May 27, 2009: WLF - Congratulations to Operation Gratitude

The Warrior Legacy Foundation congratulates Operation Gratitude and it's founder, Carolyn Blashek, for receiving $232,938 from Target during their first online giving initiative. Voters on Facebook selected one of ten charities to receive funds from Target.

Matthew Burden, WLF Chairman of the Board of Directors, praised Blashek, "Operation Gratitude took care of entire units in Iraq over the last few years - especially during the Holidays when support from home is needed most. Carolyn Blashek is to be commended, not only for garnering support from Target, but also for the amazing work she does everyday for our military.  Because of Operation Gratitude, our troops in harm's way have received over 440,000 care packages."

To arrange an interview with WLF Executive Director David Bellavia or Chairman Matt Burden, please contact Jim Hanson, (608)213-1702 or jim.hanson@warriorlegacyfoundation.org .

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May 18, 2009:  WLF - Returning ROTC to Our Universities

The military is always at or near the top of the list when the most respected institutions in America are listed. The lack of an Reserve Officer Training Corps program at many of our universities means that large numbers of future leaders of our country will have little or no exposure to the military and our warrior class. This is not good for them or for America.

The Warrior Legacy Foundation is committed to helping return ROTC programs to as many universities as possible. We believe a fully-rounded education has to acknowledge the vital role our military has played in the freedoms we all enjoy. Interaction with future officers and the cadre who teach them can overcome the negative connotations some students have about the military. Donald A. Downs is a professor of political science, law, and journalism at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and he writes:

"A productive relationship between civilians and the military can be fostered in a number of ways, but no institution is more important than the university. In many respects, the university can provide a microcosm of the interactions among the military, civil society, and the government. Student soldiers and nonmilitary students can communicate on the campus in ways that foreshadow the subsequent relationship between politics and the military. The model of the citizen-soldier, the animating ideal of ROTC, is predicated on precisely that aspiration. Exposing future officers to the intellectual virtues of civilian universities improves and broadens the military mind, which contributes to the maintenance of appropriate civilian contact and control."

WLF will be actively pursuing meetings and speaking engagements at universities without ROTC programs to help create an environment that fosters a strong civil-military relationship and facilitates the creation of ROTC programs.

To arrange an interview with WLF Executive Director David Bellavia or Chairman Matt Burden, please contact Jim Hanson, (608)213-1702 or jim.hanson@warriorlegacyfoundation.org .

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May 14, 2009:  WLF - Release of Detainee Abuse Photos

The ACLU has prevailed in a series of rulings on their Freedom of Information Act request regarding photos the government has as evidence from trials and administrative actions against service members who abused prisoners. The courts have ruled that the photos from these actions must be released and has already considered that this release may cause the deaths of service members.  President Obama has stated that he will ask the court to reconsider this and make additional claims that this action will endanger our troops, but he is unlikely to prevail on legal grounds. He has the authority to issue an Executive Order that will prevent this release from the Freedom of Information Act itself. Andy McCarthy writes at National Review Online:


If the courts turn down the President's request we must insist that he take this necessary action to ensure our troops are not put into danger by a political witch hunt. Warrior Legacy Foundation New Mexico State Captain Shawn Bryan had a chance to make this point to President Obama directly May 14th at a town hall meeting in Albuquerque. He shook and held the President's hand and thanked him for changing his mind about releasing the photos and he reminded him not to cave in to political pressure to release the photos. All of us at WLF join Shawn in asking the President to put the safety of our military above the desire of the left to sensationalize abuses that have already been punished.

To arrange an interview with WLF Executive Director David Bellavia or Chairman Matt Burden, please contact Jim Hanson, (608)213-1702 or jim.hanson@warriorlegacyfoundation.org .

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April 24, 2009: WLF - Chairman of WLF Meets with National Security Advisor

Warrior Legacy Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors, Matthew Burden, met with the Obama Adminstration's National Security Advisor, General (RET) James L. Jones.
While the content of the meeting was off the record, the National Security Council met with WLF Chairman, Matt Burden, to discuss military and veterans issues like Veteran Healthcare and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

"While we may not agree on 30% of the issues with the administration, we must work together on the other 70% in order to ensure our military and their families have what they need to succeed, "Burden said of the meeting. "It is also important to understand that the NSC is also made up of serving military officers who are apolitical.  We need to support them in their efforts to win two wars."

To arrange an interview with WLF Executive Director David Bellavia or Chairman Matt Burden, please contact Jim Hanson, (608)213-1702 or jim.hanson@warriorlegacyfoundation.org .

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