. Stories that our heroes can share of progress
in Iraq and Afghanistan –
the impact our heroes have had on the families of these countries – now and for
the future. Please send letters to mailto:Info@FamiliesUnitedMission.com?subject=Letter
From the Front.
As part of our Military
Appreciation Month, Families United would like to recognize one of the programs
that works tirelessly to help our heroes – the Wounded
Warriors Project. The mission of the
Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Their purpose is to raise awareness and
enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and
women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and
to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. Check out their website: www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Last week the annual Soldier’s
Ride started at the White House.
Heroes who have lost arms or legs were empowered to make the 65 mile
ride! This is our opportunity to help
those who are helping our warriors!
Families United will forward to the Wounded Warrior Project ALL donations that are received through
our Paypal account
for the month of May.
Iraq Ambassador to the U.S.
honors America’s
Fallen Heroes
April 9, 2008 at Arlington National
Cemetery was a moment that was unique
in the history of the United
States.
Over 200 Gold Star family members watched as Iraq Ambassador Samir
Sumaida’ie along with Iraq Defense Attache’ SBG Ismael Alsodani and US MG
Francis D. Vavala and MG Richard Rowe placed a wreath to honor all American
Fallen Heroes in the War on Terror. The
Iraqis were grateful to our heroes – those who have served, those serving and
those who have given their lives to help them create a new Iraq. They are extremely grateful for the gift that
has been given to them. Read
more…
Supporting the Troops at Walter Reed
On Friday evening, April 11,
the Leadership Training group made an excursion to Walter Reed. We joined Free Republic
on their weekly adventure in support of the troops outside the main gates! We grabbed signs and waved flags and shouted
our support for our Troops and their mission!
Following this we were able to visit the Malone House for just a few minutes
and visit with some of the families. Our thanks to Free
Republic for being there
every Friday. If you are EVER in
D.C. on a Friday night – make sure to make this a part of your schedule! Read the story
from Free Republic who are our heroes because they
do this EVERY week!
Arizona State Leader Debbie Lee visits with General
Petraeus
On Friday morning, April 11,
Debbie Lee had the special privilege of joining the Pentagon workers on the
weekly Welcome Home for the wounded warriors from Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical Center. As part of that event she was able to present
to General Petraeus a banner from Families United – signed by all who were
in attendance at the Leadership Conference.
Events Across America
Here is a small listing some
of the events Families United is planning or assisting with over the next few
months. Please check the State Events
pages for events in your state. If you
have items to add or wish to volunteer to help – contact your state leaders at “state”@familiesunitedmission.com
(ie minnesota@familiesunitedmission.com)
May 2-4 Air Show, Temple Texas
Booth – Central Texas leader Gary Qualls
May 3 Freedom Concert, Las
Vegas Nevada
Gold
Star families from the area will be at the concert by Sean Hannity and Lee
Greenwood at the Orleans Arena. Contact
the Orleans Arena for
tickets.
May 12 Defenders of Democracy Day at the Minnesota Historical
Society
9:00
– 5:00 pm
One of the original Declaration of Independence copies
will be on display.
We have the opportunity to be a co-sponsor of this event. Volunteers are needed to help us promote this
event as well as honor our heroes on this day!
May 16-17 Minnesota Military Expo at Fort Snelling,
Booth 10am -6pm
May 19-20 Minnesota AFBS Blood Drive
at the St. Paul
Armory 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
To
register: https://www.militarylifeforce.com/index.cfm?group=op
Donating
Blood to the Armed Forces Blood Services is the simplest donation you can give
and it goes direct to our heroes – whether to the local VA hospital or direct
to the front lines. Last year within 30
days of the blood drive I received an email from one of my son’s buds who was back in Iraq – blood from our blood drive
had made it to his unit!
To find a blood drive near you – go to the AFBS website and enter your zip
code. https://www.militarylifeforce.com/index.cfm?group=home
May 26 Michigan
Families United sponsors a Memorial Day dinner for all Michigan families of Fallen Heroes following
the Eaton Rapids Memorial day Parade and dedication of the “Lest They Be
Forgotten Memorial” in honor of Eaton Rapids Marine Troy Nealy. Details: See the Michigan
State Page
June 14-28 Military
Salute Project – 2008 Honor and Remember Ride to Washington D.C. Departs – Minnesota
and arrives in Washington, D.C – 3 days events
in D.C. followed by a wandering trail home thru the Smokey
Mountains, Tennessee
and other historic locations on the way back to Minnesota. More details….
July 4 Colorado event – details
to come…
July 25-29 Veterans
Wheelchair Games in Omaha Nebraska.
Volunteers are still needed – Sign Up at the
Veterans Affairs website We are working on a block of hotel rooms to help you keep
the cost of volunteering down!
Aug 17-18 Offutt
Air Show, Omaha, NE – Families United Booth
Volunteer
to help at Nebraska@FamiliesUnitedMission.com
Aug 25-28 Planning in process – Patriotic Display in Denver for the Democratic National
Convention. Volunteer by email to
merrilee@familiesunitedmission.com
Sept 1 Planning in process – Patriotic Display in St. Paul, MN
for the Republican National Convention.
Volunteers/Ideas
contact merrilee@familiesunitedmission.com
Sept 5 Tee-It-Up For The
Troops – National Day of Golf
Check with your local Golf Course to make sure they are participating!
Sept 12-13 Gold
Star Family Appreciation event – Michigan
– more details to come…
Sept 20 Time
of Remembrance – Washington,
D.C. – more details to come…
