The New York Yankees recently recognized the Folds of Honor Foundation
and its founder, Maj. Dan Rooney, for their work on behalf of military
families.
The pre-game home plate ceremony was held at the new
Yankee Stadium. The foundation is based in Tulsa and raises
scholarships for the children of millitary members killed or wounded in
service.
In accepting the recognition, Maj. Rooney, an F-16
fighter pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a PGA
Professional, paid tribute to the men and women of the United States
military.
“We are honored by this recognition from the
Yankees, as a tribute to all our men and women in uniform and their
families,” said Maj. Rooney. “The sacrifices of our troops keep us all
free. It is our obligation to see that their families can still
realize their dreams after a father or mother’s tragic loss in service
to our nation. On behalf of all of our military families and the Folds
of Honor Foundation, we thank the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family
from the bottom of our hearts.”
The foundation was founded in 2007, when Maj. Rooney had an up-close
and personal experience with the “unseen” side of war. While heading
home from Iraq, Rooney witnessed the grief of a family as they received
the flag-draped casket of Cpl. Brock Bucklin, killed in Iraq while the
major was also there.
In that moment and thinking of his own
family, Rooney found his calling. He set out to create an organization
that would provide educational opportunities to those who might not
have a chance to realize that dream after losing a husband, wife,
father or mother.
The Foundation’s annual fundraising event is
Patriot Golf Day, which will be held at more than 5,000 participating
golf courses this Labor Day Weekend. Money raised for scholarships –
ranging from $500 to $20,000 – go to the families of military members
killed or disabled in service to their country. By asking golfers
nationwide to donate one dollar (or more) on top of their greens fees
to the cause, they’ve raised more than $3 million and helped more than
550 families in just two years.
Also attending the on-field
ceremony were: Jacqy Rooney, FHF founding member and wife of Maj.
Rooney; Maj. Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (retired) and FHF senior vice
president & executive director; Maj. Pulido’s wife, Karen, and
their children, Kaitlin (8) and Kinsley (3), both of whom are
recipients of Folds of Honor Foundation scholarships; and Ginny
Creveling, president & COO, Folds of Honor Foundation.
Maj. Rooney finished his third tour of duty in Iraq in November 2008. He resides in Oklahoma with his wife and four daughters.
More information is available at www.foldsofhonor.com and www.patriotgolfday.com.