Our first #GivingInJuly Sponsorship Group spotlight is @ripleycountycommfoundation ! A $5 back Sponsorship Group, "Wreaths Across Ripley County" organizes community efforts to honor more than 4,000 fallen veterans each year across 56 cemeteries.
"The Ripley County Community Foundation would like to thank the community, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, essential truck drivers, area officials, and members of the media for coming together in unity and supporting those who have protected our freedom. Each person has played an important part in this mission and we are grateful we are able to continue this program in the coming years."
Thank you to this incredible Sponsorship Group!
It's #MedalofHonorMonday !
Army First Lieutenant Charles Q Williams was an executive officer of a Special Forces detachment when a Viet Cong reinforced regiment struck the camp and threatened to overrun it and the adjacent district headquarters. He awoke personnel, organized them, determined the source of the main effort, and led the troops to their positions. After running to the district headquarters to establish communications, he found that there was no radio operational with which to communicate. He traveled through darkness but was halted in this effort by a combination of shrapnel in his right leg. He returned to the district headquarters and directed the defense against the first assault. He dashed through a barrage of gunfire and led them back to their positions. He returned to his position and, upon being told that communications were reestablished and that his commanding officer was seriously wounded, Williams took charge of actions in both compounds. He sustained wounds in the stomach and right arm from grenade fragments. After radio contact was made with a friendly air controller, he disregarded his wounds and directed the defense from the district building, using descending flares as reference points to adjust air strikes. Taking a 3.5 rocket launcher and a volunteer to load it he took aim at the Viet Cong machine gun. Although the sight was faulty, he succeeded in hitting the machine gun. While he and the loader were trying to return to the district headquarters, they were both wounded. With a fourth wound, this time in the right arm and leg, and realizing he was unable to carry his wounded comrade back to the district building, Williams pulled him to a covered position. As morning turned to afternoon and the Viet Cong pressed their effort, he ordered the evacuation of the seriously wounded to the safety of the communications bunker. When informed that helicopters would attempt to land as the hostile gunfire had abated, he led his team from the building to the artillery position, making certain of the timely evacuation of the wounded from the communications area, and then on to the pickup point.
The mission of the @alaforveterans is to support and advocate for our nation's veterans. Hosted by the Auxiliary, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival showcases the work of veteran artists, and ensures that caregivers are able to join all aspects of the event at no cost to them.
In this video spotlighting the organization, Vickie Koutz, American Legion Auxiliary Past National President, shares how the participating veterans exude modesty, saying "They don't even realize how important they are to us."
It’s #MedalofHonorMonday !
Army Private First Class Louis Edward Willett, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Willett distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company C, during combat operations. His squad was conducting a security sweep when it made contact with a large enemy force. The squad was immediately engaged with a heavy volume of automatic-weapons fire and pinned to the ground. Despite the deadly fusillade, Pfc. Willett rose to his feet firing rapid bursts from his weapon and moved to a position from which he placed highly effective fire on the enemy. His action allowed the remainder of his squad to begin to withdraw from the superior enemy force toward the company perimeter. Pfc. Willett covered the squad's withdrawal, but his position drew heavy enemy machine-gun fire, and he received multiple wounds enabling the enemy again to pin down the remainder of the squad. Pfc. Willett struggled to an upright position, and, disregarding his painful wounds, he again engaged the enemy with his rifle to allow his squad to continue its movement and to evacuate several of his comrades who were by now wounded. Moving from position to position, he engaged the enemy at close-range until he was mortally wounded. By his unselfish acts of bravery, Pfc. Willett insured the withdrawal of his comrades to the company position, saving their lives at the cost of his life. Pfc. Willett's valorous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 14.
Join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 4,225 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
