Turkeys can be Love Birds Too

Today I share a love story.  It is unlike any love story that you have read in a book or seen on film.  It is better.  It includes devotion, a promise and sacrifice.  It is both happy and sad.

Samantha met Mark when she was still in high school while working part time at her local Dairy Queen.  They immediately began dating and five years later, on April 16, 2009, the couple married.

Being young, the couple did not have a lot of money.  And since Mark was a Marine, they did not have a lot of time either.  So they agreed that they would save for the perfect Honeymoon—a guided hunting trip.

Although Samantha and Mark did not grow up hunting, they both enjoyed the sport. For the young couple, it was the perfect way to relax together and enjoy nature. They loved being surrounded by the woods, taking in fresh air, the company of only each other.  They also enjoyed a fun competition. Hunting was their favorite activity.

On June 16, 2011, Mark died from injuries that he sustained 13 days prior from an IED in Afghanistan.  It was his fifth overseas deployment.

Samantha made a promise.  She would still go on that trip to honor Mark.  She would hunt in his memory.  She was determined to go on that Honeymoon.

Last week, just a few days before her third Wedding Anniversary, Samantha joined other military spouses and Hope For The Warriors® for a turkey hunting trip in Florida.  Although we have hosted countless service members on hunting trips through our outdoor adventures program, this was the first trip that focused on our spouses.  All of the women loved it.

The time hunting is only one part of the trip.  Each woman on the trip was the spouse of a fallen or wounded service member.  Each have served this country through multiple moves and multiple deployments. They continue to serve by caring for their wounded hero, enduring the emotional ups and downs that come with any medical recovery.  This trip was one way that Hope For The Warriors® nurtures our caregivers.

For Samantha, the trip helped her fulfill her promise. 

“I promised myself that no matter how long it took, I would go on my Honeymoon.  I am so thankful to Hope For The Warriors® for making this amazing trip possible.  It has given me a sense of accomplishment and a sense of closure.”

It is important to share one last detail.  Each woman on the trip was successful and brought home a turkey.  Samantha did better.

“I am the only one that got two turkeys—one for me and one for Mark.”

Happy Anniversary Samantha.  Mark would have been so proud.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

One of our military kids enjoys a fast ride around the track.

Military Children: A Legacy of Service

The Month of the Military Child highlights the younger warriors within the ranks of our nation’s bravest families. Among these, one of our own stands out.

Maggie, a freshman at The Ohio State University, was not satisfied with simply being the daughter of a Coast Guardsmen.  Maggie also volunteered countless hours at Hope For The Warriors® events.

Even more impressive was her high school Senior Project—a project dedicated to helping an entire school district better understand the needs and challenges of their students.

Maggie’s project informed local high school teachers about vicarious post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological disorder that affects those that surround the military bases, especially children of service members.  Her project included a seminar for teachers, which was taped and his now part of the required annual training for teachers throughout Onslow County.

Maggie’s dedication to go above and beyond put her in the spotlight as Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year in 2011. She was honored with the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Michelle Obama about the needs of military families.  Maggie returned to the ceremony this year as a guest of the President of Hope For The Warriors®, Robin Kelleher.

As she moves forward into a successful college career, Maggie hopes to implement a new program at The Ohio State University as well, in an effort to educate future leaders about the needs of our nation’s wounded heroes and their families.

Maggie is not only an asset to Hope For The Warriors®, but also to every community group and educational institution that she works with. We are excited to see a continuance of great things from Maggie, and could not be more proud. 

Military Children: Run and Volunteer

Running in a 5K, attending an annual Dolphin Dip, riding a motorcycle...it might seem like all fun and games, but when your Mom works for a nonprofit and your Dad is a Marine, they are a lot of work too.

Our President, Robin Kelleher, has two young kids that have grown up surrounded by the Marine Corps and Hope For The Warriors®.  They have attended races and events to raise funds and awareness for our military families. They have volunteered at events--helping their Mom and our staff with whatever jobs they can do. 



Even if their destination is fun, not all of the work surrounding the event is fun.  They have sat on the sidelines, watching their Mom interact with military families, trying to wait patiently.  They understand first hand the price of service and sacrifice.  They have witnessed the impact on the families their Mom works with, they have heard the conversations at the dinner table.  They will grow up with a very healthy respect for our men and women in uniform, like most military children.

If you have a great military child that has supported Hope For The Warriors®, please let us know!  Send photos and information to Anne Woods.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Daddy comes home!

Military Children: Young Team Members

Meet Kelly and Brooke, both 11, and Devin, 5 years old.  Their father is in the Marine Corps and they have spent their entire lives following their Dad's career.  Their Mom is a director for Hope For The Warriors® and was one of the original volunteers when the organization started in 2006.

The kids had a great opportunity this year.  They attended the Disney Marathon and Half Marathon in January with their parents and members of Team Hope For The Warriors®.  They were excited to meet real life heroes--Manny and John, two wounded service members who competed in the marathon and half marathon.

The kids decided they wanted to do more.  The family lives in the Tampa area, home to the popular Gasparilla races.  Their Dad heads up Tampa Team Hope For The Warriors® and the Team participated in the half marathon that weekend. The two girls motivated a group of their classmates to run the Gasparilla 5K race in honor of Manny and John. They had fun and honored our heroes!

Dad returns from deployment and meets his son.

If you have a great military child that has supported Hope For The Warriors®, please let us know!  Send photos and information to Anne Woods.

Month of the Military Child

"Where are you from?"

It is a common question we ask new acquiantences and one that typically is easy to answer.  But sometimes, the answer is not so easy. 

"Everywhere and nowhere."

And when you hear that answer, the usual response is:

"Oh, was your Dad in the military?"

Yes, the military child lives an interesting life.  They have interesting stories to share, a long list of schools and states they have lived in--and sometimes different countries too. 

Military kids learn how to make friends quickly.  They know the meaning of the term "hit the ground running."  Move to a new base, make friends, find your activities and sports.  There is no time to waste.

Military kids quickly stand at attention during the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star-Spangled Banner and more.  They understand the importance of respect to the flag, to military members and to our leaders.

Military kids know how to say good-bye.  They know that their Dad or Mom might not be there for every single game or performance. Some moments will be missed. Military kids know how to carry forward.

Military kids learn at an early age the meaning of service and sacrifice. They are serving.

Help Us Celebrate the Month

Hope For The Warriors® depends on volunteers to ensure the success of our events and our organization.  Many of those volunteers are also the son or daughter of a member of our military.  If your military child has volunteered with our organization, taken part in a fundraiser, been a member of Team Hope For The Warriors® or has participated in multiple events such as Run For The Warriors®, we would like to hear from you.  E-mail Anne Woods with photos and share with us what your military child has done for our wounded heroes.  We will honor your child on this blog!