American Pride
Bobby Thalhimer
Apr 18, 2009
Capt. Richard Phillips made me well up with pride as I watched his homecoming speech. “I’m not the hero,“ he said. “The military is the hero. Thank them.“ Wow.
Indeed there are many heroes in the return of the captain and crew of the Maersk Alabama from the grasp of the pirates. A success like that doesn’t happen unless many people play their roles well from the President to the military, so many people behind the scenes, the ship’s owners, the crew and their captain.
I want to focus today, as Capt. Phillips urged, on the military. Capt. Phillips is right. Our military personnel are heroes every day, even when their efforts are pushed from the front pages of the newspaper.
The wounded, particularly, are heroes, and their families bear a huge burden when their lives have to adjust to their bread winner’s treatment, recovery and subsequent disability. The military does a lot for these people, but they cannot do enough.
We have a group of heroes here in the Richmond area doing something about this problem. They call themselves Families of the Wounded (http://www.familiesofthewoundedfund.org), and they are a 501(c)(3) public charity, and they operate from Midlothian.
The board consists of veterans who care for their own. Nothing seems beyond their capability. Every dollar they raise goes to the families of the wounded. A wounded soldier shows up at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, and the group’s president, R. Calvert “Cal” Esleeck, Jr. hands the family a check for $6,000. No strings attached and no questions asked. As many of these people are in financial straits, receiving a check like this can be a religious experience.
I have known about this group since their formation at the height of the Iraq War, and I had a chance to re-connect at a recent breakfast with Cal, Paul Galanti and our host, Bruce Heilman. Talk about being in the presence of a hero, I hope you have the chance to have breakfast sometime with Bruce Heilman in the Heilman Dining Center at the University of Richmond. This first class facility rivals any of its kind, and it is a fitting tribute to a man who as University President left a legacy of greatness. Ever a Marine, Bruce, who is in his 80’s, was well into his breakfast and preparing for his day when I arrived at 7:15.
Paul told me a story about a soldier’s wife who literally prayed for a solution to her dilemma. Cal showed up with a check the next day, and her relief is still palpable years later. She told Cal he was her angel.
I checked out the facts on zero operating expenses by reviewing the organization’s IRS Form 990. In 2007, expenses were $176,700, and not a dime went to operating expenses. Cal, who knows a thing or two about accounting, prepares the tax forms by hand for free. Village Bank handles administrative costs like printing. The volunteers pay for everything themselves.
So, the next time you are looking for a way to do what Capt. Phillips suggests and say thank you to the military, here is a great way to do it. Make a gift to Families of the Wounded. The angel who arrives with a $6,000 check will deliver your thanks in a way that truly makes a difference.
Hello, I would like to give my support to the Families of the Wounded organization. How do I go about with this?
Penny Stock Newsletter
Nov. 18, 2009 at 06:13 PM
I think the people at Families of the Wounded are doing a great and admirable job. Kudos to them.
NJ Florist
Nov. 18, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I actually still need advice, myself! I’m not qualified to answer that one, except to say - just film it! just keep doing it so that you develop the skills.
Car Accident Claim
Nov. 17, 2009 at 02:20 AM
great share wonderful
hard money lenders | make money online | free sports picks | Oklahoma Mesothelioma Attorneys | Mesothelioma Attorneys California | Beaumont Mesothelioma Attorneys | Orange Mesothelioma Lawyers | Mesothelioma Lawyers San Diego | Sell Gold Jewelry | [url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-levitra-vardenafil-hcl-20-mg-p-115.html
“]
generic levitra [/url] | [url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-levitra-vardenafil-hcl-20-mg-p-115.html
“] buy levitra
[/url]
|
[url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-levitra-vardenafil-hcl-20-mg-p-115.html
“] levitra [/url] | generic propecia | buy propecia | propecia | [url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-cialis-tadalafil-p-1.html
“] generic cialis [/url]
| [url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-cialis-tadalafil-p-1.html
“] buy cialis [/url] | [url=“http://www.genericsmed.com/buy-cheap-generic-cialis-tadalafil-p-1.html
“] cialis [/url]
Nov. 15, 2009 at 03:23 AM
this is exactly what i was looking for and will help me in the future thanks cash gifting
Nov. 15, 2009 at 03:23 AM
Thoughts, like fleas, jump from man to man, but they don`t bite everybody.
mp3
Nov. 13, 2009 at 05:56 AM
When choosing between two evils I always like to take the one I`ve never tried before.
Nov. 13, 2009 at 05:54 AM
I have just moved here, and I am new to the area, I am going through a separation, and just got a used truck, I am 36 and have had no accidents in the past 7 years. I tried progressive, The General, and some others…but the cheapest I found was around $79.00 at The General, and I am looking for something a bit cheaper, I was paying around $42.00 back in Rhode Island?
Road Accident Claim
Nov. 13, 2009 at 02:21 AM
A woman will flirt with anybody in the world as long as other people are looking on. http://uprifunnmvc.com
Nov. 12, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Thanks for the article Bobby, good to know organisations like Families of the Wounded are doing such great work. Give me a shout if you need a Freelance web designer
Nov. 11, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Great post Bobby, big respect to all the military personnel for their bravery throughtout. In the meantime, here’s vibrators for their ladies!
Nov. 11, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Find a Property for sale or rent through leading Singapore real estate Property agents Online Portal. We Have Cheapest Buying Prices, Commercial Classified Listing Properties.
Nov. 10, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Find a Property for sale or rent through leading Singapore real estate Property agents Online Portal. We Have Cheapest Buying Prices, Commercial Classified Listing Properties.
Nov. 10, 2009 at 01:59 PM
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Apartments</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Commercial Office Space</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Condo</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Condominiums</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Industrial Factory</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Landed House</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Property</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Residential HDB</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Shops</a>
<a rel=“dofollow”>Singapore Warehouses</a>
Nov. 10, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Thanks for reminding us of this upstanding citizens who do what they can to keep us safe. It’s sad to say that they are under appreciated at times.
Photographic Lighting
Nov. 9, 2009 at 04:13 PM
I agree that our government doesn’t take very good care of our veterans. They could at least give them the best refrigerators.
Nov. 5, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Families of the Wounded is a great organization and they need all the support they can get so let’s give it to them.
Free Cards
Nov. 4, 2009 at 11:09 AM
PX90 What a wonderful organization. It’s so uplifting to know that the military is taking care of its own, and that organizations are out there like Families of the Wounded!
Nov. 3, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Good thing I found this article.. Veterans day is past approaching..
London Handyman
Oct. 30, 2009 at 05:29 PM
The people in Families of the Wounded are really admirable. Is there any way we cans how our support to this organization?
Iberostar Paraiso Lindo
Oct. 28, 2009 at 11:20 AM
That is really true. Thanks for sharing.
Scottish Gourmet
Oct. 27, 2009 at 02:36 PM
November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Let’s all give honor to the military personnel on that day. ink cartridges
Oct. 26, 2009 at 05:50 PM
All the military personnel are considered heroes for the services they render. Yes, and don’t forget that this November 11 is Veterans day. Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans.
Baby-Furniture-Cribs
Oct. 23, 2009 at 03:13 PM
That’s true. We should honor the military personnel for their bravery and for keeping our home safe.
Chicago Mold Inspection
Oct. 23, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Kudos to the military personnel and we appreciate you for your courage and dedication to keep our country safe.
Massage
Oct. 21, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Very nice article and informative too.. Thanks for sharing.
Work From Home
Oct. 21, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Great idea - so many times we can think that we can only try one of these tips at a time to get the results we desire. How much further from the truth could that be? When they are all used in conjunction we can multiply our return.
video tips
Oct. 21, 2009 at 03:09 AM
Reminding everyone that Nov. 11 is a day to give honor to the veterans.
RevAbs
Oct. 20, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I agree. The military personnel are heroes and they should be honored fore their heroic deeds.
hemorrhoid treatment
Oct. 20, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Thanks for this. The military is working hard to make sure that we stay safe and the least we could do is to give the credit for risking their lives to protect us.
Paper Lanterns
Oct. 20, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Military men are really doing their best to serve the country. Thanks to them. Thanks for reminding us about that Bobby.
New Jersey Flower
Oct. 19, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Just stumbled across your blog. Families of the wounded sounds like a great program. We owe so much to the men and woman who put their life on the line for our freedom and this country. I take my hate off to them. It takes a person with tremendous courage to enter the military. Your blog has some exceptional information!
Bill Gassett ~ Southboro MA Real Estate
Oct. 14, 2009 at 06:15 PM
“I’m not the hero,“ he said. “The military is the hero. Thank them.“... Inspiring words. It’s rare to see humility in people these days. Katy Insurance
Oct. 14, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Resources like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
Oct. 12, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Medical professionals Are you Looking for jobs ?
there are oppurtunities in australia you could search for medical jobs australia
and you will get million of results and jobs awaiting for you check this link out. http://fastmed.org
Oct. 10, 2009 at 05:13 AM
I’m very glad that this story with pirates has a happy end. And I’m really proud of people who managed to fight them. But I worry about the situation in general. It was time when the countries united and combated them (there is even a film about it. I remember I downloaded it at the rapidshare http://rapid4me.com ) and this phenomenon disappeared for more than a century. But again this problem emerged and nobody take efforts to combat them again. It seems to me it is very strange.
Oct. 5, 2009 at 03:48 AM
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing this great article! That is very interesting smile I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this! You are bookmarked!
Oct. 1, 2009 at 08:56 PM
I give thanks you for the kind words equally well.
As you recognize, I feel the comparable about TSD since I refer to it indeed often. Maybe it’s the Iowa in me that makes me like it so a great deal!
Cheap Car Insurance
Oct. 1, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Non vi è alcuna necessità di provare tutto
Sep. 29, 2009 at 06:38 AM
The big country is now facing debt and money issues. Nevertheless, it is still a dream country for many people around the world, and especially for its own people. Business is interesting the country. I start the car insurance quotes e-business somewhere else and then move the market target base to US. The sales are much better then.
Sep. 16, 2009 at 12:47 AM
If you can’t think of anything to say/post, or you have nothing really to say, don’t bother. The web is awash with people who have blogs simply for the sake of having a blog, and they are easy to spot; they are crap or are left to rot when the owner looses interest and goes off to find the next “thing”.
Breadman breadmakers
Aug. 29, 2009 at 06:58 PM
If they can spend tons of monies, over trillion $$$$$ to the war itself then why not few thousands to the affected or even who are not. After all they are performing duties for they country. veterans must be taken care by the govt. from residences to health care to monthly allownces.
From iva
Aug. 19, 2009 at 08:08 PM
does not take better care of our veterans and their families. They should not have to face financial hardship in addition to everything else Corporate University after serving our country!
Jim
Aug. 7, 2009 at 02:05 AM
difference of opinion from the US and individuals (apart from guru’s and professionals) don’t comparable bragging their personal cornet about university community partnership their finances on this side of meat of the pool!
Aug. 7, 2009 at 02:04 AM
logs in the UK but they appear to be lacking detached from the few examples observed above. Maybe it’s a gregarious difference of opinion from the US and individuals (apart from guru’s and professionals) University affiliation don’t comparable bragging their personal cornet about their finances on this side of meat of the pool!
Aug. 7, 2009 at 02:03 AM
that our government does not take better care of our veterans and their families. They should not have to face financial hardship in Doctorate Psychology addition to everything else after serving our country!
Aug. 7, 2009 at 02:02 AM
A very timely and poignent comment. It is too bad that our government does not take better care of our veterans and their families. They should not have to face financial hardship in addition to everything else after serving our country!educational consultants
Aug. 7, 2009 at 01:41 AM
We could exercise with a couple of decent physical finance blogs in the UK but they appear to be lacking detached from the few examples observed above. Maybe it’s a gregarious difference of opinion from the US and individuals (apart from guru’s and professionals) don’t comparable bragging their personal cornet about their finances on this side of meat of the pool!
Jun. 19, 2009 at 04:41 PM
At a time when I have just been informed of all of the “shady” groups that vie for our donations, it is a true pleasure to find an organization that is giving 100% of their donations to the vets and their families…...no huge direct mail costs…no high salaries for the board members, and most importantly….no huge endowments, which are nothing more than a way to keep large amounts of the donations. Thank you, very much! James C Stearns
May. 11, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Bobby, Thank you so much for this blog. It is a wonderful source of information shared in a lively and concise manner.
Lisa Freeman
Apr. 27, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Bobby,
A very timely and poignent comment. It is too bad that our government does not take better care of our veterans and their families. They should not have to face financial hardship in addition to everything else after serving our country!
Jim
Apr. 21, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Post a comment