From Boot Girl Myra: Back in early summer I received an email form a “grateful American” who wanted to do more for our troops by volunteering with the Boot Campaign. She went through our online volunteer training series and took the initiative to show up at the Boot Ride in Los Angeles, just to meet the Boot Campaign team. When we parted, I thought to myself “she is the real deal!” Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Heather Randall, Writer and Communications Strategist for Firefly Communications and our new blog contributor.
By Heather Randall
Growing up, I never thought much about the concept of liberty. I’d been blessed with good health and a life in a nice suburban town, eating home-cooked meals
and comforted by an HVAC. I never worried about whether my father would be an unemployed veteran or whether my brother might return from overseas
disabled. My life was full of freedom and choices: I could associate with all types of people, regardless of race or ethnicity, worship where I wanted to worship
and speak for organizations and communities I believed in. As I grew older, I became more interested in learning about those who were truly responsible for maintaining liberty for millions of American citizens.
While waiting for a flight at Los Angeles International Airport, Marcus Luttrell’s
book, Lone Survivor, caught my attention. Marcus’s story of Michael Murphy
and Marcus’s other Seal team members fascinated me. I’d never read such
a vivid, first hand account of what our military men and women are willing to
endure for our freedom – our liberty.
Although I came from a family of military people who taught me how supporting
our troops is, it was Marcus’s book which inspired me to give back to the
veterans and disabled who forfeited time with their families, and in many cases,
their lives, so that I and millions of American citizens, could live in peace.
Sure, I donated money to various charities in the past. I bought T-shirts and
para-cord bracelets, but these actions didn’t fulfill my wish to give something
of myself. My cousin Alex, a C-130J pilot, flew several missions to Iraq and
Afghanistan from 2006 – 2010. Given my personal circumstances, I knew I
wouldn’t be meeting his contribution! I wouldn’t be joining the Peace Corps
either, so I had to seek another way to give back.
I took my father, a former U.S. Air Force F-101 and F-105 pilot, to see “Act
of Valor”. After the film, I attempted to research Marcus’s thoughts, on-line,
about the film. A blurb in the search results about Marcus’s involvement with
Boot Campaign caught my eye. I linked to Boot Campaign’s website and read
about some extraordinary fundraising efforts executed by Boot Campaign. I
was pleased to see people from all walks of life – from celebrities to politicians
– actively supporting the organization. I filled out the “Contact Us” form,
volunteering my writing skills to help.
I’m elated to learn I might be helpful in recharging Boot Campaign’s Blog, writing
and sharing stories about those men and women, like injured Purple Heart
Recipient / Retired Army Specialist Jeremy Smith, Boot Campaign continues to support.
In August, I walked into Boot Campaign’s 2nd Annual Boot Ride Rally. I soon
realized hundreds of wonderful people, who supported the same cause I did,
surrounded me. They too wanted to support our troops and raise awareness of
the physical and mental challenges our military people face upon returning home
from their missions and deployments.
We must all recognize, value and appreciate our liberty, and we can do so by
helping organizations like Boot Campaign. Boot Campaign allows us to come
together and support those who serve, protect and fight for our liberty.
How did you discover Boot Campaign? What does Boot Campaign mean to you?
We’ll look forward to your thoughts here!
Want to watch a really cool video about the Boot Campaign? Check this out!