This is the cover that will be on our beautiful program, printed by Print Solutions in Englewood, NJ; and designed by TGD of Edmonds, WA. This year we are honoring the US Navy Warships in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea regions. Our Special Guest is CMC Tim Bickerton of the USS GRAVELY (DDG-107).
Last year’s Esteemed Honoree was the Inserra family of Inserra Shop-Rite Supermarkets of Northern New Jersey and New York. This year they are helping us run Salute 11 – 21 Gun Salute (we are one of the oldest all-volunteer public charities for our Troops). The Gala will be held on Thursday night, 17 October, at the Royal Manor, 454 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ
THIS year we are also honoring Mr. Robert “Bob” Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods of Jersey City, NJ. Goya has been instrumental in delivering wonderful foods to our Troops down range. Bob is an activist for American Pride and Change for the better. He is in charge of the Goya Cares Outreach Project. Our contact for the last several years has been Justa Silva, who helps get us all kinds of great food for our Troops!
The Above names of individuals, organizations and companies are supporting our effort to take care of our Wounded/Recovering Veterans and our Troops down range. Thank you!!!
the event starts at 6pm with a cocktail party of delicious food and open bar (for our bourbon afficianados we provided Royal Manor with three bottles of premium bourbon.
After cocktail hour, we unfold and hold a 20’x30′ American Flag that several years ago hung from the outdoor portico of the emergency room at Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Of course, we are no longer in AFG but the flag (also signed by many of the folks at the hospital) remains a solemn reminder that Freedom isn’t Free and that we need to be there for our Troops!!
Our Special Guest is Command Master Chief (CMC) Tim Bickerton of the USS GRAVELY (DDG-107), whom we supported along with the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69)’s Carrier Strike Group 2 in the Red Sea for over 6 months! Their heroism, much like all the warships in the Group, earned them a Combat Commendation Ribbon. We are proud to continue our support of our US Warships as we speak!
Our Emcee and Auctioneer is also our Ambassador – Karl Nelson, former NY Giants offensive lineman during the 1986 Super Bowl Season when he blocked for Phil Simms. Karl is a fun and energized Emcee and we’re so proud to have him on our team.
We always have a Silent and Live Auction with really cool military, sports, beverages and restaurant gift baskets in our auctions, not to mention special handbags, jewelry and other cool items. SOME OF THE ITEMS — This year is no different as you can see above 1) gorgeous hand-painted bomber jacket (XL); 2) Bottle of Horse Soldier bourbon signed by one of the original Horse Soldiers who started the company and was also on horseback in AFG before the war began; 3) several 3-D printed vases by one of our own – CPL David Bixler, severely wounded in AFG in 2010 and who has forged ahead to make his life interesting at the highest level; 4) an incredible ASH TRAY from the USS GRAVELY’s 5-inch gun “Lucy” and two halved 30mm shells to hold your cigars; 5) an AMAZING working watch with Saddam Hussein on the dial! This watch was donated by former Civil Affairs MSG Paul Wilcock who found the watch on the dirt floor of an Iraqi house, looking for bad guys; 6) Golf for Four with Lunch at the beautiful private Hackensack Golf Club and 7) an historic photo of a Marine plane flying around the World Trade Center by Capt. Ben Cascio and donated by him and Gunny Monaco, a Marine and former Gunnery Sgt.
After the Live and Silent Auctions are over, there is dancing until 11pm orchistrated by our special DJ – Hot Party Entertainment.
There are still a couple of seats left. If you would still like to attend – OR – donate $$$ and be a sponsor, patron or benefactor, please visit