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Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

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.

Warfighter Countdown – Tim Kennedy Presents “LEADERSHIP: Becoming The Sheepdog” At Warrior West

Wednesday, May 8th, 2019

We may mentioned once or twice that MMA Fighter and SF NCO Tim Kennedy will present training at next week’s Warrior West in San Diego, but thats because we anticipate this to be the best event ever presented at a Warrior Expo.

“Every time you train, train with the motivation and purpose that you will be the hardest person someone ever tries to kill.”

Tim Kennedy

UFC Middleweight Fighter | Army Ranger | Special Forces Sniper | Weapon Specialist | Actor

The premise behind the training is that there are three types of people in this world: the wolf, the sheep, and the sheepdog. The wolf is violent, the sheep is passive, and the sheepdog is there to protect one from the other.

The Details:

LEADERSHIP: Becoming the Sheep Dog, Featuring Celebrity Guest Speaker Tim Kennedy

Wednesday, May 15 @ 1130 – 1230, Classroom 5B

Featured celebrity speaker, Army Green Beret, and UFC ranked middleweight fighter, Tim Kennedy, will speak about how to overcome fear, how to get up and learn from losses, how to recognize strengths and weaknesses, and how to become the sheepdog.

Tim is well known for his support of those serving in uniform and will also hold a meet and greet, Wednesday, May 15 @ 1000 – 1100, in the Warrior Lounge.

Both events will be held at the San Diego Convention Center—Sails Pavilion and in both cases, valid Government ID is required for entry.

One Lap America Features Veteran Grudge Race: Marcus Luttrell (Navy) vs. Jarred Taylor (Air Force)

Tuesday, May 7th, 2019

Who:

JARRED TAYLOR VS. MARCUS LUTTRELL

What:

TIRE RACK ONE LAP AMERICA 2019 WILL FEATURE THE FIRST EVER VETERAN GRUDGE MATCH FEATURING

JARRED TAYLOR (AirForce) VS. MARCUS LUTTRELL (Navy)

When:

May 4th – 11th

Where:

• May 4/May 11: Tire Rack Skid Pad, South Bend, Indiana

• May 4: Grissom Air Force Base, Peru, Indiana

• May 5: Nelson Ledges, Garrettville, Ohio

• May 6: Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

• May 7: Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota

• May 8: Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, Nebraska

• May 9: Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, Illinois

• May 10: NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Why:

Air Force veteran Jarred Taylor of Black Rifle Coffee teams with professional racer driver Steve Arpin to challenge Travis Pastrana and

Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell in this year’s One Lap America

Background: Loenbro Motorsports driver Steve Arpin will take his versatile racing skills across the United States in 2019, as he and cbdMD will team up with Black Rifle Coffee Company co-founder Jarred Taylor to take on this year’s Tire Rack One Lap of America. Arpin will share Taylor’s 2017 Ford Focus RS during the week-long trek across the United States, which will kick off on Saturday, May 4th and run through May 11th.

“I’m super excited to team up with cbdMD, Jarred Taylor and Black Rifle Coffee to make my One Lap of America debut,” said Steve Arpin. “It doesn’t get much cooler than getting to drive an awesome car like the Ford Focus RS across the country! But to be able to do it with the support of such an amazing group of partners and supporters will make it a downright incredible experience. Make no mistake; we’re in it to win it.

Arpin adds, “I know my longtime rally cross competitors Travis Pastrana and Blake “Bilko” Williams will be competing against us this year. They’re both great guys and fierce competitors, but I fully expect that Jarred and I will have everything it takes under the hood and behind the wheel to take them down!”

Jarrod Taylor of Black Rifle Coffee states, “Travis and Marcus Luttrell have no clue what is about to hit them; in terms of competition of course. Sure I have zero experience behind the wheel of a race car but I have years of Xbox experience playing racing video games and that’s pretty much the same. I have even packed the glove box full of tissues for Marcus for his post race tears.”

Arpin and Taylor’s Ford Focus RS has the support of some of the automotive industry’s premier brands behind them, including many that sponsor Arpin’s Americas Rally Cross exploits. The Ford Focus RF features a custom tune from SCT Performance to maximize its horsepower, ENEOS lubricants to keep it running strong through a grueling week of driving and Toyo Tires’ Proxes R1R tires designed to destroy the competition. Arpin and Taylor will also be equipped with Harris Radio equipment as they document and live stream the races; giving fans an inside look at what it takes to conquer one of America’s most fun and challenging events for street cars.

The 35th running of the One Lap of America promises to be an exciting one. With a packed field, some very talented drivers in the world’s most advanced street cars, and a great route packed with challenging tracks, the competition will be fierce and fun. If you are local to any of the venues please feel free to come on out. If you can’t make it out in person, be sure to follow all of the action on the One Lap of America Facebook page, featuring daily live streams, team interviews, behind the scenes moments and an abundance of trash talking.

Be sure to visit www.onelapofamerica.com for competition times and public viewing information

After the conclusion of One Lap of America, don’t miss Arpin and the Loenbro Motorsports team as they run for the 2019 Americas Rallycross championship, starting with the Cooper Tires ARX of Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 8-9. Tickets for selected rounds of the championship are on sale now via www.arxrallycross.com.

Be sure to follow Steve Arpin, Jarred Taylor, Loenbro Motorsports, and cbdMD on social media:

• Facebook: Steve Arpin, Jarred Taylor, Loenbro Motorsports, cbdMD, Black Rifle Coffee

• Twitter: @stevearpin, @loenbroracing, @jtarticle15, @cbdmd_usa, @Blackriflecoffee

• Instagram: @arpin00, @jtarticle15, @loenbromotorsports, @cbdmd.usa, @blackriflecoffee @marcusluttrell

Eagles & Angels Limited Launch Custom Shop

Tuesday, April 9th, 2019

If you’ve been interested in Eagles & Angels’ custom patches, field note covers and hats, but you’ve wanted to commemorate your service or that of a loved one, rather than that of someone else, they’ve got you covered. E&A has opened a custom shop which allows you to take uniforms or remnants and repurpose them into mementos you can still wear and use out of uniform.

The process is pretty straight forward.

Check out www.eaglesandangelsltd.com and email them at info@eaglesandangelsltd.com.