 I learned an overwhelming lesson from a young child today. I first met John Valentine last October during our first annual Halos and Heroes (H&H) awareness and fundraiser for Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV). ACV provides free medically-related air transportation to qualified wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members when no other help is available.
During the H&H 07 event, the Valentine children were adorned in Army fatigues and beaming with joy as they presented us with their hard earned contribution check of $500. Their parents, Tom and Christine Valentine, looked on with pride. WOW! In the hustle and bustle of H&H, this was the memory that rose above the technical and logistic tasks of producing an event of this scale. These children magnified the best in our human spirit.
My phone rang on a busy day recently while I was working on our 2008 Halos and Heroes. I expected it was one of many calls to purchase tickets for the event, but the caller was Christine Valentine. Christine wanted to inform me that her son John was in the midst of raising money again for ACV. She continued to say that John had an important goal of raising more donations than he had last year, as it was to be given in memory of his father. Christine told me that her husband, Tom Valentine, was a Navy Seal and had given his life last February in service to our country that he honored and loved.
Talk about a reality check! John has turned his sorrow and tragedy into a triumph by making his contribution a tribute to his dad. John has turned this donation to ACV, into a living memorial as John and his dad will be a part of continuing the healing process for others who serve our country so bravely.
This is a story of integrity and courage set by such a young man, a boy who obviously had great pride in his father, his country, the Navy and the military.
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ACV wants to help young John with his mission by giving anyone who reads this story an opportunity to contribute to ACV in Tom Valentines name.
If interested you can send a check to:
Air Compassion for Veterans
% Tom Valentine Fund
4620 Haygood Road, Ste.1
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Or call Heidi Greer at (757) 271-2289 to charge a contribution with a Master Card or Visa. You will receive a receipt stating you have made your contribution to the ACV/ Valentine Fund.
On October 3rd, we will compile the donated Valentine funds and give that to John to combine with his check and present during the Honors Ceremony at Halos and Heroes event on October 4th.
Thank you for participating in this child’s inspirational vision and for helping ACV!
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