Fallen Heroes of
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Press Release
Contact the Foundation
Foundation's Objective
Foundation's Plan
Foundation's Call to Action
History of the Foundation
Freqently Asked Questions
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The objective of this foundation is to grant the last wish of the
U.S. servicemembers
who have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom: to provide for their children.
The plan for accomplishing the foundation's objective is:
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Dan O'Dowd, CEO of Green Hills Software, Inc., has pledged $100,000 plus all of the operating expenses
for the foundation.
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In addition, Dan O'Dowd has pledged to match up to $200,000 in contributions from the public.
This means that for the first $200,000 in donations from the public, every dollar contributed
will result in two dollars being distributed for the benefit of the minor children
of servicemembers lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom, without any offset for operating expenses.
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The foundation will actively encourage the CEOs of other companies
to set up similar foundations with the goal of working together to
provide sufficient funds to properly raise and educate all of the children
of U.S. servicemembers lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Until recently, most of the fighting in U.S. wars had been done by 19 year old draftees,
few of whom had families.
But the institution of an all volunteer army has changed the demographics of the U.S. armed forces.
Now, most U.S. servicemembers are career soldiers with families.
Soon we will welcome home our troops from the war in Iraq with
celebrations, parades and joyous reunions.
But the families of fallen servicemembers will have to deal with loss, grief,
and the financial stress of losing of their principal breadwinner.
The benefits provided by the government
to the survivors of servicemembers are insufficient to raise a family.
This issue is not political. In fact, it is one thing that those who are passionately
in favor of the Operation Iraqi Freedom can agree on with those who are passionately opposed to the war.
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If you are in favor of Operation Iraqi Freedom: the reason that these children have no one to protect them
is that their father or mother fell on the battlefield protecting your children.
Now, it is your responsibility to protect their children.
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If you are opposed to Operation Iraqi Freedom: contributing to this cause shows your compassion for
the innocent casualties of a war that you oppose while proving that you support our troops.
Recently there has been considerable debate about how many billions of dollars we should spend
to rebuild Iraq. But first we must take care of our own. Many of our servicemembers have made the
ultimate sacrifice for us; now we must make a small sacrifice for them.
Everywhere you hear politicians and business executives expressing their gratitude to the servicemembers
who gave their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
But gratitude is not enough; gratitude does not house, clothe, feed, or educate their children.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, BUT THE COST SHOULD NOT BE BORNE PRIMARILY BY THE INNOCENT CHILDREN OF
OUR SERVICEMEMBERS.
IT IS TIME TO PAY FOR YOUR FREEDOM.
April 3, 2003:
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While watching a network broadcast showing the children of U.S. servicemembers
who had been lost in the war in Iraq, Dan O'Dowd, CEO of Green Hills Software, Inc.,
realized that these children were shouldering the largest burden of the U.S. war effort.
That is when the need for private action to provide for these children became clear to him.
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April 9, 2003:
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The foundation is formed.
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April 10, 2003:
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How can I contact the foundation, contribute, or claim benefits?
Fallen Heroes Last Wish Foundation
30 West Sola Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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Phone:
FAX:
Web:
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(805)962-7843
(805)965-6343
www.ghs.com/lastwish.html
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What percentage of active duty U.S. servicemembers are married?
How many children do active duty U.S. servicemembers have?
How many servicemembers have been lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom?
What benefits do the survivors of servicemembers receive from the government?
How do I set up a similar foundation?
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For individuals and corporations who can afford the costs of establishing their own foundations,
we can help by providing you with a complete set of organizational documents.
We can also file all of the necessary paperwork and administer your foundation.
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