Navy Safe Harbor Foundation Newsletter July vol 9

Sitrep

July 2022 Vol. 8

Independence Day

Fourth of July is just around the corner. Many of us already have plans for a celebration that includes friends and family. We have hotdogs in our refrigerator and know where the closest fireworks can be seen. We have decided which parties to attend and who to hang out with. We are looking forward to a day of fun and relaxation. But, at the crux all that fun, the very reason we are headed out to celebrate, is because we live in a country that has independence at its very core.

The desire to be free of British rule resulted in the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Although the war would last another six years the birth of the United States of America arrived on that day. That war and those who fought in it is the very reason we can enjoy that hotdog and those fireworks. The first celebrations included readings of the Declaration of Independence and occurred before the war concluded. Today we celebrate in a less formal manner and thankfully not in the midst of a war. However, the success of the Revolutionary War could only have been achieved because individuals came together to fight for a common goal. Today we would identify those individuals as Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Soldiers, Airmen, or Marines. And while our country is 246 years old those same services and service members fight for us in many places because our country stands for freedom.

This year as you enjoy your celebration and spend time with friends and families take a moment to remember those Service Members who have defended our country and our freedom.

Happy 4th of July!

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Thoughts From our Board

CAPT Mark Vanderberg, USN, (Ret.)

Annual Battle of Midway and D-Day remembrances reminds us of the selfless sacrifice of our serving members and their families. The Navy Safe Harbor Program was specifically established by the Navy to assist Navy and Coast Guard Wounded Warriors. During my career both as an aviator and surface warrior, I sadly had people get severely injured. Several were medically retired and I mistakenly thought the Navy, Navy Relief, VA, and other Wounded Warrior-like programs fully supported those whose lives had been drastically altered but I was wrong.

My awareness of the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation began in 2015 when RADM Chris Cole asked me to help VADM Jim Amerault with a fundraising golf tournament in Jacksonville. At that time, Chris was the Executive Director of Navy Safe Harbor Foundation which supported Navy and Coast Guard Wounded Warriors. Until then, I will sadly confess that I was unaware of this program and the foundation itself but with leaders like Chris and Jim giving me the “gouge”, I jumped at the opportunity to help. Both were involved from the incubation and had shepherded the evolution of the foundation. They, along with other DC patriots, saw the need to assist not only Navy and Coast Guard Wounded Warriors but their families.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Navy Wounded Warriors at the golf tournament and heard their stories of how the Foundation had made a difference in their lives. I visited Bethesda and witnessed the impact of adaptive athletics and the encouragement of coaches and staff towards recovery from the wounds of war both physically and emotionally. Similarly, I attended a Safe Harbor sponsored Family Support/Care Giver symposium in Jacksonville. There, I met the Navy’s Southeast Regional coordinator and discovered the unique relationship between the Navy and Foundation and how these combined efforts best served enrolled Navy Safe Harbor members.

Unlike some larger, well-known Wounded Warrior Programs, Navy Safe Harbor works directly with the Navy and Coast Guard and steps up when they cannot provide financial support for adaptive athletics, CAREGIVER programs, and financial grants. The Foundation itself is a not-for-profit 501C3 operated by an all-volunteer board and I was honored to join them in 2020. I then became Treasurer in 2021. Under the leadership of VADM Lou Crenshaw, there are several geographically diverse fundraising events throughout the year. With the objective of being able to honor every Navy generated request, these events along with generous individual and philanthropic grants truly make a difference.

To steal a Rotary phrase, “Service Above Self”, is a call to action to those who sacrificed so much.

Check it out https://safeharborfoundation.org

Warrior Care Excellence

Chris G.

Choosing NSHF as one of our preferred charities is deeply personal. The great work this dedicated team does every day saved our family during one the most difficult times in our lives. Our son, a wounded warrior, has truly benefitted from the resources, networking, and the steadfast commitment of NSHF, just as we have, his home harbor support team. Our son’s Warrior Care team lead was in constant communication when the hours were the darkest, explaining the steps along the way, always standing ready should our son or any of us need assistance, then and now. Our son, thanks in many ways to his Warrior Care team, survived, is thriving and has returned to his “new” normal self. There was immense comfort in our greater Navy family, our Navy Safe Harbor, that someone understood exactly what our sailor and family was experiencing, and were always there, always ready. NSHF offered opportunities to meet and interact with wounded warriors, helped with administrative support throughout the long road to recovery, and extended connections to outside resources for inventive, proven ways to help body, mind, and soul heal. We are truly indebted to our son’s great Warrior Care team and this great organization for their selfless sacrifice and unwavering support. Navy Safe Harbor Foundation will always have this family’s support, and deep gratitude – Bravo – Zulu.

Events Calendar

Virginia Golf Tournament Fort Belvoir, VA Sept. 16, 2022

Florida Golf Tournament Jacksonville, FL Oct. 28, 2022

Veterans Day Luncheon Arlington, VA Nov. 11, 2022

Independence Day Fact:

Three signers of the Declaration of Independence have died on July the 4th.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826. The 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

James Monroe died on July 4, 1831, in New York city after a long illness.

On July 5, 2022 / New!, Stories & News, Uncategorized / Leave a comment

Navy Safe Harbor Foundation Newsletter July vol 9

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