Weekend of Remembrance Unites Families of The Fallen

For thousands of families Memorial Day isn't a picnic, but a day to try and fill the gap at the table left by a fallen loved one. These families, who cope daily with the lost of their personal heroes, Gold Star Families, will be honored and celebrated on July 23-24 in Washington, DC, and given a national support system to make it possible to move forward.

Families United, http://www.familiesunitedmission.com/, the nation's largest military family support organization, is hosting the 2nd Annual Weekend of Remembrance honoring and celebrating America's fallen Heroes from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Weekend of Remembrance is the nation's largest gathering of families of the Fallen - 2,000 families are expected to attend. Gold Star Family Dinner

The National Gold Star Family Dinner will seat families together by state for an evening honoring their Heroes and allowing them to share their stories with each other. To the families gathered, they won't be recognizing another brave Soldier, Marine, Airman, Sailor, or Guardsman, but they will be remembering a father, a wife, a daughter, a brother. Families will be able to tell their Hero's stories and to find a comfort that can only be offered by those who have known similar loss. Rita Cosby, television news anchor and correspondent, radio host, and author, will emcee the event and the evening's keynote speaker will be General James Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. Members of the Honorary Dinner Host Committee, including over 60 Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, will also be in attendance. Wayne Newton will headline the evening with a performance highlighting his support for the military since the days of Vietnam.

Wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery
July 24, 2010 10:30 AM

On Saturday, families will have the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery to participate in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a visit to Section 60 where loved ones lost in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried.

American Heroes Festival
July 24, 2010 Six Flags America 12:00 pm-8:30 pm

This Saturday event will include Gold Star families, active duty military and their families, veterans, and supporters of our military. The American Heroes Festival is a day full of live music, exciting rides, and family fun that honors the lives of our nation's military Heroes and their families. Families will be greeted with a red carpet and military honor guard. Country music stars Aaron Tippin and Mike Corrado will perform an exclusive concert. Tickets are available at http://www.americanheroesfestival.org/ for $20, more than half off regular general admission.

National Gold Star Family Registry

The new Gold Star Family Registry website, http://www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com/, will connect families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Meant to serve as a "virtual memorial" to lost loved ones, the site's searchable database is the first, comprehensive record of fallen heroes ever developed. Whether soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and guardsmen gave their life in WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq or Afghanistan or another conflict, the registry will be a place to ensure their memory will live on. Up to this point, there has not been one place where all heroes who gave their lives can be found either in print or online. There is no national registry or public database that serves as a perpetual memorial to all those who paid the ultimate price for this nation.

www.newsblaze.com

Special Ocean City Treatment For Wounded Warrior

OCEAN CITY – A U.S. serviceman wounded in Iraq last month got a hero’s welcome in Ocean City last weekend, thanks in large part to the local American Legion post and an always generous resort community.

First Lieutenant Dan Shoemaker got some well-deserved treatment last weekend in Ocean City after a request from the Wounded Warrior Project on his behalf. Shoemaker was wounded in a suicide bomber attack in Iraq on June 11 and was ultimately sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. for treatment and recovery.

While at Walter Reed for treatment of injuries sustained in the attack in Iraq, Shoemaker was discovered to have a cancerous brain tumor, which might not have been discovered had it not been for his war injuries. On his behalf, Sgt. Major Dan Thompson of the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that advocates for men and women wounded in action, put the word out that Shoemaker was in desperate need of some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Thompson called Ocean City American Legion Post 166 Commander-Elect Sarge Garlitz, who, in turn, quickly called upon his considerable resources to intercede on the wounded first lieutenant’s behalf. A short time later, the Harrison Group responded with a complimentary stay at the Quality Inn on the Boardwalk and General Manager Chris McFarland and his staff gave Shoemaker the VIP treatment all weekend.

Shoemaker was also feted at the American Legion Post 166 by Garlitz and his crew and received a hero’s welcome everywhere he went in Ocean City all weekend.

According to Garlitz, Shoemaker was in awe of the warm reception and supporting comments he received from everyone he came in contact with during his weekend at the beach.

www.mdcoastdispatch.com