“Hearing Our Heroes”

patriotism that can only be felt through working with veterans. When we visit the VA Hospital and a vet tells us we made their day, or someone tells us that our gen-eration is doing the right thing by honoring veterans, each of our members gets a good feeling. Our pro-gram has allowed me and ten other of our members to shake hands and spend two days with President George W. Bush and some truly amazing people from all over the country at the Warrior Open in Texas. Our program has opened new doors for many of our mem-bers; in working closely with elected officials and other business owners our members have been offered jobs and internships. Hearing Our Heroes has allowed us to meet new people, veterans and other leaders in our community. Our members will all tell you that they have found a new sense of appreciation for the everyday things that Americans take for granted, our most basic freedoms. Working with veterans is not only a privilege but also a living lesson that freedom is not free. Hearing Our Heroes was started and set up to expand to schools all over the country. You do not need to raise anyany money to start up your own chapter. The events and programs in each chapter may be different, but our mission is the same.