Greetings!
Welcome to Summer 2009 and the first newsletter of the year from FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! As you know, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides direct financial assistance and quality of life enhancements to our nation's heroes -- wounded service members and their families and the families of the fallen.
Since taking the reins in September 2008, it has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve here as Executive Director. I can think of no more rewarding opportunity than to continue serving my country following a 20-year Marine Corps career by aiding our nation's heroes -- those wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen -- in their time of need.
We have seen many exciting changes here at FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, including the installment of a new advisory board, and the development of a new look and feel through our web site and social media networking efforts. Through this period of transition we have continued to provide direct financial assistance and quality of life enhancements to the men and women serving in our armed services (see inspiring story to the right) by assisting them with their mortgage, auto, insurance and utility payments, as well as supporting them with programs and services for them and their children! One of those programs, the 'Little Warriors Surf Camp' is all new for 2009. You can read about this unprecedented camp for 100 children of wounded and fallen service members in this issue of our newsletter. We think you'll agree that this is one of the most innovative and exciting programs we've ever offered to our nation's heroes and their families and hope you'll come out and support our budding 'Moondoggies' and 'Gidgets' this August!
We understand that our country faces a daunting challenge in the years ahead -- not only within, but from threats around the globe -- and that you share our concerns for the future of our economy and our security. Without the brave men and women of our armed services facing danger every day in the most hostile regions of the world that security would be much more tenuous than we would like to imagine. These brave warriors and their families sacrifice every day so that you and I can go about our daily routine secure in the knowledge that out there somewhere, to paraphrase the writer George Orwell, "rough men stand ready to do violence on our part." We owe these rough men -- and women -- a debt of gratitude every day. I hope you can find it in your heart to help us make their lives a little better, even in these difficult and uncertain times. Please make your tax-deductible donation to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE today. Just $5 can help pay a family's mortgage or put groceries on their table. We're counting on your support for these families in need.
Thank you for your continued support and patriotism.
Semper Fidelis!
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Sincerely,
Jay Kopelman
Jay Kopelman
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Iraq War Veteran
Executive Director, Freedom Is Not Free
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COWABUNGA, DUDE! SURF'S UP!
Mark you calendar, grab your bathing suit and get ready to surf! FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, along with 100 children of wounded and fallen warriors, is going to surf camp! August 10-14, 2009, marks the first-ever Little Warriors Surf Camp with La Jolla Surf Camp, presented by Surf Diva.
We will hit the beaches of La Jolla Shores, CA, this August, when 100 campers, plus countless volunteers and instructors -- as well as special guests including past and present legends of the surfing world -- join together for this unique and unprecedented experience of a lifetime! Surf Diva, a La Jolla Shores fixture and world-renowned surf instruction school will provide expert surf instruction to the campers; Wahoo's Fish Tacos will provide tasty burritos to recharge our budding bombers of the waves; INT Softboards will provide the surfboards that EACH CAMPER WILL GET TO KEEP AS THEIR VERY OWN; and Mother Nature will provide the ocean, beach and sun! Together, this combination will ensure that fun will be had by all!
In addition to surf instruction and a board to keep at the end of the camp, each camper will receive special prizes and will have an opportunity to meet surfing legends and wounded warrior surfers who will share their experiences with the kids before and after each day's camp experience.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE has sent Southern California kids to camp locally in the past. This year we're taking it a step further. One special child and his parents -- from anywhere in the continental United States -- will be the beneficiaries of an all-expenses paid trip to San Diego, compliments of FREEDOM IS NOT FREE and the La Jolla Shores Hotel, our lodging partner at this year's camp. The La Jolla Shores Hotel and the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club have generously donated four nights accommodations in an oceanfront room at this world-class hotel.
To be eligible for this prize, contestants must submit an essay, "What Freedom Means to Me," to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE by July 15, 2009. The essay, 150 words or less, will be judged by members of our Purple Heart Board and a winner will be selected on July 20, 2009. The winner of this contest and his family will receive round-trip air fare, hotel, two days of surf camp, dinner for four nights at local La Jolla Shores restaurants and a trip to the world famous San Diego Zoo or Seaworld! Entries may be submitted via email to: info@FreedomIsNotFree.com. Or mail your entries to:
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Send Me to Surf Camp!
11578 Sorrento Valley Road
Suite 30
San Diego, CA 92121
We'll all Hang 10 on August 10th. Check with us for more details.
Aloha!
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A SPECIAL AMERICAN PATRIOT
Myrtle Wheeler of Mount Vernon, IN, is one of my heroes.
The "Rembering the Taste of Home" cookbook has truly been a labor of
love for Myrtle Wheeler, and as the cover states, it is "a tribute to
those who have served." In Myrtle's case those words ring true and hold
deep meaning -- two sons-in-law and two grandsons have served, or are
currently serving, in the U.S. Marine Corps. These heroes have all
served in Iraq numerous times.
When Myrtle's son-in-law,
Mark, was forced to leave the Marine Corps following 16 years due to
injury -- he fought to remain on active duty to earn 20 years -- it
took two months to get his final pay, and then an additional seven
months for his VA benefits to kick in. If not for the generosity of
family and friends, Mark and his family surely would have faced dire financial
consequences. This brought home for Myrtle the challenges that so many
of our veterans and their families face when a service member is forced
from the military due to injury and the other spouse is forced to
become the primary care giver. In Myrtle's words, "This brought to our
family and friends' attention that it was also happening to our other
service members. We felt so strongly about what was happening that we
wanted to help. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE represents what we were looking
for."
The "Remembering the Taste of Home" cookbook is a
collection of 600 recipes collected from military families and friends
from all over the world. The cost of the cookbook is $10.00 plus
shipping. All proceeds from sales of the book are donations to troops
via FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. To date, Myrtle has generously donated $8,005.69 to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE which allows us to continue to help our nation's heroes due
to the overwhelming popularity of this cookbook and the good it does by
providing donations to troops. Voume I has sold out. But due to it's popularity, Myrtle is now compiling Volume II. Check back with us to get your own copy of "Remembering the Taste of Home, Volume 2"! |
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FREEDOM IS NOT FREE INSTALLS NEW PATRIOT ADVISORY BOARD
Out with the old and in with the new. In February, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE held it's first board meeting with newly installed members of the Patriot Advisory Board. Not all members of the board are new to the organization. Carry-overs from the previous board include Beth Billstein, Kevin Keller, Colonel Jeff Powers (USMC retired), and LtCol Jim Szepesy (USMC). FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is honored to welcome Medal of Honor recipient, Mike Thornton, to the board. Mike's obvious commitment to country and selfless heroic acts during his service as a Navy SEAL in Vietnam will stand him in good stead as he promotes the mission of FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Click here to read Mike's Medal of Honor citation for bravery and heroism. Read all our board members' bios here. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE has also added new members to our Purple Heart Board. The Purple Heart Board is a unique entity comprised of truly inspiring individuals -- they are all recipients of the Purple Heart medal or the spouse or surviving family member of a Purple Heart recipient. Read their bios here.
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Please check our web site often for upcoming events like the 'Lest We Forget' golf and poker tournament scheduled for October 24, 2009, at the beautiful Talega Golf Club in San Clemente, CA. We will let you know as soon as details become available for this star-studded event featuring an array of poker and Hollywood celebrities!
Remember, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE is a private 501(c)(3) organization that relies solely on your donations. We do not receive any local, state or federal government funding. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact us at 858.847.9999 or at info@FreedomIsNotFree.com. We'll gladly address your questions. We strive to make every dollar count to the maximum extent possible. Therefore, we need your help. Please consider volunteering your time to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. If you have internet search engine optimization (SEO) or social media marketing skills we want to hear from you!
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Here's one inspiring story of how FREEDOM IS NOT FREE has made a difference in the life of one wounded veteran, Staff Sergeant Castillo, US Army, and his family.
During a rescue mission while on his second combat tour in Fallujah, Iraq, the Humvee in which SSG Castillo was travelling hit an IED. The driver and turret gunner were killed instantly. SSG Castillo was blown clear of the Humvee. While fighting his way back to the vehicle to provide aid to his comrades in arms, SSG Castillo was shot twice in the chest, once in the head, once in the mouth and once in the right leg. An RPG round hit the disabled Humvee and a piece of shrapnel hit SSG Castillo, amputating his left leg above the knee. In addition to his other wounds, SSG Castillo suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Upon his return to the United States, SSG Castillo's wife left her job to be by his side while he recovered. This placed a financial burden on the family and the Castillos had to then decide whether to continue making car and insurance payments or provide food and clothing for their four young children. It was only when there were no viable options that the Castillos turned to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE for help.
We were able to provide one month's car payment, auto insurance and utilities totalling $1,039.56. While the amount may not seem significant, it's important to note that this wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of FREEDOM IS NOT FREE volunteer, Bev Bratek, who worked tirelessly with the Castillos and their creditors, including USAA Insurance, to ensure that they could take our check as payment. Bev had to make numerous phone calls and send multiple emails to the family and USAA in order to save the insurance policy and the family's vehicle that they rely on to get SSG Castillo to and from the VA hospital, and that his wife uses to seek employment and take their children to school. Additionally, we were able to keep their utilities on so that they would have air conditioning in the hot summer months in Orlando, FL.
The Castillos are just one example of the work we're doing to support our men and women in uniform. We can't do it alone! Click here to read more stories like SSG Castillo's. Make your tax-deductible donation to FREEDOM IS NOT FREE today so that we can continue our mission of support to our nation's heroes -- wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen. |
Board of Directors
David Dominguez, Founder & Chairman
Carl Frank, Co-Founder
Purple Heart, Vietnam
Kevin Keller
Jay Kopelman LtCol USMC (Ret), Executive Director
Beth Billstein
Elizabeth Butterfield
Bob Elliott, HMCM USN (Ret)
Dan Espensen
Robert Kaplan, Ph.D.
Kevin Keller
Michael Leb, Esq.
Clark Libenson, Esq.
Mark Palmer
Jeff Powers, Col USMC (Ret)
LtCol Jim Szepesy, USMC
Michael Thornton, LT USN (Ret), Medal of Honor, Vietnam
Purple Heart Board
Carl Frank, President
Jason Millard, Gold Star Brother
Kevin Millard, Gold Star Dad
Tim Mincarelli, Purple Heart, Vietnam
Nick Popaditch, GySgt USMC (Ret)
Silver Star, Purple Heart Iraq
Paula Zwillinger, Gold Star Mom |
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