The Independence Fund, an all volunteer, combat veteran run non-profit, in conjunction with Palm Key Development, will hold a ceremonial ground breaking on the proposed site for the Independence Chapel and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Remembrance Wall at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25. The ground breaking ceremony will be part of the Healing Heroes Golf Week (www.healingheroesgolfweek.com) in which more than two dozen severely injured veterans from the Global War on Terror will be honored guests at the Palm Key Retreat from April 23-27. The public is invited to attend this significant event which will be followed by a barbecue buffet, live entertainment by Nashville recording artist Barry Michael, and a free screening of the critically acclaimed film “Rebirth,”being brought to the event by the New York-based non-profit, Project Rebirth.
“For many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, particularly those who have lost friends or are severely injured themselves, the Chapel and Remembrance Wall will serve a purpose for them similar to that which the Vietnam Wall does for veterans of that conflict,” said Ret. Col. Eddie Ray, USMC. Ray, a recipient of the nation’s second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross, recently took the position of Director for the Lowcountry’s Third Annual Lt. Dan Weekend, (www.LDW3.com) that is scheduled for September 2012.
According to the Independence Fund’s Chief Operating Officer Ret. Captain James Howard, the proposed site of the Chapel and Remembrance Wall could not be more ideal. “Not only does the natural beauty of the setting lend itself to a sense of peace and calm that visitors, and visiting veterans in particular, will find healing, the physical location is less than five miles off of Interstate 95 at a geographic location that is exactly mid way between New York City and Miami Beach. It will make this Lowcountry fixture a natural stop for any veteran traveling up or down the Eastern Seaboard.”
Along with the ground breaking ceremony, the veterans and their caregivers will be participating in a myriad of other activities including an archery clinic being taught by wounded veteran and competitive archer Ed Patten; equine therapy at the Huspa Plantation; a “Heroes Banquet” featuring triple amputee and author of “No Turning Back,” Bryan Anderson; and, of course, golf at the Lowcountry’s Callawassie, Lady’s Island Country Club, Cat Island Sanctuary and Fripp Island courses. Limited space is still available for both the banquet and golf events. Online registration for both is available at www.healingheroesgolfweek.com.
To date, the Independence Fund, a 501(c)3 organization authorized to operate in the state of South Carolina, has raised and distributed more than $1.75 million in goods and services to some of the most severely injured veterans from the War on Terror.
For more information, visit www.healingheroesgolfweek.com.
• To kick off the Poker Ride and the Healing Heroes Golf Week, the Forgotten Sons Motorcycle Club is sponsoring a Heroes Dinner at Hecklers, 2121 Boundary Street, Beaufort, on April 21, starting at 4 p.m.
• Bryan Anderson, author of “No Turning Back”, will speak at the Hampton Hall Clubhouse in Bluffton on April 24. The banquet costs $60 per person. To reserve a spot, contact Judy Ferguson at judy4099@gmail.com or (973) 919-1362.
• On Saturday, April 28, the Forgotten Sons Motorcycle Club will host the 5th Motorcycle Benefit Run to raise funds for the next Lieutenant Dan Week. Advance registration is available at www.ldw3.com. Registration starts at 10 a.m. on April 28 at the AMVETS Post 70, 1831 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. Bikes roll at noon. Riders pay $15; passengers $10. The entry fee includes a dinner and live music, door prizes and a silent auction.
