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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.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, Guest Post, History, Veterans | Comments Off on 8th Annual Whiskey & War Stories Operation Lightning Dawn

Special Operations Warrior Foundation Announces Scholarship Funded by Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund in Honor of John Magness

Thursday, February 29th, 2024

Tampa, FL, Feb. 29 – The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) is proud to announce a $250,000 scholarship grant for the 2023/2024 academic year, generously funded by the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund (JMSF) in memory of John Magness, a revered patriot, and distinguished Special Operations helicopter pilot.

John Magness, whose legacy of bravery and dedication continues to inspire, played a pivotal role in critical military operations, including leading a troop of attack helicopters during the Persian Gulf War and participating in the historic Battle of the Black Sea in Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Tragically, John Magness passed away on February 5, 2023, after summiting Mount Aconcagua, undertaking this formidable challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, a cause he passionately supported. As an Ambassador for Special Operations Warrior Foundation, John’s commitment to the children of our nation’s fallen heroes was unwavering.

The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, in collaboration with SOWF, aims to honor John’s legacy by supporting the educational aspirations of students who, despite facing significant challenges, have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to their academic and personal growth.

Both JMSF and SOWF are honored to contribute to the educational journey of future leaders. It reflects a shared commitment to nurturing the dreams of our fallen SOF Warriors’ children and empowering them to achieve their fullest potential.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund encourage the scholarship recipients, and all students, to pursue excellence in their endeavors and to remember the strength and support of the community that stands behind them.

We look forward to witnessing the remarkable achievements our scholarship recipients will accomplish and are confident that they will continue to honor the legacy of heroes like John Magness.

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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

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The 2024 SHOT Show Kickoff Party is Tonight!

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

You can still get your tickets. Additionally, the online charity auction to benefit SOC-F is still in full swing.

qtego.us/qlink/socf

Posted in Advertiser, Charity, Fundraising, SHOT Show | Comments Off on The 2024 SHOT Show Kickoff Party is Tonight!

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.

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Military aid Societies Raise Over $270,000 on #GivingTuesday for Second-Annual #Battle4BraggingRights

Sunday, December 3rd, 2023

The organizations’ combined forces collect critical funds for service members and their families.

WASHINGTON (November 29, 2023) — On November 28, commonly known as #GivingTuesday, the combined forces of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Army Emergency Relief (AER) and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) raised over $270,000 in #Battle4BraggingRights. For the second consecutive year, the campaign mission was to secure essential funds to provide service members and their families with vital emergency relief, financial support and educational resources.

“The enthusiasm for #Battle4BraggingRights was once again alive and well as we challenged ourselves, through a friendly competition among the four military aid societies, to raise as much as possible for our service members and their families,” said retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, NMCRS president and CEO.

#Battle4BraggingRights unfolded across social media platforms. Supporters were encouraged to visit Battle4BraggingRights.com and allocate their contributions to one of the four military aid societies. While the competition for which aid society could raise the most money was friendly, the people who the aid societies serve are the real winners.

“People really came out on Tuesday to support #Battle4BraggingRights, and these much-needed funds will allow us to continue programs and services that are vital to military personnel and veterans worldwide,” said former U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Kristina McBride, acting CEO for AFAS.

“I’m so proud of the Joint Force in supporting our second-annual #Battle4BraggingRights campaign to show a unity of effort. All of our donors are the absolute best in making this repeat event a great success!” said retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Cari Thomas, CEO of CGMA.

For the second year, Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company, generously donated $1 million during #Battle4BraggingRights on #GivingTuesday. This substantial matching pledge made the grand total for amount raised at over $1.25 million.

Commencing in 2012 as a Global Day of Giving, #GivingTuesday has galvanized countless individuals to rally behind their cherished causes.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, Press Release | Comments Off on Military aid Societies Raise Over $270,000 on #GivingTuesday for Second-Annual #Battle4BraggingRights

Military Comic Anthology on Kickstarter

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023

There’s a new campaign on Kickstarter featuring comics from comics from Pvt. Murphy, Sky Attack Comics, and 1st Awesome Platoon.

Inside its pages, you’ll find:

Sky Attack Comics – Eric Meadvin’s real life illustrated story created from personal deployment experience.

1st Awesome Platoon – Ethan “Topkick” Chang’s popular and aptly named 1st Awesome Platoon containing military humor from all branches of the military.

Pvt Murphy/Charlie Mike Comic creator Mark Baker is taking a departure from his usual gag type cartoons and has penned an exclusive fictional story, “The Psychopomps.”

www.kickstarter.com/projects/1436196985/new-military-comic-anthology

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#GivingTuesday: Military Aid Societies Ready for Round

Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

Military Aid Societies are poised to embark on their second annual fundraising battle, setting the stage for the #Battle4BraggingRights, where they will vie for supremacy in contributions.

WASHINGTON (November 20, 2023) – On November 28th, the combined forces of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Army Emergency Relief (AER), and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) have announced their intent to engage in the #Battle4BraggingRights for the second consecutive year on #GivingTuesday. The mission remains the same: secure essential funds to provide service members and their families with vital emergency relief, financial support and educational resources.

“Amidst the #GivingTuesday philanthropic spirit, we are challenging ourselves to add an exhilarating twist – a friendly competition among Military Aid Societies – to amplify the excitement of giving,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Robert R. Ruark, NMCRS’s President and CEO.

The #Battle4BraggingRights will unfold across social media platforms on #GivingTuesday, November 28, 2023. Supporters are encouraged to visit Battle4BraggingRights.com, where they can allocate their contributions to one of the four Military Aid Societies. At the close, a victor will emerge.

“While the rivalry adds some flavor, the true winners remain our service members, veterans and their families,” said Kristina McBride, AFAS’s acting CEO. “Every contribution for #Battle4BraggingRights enables the continuation of vital programs and services for military personnel and veterans worldwide.”

Within the organizations’ circles, good-natured banter permeates, as staff and volunteers gear up for the friendly competition.

“In sparking inter-service competition, we’re firing up our supporters to achieve remarkable success during #Battle4BraggingRights,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Cari Thomas, CEO of CGMA. “We have full confidence that our loyal advocates will rally to make this endeavor triumphant.”

Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company, has extended a generous proposal to match every gift made during #Battle4BraggingRights on #GivingTuesday, up to a sum of $1 million. This substantial matching pledge guarantees that donations to these transformative Military Aid Societies will yield double the impact for military members, veterans and their families.

“Our shared commitment to aiding our armed forces and their families underscores the significance of this gesture,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Mason, Director of AER. “Thanks to Lockheed Martin’s generous support, donors who give during #Battle4BraggingRights will have their impact and contribution and impact doubled.”

Commencing in 2012 as a Global Day of Giving, #GivingTuesday has galvanized countless individuals to rally behind their cherished causes. To make a donation, and have it doubled for your favorite Military Aid Society, be sure to visit Battle4BraggingRights.com this #GivingTuesday on November 28th, 2023.

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