LongIslandGirl's blog

Navy SEAL LT Michael Murphy & First Responders Remembered At Charity Benefit - After Action Report

Special thanks to Rob and all the staff at Ruvo Port Jefferson for donating the venue and food for a wonderful evening honoring our local heroes and first responders. The food was delicious and the bartenders were quick! (important when so many Irish are in attendance) An enjoyable evening for a good cause!

Thank you to Newsday reporter Brittany Wait for her write up in Newsday - 5/24/2012 - find Brittany on twitter @brittanywait| @LI_Now

First responders Owen and Jimmy O’Callaghan know firsthand what search and rescue dogs were subjected to after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. They remember fastening protective shoes to the dogs' paws so they wouldn’t get burned.  The twin brothers, who worked for the 13th police precinct in Manhattan at the time and later became New York City firemen, were also longtime friends of Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL who was awarded a Medal of Honor after he was killed in 2005 in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday night the Rocky Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249 held a joint fundraiser with the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee. The event brought 100 people to Ruvo Restaurant & Bar in Port Jefferson and raised $2,100. The funds will be split between the committee and Post 6249, which is adding a statue of a German shepherd search and rescue dog to its 9/11 memorial. The memorial was unveiled at Diamond in the Pines park in Coram during last year’s 10th anniversary of 9/11. The dog statue project is estimated to cost $15,000.

“It will be a good addition to the park,” said Rich Acritelli, a member of Post 6249. “There’s not many of those around. It'll make an already very strong memorial that much stronger to remember.” Post 6249 plans to have an unveiling ceremony for the statue on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.

The O’Callaghan brothers had been best friends with Murphy since they were all lifeguards at Lake Ronkonkoma Beach as teenagers. A year after the Twin Towers were attacked, Owen O’Callaghan became a New York City firefighter in Spanish Harlem’s Engine 53 Ladder 43, also known as “El Barrio’s Bravest.” 

“When Michael was killed he was wearing a patch from our firehouse,” said Owen O’Callaghan, 33, of Mount Sinai. “He gave out patches to his unit to remind them of 9/11 and what they were there fighting for.”

Murphy’s father Daniel, mother Maureen and brother John were among the guests Wednesday. "These fundraisers not only support the families of the crew, but also will recognize what 9/11 first responders and dogs did,” said Daniel Murphy, of Wading River. “This is going to help.”  Post 6259 plans to install lights on the brick walkway at the memorial that will have engraved names and messages purchased by families who have lost loved ones during the attacks or in war. A number of benches will surround the statue.

Former New York Yankee Frank Tepedino, who signed autographs for guests Wednesday, was working for the FDNY’s Fire Patrol division at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center. “It’s not that it’s all going to be forgotten, but it’s like World War I, World War II, something new occurs and memories are lost,” said Tepedino, 64, of St. James. “This is a place people can go and say a prayer for those lost and reflect on past tragedies.”  

Maureen Murphy said her son was humble and never wanted to be the center of attention, but he would have liked this event. “It’s nice to see people come out for this,” said Murphy, of Patchogue. “Actually, this would be his thing, to go to a bar with his friends at this small setting.”

The following photos are credited to Brittany Wait of Newsday:

Michael Murphy's best friends, Owen & Jimmy O'Callaghan with Michael's younger brother John.

Michael Murphy's father Dan, brother John and mother Maureen.

Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Rocky Point VFW 6249 Commander Joe Cognitore

RP VFW Post 6249 Commander Joe Cognitore manning the door at Ruvo's

a few of the many donated raffle items up for grabs

freedom is not free

Tommy Sullivan of Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge graciously donated his musical talents to the evening's event.

Michael Murphy McIntire with his mother Sarah (and father Jesse) made the trip from Connecticut

 All photos following by Sarah & Jesse McIntire:

Maureen Murphy holding her son's namesake, 9 month old cutie Michael Murphy McIntire

John Murphy, Jimmy O'Callaghan, Michael Murphy McIntire, Sarah McIntire, and Owen O'Callaghan

Dan Murphy holding Michael Murphy McIntire

John Murphy and baby Michael

Gerald Slater (artist of Lt Michael Murphy's portrait in oil on canvas hanging in the Patchogue Post Office) with Michael & Sarah McIntire

Photo by me:

John Murphy, Maureen Murphy and some of Long Island's finest

Many thanks to just some of the donors that supported our event with items for the raffle:

Artist Gerald Slater - prints of Lt Michael Murphy's portait

Artist Fred Stone - Signed print of "Partners"

 

 

 

 

Navy SEALs & Authors Marcus Luttrell, Brandon Webb, Chris Kyle, Howard Wasdin (&Stephen Templin) for signed copies of their books

 

 

Author Nona Kilgore Bauer - signed copy of Dog Heroes  of September 11

 

 

 

 

Mr Daniel Murphy for donating a signed first edition of SEAL of Honor and a USS Michael Murphy print by artist Peter Hsu

Bandito Brothers for the Act of Valor signed posters, DVDs and Blu-Rays

Ranger Up Military tshirts

Jesse & Sarah McIntire for the IPAD3

David Peabody, DEFENSE STANDARD for copies of the USS Michael Murphy Christening Publication

The Lt Michael Murphy Scholarship Foundation - for the Michael Murphy challenge coins and Operation Red Wings patches

Petco Rocky Point and Brian's Aquarium and Pets for gift certificates and dog items

Many gift certificates from local merchants - The Cooperage Inn, Wading River Pizza, Wading River Deli, The Greek Diner in Wading River, Great Rock Golf Course, Calverton Links, and many, many more. Please shop local!

Thank you to US Congressman Tim Bishop, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh and Town of Brookhaven Veterans Services Officer, John Rago and Raymond Negron for coming down to Ruvo's in support.

Thank you to the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee members Dan Wynn, Tom Matteo, Owen Watford, Gary Veritucci and Chairman Jim White for their attendance, especially on the first day of Fleet Week in NYC~ More info on the commissioning is available at http://www.ussmichaelmurphy.org/

More info on the September 11th Memorial at Diamond in the Pines Park in Coram and the tremendous effort by Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 to accomplish this tribute available at http://vfw6249.org/ 

 And finally, thank you to my family & friends for always supporting my fundraisers! - Jo

 Please take time to honor the fallen this Memorial Day - "Decoration Day" is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

 

 

 

 

Honoring Those Who Never Gave Up ~ On the Battlefield or at Ground Zero ~Port Jefferson NY 5/23

Please Join Us in Honoring the

 Courage ~ Perseverance ~ Sacrifice
Of Those who Never Gave Up,

Whether on the Battlefield or at Ground Zero

Vowing to Leave No One Behind

Proceeds benefit the addition of a 9/11/01 Rescue Dog Bronze Statue

at the Town of Brookhaven Diamond in the Pines Park 9/11 Memorial
AND the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee

(Ceremony October 6 2012 ~ NYC Harbor )

Navy SEAL Lt Michael Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions and ultimate sacrifice during Operation Red Wings. He wore the FDNY L53 E43 patch from El Barrio's Bravest on his uniform - his best friend Owen was a member of El Barrios Bravest on 9-11-01; Owen's uncle FDNY Ladder Co 4 Lt Daniel O'Callaghan of Smithtown NY perished on 9-11-01. El Barrios Bravest has attended every event for Lt Murphy, has a tribute wall in their firehouse and mementos from L53 E43 will sail proudly aboard the USS Michael Murphy. The crest of the ship includes a Maltese Cross.

Just as our first responders tirelessly searched through the rubble at Ground Zero, so did many teams of handlers with Search & Rescue dogs. Many of these dogs wore their paws raw and died early because of respiratory problems. Words like LOYALTY and PERSEVERANCE describe not only our firefighters and rescue canines, but our military service members.

contact for more info:
Rich Acritelli ~VFW Fisher-Hewins Post 6249~631.839.2996
Jo Lombardi ~USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee~631.807.1813 jolo219@gmail.com

tickets $15 at the door ~ Buffet and location graciously donated by

Rob at Ruvo Restaurant & Bar (next to Pace's)
Happy Hour drink specials ~ Chinese Auction ~

 Entertainment by Tommy Sullivan (Of Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge)

Raffle items include USS Michael Murphy items, recent Navy SEAL author autographed bestsellers, 9/11 Rescue Dog basket, MLB player signed baseballs, gift certificates, and many more!

Ruvo - 105 Wynn Lane, Port Jefferson NY 11777

http://www.ussmichaelmurphy.org/

http://vfw6249.org/ for 9/11 memorial information

link to google doc - print the flyer https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jKfQ1FUy_TENTNg6ahm74UTDstgYvmWjtguDhw6Uiy0/edit?pli=1

USS Michael Murphy DDG112

Run Around the Lake in Memory of Navy SEAL Lt Michael P. Murphy ~6/23/12

The Rotary Club of the Ronkonkomas

       Run Around the Lake

 June 23 2012

 

In Memory of

Medal of Honor recipient

Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy

 

Please join the Murphy family for a Patriotic Day to honor our military

With Local veterans’ support organizations, Color Guard/Drill team, the US Navy, USS Michael Murphy DDG112 crew members, FDNY & more!!!

 Michael Murphy of Patchogue NY lifeguarded at the Town of Brookhaven beach located on Lake Ronkonkoma during his summers home from Penn State~The beach was renamed in his honor May 7 2006. May 7 2008 a ceremony took place dedicating the memorial Serenity Plaza in memory of Lt Michael Murphy and the heroes killed on June 28 2005 Operation Red Wings. The Secretary of the Navy also announced the naming of the USS Michael Murphy - The DDG112 will be commissioned on 10/6/2012 in NYC Harbor.

 

4 Mile Run Around Lake Ronkonkoma~ 1 Mile Fun Run

All Pre-Registered Entries to receive Race Shirt 

Race Day Check In starts 7am ~Islip Town Beach

Rosevale Ave Lake Ronkonkoma ~L.I.E. Exit 59 North, 1/2 mile 

Fun Run start 8:30 am

4 Mile Run Around the Lake Starts 9am

Awards Ceremony and Raffle immediately after

All Events Rain or Shine

Pasta dinner & race packet pick up 6/22 at Windows on the Lake 5-8pm

For more details and to register online: www.runaroundthelake.com

 

Charities supported:

Navy SEAL LT. Michael P. Murphy Foundation         9-1-1 Veterans      

Suffolk County United Veterans Project Inc                 Rotary Foundation                              

Charlotte's Table Food Pantry                    Meals on Wheels

Sachem Teen Center                          Clubhouse of Suffolk

 The Ronkonkoma RC Charitable Fund is a 501(c)(3) Organization and proceeds donated to this event are tax deductible.

 

Upcoming Long Island/NYC Military & Veterans Related Events

May 20th~Farmingville NY ~Brookhaven Town Hall~4th Annual PFC Joseph Dwyer Hero Rally & Motorcycle Run. Live Music by Street Survivors - BBQ by Applebbees ~Registration begins at 9:00am, Ceremony at 11:00am~Motorcycle Run begins at 11:30am, Rally begins at 1pm. In memory of Iraq War Veteran Joe Dwyer of Mount Sinai NY who lost his battle with PTSD.  $25 per rider, $10 per passenger or walk in. Event info here and here.

May 20th~South Huntington NY~St Anthony's High School~The 1st Lt James Byler Charity Run~USMC 1st Lt James Byler lost both legs to an IED in Afghanistan~this event is to support his modified home being built by Building Homes For Heroes~Race begins at 3:30pm, runners should arrive by 2:15pm Event website http://www.sot5k.org/  275 Wolf Hill Rd, South Huntington NY 11747

**May 23rd~Port Jefferson NY~Ruvo's 105 Wynn Ln, Port Jefferson NY ~ 5:30-8:30pm~ $15pp includes Italian cuisine. Please Join Us in Honoring the Courage ~ Perseverance ~ Sacrifice Of Those who Never Gave Up, Whether on the Battlefield or at Ground Zero ~Vowing to Leave No One Behind ~Proceeds benefit the addition of a 9/11/01 Rescue Dog Bronze Statue at the Town of Brookhaven Diamond in the Pines Park 9/11 Memorial AND the USS Michael Murphy Commissioning Committee (Ceremony October 6 2012 ~ NYC Harbor ) I am cohosting - email me for more info jolo219@gmail.com

May 23rd-30th ~Manhattan & surrounding areas~United States Navy Fleet Week ~Event listings http://www.fleetweeknewyork.com/  Bicentennial of the War of 1812

May 25th ~ Washington DC ~ Rolling Thunder ~ Please watch out for motorcycle riders and give them plenty of room ~ they can stop a lot faster than a car or truck!

 May 25th~Midtown Manhattan~ O'Lunney's Time Square Pub~Book signing by Navy SEAL author Brandon Webb ~The Red Circle: My Life In the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps And How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen (Foreward by Marcus Luttrell) 3-7pm ~ Bring copies of the book to be signed

May 25-26th~Manhattan~Intrepid Museum~ Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street ~Parise Racing is a dynamic two car Pro Modified Drag Racing team. Andrew and Dina Parise will be at the Intrepid with USMC Gunny Arias~many other events planned at the Museum for Fleet Week!

May 26th ~ JFK Airport ~Welcome Home Cpl Scott Fuchsius, USMC from his 2nd deployment. The Cpl will be flying into JFK Airport (Delta Terminal), anyone wishing to join the US Veterans MC in this escort please be at the Burger King outside of JFK Airport, located at 15405 Rockaway Blvd on the corner of the Conduit north and be ready to roll by 0715 hours. His parents will be with us. The Cpl will then be escorted to his Sayville Home; there will be another staging for riders to join us in front of Oakdale Harley, please by ready to roll by 0900. Frankie B Bania, President, US Veterans MC – LI Chapter "The Boots on the Ground"

 

May 26th~East Northport NY ~Pulaski Road Elementary School~5th Annual "I Did the Grid" In Memory of U.S. Marine CPL Christopher G. Scherer from East Northport NY~Killed in action July 21, 2007 Al Anbar Iraq. View the website: http://www.cplchris.com  In order to keep Chris’ memory alive, his family started the Cpl Christopher G. Scherer Semper Fi Fund (SSF) which will sponsor the Cpl Christopher G. Scherer “Scholarship” and the Cpl Christopher G. Scherer, “Leave No Marine Behind Project”.  www.usvmcli.org

May 26th-27th ~ Orient Point NY to Ground Zero ~Memorial Day 100 ~In 2010, three Marines from 3/25 who served in Iraq together, started the Memorial 100 run to honor the 48 brothers lost during their deployment in 2005. Rather than following through with the original plan for one person to run 100 miles, the founders turned the event into a relay. Service members from every branch, veterans and their families will run 5-10 mile legs in teams of two carrying a U.S. flag and a Hope For The Warriors® flag. This event was organized to “interrupt” Memorial Day Weekend holiday plans and remind everyone of the day’s purpose – to honor and remember the wounded and the fallen. Visit www.memorial100.kintera.org/2012 for more information or contact Ella at elcaney@hopeforthewarriors.org

May 22nd-27th~Farmingdale NY~ Republic Airport~Navy Blue Angels will be parked at Republic ~ practice runs during the week~take off & landing for the Air Show at Jones Beach

May 26th-27th~Farmingdale NY~American Airpower Museum~Hosting the "Legends of Airpower" weekend ~ watch aircraft for Jones Beach Air Show taking off & landing with announcements ~ tour the museum~ special guests ~see the aircraft up close.

May 26th & 27th~Wantagh NY~ Jones Beach~10am-3pm ~Air Show with Navy Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds & More! See the website

May 28th~Memorial Day~Ceremonies at National Cemeteries across the country. Please fly your flag! Calverton National Cemetery~1pm ceremony

May 28th~Memorial Day~ Worldwide! Memorial Day MURPH~ Participate in a Memorial Day workout to remember our fallen military members! The Body Armor workout was a favorite of Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Michael P. Murphy of Patchogue NY, and was renamed the “MURPH” It can be done within a week of Memorial Day and can be broken up to accommodate any fitness level, or set up into teams. Registration, tshirt purchase & info here Charities benefiting: Lt Michael P. Murphy Scholarship Foundation, Navy SEAL Foundation, Lone Survivor Foundation and That Others May Live Foundation.

May 28th ~ Huntington NY~Town if Huntington Wreath Ceremony-9:30am start~NEW Plaque will be unveiled in Veterans Plaza dedicated to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition after the main ceremonies, there will be a special wreath ceremony at the Vietnam Monument on the Village Green in remembrance of all those Huntington residents who gave their lives in the Vietnam War as well as the Women in Support of Our Men in Vietnam, who dedicated the monument in 1972- 50 Years this June.

May 28th ~ Famingville NY ~Bald Hill Vietnam Memorial~ Reading of the names ~ 6pm ~ All welcome

June 2nd~Ronkonkoma NY~Long Island MacArthur Airport~9am-12pm~LIMA 5K Run for Veterans~Run on an active runway with military service members! Early packet pick up will be available on Friday 6/1 from 4PM to 8PM. Pasta Dinner at the Holiday Inn adjacent to the airport from 5PM to 8PM. Register and info here Part of the Sayville Summer Race Series. Benefiting Long Island veterans through 9-1-1 Veterans.

June 20-24th~ Calverton NY ~ DIGNITY MEMORIAL® VIETNAM WALL will be at Calverton National Cemetery ~The Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall is a traveling, three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The faux-granite replica stands 240 feet long and eight feet high and is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam. Free and open to the public 24 hours a day, the Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall is dedicated to the veterans of the Vietnam War and honors all U.S. servicemen and women. 

**June 23rd~Ronkonkoma NY~Town of Islip Beach~Rosevale Ave~ Run Around the Lake in Memory of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy~ Please join the Murphy family, United States Navy, crew from the USS Michael Murphy, FDNY firefighters and may others for a patriotic day celebrating our military past & present. 4 mile run around Lake Ronkonkoma where Michael was a lifeguard during his summers off from Penn State. Awards ceremony and raffle following the race. Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt. 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is $10  Family friendly. Proceeds benefit the LT Michael Murphy Foundation, 9-1-1 Veterans, Suffolk County United Veterans and more. If you are interested in donating raffle items, refreshments or would like to be a sponsor please contact Dr Scotti (Race Director) Louispscotti@Yahoo.com 631.979.0060 - Email me for more details and publicity inquiries. http://www.runaroundthelake.com/ Link to download the mail-in registration form and sponsorship information is available on the website.

June 28th~Lower Manhattan~Building Homes For Heroes 2nd Annual Casino/Cigar Night~Battery Gardens Restaurant-Inside Battery Park (Across from 17 State Street) 4-8pm ~ Building Homes for Heroes is a non-profit, public charity whose purpose is to build or renovate homes for severely wounded veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Event info here

Freedom Is Not Free! to submit an upcoming event - email me jolo219@gmail.com

 

VFW Post 6249 ~9/11 Working Dog Statue Fundraiser~Applebees Miller Place NY SAT 3/31 8-10am

Miller Place Applebees ~355 Rt 25A Miller Place NY

Saturday March 31 2012 from 8-10am

 

Breakfast Fundraiser $10/person ~ proceeds go to the 9/11 Working Dog Statue to be added to the 9/11 Memorial that was unveiled at Diamond in the Pines Park in Coram September of 2011. Joe Cognitore, Commander of the Rocky Point VFW, and Rich Acritelli, organized the memorial with the help of multiple organizations, officials and community members. The memorial has two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center along with three boulders, multiple plaques, a statue of an Eagle and a brickway walkway. The memorial is designed to honor victims of the attacks, first responders and rescue workers and "War on Terror" veterans from the Town of Brookhaven. See the video and read about it here.

"They worked tirelessly at the World Trade Center site searching for survivors and human remains after the attacks of September 11, 2001, and now the Town of Brookhaven and the Rocky Pomt VFW Post 6249  will honor canines at their 9/11 memorial in Coram.

“They could find any human remains that possibly were alive or passed and they would help find those individuals quicker than we could,” said post commander Joe Cognitori.

A statue of a German Shepherd will be erected at the memorial site, says Cognitori, in tribute of man’s best friend. “I get the chills every time I think of the patriotism that went on those couple of days, those weeks and months and now,” Cognitori told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.

He said the dogs worked without saying no and their paws got worn and raw, adding that there is a reason why they’re called man’s best friend. “This was an opportunity to make sure that they get recognized,” he said."

 

 

Donations can be made to:
Brookhaven 9/11 Memorial-Working Dog Statue
VFW Post 6249
PO Box 1106
Rocky Point, NY  11778

(From l to r) Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Assemblyman Dan Losquadro, Congressman Tim Bishop, Legislator Sarah Anker, VFW Commander Joe Cognitore, 9/11 Memorial Committee Co-Chair Richard Acritelli, Supervisor Mark Lesko and Legislator Kate Browning



More info available at http://www.vfw6249.org/events.html



Co-Committee Chair, Richard V. Acritelli, NYANG and Army Reservist Veteran and Social Studies Teacher

Committee Member, Sam Cila, Iraqi Combat Veteran, Wounded Warrior and Multisport Soldier

Co-Committee Chair, Joseph A. Cognitore, Commander of the Rocky Point Veterans of Foreign Wars

 

 

Wounded Wear charity event ~ Dominion Derby Girls vs. Cape Fear Rollergirls 2/25/2012

Get  pumped about the Dominion Derby Girls vs. Cape Fear Rollergirls season opener bout on February 25th. Wounded Wear is the benefiting charity. Mark your calendars!

 

Wounded Wear was created by a severely wounded Navy SEAL to provide clothing to America’s wounded warriors, to promote awareness throughout the country of the sacrifices that wounded service members and their families have made in the name of Freedom; and to foster a sense of pride, camaraderie, determination, and strength of purpose, amongst them. Visit them at http://www.woundedwear.org Wounded Wear is also a beneficiary for the Boot Campaign!

7th Annual James McNaughton Tribute~Jan 21 2012 Wantagh NY

Saturday January 21st, 2012

Live Music, Raffles, Giveaways,

Drink Specials, Free Food & Much More!

Mulcahy’s Pub & Music Hall

3232 Railroad Avenue

Wantagh, NY 11793

1:00pm - 8:00pm

$20 DONATION

 

www.jimmymcnaughton.com

 

Hand Forged Memorial Nano-Steel Combat Knife~Charity Auction~Benefit Families of Fallen Navy SEALs KIA 8/6/2011

DS&S Tactical is offering this special knife, in remembrance of the Navy SEALs lost at the Tangi River Valley on 8/6/11 in "Extortion 17." This knife is being auctioned (thru ebay 's charity program, mission fish) to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation. The knife is a full scale, Special Operations Edition Bullshark Advanced Combat Knife, made from M390 cryogenically treated super-steel infused with nano-particles to create the ultimate super-strength blade. 11 inches in length, it is .190 thick and is paired with a special DRED system self-draining handle and custom fitted concealex sheath with tek-lok clip. This is the finest combat knife DS&S can produce. The book describing the creation process and the unique presentation box are included. All the proceeds from this knife will go to the Foundation.

This knife will stand alone. There will never be another one like it. DS&S has used their finest materials and hand-craftsmanship with additional work by Waterjet Cutting Inc. and KaMo Engravers of Albuquerque to build a blade worthy of the greatest warriors in the world....

Rather than list the names of the Naval Special Warfare Special Operators and NSW Support Personnel, I will ask you to look at their photos. Remember they were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, grandsons, nephews, friends. They wanted the same out of life that everyone wants; to make the world a better place for their children. Lucky for America, they chose to utilize their considerable talent, skills and fortitude for the benefit of the greater good. America was blessed to count them as the most elite of her warriors, we owe it to these men to not just remember their names, but to honor their legacy by investing in their childrens' future. For certainly their children have sacrificed enough. -Jo

This is the first in a series of unique memorial knives being offered for charity in memory of those killed on 8/6/11. There will be a charity auction in honor of the Army aviators, for the AFSOC forces and for Bart the dog, to benefit military dogs. Each knife is a labor of love.  

Detailed business information, videos and photos of the creation process can be found at http://ds-tactical.org/  The website is worth a visit even if you can not afford to bid on this knife, the knives they create and sell are simply exquisite. This is a small,family owned business. Dave is an Air Force veteran. (Great story about Dave here ) He served with the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, the 501st Tactical Missile Wing (operating GLCM Tactical Nuclear Weapons), the 833rd Air Division (F-4s, AT-38 and F-15s) and the 49th Fighter Wing (F-117 Stealth Fighters). His last official action was deployment with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Joint Task Force in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Just a few of the photos of the Memorial Combat Knife:

 "The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:

   Their courage nerves a thousand living men."  ~ Minot J. Savage

Donate to help OUR wounded service members re-gain their Independence~Project Valour-IT

Mil-bloggers around the web are taking part in a friendly "competition" to raise the most funds for Project Valour-IT - thi s year i am participating as Team Navy - Please support our severely wounded military service members! Freedom is Not Free~

On this day commemorating America’s independence, Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT is fighting to help wounded warriors regain some independence of their own. Three days into its online fundraising competition, the project has raised over 10% of its goal of $100,000 to supply severely-wounded troops with voice-controlled laptops and other technology that aids their recovery, reintegration and independence.

 

“Using a voice-controlled laptop was first time I felt whole since I’d woken up after being wounded,” said Chuck Ziegenfuss, co-founder of Valour-IT and a Wounded Warrior himself. “It allowed me to do one thing that I had been able to do before I was wounded—use a computer. It allowed me to connect to my soldiers, friends, and family. That one thing began a long road to recovery. It gave me hope… hope that I could learn to do other things like I did before.”

 

To help enable Valour-IT to provide that hope to other wounded warriors and to thank the donors who make it possible, Soldiers’ Angels is offering special email gift certificates to all who donate at least $100 online, throughout the fundraiser.

$100+ donation: Certificate for a Soldiers’ Angels bracelet
$500+ donation: Certificate for limited-edition Valour-IT t-shirt
$1000+ donation: Certificate for a Valour-IT military challenge coin
$25,000+ donation: Dinner with Chuck Ziegenfuss in your hometown

For more information about the fundraising competition, email campaign(at)soldiersangels(dot)org or visit http://www.soldiersangels.org to donate. All funds raised go directly to wounded troops with no overhead costs removed, and requests for support are vetted through case managers.

About Soldiers’ Angels
Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to members of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see http://www.soldiersangels.org. Tax ID# 20-0583415 CFC #25131

Project Valour-IT ~Help Our wounded reconnect with the world ~TEAM NAVY

Social Media Powers Laptops and More for Wounded Troops

Soldiers' Angels Project Valour-IT Conducts Online Fundraising Competition

PASADENA, Calif., June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the number of American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines suffering battlefield wounds continues to grow, today's economic challenges continue to squeeze military support nonprofits. Soldiers' Angels Project Valour-IT -- which has supplied over 6,000 severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines with adaptive laptops and other devices to aid their recovery and reintegration -- is addressing that squeeze with a fundraising technique it pioneered: online competition.

Held July 1-14, the Valour-IT fundraising competition will draw on blogging, Facebook, Twitter and other social media to raise money and awareness for the needs of wounded troops. Divided among four "virtual teams" named in honor of U.S. military service branches, participants will also use flyers, word-of-mouth and traditional media outlets to spread the word. The goal is to raise at least $100,000, which will meet increased demand for Valour-IT services through October 2011.

"Project Valour-IT changes lives," says Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader. "Wounded heroes report that being able to use a laptop helps them feel whole again. Physical therapists are actually designing therapy sessions around Wii Sports! And something as normal as a handheld GPS reduces stress and helps a hero cope. It's just amazing what this project does!"

Uses For Project Valour-IT Laptops:

1. Helps them connect with still-deployed fellow service members (relieves anxiety about how the rest of the guys are doing)
2. Helps them stay in touch with loved ones who can't come to the bedside
3. The laptops run therapeutic computer programs to help rehab brain/vision function, etc.
4. They help research treatments, keep track of treatment regimen, etc.
5. To retrain for post-military employment if getting out
6. Voice control helps them do one of the first things they can do on their own

GPS uses:

1. For those with very severe PTSD or TBI (memory problems, high anxiety, etc)

2. Increases independence and feeling of competence (short-term memory problems make it hard to learn layout of new locations)

 

Wii uses:

1. Physical therapists in VA hospitals and major medical centers are using with their patients

2. Motivation-Wii Sports games key into natural competitive nature

3. Tracks progress in a fun way

4. Builds camaraderie with fellow patients working together/competing while rehabbing

Each of the devices Valour-IT supplies helps restore confidence and independence for a wounded hero. Voice-activated laptops reconnect the wounded with the world and develop self-confidence by showing soldiers they can continue to be engaged and productive despite their injuries. Servicemembers also use the laptops to research their medical care or prepare for a post-military career. Physical therapists report Wii Sports is extremely motivational and beneficial when used in physical therapy settings, and wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move on to more independent living.

Project Valour-IT began when Captain Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss was wounded by an IED while serving as commander of a tank company in Iraq in June 2005.

During his deployment he kept a blog (an online personal diary, opinion forum, or news analysis site-called a milblog or military weblog when written by a servicemember or about military subjects). Captivating writing, insightful stories of his experiences, and his self-deprecating humor won him many loyal readers. After he was wounded, his wife continued his blog, keeping his readers informed of his condition.

As he began to recover, CPT Ziegenfuss wanted to return to writing his blog, but serious hand injuries hampered his typing. When a loyal and generous reader gave him a copy of the Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred software, other readers began to realize how important such software could be to CPT Ziegenfuss' fellow wounded soldiers and started cast about for a way to get it to them.

A fellow blogger (blog author) who writes under the pseudonym FbL contacted Captain Ziegenfuss and the two realized they shared a vision of providing laptops with voice-controlled software to wounded soldiers whose injuries prevented them from operating a standard computer. FbL contacted Soldiers Angels, who offered to help develop the project, and Project Valour-IT was born.

In sharing their thoughts, CPT Ziegenfuss (now a Major) and FbL found that memories of their respective fathers were a motivating factor in their work with the project. Both continue their association with this project in memory of the great men in their lives whose fine examples taught them lasting lessons of courage and generosity.

In the years since its founding in 2005, the project has acted to meet emerging needs and its mission of supporting the severely wounded has expanded.  In addition to voice-controlled laptops, Valour-IT now helps provide active and whole-body video games such as Wii Sports, which is used to great effect in physical therapy,  and personal GPS systems that help compensate for short-term memory loss and organizational/spatial challenges common in those with brain injuries.

 

 



For more information about the fundraising competition, email campaign@soldiersangels.org or visit www.soldiersangels.org to donate. All funds raised go directly to wounded troops with no overhead costs removed, and requests for support are vetted through case managers.

About Soldiers' Angels
Established in 2003, Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-based, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to members of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org. Tax ID# 20-0583415 CFC #25131