A Few Good Men

10 January 2009

I had the privilege of watching a scene played out in probably hundreds of locations across America this Saturday. The B Company, 6/52 Aviation Regiment conducted a welcome home ceremony for ten of its soldiers who had returned from duty in Iraq. Some had been home for months, but this seemed to me to be another well meaning effort to let soldiers and their families know that their sacrifice is noted and respected.

The ten aviators who were recognized along with their families all said the same thing, that it wasn’t necessary, but they appreciated it.

Among the ten were two pilots who had each put in over 41 years of service in our nation’s military, both flying not only in Iraq on several tours, but each had Vietnam tours as well as some of the brush wars and the First Gulf War under their belts. Both were equally humble that they were doing what they loved and that they were only sorry that they had reached mandatory retirement age and couldn’t continue to serve. Each had a family wrapped around them, and there was a clear measure of pride in not only the spouses, but of the young men, or not so young, who from a distance you tell they were proud of their dad or granddad.

So on a rainy cold day at Fort Knox in Hanger #1, a small group of soldiers and their families watched as ten more warriors were welcomed home, they received a very nice triangle folded incased flag with a personal message from the Commanding General of the Army Reserve along with his coin. It was clear we all remembered what those who returned from Vietnam received and that seems to be a common theme among my generation that we won’t let it happen again. BG Matia, 11^th Aviation Commander, had it right when he said that honor and dedication is the watchword of those who serve our nation.

I was sorry that there weren’t thousands in attendance but at the same time, this reminded me why USA Cares remains vigilant for those military families who are isolated from the traditional military infrastructure associated with bases like Fort Hood and Fort Bragg. Their war was just as real as those who march home in formations of hundreds if not thousands.

So to Warrant Officers Clark, Crooke, Haberlin, James, Kelly R, Thomas, Schmidt, Stephens, Swanson and Kelly S, welcome home from one old sergeant major and a grateful free citizen.

To CSM Robert Casher, the ceremony was top notch and well done. You have much to be proud of in these warriors.

Roger

Fort Knox Yellow Ribbon Team

Fort Knox Yellow Ribbon Team
Nov. 6, 2008

Gourmet Restaurant Honoring Troops With Special Dinner

USA Cares to benefit from Black Trumpet event

PORTSMOUTH, NH Black Trumpet Bistro, a Portsmouth restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, will celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with the Great American Wine Dinner and donate a portion of the proceeds to USA Cares.

An e-mail invitation from the restaurant said “In celebration of our great country we want to honor and support post-9/11 soldiers and their families. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards two organizations that help these honorable men and women and their families through difficult times, specifically families in New Hampshire.” The two organizations are USA Cares and New Hampshire’s Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund.

USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated about $40,000 over five years to service members living in New Hampshire. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.

In five years, USA Cares has helped more than 13,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387.

The five-course will feature five wines presented by Black Trumpet Chef Evan Mallett and Guest Chef Mark Segal of Portsmouth’s 100 Club. The event is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Cost is $90 per person. The event’s menu is available on the restaurant’s web site at http://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com/pages/special_events.html.

About Black Trumpet Bistro
Black Trumpet is a two-story bistro and wine bar in the heart of Portsmouth’s historic old port operated by Chef Evan Mallett. The menu changes every six weeks to capitalize on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Black Trumpet’s cuisine reflects the chef-owner’s culinary curiosity, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean as well as the Americas. A typical Black Trumpet menu may include influences from Spain, North Africa, Turkey and the Mexican heartland. Dinner is served nightly from 5:30, and reservations are recommended for the dining room. The wine bar is first-come-first-serve. For more information or reservations please call (603) 431-0887.

About USA Cares

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. In five years, USA Cares has helped 13,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.

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Talk Show Hosts Dennis Miller, Steve Wilkos to Play in L.A. Charity Golf Scramble to Benefit USA Cares

Mike “Titan” O’Hearn also attending

11 a.m. – Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 – MountainGate Country Club Golf Course

WHO: Dennis Miller offers his unique take on the day’s topics with comedy and satire on his daily radio show, “The Dennis Miller Show,” launched by Westwood One in March 2007. Miller is a five-time Emmy award winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour, live talk show “Dennis Miller Live,” which had a nine-year run on HBO. He was the host and executive producer of CNBC’s “Dennis Miller,” an interview talk show featuring reasoned discourse, opinion and humor.

Steve Wilkos is the host of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution’s nationally syndicated series “The Steve Wilkos Show.” He is both a Marine Corps and Chicago Police veteran. Prior to his own show, Wilkos filled in for Jerry Springer as host of the long-running “Jerry Springer Show” on more than 50 episodes.

Mike O’Hearn holds four Mr. (Natural) Universe titles, was Mr. California, Mr. USA, Mr. America and Mr. International, and was voted one of the 12 greatest physiques of all times by the fitness industry. A fierce competitor and undefeated in the Joust, Mike can be seen in NBC’s hit television series “American Gladiators” where he is known as “Titan.”

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support.

WHAT: Miller and Wilkos, national spokesmen for USA Cares, and other guests and players will participate in the second annual Charity Golf Scramble in Los Angeles on behalf of national charity organization USA Cares. O’Hearn will also attend. Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP, a national law firm, along with Hagen, Streiff, Newton & Oshiro Accountants PC; RGL Forensic Accountants and Consultants; and Matson, Driscoll & Damico LLP are sponsoring the tournament.

WHEN: 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
WHERE: MountainGate Country Club Golf Course in Los Angeles

YOUR COVERAGE IS REQUESTED.

CONTACT: John Revell, USA Cares, Inc. - jrevell@usacares.org or (270) 352-5451
Patrick Shipstead, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP, pshipstead@rkmc.com

USA Cares To Be Featured on Good Morning America

From 7 to 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, ABC affiliates

WHO: USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson leads USA Cares, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. In five years, USA Cares has helped 13,000 military families and distributed more than $5 million in grants.

WHAT: Nelson will appear in an interview broadcast nationally on the well-known ABC morning show, “Good Morning America,” interviewed by Lee Woodruff.

WHEN: “Good Morning America” will air from 7 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6

WHERE: Local ABC affiliate WHAS-TV 11.



YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT IS REQUESTED.


CONTACT: John Revell, Public Relations and Communications, USA Cares, Inc.
jrevell@usacares.org or (270) 352-5451
http://www.usacares.org


About USA Cares
USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.

Bionic Gloves Helping USA Cares Give a ‘Hand Up’

Company donating portion of holiday sales as part of new partnership

RADCLIFF, KY - Bionic Gloves, sister company to Louisville Slugger, is partnering with USA Cares in support of its mission to help military families. Fitting the USA Cares “A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out” motto, Bionic, which sells sports and fitness gloves designed by an orthopedic surgeon, will work hand in hand with the organization to promote the charity’s outreach efforts.

Both Bionic and Louisville Slugger are divisions of Louisville-based Hillerich & Bradsby Co., which also owns PowerBilt golf equipment.

“It’s a worthy cause,” Bionic Director of Sales and Marketing Vickie Boisseau said. “We want to get the message out to as many people as possible … it’s about giving back.”

Bionic has set up a charity code for USA Cares –
USACARES – that used when ordering any Bionic glove on the Bionic gloves web site, http://www.bionicgloves.com, will send a portion of the proceeds to USA Cares. Bionic will get the word out about USA Cares through its holiday e-mail blast and podcast PSAs.

“It’s an incredible gesture of support on their part,” USA Cares Director of Business Development Kim Moorman said.

The gloves, invented by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Kleinert, are designed based on the anatomy of the human hand and the science of ergonomics to provide comfort, fit, performance and durability. The gloves are available in a wide variety of styles, from golf and fitness to gardening and motorcycling. Prices range from $25 to $70; you can purchase gloves from their web site, http://www.bionicgloves.com or by phone at 1-877-5-BIONIC. Be sure to enter the USA Cares charity code: USACARES.

“This partnership is so fitting,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said. “We hope to continue it for a long time to come.”

About Bionic Gloves

Bionic Gloves is a division of Louisville-based Hillerich & Bradsby Co., the family-owned, 124-year-old manufacturer that also makes legendary Louisville Slugger baseball bats and gloves and PowerBilt golf equipment. Bionic gloves, invented by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Kleinert, are made for golf, gardening, dress/driving, sports, fitness training and other recreational activities.

About USA Cares and Share A Minute

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In five years, USA Cares has helped 12,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.

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USA Cares grants $40,000 to New Hampshire military families

More than 40 families in financial need helped, four homes saved

RADCLIFF, KY – USA Cares Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military families, has donated about $40,000 over five years to service members living in New Hampshire. The grants were used for getting treatment for wounded soldiers, saving homes from foreclosure, and assisting with basic needs during times of serious financial crisis.

Since 2003, these donations saved four New Hampshire military families from losing their home to foreclosure, and overall 46 families have received grants. In 2007, 11 requests came in from New Hampshire. USA Cares has received 29 requests for help in the first nine months of 2008.

“Today’s military families are facing a perfect storm: multiple deployments, rising gas and food prices, the sub-prime mortgage mess, and a struggling economy. Coupled with visible and invisible wounds of war, many families can’t win this battle without our assistance,” Roger Stradley, founder of USA Cares, said. Members of any branch of the military serving post 9/11 and their families can apply for help.

USA Cares has worked with military families since it was founded in 2003. Since then, the organization has responded to over 11,000 requests for help with more than $5 million in direct assistance grants. On the housing front, USA Cares is a recognized leader in mortgage loss prevention assistance for the military. In the future, USA Cares hopes to work with other partners to field a program for post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury victims who lack the financial resources to attend the treatment they need and deserve, ensuring that the service member doesn’t have to choose between groceries or treatment.

Nationally, USA Cares receives more than 100 new requests for assistance a week. Dedicated staff and volunteers work through each one with the determination and commitment to assist these families as quickly as possible. “USA Cares is out there actually providing financial assistance to solve these problems – we’re not just talking about them,” USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson said.

For example, in Laconia, USA Cares paid $1,350 in rent to keep a family with three children in their home. In Milton Mills, the organization covered a $1,500 gas bill in the winter for a service member who has a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. And in Exeter, USA Cares helped with a $325 vehicle payment and $100 phone bill because the service member was injured while deployed and could no longer hold a job.

New Hampshire is home to an Army National Guard Family Assistance Center in Concord and though technically in Maine, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, one of four operating shipyards left in the nation.

USA Cares embarked on a national fundraising campaign on July 4. Share A Minute will raise funds by asking Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000-minute annual tour of duty. Those minutes quickly add up to create hardships for soldiers and their families during deployment or when they return, and it costs USA Cares $25 a minute to help these families.

This level of support will ensure that USA Cares can meet all the needs of military personnel and their families not only through the present twin crises of PTSD/TBI and housing, but also the economic challenges yet to come.

Stradley said there is no doubt that Americans will help by donating. “Our nation, including the residents of New Hampshire, has a level of compassion that is unmatched in the world. This nation’s defenders need help, and it’s now our duty to come to their aid.”

To share a minute, go to http://www.usacares.org/ and click on the Share A Minute logo or call 1-800-773-0387 for more information.

About USA Cares and Share A Minute

USA Cares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps military families bear the burdens of service with financial and advocacy support. Its mission: to assist wounded warriors and their families, to prevent home foreclosures and evictions and to help with basic needs during financial crisis. Share A Minute asks Americans to donate $25 to represent one minute of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine’s full 525,000 minute tour of duty. In five years, USA Cares has helped more than 12,000 clients and distributed more than $5 million in grants. Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares web site, http://www.usacares.org/ or by calling 1-800-773-0387. For more information on USA Cares contact jrevell@usacares.org.

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