Weekly Briefing 11-05-2009

Operation Proud Son Briefing

“We give a…” That is the caption given by Shawn Davis, 5th District SAL Commander, Detachment of Minnesota, on his website where he posted his pictures of giving and caring by our American Legion family in Richfield Minnesota. The Sons and rest of The American Legion family recently rallied to support the Bravo Troop 361 Cavalry in Afghanistan that had been overrun by the Taliban. The attack was tragic in that the U.S. suffered the loss of eight brave soldiers. Those that remained lost all their possessions. All they had left was what they wore and what they could carry. Through The American Legion blog site, the “Burn Pit”, the world was made aware of their plight and their feelings that no one cared. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The readers of the “Burn Pit” decided to show that all was not lost. The Combat Outpost Keating Relief Fund was established. The Legion family rallied together to raise $50,000 to replace those items lost by the unit. During the Fall NEC of the Sons in early October, a hat was passed to also show that we cared about this unit in Afghanistan. Amongst our leaders, our pocket change totaled $753. (See attached letter from the National Adjutant of The American Legion commending us for our efforts.)

To show that America believes and supports our troops, Target joined the cause and matched our efforts that turned $50,000 into $100,000. “Operation On Target” was launched last week in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Richfield Minnesota, and Fairfax, Virginia to turn those funds into supplies that filled thousands of boxes. Items that were replaced were digital cameras, video games, DVDs, books, memory cards, IPODS and other various items that provide comfort to our troops fighting abroad.

The Sons were there with the Minnesota American Legion family in Richfield, MN, at American Legion Post 435 last Tuesday, October 27th, as Target and the Legion family rallied to the cause and showed that America cares. (See attached pictures of members Dennis Henkenmeyer and Steve Sullivan who represented The American Legion and Sons proudly that day.) From an entry on a blog site on October 3rd to less than a month later, the Sons and The American Legion showed their true colors and let Bravo Troop 361 Calvary know that America does care about their well being and support wholeheartedly what they are trying to achieve. The Sons are a shining example of “Molded in Excellence and Embodied by Tradition” and prove it everyday by living up to the title of “Proud Son of a Priceless Veteran”! My thanks and appreciation to all the Sons who contributed to the Combat Outpost Keating Relief Fund and took part in “Operation On Target”.  

Mark Arneson
National Commander
Sons of The American Legion