Monday, May 27, 2013

OS91 at Memorial Day Tribute - Winter Garden, FL

Memorial Park - the setting for Memorial Day Tribute

OS91 celebrated Memorial Day by participating in the Memorial Day Tribute in Winter Garden, our hometown. So well done! 

Jay Garner, U.S. Army (Ret.) - Speaker

One of our favorite speakers, General Jay Garner, who spoke at OS91's 3rd Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders (www.os91.com/events/2010tributeeventupdate.phpremarked that probably on about 2% of Americans will come out today to remember and pay tribute to those who have died serving our country. And that it is no longer adequate to just say, "Thank you for your service!" to our brave men and women Military. We need to come out and do what we are doing! Agreed!

Wreaths were placed at the Memorial for those citizens of Winter Garden who died serving our country in WWI, WWII, The Korean War, and Vietnam. Finally for all those who presently serve. Geoff Bashioum sang so beautifully our National Anthem, God Bless the USA, and finally In God We Still Trust. The Color Guard from West Orange High School did a splendid job!

We honor you, Sir! 28 years of service!

Charity Challenge XXVIII

Teams compete for local charities at 
Charity Challenge XXVIII

May 16th saw OS91 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando with thousands and thousands of locals who make the annual Charity Challenge Event a must! Talk about fun for a good cause! Congratulations to Commissioner Lee Constantine for 28 years of success! Before this Event about $5 million have been raised through these past 27 years for Central Florida charities. This year OS91 participated in the raffle. We await the final results and the bonus check which will be given to us either in June or July at a Charity Challenge Luncheon which will be held at the Citrus Bowl.
Mary gave Psalm 91 cards to Responders present

Friday, May 10, 2013

OS91 guests of COL Danny and Linda McKnight at Sentinels of Freedom Dinner

COL McKnight and Barbara Lyn, SOF President 
Operation Safety 91 attended our first Sentinels of Freedom (SOF) Dinner last evening as guests of COL Danny and Linda McKnight. This outstanding Event was hosted at the Crowne Plaza Oceanfront Hotel in Melbourne, FL. 

Patrick Air Force Base Honor Guard 

Beautiful and inspiring ceremonies began the Dinner: Patrick AFB Color Guard performed the  POW/MIA Missing Man Table Ceremony, the Pledge of Allegience was led by SSG Russ Marek, the National Anthem was sung by the Harbor City Harmonizers and the Invocation was prayed by Steve Slesinger of Calvary Chapel, Melbourne.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey
This was OS91 first time meeting with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. What a wonderful Responder! And the result? 1200 Psalm 91 cards are being shipped to the Sheriffs Office today! Praise God!

COL McKnight receives Bronze Sponsor plaque 
It was obvious last evening that the Brevard County community is on board supporting with Sentinels of Freedom Space Coast! COL McKnight on board as well with a Bronze Sponsorship of the Event. 

Ed and Mary were guests of COL Danny McKnight at his table. COL sat Mary next to a wonderful and delightful woman, a widow of a courageous Battle of the Bulge Veteran! A memorable conversation went on during that dinner, I assure you! When I went to offer her a Psalm 91 card, she shook her head no and opened her purse. And out came her very own Psalm 91 card! Of course, out came my camera!


Widow of Battle of the Bulge Vet 
pulls out her Ps 91 card!

Special to OS91 Rockledge Police Chief Lionel Cote
came to OS91's 5th Annual Tribute

Black Hawk Down Movie Poster 
donated by COL McKnight for silent auction

Successful Sentinels recognized: proof of the
Program's success

Another success story!

Keynote Speaker: SGT Kendra Coleman Garza 
Afghanistan Veteran and Military Police Paratrooper SGT Kendra Coleman Garza was the keynote Speaker. An amazing story so simply told of her heroism: choosing to return to Afghanistan after being wounded, then losing a leg to an IED upon her return. Her belief in God and knowing that God has a good plan for her life has sustained her. Kendra is such an inspiration!

Thank you, COL McKnight, for an evening we will treasure in our hearts! And congratulations to Barbara Lyn, who, by the way is an OS91 "Catch The Cause" partner, for an outstanding success. OS91 applauds you for your 5 years of helping our brave wounded warriors and their families rebuild their lives. God bless you!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

OS91 attends Fairway For Warriors Golf Event


Wounded Warriors practicing their swing

Today OS91 attended a milestone Event for the wonderful "Fairways For Warriors" Organization. www.fairwaysforwarriors.org LPGA Tour member Jacqui Concolino has been named to the Board of Directors and will serve as "Golf Ambassador" to the Organization and began her tenure with a teaching clinic for wounded Veterans today at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando.

Jacqui Concolino with Wounded Warrior

What an honor to be able to spend some time with these wonderful brave men. Through the game of golf, Fairways For Warriors strives to aid disabled, active Military personnel and Veterans.

Ed with Veteran

Al Haslam, Ed, Mary, Tom Underdown 
(Founder of Fairways For Warriors) and his wife Kathy
Congratulations, Tom, for the blessing of Jacqui joining you and Fairways For Warriors! Thank you for all you do to help these wonderful men!