There has been a lot of media attention these days about services for veterans. Sadly, most of the attention has been about the lack of services and programs.

Well, we in the Miss-Lou have a golden opportunity to put a positive spin on that issue by hosting the first Miss-Lou Patriotic Golf Tournament. Yes, I know there are a lot of tournaments, and for many worthy causes.

However, Home With Heroes Foundation has created the first and only tournament specifically for our veterans and their loved ones. Our nonprofit, private organization is primed to launch a host of activities and programs to help our veterans and loved ones, including:

-The Miss-Lou PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Retreats. In partnership with Redneck Adventures, we’re creating a full-out retreat for veterans suffering from PTSD. We’re going to launch the retreats this fall, and at no charge to the veterans. I don’t have to tell you how vital this project is to our veterans.

-The Miss-Lou Honor Ride. A day excursion to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans at no charge to WWII veterans. These Honor Rides will be open to the public, too.

-The Miss-Lou Visit-A-Vet Project to visit veterans who are live-ins, shut-ins or in nursing homes. Let us not forget anyone who served in the uniform of our great nation.

-Celebration of Patriotism Programs. Our goal is to bring a terrific, heart-throbbing program to celebrate our patriotic spirit and honor veterans.

-Scholarship. We intend to add to the Veterans Scholarship funds at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez.

-Boxing Days. We plan several Boxing Days to put together gift packages for our men and women overseas.

-The Miss-Lou You Tube Channel. We plan to create programming that supports, honors and uplifts our veterans and their loved ones.

-Miss-Lou World War II Veterans History Projects. This is one of our shining projects, aimed at recording first-hand the men and women who served in World War II. The project already is underway in Mississippi under the direction of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9573, and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

As you can see, Home With Heroes Foundation plans a lot of great activities. But we need your help.

The tournament is June 28 at Duncan Park. If you can play, sponsor or donate, it woul be appreciated. We’ll have great prizes and, thanks to Great River Chevrolet GMC, someone could drive away with one or even two vehicles, plus other great prizes. We will have a silent auction with awesome items, door prizes, morning refreshments and lunch, as well as many other features. Of course, the whole tournament will be filled with Old Glory, including the flagsticks.

We will have a formal patriotic program at 8 a.m. before tee-off. Come out and witness this event.

A great fund-raiser is our buy-a-flag, which is somewhat like a ball drop. Your flag for $25 donation will be placed in the Circle of Flags. Two veterans each will select a flag, whose owner will receive 25 percent of ticket sales. For example 100 tickets sold will net each winner $625. And you don’t have to be present to win. Tickets can be downloaded from our Facebook page: Home With Heroes, or contact me or Jim Bob Allgood, vice president.

People routinely say that someone has to do something for our veterans and their loved ones. Well, we are. And with your help we will let our veterans know how much the Miss-Lou cares about them.

God bless our men and women in uniform. Please pray for them.

 

G. Mark LaFrancis, a 23-year veteran, is president of the Home With Heroes Foundation Inc.