Folds of Honor North Texas 4th Annual 2019 Gala Kick-Off Party Announced Gala Honorary Chairs Monica and Joe Eastin and Catherine and Mike Sweet
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 9, 2019
Monica and Joe Eastin, along with Catherine and Mike Sweet, were announced as honorary chairs for the Folds of Honor North Texas 4th Annual Gala happening on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.
The announcements were made at the kick-off party hosted by the Eastins in their lovely home and included a very special heartfelt presentation by Folds of Honor founder, Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and F-16 fighter pilot in the Air Force Reserves, who has served three tours of duty in Iraq.
Major Rooney shared his story: As he was returning home from his second tour of duty on a domestic flight, he became painfully aware as the passengers deplaned of the reality families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled. The airline pilot announced they were carrying the remains of a fallen soldier, asking passengers to respectfully remain seated while the casket deboarded. He watched as the family of the deceased walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket. Among them was the young son of the fallen Corporal. Seeing the other side of the war through the eyes of this fallen soldier’s child was life-altering. He decided he had to do something to pay tribute to American service members and their families. He founded Folds of Honor in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States armed forces. The motto says it best: Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy.
Since that time Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 20,000 educational scholarships. In the 2018-2019 academic year, the North Texas chapter awarded 106 scholarships totaling $524,400. Mike Beltz is the president of the Board of Directors, North Texas chapter.
The annual North Texas Folds of Honor gala brings together military families, veterans, scholarship recipients and members of the North Texas community in an event of celebration which includes dinner, an auction, live entertainment and fellowship. The money raised is used to provide educational scholarships to the nation’s most deserving families, the ones that sacrifice to protect freedoms.
Underwriting and sponsorships are available beginning at $3,000. Individual tickets are $250. A table for 10 can be reserved for $2,500.
For more information visit the website at www.foldsofhonorgala.org or contact Sarah Duncan, Regional Development Officer at sduncan@foldsofhonor.org or Meredith Allen, Associate Regional Development Officer at mallen@foldsofhonor.org
Photos by Bob Manzano.