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.

Lt Col Barry Bridger (Ret) asked a poignant question at the VFW First Post 116th anniversary dinner: what is it about service men and women who survive the crucible of war and return with honor?

There’s a special quality about fighters who defend our country. We’ve seen it in first responders, we see it in prisoners of war, we see it in those who return with battle scars, mental and physical. Yet we see it, time and time again.

Mr. Bridger was one of several prisoners of war present at the VFW dinner at the Brown Palace Sunday night, including Mike McGrath and Orson Swindle, all spending several years in the “Hanoi Hilton.” He gave a resounding speech about integrity, values and strength of character.

Speaking of which, everywhere guests turned there were honored guests. Medal of Honor recipients Drew Dix and Hiroshi Miyamura were in attendance. MOH recipient George “Joe” Sakato, who just passed last week, was fondly remembered by attendees and commemorated by 12 blue roses (daughter Leslie was in attendance). Donald Sturm received the Citizen of the Year award. Captain Christopher Cassidy received the Jack Swigert Aeronautical and Astronautical award, with Captain Scott Kelly joining by video from the International Space Station. Freddie Sprankel was named the Ray Starkey Member of the Year. Julian Scadden received the Irving Hale award for his work at the bedside of dying veterans, called the 11th hour. Post Commander Michael Mitchel gave the Commander’s Award to Dyanna Aragon and her daugther Sierra in honor of Pete Aragon, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

And as if all this wasn’t enough to portray the incredible amount of honor present in the room, guests got a special treat in meeting Rob O’Neill, Navy SEAL Team Six member who stormed the compound in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden and also was part of the team who rescued Captain Richard Phillips. O’Neill had the crowd laughing out loud as he talked about some of the surprises he encountered in SEAL training, and gave a rare glimpse into the camaraderie that exists on military missions. One has to wonder how he keeps his mind busy after days like that.

The VFW program stated “we reaffirm our commitment to support the men and women currently in uniform, veterans from all walks of life, our patriotic organization and the United States of America.” There’s no doubt that our freedom is in good hands.

This year’s Wings Over the Rockies annual Tribute to a Fighter Pilot event honored retired USAF General Ronald R. Fogleman, who within two decades rose from a combat fighter pilot in Vietnam to the head of the U.S. Air Force at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The informal event was held Friday, October 10 at the Wings museum. With just over 100 in attendance it was a small gathering like an officer’s club get-together, with many distinguished and retired military personnel wearing olive green flight suits.

Wings CEO/President Greg Anderson introduced speakers and thanked donors and sponsors including Rolls-Royce and the Anschutz Foundation. Major General John Barry–now CEO of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Metro Denver–and Major Gen. Mike Edwards gave introductory remarks before Fogleman took the podium in front of a F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter.

Early in his career in Vietnam he served as a forward air controller in Operation Commando Sabre F-100 of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing with the call sign MISTY. The team’s mission was to fly fast and low over enemy territory to identify enemy targets and call in strikes from Air Force and Navy fighters over S. Vietnam. Fogleman was shot down in Vietnam in 1968 but was rescued shortly after.

Also addressing the guests via Skype was Aviation Hall of Famer Dick Rutan, 76, an aviator who piloted the Voyager aircraft around the world, as part of a 9-day non-stop flight with co-pilot Jeana Yeager in 1986. That plane now is on display at the Smitsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Gen. Fogleman entertained the crowd with a variety of stories including a being a reckless youth drinking beer all day which led to a mentor suggesting that he join the Air Force. To much laughter and applause, he recalled several military antics throughout his 34-year military career.  As part of his retirement plans he invested in a Pueblo port-o-potty rental company which, he said, made good use of his transferrable skills from the many years working with politicians in Washington, D.C. Afterward, Gen. Fogleman was presented with a poster with signatures from friends, family and comrades in arms.

Among those attending were: Tom Hartmann, Senior VP of Rolls-Royce; Col. Mark Hyatt; Col. John Penney; Tamarack Aerospace CEO Michael Schneider; Arapahoe County Commissioner Bill Holen; Colorado Pilots Association President Ann Beardall; and several other MISTY pilots and retired military brass. Also in attendance was last year’s honoree–Lt. Col Bob Beabout–who chatted with Jennifer Clinkscales, President of Colorado’s Air Force Association, and Phil Ecklund. Col. Paul “PK” Robinson and Brigadier Gen. Roger Carleton enjoyed dinner with Jane Fogleman.

Now 72, General Fogleman graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1963 and performed combat duty as a fighter pilot and high-speed forward air controller in Vietnam and Thailand. Among his many accolades are the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. A 1963 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he holds a master’s degree in military history and political science, Duke University. A command pilot and a parachutist, he has amassed more than 6,800 flying hours in fighter, transport, tanker and rotary wing aircraft. He flew 315 combat missions and logged 806 hours of combat flying in fighter aircraft.

In 1994, Fogleman became the first graduate of the Academy to advance to Chief of Staff of the Air Force. On October 9 of this year the Air Force unveiled a bronze bust in his likeness at Scott Air Force Base near Bellevue, Illinois. As part of his legacy he introduced a simplified code of conduct called the “Air Force Core Values”, which demands “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.”

For more information on Wings Over the Rockies events and programs visit wingsmuseum.org.

As part of its annual events Tribute to a Fighter Pilot signature event the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum honored retired USAF General Ronald R. Fogleman.

Also addressing the guests via Skype was Aviation Hall of Famer Dick Rutan, 76, an aviator who piloted the Voyager aircraft around the world, as part of a 9-day non-stop flight with co-pilot Jeana Yeager in 1986.

Now 72, General Fogleman graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1963 and performed combat duty as a fighter pilot and high-speed forward air controller in Vietnam and Thailand. Among his many accolades are the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1994, he became the first graduate of the Academy to advance to Chief of Staff of the Air Force. On October 9 of this year the Air Force unveiled a bronze bust in his likeness at Scott Air Force Base near Bellevue, Ilinois.

As part of his legacy he introduced a simplified code of conduct called the “Air Force Core Values”, which demands “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.”

For more information on Wings Over the Rockies events and programs visit wingsmuseum.org.

We’re all too familiar with the scene: a mother, wife or loved one hears the doorbell and the dreaded news is waiting on the other side: their loved one has been killed in action. The grief is immeasureable and the pain seems insurmountable.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) was formed by Bonnie Carroll in 1994 to try to help and heal the pain. Her own husband was killed in action and she knew there was a huge need for resources for those left behind. Through 24-hour peer assistance lines to grief camps to trauma resources, TAPS has become a nationally known “port in the storm” for surviving family and loved ones. They have assisted more than 50,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers.

Now in it’s ninth year, the Colorado Celebrity Classic helps to raise funds for TAPS. On Thursday night, the Songwriters Show kicked off the event with some of Nashville’s – and California’s – finest songwriters. This exceptional show featured Frank Myers, Eddy Raven, Jimmy Nichols, Walt Aldrich and Danny Wells, plus two songwriters who are also current film and TV actors, Gregg Henry and Bruce Greenwood. 

The Classic continued with a golf tournament and a chuckwagon barbeque on Friday. For more information on TAPS programs and how you can get involved, log on to www.TAPS.org.

“Veterans for Veterans” was produced by veterans, and the entertainers are all veterans.

Underneath the Wynkoop Brewery is a little known theater space called Impulse Theater. It was the perfect setting for a private comedy show/event benefitting our military troops overseas.

Lindsay Kough, managing director of the Stewardship Family Office, along with Thomas Kimball and his production crew, created a delightful and hilarious evening featuring local comedians – each having served in the U.S. military, here and abroad. Comedians Will White, Peter Cohen and Sam Adams performed rowdy, colorful, original comedy fit for a Saturday Night Live skit.

First up was Will White, born in Oklahoma. He told the audience why he loves Denver. “You know I love it here, there are so many gays in Denver. I figured it out. They might as well be in the Army. They stay in shape, keep very neat apartments and, once a year they march in a parade.”

Peter Cohen, a Denver native, laughed about our northern Colorado neighbors. “I spent six months in the Middle East. It made me appreciate Greeley.”

Sam Adams, the event’s headliner, and former Rocky Mountain News/Denver Post sports writer turned stand-up comic and author, poked fun at himself. “Growing up I was Steve Erkel. When I got in the army, I was cool, man.”

Adams joked about his numerous gigs in Nebraska. “Ever been to Cabela’s? It’s Victoria’s Secret for hunters.”

The show was filmed to be sent to the troops overseas. Each comedian and emcee, MSG Thomas Kimball (who was pretty funny himself) saluted and thanked them for their service.

It was a great evening of laughter and a heartfelt tribute to our service men and women.

The grief and trauma surrounding the loss of a loved one takes a deep toll, and if anything can begin to help the families of fallen heroes, it is the programs of TAPS–Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Founded by force-of-nature Bonnie Carroll in 1994 when she lost her husband in a military plane crash, TAPS provides love and support from mentors and others who have been through similar experiences. From the Good Grief camps to the Tragedy Assistance Hotline to TAPS care packages to regional survival seminars, TAPS provides resources to help families through the toughest times. As one child put it: “therapy can help you…TAPS can love you.”

TAPS has assisted more than 40,000 family members. Unfortunately, an increasingly prevalent and equally as devastating dynamic is death of a military hero by suicide. TAPS programs are there to help any family members who need it, regardless of the circumstances of the death of their loved one.

General (Ret.) Mark and Carol Graham lost both of their sons to military-related deaths. They gave a very moving speech on stage during the TAPS Celebrity Classic evening Friday night, and emotionally told the story of how their sons Jeffrey and Kevin died, and how TAPS helped them through.

If there was one theme consistently present throughout the Celebrity Classic weekend (which also included golf on Saturday at the Air Force Academy Eisenhower course), it was that people wanted to come together to see how they could support TAPS, how they could pay tribute to those who serve our country, and how they could support each other.

Organizers Bo and Lynne Cottrell once again orchestrated a phenominal weekend, with the Friday night classic incorporating a slightly different progam this year. Tony David, Pam Hughes and Kerry Edwards(Wildefire) began the entertainment during the reception, followed by the incredible songs of The Legacy Quartet, poignant and entertaining songs by nationally known artists/writers Brett Jones and Darryl Worley, longtime supporter and great artist Gary Morris and the hilarious comedy of Gary Mule Deer(“I’ve changed my name–I used to be called Elizabeth Mule Deer.”) Then the program culminated with the legendary Michael Martin Murphey singing his popular hits, including “Carolina in the Pines” and of course “Wildfire.”

It was once again a truly memorable evening, and brought home the sentiments that one of the survivor children said: “blood is thicker than water, but TAPS is thicker than blood.”