Serving our troops since 2003 - over 9,000 packages sent!

(Feb 2012) With a full room of people, cameras clicking and video cameras silently capturing the event, the MSGFAC honored two of our regular supporters with the Silver Star Banner.  This award is for those who have been wounded in combat.

The awards were the work of our own Ronna Jackson, a Gold Star Mom and a strong advocate for fallen and wounded veterans.

Catlin Mixson was serving in the Army in the middle east in 2007 when a roadside bomb destroyed his vehicle, and he was subsequently shot, but ultimately he was left as the sole survivor from that vehicle.  He lost both of his legs at the knees as a result of this action.

Bob Gasche was a 20-year-old Marine fighting on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima.  On March 3, 1945, a mortar round exploded near him, embedding metal into him and even shoving his belt buckle inside his wounded abdomen.

Mixson used his sense of humor to put others at ease and told his story to the support group and the attending media. He spoke of friendships made and lost, about no regrets for his service and accomplishments, and about how it was so meaningful to receive packages from home when deployed.  

Gasche, very active for his 87 years, expressed how he was blessed to have survived his wounds from Iwo Jima and later the deadly cold of Korea.  He said he witnessed extraordinary courage at Iwo Jima and has lived the rest of his life feeling blessed in serving others.

Mary Hildebrand, a Marine in the 50’s, also presented a family flag she had for so many years to Mr. Gasche.  It was a small 48-star flag, a reminder of those years when our country was fighting for the freedom of the Americans as well as our allies.

Attending also was Pete Herrick, a Navy SeaBee left as a quadraplegic after a mortar round blasted his location, killing and wounding many.  Pete’s extraordinary courage and attitude has inspired us and it was good to see him there.

The group showed their appreciation for our honored guests with their standing ovations.