ACAFT 2008 Broadcast to 171 Countries Labor Day Weekend!           

Armed Forces Network will be airing the 90-minute broadcast from the August 23 Tribute on the Pentagon Channel Labor Day weekend. This broadcast will air into military posts, bases, camps and ships in all 171 countries where US military personnel and civilian employees of the military are stationed. A special thanks to Thad Woodard of North Carolina Bankers Association, Van Krebbs and Major Robert Carver, NC National Guard, for their assistance in this honor.     

82D All American FreeFall Team to Jump!

82D Airborne Division All American Freefall Team

"America's Guard of Honor"

The All-American Freefall Team is a sport parachute team formed over 25 years ago to represent the famed 82D Airborne "All-American" Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and has members from many units within the Division. The Team has performed over 6,000 freefall demonstrations!

The Team has proudly represented the 82D Airborne Division across the United States at military ceremonies and activities, air shows, fairs, competitions, civic functions and professional and collegiate sports events. The Team does much of its training at Raeford Parachute Center, located at Paul Keith Airport, about 20 miles from Fayetteville.

The 82D Airborne Division, the largest parachute force in the free world, is trained to deploy anywhere, at anytime, to fight upon arrival and win! Every soldier is Airborne-qualified, and is continuously trained under rugged and realistic conditions.

The All-American Freefall Team is the official presentative of the famed 82D Airborne Division, located at the "Home of the Airborne" at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and represents the 82D Airborne Division at military functions, exhibitions, special events and competitions, demonstrating individual, formation, and other precision freefall skydiving techniques.

Although the Team is organized to serve the soldiers of the U.S. ARMY and Fort Bragg, demand for performances by civilian audiences continues to increase, due to the Team's growing reputation for professionalism, accuracy and reliability. The Troopers of the All-American Freefall Team are proud to serve as ambassadors for the 82D Airborne Division and the U.S. ARMY!

Welcome Rick Beasley & ASU football players to Tribute!

Join us in welcoming "Faces of Freedom" editor Rebecca Pepin

Rebecca Pepin co-anchors the Fox Tri-Cities 10pm newscast on WEMT Fox 39 & CW4 in Bristol, VA/TN. She is also the editorial director for the book Faces of Freedom. It profiles fallen military men and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. ALL proceeds of the book go to Fisher House and Wounded Warrior Project. Rebecca, who is from Canada, became an American citizen on October 27, 2006. The book, Faces of Freedom, is her way of thanking the men and women who risk their lives everyday to make this country such an incredible place to live. Previously, Rebecca worked at WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. She has also published two other books including a children's book titled Bobby Dog and the Flying Frog. Her first book, Honoring South Carolina's WWII Heroes of Flight, is a collection of short stories about WWII aviators. All proceeds of that book go to the Celebrate Freedom Foundation. Rebecca will co-host the 2008 Tribute with Jan Caddell at Ashe Park on August 23. She will also have the family of the North Carolina Marine Sgt Mark Adams from Morrisville, NC, who is featured featured in her book, joining her at her book signing.

Pulled from her website, www.RebeccaPepin.com, the following is an open letter from Rebecca to all of us who take our freedoms and our American citizenship for granted:

On Oct. 27, 2006, I became an American.

At the swearing-in ceremony in Abingdon, VA, Judge Michael F. Urbanski challenged the group of 15 new citizens before him to make a difference in our communities. He urged us not to become complacent and to always remember that we have an “obligation that accompanies the honor of becoming an American.”

It reminded me of the men and women in the armed forces who selflessly serve day-in and day-out. I couldn’t help but feel emotional as I considered the thousands of military members who were in faraway lands on that day instead of sharing a special moment with their families.

My thoughts were particularly with those serving in the current conflict in the Middle East. Would I be an American worthy of their sacrifice? I reflected on Eleanor Roosevelt’s wartime prayer, shared with me by a Vietnam veteran friend of mine:

"Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?”

The book, Faces of Freedom: Profiles of America’s Fallen Heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the way in which I have chosen to say “thank you” to those who serve. And through this project, I have seen many Americans who have not forgotten their obligations as sons and daughters of this great land. Faces of Freedom was made possible by dozens of volunteer writers, editors and artists.

In these pages you will read about some of the nation’s fallen heroes. Some were great warriors. Some served their countries quietly and dutifully. All loved America.

On Dec. 14, 2005, President George W. Bush addressed the nation about the ongoing Global War on Terror. He talked about how the power of freedom will overcome tyranny. “We can be confident because we have on our side the greatest force for freedom in human history: the men and women of the United States Armed Forces,” he said.

The president pointed to Marine 2nd Lt. Ryan McGlothlin, from southwest Virginia, as an example:

“Ryan was a bright young man who had everything going for him and he always wanted to serve our nation. He was a valedictorian of his high school class. He graduated from William & Mary with near-perfect grade averages, and he was on a full scholarship at Stanford, where he was working toward a doctorate in chemistry.”

The president went on to explain that Ryan was killed while fighting along the Syrian border in Iraq in November of 2005.

Not every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coast Guardsman will be recognized in a speech by the president. In fact, many will barely get a mention in their local newspapers. The primary purpose of this book is to raise money to benefit veterans, through Fisher House and Wounded Warrior Project, and to heighten awareness about the sacrifice and selflessness of our troops. These men and women are not just numbers. They were our friends and neighbors, and the loved ones of our fellow Americans. While only 52 fallen heroes are featured here, Faces of Freedom is a tribute to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we — and our future generations — may live in peace, security and freedom.

— Rebecca Pepin

Welcome to the 2008 Armed Forces Tribute! Here's a list of what you will find here, and how it can be used! Please call 336.846.1251 if you have any questions, or come by the ACAFT office at 303 A East 2nd Street in West Jefferson, next door to the Chamber of Commerce. Original forms are available for picking up and dropping off Monday-Saturday, 9-5 at the office or at the Jefferson Courthouse in Betsy Reeves' office in the Veteran's Office.

 First Ever Ashe County Pictorial Postmark created by Stephen Shoemaker 

Ashe County native artist and veteran Stephen Shoemaker has created an original piece of art that has been approved by the US Postal Service in Raleigh as the first-ever pictorial postmark for the 2008 Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute. First suggested by West Jefferson Post Master Drew Martin after the 2007 event, Stephen agreed to create this original work for submission.Once completed, Sandy Shatley of Carolina Printing and her graphics designer Brenda prepared the original into camera-ready format for publication into a rubber stamp. On Saturday, August 23, the West Jefferson Post Office will set up at the Tribute and cancel your mail for you with this postmark. Also available for sale will be collector's items in the form of a special #10 Purple Heart envelope that will have the ACAFT Pictorial Postmark as a silk cachet. This Pictorial Postmark will only be available at the event for cancellation on your mail, but the commemorative envelope will be available for 30 days. After 30 days the Pictorial Postmark will no longer be available. Bring your mail to have it postmarked at the Tribute, and plan to purchase one of the limited edition Purple Heart envelopes with the postmark affixed to it!

At their June 1 meeting, the Ashe County Commissioners kicked in the first donation of the fund drive towards the salute to Veterans and active Military to be held again this fall. With a unanimous show of hands, the Commissioners voted to contribute $5,000 to the Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation for the 2008 Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute. By being the first major financial supporter from Ashe County, an important step has been made towards making the event a reality. With an enormous amount of funds still to be raised for this annual event, organizers were extremely pleased with the generosity of the County Commissioners and continue to express their appreciation. 

Do you have a family member or friend who is serving in the Armed Forces now? If so, the Piece Makers Quilt Guild wants to honor them with a very special gift in December: Original Hand-Crafted Quilted Stockings, created for each individual Service Member. To see the Jefferson Post article, click here .

Mark your calendars for

August 23rd, 2008

16:00 -             Pre-event Fish Fry dinner Friday evening – by Ashe Outreach Ministries

                        Drive to Clifton and enjoy the traditional Fish Fry. Plates for Veterans and Active & Reserve Duty Military are buy one, get one free! OR buy one and get a coupon to donate for another military guest who is here from out of town!

17:00               All displays and booths move into Park for set up

06:00               Country Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast out of town guests – by Winner’s Circle

06:30-07:30     Final booth set up

08:00               Gates Open to Public

08:00-10:00     Hardees sausage biscuits, coffee and juice for donations to Tribute

                        Displays of Patriotism and Support from Ashe County

                        Displays of Military Personnel & Equipment

                        TV interviews by Rebecca Pepin and Jan Caddell

10:30-12:00     Live Satellite Communications with these units:

                         *HSC, 96th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade

 Location: Afghanistan – Home Base: Fort Campbell, KY

 Interviewees: CSM Herndon, SFC Daniel Corbett, SSG  Stanley Saunders

                                      Location: Iraq – Home Base: Fort Stewart, GA

                                      Interviewees: LTC MCDowell, 2LT. Tammy Bolds, CWO Lance Loeffler

              Location: Iraq – Home Base: Hawaii

12:00               Begin Smoky Mountain BBQ & Sweetie’s Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

                        Veterans and Military Free – Supporters & Families encouraged to donate $

12:30-14:30     Recognition Ceremony & Lunch

14:30 -             Meet and Greet Distinguished Guests – Photos encouraged

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23 at Ashe County Park! Gates will open at 8:00 am, with the live broadcast 10:30-12 noon, and Smoky Mountain Barbeque at 12:30. Sweetie's will also have hamburgers and hot dogs. Veterans and active military are free, while families and supporters are encouraged to donate at least $5 for the meal.

Whether you are a veteran proud of having served our country, active military home on leave, or a patriotic American who wants to say "THANK YOU" to those who have served, you are invited to be part of this non-political, non-partisan day of recognition for those who have given of their time to the United States Armed Forces.

Once again we will honor our World War II Veterans, so please help us locate those who are a part of this Greatest Generation! We'll have helicopters and parachute teams and speakers and live satellite communications with units around the world who are currently serving. Here are some of the planned events:

*Wall of Honor displaying biographies of Veterans, active Military who are serving now, Reservists and deceased Veterans. Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals wanting to sponsor the biographies in the Special Section newspaper can do so for $25 per biography.   

*Quilted stockings will be on display, hand made by the Piece Makers Quilting Guild and other individual quilters. Turn in your names now for your favorite active service member to receive a stocking! Voting for favorites with $1 will result in funds for stuffing the stockings prior to them being shipped at Christmas. 

*Ashe County native artist and veteran created an original work of art that has been transformed into the first ever Pictorial Postmark for Ashe County in support of the 2008 ACAFT. At the Tribute, Drew Martin & the West Jefferson Post Office will be set up to allow you to bring your mail to receive this postmark. You can also contribute to get the commemorative postmark on a Purple Heart envelope with the silk cachet Postmark affixed. These collector's items will be available for 30 days only, per postal regulations. Afterwards, they can only be purchased by other collectors! UPDATE: Full-size prints of the original artwork will be available for donations, with Stephen Shoemaker there to autograph them! 

Earn a spot as a sponsor! Click here to view all of the generous sponsors. To all of you who made this past 2007 event happen (and there are a lot of you!!!), my heartfelt appreciation for your part in making Saturday a special day for our veterans and troops! Talking to the veterans and troops reminds me of just how much I have to be thankful for, and I am honored to be a part of thanking them for their service in the Armed Forces.

2007 Event DVD Now Available! Click here to order the DVD of the 2007 Armed Forces Tribute! Proceeds of the sales go to future events and projects.

Prices Include Shipping To Order Locally in Ashe County call 336.977.1427 $10.75 - Youth Small $10.75 - Youth Medium $13.25 - Small $13.25 - Medium $13.25 - Large $13.25 - XL $13.25 - XXL

Earn a spot as a sponsor! Click here to view all of the generous sponsors. To all of you who made this past 2008 event happen (and there are a lot of you!!!), my heartfelt appreciation for your part in making Saturday a special day for our veterans and troops! Talking to the veterans and troops reminds me of just how much I have to be thankful for, and I am honored to be a part of thanking them for their service in the Armed Forces.