ARMY'S ARMY HAPPENINGS

Operation Heartfelt Salute A Huge Success!

We would like to take this time to thank Cross Creek Mall and Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union for all their support and efforts this past month.

The Army’s Army partnered with Cross Creek Mall for Operation Heartfelt Salute, a month-long military appreciation campaign, which kicked off Saturday, February 12, and lasted through Saturday, March 12.

The event began with a letter writing campaign, care package drive, “Tunes 4 the Troops” drive, and $1.00 red, white and blue bracelet sales (with 100% of the proceeds going toward the military).

The Grande Finale was so much fun! Mayor Tony Chavonne lead with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Miss Fayetteville Katie Mills, who was accompanied by Miss Sara Simcox.

The Douglas Byrd Eagle Battalion Color Guard commanded by Staff Sergeant Ian Navarro and instructed by Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Tony Memminger was there, as well as Cadets Shamar Webster and Tyler McMillian posted with weapons. Cadet Ian Navarro carried the United States Flag and Cadet Philip Friday carried the North Carolina State Flag.

Representative Diane Parfitt and Crystal Cavalier, who was nominated by Military Spouse Magazine as 2011 Army Spouse of the Year, were also in attendance.

A special thanks goes out to Jeff Boyd from Contract Services Support Group for bringing out his Rock Climbing wall and offering hours of free entertainment.

To view photos from Operation Heartfelt Salute, click here

To view photos from the Operation Heartfelt Salute Closing Ceremony, click here

    HOW TO BE MORE INVOLVED

Join an Army’s Army committee. Log in to your account here to join the effort to help military families relocating to the community.

Attend an Army’s Army volunteer effort. All opportunities are sent to your inbox via Army’s Army e-blasts. So, look for events and special efforts going on where you can lend your time.

Recruit your friends. Do your friends know about the Army’s Army? If they are interested in supporting military families, we could use their help. Ask them to go to armysarmy.com to join the cause.

Haley Strickland

Seriously Committed

Haley Strickland is a senior at Pine Forest High School. As a busy senior, Haley is a varsity cheerleader, President of FCCLA (Family Career & Community Leaders of America), SGA representative, and a member of the National Honors Society. Haley won the titles of Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic in the 2010-2011 Miss Pine Forest Pageant. Recently, she was recognized as a Regional Finalist for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship. Haley plans to attend East Carolina University or The University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the fall, majoring in Elementary Education. She also makes time to volunteer in her community. Through a local church, Haley has participated for four summers with World Changers, a student mission project that gives youth an opportunity to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others through hands-on experiences. Haley has also documented over 300 volunteer hours at Long Hill Elementary School assisting in a second grade classroom. This past fall, she volunteered to assist coaching a young cheer squad for a local recreation center. Haley recently volunteered her time working with the United Way of Cumberland County and Better Health.  This busy teenager also works part-time at the World of Dance studio as an assistant teacher and part-time at Schools Tools, a school supply store for educators.

The Army's Army salutes Haley and all of the volunteers who go above and beyond to help our community's military families. If you would like to nominate a Featured Enlistee who is making a difference, send your recommendations to info@armysarmy.com.

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