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Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

8th Annual Whiskey & War Stories Operation Lightning Dawn

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

This year is Operation Lightning Dawn, the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009.  This is our first year relocating to Virginia Beach, VA. Several of our guest speakers who participated in our past Whiskey & War Stories ™ will be attending. Our past events included:

• Operation Thunderhead
• Operation Urgent Fury
• Operation Ivory Coast/Kingpin
• Operation Eagle Claw
• Operation Acid Gambit

Gala Night Details

Who: The Silent Warrior Foundation

What: 8th Annual 8th Annual Whiskey & War Stories ™ Fundraising Gala and Auction

Where: Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Reserve

When: Saturday, April 13, 2024, doors open at 5 pm. Event ends at 10 pm.

Why: Fundraising to support the Silent Warrior Foundation

VIP Night Details

When: 5pm to 9pm Friday, April 12, 2024

Where: Military Aviation Museum, 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457

What: An informal gathering with our guest speakers over food and drink at the military aviation museum in Pungo. A flight demonstration of the museum’s AD-1 Skyraider and unlimited tour of the museum for all attendees. Attendees can indulge in cigars after the flight demo.  

A chartered bus will leave for the Aviation Museum from the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort and depart from the museum at 9 pm for those who’d like the convenience of not driving. 

silentwarriorfoundation.com

The Silent Warrior Foundation is an all-volunteer 501c3 charity serving SOF veterans and their families. SWF funds Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, provides scholarships, service K9’s through HomefrontK9 and emergency assistance.

Link to purchase tickets: 8th Annual Whiskey & War Stories | Auction Frogs

Contact info@silentwarriorfoundation.com to donate auction items or inquire about sponsorship.

Black Triangle Presents: The E4 Mafia Shirt Featuring Clint Trial

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

Master Sergeant Clint Trial (USMC, Ret) is one of my favorite Americans, so I was quite pleased when one of my favorite small businesses, Black Triangle, decided to offer a CT t-shirt to raise money for the Third Option Foundation and Torn Warriors.

Here’s the story behind the shirt from Clint himself:

“A man will never excel at giving orders if he’s never questioned the orders he’s been given.”
I wrote this a long time ago. Probably around the time this photo was taken. It felt like the truth back then every bit as much as it does today.
I’ve always had issues with “authority figures”
…from as far back as I can remember, I always looked at authority figures with suspicion. I didn’t know why I was that way… seemed like that was just how I was designed. After 51 years of living, I think it’s all starting to make much more sense now. My healthy distaste for authority figures was not unwarranted.
It is this Marine’s opinion that “authority figures” are nothing more than an illusion created by men who crave power over others.
One might very easily point out the glaring contradiction in this photo… “uhhh but yeah man… if you hate authority figures so much then how the hell did you spend 20+ yrs in the Marine Corps?”
My answer is simple – because any good Marine who is worthy of leading other Marines is NOT an authority figure… he is a leader. And the difference between those two things could not be greater. Being led is a much different feeling than being forced to follow. A good leader will lead by example and mentor and guide those who follow. An authority figure doesn’t give 2 shits about any of those things. An authority figure says “Obey or else!” The Marine Corps I served in did an excellent job of weeding out authority figures and an excellent job of creating strong leaders. But like anywhere else in life …there are always those who slip through the cracks.. even in the Corps. When this picture was taken … that middle finger was aimed towards a few of those “authority figures”.

I post this somewhat embarrassing photo of myself because I can see how it is a micro reflection of how I feel about our current government. Only it seems the cracks now are massive fractures that have allowed a flooding of “authority” types into the halls of our most sacred American institutions.”

Available in Olive and Black, sizes Small through 5XLarge.

blktriangle.com/products/e4-mafia-shirt-w-clint-trial

SIG SAUER Continues Expansion of SIG Professional Program

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024

NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 9, 2024) – On this day when we honor Law Enforcement Professionals and to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the P226, SIG SAUER is pleased to announce the continued expansion of the SIG Professional Program (SPP) to include all honorably discharged veterans.

“To celebrate the rich military and law enforcement history of the P226, we will kick-off the year by extending our appreciation to those that charted the pistol’s path to its place in history.  For the duration of 2024, in addition to adding veterans, the SIG Professional Program will have a significant addition of products, and will be available at a much-expanded network of commercial retailers,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.

How does the SIG Professional Program Work? The SIG Professional Program offers discounted pricing on select SIG SAUER firearms to those who protect and serve our country and our communities and is available at select retailers. With proper credentials, any qualifying active-duty military, retired military and expanded veteran inclusion, along with law enforcement, or security professional can receive discounts on select popular SIG SAUER firearms. The program can be accessed through SIG Master and Elite Dealers, as well as select retailers in addition to the current SIG Law Enforcement Dealers.  To locate an SPP dealer in your area use the convenient dealer locator on sigsauer.com.

The SIG Professional Program is open to:

• Active-duty military with an active-duty identification

• Retired military with retired military credentials

• Honorably discharged veterans (requires DD214 or Veteran designation on state issued ID)

• Active reservists with military identification

• Active national guard with military identification

• Corrections officers (including parole and probation officers)

• Sworn law enforcement officers (including federal, state, county)

• Retired law enforcement officers with “retired” credentials

• Active or retired law enforcement with official agency credentials

• Court officers with official agency credentials or official documentation

• State / County / City Coroners with official agency credentials or official documentation

• Full time first responders with current credentials or official documentation

• EMTs, Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, and Paramedics.

To learn more about the program or review the product offering visit sigsauer.com/sig-professional-program, and to locate any participating SPP Dealer in your area visit sigsauer.com/dealer-locator.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Joins Prestigious Congressional Initiative to Advance the Medical Service Dog Industry

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024

 [WILLISTON, FL]- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs has been selected as one of the two dozen medical service dog organizations nationwide to participate in a special initiative mandated by Congress. The primary objective of this program is to determine if the in-depth details outlined in this initiative for training and pairing service dogs meet the needs of permanently disabled service members and veterans. 

This initiative, directed by Danny Benbassat, Ph.D., Commander, U.S. Public Health Service, CofS, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and managed by the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium OTA and acting Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program integrator Jeremy Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, Veteran, US Army, Assistant Professor of Health Informatics, California State University Long Beach Department of Health Care Administration, was created to maintain safety measures to protect service dogs and the public while using data-driven decisions to ensure continued improvement within one of the most vulnerable communities these organizations serve. 

As a leading medical service dog organization with highly advanced programs and over a decade of experience, Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs will work with other organizations like themselves to collect and share their best practices, which will then be used to refine and improve the prototype guidelines for future organizations when it comes time to train and pair assistance/service dogs with qualified service members and veterans.

“Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to have been selected for this crucial project. They have been a highly sophisticated leader in this industry for nearly 14 years, bringing forth many programs above and beyond the current industry standards, thus raising the bar of excellence with our milestones and benchmarks,” said Carol Borden, Founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.

The current “prototype guidelines” will be tested by the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and other selected organizations where they can share best practices to refine existing guidelines, which will allow them to improve service dog programs. This initiative will evaluate the effectiveness of the suggested guidelines while examining a range of issues affecting service members and veterans with service dogs and those who train service dogs.

Once each organization has gathered empirical data on each of the protocols in this program, they will participate in focus group meetings for further discussion and analysis that will help build future guidelines and best practices related to the quality-of-service dog training, the optimal education and matching of service dogs with service members and veterans, and the safety to canines, service members, and the public.

“Our goal is to further shape the future of this life-changing, life-saving industry that deserves much more clarity and respect for the work these amazing dogs do every day. With this valuable opportunity to assist Congress, we will accomplish another enormous milestone in moving the service dog industry forward,” said Borden.

When the study concludes, the findings will be presented to Congress. Currently, it can take 2-10 years for someone to get a service dog. With the additional funding, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs will be able to hire more people and enlarge their facilities, which means they will be able to pair more dogs more quickly with veterans and service members in need. 

To learn more about Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, visit www.medicalservicedogs.org.

Home for the Holidays: American Humane Reunites Retired Military Working Dog with Former Air Force Handler After Two Years Apart

Sunday, December 24th, 2023

SSgt. Mike Alcala Adopts K-9 Veteran John in San Antonio

Washington, D.C. – This week, American Humane reunited retired military working dog John with his former K-9 handler, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Mike Alcala, in San Antonio, Texas. The once-inseparable pair have been apart for over two years and will now be together for the holidays as John finds his forever home to live out his retirement.

The 10-year-old German shepherd served as an explosive-detection dog at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii for eight years. He retired this month due to old age, ending a distinguished military career spent protecting civilians, his fellow service members, and high-profile VIPs, including American presidents, first ladies, foreign dignitaries, and more. A special retirement ceremony was conducted in his honor in Hawaii last week to celebrate his years of dedicated service. 

SSgt. Alcala was John’s handler for three years, during which time the two formed an unbreakable bond. They were separated in September 2021 when SSgt. Alcala was reassigned to another base. The moment he learned that John would retire, SSgt. Alcala reached out to American Humane for help transporting his best friend home for adoption.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring military working dog John home for the holidays and reunite him with his best friend,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “American Humane is honored to help give this four-legged veteran the comfortable retirement he deserves after eight years of distinguished service to our country.”

“When I found out that John was up for retirement, of course, I wanted him so bad,” said SSgt. Mike Alcala. “I heard about American Humane through a buddy of mine, so I thought I would reach out and see what American Humane could do for me and John. They were gracious to help go pick him up in Hawaii, transport him back to me, and without me having to pay anything. It’s just been a blessing for us.”

In addition to transporting John from Hawaii to San Antonio, American Humane is also covering all of John’s veterinary care for the rest of his life.

During the emotional reunion on Wednesday, Dec. 20, SSgt. Alcala and his wife, Brittany Alcala, introduced their 10-month-old daughter to John—the newest member of the Alcala family. 

MILITARY WORKING DOG REUNIFICATION BACKGROUND:

• K-9 handlers and their military working dogs form unbreakable bonds while serving our country. Unfortunately, however, they are often separated when one of them retires or is reassigned.

• When a military dog is retired from service, it can be difficult for the military to track down their latest handler for adoption, let alone figure out how to transport the dog home. The extensive process involves a lot of paperwork, headaches, and red tape, and the costs and responsibilities usually fall on the handler.

• American Humane handles the complex process of international and national transport of retired K-9 veterans on behalf of their former military handlers, who are thrilled to adopt them.

• Handlers reach out to American Humane for help reuniting with their K-9 counterparts. The organization covers the travel costs to transport the dog, as well as the dog’s ongoing veterinary care.

• Like humans, K-9 veterans often retire with health complications that require expensive medical care. The government does not cover these costs. That’s why American Humane covers all veterinary bills for the working dogs it brings home—ensuring these K-9 veterans get the comfortable, dignified retirements they deserve.

Wiley X Donates More Than 300 Pairs of Eyewear for Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

Eyewear to be distributed as gifts to Veteran and active-duty military families nationwide

FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 12, 2023) — Wiley X, a global leader and pioneer in premium protective eyewear, recently donated 328 pairs of its best-in-glass eyewear to Boot Campaign for the organization’s 2023 Santa Boots Program.

Boot Campaign, a non-profit with a mission to unite Americans in honoring and restoring the lives of Veterans and military families through individualized, life-improving programs, will distribute the eyewear as gifts to Veteran and active-duty military families nationwide as part of its Santa Boots Program.

“Wiley X is known throughout the military community for incredible eyewear for our service members and we are honored they partnered with Boot Campaign to support military families across the country this holiday season,” said Lindsey Lott, VP of Partnerships & Communications for Boot Campaign. “Thank you, Wiley X, for providing sunglasses to each of our family members and bringing joy to those who are serving and those who have served.”

Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program was created to unite Americans in showing gratitude to service members during the holiday season by delivering specially curated gifts to veteran and military families.

“Our Veterans, active service members and their families are always deserving of our support and gratitude, and that is especially true around the holidays,” said Dan Freeman, CEO and Co-Owner of Wiley X.

“We’re proud to partner with Boot Campaign and to support the Santa Boots program in bringing joy to so many families across the country.”

To learn more about Wiley X, its product and its efforts to support military families, visit www.wileyx.com. To learn more about Boot Campaign and its non-profit mission, visit www.bootcampaing.org.

3rd Annual Operation Helldorado to Benefit TORN Warriors

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023

Third Annual Operation Helldorado

Monday, January 22, 2024

2:00 PM 10:00 PM

Join us January 22, 2024, for an afternoon of action and adrenaline at Speed Vegas. Then, as the evening rolls in, come celebrate with us at the M Resort for a casual cocktail hour before we sit down to dinner, stories, and a salute to our incredible TORN Warriors and the community that supports them.

Itinerary: 2 PM – 5PM @ Speed Vegas

• Superkart Sprints: Drive your own superkart on an actual speedway — no racing skills required, just a desire for speed

• Pro Pilot Experience: Sit tight as a professional driver whips you around the track for the ultimate high-speed ride-along

• Warriors Meet-Up: Relax with the TORN Warriors, and make memorable connections

• Refresh & Refuel: Keep your energy up with complimentary snacks and drinks provided trackside by TORN Warriors

7 PM – 10 PM @ The M Resort Spa Casino

• Mingle Hour: Dress in cocktail attire and join us for relaxed networking over cocktails to start the evening

• Dinner Time: Sit down to a delicious plated dinner and enjoy the company and stories around you

• Honoring TORN Warriors: A moment in our night dedicated to acknowledging the incredible journeys of our TORN Warriors

• Bid & Support: Finish the evening with our silent auction, where every bid supports the TORN Warriors mission

To sign up, visit www.tornwarriors.org/events/third-annual-helldorado.

TORN Warriors is a 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION that provides disabled veterans and active duty service members a sense of normalcy and pride participating in and enjoying extreme sports and events previously unavailable to them due to injury.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Honoring Our Veterans

Friday, November 10th, 2023

Today, we offer our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country in times of war and peace. We honor their bravery, sacrifice, and steadfast resolve in the face of adversity. We are inspired by their selflessness and dedication to serving a cause greater than themselves. To all of the veterans who have served our country, we offer our sincerest thanks. Your contributions to our nation will never be forgotten.

The FirstSpear family is no stranger to the sacrifices made by veterans. Our team includes many veterans who have served our country with distinction. We are incredibly proud of their service and grateful for their contributions to our company.

We also wish a happy 248th birthday to the United States Marines Corps.