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https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/september-11.htm

 

Blue Ridge Honor Flight will take flight again on September 28th, 2024. I am excited to be flying with my Rutherford County veterans: Bruce Lancaster, US Army and Jim Ayers, US Army.  Also on my team from Rutherford County will be “Gunny” Bill Swope, USMC. His daughter, Vilma Lazo will be his Guardian. Neil Baker, US Army will also join us with his Guardian, Mike Granato, Retired USAF from Summerville, SC.

My veterans for the spring flight on April 27th, 2024, was USAF Veteran, Raymond Jones and US Army Veteran Steve McCurry; both are Vietnam Veterans. It was a privilege and honor being their Guardian and they will forever hold a special place in my heart!

Also on our team was combat Vietnam Veteran, Sgt Major Don Barrett, Ret USMC. Sgt Major was also my children’s former MCJROTC instructor at RS Central High School. His Guardian was his son, 1st Sgt Michael Barrett, Ret USMC. Both Michael and Sgt Major are recipients of The Purple Heart.

Micheal gave his dad a very special surprise while we were in DC. He worked in concert with Jimmy Ensley, one of Sgt Major’s first graduating cadets from the MCJROTC program at RS Central to meet us in DC. Jimmy, also a ret USMC Veteran resides near the DC area, so he was more than willing to meet us in DC to surprise Sgt Major.

The reunion was priceless, and I was honored to have been a part. Every Honor Flight is special and no two are even remotely alike, but this one pulled on my heartstrings as never before. Although I only had two assigned veterans, Raymond and Steve, the six of us spent the day together. I believe having Sgt Maj, Michael, and Jimmy in our group added to the wonderful experience Raymond and Steve had. Since I am not a veteran myself; I cannot ‘add’ to an Honor Flight veteran’s experience the way a veteran can. It was awe-inspiring to watch these five veterans interact and care for one another throughout the day, to listen to their stories; my life is forever changed, and I will be forever grateful to Blue Ridge Honor Flight for affording me the privilege to fly with these wonderful veterans!

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Our Nation owes a great debt to its fallen heroes. A debt that we can never repay. Today, I hope you take a moment to honor the fallen and remember the more than 80,000 that are still MIA (Missing in Action) and remember the families that were left behind, the families who never had a chance to say good-bye.

“Whether we observe [Memorial Day]  through public ceremony or through private prayer, this day leaves few hearts unmoved. Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day, [both known and unknown], was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend, and neighbor.” – George H W Bush, 1992

Let us never forget they gave their tomorrows for our todays. One way we can honor them today is to commit to step in their honor and wear blue to remember. Today, I have committed to walk/run 5 miles in honor of CPL Chris Ebert, who died in the Anbar Province of Iraq on September 17, 2004.

 

 

“We owe them more than can ever be repaid, but we must try. Tomorrow and all the days that follow, let us keep their sacrifice in our hearts as we strive to honor them by being good and true, hopeful and strong, and committing to  building a brighter future.” – Marc Molinaro, US House of Representatives, Duchess County, NY on Memorial Day 2019.

Remember. Honor.

Lisa Marie Barrett, Director

 

With another very successful Operation Christmas Cheer for our deployed troops behind us (more than 40 boxes of goodies, letters from children, prayer filled boxes and over 30lbs of hand warmers were sent) it’s time to move into 2024 and send Treats to the Troops.

Our troops  have answered the call to serve and in answering that call, they have left everything behind; their families, their communities, and their loved ones who are also paying the price for their sacrifice.

We will be taking up individually packaged cookie donations throughout February. Since many of these care package will be sent to very warm climates, please choose single serving packages of cookies that do not contain chocolate that will melt. Oreos, peanut-butter cookies, VanOLunch from Lance, lemon cookies, butter cookies and animal cookies are great sendables that won’t melt.

A simple act of kindness, sending cookies, will equip them with the hope that they are not forgotten and will hopefully bring light to their world.

If you would like to make a financial donation and have us purchase cookies for you or you would like to help cover the cost of postage, click here. Please be sure to enter military ministry in the memo field.

 

 

Merry Christmas to those who wear our country’s uniform! We are praying for His hedge of protection as you serve and wish you and your families His peace this Christmas season and always.  You are NOT forgotten!

It seems like only yesterday I was posting about sending Christmas Cheer For Our Deployed Troops 2022, then I blinked and here it is 2023! Where does the time go?

Another year  gone by and another year I stand in awe over His provisions, prompting hearts to give back; people giving of their time, their talents, and their resources to support Christmas Cheer For Our Deployed Troops.

It is important that we continue to cultivate an awareness of the magnitude of sacrifice those who wear our country’s uniform make each day, especially those who are deployed. They miss birthdays, holidays, reunions, graduations, the birth of their own children, weddings, funerals, comforts of home, sleep, showers, food, clean clothes, their sacrifices are endless, yet they continue to give of themselves so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. We owe them much more than what we often give.

I am so proud to live in such a wonderful community that understands their sacrifices and that gives generously throughout the year, but especially at Christmas! Thank you to Sunshine Elementary School, the Bostic/Sunshine Community, my Father’s Vineyard Church family, my friends, and my family. Christmas Cheer 2023 would not be possible without your giving, caring hearts! Because of you, we are sending a total of 25 boxes of Christmas Cheer to troops across the globe on Monday and an additional 3-5 boxes later in the week!

Your gratitude and your willingness to give is the simplest yet most powerful thing you can do for our troops . Your kindness will impact their lives in many ways and let them know they are not forgotten and their sacrifices matter.

Thank you again for your willingness to touch the lives of another with the resources God has so generously given to you. – Lisa Marie Barrett, Director

If you would like to support Christmas Cheer For Our Deployed Troops, please click here. Each package sent costs approximately $22 for shipping. Be sure to click yes, that your gift is designated, then add military ministry to the designation box. If you would like your donation to go directly to Christmas Cheer For Our Deployed Troops, please indicate that as well. If you just state military ministry, your gift can be used throughout the year for on going deployed troops projects. Donations are tax deductible.

 

Throughout the course of American history courageous men and women have taken up  arms to secure and defend the very freedoms we often take for granted.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude” – Harry S Truman.

This Veterans Day and always, let us never become so consumed by our own lives that we fail to stop for just a moment to recognize our veterans; to pause and say THANK YOU for your service.

I had the privilege and honor to volunteer at The Wall That Heals (The Vietnam Traveling Wall) this week; helping families and friends locate their loved ones on The Wall. I hugged them, cried with them and listened to their stories. The three gentlemen pictured below captured my heart. When I plugged the name of their loved one into my phone to see where his name was located, his photo was displayed; voices became trembly and tears welled at the sight. Seeing their loved one’s photo was very emotional for all. Even though I had never met these gentleman before, nor did I know their loved one, I was not exempt from the emotions, especially when they touched the wall for the first time.  It was very humbling to be a part of reuniting this band of brothers with their loved one through The Wall That Heals.

I was so moved by my experience that when my shift ended, I couldn’t leave. I longed to help more visitors locate their loved ones on the wall. The brave men and women who died and are still missing while serving our country during The Vietnam War  are not just names on a wall, they were human beings with families and lives back home. They mattered and still do! I stand in awe over the  incredible task VVMF (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) completed by putting a face to each and every name on the wall.

I was honored to meet Cindy Stonebraker Reed, daughter of Lt Col Kenneth Arnold Stonebraker whose plane went down 55 years ago. Kenneth has a cross next to his name because he is still MIA. Cindy is the founding director of Mission POW-MIA and will be the guest speaker at today’s 11:00 a.m. ceremony.  My prayers are with Cindy and the other 1,500+ families whose loved ones are still MIA.

I cannot put into words my volunteer experience with The Wall That Heals this week, but I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to give back to so many families by being part of this incredible opportunity to reunite them with their loved ones.

The Wall will continue to be on display at the Spartanburg Regional Airport located at 151 Airflow Drive, Spartanburg until 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 12th. I encourage you to go!

 

 

 

 

April 29th, 2023 and October 14th, 2023, Blue Ridge Honor Flight embarked upon two new journeys flying our nation’s heroes to see their memorials.

Aboard the April flight to D.C. were 2 Korean War veterans, 89 Vietnam veterans and 5 Gold Star families.  April’s flight was the first time in the 18 year history of Honor Flight that a WWII veteran was not aboard.  A total of 16.1 million Americans served in the Armed Forces during WWII. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA, reported in September 2023 that only 119,500 WWII veterans were still living. They are dying at rate of 131 veterans per day.

The manifest for October’s flight was to include 2 WWII veterans, however one was not able to make the flight due to health concerns. Also aboard the October flight were 4 Korean War veterans, 85 Vietnam veterans and 5 Gold Star families. Julia Coffey, widow of USAF Captain Frederick M. Hall was one of the Gold Star family members aboard October’s flight. Captain Hall’s plane went down during the Vietnam War. After a long 54 years, Captain Hall’s remains were finally recovered a few months ago and flown into Spartanburg, SC . His body was laid to rest in Haywood county the week before our October 14th flight took to the skies. Lucy Steppe, also a Gold Star family member, was also aboard. Her father Captain John C. Kozuch’s plane went down 51 years ago during Vietnam. His remains have still not been found, but Lucy has a renewed hope knowing that Captain Hall’s remains were finally recovered.

Also aboard the October flight was Maurice Kalonaheskie. Maurice was an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a Tribal Elder and US Army Vietnam veteran.  I met Maurice and his wife Pat in the lobby at our hotel the night before our flight. It was truly a privilege and honor to get to know him. I only wished I had more time getting to know him. Maurice was not one of the veterans on my team, but I would see him throughout the day and stop to say hello, then take his photo and text it to Pat back at the hotel. Pat shared with me that Maurice was MIA for 6 weeks during Vietnam.  She also shared that Maurice made peace while at The Wall. She said Maurice had been looking forward to the trip for a long time and was glad he finally got to go. My heart was truly saddened when Pat called to tell me Maurice had passed away shortly after returning back home. Maurice, you have left an indelible mark upon my heart. I will always remember you! Pat, I think of you and pray for you often.

Also aboard both flights were the veteran’s guardians, EMT’s, medical staff, and Honor Flight board members.

The next scheduled Honor Flight is tentatively set for Saturday, April 27th, 2024. If you are a veteran or Gold Star family member, I encourage you to send in your application to come fly with us. It would be an honor to have you aboard!  If you have a deep love for our veterans and would like to give back and show them how much you appreciate them, I encourage you to apply as a guardian. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with Blue Ridge Honor Flight, please apply as a volunteer.

A sincere thank you to my veterans Bill Keck (April flight), Wayne Camp, and Jerry Smith (October flight) for allowing me the privilege to be your guardian and a very special THANK YOU to the Marine Corps League Cpl. Chris S. Ebert Detachment #1221, Father’s Vineyard Church, and all the behind the scenes people who generously donated to make it possible for me to fly these veterans to DC in 2023.

While many of us celebrated our freedoms this past Fourth of July, our troops were busy defending the very freedoms we often take for granted! It was a blessing and honor to spend this past fourth of July weekend with one of my dearest friends and fellow church members, Donna D packing various treats and goodies as well as my first special request for Tajin to send to our deployed troops. Tajin is a Hispanic spice with the perfect blend of salty, spicy, and tangy flavors. “It makes the food tastes better,” stated my new friend and contact, Veronica.

I stand amazed at the fingerprints of God with every new request, but this request pulled on my heartstrings and touched my heart in ways I never expected. Without a doubt the reason this Army wife and mother of three reached out to the Military Ministry, wasn’t just about sending Packages of Hope to our deployed troops, it was evident God used this particular deployment to orchestrate a special relationship between this family, these troops, and our church to stand in the gap and pray expectantly for a miracle.

Thank you to everyone who donated to this project and thank you to everyone who has and are continuing to  pray for this family and these troops.

As we continue to go about our daily lives, let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people (Galatians 6:9-10) and let us not become so preoccupied with our own problems that we forget we live among giants, our brave warriors fighting for our freedoms. They’re still there.

May we always strive to be kind, extend grace, patience, and mercy to all those we meet because everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing about.

With heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of this ministry and standing in the gap to pray for this family and our troops,

Lisa Marie Barrett, Director

Sunshine Elementary School’s love and support for our military reaches deployed troops across the globe; from undisclosed locations in Asia and the Middle East to Germany.

It is quite evident that the students, staff, and Bostic community love our troops! Over the past couple of years, they have made it a priority during Veteran’s Week (Week of Veteran’s Day) to take up donations for our deployed troops. Their love and support afforded us the opportunity to send dozens of care packages: Packages of Hope, to our deployed troops.

This past Christmas we were able to send over 20 Packages of Hope followed by over a dozen recent springtime packages. In fact, the drive was so great, we still have enough non perishable items to send 5-7 additional boxes which will be sent later this spring.

These packages were filled with goodies from Christmas cheer (games, candy, artwork from the students, Carmex, cookies, nuts, protein bars, personal hygiene items, cards and letters of encouragement) to springtime goodies, Girl Scout Cookies donated by Caldwell Construction. These packages mean so much to our troops. They bring hope and remind them they are not forgotten, they are not alone.

In addition to the items collected, enough cash donations were gathered to cover the cost of shipping for five  boxes. In addition to the support from Veteran’s Week, support from our church  covered the remaining cost of shipping, supplied branch specific military bibles and some much needed hand and feet warmers for our troops deployed to Germany.

Packages of Hope is an ongoing ministry at Father’s Vineyard. You can support this ministry by giving online (be sure to say YES to designation and designate for the military ministry). All donations go directly into the military ministry fund to support our troops.

If you know anyone currently serving, whether they are deployed, stateside, or training, please let us know. It would be an honor to send them a letter of encouragement or a Package of Hope,  so please reach out to us!

Come back in May to see updates for the upcoming historic Blue Ridge Honor Flight due to take off April 29th.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Sunshine Elementary School and to all the behind the scenes people who wish to remain anonymous that made it possible to send these Packages of Hope.

Lisa Marie Barrett, Director