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In This Issue
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Article Links
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Greetings!
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Welcome to our first news letter.
We are going to try to be informative for a
bit. First,
we want you to know that we are a bunch of
people
that like to help our Military families. As a
group we
do not always agree on politics so we try not
to get
political otherwise nothing would get done.
We would
rather say that we are a non- political, non-
partisan
group. Within our group we have people of
all faiths.
It is probably fair to say we cover whole
spectrum
and, because of that, it is also fair to say we
are
non-denominational too. Although we have
some
leanings individually, as a group, we are not
allied
with any causes other than the one below.
There are few areas where the writer
feels
strongly.
One of them is being of service to our
Country in its
hour of need. The other is recognizing that if
not for
our men and women in the military we would
not
enjoy the life, freedoms and liberties we
have today.
Our founding fathers created a brilliant
document
that has guided us for over 200 years and
every time
that document and the liberties it promises
is
threatened , as it has been many times
throughout
our brief history, it is the men and women of
our
military that have sacrificed life and limb to
protect
them. It is a fair question, why it is that so
few bear
the sacrifice for so many?
Letting them know we appreciate that
sacrifice is the
mission of this foundation.
Above picture Sergeant Major Jesse Acosta.
Totally blind as a result of shrapnel from mortar
fire
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Being of service to others is simple but not easy.
The warrior that goes forward into harm’s way is a
person we should study, think about a bit. We should
analyze why it is that he agrees to do what he does
and why. His job is to risk his life, to take lives or
sacrifice his own. It is not up to him to pick and
choose when and where he is going to make that
ultimate sacrifice, it is his job to do so. He is young,
smart and he is a first class athlete, brave beyond
comprehension. He has a fantastic future and yet he
is willing to risk all for others. There is no greater
love than that for one’s own Country. Those that
have lost a country know there is no price too great
to recover or protect it. Nothing comes before
Country. If one would like to see what sacrifice is,
study the battle of Iwo Jima, one battle among
many. It is the same young men today that fought
those battles yesterday. He is our Warrior and
always will represent the best in all of us
So what can we do for him?
We can take care of his widow and children, I would
think. People don’t always think about the last three
major threats we have faced in recent history. War
against Hitler’s Germany, Imperial Japan and, most
recently the 40 plus years of Cold War with a nuclear
Soviet Union. These are all mortal enemies that
would have destroyed life as we know it today if not
for the strength of our Warriors. Today’s unpalatable
truth is that we are the target of people so evil they
would destroy our way of life; they would slaughter
us if they had the means. Who is out there dealing
with that threat?
So yes, we think we should take care of their widows
and children. And what about when he is not killed
but suffers unbearable wounds, dismemberments,
burnt to the bone, loss of limbs and senses. What
about when death itself would have been a more
favorable choice but came back in pieces instead?
What them? We should take care of him too, I would
think.
I also believe that what is lacking is not the
willingness to help but the vehicles to help.
Most people simply do not know what to do, nor do
they trust many claiming to be helping. It is a sad
statement but an all too real one. We felt right from
the beginning that one motivated person could make
a difference and, by that action would show others
that ordinary people, coming together can and will
make a profound difference in the lives of those
going through their darkest days. I have always
been struck by the treatment of the Warriors coming
back to his village victorious, the respect and
admiration afforded them by those they protected
from total destruction. We have put thought to
paper on that matter before (read a little)
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The evolution of this little group has been very
simple, home grown you might say. First we just
wanted to see if we could help the family of a Victim
of the World Trade Center. This also came out of
anger and disbelief when the American people gave
so much immediately after the attack and the major
charities were not disbursing the money and were
indicating that they may use some of that money for
other non -related programs. That was the catalyst
for our thought process which was this: Could we
put money in the hands of a family fast and direct. If
so, we could show others that it is possible. To our
amazement we did. To view a letter we recieved
from our first beneficiary, please click on the link
above title "Letter of Thanks."
To some it may not seem like much but we had a
woman, whose entire world had been turned upside
down by the most cowardly and vicious attacks in
our nation’s history, say to us that we had restored
her faith in humanity. Without realizing it, right there
and then, we had received our marching orders. We
have been on that path of helping others ever since.
Along the way we have made great friends such as
United Warriors Survivor Foundation.
We spent several years helping them to get started.
They are a very special group of people helping the
surviving spouses of our Special Operation Personnel.
Our elite Warriors. We are very proud of our
association with them and the privilege of being of
service to the families of these guys. Most recently,
Christmas 2006, we assisted the Snowball Express
when it landed here in L A. A fantastic weekend for
800 plus survivors of our Fallen Warriors. This was
the brainchild of Mike Kerr’s of the M Scout Kerr
Foundation. Snowball express ( see links)
The above photo is from our Annual Texas Hold-
em Poker Tournament. In addition to golf, one of the
ways we raise funds for our efforts.
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1st Annual Wounded Warriors Golf Tournament
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In 2004 when the War in Iraq was in full swing and
our conventional forces were taking big hits, we
decided to officially incorporate, applied and received
our 501 tax exempt status and began helping the
surviving spouse of our conventional forces. First we
had one spouse referred to us, then another and
another, them a wounded and another. Staying true
to our initial idea of giving as directly as possible to
those we serve, we started sending money each
month, then a few birthday cards for the kids, them
we thought we’d do something for Christmas such as
Christmas 2005 and 2006.
Before we knew it, we actually had something that
looked like a foundation and acted like one. What we
do now, funds permitting is send $200.00 per month
for period of 18 months. We review again at that
time and go from there. The goal is to continue to
increase those numbers. One of the many benefits of
doing this kind of work is that in the process we
meet some of the best people you can imagine as
well as help some our bravest families. We cry a lot,
but we also laugh a lot and have fun while doing it.
Most of the funds for our work come from events we
organize. Our next event is 1st Annual Wounded
Warriors Golf Tournament on March 29th at
Brookside Golf Course
next to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. See Links for
tournament info.
We need players, sponsors and always people
wanting to volunteers. That’s what makes all this
possible. Join the Team. We have a lot of fun while
we send them a beautiful message, one they can’t
hear enough. They are appreciated by their
Countrymen and their sacrifice will never be
forgotten.
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On behave of those we serve, Thank You
Mike Talleda
phone:
310-355-0266
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The 9/11HelpAmerica Foundation | 14147 Hawthorne Blvd. | Hawthorne | CA | 90250
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