Year In Pictures - Heroes are Welcomed Home

Photo courtesy of Petty Officer John Jacobs, USCG

This photo was taken at this year's Run For The Warriors® in Jacksonville, NC.  I love that this family is running together, supporting our wounded service members and military families.  This year, the kids come along for the ride.  One day, they will join in the fun and run the race themselves.

The Run For The Warriors® was created first and foremost as a means to welcome home wounded service members and honor them for their service and sacrifice. For those of you without a military background, I need to share the excitement of a typical Homecoming. 

When a battalion returns from a deployment, family and friends gather on a large, open field on the military base.  The field is filled with children, parents, husbands and wives.  Bounce houses are set up to keep the kids occupied as the frazzled parents wait.  Music plays, food is served and the cameras are ready.  It might be early morning, afternoon, evening or the middle of the night.  When the service members arrive in their buses, each family member and service member frantically searches the crowd for their loved ones. There are hundreds of people greeting each other, hugging, kissing and crying.

Now imagine the “homecoming” of a wounded service member.  They are pulled out of a battle field and transported to a series of bases until they arrive at a medical facility.  No music plays, no food is served and certainly, no one is waving with excitement.  The only cameras clicking are MRI and x-ray machines.  Fear replaces the excitement.

In 2006, a group of Marine wives held the first Run For The Warriors® at Camp Lejeune to change all of that.  The event opened with a ceremony to honor a group of wounded Marines and to give them the Homecoming they deserved.  That particular day, it was cold and rainy. However, thousands of runners and family members did not care.  They clapped, cheered, cried and celebrated their wounded heroes that morning.  

Each year, this race continues with more and more people who attend to race, participate and honor.  And true to its beginning, the race always begins with a ceremony to welcome our heroes home.

To learn more, visit our Run web page.

Year In Pictures - Rebuilding Ground Zero

When we reflect on the events of 9/11, so often we focus on the people who worked in those buildings and their families.  Within our organization, we reflect on the impact of 9/11 on our military men and women.  However, how many people think about the workers who had to clean up after this tragedy and rebuild?


The Ground Zero Independence Ride was created in 2002 as a means of healing for the many workers who were tasked with clearing debris left from 9/11.  The ride is planned and organized with the support of unions throughout the New York metropolitan area.


In keeping with the goals for this ride, funds raised are always donated to nonprofits that focus on strengthening families.  Hope For The Warriors® has been proud to be involved with this event for the last two years.


In this photo, you see the start of the Ground Zero Independence Ride.  You can also see in the background the construction equipment that is being used to rebuild the area.  This photo has more "clutter" in it than many of the other photos that I have posted and that is precisely why I love it.  Although the area around Ground Zero is busy and congested, the absence of the towers has left a hole in the city.  Many of the people you see on these motorcycles are the men responsible for rebuilding the towers.  With this ride, they also intend to mend families.

Year In Pictures - Texas Size Weekend

Photo provided courtesy of Richard Hall Photography

Every year in the beginning of October, I make the short drive to Tyler, TX for the Texas Wounded Warrior Celebrity Pro-Am Weekend.  This event, held by the nonprofit group, Texas Wounded Warrior, honors wounded service members for their service and sacrifice.  It also introduces many of these service members to the therapeutic game of golf. 


The weekend begins with the Military Flyover on Saturday afternoon and as this photo shows, it is nothing short of spectacular.  A Gala follows the air show and then on Sunday and Monday, the guys hone their skills in the game of golf.  


Each year, this events seems to get bigger and better.  I can't wait for 2012!

Year In Pictures - Hope Women--Mothers to the World

George W. Bush at the Warrior Open

This photo is not the best quality but I love the moment it captured.  This October, Hope For The Warriors® was invited to the Warrior Open, a golf tournament for wounded warriors, hosted by former President George W. Bush.  We were one of only four nonprofit organizations highlighted at this event.  It was amazing!


There were several service members competing in this event that we have worked with in the past including the young man to the right of Bush.  That is Nick Bradley and he has attended two golfing events with Hope For The Warriors®.


And why does Nick have that half-amused, half-surprised look on his face?  In this photo, you see Bush with the two warriors who are about to tee-off.  There are thousands of people watching, news camera, reporters, secret service and more.  None of this stopped Robin, Peggy and myself from yelling out to Nick, "Get closer to the president, we're taking your picture!"  Then we got the other warrior's attention.  And oh yeah, Bush's attention too.  And we actually made them stop and look our way, so that we could get a photo of our Nick, next to the president.


He was embarrassed at the time but someday, he will thank us!

Year In Pictures - Sold!

Photo courtesy of Paul Oberle

When we asked Jay to be our emcee for the 2011 Got Heart, Give Hope Gala, we knew he was the man for the job.  Anyone who has heard him speak can attest to the power of his words, voice and emotions.  What I did not know was how amazing he would be as our Gala's auctioneer.  He did more than just lead the auction--he owned that stage!  I guess this proves that if you can lead on the battlefield, you can lead anywhere else too.

I love this photo of Jay as he takes command of everyone is the room.  Jay is also the founder and executive director of Wounded Wear, a nonprofit that provides clothing and clothing modifications for wounded service members. 

Jay has also recently taped a public service announcement for Hope For The Warriors®.  Here is a small thank you clip that was also filmed that day. 

Year In Pictures - Hope Learns To Rock!

Rockstar Mayhem Tour 2011

This is just a fun picture.  In this photo are the members of the band Godsmack, staff members from our North Carolina office and service members from the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.  I borrowed this photo from the Rockstar Mayhem Blog.

Hope For The Warriors® was proud to be included in this year's Rockstar Mayhem Tour.  Their "Metal of Honor" Tour highlighted the needs and challenges of our wounded service members and today's military family.  Thanks to the producers of this tour, more than 125 service members and military family members attended concerts in 17 different cities.  All together, the tour raised more than $25,000 for Hope For The Warriors® while raising awareness to thousands of fans and concert goers.  Thank you to John and Elenie Reese for making a difference to so many military families!

To learn more, view this PSA, created for the tour and shown at every concert this summer. My favorite part is the quote recited by the lead singer of the band Disturbed, "Scars remind us of where we've been.  They do not need to dictate where we are going."

Year In Pictures - In Honor Of

A runner at the 9/11 Run For The Warriors® , held in Wallace, NC this past September.
Photo provided courtesy of Jon Althouse

In each of the races in our Run For The Warriors® series, people have the opportunity to wear these extra bibs on their backs.  As you pass other runners, or they pass you, there is a constant reminder that you are doing more than just participating in a local event.  In each race, you are honoring those that serve and running in memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.


We do not need to see and read these special bibs to honor the men and women in our military.  Especially on Christmas Day, as you celebrate with your family and friends, I hope that you remember the sacrifices made by our military families. Remember both the service members in Afghanistan and their families--spouses, children, parents and more--all who wish the entire family was together.  Remember the families of the fallen.  For many, their pain is more intense during the holidays and we pray for strength for each family member.  And of course, we pray that each service member now deployed comes home free from harm.


Merry Christmas to all!

Photo provided courtesy of Paul Oberle.