Flowers for Heroes – Top Golf Fundraiser Event – August 15
On Saturday, August 15th, Flowers for Heroes will be hosting another exciting event, this time at TopGolf in Wood Dale, IL. There will be food, drinks, raffles, and entertainment as we gather to reflect on the sacrifices our American soldiers make to defend our freedom.
The purpose for this event is to raise money for our upcoming visit to Antietam in September 2009. There we will be honoring the gravesites of over 5,000 fallen heroes from the civil war in an effort to show our support for the brave men and women who fight to protect our liberties as Americans. Proceeds from Flowers for Heroes support Gold Star families. These are the families of the men and women whose lives were taken while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
We encourage you to join us on Saturday, August 15th at 2:00pm for a wonderful afternoon of eating, drinking, games, and socializing, all while supporting our nation’s fallen soldiers. The event will be located at Top Golf in Wood Dale, Illinois. We have the event room reserved until 5:00pm but we can continue to have use of the facility after that to keep the enjoyment going.
The cost of the event is $50 per adult and $25 per child. This includes two games of TopGolf, two hours of open bar, and heavy appetizers. The children will also have unlimited miniature golf. We are expecting over 100 people in attendance so sign up now at www.flowersforheroes.org before all spots are taken.
You can purchase tickets online with PayPal.
TopGolf is a state-of-the-art golf facility that brings an exciting twist to the average golf experience. Imagine taking your average driving range and combining it with the hottest new golf video game, transforming it into an exciting futuristic game that is fun for all. Tiny computer chips located inside each golf ball allow players to compete in a variety of player-friendly games.
Talk with your friends, family, and coworkers about this great event. Credit cards and checks only, no cash please. To sign up today using a credit card, go to www.flowersforheroes.org and follow the instructions to submit payment via PayPal. CHECKS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF MAILED BY AUGUST 1ST. Please send checks to the following address and make sure to include your email address so we can contact you if necessary.
Flowers for Heroes
205 E. Butterfield Rd
Suite 423
Elmhurst, IL 60126
For additional information about TopGolf, click here to view their website. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact Julie at Julie@flowersforheroes.org.
You can purchase tickets online with PayPal.
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Willow Brook Ballroom: Flowers for Heroes – Heroes Forever Concert Fundraiser
by Russ Phillip Jr.
About a month ago I was contact by a member of the Del Souls, a local Chicagoland band. Bill Rohde proceeded to tell me how much the Del Souls appreciate and admire the Flowers for Heroes efforts. After a very exciting conversation, Bill explained how they would like show their support by hosting a benefit concert. Immediately following the conversation, we put our heads down and got to work planning the event…
At 7:30 sharp, the Flowers for Heroes “Heroes Forever” Concert started off with a bang as the Del Souls hit the stage and our supporters continued to fill the ballroom. Midge was our resident MC for the night as he entertained the crowd between the various musical performances and special guests.
The Del Souls and the Flowers for Heroes team collaborated to deliver an exciting night of music, dancing, comedy and numerous special entertainers including the Brooze Brothers, Joe Cantafio from the 101st Rock Division and Scott Lee Cohen, the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor of the State of Illinois. Comedian Staci Lynn Fletcher had the crowd practically rolling on the ground as she delivered a side splitting comedy routine. The entertainment alone was magnificent, but that was not all that we had to offer our guests.
Though our sponsors, local business, and the generosity of our community, Flowers for Heroes was able to have a silent auction of numerous autographed items as well as raffle off such prizes as Harley Davidson memorabilia, a flat screen television, and numerous gift certificates to different businesses. In addition, a 50/50 raffle awarded a $240 prize to one lucky winner.
We were fortunate to have a very diverse crowd of people in attendance that night. From young to old, all were eating, drinking, and dancing the night away. It was great to see everyone having such a great time and showing their support for our nation’s fallen heroes.
It was our mission to promote Flowers for Heroes and raise awareness for Gold Star Families and the event turned out to be a huge success. You can see pictures of the event by clicking here: Heroes Forever Concert Pictures
We have another fundraising event coming up at Top Golf in Wooddale on August 15th at 2pm.
We hope to see you there.
Filed under Fundraisers | Comments OffWhat’s After Gettysburg?
by Russ Phillip Jr.
If you all haven’t heard thru Radio or Television , Flowers for Heroes will be back out east in September. We will be doing similar installation in Antietam in mid September.
I expect that the installation will be totally different. The town is different, the amount of visitors is different and the cemetery is different. But what a great place. Flowers for Heroes will visit Antietam to again recognize the beginning of the creation of our country and the beginning of our existence. Antietam – the bloodiest battle known to America.
Additional events this year could range from doing Lincoln in Illinois this year to visiting Normandy. We have been approved at Normandy however, we will need additional funding to complete.
We plan on accommodating 3-4 installation per year. If the funding is available we will press on and do more. One piece of our mission is to visit all 130 veteran cemetery’s and the 100 overseas before revisiting business plan. We will leave no one behind. All of our Heroes will be decorated with flowers before I am done.
Hope to see you there.
Filed under Gettysburg July 4th | Comments OffMy Gettysburg Experience – Part Two – More About the Experience
By Russ Phillip Jr.
The People
The town’s people that I spoke with mentioned that the town of Gettysburg is a very reserved and private town. Somehow that surprised me. I will tell you why, the military park and town are very alluring to tourists . People from all over the world come to visit the battle fields and cemetery. So, the town doesn’t have much time to be private. Second, they are all very pleasant and willing to share. One of the nicer aspects of our visit there was the rangers. They were very helpful and very friendly. My Boy Rick was the best part of our installation. He should get a metal for everything he did for us. He put up with a lot and crazy enough he didn’t have to. Thank Pal.
The environment was amazing. Flowers for Heroes was very well received. The people visiting and especially those helping wanted a guarantee that we were coming back next year. A nice feeling of appreciation and a feeling not too many people experience in their entire life time. That is sad to me…
Dove Ceremony
Two days before the event, a very exciting email dropped in my inbox. It was a local woman who wanted to help at the cemetery, but not in the manner of the other volunteers. Mary Ann Elliot from Ascending Spirits was interested in releasing a flight of doves in honor of those who rest at the Soldiers National Cemetery.
At high noon, Midge, myself, and our team walked with the crate of Doves to center of cemetery where the dedication ceremony would take place. Midge began to talk about our Flowers for Heroes and asked that I elaborate the importance of what we were there to do. I was honored to be standing at the resting place of such distinguished men, men with such courage and patriotism. Heroes.
After I spoke, a local woman by the name Jean Green stepped in front of the crowd. Her father, Charles Parker, lay just on the other side of the cemetery. She expressed some very deep emotions; she was touched that Flowers for Heroes and the Gettysburg community were able to come together to recognize the dire sacrifices our soldiers make. Her words lifted the hearts of all as she described her love for our country and those who defend our way of life.
The Press
The Associated Press arrived as we were still making the patriotic bouquets. They asked me question after question and then did a video interview, all while I was creating bouquets. It was a nice piece and I was honored to have them interested in our cause. We were the first story they covered that day, making me feel the high level of respect they had for our soldiers.
ABC got there right after the doves were released at the end of the dedication ceremony. Shoot, I would have liked for them to get film of how beautiful the doves were as they glided over the heads of the volunteers at the cemetery. However, it was such a pleasure to talk about Flowers for Heroes and our vision to change the lives of Gold Star Families. My dream is to show the families left by our fallen soldiers our gratitude of their sacrifice and make a lasting improvement to their lives.
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My Gettysburg Experience – Part One
By Russ Phillip Jr.
We began our morning at 4:30 AM. It was still dark with the sun just barely peaking out. It was time to unload the flowers and supplies we would need to honor the resting heroes. This early in the morning, the gates to the cemetery were still chained closed. This meant that the only way we were going to get in would be by climbing the fence. Midge would not jump fence without me, he was scared to go into cemetery alone. Once over fence, we were surrounded by the tranquility of the cemetery, to the point of feeling the silence of the graves. The birds that were in the background brought a reality to our footing. As the sun began to rise, I noticed Midge filling with excitement as he began to prepare for the day’s activities.
Around 6:00 AM, the sun now over the horizon, the cemetery gates opened and Midge began preparing the flowers. Volunteers from the community and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts saved the day when they arrived shortly after 9:00 AM. I knew we would need help from volunteers but I didn’t realize how much. We were rushed with volunteers early; boy scouts, girl scouts, their families, all there to help support Flowers for Heroes. We must have had 50 volunteers throughout the day. All were eager to help and show their patriotism as they separated flowers, created bouquets, and encouraged others to take part in this patriotic event.
As we all know, nothing ever goes as smoothly as we plan for. Some difficulties arose when our flowers were held up at customs, causing our last shipment of flowers to arrive at nearly 4:00 PM. By that time, the amount of visitors began to diminish and we all could feel our bodies tiring.
Over the next two and half hours, we were able to finish honoring the graves with another 1,000 bouquets. As the last flowers were laid upon the resting place of Pvt. John J. Baddick, I began to reflect upon the day. I couldn’t have asked for a greater group of volunteers, a more patriotic community, or a better canvas to paint the historic picture of our first event.
The day was finished; I was engulfed in a warm feeling by knowing we were able to honor some of America’s finest soldiers and bring the community a little closer while doing so.
The Flowers for Heroes team packed up our supplies and headed back to the hotel to unwind. Mission accomplished. A Job Well done. A day filled with reward, excitement, fun, laughter and a remembrance of why we were there; to honor our fallen heroes.
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Flowers For Heroes Places Flowers on 5K Graves at Gettysburg
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania was a sea of red, white, and blue this July 4th.
A non-profit group called Flowers for Heroes marked the holiday by placing bouquets of flowers at thousands of graves at the historic Soldiers National Cemetery in south-central Pennsylvania.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., representatives of Flowers for Heroes handed out red, white, and blue bouquets to visitors to place in front of the headstones. Volunteers from the community as well as local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts assisted the group’s effort to honor over 5,000 graves with flowers.
On their website, www.flowersforheroes.org, Flowers for Heroes allows people to sponsor bouquets that will be placed on the headstones at various military cemeteries around the nation. This is only part of their effort to show their support to America’s defenders. Proceeds also go towards supporting Gold Star families who often struggle because of the sacrifices their family members made protecting our country.
"I was touched by the participation of the Gettysburg community," said Flowers for Heroes founder, Russ Phillip, Jr. "The efforts of Flowers for Heroes are minimal without the support of our fellow Americans. This is crucial to reaching our goal of leaving no fallen American soldier without recognition of their sacrifices and patriotism."
More than 3,500 Union soldiers are buried at Gettysburg, also known as Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Veterans from later conflicts are also buried there.
For more information about the Flowers for Heroes organization, upcoming events, and ways to become involved, please visit www.flowersforheroes.org.
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ABC News 27 Covers Flowers For Heroes at the Gettysburg Installation July 4th
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Feedback from Tom Riordan
July 8th, 2009
Hi Russ,
We met yesterday at the Penny Road Pub. As a veteran, I have to tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing to honor our fallen heroes. You are a great American.
Far too many people today take for granted all the freedoms and opportunities available to American’s that are not available to many people in other countries. Nobody can accuse you of that same sentiment
Best wishes to you and all your endeavors. Please let me know if I can help with anything. My field is investments and retirement planning.
I Salute you!
Semper Fi,
Tom Riordan
Major USMC Ret. Tom Riordan, AAMSWealth Management Advisor office: (815) 459-6800 fax: (815) 455-4989 email:tom@doriongray.com
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Gettysburg Times Covers Flowers for Heroes in Gettysburg July 4th
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| FLOWERS FOR HEROES — Russ Phillip, Jr., above left, founder and CEO of Flowers for Heroes, prepares bouquets for visitors to pick up and place on the headstone of their choice at the Gettysburg National Cemetery on Independence Day. Flowers for Heroes is an organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen heroes and their families. Above right, David Jobes of Damascus, Md., took part in the event. Jobes chose to honor an unknown soldier. |
FLOWERS FOR HEROES — Russ Phillip, Jr., above left, founder and CEO of Flowers for Heroes, prepares bouquets for visitors to pick up and place on the headstone of their choice at the Gettysburg National Cemetery on Independence Day. Flowers for Heroes is an organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen heroes and their families. Above right, David Jobes of Damascus, Md., took part in the event. Jobes chose to honor an unknown soldier
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Flowers for Heroes – July 4th Gettysburg Installation
