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WARRIOR LINK E-NEWS JUNE 2005
Monthly news and updates from the Special Operations Warrior Foundation


IN THIS EDITION

-- SOWF CELEBRATES 25 YEARS (1980-2005)
-- EAGLE CLAW DINNER RAISES $500,000 for SOWF
-- LPGA PRO'S OPERATION BIRDIE BENEFITS SOWF
-- "GET SELECTED" GUIDEBOOK PERFECT GIFT FOR FATHER's DAY: 100 PERCENT OF PROCEEDS BENEFIT SOWF
-- NEW TRAVEL SITE OFFERS SOWF PORTION OF SALE
-- HOTROD RACER JOINS FORCES WITH SOWF
-- DUDES OF THE RANCH KICK OFF THE SUMMER
-- UPCOMING EVENTS

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SOWF CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO CHILDREN OF FALLEN SOF PERSONNEL
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has come a long way since its beginning 25 years ago in the sands of the Iranian Desert. As a result of the tragic aircraft mishap in which America lost eight special operations personnel, today we have the best special operations capability in the world. But it has come at an extremely high price.
Sadly, America lost 35 Special Operators in 2004 ... leaving behind 58 children ... the highest number in a single year since 1980. Over the past twenty-five years, 453 special operations personnel have lost their lives leaving behind 552 children. And it is to these children that the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has pledged to provide a post secondary education.
There is no cause more worthy than to ensure that the memory and legacy of these fallen comrades lives on through the educational and professional development of the young men and women they left behind. This year, the Warrior Foundation will have as many as 120 students attending colleges throughout the country. None of this would be possible without the support of generous, caring Americans.
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* Fast Facts *
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* Number of SOF Casualties Since 1980 (Training & Combat): 438
* Number of SOF Children Left Behind: 552
* Number of SOWF College Graduates: 72
* Number of SOWF Students Currently Enrolled in College: 97
* Average Cost of One-Year of College (public school): $14,000

For additional information, you can view our Annual Report online at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297790
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EAGLE CLAW ANNIVERSARY RAISES $500,000 FOR SOWF
Nearly 900 current and former special operators and their guests joined the Special Operations Warrior Foundation in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. April 24th to remember the men and women who participated in Operation Eagle Claw, the nickname of the 1980 mission to secretly rescue Americans being held hostage in Iran. It was also a night to pay tribute to the eight men who lost their lives when a helicopter collided with a C-130 in the desert in Iran.
Country star Travis Tritt performed for the sold-out crowd as well as rising country artist, and former Army Ranger, Keni Thomas and his band, Cornbread.

The foundation presented its "Spirit of the Warriors Award" to Texas businessman H. Ross Perot for his years of support to all American military personnel, beginning with his highly-publicized campaign in the late 1960s to call attention to the plight of our POWs in Vietnam. Perot was an early backer of the Col. Arthur D. "Bull" Simons Scholarship Fund, the predecessor to the foundation, which was named for the renowned Army Special Forces officer who led the Son Tay Prisoner of War rescue operation in 1970 (and who in retirement led a private rescue team that succeeded in freeing two of Perot's employees held in Iran).

Guests stood and cheered guest speaker, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army Chief of Staff, and Eagle Claw participant who reaffirmed that today's special operations community today was built on the hard lessons learned 25 years ago.

Dr. Jim Lewis, who lost his father, Capt. Hal Lewis in the Iranian desert in 1980 was also guest speaker. "Part of me will always be nine years old," Lewis said. He also noted that the support of the Special Operations community to his grief-stricken family a quarter-century ago provided "immeasurable" comfort.

"In the chaos of learning that her children had lost their father and that she had lost her husband, there was one bright spot," Lewis recalled. "She was told that all of the children of the eight servicemen who died at Desert One would have their college education taken care of."

This event was sponsored by Pinch-A-Penny, Lockheed Martin, Cochise Consulting, Triple Canopy, AEGON, Blackwater USA, CACI, Inc. McCormick Tribune Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Paraclete, SAIC, Stidd Systems, Jacobs Sverdrup, Titan Corporation, and WINTEC Arrowmaker,

A special thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and everyone who contributed in making the Eagle Claw 25th Anniversary, April 24th a highly successful event. It was truly a wonderful night of remembrance.

Photos from the event, courtesy of Michael Roe, Northrop Grumman, are online at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297791

Additionally, photos taken by Max Friedauer are at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297792

For more information about the event or the Warrior Foundation, please visit http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297793

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"OPERATION BIRDIE" BENEFITS CHILDREN OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS PERSONNEL
LPGA players and long-time friends, Catherine Cartwright and Angela Jerman have teamed up to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the "Operation Birdie" program.
Started three years ago by Cartwright, "Operation Birdie" supports the Special Operations Warrior Foundation's college scholarship programs for the children of fallen special operations personnel. By donating $25 per birdie and receiving matching pledges from supporters, Cartwright raised nearly $25,000 for the Warrior Foundation last year.
"Our country's freedom is so fragile and men and women die all the time defending it. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation gives the families a little more comfort knowing their children's futures are more secure," said Cartwright, 22, who turned professional in 2001, months after graduating from Estero (Fla.) High School, and earned conditional status on the LPGA Tour for 2002.
"I believe in this Foundation because I think everyone should have a chance to follow his or her dreams," said Cartwright, "Operation Birdie" is an opportunity to salute the men and women in uniform who are in harm's way around the world and to let their families know their sacrifices and their children won't be forgotten."
This year, Cartwright's friend and fellow pro golfer, Angela Jerman has joined her in raising awareness and funds for the Warrior Foundation. Jerman has also pledged $25 for every birdie and $50 for every eagle throughout the 2005 LGPA tournaments. Jerman, who lives in Columbus, Georgia, home of the Army Rangers, has had the privilege to be surrounded by the military her whole life because her father was in the military. She is joining Cartwright because she feels that giving back to those soldiers who protect and serve our country is a wonderful way to demonstrate how important their job is and how much it is appreciated.
"This is something I am very passionate about," explained the Jerman, who graduated from the University of Georgia with a Business Marketing degree. "I hope we can raise awareness among the millions of Americans who are golf enthusiasts about the Warrior Foundation and the great work they do providing college educations to children who have lost so much."
SOWF president John Carney said, "We're deeply appreciative of Catherine Cartwright and Angela Jerman's generosity and support to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which comes at a critical time of need for the special operations community. Today there are more than 550 children across the country in the Warrior Foundation family. With everyone's help and support the SOWF is here to serve families of special operations troops and future generations."
Families like the one of Air Force Special Operations Capt. John Patterson who was killed during a training accident. His oldest of two daughters, Jessica Patterson, is a junior attending Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Patterson recently had the opportunity to meet with Cartwright and Jerman at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway Township, New Jersey.
"Going to college would not have been possible without the support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation," explained Patterson, who is studying International Marketing. "These two ladies are the epitome of being first class athletes. It says volumes about their character that they are willing to honor our fallen troops and help raise awareness and funds for the children they left behind. I am truly grateful."
Fans and supporters can join "Operation Birdie" by downloading the Operation Birdie Pledge Sheet at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297794
"Catherine and Angela are wonderful role models for both the children in the Warrior Family who have suffered a great loss and for those among us who will not let that loss be forgotten," said Carney.
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AUTHOR DONATES 100 PERCENT OF BOOK TO SOWF
GET SELECTED (SPECIAL FORCES ASSESSMENT & SELECTION)
Ever wondered if you had the physical, mental and emotional fortitude to earn the honor of wearing the Army's elite Green Beret? Special Forces Assessment and Selection is extremely demanding. This book, "Get Selected" by Maj. Joe Martin and Master Sgt. Rex Dodson is a great starting point for anyone looking to become Special Forces.
* * GET SELECTED WOULD MAKE A WONDERFUL FATHER's DAY GIFT! * *
The book is available for $19.95 (plus shipping). One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of this book are donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
Special Thanks to Maj. Joe Martin for dedicating and donating "Get Selected" to the Warrior Foundation.
Buy the book online at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297795#book

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NEW TRAVEL SITE OFFERS SOWF PORTION OF SALE
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is pleased to announce its partnership with YTB Travel, an online travel agency that is donating a portion of the commission on every airline ticket, rental car, hotel room or cruise that is booked through the site.
Powered by PRICELINE.COM for airfares, and using the same booking engine as TRAVELOCITY for hotels, and AMERICAN EXPRESS for our cruises.
What have you got to lose by looking and comparing?? If you can save money on your trip while also knowing a portion of the cost is benefiting the Warrior Foundation, why not?
** Check out: http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297796 **

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HOTROD RACER JOINS FORCES WITH SOWF
International Hotrod Association Stock World Champion Brenda Grubbs and her husband Bill are proud to announce their association with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to help raise awareness and funds for the foundation.
"What better time to kick off our association with this wonderful organization than Memorial Day Weekend" states, Brenda Grubbs, the 2002 IHRA Stock World Champion. Starting with the AC Delco Nationals in Richmond, Virginia Brenda and Bill will support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
The United States military and its Special Operations Forces hold a special place in the hearts of both Brenda and Bill. Bill, currently serving in the United States Air Force Reserves, is a former Special Operations AC-130H Spectre Gunship Pilot. On March 14, 1994, one of the crews in Bill's squadron crashed off the coast of Kenya, Africa. Eight of the fourteen crewmembers on board gave their lives supporting US forces in Mogadishu, Somalia. Bill knows the Special Operations Warrior Foundation can make a difference for these surviving families.
U. S. Special Operations Command consists of some 62,000 Army, Navy and Air Force Special Operations Forces both active and reserve, that are organized into a variety of land, sea and aerospace forces. Some of the U.S. Special Operations Command include the Army Special Forces (Green Berets), Navy SEALs, 75th Ranger Regiment and Air Force AC-130 Gunship Squadrons.

The Warrior Foundation provides grants, not loans, as well as family and financial counseling to the children surviving Special Operations personnel killed in an operational mission or training accident. The grants cover all costs - tuition, books, fees, and room & board if needed. These services are provided throughout the United States, or overseas, depending upon where the surviving children reside.

You can make a donation to the Warrior Foundation in support of Brenda and Bill Grubbs at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297797

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DUDES OF THE RANCH KICK OFF THE SUMMER
Fashion Show, Lemonade Stand Contest Benefit Children of SOWF
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Fitigues and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in DC Ranch, Scottsdale, Arizona kicked off Summer with "Dudes of the Ranch," a pre-Memorial Day weekend men's fashion show, lemonade stand contest and outdoor barbecue benefiting the children of fallen special operations personnel.

The inaugural "Dudes of the Ranch" fundraising event held, May 26th started with Fitigues' annual Lemonade for Life campaign. Each summer weekend, beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day, children set up lemonade stands outside Fitigues retail stores nationwide to sell lemonade for the benefit of children battling life-threatening diseases.

Fitigues owners and Scottsdale residents Steve & Andi Rosenstein launched the program in 1999 and since then, children have raised more than $100,000 by selling lemonade for $1 per cup. This year's campaign will launch with a lemonade stand contest at the Rosenstein's newest store at DC Ranch. Local youngsters and their parents brought home-made lemonade stands that were judged during the event, with the winning design team earning a family weekend at Tucson's authentic Tanque Verde Guest Ranch.

The "Dudes of the Ranch" fashion show featured DC Ranch residents and local celebrities modeling Fitigues Surplus, Fitigues' military basic training-inspired collection of casual and fitness-oriented clothing. The runway show included men's and kids' fashions. Audience applause determined the winning model, who was presented with a $1,000 gift certificate to Sweat by Fitigues.

One hundred percent of the evening's proceeds and a percentage of the sales from every piece of Fitigues Surplus clothing was donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

"In the summer, we go from baseball games to beaches, pools and barbecues," said Steve Rosenstein. "Let's celebrate, but as we do, let's remember the soldiers who've gone before and those serving now who sacrifice all they have so we can have all of this."

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar provided an outdoor barbecue and Cold Stone Creamery provided ice cream treats to help cool the crowd.

Steve & Andi continue to embrace the same philosophy that inspired them to create Fitigues - making luxury comfort clothing that you'll love to live in. Their Scottsdale-based company owns and operates 16 stores nationwide, an award-winning catalog and an e-commerce web site. Their newest concept store and collection - Sweat by Fitigues - personifies the active yet comfy casual lifestyle that the Rosensteins and their customers live day by day.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

** June 16 (Washington, DC)**
3rd Annual Gator Golf Tournament Benefiting SOWF
The University of Florida Alumni Association of Greater Washington, D.C. is proud of our U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are serving us here in the United States and around the world. In honor of them, on Thursday, June 16th at the Fort Belvoir Golf Course, we are pleased to host the DC Gator Club's 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit children of service members who have lost their lives in service to our country, through the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
All of us at the D.C. Gator Club(R) and the SOWF are truly excited to be working for such a noble cause that is especially relevant during these troubled times.
Furthermore, the DC Gator Club(R) and SOWF invite you and your colleagues to participate in the golf tournament on Thursday, June 16, with tee-off at 2:00 p.m., followed by a barbeque dinner to celebrate the tournament winners and thank our sponsors. Foursomes & Individuals are invited to join. The cost per golfer will be $90 (price includes a round of golf, hole-in-one contest, longest drive, closest to the pin and a dinner).
Through both sponsorship and participation, you can enjoy a day of golf, camaraderie and fun, while also supporting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297798

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** June 17 (New York) **

Rob Scandole Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament

When Chris Scandole lost his brother, Rob, on Sept. 11, 2001 in the terrorist attack in New York City, Chris started the Rob Scandole Scholarship Fund in dedication to those individuals and families that survived that terrible day.

Knowing his brother's respect for the men and women serving in our nation's military, Chris contacted the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to let us know his fundraising efforts for 2005 would benefit the SOWF.

June 17th the Rob Scandole Scholarship Fund is hosting a charity golf tournament and barbecue in Island Park, New York to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Tee time: 7 am Bar-B-Que: 1 pm

Cost: $125 per golfer

Click here to register. (http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297799)

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** June 25 (Highlands, NC)**
3rd Annual Special Operations Adventure Race
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation will again be the beneficiary of proceeds from the Special Operations Adventure Race (SOAR) to be held in Highlands, in the beautiful Western mountains of North Carolina on Saturday, June 25, 2005.
This year's event will feature 2 separate races:
A Sprint Race of 5 - 7 hours including running, rappelling, paddling, and mountain biking
The Elite Race of 10-12 hours including running, mountain biking, paddling, rappelling, and orienteering.
Entry fees range from $90 for a single entry to $210 for an elite team. Active duty military personnel receive a 50 percent discount.
To Register Online: visit http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297800
For race information, contact Marianne Vines at 828-743-2052 or email admin@soarhighlands.org
For additional information and downloadable registration form visit http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297801
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** Sept. 17 & 18 (Garland, TX)**
TIGER VALLEY U.S. MILITARY SERVICE RIFLE ACROSS THE COURSE / BATTLE RATTLE
The Tactical Institute Gun Education Research (TIGER) Shooting Facility is hosting a Service Rifle Across the Course/Rattle Battle tournament, Sept. 17th and 18th to raise money for the SOWF and Garland Police.
Entry fee: $150
Register online at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297802 or call T.J Pillings at 214-802-1288
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ABOUT THE WARRIOR FOUNDATION
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides college scholarships, not loans, to the surviving children of special operations personnel killed in an operational mission or training accident. Learn more about us at http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297803

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JOIN US
Your support of the Warrior Foundation helps us provide a college education to more than 500 students across the country. Please join us. http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=32674642&u=297804

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YOUR PRIVACY
The Warrior Foundation will never sell or trade your email address to anyone.
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QUESTIONS? FEEDBACK?
Do you have a question or suggestion? We would love feedback as well. You can reach the editor, Edie Rosenthal at (813) 805-9400 or email edie@specialops.org
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All contents copyright 2005 by the Special Operations Warrior Foundation
4409 El Prado Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33629
United States
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