For the Love of Our Troops XII: THFC Hosts MAJ Lisa Jaster

Story and photos by
Pam Cress

For the Love of Our Troops XII

at The Broadmoor Hotel International Room benefiting Veterans and their families in harm's way at 6 p.m.

If there’s two things that The Home Front Cares and guest speaker MAJ Lisa Jaster have in common, it’s love of military service and perseverance.

MAJ Jaster talked frankly to a large audience at the Broadmoor Hotel on Friday night about that little “tickle” in the back of her mind that was always there beneath the service, calling her to achieve new heights, not only for herself but as a woman in the military. Jaster is only one of three women to graduate the US Army Ranger program–a next-to-impossible feat for anyone (36% of male and female students fail within the first four days alone). She did it through persistence and incredible hard work.

The Home Front Cares exists to help military families who might be in a predicament–can’t find a job after returning from service, can’t pay a mortgage payment while deployed…but each client has that same quality of perseverance.

Founded in 2003 by two retired Air Force colonels, Bob Carlone and Joe Henjum, THFC knew that the transition between military service and civilian life is not easy. THFC has raised more than $8.5 million to help Colorado veterans and their families.

For more information and how you can become involved, log on to www.thehomefrontcares.org.

: Kathy and Tom Daschbach (past board chair), left, with board member Michelle Anne Rau and Brian Rau

: Trice and Randy Dipner (advisory board member)

: Board Vice Chair Dave Tohlen, Kathryn Dosch and former ED April Speake

: BG Richard Heitkamp, representing the Commander NORAD/US Northern Command and his wife Shannon, left, with Board Chair Dr Andy Cain and advisory board member Steve Peck

: Glenn and Lorelle Davies (she’s on the board), left, with Joan Klein (advisory board member)

: Debbie Cain, left, and Carolyn DeKok, board secretary

: Gary and Cindy Jordan, left, with Jack and Becky Gloriod (Gary and Jack are advisory board members)

: Terrance “Mac” McWilliams from the El Pomar Foundation, left, making introductions with Board Chair Dr Andy Cain

: Dr Andy Cain during the VIP reception with special guest MAJ Lisa Jaster

: Scott Hallam, recipient of the Chairman’s Award

: Kim Le Nguyen of Aspen Pointe, recipient of the Joe Henjum Hero Award

: Colleen Denny, left, who nominated Kim Nguyen, with Kim, recipient of the Hero Award

: Brent Hutson of Volunteers of America Colorado Branch, recipient of the Bob Carlone Military Service Award

: MAJ Lisa Jaster talking with attendees as Dr. Andy Cain looks on

: Board member Al Batey, left, and Terrance McWilliams listen to remarks

: Francis Pittz, curator at the Penrose Museum, left, Art Klein and Al Batey

: Tom Krebs (board member) and THFC’s Christina Webb

: Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and CS First Lady Janet Suthers

: Event Chair Michelle Williams, left, with Kathy and Joe Carlson (board member)

: Mark Seglem of Colorado Technical University, left, with Brian Binn

: Christine and Johnny Rea of Penrose-St Francis, who has committed to making special efforts to try to hire veterans–over 300 are on staff now.

: Tyrone Williams, left, and Ed Baur of Lexus of Colorado Springs, with Jack Gloriod

: Amy Cutler, program manager for THFC, left, with Sharon Hallam

: Brenton Hutson of honoree VOA, left, with special guest MAJ Lisa Jaster and Dani Hamilton

: Honorees pose with guest speaker MAJ Lisa Jaster (second from left): Brenton Hutson of VOA, Kim Le Nguyen and Scott Hallam

: Kevin Stone (board member), Marilyn Prost and Anne Stone

: Julie and Joe Wysocki, left, with Jenny and General Wesley Clark

: Beth and Dan Corey, left, Nancy and Tom Dickson and board member Dave Tohlen

: Bill Ball, left, Jeanette Sullivan, MAJ Lisa Jaster, Luisa Graff, Matt Coleman

: Guests from sponsor Lockheed Martin

: Serviceman and THFC client Brian Hicks and his dog Sarah (photo courtesy of Vicki Dimond)

: Jay Warwick, right, and his HuHot Mongolian Grill table–they donate 100% of their proceeds on The Home Front Cares Day

: Russ Tellup, left, Adri Loughmiller and Tom Allee

: Tom Allee, left, Jane Norton and MG Dan York, the reserve advisor to the Commander of NORAD/Northcom

: COL Ron Fitch, the Garrison Commander at Fort Carson, with his wife Jennifer, left, LTC Robert Glazener, Jaime Brown and COL Miles Brown, chief of staff, Ft Carson 4th Infantry Divison

: Mayor John Suthers, left, with COL Ron Fitch

: CSM Jeremy Gebhardt and his wife Shelly

: Janae Hansen sings the National Anthem and the Presentation of the Colors

: Sponsor Bob Penkhus and his wife Leslie

: Command Chief Master Sergeant Brendan Criswell, representing the commander of Air Force Space Command, and Jennifer Fitch listen to the Heads or Tails game rules