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 helping the third annual Miss-Lou Patriotic Golf Tournament. Yes, I know there are a lot of tournaments, for many worthy causes.

However, Home With Heroes Foundation of the Miss-Lou has created the first and only tournament specifically for our veterans and their loved ones. It is the Robert “Bob” Mims Patriotic Golf Tournament, named to honor local hero Bob Mims, a former World War II prisoner of war. Our nonprofit, private organization has launched a variety of activities and programs to help our veterans and loved ones. We have partnered with the Adams County Veterans Service Office on many of the projects. Among them:

-Veterans Renewal Retreats: In partnership with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, we’re creating a full-out retreat for veterans who have experienced combat. Our next retreat is in September 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. We have hosted three honor rides so far with 18 World War II veterans aboard. Honor Rides are open to the public, too.

-The Helping Hands for Veterans Project: We will perform light yard and/or home improvements for veterans at no charge to them.

-The Miss-Lou Visit-A-Vet Project: We 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. Our last program was May 28 with the Patriotic Balloon Launch.

-Scholarships: We have given $2,500 in scholarship funds to college and high school students.

-Emergency Assistance: We have given more than $3,000 in gift cards, purchases and emergency aid to veterans.

-Boxing Days: We helped Operation G.R.I.T.S for Soldiers send approximately 400 gift packages to our area men and women overseas, and have donated to the organization.

-The Home With Heroes YouTube Channel: We have created a special channel that supports, honors and uplifts our veterans and their loved ones. The channel is called Veteran To Veteran and will launch soon.

-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 under way in Mississippi under the direction of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9573, and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

-Veterans Resource Center: We are in the process of locating a facility to house food, clothing and household items for veterans in need.

As you can see, Home With Heroes Foundation plans a lot of great activities. But we need your help. None of these activities is possible without financial resources. We are proud to say none of our officers or board members receives any compensation. Home With Heroes is a 501(c)(3) organization.

The golf tournament is Saturday, July 9 at Duncan Park. If you can play, sponsor or donate, thank you. 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 an 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 about 8:15 a.m. before tee-off. Come out and witness this event.

A great fundraiser is our Buy-A-Flag event, which is somewhat like a ball drop. Your flag for $20 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. 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 the Veterans Service Office at 601-304-7800

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. He can be reached at 601-442-0980.