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.php) remarked 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

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!

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!

OS91 invited to Deployment Breakfast at Armed Forces Reserve Center

 Prayer Breakfast During Soldier Readiness Processing Week

OS91 was blessed to be invited by Chaplain Brian Ray to the Orlando Armed Forces Reserve Center this morning for the 143rd ESC Prayer breakfast held for those Soldiers deploying to Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Chaplains present at Breakfast

OS91 was welcomed with open arms and hearts by those Chaplains and Soldiers who attended the breakfast. Many Psalm 91 cards and books were gratefully taken by the Soldiers  for their personal use as well as for their families. There were several of higher rank who took packets of 25, 50, or 100 Psalm 91 cards to distribute to Soldiers under their command who would like them.

Soldiers taking Psalm 91 books and cards

What a joy to provide our Troops with the Divine Protection of Psalm 91! They were so grateful!

Chaplains with Psalm 91 cards

Our table, full of Psalm 91 resources, was permitted to be left set up in the Dining Hall, so those other Military who come in will be able to help themselves! 

Chaplain Ray speaking to Soldiers

OS91 gives a heartfelt THANK YOU to Chaplain Ray for the invitation to this Prayer Breakfast. It was a dream come true! Be assured that you all are being prayed for daily by Operation Safety 91!

OS91 receives award at Reserve Center

U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Center in Orlando

OS91 was surprised and honored with an award at The U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Center this morning! Chaplain Mike Vidal of Orlando Police Department, COL in the U.S. Military arranged an appointment this morning with COL Garfield Jones, Florida Military Outreach Coordinator at the Navy Reserve Center, who attended OS91's 5th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders on February 22nd. Ed and I met with Chaplain Mike and altogether we received a tour of the Naval Center and were able to meet many wonderful Responders. 

COL Garfield Jones was very excited 

to show us his Psalm 91 card 

After our meeting with COL Jones, we sere suddenly escorted right into the Office of the Chief of the Navy Operational Support Center, LSC Nivea Estrada. What an honor! Chief also attended our 5th Annual Tribute Event and was very impressed. Together, Chief, COL Jones, Chaplain Mike, Ed and I planned some wonderful things for next year's 6th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders, scheduled for 2/28/14. It is very exciting! In fact, I was so excited that unfortunately I didn't get a photo of Chief Estrada! But this wonderful lady not only had her Psalm 91 card, she eagerly took another one to keep in another place! YAY!

Presentation of Awards to OS91

Then, another sudden transition to a large open place and we were told that we were receiving awards and being pinned! Chaplain Vidal made a speech thanking us for all OS91 does for our Military, we were each presented with a beautiful plaque and pinned. What an honor to receive this token of appreciation!

Nancy Auter shows me her Psalm 91 plaque

After the Ceremony, Nancy Auter, Funeral Honor Guard Coordinator took me to her Office and showed me something very precious to her: a Psalm 91 plaque displayed on her desk. What a gift to me to see how much Psalm 91 means to our Military! OS91's Psalm 91 cards were also on her desk; I didn't miss that! Nancy gladly accepted a pack of  Psalm 91 cards to distribute. 

Ed with Chaplain COL Mike Vidal, OPD

Back outside Ed gave Chaplain Mike a box of "Your Shield and Buckler" Psalm 91 books by Jorge Diaz to distribute. Chaplain Mike has been a blessing to OS91 in the almost 2 years we have known him, making many connections with Chaplains he knows to get out Psalm 91 cards to Responders. His friend Chaplain David Lee of Clarksville, Tennessee Police Department, has distributed 3,000 Psalm 91 cards to Responders not only in CPD but also to the county Sheriff's Department as well as Ft. Cambell! 

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who put this Award together today, especially to Chaplain Vidal who nominated us for this award. We are so honored!  

OS91 at CFI Church

CFI Pastor Gerry Khourie welcomes Ed to stage

OS91's premiere Church partner, Christ Family International Church www.cfichurch.com of Port St. Lucie, FL welcomed us with open arms today. CFI Pastor Gerry Khourie with his dear wife, Pastor Donnelyn, have been strong and loyal supporters of OS91 for over 2 1/2 years and their congregation has followed in their footsteps!

Ps 91 cards given out 

and donations for cards received

Our heartfelt thanks to all who donated so generously today. We appreciate CFI Church so much! You all will only know in heaven all the Responders who have been touched through your giving!

OS91 participating in Charity Challenge XXVIII Raffle

OS91 partners with Charity Challenge

Donate just $1 per ticket to benefit OS91

Operation Safety 91 has been given a marvelous opportunity this year to partner with Charity Challenge, a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to raise funds for local charities. www.charitychallengeinc.org. To date, Charity Challenge has raised nearly $5 million for Central Florida Charities through an annual outdoor Event, which will take place once again on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Florida Citrus Bowl from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kif5JZwbyOg 

OS91 is participating in their "drawing of chance" program - a raffle. Each ticket is a $1 donation. You do not have to be present to win. The winners will be posted on the Charity Challenge website for all to see.

Prizes include: VACATION PACKAGES, CRUISE PACKAGES,

55" Plasma/ LED TV, Blue Ray Players 

TICKETS to Theme Parks: Disney, Universal, Wet n Wild, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Movie Theater tickets

GIFT CARDS to Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Outback, Walmart, Target, JCP, Sears

Play Station 2 & games, X Box games, MP3 Player CDs, DVD for children Microwave, Jewelry and more!!!

$5 minimum for Paypal: www.OS91.com/donate . Call OS91 at 877-820-7467 to make a $1 donation by credit/debit card for a ticket. To donate by check (or money order) make checks payable to Operation Safety 91 & send to address below.

The drawing takes place during the Charity Challenge XXVIII Event on May 18th. In order to be eligible to win a prize, OS91 must have all donations processed before that date to make sure ticket stubs will be turned in before the drawing.

Help OS91 make Psalm 91 cards and expand our outreach to all Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement and Military. 425,000 Psalm 91 cards have been made and distributed to date. Four million to go! Help us help them with God's Covenant of Protection: Psalm 91.

Operation Safety 91

13750 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 350

Winter Garden, FL 34787

5th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders

 

February 22, 2013 OS91 hosted its 5th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders at the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive in Orlando. "The best yet!' was heard over and over after the deluxe Luncheon and Tribute with almost 400 attendees.

Deluxe Luncheon for Responders

Orange County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard kicks off OS91's 5th Annual Tribute

Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement, Police, Military, Dispatch and Corrections Officers from about one dozen counties throughout Florida came to be honored and thanked for their service by Operation Safety 91 and the supporting businesses, organizations, and civilians present. 

EmCee,Tony Mainolfi, Chief Meteorologist of WESH 2

Tim Kaufman sang "I Believe In America!

This year's Event was live streamed by Al Haslam, OS91 Board member and Regional Head of Face to Face Live, Inc. (www.facetofacelive.com/). This was a dream come true for OS91, and made our Event available for viewing during and after the Event for all those Responders, Responder Chaplains, and Responder Ministries with whom we partner from all over the world. In fact, during the Event a Responder present received this text from his son currently serving in Afghanistan: "I'm watching!"

OS91 National Spokesperson COL Danny McKnight

with OS91 Board member Kurt Hilton

The Event special speaker was OS91 National Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (Ret.) of "Black Hawk Down" renown. (www.dannymcknight.com/). Not sure that there was a dry eye in "The Hall of Heroes" Ballroom as COL described an incident of a young soldier hit by an IED during his trip to Afghanistan in 2011. As this wounded warrior was being taken into Emergency Surgery, COL leaned down and gave him one sentence of hope, which has blossomed into what will be a life long friendship. COL McKnight was given a very spontaneous standing ovation by all present as he left the stage.  

K-9 Officers and their 4 legged partner Officers honored

Operation Safety 91 honors all Responders of all disciplines each year at our Tribute Events, with an emphasis on one group. This year's emphasis was on Police and Law Enforcement, including K-9 and Equine Mounted Patrol. 

Keynote Speaker: Officer Jorge Diaz

Our Keynote Speaker was Jorge Diaz, co-founder of Officer of the Lord Ministries (www.officerofthelord.com/), a Military Veteran, currently a Police Officer and Police Chaplain serving in West Miami Police Department. Jorge spoke to the Responders heart-to-heart instructing them in their own language how to be supernaturally protected from harm in a very dangerous profession. 

www.officerofthelord.com/shieldandbuckler.htm

Jorge is the Author of "Your Shield and Buckler", which is Psalm 91 for Police, LEOs, and SWAT. Thanks to Officer Diaz's generosity, each attendee was given a complimentary copy of his book! Jorge and his partner, Retired SGT Terrell Duke of Hialeah PD, shared some testimonies of the miraculous protection of Psalm 91.

Chief Paul Rooney of Orlando Police Department

thanks Mary after Event

Fire Chief Carle Bishop of Clermont

making plans with Mary for 7th Annual Tribute!

High ranking Military present

Groveland and Minneola Responders and Chaplains

with COL McKnight

Former NYPD with Ed

Finale by Tim Kaufman - "God Bless America"

A heartfelt thank you to our Sponsors

GOLD
Rosen Centre Hotel

SILVER - TABLE
Baldwin-Fairchild
Christ Family International Church
Coastal Hyundai
Cocoa Hyundai
COL Danny R. McKnight USA (Ret.)
CPH Engineers
Face To Face Live, Inc.
New Hope Christian Academy
Orlando Police Department
SeaWorld
Star & Shield Group
Terry Lea Pepin
UNO Chicago Grill
Vertical Aitch
BRONZE
Baldwin-Fairchild - Floral Arrangements
Flowers For You
Kelly’s Food Service
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Service By Air - Donation of Event Programs
Space Coast Intelligent Solutions, Inc.


AUDIO VISUAL SUPPORT
Central Florida Fire Academy


SPECIAL THANKS
Tony Mainolfi and WESH 2 News
Speakers, Bagpipers, Singers, Volunteers, & Staff

Psalm 91 story

I am a Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant with the C...County Sheriff's Office. I have spent the past 25 years with this agency and have lived in the area all my life. With that being said I have been able to develop some great relationships with first Responders throughout the county. The ministry we have begun works with first Responders as well as with people getting out pf prison, jail, rehab or are at a high risk of going to those places.

A personal story about th Psalm 91 cards. I received a couple cards in the mail a few months ago. I have carried the card in my shirt pocket since then. Today I received a call that my great niece (1 year old) was found unresponsive, my niece called 911 and they walked her through CPR - the baby was revived and taken to the local hospital to await being transported to a larger hospital. I was able to get to the hospital before they left for the big hospital and to pray with the family. We prayed through Psalm 91 and then I was able to give my niece and the baby's father the card to take with them. I do not know what the Lord has planned for this young family but I trust in His ways.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share. CH JQ

OS91 attends Fire Rescue East

Firefighter at Fire Rescue East 2013

OS91 was honored to be a vendor at Fire RESCUE EAST (FRE) 2013 at the Daytona Beach Convention Center, Daytona Beach, FL from Thursday, January 24th to Saturday, January 26th, 2013. This special time with Fire Chiefs and Firefighters from the Southeast U.S. was special from start to finish! This was our third year in a row attending FRE, and it is now a time not only to meet new Responders but also a time of reunion with Responders and their Chaplains who have previously connected with us for Psalm 91 cards and books.

Psalm 91 Teacher

I had many joys at FRE this year: one outstanding encounter was with this Firefighter, Bob, who was so eager to reconnect with Operation Safety 91, that he specially looked for us in the roster. After receiving Peggy Joyce Ruth's book, Psalm 91, God's Shield of Protection last year, he read it three times and even taught a class on it! This book had a profound effect on him and he couldn't wait to share that with me!

Clermont, FL Tower Truck on display at FRE

Of course in our blog we get to show off our special friends: Clermont Fire Departments' Tower Truck was on display at the Convention. Clermont Fire Chief Carle Bishop came to the OS91 booth to say hi and to make sure we knew that he and some of Clermont Firefighters are coming to the 5th Annual Tribute.

RIT Team Simulated Rescue Competition

For me, the most impactful experience of FRE was the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) simulated rescues. A maze was under construction when we arrived on Thursday, ready for several RIT Teams on Friday and a final competition of Saturday. I posted many pics on our Facebook page as these rescues were going on. These brave Responders don their protective uniforms, gear and oxygen. Their masks are fixed to duplicate the conditions of a smoke filled room, so they basically can not see. Going into the maze, Team 1 (2 Firefighters) secures a rope at the entrance and crawls through the maze until they locate the victim, then hook him/her up to oxygen. Meanwhile Team 2 follows the rope until they meet Team 1 with the victim. Together Team 1 pulls as Team 2 pushes the body back through the maze to safety. All this, with a limited amount of oxygen! To see more photos, go to facebook.com/operationsafety91. 

OS91 friend Seminole Chief Leeanna Mims 

and new Orange County Fire Chief Otto Drozd III

It was such a joy to see our friend, Chief Leeanna Mims, and to be introduced for the first time to Orange County's new Fire Chief, Otto Drozd.

L to R: Chiefs John Williamson, Jan Otero with Ed

And how we love our very own Winter Garden Fire Chief John Williamson, who is such a blessing to Operation Safety 91. Chief Williamson is now the past President of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association http://www.ffca.org which holds Fire Rescue East annually. The OS91 so enjoyed meeting for the first time our new Minneola Fire Chief Jan Otero, a 27 year old Fire Chief who took over after our friend Chief Derryl O'Neal went to Madeira Beach as Fire Chief.

Chief Derryl O'Neal with Ed

 Mascotte Fire Chief  Randy Brasher with Ed and Mary

Young lady Firefighters

It is on my heart to salute women Firefighters. Your heart for people is inspiring...as well as your bravery and strength! This Firefighter on the right visited our booth last year! 

OS91 partner, Chaplain Joe LaCognata with Mary

What a joyful reunion with a Responder Chaplain we met at a previous FRE Convention, Joe LaCognata. I spent some time listening as he told me how much he has appreciated the Psalm 91 cards and books! Joe, President and Founder of Fire Rescue Support, Inc., has such a heart for Firefighters.  Check out his website: www.FireRescueSupport.com 

Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International

L to R: Ed, Mary, Trevor Nelson, Tommy Neiman, Craig Duck, Ronnie Rivera, Percy Golden

And then, some of our favorite people in the world: The Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International with their new President, Craig Duck. You are all very special to OS91!

Firefighter T-shirt

This saying on the front of one of the Firefighter's T-shirts sums up the attitude of these wonderful, brave Responders: "Keep Training in your Life"! OS91 salutes Firefighters and all Responders. God has put a very special gift in you all: a gift that reflects His own Divine rescue of the fallen human race. Thank you for your service! We appreciate you and pray for you daily!