KarenGolf.com
PATRIOT GOLF 09/01/2010
 
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Take a moment this month to salute the men and women of our military past and present who have made possible our freedom to walk down the fairways.  I am proud to be a member of the PGA and LPGA, both of whom support Patriot Golf Days.  Patriot Golf Days are the brain child of Major Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot who has served three combat tours in Iraq and is also a member of the PGA.  Major Rooney was on commercial flight United 664 when he had a life changing moment.  When his plane landed the pilot came over the intercom and spoke these words: "We have the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board, and his twin brother Corporal Brad Bucklin has accompanied him home from Iraq.  As a sign of respect, please remain seated while we honor Corporal Bucklin and his sacrifice."

Major Rooney remained seated and watched the flag-draped casket leave the plane,  passing tearful family members including Corporal Brock Bucklin’s young son, who held on to his mother, as his father’s casket slowly left the plane and proceeded to the hearse.  Major Rooney’s life changing moment occurred when he regained his composure and noticed that many passengers had ignored the pilots request and were removing overhead baggage and already leaving the plane.  The Major vowed to make a difference to acknowledge the sacrifices of our fallen military. This promise led to the establishment of the Folds of Honor Foundation & Patriot Golf Days in 2007.

The Folds of Honor Foundation offers scholarships to spouses and their children to pursue post-secondary education of their choice.  Major Rooney saw education as the key to a brighter future for these families who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to ensure that they will not be left alone.  Patriot Golf Days is the primary support for the Folds of Honor Foundation.  Golf courses across the country simply add $1 to the normal greens fee and the extra $1 collected is then donated to the foundation. In the first year more than 3,200 golf courses participated, raising over 1.1 million dollars for the fund.  In the past three years over 5.3 million dollars has been collected from Patriot Golf Days events held each Labor Day weekend.

The name Folds of Honor comes from the flag folding ritual of the United States Flag representing life, allegiance, remembrance, our country and our hearts. In three years time Patriot Golf Days has grown to now include a number of events to honor and support our military members and families. To find events in your area The Play Golf America Website has a listing, www.playgolfamerica.com to go to for additional information.  If you would like to make a direct contribution to the Folds of Honor Foundation, donations can be made to:

Folds of Honor Foundation
5800 N. Patriot Drive
Owasso, OK 74055

Whether or not you play golf, take a moment this weekend to remember those who have given so much so that we can freely enjoy this great country of ours.  And now indulge this author’s privilege of literary license:  I would like to take a moment to salute my Dad.  Thanks Dad for serving our country and thank you for introducing me to the great game of golf! 

 
 


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