NEWS | GERALD T. PARKS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

GERALD T. PARKS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION JOINS THE AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU TEAM

For Immediate Release:
GTPMF Contact - Terri Pendleton (803) 802-7273
America Supports You Contact - Michelle Shortencarrier (202) 615-7152

Local group adds their support for the troops to the Department of Defense program

Fort Mill, SC, September 19, 2007 announced today that it officially joined America Supports You on August 13, 2007, an ongoing, nationwide Department of Defense program to showcase and communicate America's support for the men and women of the Armed forces and their families. Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation is an organization dedicated to raising funds for the repair and development of military and VA healthcare facilities.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation to the America Supports You team," said Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. "Their dedication to our service members is truly inspiring, and we are so happy to have them on the team."

The Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation began its effort in May 2007; they received its official 501 (c) (3) status on June 28, 2007. The first initiative for the foundation is to raise funds for the Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia, SC. The Foundation is having a golf tournament on November 5th specifically for this purpose. After the initial project is complete, they will continue their efforts across the nation.

"It is an honor to be a part of America Supports You, said Terri Pendleton, Co-Chair. "We have already had the pleasure of meeting several other groups affiliated with the program during the 9/11 Memorial Freedom Walk in Washington, DC, it was very impressive and heartwarming to be around so many with the same purpose in mind, supporting our brave men and women of this wonderful nation."

The Gerald T. Parks memorial foundation is one of almost 250 non-profit organizations that have joined American Supports You to enhance their local services to our active duty military members, veterans, and their families. America Supports You provides a forum for team members to network and communicate with one another in order to share information and pool their resources.

About American Supports You

America Supports You is an ongoing, nationwide program organized by the Department of Defense to showcase Americans' support for the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Since its launch in November of 2004, the American Supports You program has welcomed nearly 250 homefront organizations and more than 35 corporations to the team. Many American Supports You team members support the troops through letter writing, care packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military families, sending an email or kind gesture ? to learn more about how you can support military personnel please visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.

About the Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation

The Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation was created for two very special reasons. First, to honor the memory of a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a man who loved his country. He not only loved his country, he served his country for twenty years and retired as Chief Petty Officer from the Navy. There was no one prouder to serve his country, when he retired from the Navy in 1970, he continued to support the military and had the utmost respect for all members of the armed forces. He instilled this love and respect in his children, and had two sons who proudly served in the armed forces, as well as two grandsons who proudly serve today.

CPO Gerald T. Parks passed away on February 7, 2006 after a two year battle with Lung Cancer. He was a true hero to his family as he neither gave up nor one time complained.

Secondly, the men and women of the United States Military are the best America has to offer. They deserve the best, period. This includes the best healthcare possible. Our military has changed dramatically over the course of the past generation, they are in the midst of fighting a modern war and with that comes the need for modern healthcare facilities.

Given these two compelling reasons, we have created the Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation in order to assist our Veterans and Military personnel through the repair and development of military and VA healthcare facilities.

To learn more about how you can support the Gerald T. Parks Memorial Foundation please visit www.GeraldTParksMemorialFoundation.org.

For more information please contact us

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