Big Photos MOAS: October 2013

WW II Rememberance - Thanks to America from the Czech Republic

This is an amazing story of remembrance. In the Czech Republic, the school children of the equivalent of fifth grade are each assigned one of the American and Canadian liberators buried there. Their grave is the student's responsibility for the year and they learn all there is to know of their own hero. Their surviving family is sent letters and they respond to the annual child who tends their loved one's grave.

No apology needed here!

Have you ever wondered if anyone in Europe remembers America s sacrifice in World War II? There is an answer in a small town in the Czech Republic. The town called Pilsen ( Plzen ).

Every 5 years, Pilsen conducts the Liberation Celebration of the City of Pilsen in the Czech Republic . May 6th, 2010, marked the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by General George Patton's 3rd Army. Pilsen is the town that every American should visit. Because they love America and the American Soldier.
Even 65 years later... by the thousands,
The citizens of Pilsen came to say thank you.
Lining the streets of Pilsen for miles
From the large crowds,
to quiet reflective moments,
including this American family's private time to honor and remember their American hero.

This is the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham's 82nd mission and one that
he volunteered to go on.

At the time, this 20-year-old pilot's P-47 Thunderbolt
plane was shot down, a young 14-year-old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory. For 65 straight years, Zdenka, now 79-years-old, took on the responsibility to care for Virgil's crash site and memorial near her home.
On May 4th, she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka's home town of Trhanova , Czech Republic , for her sacrifice and extraordinary effort to honor this American hero.
Another chapter in this important story... the Czech people are teaching their children about America 's sacrifice fortheir freedom.
American Soldiers, young and old, are the Rock Stars these children and their parents want autographs from.
Yes, Rock Stars! As they patiently waited for his autograph, the respect this little Czech boy and his father have for our troops serving today was heartwarming and inspirational.
The Brian LaViolette Foundation established The Scholarship of Honor in tribute to General George S. Patton and the American Soldier, past and present.
Each year, a different military hero will be honored in tribute to General Patton's memory and their mission to liberate Europe . This award will be presented to a graduating senior who will be entering the military or a form of community service such as fireman, policeman, teaching or nursing -- a cause greater than self. The student will be from 1 of the 5 high schools in Pilsen , Czech Republic .
The first award will be presented in May 2011 in honor of Lt. Virgil Kirkham, that young 20-year-old P-47 pilot killed 65 years ago in the final days of WWII.
Presenting Virgil's award will be someone who knows the true meaning of service and sacrifice... someone who looks a lot like Virgil. Marion Kirkham, Virgil's brother,
who himself served during WWII in the United States Army Air Corps!!!
In closing... Here is what the city of Pilsen thinks of General Patton's grandson. George Patton Waters (another Rock Star!) we're proud to say, serves on Brian's
Foundation board.
And it's front page news over there not buried in the middle of the social section.
Brigadier General Miroslav Zizka, 1st Deputy Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defense, Czech Armed Forces.

Notice the flags? Share this email with your family and friends ... every American should hear this story.

Thanks to MR Karel Stipek from the Czech Republic and Sarasota

for forwarding this to us.

Annual Military Gala Sunday Dec 8, 2013

The Military Officers Association of Sarasota

Proudly Presents

The 31^stAnnual Military Gala

Sunday, December 8^th 2013

At Michael’s on East

1800 hrs – No-Host Cocktails & Social, Easy Music & Dancing

1900 hrs – Toasts, Dinner & Installation of 2014 Board of Directors

2040 hrs - Group Singing of Service Songs

Music for Dancing & Enjoyment by “La Croix”

DRESS CODE: Dress Uniform or Black Tie for Officers (Dark Suit and Tie acceptable)

Appropriate Evening Attire for Spouses and Guests

MENU

Chardonnay or Merlot Wine for Traditional Toasts

Composed Salad of Ruby and Golden Beet Carpaccio with Baby Arugula,

Toasted Pistachio Goat Cheese with Sliced Figs Drizzled with a Fresh Fig Vinaigrette

Signature Bread Basket

(PRE-SELECTED ENTRÉE)

Garlic & Herb Crusted Sliced Chateau of Beef

Jumbo Crab Stuffed Shrimp Drizzled with Warm Lemon Chive Vinaigrette

with

Manchego Potato Croquettes, Shaved Brussel Sprouts & Gingered Baby Carrots

DESSERT

Chocolate Mountain #2: Chocolate Mousse Plus Layers of Banana-Walnut Cake and Chocolate Banana Ganache Wrapped in an Abstract Chocolate Shell

Served Coffee, Decaf & Tea

A VERY SPECIAL EVENING FOR ONLY $ 55.00 PER PERSON

(INCLUDES GRATUITY, TAXES, AND BAND)

We are again collecting toys for the US Marine Corps Reserve TOYS FOR TOTS

Please bring an unwrapped toy (or a donation check)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please return this reservation form with your check made to MOAS to: ELKE SCOTT 841 FORESTVIEW CT SARASOTA, FL 34232

Please reserve _____ seats for the GALA.

A check for $________ is enclosed @ $55.00 per person (maximum of 10 people per table)

Name/Rank & Phone # _________________________________________Beef ____ Shrimp_____

Spouse and/or Guests (Use extra sheet if required for more attendees)

Name (Rank)____________________________________________ Beef _______ Shrimp_____

Name(Rank) _____________________________________________Beef _______ Shrimp ____

Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship

Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship Fund (SMOSF)

SMOSF provides educational and vocational merit based scholarships to qualified, high achieving seniors and, for the first time, need based scholarships to returning veterans attending local educational institutions. We have supported High School JROTC programs, the Academic Olympics and other youth related educational activities. Our SMOSF Support Our Troops (SOT) program, dedicated to providing morale enhancing support services to deployed service members, has been highly successful and brought us recognition from the troops, MOAA, and local communities.

The Patterson Foundation, through its Legacy of Valor Campaign, has announced a dollar-for-dollar matching opportunity for twelve (12) community organizations supporting veterans in South West Florida. Our Scholarship Fund was selected as one of the twelve eligible for this wonderful matching gift. Participating organizations had to meet the following criteria:

Current partners in the Legacy of Valor campaign honoring veterans and their families.
Have updated profiles on the Community Foundation of Sarasota’s Giving Partner site.
Have an ongoing program that benefits those who have, will, or are serving in the United States military.

SMOSF’s commitment to education, veterans assistance, and deployed active duty military personnel through SOT along with our presence on The Giving Partner site and our participation in the Legacy of Valor campaign met these requirements.

From October 15th through November 15th, The Patterson Foundation will match donations from $25 up to $1,000 made by credit card through the http://givetolegacyofvalor.org website.

Each individual is permitted to make only one donation to an organization!!

Donations must be made on-line, and the information flyer describes the steps for going on-line to the website, selecting the Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship Fund, and making a donation. Make your donation as early as possible.

Any donation, great and small, will help SMOSF to get closer to its goal to improve the lives of veterans, support active duty military, and provide financial assistance to deserving high school seniors and those who will one day be serving in the United States military and be there for us.

This is your chance to double the value of your donation to SMOSF.

Please pass this information on to friends and family for them to contribute to this worthy cause.

givetolegacyofvalor.org

Click to View the Flyer