08/26/2026
Something you probably didn't know about me!
I grew up as a Navy brat. So, to me the military has always been a huge part of my world, but my world came crashing down when my nephew Bobby was killed in Afghanistan. One month shy of being done on that deployment and coming home. I didn't know what to do, so I started a few things to honor him and to help his family. I didn't stop there, I also dived in and started Operation Care Rob and sent over 80 care packages overseas to his unit and many other units. I had the help of my family & friends; it soon spread all over Facebook, as far as Alaska! I had people donating money to buy things for the care packages, I had bags of items showing up on my doorstep. I had so many packages sitting in my kitchen waiting to be shipped, donations came in for shipping. Letters came back from soldiers serving in Afghanistan thanking us! I went back and found some pictures; I forgot that I even was put into the local newspaper. What I wouldn't give to have him home with his family safe! From that day I dedicated my heart to helping soldiers.
2016 Veterans Support Commission was created as a going away party by Bill for his brother Tom who was headed to Afghanistan. We thought it was just a onetime party! Boy, were we wrong! We are getting ready to celebrate our 10-year anniversary on Sept 26th and we hope that you will come out and help us to honor those who are no longer with us, celebrate those who have served and those who are serving who will not be able to be here. God put me on a path to serve others and make a difference! My heart put me to helping Veterans. I wanted to share a few things that I came across tonight as I prepare for our event next month. I think that our volunteers have done such an amazing job by helping us to keep this organization running and getting bigger each year. We couldn't do it without the help of sponsors, or our big crowd which continues to grow bigger every year! So, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for making all of this possible! I know Bobby is smiling down as he watches this grow each year. His mom Hope has been coming in for years now! She will be here again this year!
For me watching the faces of our Veterans that we honor, seeing the tears in the ones in need that we have helped, and feeling the hugs and thank you for what we are doing. This is what makes it all worth it!
OUR HEREOS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
today I received a letter that made my day
Dear Nana,
From all of us here who knew Rob and those who didn't. thank you. From the young soldiers and the old guys as well, who knew Rob. His sacrifice served as a wakeup call and a harsh reminder that even as the draw down begins and our president gives speeches of success; we are still faced with bitter and determined enemies. Thank you for your support as even now you struggle with the weight of your grief. Now that we all carry Robs memory with us he truely lives on in all of us and will never truely gone or forgotten. Thank you for turning even a small measure of your love for Rob towards us.
This just hits home! Even after all these years!
