Operation Homefront

The final veteran/military organization we would like to share is Operation Homefront.  Established in 2002 following 9/11, Operation Homefront has provided military families with much needed financial assistance, as well as help in other areas, such as baby needs, emergency come repairs, emergency food, moving assistance and transitional family housing for wounded service men and women.  Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided more than $92 million of funding to programs that benefit military families (with $0.94 of every dollar donated going to programs).  The American Institute of Philanthropy has given Operation Homefront an A rating and received a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator.  For more information, or to donate, please visit www.operationhomefront.net!

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund was established in 2000 to provide financial support for families of military personnel lost in service and severely wounded service men and women.  In 2003 the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund became an independent not-for-profit organization, and has given close to $120 million in financial aid to military personnel and their families since its inception.  The Fund has also constructed several impressive rehabilitation and research facilities, such as The Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.  This organization has an A rating with the American Institute of Philanthropy and a 4-star rating with Charity Network.  The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is funded entirely by donations from the public and is very passionate about supporting the heroes that have made incredible sacrifices for our nation.  For more information, or to donate, please visit www.fallenheroesfund.org!

The Fisher House

The next veteran/military organization we would like to highlight is the Fisher House Program.  This organization was created in 1990 and provides "comfort homes" built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, which allows the families of service men and women to be close to loved ones during hospitalization for illness, disease or injury.  There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center, and annually serve more than 17,000 families.  In addition to that, Fisher House has made available over four million days of lodging for family members since their inception in 1990!  This organization has an A+ rating with the American Institute of Philanthropy as well as a 4-star rating from the Charity Network.  Please visit fisherhouse.org for more information on the Fisher House Program, or to make a donation.

The Semper Fi Fund

The first veteran/military support organization we will profile is The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  This nonprofit organization provides financial support for injured and critically ill members of the United States Armed Forces and their families.  They serve each branch of the military and give much-needed financial assistance to those that are hospitalized and their families.  The Semper Fi Fund has an A+ rating with the American Institute of Philanthropy and a 4-star rating (the highest rating) with Charity Navigator.  According to their website, the basic ideal that drives the Semper Fi Fund's efforts is that for "As much as these American heroes have sacrificed, they deserve the best care and support available in their hour of need."  We could not agree more.  For more information on The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.semperfifund.org!

Support our Troops!

Memorial Day is rapidly approaching, which is a great time to show your support for our Armed Service Members and their families!  Over the next week, we will profile organizations and charities that go to great ends to provide for armed service members and their families who are in need due to severe injuries, illness or loss of life.  These troops and their families have sacrificed greatly for this country and its citizens, so join us in honoring and supporting them!

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Little Bits On Memorial Day

Well, apparently there is another holiday coming up at the end of May, and it happens to be one of my favorites.  Barbecues, beach and park trips, golf, Indy 500, baseball, and a Monday off are pretty nice, but the best part about Memorial Day is celebrating and honoring the US soldiers that gave their lives for this country while serving in the military.  I did some research into the holiday and found some pretty interesting facts that I thought I would share with all you Bandits!

Memorial Day actually started out as being called Decoration Day, and originally began as a way to honor the soldiers that died during the American Civil War.  By the mid-1860s citizens were decorating soldiers’ graves in both the North and South, prompting this even to be called “Decoration Day.”  The first known observance of this holiday took place in Waterloo, New York on May 5, 1866.  Two men, General John Murray and General John A. Logan, helped bring the attention of this event nationwide, including General Logan (who was the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic – the organization for Northern Civil War veterans) issuing a proclamation that Decoration Day should be observed nationwide on May 5, 1868.  On May 30, 1868, Decoration Day was officially observed for the first time, and by 1890 every northern state had adopted Decoration Day as an official state holiday.  The date, May 30, was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any battle from the Civil War.

The holiday gradually changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, which was first used in 1882, though it did not become more commonly used until after World War II.  Memorial Day became the official name by Federal law in 1967, and with the passing of the Uniform Holidays Bill in 1968, the date of observance became the last Monday in the May.  The nation’s oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade is in Ironton, Ohio, where it has been a tradition since 1869.

What a great holiday!  So pull out the barbeque, raise Old Glory and let her fly proudly, and salute and pay tribute to the brave men and women that have served our country!  If you are looking add a little more flair to your Memorial Day festivities, or want to give someone a special gift, check out these great items on sale just for Memorial Day! www.StealStreet.com/MemorialDay