Salute to the Fallen Foundation

06/09/2026

To my fellow veterans, service members and first responders:

Sometimes the battle isn't loud. Sometimes it isn't visible. Sometimes the hardest fight happens in complete silence.

There are days when the urge to quit feels louder than the voices telling you to keep going. Days when the weight of memories, loss, guilt, or simply exhaustion feels impossible to carry. But I want you to remember something: feelings are temporary, even when they feel permanent.

If all you can do today is make it through the next hour, do that. If it takes a few days to find your footing again, that's okay too. Peace doesn't always arrive all at once. Sometimes it comes in small moments—a phone call, a sunrise, a conversation, a reason to stay.

You have survived every difficult day that has brought you to this moment. Keep fighting. Keep reaching. Keep living.

The world is better with you in it, and the peace you're searching for is worth staying for.

06/02/2026

For those who couldn't make it to the unveiling of the Guardian Response Unit in person, we wanted to share a glimpse of what this incredible resource is all about.

Our Co-Founder, Misti, put together a short video highlighting some of the resources and support available inside the GRU. What started as an idea just a few short weeks ago has become a mobile lifeline that will travel across Iowa bringing hope, support, and critical resources directly to those who need them most.

Take a few minutes to watch and see what your support has helped make possible. Every donation, every share, every volunteer hour, and every word of encouragement helped turn this vision into reality.

This is more than a vehicle. It's a promise that no one has to face life's toughest moments alone.

06/01/2026

https://www.kcrg.com/2026/06/01/mobile-mental-health-unit-unveiled-iowa-veterans-first-responders/

06/01/2026

40 days from idea to reality! We unveiled our Guardian Response Unit today! Big thank you going out to Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, Eddie Andrews, cedar Rapids Metro economic alliance, Skogman Realty, Banacom Signs and More and everyone else who helped bring this vision into reality.

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

You’ve got 40 minutes to come on down to the IMON Ice Arena and check out our new Guardian Response Unit!

06/01/2026

Be ready to go live in 25 minutes!

06/01/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE BIG DAY! 🚨

After 40 days of planning, fundraising, building, and an incredible amount of community support, the Guardian Response Unit (GRU) will officially be unveiled today at ImOn Ice in Cedar Rapids!

This isn't just the unveiling of a vehicle—it's the launch of a mission. A mission that will travel across Iowa bringing hope, support, resources, and assistance to communities when they need it most.

📍 ImOn Ice - Cedar Rapids
🕜 Doors Open: 1:30 PM
🕑 Ceremony Begins: 2:00 PM

🎤 Event Schedule:

• Welcome by our MC, Eddie Andrews for Iowa
• Benediction by my good friend and favorite Iowa National Guard Chaplain, Tim Hadley
• Remarks from Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell
• Remarks from Salute to the Fallen Co-Founder and the heart behind this mission, Misti Thompson
• Remarks from Founder John Thompson

Then comes the moment we've all been waiting for...

🚑 Chris Hicks will drive the Guardian Response Unit onto center ice as we hear a few words from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance before officially cutting the ribbon!

✂️ Following the ribbon cutting, everyone is invited down to the ice to get an up-close look at the GRU, tour the inside, and see firsthand this critical new resource that will soon be serving communities across Iowa.

This project was made possible by an amazing community of supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and believers who saw the vision and helped make it a reality. We can't wait to share it with all of you.

See you tomorrow as we make history together!

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460 Benefit The Vets Romans Warrior Foundation Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Rich Lorimer Cancun Mexican Grill & Bar Villas Patio 2 CR Ben Kaplan KCCI Jenni Olson Veterans Creed -VCVS GWOT Wall of Remembrance Salute Funding Network Representative Helena Hayes KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids Police Department Honor And Respect LLC Handyman Hautt Ben Dales HEROES in FOCUS Teufelhund Veterans Group Freedom Foundation Siren - Emergency Vehicle Upfitting Banacom Signs & More LLC Realty Shari Risoff Scotty Risoff Simon Conway

05/31/2026

This is happening now at the American legion in Springville! Come check it out and meet some great people.

05/29/2026

WE DID IT!

Because of the incredible support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community members, the Guardian Response Unit (GRU) has officially reached its fundraising goal. Together, we have raised the full amount needed to bring this project to life!

The GRU is now being stocked and prepared for service, and we are excited to invite everyone to our official Unveiling Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting on June 1st at 2:00 PM at the ImOn Ice - Cedar Rapids in Cedar Rapids.

This project was built by a community that believes in hope, compassion, and supporting people during some of life's most difficult moments. Every donation, share, word of encouragement, and act of support helped make this vision a reality.

While the initial project is fully funded, our mission doesn't stop here. We are now establishing a sustainability fund to help keep the Guardian Response Unit on the road year-round, ensuring we can continue providing hope, support, and critical resources to those who need them most.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this mission and helping us turn an idea into reality. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with all of you on June 1st!

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460 Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Chris Hicks Salute Funding Network PuroClean of Cedar Rapids Romans Warrior Foundation KCCI KCRG-TV9 Rich Lorimer Ben Kaplan KCCI Veterans Creed -VCVS Cancun Mexican Grill & Bar Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Villas Patio 2 CR Shawn Bertholf Brian Romans Benefit The Vets Ben Dales Jenni Olson Representative Helena Hayes Eddie Andrews for Iowa Mayor Danny Laudick Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell Congressman Zach Nunn Ashley Hinson