Gold Star Miss Americas

I am chagrined to say that I didn’t think Hollywood cared at all about our troops and their families. I know -- it’s a stereotypical judgment.  I thought these big-time producers and stars, for the most part, were largely disconnected and often critical of anyone associated with our nation’s defense.  Well…I am incredibly encouraged by what I saw in Las Vegas last weekend.

Take a look at this photo:

This little girl’s daddy, Staff Sgt. Daniel Wagoner, was KIA on September 14, 2007, in Iraq when the little girl, Diana, was just 3 years old. Her mother left the scene soon after, leaving Diana in the care of her grandma, Daniel’s mom, Diane (far right in the picture). Well, Diana and Diane were two of the Gold Star Miss Americas in attendance at last week’s television broadcast. One of the judges, Mike Fleiss, producer of the hugely popular “The Bachelor” series (the guy in the photo), heard about this VIP group and immediately contacted us in December to make a generous donation for any of these families needing a better Christmas. It caught them by total surprise, and you can see how Diana felt when she got to meet Mike. 

The host of “The Bachelor,” Chris Harrison, was the MC for the Miss America broadcast, and he too went all out to welcome our VIPs to Miss America during rehearsals. This heartfelt support was evidenced throughout the week, and the most common sentiment I heard—from stars, contestants, producers, executives—was how humbled they felt to be around our Gold Star Miss Americas. That’s exactly right.


It's a tremendous and humbling honor to spend time with our Gold Star families.  I simply don't feel worthy.  For some, it had been a year since they received the tragic news, and others, more like four or five years.  This is an exclusive "club" that no one wants to join, and I felt intrusive as they started comparing notes on their visits to Arlington, and what their children leave at their Daddy's gravesite.  Their homes are truly "the home of the brave."  A great big salute to our Gold Star Miss Americas 2012!


If you would like to nominate moms, wives, or daughters for next year, please email me directly at shawkes@remembermyservice.com.  Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at RMS, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!  To all of you in the armed forces, we remember you daily and thank you for your service, from the bottom of our hearts.

Go Army! Go Navy!

Two days before the Army-Navy game, I had the privilege of visiting the nation's Capitol with two outstanding soldiers: Army Soldier of the Year, Spc. Thomas Hauser (far left), and Army NCO of the Year winner, Sgt. Guy Mellor (far right).  My son, Jacob, is in front. SGT Mellor is from my home state of Utah and is with the Utah National Guard. Jacob and I will be attending the game as guests of the Army, so…GO ARMY! (But since my dad was in the Navy in World War II... GO NAVY too!)


And here we are with Utah Senator Mike Lee (right) and his chief of staff, Spencer Stokes, with a gorgeous view of the Washington Monument:

Missouri National Guard honors Troops with Interactive Service Record

We're proud to report that the Missouri National Guard is honoring their troops with RMS interactive service records in ceremonies across the state this week.  


"When you're living history like we are, it's too easy to forget about how important documenting it is," noted Capt. Alan Brown, Missouri National Guard command historian. "Through this project, we've literally written our own history. This project gives faces and voices to the thousands of Missouri National Guardsmen who have sacrificed for their countries."


Read the whole article here:  Missouri National Guard honors Troops

The Big E and Admiral Mullen

At the end of September, I had two exciting days.  First, on Sept. 29, Pat Hackbarth and I went aboard the Big E in Norfolk, Virginia! The grandaddy of all aircraft carriers, the USS Enterprise is the first nuclear-powered carrier, and she celebrates her 50th birthday next month.  We met with LCDR Sarah Self-Kyler, one of the best PAOs in the Navy, and hope to work with them on documenting their incredible, rich history.


The next day, I had the privilege of attending Admiral Mullen's farewell tribute!  Security there reminded me of the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, just months after 9/11.  President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of Defense Gates were all there, along with ADM Mullen and our new Chairman, GEN Dempsey.  It was a moving ceremony, and a fitting tribute to a great American.  What an honor to be present at both events!

Four wonderful groups we support!

• The Library of Congress Veterans History Project: Connect now to share your personal story of service in the U.S. Military.
• No Greater Sacrifice is a non-profit organization that raises funds to provide college education for the children of our wounded warriors and fallen heroes.  Please visit their site and see what you can do to show your gratitude.
• Soldier On brings homeless veterans into a community where they govern themselves, as they work and serve in the community around them.  Based in Massachusetts, Soldier On is a first-rate organization and making a difference—an ideal model for other states and cities to adopt.  They are very willing to share their entire plan with any community action team looking for a working model to help their homeless veterans.
• Sentinels of Freedom  is a non-profit organization that provides up to four years of “life scholarships” to help wounded veterans become self-sufficient.  Our vets are finding that once they're released from the hospital, they face the everyday hardships of finding a home, continuing their education, or going to work to support their families.  Every American faces the same difficulties, but in the vet’s case, the situation is made more difficult because of their sacrifice.  Sentinels of Freedom provides life-changing opportunities for men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have suffered severe injuries and need the support of grateful communities to realize their dreams.

Meeting an American hero

Last week, I had the opportunity of attending the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) convention in San Antonio, Texas.  I spoke with General (ret.) Jim Conway and Governor Mitt Romney backstage, and then had the incredible experience of meeting SFC Leroy Petry, the Medal of Honor recipient.  On July 12, 2011, 32-year-old SFC Petry became only the second living recipient since the Vietnam War to receive America’s highest honor for heroic actions in combat. 

In May 2008, Petry was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. When an enemy threw a grenade just a few feet from Petry and two others in his Unit during a daylight raid on a high-value target, SFC Petry’s immediate reaction was purely selfless. He ran to the live grenade, picked it up, and threw it hard. As the grenade left his and, it exploded, completely severing his right hand.

Now three years later, I shook his hand, acutely aware of the amazing capability of today’s prosthetics, which allow him to shake my hand with the same pressure sensitivities of any usual handshake. I could see all the wiring and titanium inside the transparent, skin-like covering, and was in awe of not merely his hand, but the man it was attached to.

But here’s the really amazing part -- right before he headed into another media interview, I asked him about his future plans. “I’m going back to AFG!” he said, very excited about the prospect. Thinking that this was a quick visit, I asked him if it was part of Operation Proper Exit. “Oh no, I’m deploying again, I’ll be back with my Unit!”

Time Magazine got it right a couple of weeks ago when they featured veterans on their cover with this headline: “The New Greatest Generation.” And SFC Petry is one of many examples why. All you one-percenters serving America are great Americans—we can’t say “thank you” enough!