AFF were at Oatlands Historic House & Gardens on Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10 as part of their ‘From the Front Lines to the Home Front: Oatlands and World War II’ weekend. Read more
Year: 2016
Excellence in the US
In extract from the British Embassy internal newsletter…
Allied Forces Foundation Takes on Cateran Yomp
On 11-12 June a small team from the British Defence Staff will support the Allied Forces Foundation (AFF) annual Cateran Yomp, in Perthshire, Scotland.
The AFF team includes amputees, individuals who are blind and others battling post-traumatic stress disorder – all sustained in the line of duty. The team will compete in a 22-, 36.5- or a challenging 54-mile hike in just 24 hours across the Scottish Highlands to renew self-confidence, re-establish self-esteem, and provide a focus for recovery and rehabilitation.
To support the team’s fundraising efforts, visit FirstGiving. You can also follow events on Facebook and Twitter.
14 year old founder of BearHug, Inc. provides care packages to military children
“Hi! My name is Campbell Kinsman; I am the founder of a nonprofit organization called BearHug, Inc. We send monthly care packages to children who have a parent deployed in the armed services.”
Read more
Georgia Defence Ministry explores ways to increase support for wounded soldiers
Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli met director of the Allied Forces Foundation Stuart Taylor (L). Photo by the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.
March 29, 2016 – Tbilisi, Georgia.
Georgia is exploring ways it can increase the support offered to wounded soldiers. Read more
The Bataan Memorial Death March
AFF supporters will be taking part in the Bataan Memorial Death March in March of this year. Full details of registration can be found at bataanmarch.com
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.
These brave soldiers were responsible for the defense of the islands of Luzon, Corregidor and the harbor defense forts of the Philippines.
The conditions they encountered and the aftermath of the battle were unique. They fought in a malaria-infested region, surviving on half or quarter rations with little or no medical help. They fought with outdated equipment and virtually no air power.
On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. The Americans were Army, Army Air Corps, Navy and Marines. Among those seized were members of the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard.
They were marched for days in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of a prisoner of war camp. Others were wounded or killed when unmarked enemy ships transporting prisoners of war to Japan were sunk by U.S. air and naval forces.
The Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University began sponsoring the memorial march in 1989 to mark a page in history that included so many native sons and affected many families in the state. In 1992, White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined in the sponsorship and the event was moved to the Missile Range.
Since its inception, the memorial march has grown from about 100 to some 6,500 marchers from across the United States and several foreign countries. While still primarily a military event, many civilians choose to take the challenge.
Marchers come to this memorial event for many reasons – personal challenge, the spirit of competition or to foster esprit de corps in their unit. Some march in honor of a family member or a particular veteran who was in the Bataan Death March or was taken a prisoner of war by the Japanese in the Philippines.
Team SideXSide to take on “Double Triple Bypass”
This is what it’s all about! Brothers Grant & John Rochelle and three friends Eamon, Shawn & Royce (altogether representing the US, UK and Canada!) riding as ‘Team SideXSide’, have signed up for a fun but gruelling cycling event to support Allied Forces Foundation through sponsorship donations. Read more
Operation Turtledom welcomes 2016 recruits
The Allied Forces Foundation is the Official Charity of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles. We are grateful to the Supreme Imperial Turtle, Brother Denis P. McGowan, friend and Director of the AFF, for bestowing this honour upon us.
The first NYC gathering of 2016 was held on January 28, and as usual the hat was passed Read more