Tribute to Patriots Week

August 19-25, 2007

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

The Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.

 Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

Service Above Self

Dear Ashe County Citizen: 

The week of August 19-25, 2007, the Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation will host the Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute 2007 with events honoring all Veterans and active Troops with ties to Ashe County, especially our World War II and Korea Veterans, as well as the 1450^th and 1451^st National Guard units.

We are seeking assistance from the entire community as we finalize plans to recognize these men and women who have served on our behalf. Following a successful 2006 tribute, we are collecting information from our Veterans and Troops for a special recognition on August 25, 2007. A lunch catered by Smokey Mountain Barbeque will begin at 11:00am at the Jefferson National Guard for Veterans and active Troop only due to space limitations. Family Central Sports Complex will open at 10:00 am with a lunch provided for the spouses, families and supporters. At 1:00, the Veterans and Troops from the Armory will join at Family Central for a full day of activities including live satellite communications with Troops around the world, speakers, music and military demonstrations. The schedule of events for that day will be available after August 17. All Veterans and Troops are encouraged to complete the enclosed registration form including photographs for display on the Wall of Honor at Family Central. Individuals will be listed on the website, on name tags at the event and in a special edition newspaper on August 24, 2007. Newspaper deadline is August 15. Businesses, clubs, churches and individuals are encouraged to sponsor Veterans and Troops for $25 each. The form does not have to have a sponsor listed in order to be submitted. In this show of appreciation, our intent is that Veterans and Troops as well as their spouses and families will not pay for the event, with all supporters encouraged to make a donation. Sponsorships in the form of in-kind and financial contributions will be recognized in all media publicity and with programs and banners during the event. Areas of sponsorship available include meals, tee-shirts, satellite communications, website and webcast, art exhibition prizes, programs and numerous other opportunities.  All monies contributed to The Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation, Inc. designated for the Armed Forces Tribute will be used directly to cover the expenses associated with the event.  Our request for assistance from you as a citizen of Ashe County is to ask that you volunteer to step forward as many of these retired and active Service Members have done so with your own individual and business sponsorships in specific areas or with undesignated financial contributions.  This tribute is a non-partisan, non-political event to show our Veterans and Troops that the not-so-silent majority of Ashe County, North Carolina supports and appreciates them simply because we are Americans. The goal of the Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation’s Ashe County Armed Forces Tribute is to recognize, respect and honor Veterans and active Service Members from all branches of the military for their great sacrifices.  By giving their loyalty, time, effort and lives to our country, these men and women exemplify the Rotary motto “Service above Self”. Please join us in obtaining this goal by attending the events, giving of your time and talents as a volunteer, and offering your financial support. If we can answer any questions for you, please do not hesitate to call 336.977.1427 or contact us via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

With Respect & Appreciation, 

The Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.

Last year, what began as nothing more than Lt. General Thomas F. Metz presenting the program at the weekly Jeffersons Rotary Club meeting developed into a special recognition of the veterans and active military of Ashe County. Those individuals honored us with their presence as they filled the Armory almost to capacity. This group included over 80 of the approximately 180 remaining World War II veterans attending as special guests, bearing mementos of their service from so many years ago.

All veterans are invited to attend a special recognition ceremony planned during the Christmas in July Festival this weekend in downtown West Jefferson.
Following the Civil War battle re-enactment Saturday afternoon by the 101 st Virginia Cavalry, Washington Rifles, and other participating units, all local veterans, whether active, Reserves or retired, will be recognized. The battle is scheduled to begin around 3 p.m. in the West Jefferson town park, and recognition should take place around 4 p.m.

Post photo by Linda Burchette

	Deceased Veteran Sponsor Sheet	Veteran / Active Troop Sponsor Sheet

HELP! We are attempting to build a data base of all veterans and active troops who have ties to Ashe County. The veterans who are not members of the American Legion, DAV, or VFW or receiving benefits through the county veteran's officer do not appear to exist because they are not on anyone's list. By registering with this form, the veteran/troop will NOT BE JOINING anything, but they will be added to the list on this website, posted on the Wall of Honor at Family Central Sports Complex on August 25, 2007,  included in the special edition newspaper to run in the Jefferson Post on August 24th, and will be added to our data base to send information regarding the event every year. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to sponsor a family member, employee, or friend for $25. All contributions will be used 100% for expenses associated with the event.

Sponsorship for Veterans and Troops

• All Veterans and Troops are encouraged to complete and submit this form
• YOU ARE NOT JOINING ANY ORGANIZATION
• Veterans and troops do NOT have to have sponsor to submit the completed form
• Sponsors are encouraged to send in completed forms for veterans and troops they know, or
• Sponsors can choose to make a contribution and will be assigned to sponsor any veteran or troop who has submitted a form without a sponsor
• Forms submitted without a sponsor will be assigned a sponsor
• Sponsors will be found for ALL veterans and troops who submit forms
• Deceased veterans will have a gold star on the form

$25 includes sponsor name listed at the bottom of the Service Member info sheet that will be posted on the Wall of Honor at Family Central, included in a small newspaper on August 24, 2007, listed on the website, and on your name tag and the Service Member’s name tag the day of the event.

Examples:

Sponsor knows three veterans from work, church, or as friends and asks those three to complete the form, then sends the three forms in with a check for $75. Sponsor has a neighbor who is deployed and completes the form with the information on the neighbor and sends it in with a check for $25.

Sponsor does not know individual veterans or troops but wants to participate. Sponsor sends in check for $100 without completed Service Member forms. Four Service Member information sheets that have been turned in without a sponsor are then assigned to that sponsor.

Family or friend of deceased veteran wants to honor that individual with a sponsorhip.

We encourage you to set up a table at Family Central in honor of those you choose to sponsor. 

Forms may be mailed to Jeffersons Rotary Club Foundation, c/o Vicky Moody PO Box 1045 Jefferson, NC 28640, dropped off at the VFW Hut, or dropped off at any AF Bank or AF Insurance location.