A Hero Was Here http://www.aherowashere.org Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:43:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 5th Annual A Hero Was Here Fireworks Fundraiser http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=619 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=619#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:00:05 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=619 Fireworks-Announcment

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]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=619 0 4th Annual Fireworks Fundraiser http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=599 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=599#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:58:21 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=599

I’m a little past due….but it’s finally here AHWH 2012 Fireworks Newsletter!

With the 4th falling in the middle of the week, our fundraiser started out just a little slow….but as the week got rolling, by the 4th, we were having record sales. Thank you to each one of you for your support and for making this another successful year.  Because of this we are able to reach out and help our Veterans.

There are over 47,000 veterans who have been wounded in action and are returning from deployments with multiple physical injuries, including amputations (many double and triple), burns and traumatic brain injury.

Nearly 25% of all who served are diagnosed upon returning home with other “invisible” wounds, such as degenerative vision, hearing impairments, and nearly one in five suffer from a mental health condition like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.  The wounds of war are sometimes accompanied by substance abuse and suicides.  July was the worst month so far for the U.S. Army with 38 deaths from suicide.

As you can see there is great need in reaching out and “Serving Those Who Have Sacrificed Serving Us”.  Your support and donation has helped us do just that.

Our total raised this year was $17,900.00!!  AHWH Board of Directors have voted to do more “Cory Doane” type projects to help in a more individualized way.  Reaching out to local Veterans and helping with their needs.  You may remember Cory Doane who is one of Vancouver’s own wounded heroes possibly reading about his homecoming last November.

Cory lost his leg in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.   His mother needed help with home repairs and to make their home handicap accessible for Cory.  Our foundation along with the help of many others from the Vancouver community helped to welcome this Hero “home” upon his return.  It was an honor to give back to such a Hero and a local hero at that.

Cory’s mother came to visit our fireworks stand and to thank us for reaching out to her family.  This thank you extends to you….thank you for partnering with us in helping Cory and his mother. You can watch a video of Cory’s homecoming on our website:  www.aherowashere.org  located on our “Home” page under “Articles”, “Welcome Home Cory Doane”.

Each year our fundraiser starts with set up day; it is a big work day but with the many friends who came to help it went almost perfect!  We had many hands unloading, some stocking the display tables and some organizing the left over inventory to be used later in the week. It was amazing how quickly we were able to get it all done…you know the saying “many hands make for light work”, well this year’s set up was proof!

Thank you to all who gave of their time to help, it was a great way to start out the week…..ready and organized!  We couldn’t have done it without ALL of you!

All set up and inventory organized!

Again this year we were honored to have the banners of the local fallen heroes, it is a reminder to all who come to our stand that Freedom isn’t Free!  As we read about each Hero we are reminded that they have a story and how much each family misses their Hero as much as I miss mine.  As you look at the pictures in the newsletter think about each Hero and the family they leave behind.

We held our annual Motorcycle ride…”Riding For Those Who Have Sacrificed Serving Us” a tribute to our Fallen.  It was a cloudy rainy day and it kept many riders in, although there were a few of us who braved it through the rain to honor those who have given so much.

A wreath was laid at the Sgt. John Kyle Daggett memorial at American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 in Washougal in memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.  The ride continued through Washougal and Camas then back to the fireworks stand where we were greeted by friends waving American Flags.  Also a delicious BBQ by Tommy’s Texas Tradition was waiting when we arrived, thank you Tommy & Shannon you really know how to BBQ!!!!    Thank you to all who participated either in the ride or greeting the bikers as they arrived at the stand

During our fundraiser we also hold a raffle…this year we raffled off two fireworks packages.  One raffle took place during the Motorcycle event which was won by American Legion & PGR Rider Jeff, he donated the package back to us to use for AHWH annual fireworks display which officially ends our fundraiser on the night of the 4th.

The second package was raffled off on the afternoon of the 4th the winner was Katie.  She surprised her husband when she told him she had to return to the stand…he didn’t know she had purchased a ticket so it was a Big Surprise to her family upon their return!

Katie and family

Our friend Susan Jones (who we met during our first fundraiser) and her children came faithfully though out the week to wave American flags along Andresen Road to encourage people to stop and support our Veterans.  She is a Gold Star cousin…her cousin CPL Robert L. Jones gave the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom 6/17/2006.

At the end of the week on the night of the 4th we packed up a little early so we could celebrate with our annual fireworks show which officially ends our fundraiser.  It was the most spectacular show thanks to Jeff and his donation of the raffle package and to those who so diligently added some of our BEST fireworks to the already Spectacular package!

As always, before our grand finale we stop to give honor and remember Kyle….we laugh, we shed a few tears, tell some stories and then…..we dedicate our final extravaganza to Kyle and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

It is always hard for me to say good bye to our Vancouver friends & family…our hearts are bound by love for Kyle and those who serve.

God Bless,

Colleen Czaplicki

Proud Mom of Sgt. John “Kyle” Daggett

9/30/86  -  05/15/08

Operation Iraqi Freedom

PS:  Please be sure to visit our website at www.aHeroWasHere.org and Facebook – A Hero Was Here…don’t forget to “Like” us!
]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=599 0 2012 Fireworks Show http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=590 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=590#comments Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:12:12 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=590

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=590 0 It’s time for our 4th Annual Fireworks Fundraiser June 27th – July 4th…”Serving Those Who Have Sacrificed Serving Us” http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=582 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=582#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:21:38 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=582

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=582 0 Welcome Home Cory Doane http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=536 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=536#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 14:36:31 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=536

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=536 0 Steel Horse Saloon Chili Cook Off http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=562 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=562#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:19:20 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=562

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=562 0 Urgent Help Needed for Vancouver, WA Veteran http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=488 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=488#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:50:09 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=488 PFC Cory Doane was injured July 2011 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.  His injuries include the loss of his right leg.  As a result, his home requires ADA modifications and volunteers are working diligently to prepare his home for his return.  Cory will be home for Thanksgiving week, and will need  to return to D.C. for additional rehabilitation though his family is hoping he will be home permanantly prior to Christmas.

 

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=488 3 A Hero Was Here Chosen as Donation Recipient http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=478 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=478#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:19:04 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=478

Portland based Consolidated Federal Credit Union (CFCU)was recently recognized as one of Principal Financial Group’s 10 Best Employers for Financial Security.  As part of their award, Principal Financial Group donated $2,500 to the charity of CFCU choice, and it choose A Hero Was Here, Sgt John Kyle Daggett Foundation. 

Kevin Pannell, a local veteran, accepted the donation on behalf of A Hero Was Here, Sgt John Kyle Daggett Foundation.  The Foundation has generously funded the organization, Homes for Our Troops, which built a specialized home for Kevin. 

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=478 4 Wounded Warriors and President Bush July 4th 2011 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=474 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=474#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:01:45 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=474

]]> http://www.aherowashere.org/?feed=rss2&p=474 1 2011 Fireworks Stand featured on KATU http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=465 http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=465#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:05:15 +0000 admin http://www.aherowashere.org/?p=465

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