Folds of Honor Board Members Beth Simmons and George Morrison (also a past president of the Saucon Valley Rotary Club)
(l top r) George Morrison, Beth Simmns and Club President Jeff Revak
joined us for breakfast this morning and provided an informative overview of their organization
and the service it has and contiues to perform for the families of fallen veterans.
The organization's motto, "Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy." isa reflection of its founder's commitment to his fellow veterans, their service, their sacrifice and their families.
Returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq, Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, became painfully aware of the reality families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.
As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin
Served his country from
August 2004 – May 2006
KIA in Balad, Iraq on
MAY 31, 2006
Survived by son
Jacob Green
on board, asking all passengers to respectfully remain seated while his casket deboarded.
Major Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family. Among them was the deceased Corporal’s young son, Jacob. Major Rooney ached as he thought of his own wife and little girls. Seeing the other side of war through the eyes of Jacob, was life-altering.
Sadly, over half the passengers had disregarded the pilot’s request and deboarded. Major Rooney decided he had to do something. Not only would he pay tribute to American service-members and their families, he would live as a reminder among civilians that it is our duty to honor the sacrifices of those who preserve the freedoms we so easily take for granted.
Major Rooney committed to spend his life changing the future of America’s grieving spouses and children. In 2007, he formed the Folds of Honor Foundation; a 501C-3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the families of these heroic Americans.
Several of our members participated in the Folds of Honor fundraising golf outing at Makefield ighlands last year.