Happy Memorial Day!

An important message from Col. North this Memorial Day.  The RC Blog is a proud supporter of Freedom Alliance and the great work they do for the families of our troops.  Happy Memorial Day!!!!

31 May, 2010

Dear Patriotic American,

Today, on this Memorial Day, let us remember that America's freedom is secured by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines who risk their lives in the service of our country.

Throughout our history, many of these heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a time to honor their memory.

Let me tell you about one of these American heroes and how we at Freedom Alliance have tried to honor his service.

His name was Robert Daniel, a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force. In 1977, Robert enlisted in the Air Force, and during his 17 years of distinguished service, participated in Operation Urgent Fury, which rescued American citizens from the island of Grenada in 1983. In 1989 he participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama and flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.

In 1994, Technical Sergeant Daniel was flying a mission to provide support to U.S. ground forces in Somalia when his plane crashed in the Indian Ocean. He was 35 years old, and left behind his wife and two little girls, Savanna and Tamra.

When it came time for his girls to go to college, Freedom Alliance provided them with scholarships to help them receive the college education that their parents always wanted for them. We are proud that we were able to help Savanna and Tamra Daniel with Freedom Alliance scholarships, and we are grateful that you and many other patriotic Americans made it possible with your support of Freedom Alliance.

In fact, Savannah received a scholarship from Freedom Alliance during each of her four years of college. And here is more good news...earlier this month, Savanna graduated from Park University in Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design.

Savanna told us: "My father was in the United States Air Force and he was killed in the line of duty when I was five. Honestly, I would rather have my Dad in my life again than having my college paid for, but I am greatly privileged to have a scholarship to fulfill my dreams."

This year, 201 students - each the son or daughter of an American hero - received a scholarship from Freedom Alliance. Our Scholarship Fund is a Living Memorial to America's military heroes, who have sacrificed life or limb in defense of our country.

You can help make education dreams come true for the hundreds of the sons and daughters of our brave defenders of freedom with your special Memorial Day gift to Freedom Alliance today.

In addition to the help we provide through our Scholarship Fund, Freedom Alliance helps and honors America's servicemembers all year round through our "Support Our Troops" program.

Freedom Alliance provides assistance to wounded troops recuperating at military hospitals and those serving on the frontlines of battle. Our goal is to make their rehabilitation or deployment just a little easier.

Throughout the year, we ship care packages - "Gifts From Home" - to troops deployed overseas. These parcels are filled with items that are not available to them in the desert, but make their time away from home a little more bearable. They are filled with items such as candy and snacks, books and magazines, music and movies, and special notes and greetings from caring Americans.

Last year, we shipped more than 14,000 pounds of "Gifts from Home" care packages, to our troops on the frontlines and have sent thousands more already this year.

These Gifts from Home care packages mean so much to our troops in the field. Cynthia, the mother of Army Staff Sergeant William, who was recently deployed to Afghanistan, sent Freedom Alliance this note of appreciation:

"I am writing to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My son is in Afghanistan and again received Freedom Alliance gift boxes and was so thrilled and thankful for everything you sent. There were enough boxes to share the items inside with his troops. Everyone was very grateful and excited about receiving these items from home. Thank you Freedom Alliance for all you do for our troops!"

It is our honor to help. Please know that your support makes it possible for Freedom Alliance to support our troops in this way and in the many other projects and programs that honor those who serve our nation in uniform.

Your special Memorial Day gift today to Freedom Alliance will provide funds for more "Gifts from Home" care packages to our troops and to help and honor our combat wounded service men and women recuperating in military hospitals around the country.

Having made many trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, I can tell you how much these "Gifts from Home" mean to our courageous men and women who are far away from home and their families.

So, I come to you today with an urgent appeal to open your heart with your most generous contribution to Freedom Alliance today. Please CLICK HERE to make your special gift.

As President Ronald Reagan said on May 26, 1986 at Arlington Cemetery: "Memorial Day is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes ...and for us to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others."

Will you join Freedom Alliance and me to pay tribute to our fallen heroes, our frontline warriors and their families? May we count on you, as together we honor and thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our country?

Semper Fidelis,

LtCol Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.)
Founder and Honorary Chairman
Freedom Alliance

P.S. Please join me in commemorating Memorial Day by flying Old Glory and saying "Thank You" to a veteran who you know or a service man or woman who is serving our nation today. Please pray for our troops deployed overseas and for their families