Author: Joe Public

Mark your calendars for our 2nd annual Props Trot for Troops 5k and after party benefiting Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, hosted by Props Craft Brewery, Run With It and Northwest Florida Track Club! Volunteers needed to aid in parking pre-event and during the run. Complimentary food + your first beer free. Want to run?
All 5k participants receive a t-shirt and if you’re one of the first 250 people, you’ll receive a branded 16 oz. mug! Race begins at 9 AM…. Complimentary food + your first beer free.  Volunteer here. 

Ryan Hendrickson, a Green Beret who was awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, has authored a book about his experiences on the battlefield, and Stripes Pub & Grill in Navarre is hosting an October 9 book signing for him.

“Tip of the Spear” is the inspiring true story of Sergeant First Class (SFC) Hendrickson, a US Special Forces soldier who was medically retired after stepping on an IED, and his incredible return to active duty and combat.

The book details Hendrickson, clearing the way for his 12-man team. As the “tip of the spear,” his role was to ensure the route taken by U.S. and Afghan troops are free of IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Many soldiers do not survive their last step; those who do often lose at least one limb.

While rescuing an Afghan soldier outside a mud-hut compound in 2010, knowing that he was in “uncleared” territory, Ryan stepped on an IED with his right foot. The device exploded, leaving his foot dangling at the end of his leg.

American soldiers losing a limb is an all-too-common occurrence. But what makes Ryan’s story different is that after undergoing two dozen surgeries and a tortuous rehabilitation, he was medically retired but fought to return to active duty. Multiple skin grafts to his leg and right foot successfully reattached his lower leg, and he was aided in his recovery by wearing a new prosthetic device known as an IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis).

Once he passed a series of crucial physical tests, Ryan was able to rejoin the Green Berets within a year and physically perform his duties, redeploying to Afghanistan in March 2012.

In 2016, he volunteered to return to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. During a firefight with the Taliban, he risked his life under heavy enemy fire to rescue three Afghan soldiers cut off from friendly forces and return the bodies of two dead Afghan soldiers under the ethos that “no one gets left behind.” For his heroic efforts on the battlefield, SFC Ryan Hendrickson was awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor.

An engaging and harrowing account, “Tip of the Spear” tells the amazing story of one Green Beret’s indomitable spirit.

The book signing will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, October 9 at Stripes Pub & Grill, located at 1878 Andorra Street in Navarre.

72Tony Hughes, Patrick Colloton and 70 others

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As our 13th Annual Helping Heroes Gala goes on hiatus for 2020, the #carecontinues when considering the needs of our military and veteran families.  While our home has remained open with limitations, additional families have been placed in partner hotels, keeping them together for hope and healing during a medical event.

Want to help us fulfil this mission?  Ways include visiting our online auction, it’s ready for review and easy to bid.  Items include our very popular bucket list vacations, a crowd favorite in our 400-person black tie event each year.  YOU get to be included this year from anywhere USA.  Register early by texting helpingheroes to 22454.

The auction opens October 15 and will conclude October 22.  Here is the auction site.  

Remember, it’s not just a shopping experience.  It’s a way to bless military families.  At Fisher House, we are a blessing connection.  Giving generous supporters the opportunity to bless a military family in need, saying thank you for your service and sacrifice in a very real tangible way.  #loveisgoodmedicine

Our organization formed in 2007 with some dynamic folks who love our military and that still rings true today. Here is the ground breaking in 2008. Trec Chedister had a foot on the shovel back then, and remains on our board today. We are grateful for the GREAT folks who move a lot of ground to make things happen.

Help us Pave the Way to 2021 and beyond with a commemorative brick. Buy a brick, honor a loved one with a paver that lines the path to the gazebo, to hope and healing for our families and you get a cool stress brick. $100. Listen here how YOU make a difference with a brick. https://conta.cc/330MzHJ Chris Curtis was our featured speaker in 2018. What a story! https://conta.cc/3cugbk9

We make some YUMMY lemonade from the year that is 2020…..meet Alan and Leighanne from the Village at Baytowne Wharf. They donated prized Sandestin Wine Glasses, we added a Fisher House charm AND a chance to win an electric bike all for a $20 donation to our #carecontinues campaign. Be 1 of 2,020 to give $20 this year here. https://conta.cc/3j3vEK9

What is FUNraising at Fisher House? We have FUN raising FUNDS to care for our military families. #carecontinues has bling boxes for a donation of $100. What is a bling box, I’m glad you asked. A chance to bless a military family, way important plus you get a box of surprises which includes a $40 gift card to one of 5 select restaurants who love our Fisher House. Party on Garth….in place, with a gala-2-go box from Fisher House! Get yours here.

As our home turns 10 this year, we are grateful for the partners in the community who love our military like we do. Meet Whitney Bradley Brown, also known as WBB – and this all-star cast led by James and Laura Fulton, board member and secretary Jim Yurack and his spouse Amy, and The TEAM. What a FUN group of Fisher House fans! #loveisgoodmedicine.