A Gift Well Deserved

Hi all. I haven’t posted too many things lately. I’ve been focused more on my own personal situation and the changes in my life and just haven’t had a lot of energy to write except when a specific thing interested me. Maybe it’s good that I don’t try to make my living as a full time writer…

Today, though, I want to write about a topic near and dear to my heart. Many of you already know about the “Wings For Our Troops Foundation, In Loving Memory of CPL Chad S. Wade”. It’s the foundation started by my sister-in-law, Tami, and her husband, Tebo, in memory of her son and hero, Chad, who was killed in Afghanistan on December 1, 2010. Their dream is to make it possible for every service member deploying or returning from a war zone to get a visit home to spend time with their families. They got to visit with Chad before he left but they found out many service members can’t afford it. Tami and Tebo intend to change that.

“Wings For Our Troops” (WFOT) has finally gotten off the ground, so to speak. The foundation itself is established, the website, “www.wingsforourtroops.com” is up and running and we are already receiving donations. They’re currently working on the 501 (C)(3) tax status, which is dragging a little. There have been two fund raisers to date; one in Arkansas and the other in Asheville, North Carolina. The one in Arkansas was hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project. The one in North Carolina was hosted by Tami’s sweet, loving sister, Paige. Incredibly, Paige is already working on another one. She is tireless and helping to raise large amounts of money.

Some of you have donated as well and for that we thank you so very much. We are trying to get the word out about this worthy cause and we appreciate any and all of you who share any of our links with others. I say “we” because I am working with them to do whatever I can to get this project to succeed.

I want to mention one thing in particular that touched me yesterday. Though Tami has experienced a loss and pain that only a few of us ever experience, she has a wonderful heart and attitude that others notice and admire. In honor of her son, his Marine buddies and all those who showed her love and concern when Chad died, Tami works to “pay it forward” on a daily basis. Yesterday, the people in her neighborhood decided to give back to her and honor her son at the same time. They installed a flagpole and flag at the entrance to their subdivision. Their local Home Depot not only donated the pole and two flags but installed the pole and lighting free of charge. There will now be an American flag flying at the entrance to their neighborhood twenty-four hours a day in honor of Chad. As if this wasn’t enough – the people in the neighborhood got together and had a memorial stone made up that was placed at the base of the flag. And no one deserves this any more than Tami and Tebo. They will make a difference in the lives of our military service members. And I am very proud to be a part of it.

Again, thank you for your donations, your support and for helping to spread the word. As I have said before – regardless of your personal feelings about the wars (or war in general), the men and women who voluntarily put their lives on the line in service to our country deserve the best of whatever we can do for them to help make their lives easier. Our nation depends on these brave men and women. The least we can do is pay it forward.