SSG James P Hunter Memorial Foundation, LLC

07/04/2026

“I’ve never seen the American flag 🇺🇸
as a symbol of perfection.

It has always been a symbol of people.

People with dreams bigger than their circumstances.

People willing to work, sacrifice, fail, get back up, and try again.

When I see the American flag flying over a mountain pass, a small-town Main Street, a rodeo arena, a ranch gate, or a quiet cemetery, I don’t see politics.

I see people.

I see an ideal.

I see the farmer up before dawn.

The rancher checking water in the heat of July.

The nurse finishing a shift while the rest of the world sleeps.

The teacher investing in the next generation.

The small business owner betting everything on an idea.

The entrepreneur risking failure, rejection, and everything they’ve built in pursuit of a dream they refuse to quit on.

The immigrant chasing opportunity.

The church filled with families praying for their children, their neighbors, and their country.

The soldiers standing watch far from home to protect all of us.

The family gathered around the dinner table, giving thanks for another day together.

The flag is not the story of a perfect nation.

It’s the story of millions of imperfect people who continue to believe tomorrow can be better than today.

That’s what I’ve always loved about America.

Not that success is guaranteed.

Not that life is fair.

But that we’re free to try.

Free to build something meaningful.

Free to speak our minds.

Free to worship God.

Free to help our neighbors.

Free to chase the life we’ve been called to live.

The older I get, the more grateful I become for those freedoms.

The American flag reminds me that our story is still being written, and that each of us has the opportunity to leave our corner of this country a little better than we found it.

Happy 250 to the GREATEST COUNTRY in the history of the world 🌎 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🇺🇸
ONE NATION UNDER GOD 🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸” - Ian Macklin

#250

God bless our troops. God bless our fallen. God bless America.

06/25/2026

18 June 2026 - the anniversary of James making the ultimate sacrifice for our country - we did the most American thing we could do, and watched James nieces play a ball game. We are still Falcons, James alma mater, and Falcons remember.

Steph Gibelyou made sure to help honor James that day - friend from school days. Coach Cooley contacted Lorain Coach Will, and they made sure to take the time out to recognize & honor James at this game. The girls & coaches lined up, the anthem played, and they all honored & remembered our James ❤️‍🩹🤍💙 Steph had all the patriotic snack to end the game.

Thank you to Firelands parents & coaches, Lorain coaches & spectators for taking the time to show your respect for our local fallen. Your time, effort, and willingness to honor one of our own. We will always remember those who honor James.

The girls wore their gold star lapels. My Ava James put her bat to the sky on her fist time up for her uncle. They played hard. It was a good game. They all honored & remembered.

Once a Falcon, always a Falcon 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

This weekend wasn't built on fireworks, parades, burgers, buns or beach days. It was built on someone else's short life in the name of freedom, our tomorrows, and sacrifice. A legacy. They laid down their tomorrow, so we can live our today. Laugh, play, enjoy your friends and family, live your absolute best life - it's what they fought for. But also pause, honor, remember them. All of them. Because this weekend was built on their sacrifice.

To the brave men and women who stood up for freedom. Who answered the call and fought for our nation. Who paid the ultimate price and never came back. To our fallen, we thank you. To the mothers and fathers who raised a hero. To the brothers and sisters with an empty space. To the sons and daughters who have only memories. To the wives and husbands who bear the void with pride. To all who lost a servicemember they love. No gift can repay the sacrifice. No tribute can match our admiration. No words can contain our gratitude. But it still deserves to be said. We remember them. We salute them. We honor them. Today. Always.

Therefore give to all what is due to them:
Tribute to those who deserve tribute....
Respect to those who deserve respect...
And honor to those who deserve honor.
Romans 13:7

Have a blessed Memorial Day.

God bless our fallen.

SSG James P Hunter
22 January 1985 - 18 June 2010
Kandahar, Afghanistan

Son. Brother. Fiancé. So much to so many.
We miss him. We love him. We will always remember him.

05/19/2026

All boots are accounted for! Thank you to the veterans of our community who allow us to use their military boots to honor our fallen ❤️🤍💙

South Amherst Community & Economic Development Committee is looking for 7 more pairs of military boots. Your boots will be placed at the memorial for the fallen 14 of South Amherst at our Memorial Day ceremony. Can you help us to complete our fallen memorial? I need the boots by Sunday, and happy to grab them & return them after Monday.

05/17/2026

South Amherst Historical Society worked purposefully for months to honor the heroes of South Amherst. They did a beautiful job. Our streets are lined with American pride for those who have served for us.

Diggers, Hyster’s, Tom Pellittieri and Nick Hofecker gave their time & resources to get these banners up. Thank you!

We would like to thank the Bier family who sponsored James’ banner. We are so blessed that they wanted to honor James in such a way ❤️🤍💙 Next to James is our brother, Billy. I love to see them together.

God bless our troops. God bless our fallen. God bless America 🇺🇸

03/10/2026

If you would like to help the SSG James P Hunter Memorial Foundation to send care packages & letters from home, we are accepting items to fill boxes & letters/artwork. These packages will be sent to those stationed outside of the U.S. - any leftover material will be sent to VA hospitals/Valor Home. We are also accepting addresses of those serving - you can send a message, or email us at [email protected]

Locations for items or cards/letters are as follows:

Village of South Amherst Town Hall:
103 W. Main St, South Amherst, OH 44001

1807 The Gallery:
102 W. Main St, South Amherst, OH 44001

Piggy's Main Street Market:
136 E. Main St, South Amherst, OH 44001

I have been asked about helping with shipping. We do have a budget for these kind of things, but if you would like to help, we have a Venmo:

Copies of coloring pages can be found at South Amherst Town Hall, you can also print them yourself, or create your own! All cards/letters are welcome!

Our first group of packages will go out in about a week. We will fill packages as items come in, but packages will be sent & items accepted for about a month. We will continue to accept letters/cards after that.

Care Package Approved Items:

Food

Beef jerky
Microwavable meals
Soups (no pork please)
Powdered single serve drink mixes
Protein and energy bars
Single serve nuts and snacks
Fruit snacks and fruit leather
Canned stews
Canned chili
Canned ravioli and spaghetti
Canned soups
Canned pop-top fruit
Squeezable apple sauce
Small packages of nuts & seeds
Cookies
Pretzels
Chips (Pringle type containers best)
Crackers
Corn Nuts
Trail Mix
Nut bars
Energy bars
Protein bars
Breakfast & granola bars
Small cereal boxes (one serving)
Beef jerky
Instant oatmeal
Pop Tarts
Kraft Easy Mac
Condiment packets
Non-refrigerated microwavable meals
Instant soup (Lipton, Miso soup, etc.)
Cup a Noodles/noodle bowls
Sweeteners: stevia, sugar, etc
Individually wrapped hard candy
Chewing and bubble gum
Mints
Breath strips
Chocolate is accepted October – March
Powdered, sweetened drink mixes
Ground or instant coffee
Tea bags
Hot chocolate
Cider mix
Coffee Mate
** No homemade items please.

Hygiene

Disposable razors
Dental supplies
Medicated foot powder
Gel deodorant
Packets of antibacterial hand wipes
Unscented baby wipes
Unscented bar soap
Hotel/travel-sized gel deodorant
Shampoo
Lotion
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dental floss
Lip balm
Q-Tips (Large packages are fine)
Hair bands
Clips
Cotton calf length socks
Bobby pins
Tampons
Maxi and mini pads
Oil-free face cleaner
Makeup remover
Nail kits (no nail polish or remover)
Mascara and makeup
Eye drops
Nose drops
Unscented baby wipes
Wet wipes
Good quality razors and blades
Shaving gel and powder (NO AEROSOL CANS)
Small Kleenex Packets
Anti-fungal creams
Band Aids
Medicated foot powder
Sunscreen

Entertainment & Miscellaneous

Coloring books
Word search books
Soduko and crossword puzzle books
Colored pencils and sharpener
Playing cards and card games
Blank greeting cards
Pens
Stress balls
Pens
Pencils
Blank greeting cards
Stationary
Yo-Yo’s
Stickers
Dice
Hand held games and puzzles
Funny papers and crossword pages
Sunglasses

Thank you for continuing to support the SSG James P Hunter Memorial Foundation - by doing so, you help us to support our troops, and that's all we want to do while honoring James!

God bless our troops. God bless our fallen. God bless America.

03/02/2026

We are asking for addresses of those who are deployed outside of the USA for care packages. If you know of someone who would enjoy some love from home, please send the address our way! You can message or email us at [email protected]

02/28/2026

“The soldier above all others pray for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” General Douglas MacArthur

Heavenly Father,

We lift up every American service member now deployed in this hour of conflict—those on ships, in the air, on bases, and in forward positions. Shield them with Your mighty hand. Give them clarity in every decision, courage under fire, and peace that passes all understanding. Surround them with Your angels, guard their bodies and minds, and bring them safely home when their mission is complete.

Comfort their spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who wait at home with heavy hearts. Replace fear with faith, anxiety with hope, and sleepless nights with the assurance that You neither slumber nor sleep. Hold their families close, provide for every need, and let them feel the support of a grateful nation.

Lord, we ask for wisdom for our leaders, protection for the innocent, and a swift path to de-escalation and lasting peace in the region. May justice prevail and evil be restrained.

We pray all this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.