Salute Inc.

November 2011

Thank you Salute, for giving me the opportunity to continue to show my appreciation for your generous and ongoing support - for my family, and for all the fortunate lives you have so greatly impacted.
Thank you runners, sponsors, contributors, and volunteers alike for allowing me to address you today;
The Chicago Marathon is such an amazing race – you will experience the striking views of this beautiful city, the massive number of spectators cheering you on while you push yourself physically and mentally to achieve greatness! …and if taking on such a huge challenge wasn’t enough…you decided to push yourself further and use this opportunity to generously help others. With so many important charities to choose from…you chose Salute Inc. Thank you for choosing an exceptional organization! Salute’s work is truly extraordinary – as are all of you.
My husband Chris, is an Iraq War Veteran. I would like to apologize on behalf of my husband, as he is unable to attend because he is working today - but if he were here, I know he would be very humbled and grateful for all of you as well. In his absence, I am here to tell you how Salute has become part of our extended family.
My husband Chris served in the US Marine Corps.  At 21, Chris arrived in Kuwait in early 2003. He crossed into Iraq during the onset of the Iraq war and served for nine months. When Chris returned home, he rarely discussed his time in Iraq or even his time as a Marine. Chris and I met years later and although I knew he had some challenges adjusting back into civilian life after returning from Iraq, I was completely unaware that Chris was carrying the war with him every day.
One year ago, almost to the day, I rushed home from work after being unable to reach my husband for hours to find that he had fled with our 3 and a half month old son Jackson . They were gone, and my world rapidly began to unravel.
During the months prior to this event, Chris and I were experiencing an enormous amount of stress in our lives. At the time I had no idea that this stress would engulf my husband in such an intense panic that it resulted in Chris taking Jackson and leaving without a trace.
After pleading for their safe return through media outlets, Chris and Jackson returned safe and sound, and one year ago today, we were reunited!  Although at the time, I was still in shock – I was VERY relieved and SO thankful that my family was back together and safe – Although,  I knew that we were about to embark on a very difficult journey…
Chris was admitted to Hines VA hospital the night he returned, and although Chris’ intentions were muddled during the 2 day period of time that they were gone, we know now that Chris was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
At that time, our son was 4 months old and I suddenly found myself alone and in despair as I feared for my husband and our family, as well as suddenly facing great financial crisis. Chris would apply for service related disability while being hospitalized, but it was made very clear that this process would take at least 9 months.
Although I am a working mother, my income alone could not handle the cost of childcare for our baby and all of the financial responsibilities associated with starting a family. As a result, we were faced with a terrifying and unfortunate decision,
1) Chris would have to discontinue the treatment he desperately needed to build a healthy and happy life - and return to work so he could help provide food and shelter for our family, Or 2) I would be faced with giving up my career and been forced to explore government assistance/welfare options as I could no longer work if we could not provide childcare for our son.
Both options presented complicated challenges that would inevitably lead our family into a destitute situation; furthermore staging a significant threat of dismantling our family as Chris’s untreated PTSD symptoms had been threatening the safety and security of his wellbeing and the wellbeing of our family.
And that is where Salute entered our lives. After exhausting what I thought were all my resources, I rushed to a food pantry for food during my lunch break so that I could feed my family. After expressing my desperation to the volunteers at the homeless shelter, one of the volunteers started asking me many questions about my husband’s military experience, etc. I soon found out that Nancy was the application contact at Salute, and we received financial assistance within 72 hours of our chance meeting.

But that is not where Salute ends. I have referred to Salute as an organization with a beating heart. It is alive with people who continue to check on us. They are working diligently to provide Chris with opportunities to build himself back up by promoting healthy life and cohesive family unit. They have checked in on us, and invested in us, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Thank you for making the choice to support such an amazing organization. Thank you for helping to support our family. The work you have accomplished is ensuring a happy, safe home for our son, for me and for my husband.

You are all already victorious, you are all already winners, and tomorrow you will embark on an amazing journey. I speak from experience when I say that there will be some time during that 26.2 miles where you may feel a little bit exhausted…your legs will feel like lead, but keep going! You’ve made it so far, and you are part of an amazing team – and you are never alone for you will always be in my family’s heart forever. Thank you.
 

August 2011

My husband Chris, is an Iraq War Veteran. I would like to apologize on behalf of my husband, as he is unable to attend because he is working today - but if he were here, I know he would be very humbled and grateful for all of you as well. In his absence, I am here to tell you how Salute has become part of our extended family.

My husband Chris served in the US Marine Corps.  At 21, Chris arrived in Kuwait in early 2003. He crossed into Iraq during the onset of the Iraq war and served for nine months. When Chris returned home, he rarely discussed his time in Iraq or even his time as a Marine. Chris and I met years later and although I knew he had some challenges adjusting back into civilian life after returning from Iraq, I was completely unaware that Chris was carrying the war with him every day.

One year ago, almost to the day, I rushed home from work after being unable to reach my husband for hours to find that he had fled with our 3 and a half month old son Jackson . They were gone, and my world rapidly began to unravel.

During the months prior to this event, Chris and I were experiencing an enormous amount of stress in our lives. At the time I had no idea that this stress would engulf my husband in such an intense panic that it resulted in Chris taking Jackson and leaving without a trace. After pleading for their safe return through media outlets, Chris and Jackson returned safe and sound, and one year ago today, we were reunited! Although at the time, I was still in shock – I was VERY relieved and SO thankful that my family was back together and safe – Although,  I knew that we were about to embark on a very difficult journey…

Chris was admitted to Hines VA hospital the night he returned, and although Chris’ intentions were muddled during the 2 day period of time that they were gone, we know now that Chris was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

At that time, our son was 4 months old and I suddenly found myself alone and in despair as I feared for my husband and our family, as well as suddenly facing great financial crisis. Chris would apply for service related disability while being hospitalized, but it was made very clear that this process would take at least 9 months.

Although I am a working mother, my income alone could not handle the cost of childcare for our baby and all of the financial responsibilities associated with starting a family. As a result, we were faced with a terrifying and unfortunate decision,

1) Chris would have to discontinue the treatment he desperately needed to build a healthy and happy life - and return to work so he could help provide food and shelter for our family,

Or 2) I would be faced with giving up my career and been forced to explore government assistance/welfare options as I could no longer work if we could not provide childcare for our son.

Both options presented complicated challenges that would inevitably lead our family into a destitute situation; furthermore staging a significant threat of dismantling our family as Chris’s untreated PTSD symptoms had been threatening the safety and security of his wellbeing and the wellbeing of our family.

And that is where Salute entered our lives. After exhausting what I thought were all my resources, I rushed to a food pantry for food during my lunch break so that I could feed my family. After expressing my desperation to the volunteers at the homeless shelter, one of the volunteers started asking me many questions about my husband’s military experience, etc. I soon found out that Nancy was the application contact at Salute, and we received financial assistance within 72 hours of our chance meeting.

But that is not where Salute ends. I have referred to Salute as an organization with a beating heart. It is alive with people who continue to check on us. They are working diligently to provide Chris with opportunities to build himself back up by promoting healthy life and cohesive family unit. They have checked in on us, and invested in us, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Thank you for making the choice to support such an amazing organization. Thank you for helping to support our family. The work you have accomplished is ensuring a happy, safe home for our son, for me and for my husband.

You are all already victorious, you are all already winners, and tomorrow you will embark on an amazing journey. I speak from experience when I say that there will be some time during that 26.2 miles where you may feel a little bit exhausted…your legs will feel like lead, but keep going! You’ve made it so far, and you are part of an amazing team – and you are never alone for you will always be in my family’s heart forever. Thank you.

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
To: Girl Scouts-Fox Valley Council-Illinois
 
Dear Sarah from Troop 302, 

My name is Sergeant First Class  Robb Zimmel, I belong to a specialized team located far south in Iraq. The team I belong to is called a FST or Forward Surgical Team. We have a very important job, we treat and care for all US soldiers that get hurt here in Iraq. Without our Doctors and medics, a lot of people would never have the opportunity to go home and see their families again. It makes us all so happy when we can save a soldiers life and give them the opportunity to go home. 
The team and myself have been here for a very long time. It’s absolutely wonderful to receive a gift like the cookies you sent us because it reminds us of home and makes us feel so special that someone remembers and care for us too.  
We thank you very much for your continued support and prayers. Please continue to remain active in the Girl Scouts. And, continue remaining active in your community.
Also, please see the attached picture of our entire Forward Surgical Team, per your request. (can you tell they like the cookies?) 
Again, thank you very much.

SFC RobZimmel                                                                                                                                 915th FST

Last year(2009) the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois collected 18,000 boxes of cookies to send overseas to the men and women serving. 
This year these amazing young girls had a goal of 20,000 boxes. 
As of right now they have collected over 26,000 boxes of cookies, with more coming in, to send with the help of Operation Care Packages and Fox Valley Troop Support, Inc. 
Each box is sent with a hand-colored page thanking the Troops for all that they do for us.  Operation Care Packages and Fox Valley Troop Support, Inc. are still looking for donations of basic toiletries and postage to send with the care packages that accompany each box of cookies. 
 

Dear Izzy,

Words cannot describe how I feel in this moment. We have raised so much money in such a short amount of time and brought so much awareness to our cause. You inspired us all this 4th to be better as Americans; as people who will help at the drop at a hat.

Izzy, it’s a shame I never met you. I can’t imagine what I could have learned from a man like you who had so much going for him. You have an amazing family, a strong soulmate and a beautiful son. A son who will grow up to learn that his father’s passing was not in vain. Instead, your memory was continued by thousands all over West Tennessee who donated so much time, effort and whatever money they could donate to make sure Turner is taken care of.

You promised to take care of us, Izzy, when you joined up, and you served valiantly. You and I, Izzy, never had the opportunity to meet, and we didn’t serve together on the same battlefield, but we defended the same flag as we promised. You are my brother, Izzy. There’s no doubt in that. I couldn’t have finished the race without you. You were there every step. I could feel you.

The movement started with you as an inspiration. It was only after seeing how many lives you touched after passing on did you become my hero. I can’t wait to meet you one day Izzy. I guarantee you when that day comes, we’ll both be running to the gates to greet one another.