Heroes Outreach Program

05/25/2026

Join us TUESDAY, June 2nd for TRIVIA at PEPPERONI BILL’S.
$10 donation to play 5 rounds of FUN trivia with prizes awarded. Just $10 more, gets you ALL YOU CAN EAT PIZZA (drinks not included). Grab a friend and come play trivia while supporting local VETERANS & FIRST RESPONDERS!!

Doors open and 🍕pizza starts at 4PM and Trivia starts at 5PM!!

See you there!

05/18/2026

It is with an extremely sad heart that we have to announce the passing of our dear friend and volunteer, Dan Keenan. Final arrangements have not been made yet, but we will keep everyone informed as soon as we know.

Rest in Peace, My Friend, Your watch is over.

05/15/2026

Subject:
The Freedom 13 & Veteran Freedom Healing Camp in Bourbon, MO.
From:
Greg Doolin
Date:
5/12/2026, 7:30 PM
To:
undisclosed-recipients:;
BCC:
[email protected]

Good evening,

My name is Mark Schmitz; Gold Star father of United States Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz (KIA @ the Abbey Gate 8.26.21) during the withdrawal from the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Interview with Mark Schmitz:
https://share.google/Xn8wWgmgvg0sAi5Lw

F13 Promo Video: https://vimeo.com/1189602648

Quick overview: As a legacy to Jared, and to the thirteen at large, that were tragically murdered by a su***de bomber, our mission is to build a recreational mental health healing camp in Bourbon, MO on 171 acres for veterans, law enforcement and Gold Star Families. We are building 13 homes on site for our guests to stay in for a week at a time. A safe place for them to take a knee, forge new friendships, build camaraderie, but most of all, heal together.

We typically host a volunteer day on the 2nd Saturday of every month. In May we will actually have 2 volunteer days (May 9 & 30 to prepare trails for the big race) with water and lunch provided. Typical volunteer hours are 0900-1500

We would love you sharing our mission, with everyone you know.

In particular, we have an upcoming event called the Freedom Backyard Ultra Marathon. This is a last-person-standing race consisting of 4.16-mile loops. Each loop must be completed within 1 hour; at the top of the next hour the loop starts all over again. This cycle repeats until only one person remains who can finish. The race will take place at our Missouri Freedom Camp located at 5992 State Rte C Bourbon, MO 65441. Runner check-ins start at 0600; the race starts promptly at 0800.

***PLEASE SHARE/SOCIALIZE the Run with everyone you know***

If you would ever like a private tour of the Freedom Camp, just reach out and we would be happy to accommodate.

I am attaching a few graphics and useful links for you. Feel free to distro.

Backyard Ultra Marathon video https://vimeo.com/1148149635
Our presentation video https://vimeo.com/1175471691
Endorsement from Gary Sinise https://vimeo.com/1169375292
Interviews with Veterans https://vimeo.com/1068414396

BACK WALL Graphic.jpg
t-shirt design w names.png
postcard handout front.png
Freedom BACKYARD ULTRA MARATHON (8.5 x 11 in) (11 x 8.5 in).png
Angels of Abbey Gate Memorial Ride Flyer QR code.jpg

The trial for the sole terrorist in custody started this week in Federal Court in Virginia. The Pentagon finally re-evaluated what happened at the Abbey Gate and has upgraded valor awards to certain deserving Marines. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marines-abbey-gate-award/ #:~:text=The%20move%20comes%20after%20a,2026%2011:46%20AM%20EDT

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/04/22/pentagon-to-upgrade-valor-awards-for-marines-at-site-of-abbey-gate-bombing/ #:~:text=Pentagon%20to%20upgrade%20valor%20awards,in%20a%20statement%20on%20Wednesday.

https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/justice-denied-hung-jury-abbey-gate-trial-means-true-reckoning-over-bombing

The jury deliberated for about eight hours over two days, ending with a split verdict.

04/30/2026

Here's some ground rules for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend:
1. Don't wish me a Happy Memorial Day! There is nothing happy about brave men and women dying.
2. It's not a holiday, it's a remembrance.
3. If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington or your local VA or local Veterans Cemetary, not freaking Disneyland.
4. Don't talk to me how great any one political power is. Talk to me about Chesty Puller, George Patton, Dakota Meyer, Chris Kyle, Audie Murphy, Robert Maurice Ware and any other heroes too numerous to name. Attend a Bell Ceremony, Roll Call or any other type and shed some tears.
5. Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about, I have carried the burden all too many times for Warriors who now stand their post with God.
6. Remember the Fallen for all the Good they did while they were here.
7. Reach out and let a Vet know you're there, we're losing too many in "peace."
One more thing, as a Veteran, you come together, you have that BBQ. But before you eat, circle up and say a prayer. Raise that glass to your Brothers and Sisters that are gone. Then you don't say a word. After that, eat and enjoy each others company.
I copied this from someone, please do the same. Don't just hit share.
Yes, I did copy and paste this from someone else's wall, but I say the same thing EVERY year. Please remember the purpose of the memorial.

04/27/2026

Please consider helping this Hero.

Standing with a Hero: Lt. Sherman Miller Heal at Warrior’s Heart To ou… Sabrina Cantu needs your support for Support Lt. Sherman Miller’s Healing Journey

03/29/2026

03/28/2026

WOW! This IS exciting.

We are raffling a whole 50 pounds of assorted cuts of beef AND a 7 cubic foot chest freezer to hold it all. The best part is...it will be yours in time for that United States 250th 4th of July Birthday.

This is a locally, grass fed and raised steer. Butchered, processed and packaged by a local meat processor. I can tell you, this is the best beef you have ever eaten. The hamburger is packaged in 2 lb. tubes and the steaks and roasts are cut 1.5" thick.

At $20 a ticket, or six for $100, you're not going to get a better deal anywhere. This is over $1000 worth of meat and freezer for less than what you pay for your coffees every week. Come to Gathering to buy tickets or call (800) 514-6670 for other ways to buy.

Drawing will be held on July 1st at 6pm at Bonnie's Cafe 3734 Osage Beach Pkwy, Osage Beach, MO 65065

Share this will all your friends. Print off the flyer below and post it around. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT LOCAL VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS!

03/04/2026

I forgot to post the winners of last year's raffle. Well, here you go.

02/28/2026

The trivia night on February 24th in Camdenton, was a HUGE success. We had over 100 people come out to show their support of Ernest and Jane Calvert. We have heard from numerous people that they really loved the evening. We will be presenting Mr. and Mrs. Calvert with a $2000 check at our Gathering at Pepperoni Bill's in Camdenton on Tuesday, March 3rd. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this fantastic couple.

02/07/2026

On Friday, January 30th, the home of Vietnam Purple Heart recipient Ernest Calvert burned to the ground. They lost everything. Unfortunately, they did not have insurance either. This American Hero deserves all that we can do for him and his family.
The Heroes Outreach Program is holding a Trivia Night fundraiser on February 24th from 5pm to 7:30pm at Pepperoni Bill's Pizzaria in Camdenton, MO. All proceeds will go to help Ernest and his family rebuild. Please keep in mind this is a fundraiser for the Calvert family. We will be having a 50/50 drawing and possibly some silent auction items as well. If you would like to donate a silent auction item, please send an email to [email protected].

You can also donate to the Go Fund Me page set up for the family by visiting this link.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jane-and-ern-rebuild-after-the-fire?attribution_id=sl%3A2fea32ce-9b7a-478f-9336-56c6ab356ce4&lang=en_US&ts=1769806762&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp17_tc&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwY2xjawP0ScdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5OUVuanUydnJwekR5YWpyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt38BynhBk79kkmV9eHtsayfmn_Qa28tLmuxsB4WLOQ1dg779wLNog7B2oLm_aem_EK8BwXByvs67c4_8dBGKig