Southern New Jersey Overlook

Their creed is, "We Shall Never Leave You, We Shall Never Forsake You."  The organization was originally started by a local, grassroots group of community leaders in Danville, California.  It's leader, Mike Conklin, is a father of three Army Ranger sons and was inspired to help severely wounded soldiers after one of his sons was injured in Iraq. 

After seeing the impressive level of care his son received in military hospitals and wanting to do something that provided tangible support to disabled troops, Mike, along with some friends and business associates formed the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation to "accept responsibility for the well-being of severely injured men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who are returning to civilian life and show promise for bright and productive futures. It affords them the time to adapt to their new physical challenges and surroundings, and ease back into a life of complete self-sufficiency."

In support of that objective, they developed a four year scholarship program to aid veterans with severe service-related injuries (amputation, blindness, deafness, paraplegia, severe burns). The recipients are call "Sentinels", in "honor of their sacrifice and commitment to guarding our freedoms."

Their first "Sentinel" was crushed by an tank while serving in Germany and at first not expected to live.  After 29 operations and hospital rehabilitation, he faced return with no friend nor family support in his hometown. Sentinel volunteers and the community welcomed him home and provided the support structure, including a rent-free home, to allow him to adjust to his new life situation.  He is now employed by UPS, has received two promotions and is on the Dean's List at his college.

The organization has also expanded it's mission to include helping other communities to provide similar support for the hundreds of severly wounded now being discharged from military hospitals -- allowing them the opportunity to return to a productive civilian life and regain their independence.


Click here for more information about the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation, their program and information resources for disbled veterans.
 
 
The foundations welcomes individual, community and corporate sponsors, volunteers and donations. For example, RE/AX International recently announced it's support by providing funding for the four year scholarship program that helps disabled veterans obtain housing, education, employment and transportation.



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