AHERO Salutes Warrior Hook-Up Sponsors and Volunteers

Sep 07, 2016
David Glassman Lieutenant Colonel, USMC Ret.

Thank you to all who supported and participated in the 5th
annual AHERO "Warrior Hook-Up" event. The feedback received
from the active duty and Veteran participants has been universally positive and
gracious but I think we can all agree that the the community, as a whole,
receives tremendous benefit from the type of outreach that the "Hook-Up"
has grown into over these past 5 years. We acknowledge their sacrifice
and we give back through engagement and participation.

There are so many people, businesses and organizations to thank and we [the wonderful Ebba] will be going out with individual letters of appreciation but we must make mention here of a few that without their support we would not have achieved nearly the level of success that occurred this past weekend on Pensacola Beach:

The participating local and visiting service members & Veterans who represent our greatest resource in preserving our freedoms and our way of life
Major Lee Stuckey, USMC & Purple Heart recipient for his leadership and heartfelt focus on uplifting the lives our returning warriors
Warrior Hook-Up committee volunteers
- Ken & Kolby Odom, Ebba & Ted Dampier, Lori & Tom Evans, Sandy Milburn, Jeff McDaniel, Ken Biland, KB Branch, Charlie Switzer, Jim Roze, PJ Imhoff, Mark Eberhard, Joe Morano, Chuck Miller, Frenchy & Johnny LaFountaine
Ebba Dampier & Lori Evans for their fund raising and media promotional efforts
Jeff McDaniel [Boat Captain coordination]
The Pensacola Beach Elks leadership and membership for embracing AHERO as an extension of their family
Mike DeSorbo and Culinary Productions of Pensacola
Participating Pensacola Beach establishments:
- Julie Linander and the Grand Marlin Restaurant
- Nick and Hemingways Island Grill
- Robert Gleim and Bamboo Willies
- Fred Simmons & Renee Mack and the Paradise Bar &
  Grille
Raela Villanueva and her Dream CD Project
Shawn York and the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church congregation
Capt Andy Arnold for his support and leadership in developing the concept of enabling our community
of Boat Owners|Captains to support AHERO as well as all of the participating boat owners:
- Robert Adams, Danny Aloy, Andy Arnold, KB Branch, John Burton, Howard Dunaway,
  Joey Grodzicki, George Hirst, Scott Kinnebrow, Andrew Marks, Jeff McDaniel, Matt McDonald, Wayne O’Hara, Doug Pacitti, Ryan Peat, Jason
  Perry, Joe Roberts
Dave & Yvonne Riley representing the Disabled American Veterans leadership
Dr. James Williams, Doug Pacitti and the entire crew of the Cour de la Mer
Matt & Amy McDonald and the entire crew of the Breath Easy
Destyn Patera & Austin Owens [Videography & Poster Design]
Walt Kostevicki and the Pensacola Recreational Fisherman's Association
Paul Palpallatoc, Aloha Grill, Gulf Breeze
Any Baldwin & Olivia Wrisely, Goldring Gulf Distributors
Rae Anne Panzram & Eric Smith, Boston Beer Company
Debbie Ciano, Mr. Ciano's Car, Truck & SUV
Steve & Brooke Gagne, Drowsy Poet Innerlight
Darryl Jansen and DLux Printing
Darryl "Van" VanLandingham, Warriors Wagon

We believe the transition from a Charter Fishing trip to a Community supported day of off & inshore fishing was a great enhancement to the "Warrior Hook-Up" event... it engaged and solidified the support of many new folks, businesses and organizations from the surrounding area.

Now, the committee has grown and strengthened and we are already setting the planning agenda for next year's event. We look forward to sharing moments of this year's event on the AHERO website, Facebook Page and other social media so please check-in frequently and we'll be adding visual memories such as this as they become available.

Destyn Patera captures the essence of "Hook-Up" morning.