Today is Veterans Day, and our veterans are getting the shaft. I was reminded of this in the November 2009 newsletter from Project "We Remember." (See www. ProjectWeRemember.org.) Veteran Vernon Bagley, executive director of this project and of Military Families Foundation, shares with us that approximately 66 percent of all U.S. veterans are not eligible for any VA benefits because they were not in a combat zone, not wounded, nor did they become ill on active duty. That's just wrong.

During the evening of March 20th during the celebration of State Representative Jerry Weiers’ presentation of Person of the Year for 2009, we added the raffle drawing of the 1750’s handmade replica of a “50 Cal. Tennessee Hog”.  Black Powder craftsman “Boon” Harsh crafted this weapon from a large plank of “Curly Maple” wood and created one of the most beautiful works of art I, and many others who viewed the weapon during the raffle, have ever seen.  Attention to detail and the final product are unbelievable.

Recycled Rides is a program sponsored by the NABC and local members in each state. The NABC participants work with various insurance companies (in our case State Farm Insurance) to find a vehicle that has been taken off the street due to physical damage. Recycled Rides reviews the history and condition of the vehicle and if appropriate for their use will take the donated vehicle from the Insurer and repair the vehicle to street certified condition by the State where the vehicle is to be titled, and then donate that Recycled Ride to a Charity or an individual in need. Military Families Foundation is Honored to be considered a worthy recipient of one of the 72 Vehicles donated this year across the U.S. If you want Corporate America to continue to sponsor and help our Veterans, please take time to call both State Farm and 9.1.1. Collision and say THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR VETS !!!!!!

Kaplan Management Co. and Project We Remember celebrated the grand opening of The District at Mountain Vista in Mesa, its latest luxury apartment complex, Friday, May 1, 2009 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tribute to U.S. veterans. Kaplan Management Co. and Project We Remember will provide free housing for one year for the Esquivel family and four other United States veterans. See this article from the East Valley Tribune for details.

On the 1st of May, 2009 Kaplan Companies, the Developer of The District at Mountain Vistas, will open its’ brand new luxury apartment complex in Mesa. As a part of their philosophy of give back to the community, Kaplan Companies has donated two, 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment to Military Families Foundation, Inc./Project “We Remember” for a year. Project “We Remember” will be identifying two National Guard, Reservist, or Veterans and their families to live in these units for the next 12 months.