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Testimonials
FROM: Ed and Kathy Colley
We thank you for your incredible
generosity.
We have been very fortunate to have
attended several T*A*P*S events since losing our son four
years ago. These events, hosted by the most caring
people one could ever hope to meet, are done with great
care, compassion, and respect.
One amazing aspect of the support that
T*A*P*S provides is their willingness to serve the needs of
so many, such as siblings, fiances, and "battle buddies,"
unconstrained by strict governmental rules and regulations.
This flexibility comes directly from the generous support of
individuals and corporations.
Allow me to illustrate this point by
contrasting it to the support we received through the
government just after Stephen's death. Stephen's widow
wished that he be buried in Texas, many hundreds of miles
from his family of origin. Government rules provided
for travel to the burial site for this fallen warrior's
parents, but not his siblings. Taps was played, but
five brothers and sisters were not there to hear.
Because of contributions like yours,
Stephen's siblings, most of whom were still in college or
high school, have been able to attend T*A*P*S events that
they would not have otherwise been able to afford.
We noticed something similar at the very
end of the evening yesterday that was likely missed by many
in the room. The very moving, and powerful,
presentation by the "Fallen Warrior's Project," honored the
loss of a grandmother who had clearly filled the maternal
role in the young soldier's life. Private funding
allows such logic and compassion.
We have attended many Veterans' Day
events over the years. Land of the Free Foundation's
event was the nicest, and most impactful, we have ever
attended. We are grateful for the invitation.
Of course, nothing we could say or do
would repay the smallest fraction of the great good your
foundation's work does. But, we would like to offer
what little we can. If, at any future date, you could
use our voice in any way, we would be honored to help.
Your work does so much to highlight the
sacrifices made by the men and women of our military who
stand on the front lines to defend the Land of the Free.
But too few recognize the value of our great economic
engine, driven by the business leaders and entrepreneurs
that your foundation represents. It is certainly not
"lost" on us that the men and women who collectively donated
One Million Dollars to support our warriors and their
families, made these donations after also providing a much
larger sum with their tax dollars to fund the best equipped,
best trained, and most technologically advanced military
ever fielded in the history of warfare. As a direct
result of these advantages, fewer Soldiers die, fewer
Marines are disfigured, and more Seamen return home safely.
A small suggestion: Buy a
television station ... and a newspaper. The popular
press is simply blind to the fact that the much maligned
Capitalist already carries far more than their fair share of
the load in making this great country what it is. And
then, you are willing to impose on your friends to give even
more.
Leaders like the three of you, and your
contributors, will become even more important in the next
decade or two. As we begin to wind down our foreign
entanglements, many civilians will pay less attention to the
lingering costs from the scars and losses. Your
promise to help others to never forget will only gain in
importance.
As we think about how your gifts, past
and present, have helped to dull the debilitating pain of
our grief, a tear trickles down our cheek. These tears
of gratitude remind us that we are not alone.
Thank you,
Ed and Kathy Colley
Parents of Stephen E. Colley, PFC, US Army (Died 16 May
2007)
FROM: Bucky Peterson:
Kent and John,
I want to start this email, again, with
our deep appreciation for your enormous generosity and your
associated belief in our partnered efforts with the Marine
Corps Wounded Warrior Bn. Because of your previous gift we
were able to do great things for our most deserving men and
women. And now with your second investment, we will be able
to continue to serve them. We are collectively indebted to
you as well as Major General Mike Myatt who as you know has
been inspirational to this project.
In closing, I look forward to
continued reports to you of success stories of the wounded
warriors thanks to your investment.
Semper Fi and Go Navy Air! Bucky
Bucky Peterson
Chairman Troops to College
FROM: Bucky Peterson:
Wanted to share with each of you Marines
(and one Navy fighter pilot) another and most positive
result of the Severely Injured Fulfilling their Dreams
Program and the Marine network that continues throughout our
Country.
Email written below re Cpl Josh Himan,
very seriously wounded and recovering Marine being supported
by Heather Bernard, the American Council on Education
Academic adviser assigned to the DC area who was able to
connect with my old and very close Marine friend, Doug
Spaulding - we were Lieutenants together in Charlie 1/3.
Doug left the active duty Marines and he is now a partner
with Reed and Smith in DC. As you can see, Doug through his
network has given enormous hope to Josh for a bright future.
For Kent Valley and
John Semcken, all of this is part of the support you made
possible at Camp Pendleton and the broader communities of
wounded
at Bethesda, Walter Reed and
Brooke Hospitals Bucky Peterson Chairman Troops to College
Heather--
Just to give you a
status report.
Josh and his Mom came
downtown this afternoon to meet with three experienced
financial professionals from Johnston, Lemon & Co., a client
of mine. I told him after the meeting, that he absolutely
knocked it out of the park.
As you would expect he
was enthusiastic and spirited.
He had done his home
work and came across as a knowledgeable and thoughtful guy.
I was very impressed
and I'm sure that they were as well.
We have meetings with
other brokers set up for the next few weeks, so I am hopeful
that he will learn more about the industry and perhaps have
an internship of some sort to look forward to after his
surgery in October.
I also had a chance to
meet his Mom, Pat.
Moms are an amazing
first line of support.
Josh is lucky in that
respect, and I think he knows it.
Hope that all is well
with you and the other folks that you are working with.
Thanks for your role in
connecting me with Josh.
Best regards.
Cheers..........Doug
FROM: Bucky Peterson
I am at san diego state university to address a group of
almost 200 vets who want to go to college. To my wonderful
surprise, almost 30 of the 200 are wounded warriors who are
now making plans for college. And they are easily identified
in their wounded warrior polo shirts! And none of this
opportunity for the wounded would have been possible without
your gifts - land of the free foundation and google. Thought
you would want to know about this miracle made possible
because of you.
Semper fi, bucky
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