Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The second annual Never Quit – Never Forget Gala will be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012. The night will honor local wounded veterans and families of the fallen. The night will also feature guest appearances by several highly decorated combat veterans. Proceeds of this event will go to sponsor Wounded Wear and Special Ops Survivors.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, more than 633,000 soldiers have a service-related disability suffering from physical injury, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Further, since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, more than 460 Special Operations personnel have died in the two wars according to the United States Special Operations Command.
“For those who have been wounded and for those that have lost a loved one it is vital that we remember their sacrifices,” says Danielle Smith founder of Never Quit, Never Forget along with her husband Matt Reames. “Events like these serve to raise awareness and make it real for people while giving them a useful way to give back at the same time.”
This gala event serves to honor the sacrifices made by these service members and their families. Speakers at the event include Jason C. Redman, LT, US Navy SEAL and in honor of surviving spouses, Emily Tinsley Hoey, a Special Ops surviving spouse. Founder of Wounded Wear and American Sniper Author Chief Chris Kyle, US Navy SEAL, Ret. La. Decorated Combat Veterans will be a special and honored guest at the event as well.
Last year’s event raised close to $84,000 and was incredibly successful.
“When we honored the fallen comrades table during the ceremony last year, the entire room of about 350 people were silent,” remembers Smith. “People told us later they were moved to tears. The night was filled with a renewed spirit of patriotism and gratitude for our service men and women. Several attendees commented that they experienced a full range of emotions and the night was like no other.”
“We accomplished what we wanted to and raised awareness for the sacrifices our service members make but people had fun and celebrated at the same time,” adds Smith.
The group hopes to raise even more this year for their selected charities. All proceeds will benefit Wounded Wear, a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing and clothing modifications to wounded warriors and raises the national awareness of the sacrifices of America’s wounded and their families, as well as, Special Ops Survivors whose mission is to embrace and empower spouses of fallen heroes. The United States Navy Sea Cadets Baton Rouge Division will also receive proceeds from the event.
“Events such as Never Quit Never Forget are vital for us to be able to carry out our mission,” says Elizabeth Brown, executive director of Special Ops Survivors. “We are a small organization without the internal resources to pull off large fundraising events such as this one, so passionate people such as Matt and Danielle and their Never Quit, Never Forget team are a valuable part of our circle.”
“Matt and Danielle are shining examples of what can happen when ordinary people set out to do extraordinary things – their efforts, and those of all who are involved in Never Quit, Never Forget make a real impact on the day-to-day lives of all the survivors we serve and honor our entire military community, Brown further adds. “We are incredibly thankful to all of the volunteers involved in making Never Quit, Never Forget a success. We encourage everyone to come out to this second gala event to show your support for this community and to have a great time doing it.”
For more information about this event, to purchase a ticket and provide sponsorship, please visit NeverQuitNeverForget.org.
ABOUT SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS
Special Ops Survivors works to empower surviving families of Special Operations personnel who have died since Sept. 11, 2001, to have a future that their fallen heroes would have wanted for them. The nonprofit organization provides surviving spouses with peer-based emotional support, financial assistance and life-skills resources. For more stories from surviving spouses, to make a donation, or show your support to surviving families visit SpecialOpsSurvivors.org.
ABOUT WOUNDED WEAR
Wounded Wear’s mission is to raise the national awareness of the sacrifice of wounded warriors, their families, and the families of fallen service members. In support of this mission Wounded Wear advocates on behalf and facilitates opportunities for those who have sacrificed so much, as well as providing free fashionable clothing kits and modifications to wounded warriors that empower them to rediscover the hero within. Wounded Wear promotes awareness and empowers wounded warriors through multiple major and supporting events throughout the country. For more information, go to WoundedWear.org.