Flowers for Heroes hopes to gain more exposure now that we have our 501 through generous media supporters and public service announcements. We are looking into the best places to focus these advertisements and are really excited to spread much needed awareness for our struggling Gold Star Families.

Gaining this 501 status will now allow us to search and select potential sponsors who have the same determination to make a difference in the lives of the families of our fallen soldiers. We have already begun applying for various grants and meeting with possible sponsors. Russ made his journey out west in the beginning of December and met with a few potential sponsors and we are excited to hear back from them.

We are hoping these sponsors that will help us to keep on track with our Fallen Hero Flower Placements in 2010. We currently have four of these events planned for this year but this could change if we can find the financial resources to keep expanding our reach to more National Cemeteries. Please visit the “National Cemeteries” section to learn more about our 2010 Fallen Hero Flower Placements.

As soon as we obtained our 501c3 designation, I decided to expand our efforts West. So I decided to spend time with one of our Flowers for Heroes Board of Directors Members, Myra Peterson-Love. I traveled to Las Vegas to spend time at her home and office to prioritize our efforts for 2010. In addition, I wanted to meet with potential sponsors. I had the opportunity to present Flowers for Heroes to several influential people in Las Vegas. I was met with positive feedback about what we have accomplished since our launch in June and got commitments to take the next step. Overall, I felt that my trip was productive and very successful.

I look forward to returning for the beginning of the New Year and traveling to California to meet with additional potential sponsors that are being lined up. We need money to keep our dream alive to help Gold Star Families and I am ready to go for it.

Russ Phillip Jr.

We met some really cool biker guys and gals who loved to hear what Flowers for Heroes is doing. We passed out flyers and bracelets and were even putting FFH pins on a handful of people. This was good event but next time we need to remember to bring chairs. Jerry forgot to pack them when we loaded the supplies so by noon we thought our legs were going to cramp up. WAY TO GO JERRY!

Thanks for everyone who stopped by our table at this event! We look forward to seeing you at more of these shows as we appear at more and more in 2010.

Reservations are required to attend this event, visit deerparktowncenter.tv for more information.

JT’s Porch is located at:
665 W Roosevelt Rd
Lombard, IL 60148

What began as a special morning eventually led to a very memorable Wednesday afternoon as a Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery by the Flowers for Heroes organization, a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor all of America’s fallen soldiers at veteran cemeteries and to assist America’s Gold Star families – those families who have had father, mother, son, or daughter killed while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. Flowers for Heroes hosted the event, but were also assisted by the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run and other community organizations and families, who each helped in contributing.

Wednesday’s ceremony provided the opportunity to pay tribute to the members and their families laid to rest at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery – the second largest cemetery in the nation in acreage and also the home to more than 20,000 American heroes. Along with these intriguing facts, the cemetery is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

The ceremony attracted thousands of supporters who made their way around the cemetery to honor the fallen soldiers by placing a bouquet of flowers upon each tombstone. The later portion of the ceremony featured numerous special guests, many of whom spoke before an emotional, teary-eyed crowd. Some of these special guests included Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Miss Illinois, live music from Joe Cantafio and other Military officials. The ceremony also featured a fly-over, taking place in the midst of our nation’s National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance.

For additional information on Flowers for Heroes and the Veterans Day ceremony, please visit www.FlowersforHeroes.org.

The Flowers for Heroes non-profit organization was created in an effort to honor those who died protecting our freedom as Americans and support their families as they struggle with their loss. We recognize that Gold Star families need our support and developed a rewarding way to raise funds in order to provide that assistance.