ART PINA ADVENTURE BEGAN ON 1 MAY 2010

On Saturday, May 1st, Art Pina began his 3rd annual journey from Florida to California to Washington DC and back home, all in support of veterans.  His trek was more than 7,300 this year.  He raised money, visited wounded warriors, talked to veterans and shared the idea with many communities about how we support our troops.

Art reports that it was heartwarming to see how Americans across the country are all pulling in the same direction and waving the flag and supporting the troops.  

VOLUNTEERS GUARANTEE OUR SUCCESS AT EVENTS

In March, the NHRA GATORNATIONALS become the number one economic boost for this community.  This year, we partnered with the Marine Corps League to help EKG Security as volunteers.  The turnout was great and the group earned a lot of money.  The Streits SUPPORT THE TROOPS ride was also a success with the help of our workers.  The PARADE OF HOMES in Gainesville also provided another opportunity where our folks helped out and the group received a donation.  * As our fundraising opportunities continue to present themselves, we look forward to people acknowledging the importance of our work by stepping up and taking action to support our troops.  Thanks to all those who have been helping and all of you who will be.

SPRING EVENTS WENT VERY WELL

We have a few upcoming events that will go much smoother as long as we have plenty of help.

March 20, the Garage Sale at Hitchcocks in Alachua was a success.  We had five storage units full of stuff to sell.  There was a lot of activity in the area due to a local baseball jamboree.  Despite the heavy rains the night before, were able to raise a couple of thousand dollars that will be used to support the troops.

April 11, the Streits' 7th annual Support the Troops Ride had a lighter than usual turnout, but it is just a sign of the times.  Our volunteers were there and bikers from all over arrived to participate.  The event was a success.  Thanks so much to Mike and Marion Jones at Streits' Motorsports for their continued support.

DESIGN YOUR OWN WELCOME HOME BANNER - ONLY PAY THE POSTAGE

(March 2010) Online at buildasign.com, the company offers free banners that you design for your loved one.  Pick one of many templates, customize the message and name, then order it.  The company is donating the cost of the banner, so all you pay is the charge to have it shipped.  People in our group have used it and said it is exactly as they say it is.  We have put an ad on our web page (bottom left).  You can click on that picture and it will take you to the site.

TWO OF OUR MEMBERS NOMINATED FOR COMMUNITY AWARDS

(January 2010) The annual Veteran Awards Banquet is approaching and it provides us the opportunity to recognize two of our members in the form of nominations for awards.  Colonel Phil Newman was nominated as our Veteran of the Year.  Col. Newman is a former B-17 bomber pilot who continues to remind us of the value of "freedom."  We also nominated Berry Jordan, Ph.D., for Veteran Supporter of the Year.  Berry dedicates a lot of time and energy to our group, not only during the meetings when he supervises the setup and packing of the boxes, but between meetings as he manages recycling of various items in exchange for supplies and otherwise procuring much needed supplies for our packages.  The Veteran Awards Banquet will be held on January 30th.

UPDATE:  our nominees were at the banquet, as well as a good number of our members.  Although they were not selected, they were publicly recognized for their work and achievements.  We are proud and thankful to have them in our group.

2009 SUPPORT OUR TROOPS GOLF TOURNAMENT SUCCESSFUL

(9/13/2009) Jim and Kim Brinkman once again put together a successful golf tournament.  And once again, all the proceeds will go to buying supplies for the troops and paying postage to get them delivered.  Our group operates solely on donations, so we are grateful when our fundraisers go well.  The tournament put about 80 golfers on the links.  Plenty of folks were on hand to help set up the course and the reception area.  We were able to raffle off 80 items so there were lots of winners.  After we review all of the figures, we will post an update as to how we did.

PFC DONALD "WAYNE" VINCENT, USMC

(8/5/2009) PFC Vincent, a Marine we began supporting in Afghanistan, was killed in action on Saturday July 25th.  He arrived back in Gainesville Monday 8/3. His journey from NAS Jax to Gainesville saw thousands of citizens along the highways in NAS Jax, Jacksonville, Starke, Waldo, Gainesville and points in between. Kudos to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and all agencies and people who put together this most memorable event to honor our fallen Marine.

Visitation was Monday evening at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, on SR241.

His funeral was Tuesday at Westside Baptist Church, where more than 400 people attended. Family, friends, Marines and others were there to pay their respects. Marines from the Inspector/Insructor Staff in Jacksonville provided military honors while the Patriot Guard Riders lined the sidewalks with flags and provided motorcycle escorts the entire two days.  PFC Vincent was laid to rest in Forest Meadows Central in Gainesville.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Lee and Betty Sue, and the rest of his family and friends.

SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET ON FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH

The Board of Directors has determined it is necessary for the Support Group to meet one time per month, on the first Thursday, each month.  The decision is largely based on our increased output of support packages.  While we are supporting more troops, our donations are not enough to support two packages each month for each person.  We will continue meeting one time per month until further notice.

SERVING GOD AND COUNTRY  Contributed by Kay Quinn

ART PINA COMPLETES A NEARLY 9,000 MILE RIDE IN SUPPORT OF THE TROOPS Contributed by Kay Quinn

One local veteran recently returned from five weeks on the road, riding his motorcycle 8,800 miles cross-country from Florida to the West Coast and back, to raise money for Alachua County veterans and related projects.

Art Pina, a U.S. Army veteran, took off from the Gainesville-area Harley Davidson dealership on May 2, on his annual trip to join thousands of other 'vets astride,' along with other military supporters, to benefit their affiliated charitable groups.

In his five weeks on the road, Pina visited numerous veteran's hospitals, vet memorials, veteran's group meetings, and more. His cross-country journey to the West Coast and then up north took him thru New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, and other states.

Once in California, Pina joined up with 850 other bikers from across the nation to comprise the Southern route of this year's Run For The Wall event, taking participating riders cross-country, back to D.C. in 10 days.

There, Pina was one of about 400,000 riders who took part in this year's Rolling Thunder, an annual motorcycle rally held in the capitol during Memorial Day weekend to call for the government's ongoing recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing In Action (MIAs). About 400,000 veterans roared across Washington, DC on their highly visible motorcycles, as a tribute to American war heroes.

Upon his return, Pina shared that the nearly 9,000 miles, traveling in everything from deluges to debilitating heat, "was nothing compared to what our soldiers have and still go through, to protect our country. I'd do it again tomorrow. I ride each year for those who can't, including POWs, disabled vets, and others."

Unbelievably, the logistical 'footprint' of the Run For The Wall group occupied five miles of Interstate or local highways. In some locations, including as they crossed into Mississippi, state trooper and other law enforcement agencies closed off the interstate exit/entrance ramps, saluting the riders while standing at their flashing patrol cars, in honor of the riders' cause.

READ UPDATES ON ART'S JOURNEY ON ART'S PAGE.  

APRIL 4TH YARD SALE RAISED OVER $4,000.00 FOR THE TROOPS!

The Military Support Group held the long-awaited yard sale on Saturday, April 4th.  It was held on the property of Bush Auto Repair on 441 and was our largest yard sale to date.  With the help of our dedicated volunteers, our collection of donated items for sale was large and we sold most of it, thanks to the patriotic community that helped themselves as they helped to support our troops.  The event yielded over $4,300.00.  All of that money will be spent directly on our troops.  Many thanks to those who worked the event on behalf of our group and your Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard.  Job well done.

2009 VETERAN AWARDS BANQUET - JANUARY 31ST

The 2009 Veteran Awards Banquet was held on January 31 at the Clarion Conference Center.  With close to 300 in attendance, our group was one of the best represented organizations there.  Art Pina was recognized as our nominee for Veteran of the Year for his achievements.  

Our own JIM BRINKMAN was awarded SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR, mainly due to his golf tournament fundraising efforts on behalf of veterans (and we all know his wife Kim was a big part of that also.)  In accepting the award, his surprise could not be suppressed.  Almost overcome with emotion, he was amazed, "A room full of heros, applauding me ... I love my freedom!"

The Jim Yakbusin family received the award for The Most Patriotic Family, recognizing Jim and his three sons who have all served as Marines and who all continue to serve their communities with a high sense of patriotism.

There was a silent auction and upon announcing all the winners, many golf related items were taken by JIM BRINKMAN and two special items, a football signed by Coach Urban Meyer and a Gator Football helmet signed by Tim Tebow, were taken by DALE RUBANICK.  

Our group made its mark on the events of the evening.  The Bikers on Parade passed a check for over $21,000.00 to the Veteran Advisory Board, which will benefit local veteran organizations.  The program was enjoyable and the food was great.  If you didn't go this year, put it on your calendar to go next year ... last weekend in January.  To see photos of the banquet on display at Rich Rubanick's site, crookedfences.com, CLICK HERE.

ADDED: NEWS FEEDS FROM IRAQ

(December 2008) A new page has been added which will provide featured articles from the Multi-National Force - Iraq.  The articles are often positive stories about things are improving and the people who are making them happen.  I hope you find it worth reading.  CLICK HERE to view now or click on the button at the top of the page "News from Iraq."

Click here to visit TheSoldiersFamily.com

This is a site that has ideas for what to send in care packages, as well as instructions if you are sending items on your own.  A well organized site with good information.

Join us for our regular meetings, twice each month.  We meet to help our troops and we also meet to help support you while they are gone. 

MESSAGE FROM A PROUD DAD

Dear All,
I want you'll to know how much you'll have mean't to me. I don't think words can express it, especially mine. I have had a great time with the group and plan to keep doing so. Bobby's tour of about eight months was relatively short and you'll have made it seem much shorter. Being around you'll and seeing/hearing the young brides are the best of times. The support group has made so many lives better and easier. You'll are the best of the best and I can never thank you enough. I never would have thought you'll and the group could have meant so much to me; but you have. You'll are the best. Take care, God Bless You and I hope to see you again soon. Stephen