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Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

Task Force Dagger Assists Department of POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Repatriating American Casualties from the Battle of Saipan

Monday, July 15th, 2019

From the hand of Mark Stephens, USA (Ret):

It is my honor to be a part of something so humbling this 75th Anniversary of events that occurred in 1944 during WWII. Out of respect to the families and a much deserved notification process I am not at liberty to discuss our mission in great detail but what I can say is we are returning to Saipan to look for and excavate WWII losses from the Battle of Saipan. We will be excavating a site possibly associated with a F6F-3 Hellcat that was found by our team last year. Several Hellcats were lost during 1944 and we are hoping to excavate and correlate the site with a loss with the hopes of a recovery. Also we will be searching for a B-29 that went down with the entire crew on a mission in 1944. It will involve magnetometer, side scan sonar, and ROV investigation followed by shallow to deep CCR (rebreather) target diving.

The mission is a continued collaboration and teaming of the Department of POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), East Carolina University Marine Archeological Department (ECU) and Task Force Dagger Foundation (TFDF). The TFDF team will be made up of some of our leadership/staff and SOF members that need Mission, Purpose and Focus. These three words, implemented, are incredibly important and impactful to those the foundation serves and supports.

We have received support from many in industry and other great Americans. These types of missions need to continue. It’s great to see so many knowing we can never forget! This is a promise our country made to everyone that has or is serving in our military.

www.taskforcedagger.org

Special Operations Wounded Warriors South Florida Dinner and Auction

Saturday, June 29th, 2019

A couple of times each year, Special Operations Wounded Warriors, a 501(c)(3) Charity, holds fundraisers.

SOWW was formed in August of 2012 for the distinct purpose of providing outdoor experiences and focused therapeutic retreats to a select group of both active duty and veteran U.S. Military Special Operations Forces

Their next event is the evening of August 23, at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Boca Raton, Florida.

The speaker is Mark “Oz” Geist, a member of the Annex Security Team that fought the Battle of Benghazi, Libya, from September 11 to September 12, 2012. This battle was documented in the book and film “13 Hours.”

If you’re interested, here is a link to the invitation on Facebook.

One and a Half Tons of Love and Support Delivered for U.S. Veterans and Service Dogs

Monday, June 17th, 2019

3,210 pounds of Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food Arrives to Support Pairing of Veterans with Service Dogs in American Humane’s Pups4Patriots™ Program

STILLWATER, OKLA., June 13, 2019 – Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food has delivered one and a half tons of love and support (3,210 pounds to be exact) in the form of nutritious free pet food to support two of the nation’s most vulnerable populations: America’s vets and America’s pets.

American Humane’s Pups4Patriots™ program in Stillwater rescues qualified animals in need of forever homes and trains them as service dogs for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. While American Humane, which has supported military veterans and animals for more than 100 years, completely covers the cost of the dogs and their expensive training, which can run upwards of $30,000, the cost of food for these large, active service animals can be significant. Today’s donation will help feed the current class of service dogs being paired with veterans for six to eight months.

“By providing this welcome donation, Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food is helping both our brave veterans and animals who otherwise might never have found homes,” says American Humane veterinarian Lesa Staubus, DVM. “We and those who will be benefited by this extraordinary generosity are very grateful for their support.”

The delivery is part of a national effort by American Humane and Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food to distribute more than a million meals of premium, all-natural Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food to U.S. shelters each year. Last year, Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food also supported Oklahoma City by delivering 13,000 pounds of pet food to the Pet Food Pantry in Oklahoma City.          

“This campaign provides help where it is needed most,” said Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane, which was also recently involved in the rescue of animals in the devastating Oklahoma floods. “On behalf of all our brave veterans and the life-changing, life-saving animals who work with them, a big thank-you to our friends at Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food’s CEO Chris Mitchell said, “We are honored to play a part in helping our brave veterans and their valiant service animals and thank American Humane for advancing this vitally important work.”

Marine Captain Mark A Bodrog Publishes Play to Help End Veteran Suicides

Monday, June 10th, 2019

‘22 A Day,’A tragedy in three acts, is a revolutionary story and wake-up call for the Veteran community

Gloucester Township, N.J. – Marine Captain and Infantry Officer, Mark A. Bodrog, has recently published a play for the Veteran community in order to raise awareness for the 22 Veterans each day that take their own lives in “22 A Day, A Tragedy in Three Acts” (published by iUniverse).

“This play is specifically designed to be the wake-up call for the Veteran community and greater American public on the issue of Veteran suicide,” Bodrog shares. “Veteran suicide rates are extremely high and disproportionate. The hope of this play is to end these high suicide rates. Every loss of life is a tragedy. Our Veterans deserve better.”

22 A Day, based off of true events and experiences in Bodrog’s own life, was co-authored with another Marine he served with in Afghanistan named, Hunter Haskins. The two joined forces to create this masterpiece in order to bring awareness for the Veteran lives lost and families destroyed. “Hunter and I couldn’t stand by and continue to see the numbers rise,” Bodrog says about his co-author. “Right now, more Veterans are dying at home by suicide, than on the battlefield against the enemy. We both decided it was time to do more for our brothers and sisters,” Bodrog comments.

Bodrog and co-author Haskins are no strangers to war or the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome when Veterans return home. Bodrog was an Infantry Platoon Commander and Company Commander who served two deployments to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Haskins, a CH-53 Helicopter Pilot, served in both the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.

An excerpt from “22 A Day”:

“Congressman, if you look at any Department of Veterans Affairs study over the last ten years, you will see that suicide rates are disproportionally high among Veterans and they are increasing. The current statistic is that twenty-two Veterans a day take their lives. This is roughly one US Veteran every seventy minutes…Do you know in 2014 alone, almost 20 percent of all suicides in the United States were committed by Veterans, yet less than 1 percent of our total population serves in the military? This is a scary statistic!”

“It is an honor and privilege for Hunter and I to publish this play for the military and Veterans community. We hope that we can save lives through increased awareness of the high rates of Veteran suicides and effects of PTSD,” says Bodrog.

“22 A Day- A Tragedy in Three Acts”

By Mark A. Bodrog and Hunter Haskins

Perfect Bound Softcover | 5 x 8 in | 198 pages | ISBN 9781532071584

E-Book | 198 pages | ISBN 9781532071577

Available at iUniverse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble; Available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/callsignhades

About the Author

Captain Mark A. Bodrog received his B.A. and M.A. Rutgers University. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. He has served two combat deployments to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1 and 11.2. His personal awards include five letters of appreciation; a Certificate Of Commendation; the NJ Distinguished Service Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon; two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Navy Unit Commendation; two Afghanistan Campaign Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; the Jeremy Kane Scholarship; the Battleship NJ Scholarship New Jersey; and Rutgers Graduate Scholarship for academic excellence.

GT Distributors GLOCK Salute to Veterans Discount Program

Thursday, May 30th, 2019

During the GLOCK Salute to Veterans Discount Program GT Distributors and GLOCK are extending blue label qualifications to any honorably discharged, active or retired veteran. If you meet these requirements you’re eligible to purchase one Blue Label GLOCK pistol through GT Distributors from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. Blue label pricing provides a significant discount below regular pricing for qualified purchasers. Participation in the Salute to Veterans program is as simple as using a copy of your DD 214 and valid driver’s license as credentials.

Guns like the newly released G48 and G43X  as well as the G45 and G19X are all available through this program. GT Distributors is a leading supplier of GLOCK firearms, parts  and accessories – from magazines to sights, and even installation.

Buying your new GLOCK online from GT couldn’t be easier: use our FFL Finder to buy your GLOCK on GTDist.com and have it shipped directly to your FFL!

Click or Call today:

www.gtdist.com/glock_veterans_program

OR

800.775.5996

ADS, Inc Employees Fuel Retired, Wounded Veterans On 2-Day USO Warrior Week Bike Trek

Sunday, May 26th, 2019

THROUGH ADS MISSION GIVE BACK FOUNDATION, ADS EMPLOYEES SEND WATER, SNACKS, SUNSCREEN

Virginia Beach, Va. – As more than 50 retired and wounded veterans bicycle from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach next week, they’ll have plenty of extra support from Virginia Beach defense contractor ADS.

ADS employees at the company’s Lynnhaven Parkway headquarters spent Wednesday filling lightweight drawstring backpacks with critical supplies like water, sunscreen and energy snacks to help the retired heroes complete their 2-day mission in the hot sun.

“Through our ADS Mission Give Back Foundation, we are committed to supporting organizations that support our active duty and retired troops, and this ride is really something special,” said ADS CEO Jason Wallace. “I can tell you that every single ADS employee would like to be down here helping today if they could. They’re certainly all here in spirit.”

Organized by the USO Outdoor Adventure Team, the 2019 USO Warrior Week Cycling Expedition will see 50 active duty, retired, and wounded veterans  — some on modified bicycles pedaled solely with their hands — cycle nearly 170 miles on May 29 and 30.

On May 29, the group will ride more than 60 miles around the city of Williamsburg. The following day, they’ll trek 100 miles down to the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

The ride is part of the nationwide USO Warrior Week, which the USO started in Virginia Beach in 2015 to help wounded, ill and injured service members participate in therapeutic and recreational activities that might aid in their recovery.

“What these riders are doing is really incredible, and all of us here at ADS are super passionate to support in any way we can,” said Nikki Williams, ADS Mission Giveback Foundation Executive Director. “As an organization who proudly serves our nation’s heroes, we look forward to cheering them on as they cross the finish line—this is truly a great feat.”

Frogman Down Event

Sunday, May 26th, 2019

See www.frogmandown.org for details.

Mission for the Mighty: Help Support Veterans

Sunday, May 26th, 2019

NORTHBROOK, Ill., May. 20, 2019 – OpticsPlanet.com the leading online destination for technical and high-performance gear, announced the beginning of its ‘Mission for the Mighty’ campaign, an online cause-based effort that helps support veterans, service members and their families.

In support of this campaign, prominent industry brands have joined in on the mission to help give back through offering weeks’ worth of exclusive deals and offers that will be active on OpticsPlanet.com from now until June 30, 2019. Customers who make a purchase through the website will be able to trigger a donation toward the goal of raising $40,000. These offers are all possible due to the efforts of campaign partners including: Vortex, Trijicon, Sightmark, Steiner, FLIR, EOTech, Holosun, Crimson Trace, Sig Sauer, Bushnell, Inforce, CMC Triggers, Midwest Industries, Streamlight, Rise Armament, SureFire and Hornady.

“Exploring the outdoors through activities like hunting, fishing and hiking is therapeutic for many veterans and their families,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president for Hope For The Warriors. “We’re excited to partner with OpticsPlanet to raise funds for those types of activities through our Outdoor Adventures program. The goal of all our programs is to restore a sense of self, family and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families, and walk alongside them in their journey to get there.”

In addition to special deals, OpticsPlanet customers are able to tack on an additional, optional donation with any purchase that will directly support the mighty. Exclusive to this campaign, there will also be limited edition SWAG Kits for sale. These kits are a bundle of unique souvenirs from top industry brands, each dollar from purchases of these kits will be added to the final donation contribution.

“At OpticsPlanet, we are committed to making an impactful difference in the lives of those who serve our nation, all while connecting with notable industry brands and our loyal customer base to come together and raise funds for a great cause,” said Meghan O’Laughlin, campaign manager at OpticsPlanet, Inc. “Being able to work with a highly reputable organization like Hope For The Warriors, is truly a great honor for us.”

www.opticsplanet.com/u-spcema-m4m19-mission-mighty2019

‘Mission for the Mighty’ is an OpticsPlanet.com campaign that supports veterans, service members and their families.