Tough Sport Shows Caring Heart

Last month, Hope For The Warriors® attended the Fifth Annual NYC Rugby Cup – Presented by HSBC. Play Rugby USA, the largest rugby based youth development organization in the nation, hosted the event on Randall’s Island Fields.  Close to 900 middle and elementary school students competed in almost 200 games throughout the day.  In total, more than 1500 players and spectators attended the Rugby Cup.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Concert goers at the Freedom Fest on Long Island proudly
wear Hope For The Warriors® pins

4th of July

Today we celebrate the 4^th of July and in the heat of the summer, we will celebrate events across the country with fireworks, barbeques and other celebrations.  As a nonprofit that supports wounded service members and military families, we become involved in events that thank our military members for their service—just as they do for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

It is important to remember that Independence Day actually celebrates a moment in history that involved our government, not our military.  For those rusty on their American History, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to become independent from Great Britain.  The wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4.  Historians debate when the document was actually signed and many believe that it was not until early August.

So why are military members thanked, honored and remembered on a day that has nothing to do with our military?  The day is to remember a group of old men, sitting in a building debating over policy.  It does not actually memorialize a battle victory at all and the Revolutionary War did not end until 1783.

So now we have to guess why people celebrate our military on this day.  First, the 4^th of July is about patriotism and love of our country.  No other single holiday represents the love we have of our country, flag and freedoms than this day.  Our military members are a perfect example of patriotism.  Although there are many reasons why men and women join the military, we believe that each one also has a sense of duty to their country due to their patriotism. 

Photo provided courtesy of Paul Oberle

The second reason is that although July 4^th celebrates a political decision, we have to assume that our Founding Fathers made this decision based on what they believed could be accomplished on the battle field.  Shots had already been fired and the colonies were building up their military, ammunition and political allies.  Our Founding Fathers voted for independence, knowing that there were men ready to go to battle for that independence.

Today’s political leaders continue to make their decisions with this knowledge.  Each United States president is able to enter into negotiations with the strength of our military behind his words.  Sometimes this power is spoken, often times unspoken.  From these decisions, our military members are given orders that they must follow.  (Please remember that this November when you are deciding whether you have time to vote.)

So, have a great 4^th of July everyone.  Yes, we are celebrating a political moment in history.  But that bold political move was made possible by our military.

Stay safe!

Salute to Families

Often, the most memorable, life changing moments in our lives come unexpectedly.  They start will a simple idea or gesture. 

The Cortlandt Yacht Club of Montrose, NY recently hosted seven wounded service members and their families and six Gold Star Families for a boat ride along the Hudson River.  Hope For The Warriors® was proud and honored to be a part of this beautiful, family event.

Friday's Photo

A picture is worth a thousand words.



Family Reunited:  Learn more about our Family Reintegration Program

Alive Day

On June 30, 2004, Ronnie Simpson’s Humvee was hit by an RPG and his life forever changed.  June 30 is now his Alive Day—the day he miraculously lived.  It is a day that will always be significant and one that he will always remember.  This year on June 30, Ronnie will begin the Singlehanded TransPac Race, a sailing race that begins in San Francisco Bay and ends in Hanalei Bay, Kauai.  It is fitting that this race starts on his Alive Day because in many ways, sailing has saved Ronnie’s life.

Past Voyages
After his injury, recovery and retirement from the military, Ronnie was unhappy, unfocused and without direction.  His brother suggested that someday in the future, they sail around the world together.  Ronnie quickly dropped everything to pursue this new vision.

Within months, Ronnie had sold his home, moved to San Diego, and purchased a boat.  On October 1, 2008, Ronnie attempted his first substantial, solo trip.  His plan was to sail to Hawaii where his brother lived.  His first sailing adventure ended in his second near death experience.  Problems with the equipment and weather forced him to call for help just days into his journey and on October 9, he was rescued by a container ship on route to Shanghai. 

His First Trip Around the World

Ronnie arrived in Shanghai and soon after traveled to Hong Kong with one goal in mind—buy another sail boat.  Unable to find a trustworthy boat at a decent price, he settled on a mountain bike instead.  His solution was to ride his bike west until he reached the Atlantic Ocean.  In 2009, Ronnie biked more than 8,000 miles through 17 countries until he arrived in England.  From there, he caught a flight back to California, completing his around the world trip. 

Warrior’s Wish

Ronnie’s past experience did not stop his desire to sail.  In 2010, Don Gray, the Hope For The Warriors® Board of Director’s Chairman (a Vietnam veteran) stepped in.  He offered Ronnie the use of his boat, Warrior’s Wish, to compete in the Singlehanded TransPac.  Then Ronnie turned to Hope For The Warriors® and our A Warrior’s Wish® Program to pay for race fees and other necessary equipment.  We proudly granted his Wish and on July 4, 2010, Ronnie landed in Kauai, completing his goal to cross the Pacific Ocean.

Photo courtesy of LaDonna/Latitude 38

Pay It Forward
When Ronnie finally met Don, he did not know what to say except “thank you.”  Don’s reply was simple—“pay it forward.”  Ronnie was given a mission to help other service members, just as Don and Hope For The Warriors® had helped him. 

Returning to the TransPac

Today, Ronnie has his own boat and with Hope For The Warriors® as his Title Sponsor, he aims to do more than just sail.  Through his racing, he will raise awareness to the sacrifices and needs of our wounded heroes.  The TransPac is just one of the races that Ronnie will compete in this year.  It is also only one of his sailing goals.

Giving Back

There is no doubt to Ronnie that sailing saved his life and now he introduces others to the sport he loves.  In April, Ronnie held a sailing clinic for wounded service members to teach each of them how to sail.  With the help of adaptive sailing boats, conventional sailing boats and support from the San Francisco sailing community, Ronnie gave five wounded veterans the gift of sailing.  One of the participants summarized it best when he said, “This is the best day I’ve had since I got shot.”

The Odyssey Begins

This Saturday, Ronnie will once again leave the shores of San Francisco and head towards Hawaii.  To keep up with Ronnie’s progress, visit www.hopeforthewarriors.org.  We will also post on our Facebook wall:  http://www.facebook.com/HopeForTheWarriors. 

Family Focus

It started with a TV show. 

Memorial Day 2011, Wyatt Larkin, a teenager from Georgia, watched the golf channel with his father.  In honor of the day, the Golf Channel had two special guests on their programs—both combat wounded veterans who have worked with Hope For The Warriors®.  Wyatt watched the program and was immediately moved by their sacrifices.

Wyatt is an amazing golfer who began playing as soon as he learned to walk.  He is a member of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and is part of the Leadership Links program.  The Leadership Links program focuses on developing young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age.

After Memorial Day and through this program, Wyatt decided to focus his fundraising and service work on military families.  On his fundraising page, Wyatt explains why he has chosen Hope For The Warriors®:

“This charity supports the men and women of our Armed Forces, who risk their lives daily so we can enjoy our freedoms here at home. The organization provides specialized services for the minds and bodies of our returning soldiers, their families and the families of those who have fallen.”

Wyatt and his father meet one of the veterans