JANUARY 25, 2008 America Supports You Annual Summit

JANUARY 25, 2008 - Co-Founders Mary Frost and Carol Watanabe traveled to the Pentagon to attend the America Supports You annual summit, put on for select member organizations, including Little Patriots Embraced.
The day started early with an address and welcome from MS. Julia Burgess, ASY Home Liaison, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. MS. Allison Barber followed with a warm welcome and opening remarks. Lieutenant General Carter F. Ham, Director for Operations, J-3 Joint Staff, followed with an update on the War on Terror. The General's talk concluded with a question answer period. Breakout sessions followed with several great presenters who gave us knowledge to help us continue to serve the military and our nation through our non-profit organizations. The breakout sessions were followed by an address from Honorable Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense, that included question and answers. What touched us most from the time spent with The Secretary of Defense was his sincere gratitude for us. We were thanked for what we were doing and told we do make a difference. I can quote him as asking us to "keep doing what we are doing". Our day ended late as we were taken to visit the memorial and chapel in the west wing of the Pentagon, where at 9:37 AM on September 11, 2001 American Airlines flight 77, a jetliner under the control of terrorists, deliberately crashed into the Pentagon killing everyone on board and 125 people inside the building. We were given some time to be silent as we prayed for those lost and those who live today with the sorrow of missing their loved ones.
This trip to Washington DC and the Pentagon was an amazing experience for us as co-founders of Little Patriots Embraced. We are humbled by this great nation, and we know we have been blessed with such an awesome challenge as we strive to serve you, our heroes, the families of our great military! What an honor it is for us!!