For Immediate Release
September 12, 2009, Las Vegas, NV – Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman, has proclaimed September 14, 2009 “That Others May Live Foundation Day” in honor of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in United States Air Force (USAF) search and rescue training or operational missions. The Foundation was awarded the “9-11 Hero Award” on Tuesday, September 8 by the Nevada Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI) for their outstanding community service in their Warfighter Liaison Program and scholarship awards to children of fallen search and rescue heroes of the USAF. The award included the Proclamation by Mayor Goodman, Senatorial Award of Distinction by Nevada Senator John Ensign, and Certificate of Recognition by Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons. The CAI also awarded a check for $500 to the Foundation.
According to the CAI website, the 9-11 Hero Award is “…given to an individual or group that either went to one of the 9-11 sites to help with the rescue and clean up, or has “invented” or “created” something to share with others that “came into being” because of the 9-11 tragedy. It must benefit and/or educate others, or contribute to the betterment of individuals or groups.” (http://www.cai-nevada.org/item_list.asp?subcat=26&subtitle=Heroes+Luncheon)
Col. Michael Korcheck, USAF, (ret) from Pioneer Technologies Corporation accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation. Referring to the personnel recovery professionals that perform life-saving missions, Korcheck stated, “As a former Combat Rescue leader and helicopter pilot with over 26 years experience in the rescue community, I can attest that these rescue professionals are trained and ready to risk their lives to save lives and many have done so through the years.” He continued, “Since the attacks on September 11, these selfless warriors have performed over 2,000 missions and have saved over 4,000 people in both combat and peacetime. And when a training or operational mission goes tragically awry, the Foundation is prepared to assist the children of Fallen Heroes with the post-secondary education we think their lost parent would have wanted them to have.”
CAI members Danielle Whitaker and Billy Blackwell co-nominated the Foundation for the award. “We all support our troops, but I see this organization really trying to make a difference with the families who lost a parent,” Blackwell said. “Other volunteers of the Foundation told me about the mission and goals and inspired me to do something to help.” Blackwell continued, “The Foundation goes beyond the ‘support the troops’ rhetoric and helps the children accomplish their goals.”
Each April, since 2007 the Foundation and other area business owners sponsor a Rescue Personnel Appreciation BBQ at Nellis AFB to show gratitude to the individuals and their families who work within the search and rescue career fields. The foundation also awarded three scholarships in 2008 to three children who lost their fathers in U.S. Air Force search and rescue training or operational missions. In addition to scholarship assistance, the Foundation offers business start up grants and mentoring or first time home purchase assistance to the children of Fallen Rescue Heroes.
The Foundation is non-profit 501 (c)3 charitable organization established in 2002. That Others May Live is a participant in the Combined Federal Campaign in Southern Nevada, Arizona (except Maricopa County), Okaloosa-Walton Counties, Florida and Southwest Georgia. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.thatothersmaylive.org or call 229-563-3549 for more information.
That Others May Live Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization established in 2002. The Foundation Mission is “To fund the advanced educational needs of the children of Fallen Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, “That Others May Live.” To date, TOML has distributed three scholarships to eligible beneficiaries. For more information please visit the website www.thatothersmaylive.org.
###
