(Note: This post contains offsite links that may not work, in pictures that may not show, outside the United States. If the pictures work and you click on them, you should find yourself at a U.S.-specific charitable organization's site, courtesy of a legitimate fundraising system whose cookies may clutter up your computer; after visiting, cookie-cleaning software should take care of that. If you're outside the U.S., feel free to skip this post.)
This e-mail is being shared for three reasons:
(1) Although they lost me when they started "telemarketing" at my home, I supported the Amvets' charity store in Maryland for a long time, and found many fabulous bargains there. I'd owe them one just for the $5 I spent there on the base yarn to make the sweater that sold for $850. I still think charity stores are a better way for organizations to raise money than asking people for donations, but since I've not been back to Maryland for ten years now I'll waive the point.
(2) I think Grandma Bonnie Peters might enjoy seeing the late President Reagan's picture here; George Peters' hair turned grey before his face showed wrinkles, but people often thought he looked like Ronald Reagan. (I don't remember his movies, but I do remember his first inaugural address.)
(3) I never was able to complete the payment for one of Laura Ingraham
's older books to her favorite charity of the season. She authorized one of these e-mails in aid of Amvets; I clicked; Amvets wasn't taking small payments! So here, this year, is an opportunity for anyone who needs a U.S. tax write-off to get in a documented 501(c)(3) donation--in honor of Laura Ingraham
, or Michael Reagan
, or GBP, or your favorite U.S. veteran. Forty dollars does seem a nice amount to contribute to a very peaceful demonstration to remind people how many older veterans need home care. Our federal government has a contractual obligation to offer Vietnam veterans the same benefits it offered World War veterans and currently offers young veterans, but it's been failing to pay that obligation. Amvets does showy stuff, like parades, that's no substitute for helping actual disabled veterans pay their drivers; at least that stuff should (currently) remind your Congressmen that funding home care for Vietnam veterans is part of a bill currently under discussion in Congress. You might want to write to yours, too, to make sure that specific concern is in their minds as they salute the flag at the parade...Anyway, here is Michael Reagan's fundraising appeal for Amvets' Memorial Day Parade:
"
You might have heard my name before, but I'm sure you know my father, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. I remember his first speech as President. At his inauguration he said,
"Those who say that we're in a time when there are not heroes, they just don't know where to look."
He went on to talk about some of those heroes he referred to:
"Beyond those monuments to heroism is the Potomac River, and on the far shore the sloping hills of Arlington National Cemetery, with its row upon row of simple white markers bearing crosses or Stars of David. They add up to only a tiny fraction of the price that has been paid for our freedom.
Each one of those markers is a monument to the kind of hero I spoke of earlier. Their lives ended in places called Belleau Wood, The Argonne, Omaha Beach, Salerno, and halfway around the world on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Pork Chop Hill, the Chosin Reservoir, and in a hundred rice paddies and jungles of a place called Vietnam."
My family has always had an affinity for the military and our veterans. In fact, you may not know that Dad volunteered in the Army four years BEFORE Pearl Harbor. He was disappointed when the Army told him he couldn't serve in a combat function because of his defective eyesight and was asked to star in promotional and training films for the Department of War. Nonetheless, he did his duty and loved his chance to serve. He also was the first president to visit Normandy on D-Day.
I wish my Dad was around today, I know he would have loved to see the National Memorial Day Parade roll down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. and go right by the White House. He would have been so honored to watch these service men and women walk by his home marching in remembrance of their fallen friends, and witness the families of the fallen participating to remember their loved ones they lost a world away.
Sadly, when he was president there was no Memorial Day Parade. It wasn't until 13 years ago the American Veterans Center a small non-profit started this tradition that had been lost to the ages. They revived it and for 13 years and on a small budget they put on this parade.
My Dad would have loved it even more knowing that NOT A PENNY COMES FROM THE GOVERNMENT! In fact, the American Veterans Center ACTUALLY PAYS THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT IT ON!! Nearly $80,000 goes to Washington, D.C. and federal government for permits, security, and other expenses.
This Memorial Day Parade costs about the same as a couple balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or for about two floats in the Rose Bowl Parade. Think for a second about the impact this Memorial Day Parade has on our military, veterans, and families of the fallen.
I am emailing you to ask for your support to help the American Veterans Center. They organize and produce this parade not because it's easy, but because it's the right thing to do. My Dad tried to live his life on principles like that.
Would you consider making a donation in honor of my father, who I know would have loved this great event?
Please consider a gift of $40 in honor of him being the 40th President of the United States or $80 for the year he became president and helped turn this country around. Or more if you can so help. I don't want to see this Parade stopped because this small non-profit can't afford the government costs.
Thank you for your considered support and patriotism to our nation.
Warmest regards,
Michael E. Reagan
P.S. – Please consider making a gift of $40 in honor of him being the 40th President of the United States, or $80 for the year he became president and helped turn this country around. Or whatever you can do. Every dollar helps!
Donations made to the American Veterans Center are tax-deductible. The American Veterans Center is a project of The American Studies Center, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation.
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