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Join us on Sunday, July 8, 2007 for our annual ASTP Summer Bash.
This year, the fund-raiser will be held at the main Oak Fest grounds located at 159th and Central in Oak Forest, Illinois. The fun begins at 1:00pm and ends at 9:00pm with activities for all ages.
We will be having live music, food, drinks, fun for the kids and a cash bean bag tournament this year and proceeds from this event benefit the Deployed Service Member and Family Relief Fund managed by ASTP.
There is a $10.00 advance ticket price and tickets can be found at the following location:
Kenootz Pizza,
Banquets & Catering
www.kenootz.com
We will be posting more details on our website before the event.
For more information, please call 708-307-3178.
This is a reprint of a previously published newsletter article originally entitled “Are You Kidding Me” by Dominic “Sarge” D’Ambrosio written with the intent of sharing a personal observation using the ASTP public forum. It’s duplication to this new forum on Flag Day includes the full text of the article as well as the pictures published with the article.
The pictures above were not taken in the Middle East. These pictures were not taken in China, Russia or Korea. Believe it or not, the pictures of our American Flag wrapped up in the garbage were taken right here on a suburban street.
One of the many freedoms we enjoy in this country is the freedom of speech. Because of our right to free speech, the flag can be treated in any way that our citizens desire. This is what separates us from many parts of the rest of the world. That being said, I have a question. With everything going on in the world, and our country today, doesn’t it make more sense to fly the flag proudly?
Our flag is a symbol. It symbolizes that we are proud to be Americans. By flying the flag we are saying, “I am with the team” and I know that this is the best place in the world to live. In the months after 9/11 nearly every house in America had a flag flying in the front year, we had them on our cars and our local leaders ensured that our streets were lined with Red, White and Blue.
People wore Red, White and Blue shirts and spoke to each other about how proud they were to be Americans. Rooms full of people stood and grown men cried when the National Anthem was played before sporting events.
What happened to those days? Our country is in a time of crisis. We are at war. Our sons, daughters, moms, dads, brothers and sisters are fighting and dying to protect our freedom. Terrorists are plotting to attack our cities every day. If there ever was a time that we needed each other, now is it. Americans have displayed throughout history that we are invincible when we act as one.
Please stand together and show your pride in America by flying a flag every day.
Since its inception, the ASTP has been proud to choose and support local charities. We have raised fund for a variety of causes over the years and helped many local families in their times of need. In January, the board of the ASTP made the decision to concentrate all of our efforts into one cause, which is to provide emergency relief funding through Deployed Service Members and Family Relief Fund.
The plan of the fund is to offer financial assistance to the families of service members during times of deployment. Many service members are deployed for 12 to 18 months at a time. Imagine if tomorrow your husband, wife, mother or father was deployed for that period of time. Of course it would be emotionally difficult but it would inevitably cause a financial hardship on the family as well. The purpose of the relief fund is to offer some financial support to these families in their time of need.
Regardless of your position on the war, you must agree that if these families need help, they should get it. The members of our military volunteer to serve. And when they are called upon, they selflessly respond. The support we can offer these families is small compared to the sacrifice they are making to protect us all.
The fund will be specifically directed to benefit local families. While there are federal aid programs available, we want to offer a simple process of getting aid to the people who need it quickly. Qualifying family members will be able to fill out a short application form, our board will evaluate the request within 24 hours and funds will be dispersed immediately upon approval. By servicing local families, we will be able to eliminate a lot of the “red tape” usually associated with requesting financial aid directly from the government.
We do acknowledge that we may not be able to pay a mortgage for a family, but we want to offer prompt assistance to families in need even if it is on a comparatively smaller scale.
We always encourage open conversation and idea sharing on how to improve our collective efforts. Please feel free to visit our website at www.4astp.com for more details.
