OS91 partners with Unity Christian Fellowship International Ministries

Huntsville Police Officer reads Psalm 91 card 

 About one month ago, OS91 was contacted by a wonderful Pastor for an upcoming event his Church was sponsoring. We became very excited upon hearing the details. The Pastor is Pastor Earnest Edwards of Unity Christian Fellowship International Ministries located 2 miles from Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This is the home of the AMC (Army Material Command), who had the first female 4 Star General stationed and commanded the AMC. 

Even the children received Psalm 91 cards...let's get them started early!  

Behind them you can see the Psalm 91 books for giveaways

The Event was Community Outreach Fun Day which took place on September 1 from 11 am to 3 pm. This was an outreach to the community, with special emphasis on the Police of Huntsville as well as the Military nearby. 

Enjoying some relaxation with a Psalm 91 card

We so appreciate you, Pastor Edwards, your dear wife who made sure I received photos, as well as your Church's appreciation of those who protect and defend us daily. God bless you!

OS91 attends "Charity Challenge"

Charity Challenge XXVII 

Today Operation Safety 91 Founders, Ed and Mary Ganster, were invited to attend the Charity Challenge XXVII Luncheon at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Unbeknownst to us, our long time friend, Paul Benjamin, Founder of Central Florida Dream Center located in Sanford, FL, partnered with Charity Challenge and targeted an overage of the funds raised for the Dream Center to be donated to Operation Safety 91. 

Lee Constantine, Founder of Charity Challenge

presents Ed with check 

Former Florida State Senator Lee Constantine, founded Charity Challenge to bring the Central Florida community together by providing an opportunity for young adults to have fun and give back to local charities at the same time. Charity Challenge has evolved from a 4 team backyard event into a multi-media extravaganza with nearly 100 teams competing and the loyal support of over 200 sponsors. Charity Challenge has awarded nearly $5 million to local charities, including $220,000 to 7 charities in 2011, making it the largest independent charity in Central Florida.

L to R: Antonio and Belinda of the Dream Center

and Mary and Ed

Ed and Mary were truly blessed to meet for the first time Antonio Barbosa, Jr., VP/Director of Ministries and Belinda Thrift, Administrative Assistant of the Cental Florida Dream Center, wonderful people with hearts to help others and devoted to the Dream Center's mission and vision. We feel we made 2 new friends, even though we have been working with them (almost without knowing it) spreading the Psalm 91 message through the books of the 1687 Foundation. 

Paul, thank you so very much for your continued friendship and support of us and of Operation Safety 91. We truly appreciate your gift but even more, we appreciate YOU! God bless and reward you!

OS91 invited to Rosen Centre

Operation Safety 91, with other Orlando organizations, corporations and businesses, was invited to the Rosen Centre Hotel this evening to be treated to some exquisite dining and informed all the newest renovations to the Rosen Hotels. As you know, if you have been following us for any length of time, that for the past two years OS91 has hosted the 3rd and 4th Annual Tribute Events at the Rosen Centre here in Orlando. 

We appreciate Mr. Harris Rosen, a brilliant businessman, generous philanthropist, and former Military, who truly has a heart for OS91's mission and vision. Ed and I had several minutes with Mr. Rosen, and were touched to receive his enthusiastic encouragement and congratulations for what we are doing. I do apologize that the picture is so dark, but I am still posting it.

Mr. Rosen, Mary and Ed

God gave us a special blessing tonight at this Event. Ed began talking to a staff person, Doug Ribley, Assistant Director of Convention Services and Catering. When Doug discovered that Ed was the Founder of Operation Safety 91, he told Ed that he attended the 3rd Annual Tribute and there he received a Psalm 91 card and a Christian Patriotic decal, which he promptly put on his wife's car. Later that year, Doug's wife was miraculously spared, when her car flipped 3 times and ended up on all four tires; she did not have a scratch! Praise the Lord!

Ed with Doug

What a blessing to hear miraculous testimonies of the Divine Protection of Psalm 91!

OS91 meets with COL Danny McKnight

COL McKnight with his book & card & Psalm 91 card

Yesterday Ed and Mary had the honor of another meeting with an American Hero and our beloved National Spokesperson COL Danny McKnight, US Army (Ret.) of "Black Hawk Down" renown and his beautiful wife, Linda.  We cherish these times spent with COL and his wife, both so dedicated to Responders and to the mission of Operation Safety 91, to honor and protect these brave men and women.

During the conversation, Linda told us that she has for a few months now been including one of COL McKnight's business cards as well as a Psalm 91 card in each copy of COL's new book, Streets of Mogadishu. That was music to our ears! 

COL then invited us to their home! What a privilege! As we pulled up, the first thing we noticed is this Yellow Ribbon Flag pictured below. Of course I had to have a picture!

Yellow Ribbon Flag held by Linda

COL McKnight and Linda rolled out the "red carpet" for us and showed us around their beautiful home, the highlight of which is what COL calls "Linda's Room" which is really COL's room...full of memorabilia as Danny moved up the ranks of the U.S. Army and fought for America on foreign soil. 

COL McKnight in front of a one-of-a-kind multiple autographed

"Black Hawk Down" movie poster

We enjoyed a heartwarming moment when their granddaughter appeared; just had to have a picture of that!

Proud Grandparents!

Ed and I thank God for connecting us to COL McKnight and Linda, who have such a heart for OS91's mission and vision. COL does at least 80 Speaking Engagements and Leadership Conferences for Responders all over the U.S. each year and speaks about Operation Safety 91 wherever he goes, always making available our Psalm 91 cards at each Event. In fact, COL has been to Afghanistan twice this year to be with our brave soldiers in battle and he gave hundreds and hundreds of Psalm 91 cards to them. If you ever have the honor to spend time with COL McKnight and Linda, you will see two people who love our Responders and are giving their lives to reach them. COL Danny and Linda, OS91 loves and appreciates you!

COL McKnight with Chaplain in Afghanistan - 2012

OS91 attends Home At Last Presentation

Ed congratulating SSG Kelly 

OS91 was overjoyed to attend a heartwarming Event today. Disabled Veteran, Army SSG Jeffery Kelly and his family received their specially adapted home this morning.The Flag Raising ceremony kicked off this wonderful Event at 9:30 am at the Kelly's beautiful, new, specially designed home at 218 West Oakland Ave, Oakland, FL.  The Dedication followed at 11 am at the nearby Oakland Presbyterian Church Christian Life Center at 218 E. Oakland Ave.  This is the 4th home from the West Orange Habitat for Humanity's "Home at Last" project in providing specially adapted homes to make life somewhat easier for wounded warriors.  Jeffery grew up in the Orlando area and is an Eagle Scout.  He served three tours in Iraq before being injured by an RPG blast in 2008.  Guest speaker was LT General Randy Mixon.  A flag flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4 was presented by Congressman Dan Webster.    www.westorangehabitat.org/node/150

Flag raising Ceremony

OS91 attends National Night Out

National Night Out in Winter Garden

What a wonderful Event last evening: National Night Out, held all over the country to bridge the gap between Responders and civilians. Lots of fun (including "Dunking a Cop"), food and fellowship with local Responders. We appreciate all our Responders who help protect, defend and rescue us in our daily lives! 

OS91 speaks at Christ Family International Church

Pastors Gerry and Donnelyn Khourie 

Christ Family International Church

What a joy and honor to speak this morning at both Services at Christ Family International Church (CFI) cfichurch.com, Operation Safety 91's premiere Church partner, located in Port St.Lucie, FL. Our heartfelt thanks to Pastors Gerry and Donnelyn Khourie for their continued support of Operation Safety 91 over the past two years, and especially now that we have launched "Catch The Cause". More than 100 Catch The Cause partners have come from CFI alone during prelaunch alone!

Today, Ed spoke again about "Catch The Cause" and our compelling 5 minute video was debuted to the Church members. (http://www.os91.com/catchthecause.php) This video was created by Scott Smith, a member of CFI Church, with Voiceover done by a fellow CFI Church member, Vince Cloe. What a message that video relays: calling on Americans to "Catch The Cause" of OS91: to honor and protect Protectors, i.e. Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement and Military!

Then Mary spoke about a Marine, currently deployed in Afghanistan, who with his Team, in 2 months time, has been assigned 3 missions from which they were told, most of them would not come back! This Marine had a Psalm 91 card, and before their first mission, he prayed Psalm 91 with his buddy and then left on separate helicopters. Both came back safe! In a couple weeks they were assigned to another mission of similar danger. This time he led 5 Marines, praying Psalm 91 from our card. Miracles of supernatural protection happened and all returned safely. No casualties. The third mission, this Marine led a bigger group of Marines in Psalm 91 and again, after Divine intervention, all returned from the Mission safely.

Mary with Wounded Warrior Marine in CFI Congregation

In the Congregation today, was a Marine who had been wounded in Afghanistan. When his presence was discovered and announced from the Altar, this brave Marine was given a heartfelt standing ovation from the Church members. Needless to say, he was given a Psalm 91 card before he left the Church and had his picture taken with Mary, plus he took Psalm 91 cards back to his Chaplain and Team. Know, Sir, that we will be praying for you daily! Our heartfelt thanks to you for your service! 

Thank you, CFI Pastors and Church members for your generosity to us! Because of your donations today we will be able to make our next batch of Psalm 91 cards! Many came up and told us testimonies, stories and asked for more cards. Below is a wonderful couple who attend CFI; they are both from Military backgrounds and have lots of stories. Her Dad, COL Lawrence Tuttle, was on Normandy Beach with General George Patton! Wow... and she took 300 cards to distribute! 

Dana (holding Ps. 91 cards) and Mike, 

a Military couple from CFI 

OS91 salutes Mildred Harden McKnight

Program for Mildred Harden McKnight's

Celebration of Life

Today, Operation Safety 91 was honored to participate in the Celebration of Life of Mildred Harden McKnight, the dear mother of our National Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight, U.S. Army (Ret.).  Mildred was beloved and the First Baptist Church of Cocoa was filled with family and friends as Pastor Charles Horton gave a wonderful tribute to his devoted Church member. Both COL Danny McKnight and his brother Jimmy spoke about their mother, and their brother, Bill read the Scriptures. Beautiful renditions of How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace were sung by granddaughters, Natalie McKnight and Nicole McKnight Hamilton.

Mildred was laid to rest at Florida Memorial Funeral grounds on South U.S. Hwy 1 in Rockledge. The Funeral Procession was led by Rockledge Police, who are very dear to Operation Safety 91. Chief Ronald  Krueger, friend of COL McKnight and the McKnight family, not only attended the Celebration of Life, but was out with his Officers directing traffic to make way for the Funeral Procession. 

                                   

We were so touched to see even Firefighters standing at attention along the Procession route to honor the mother of COL McKnight.

We honor the memory of the mother of COL Danny McKnight, whom OS91 is blessed to have as our National Spokesperson, as well as to call friend. We thank God for her and for him!

OS91'S NEW CAMPAIGN: CATCH THE CAUSE

As we celebrate our Independence today, July 4th, what better day for Operation Safety 91 to launch our new Campaign “CATCH THE CAUSE”, calling on Americans of all ages to join us in supporting our Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement and Military. "CATCH THE CAUSE" is a membership driven, social networking campaign to educate the public about what our Responders do and the risks that they assume to protect, rescue and defend us. We owe our Responders so much and this is a very tangible way to give back! Check out the website www.catchthecause.com.  Become a member and spread this to your family and friends! On behalf of our Responders, thank you for getting involved!

The beautiful “CATCH THE CAUSE” website was developed and designed by NEW VARIS, http://newvaris.com/ to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. The amazing video for “CATCH THE CAUSE” was created by Scott Smith of Avalon Productions. A most heartfelt thank you to them from OS91. 

OS91 launches new campaign tomorrow, July 4, 2012

For over 4 1/2 years Operation Safety 91 has been dealing directly with Responder Chaplains and Ministries and Responders themselves. GET READY! Tomorrow, July 4th, Independence Day, OS91 launches its new campaign to all Americans, young and old, to honor and protect America's 1st Responders! GET READY!

OS91 attends C.A.S.T.

2012 C.A.S.T. IV

OS91 has the privilege for the 2nd year in a row to attend as Exhibitors the U.S. Army's Chaplains Annual Sustainment Training (C.A.S.T.) at the beautiful Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Between 400 - 450 Chaplains and Chaplains Assistants are present here for this training. We came back home today with several requests and thousands of cards were put in these Chaplains hands. It was also a time of hearing testimonies, meeting friends we made from last year, and making new friends!

Purple Heart Chaplain's Assistant 

What an honor to hear the testimony of this Chaplain's Assistant who was rocketed in Afghanistan and received The Purple Heart.

Good News about the Psalm 91 cards!

Then we heard how our Psalm 91 cards are all over Afghanistan, in the hands of the Chaplains and Troops, sent over by Churches and Ministries!!!

A time to reunite with Chaplain friends from C.A.S.T 2011

Wonderful Chaplains!

Entrance at Shades of Green