Home Ongoing Operations America's Heroes of Freedom continuing efforts such as Operation Life Line, Operation Bear Hug, Operation Restoration, and Operation Cinderella. Each Operation reflects the diversity of venue for the care and healing of wounded service members - be it a baseball gmae to lift the spirits, a Thanksgiving dinner event, or a musical evening tribute to honor these brave men and women who risk life and limb while defending our freedom. Below are selected highlights and photographs. This is only a brief sampling of numerous endeavors by AHOF. Some events were not added to our website for privacy reasons. In most cases, the events were too emotional to form a written record. Story submitted by MCB Camp Pendleton (Excerpt) Recovering Marines treated with DVDs, PS2s, and other accommodations at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton Story by: Sgt. Claudia Garcia Story Identification #: 20051020162237 MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Oct. 20, 2005) -- Wounded service members will no longer have to settle for a few channels of television as new entertainment equipment was provided to improve their stay during the healing process. America's Heroes of Freedom donated 11 televisions with DVD players, 10 Playstation 2s, and approximately 100 video games to wounded service members on medical hold at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital here Friday. Senior military members, hospital staff, families, and donating staff gathered to honor and show their appreciation to wounded troops. "We feel honored to be here and are very motivated to work with the hospital and fulfill the needs of military members and their families," said Susan Brewer, president and founder of America’s Heroes of Freedom. America’s Heroes of Freedom is a non-profit organization which honors, heals, and educates those who served heroically, patriotically, and unselfishly in the protection of freedom, Brewer said. Sgt. Gottlyev J. Gutbier was one of the wounded servicemembers present during the donations. Gutbier sustained injuries while serving with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently on medical hold for traumatic brain injuries and is recovering at the Naval Hospital here. "It is awesome to know that the public is supporting our cause," said Gutbier. ... "Thanks to the donations, our wounded are no longer confined to a bed and will be able to maintain occupied and entertained while they are here," said 1st Lt. Katherine M. Harrington, the Marine liaison at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. "The new equipment will help us pass time and will take away a lot of the stress while we are here," added Pendergraft. AHOF Operation Restoration at Wild Rivers (Photos, Above: Wounded service members and their families were treated to a great day of fun — and food — at Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, California. Randy Josseyn, Manager of the Park, made sure that everyone there knew that they were appreciated. Throughout the day, staff from the park stopped by the cabanas to tell them thanks for serving their country.) AHOF Operation Heroes' Wishes at the Four Seasons, Aviara, Carlsbad, CA (Photos, Above: Christmas might have looked like the Grinch had stolen it from dozens of military families. America's Heroes of Freedom granting Christmas wishes to the children of our service members — with special appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.) Operation Restoration   Welcome Home, America’s Heroes! (10/11/05) America's Heroes of Freedom had the privilege of welcoming home from Iraq over 2,000 Marines and Sailors and their families at San Onofre Beach on Camp Pendleton. Click HERE to read more. Operation Restoration   America’s Heroes of Freedom takes ‘em out to the old ball game. (5/25/05) America's Heroes of Freedom brought twelve soldiers from Walter Reed to an Orioles Major League Baseball game. The soldiers may not have been rooting for their own home team, but they still had a "grand old time." This event was covered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Woestendiek for the Baltimore Sun. Click HERE to read more. Operation Restoration and Operation Bear Hug   A young resident of San Antonio adopts a stuffed animal in support of wounded service members. (4/17/05) Hundreds of local residents came out to San Antonio's South Park Mall to support America’s Heroes of Freedom’s simultaneous Operation Restoration and Operation Bear Hug endeavors in San Antonio to purchase teddy bears for wounded service members. Wounded soldiers from Wilford Hall and Brooks Army Medical Center were brought out by AHOF for a day of restoration and pampering. Click HERE to read more. Operation Restoration   A wounded Marine gets his hair cut at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort in San Diego. (4/3/05) America’s Heroes of Freedom served the wounded and ill troops recovering at Balboa Military Hospital. Soldiers, Marines, and their spouses were treated to a day of pampering: massages, pedicures, facials, hair styling, fine dining, and live entertainment. Click HERE to read more. Operation Cinderella   ... because every service member is important to us. They are our Heroes. (3/1/05) Operation Cinderella was a successful endeavor created by AHOF to help the spouses and dates of our service members (and in many cases the female service members) get ready for the Commander-in-Chief Ball on January 20, 2005 and to recognize the American Military Family for their enormous contribution to our country. Click HERE to read more. AHOF's Latest Sponsors AHOF warmly welcomes and profusely thanks the men and women of Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics whose kind support will have a powerful impact on those who serve in our armed forces. Susan Brewer President & Founder Bringing Christmas to Service Members at Bethesda   Service Members recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center will have their hearts warmed - as well as their tummies - from a wonderful festive meal, thanks to you! On December 23, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, America’s Heroes of Freedom will honor our hospitalized Service Members at Bethesda Naval Medical Center with a Christmas party, complete with all the trimmings. Click HERE to read more. Bringing Christmas to Walter Reed Army Medical Center   Knowing that Americans across the nation care about their rehabilitation helps our brave servicemen and servicewomen back on their feet. (12/15) With the help of patriotic Americans around this nation, AHOF was able to bring an early Christmas to our servicemen and servicewomen at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with stockings and gifts. An average of 175 wounded and ill troops arrive each month at Walter Reed to begin their rehabilitation. Click HERE to read more. Heroes, Families Treated to Five-Star Lunch   Florida Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young, center, and Susan Brewer, president and founder of AHOF, pose with Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Carroll, who is being treated for his wounds at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Photo by Rudi Williams (9/11) WASHINGTON - Wounded servicemembers and their families were treated to a five-star luncheon Sept. 11 by Washington's famous Willard Intercontinental Hotel and America's Heroes of Freedom in honor of 9/11 and the sacrifices made by the servicemembers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Click HERE to read the DefenseLINK article. Welcome! A Word from AHOF's President and Founder      Susan Brewer (second from left) meets with Robert Schultz, M.D. Capt., Medical Corp, U.S. Navy, Force Surgeon and members of the medical team at Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital. (8/18) America's Heroes of Freedom has been meeting the urgent needs of wounded Marines returning via Medivac from Iraq to Bethesda Naval Hospital since January. As part of the specially-prepared care package we supply to servicemen and servicewomen, AHOF has delivered canvas bags, water, underwear, socks, t-shirts, sweats, Sony Walkmans, toiletries, snacks, girl scout cookies, music CDs, Gatorade drinks, flags, stuffed animals, magazines, and other miscellaneous items. Just recently we were informed of a female Marine whose arm was injured by a mortar round. AHOF brought her feminine care items, pajamas, toiletries, and a big stuffed bulldog — the Marine mascot. She was beautiful and so sweet, hugging the bulldog that was nearly her size. Don't get us wrong: she was a trained professional Marine but also an injured fellow human being who needed the items we were able to bring her through your generous support. Thank God she is alive and recuperating, as she was close to losing her arm to amputation. Another story: we received a call involving a family that needed housing while seeing their son at Bethesda. Their son was a Marine who was having his hands amputated and he suffered a broken femur. AHOF has partnered with Oakwood Properties who is graciously housing this brave Marine's family as he recovers from surgery. Please continue to support our efforts through Operation Life Line as it truly means the difference in the recuperation of our fine, brave armed forces who are on the front lines. For more information on Operation Life Line click HERE. To donate, please click on the heart at the top of this page. Love, Susan Brewer AHOF Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary of Operation Life Line (04/04) With your important support of our endeavors we are pleased to announce the one year anniversary of Operation Life Line. As we look back on the past year's efforts, our hearts are filled with a resolve to continue to meet the needs of troops returning wounded and ill from abroad. Click HERE to read what we've done with your generous contributions and to envision with us what more can — and needs — to be done. AHOF Brings Soldier Care Packages to National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, MD      Since the war began, over 10,000 U.S. combat troops have returned ill or wounded to Andrews Air Fore Base. They need our help. (Photo, Above: Clinicians for the contingency aeromedical staging facility at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington move wounded service members to their air transport. Photograph by: Michael Lutzky -- The Washington Post) As service members continue to return to the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan, AHOF has begun assisting the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, MD. Our Operation Life Line centers on providing wounded and ill U.S. Servicemen and Servicewomen with Special Care Packages and supplies to aid in their recovery and healing as well as expressing to these men and women who lay down their lives for our Freedom our love and gratitude towards them as a Nation should. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to assist Army and Marine personnel who pass through Andrews Air Force Base, MD on their way home to recuperate from their injuries in Iraq. America: Please Help OPERATION LIFE LINE America's Heroes of Freedom is working directly with a variety of military, civilian, and faith-based organizations to meet their urgent needs. America's Heroes of Freedom is a 501c3 Non-profit Organization that honors, heals, and educates concerning those who acted heroically, patriotically, and unselfishly such as our armed forces, civil servants, EMS (Emergency Medical Services, e.g. Fire, Police, Rescue), physicians, nurses, and all volunteers who serve daily in the protection of our freedom. We are asking our Nation - individuals and corporations - to get behind us. It takes all of us to make sure that our service members are taken care of with the excellence and honor due their sacrifice. America's Heroes of Freedom needs your help. To make a donation, click HERE. What We've Done - 2003-2004 Dear Friends, Our efforts together have produced great results. This month marks one year since the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With your support we were able to: March 2004 - Present Major supplies, hotel rooms and flights for families of wounded marines, stuffed animals to the wounded at Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital, working directly with Chief Luster the marine liason to Bethesda. Worked with The Girl Scouts of America delivering 100 boxes of cookies to wounded marines at Bethesda Naval. Helped with sponsorships for the Welcome Home Task Force Iron Horse (4th I.D.) event. Interviewed at Bethesda Naval regarding AHOF's efforts by Bill Moyer's "NOW" television broadcast. Worked with Lynn Pace — General Peter Pace's wife — to obtain knee pads, leather gloves, and pull-apart sweats for amputees at Walter Reed. AHOF will be hosting the 3rd Year Anniversary of 9/11 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in a luncheon honoring our wounded troops. Guest list will consist of members of the Congress, the Senate and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosted by Susan Brewer, President of AHOF, and Jack Burkman, well known Republican legal strategist and media icon. Ms. Brewer was interviewed by Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, and Parade Magazine. More to be announced as our efforts are on-going. February 2004 AHOF sponsored the NBA All-Star Salute to the Troops in Los Angeles, CA. This will be shown on the Armed Forces Network to over 1,000,000 service members. It was great to see NBA players and entertainers Salute Our Troops. The troops need a morale boost! January 2004 President of America's Heroes of Freedom, Susan Brewer, has participated in dozens of television and radio interviews regarding the efforts of Operation Life Line. Channel 13 interview of Ms. Brewer in Colorado Spring, Colorado covered the continuing needs of the families of our service members. At Fort Carson alone, there have been over 250 amputees. America's Heroes of Freedom began to supply Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital with Special Care Bags (AHOF's care package with supplies, personal care items, and specialties to boost morale) as the need of our wounded and ill Marines became apparent. December 2003 Christmas care packages were given to wounded and ill service members and their families. AHOF delivered over 200 brand new toys. One of the chief concerns quoted by incoming service members was their ability to have some type of holiday gift for their little ones. AHOF will continue to stay ready to meet new needs. Over one hundred boxes of supplies were delivered. November 2003 Thanksgiving care packages were assembled and presented to the Base Contingency Aero-medical Staging Facility. America's Heroes of Freedom was informed that there were over 10,000 wounded and ill service members that we have supplied since April 2003. What a great honor it is to serve. October 2003 America's Heroes of Freedom began to implement Special Care Bags. This was done so as to meet the requested specific needs of our wounded and ill service members who came back as amputees, or with requirements for IVs, casts, and braces. AHOF stays committed to the delivery of supplies to our wounded, and ill service members. July 2003 ABC Special News Report at Andrews Air Force Base Contingency Aero-medical Staging Facility to inform the nation of the tremendous need for supplies. American service members from all branches of the military were interviewed. We continue to supply our wounded and ill service members at Andrews Air Force Base, and at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and at numerous Veterans Hospitals. September 11, 2003 On the second year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, America's Heroes of Freedom and the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington D.C. sponsored a formal sit-down dinner to commemorate the lives lost from the tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. There were approximately eighty wounded and sick service members and reservists sharing this wonderful meal. Voice of America Radio and the Defense Link covered the day's events. We continue the commitment to supply our wounded and ill service members, by delivering sweats, shirts, underwear, water, snacks, toiletries, phone cards, socks, shoes, bags, and much more. May 21, 2003 AHOF and Brig. General Wilma Vaught sponsored Women are Heroes Too at Arlington National Cemetery, which honored women such as 9/11 survivors, Search and Rescue Teams, fire fighters, police officers, corpsmen, and civilians who have acted heroically during the course of terrorism and tragedy. The Kuwait Embassy broadcast this live to our service members serving in Kuwait and Iraq. Channels 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 11 reported on this very important and healing event. We continue to supply Andrews Air Force Base, with large amount of supplies. April 2003 - January 2004 Supply Andrews Air Force Base Contingency Aero-medical Staging Facility (CASF) with over 1,000 boxes of materials needed by wounded and ill service members. That was valued at over $500,000. AHOF's Operation Life Line was initiated.