Honoring 9/11 in Partnership with VSP Vision

On Thursday September 11, Troopathon rolled up our collective sleeves and together with our amazing VSP Vision volunteers came together to honor and remember the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Once again, Troopathon in exclusive Partnership with VSP Vision joined forces to support our troops. VSP involvement included employee participation in packing, addressing and shipping our special 9/11 memorial Packathon care packages bound for our deployed troops. Thanks to VSP Vision and our Packathon event we can make a meaningful impact on service members deployed in defense of our nation. Thank you VSP Vision for your continued support and dedication to our troops.

We are happy to announce Troopathon exceeded our goal of shipping 2001 packages overseas and preparing another 911 more for shipment.

We cannot lose site of our deployed troops in our Packathon goals, recently carrier groups and strike forces have deployed around the world as they support and defend our national security. It is these thousands of troops and thousands more we actively support through efforts including this special 9/11 Packathon.

The 911 and 2001 fulfillment goals are meant to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks of September 11th, 2001.

On site was Troopathon Board member and spokesperson, World Trade Center Tower II survivor Richard Hannaford who joined us not only to pitch in and lend a hand, but also to educate people on 9/11 and Troopathons mission of troop support.

We say “Never Forget” but there is a whole new generation graduating from college or starting a career or family who are too young to remember first-hand. A large swath of our citizens was yet to be born, thus will never know the visceral punch to the gut that was, and always will be September 11, 2001.

It is our job, those who were there to witness the devastating terrorist attack on our own shores, to remember and honor the fallen as well as educate those who came after.

Listen to Richard Hannaford’s message to you HERE.

Our Packathon honors the brave men, women and children who lost their lives that terrible September morning in 2001. We remember the heroics of NYPD fire and police units who responded without thought to their own safety and the incredible sacrifices of the brave souls aboard flight 93 who through their selfless sacrifice saved countless lives.

Our Twin Towers no longer grace the New York Skyline, in their stead is a new complex featuring One Word Trade Center, the largest building in the Western Hemisphere with its spire reaching a not coincidental height of 1,776 feet, standing as a symbol of resilience and hope.

Ground zero is now home to the National 9/11 museum and memorial which houses artifacts from the September 1, 2001, as well as paying homage to the six people killed when the twin towers endured a terrorist bombing in 1993.

At 9:37 a.m. on September 11, 2001, America Airlines Flight 77 out of Dulles slammed into the western face of the Pentagon flight killing all fifty-three passengers and six crew members aboard. The strike to the Pentagon caused a fire and partial building collapse claiming 125 victims on the ground. Today the Pentagon remains, its beige stone facade bearing the scars of the terrorist’s attack and an onsite memorial pays tribute to the 184 (excluding the terrorists) lives lost.

Of the four hijacked planes, three hit their targets; America Airlines Flight 11, striking the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.; United Flight 177 plowing into Tower 2 at 9:03 and Flight 77 which struck the Pentagon.

United Airlines Flight 93 did not reach its intended target, the United States Capitol Building due to the heroic actions and sacrifice of the forty passengers and crew who fought valiantly against the terrorists to retake the aircraft. Flight 93 crashed into fields outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard yet saving countless lives.

Consider it part of your duty to remember those who continue to protect our shores from threat and attack and allow us to sleep safely each night.

WWP and Blue Star Families Unite in Support

Volunteers from Blue Star Families and Wounded Warrior Project Come together to support our troops.

Wounded Warrior Project and Blue Star Families came together to show their support for our troops by sending in their crews to pack mountains of care packages! At Troopathon our success is due in no small part to our amazing volunteers and partners.

We proudly hosted a group of resolute and joyful volunteers from the Wounded Warrior Project and Blue Star Families who gathered at our headquarters to help pack care packages full of goodies, necessities, and notes of support bound for their brothers and sisters in arms.

Dozens of faithful volunteers converged in our warehouse packing up boxes for the troops and helping us prep hundreds of packages that will be heading overseas to our troops on the front lines!

WWP and our Blue Star volunteers united to enrich and support the lives of our brave troops who are currently serving.

Sitting at home and watching just isn’t the style of these volunteers, they want to make a difference through service and volunteerism. Because Troopathon offers our volunteers opportunities that directly benefit our currently serving, these volunteers find mission satisfaction by knowing they are doing their part.

Rise and Grind! Bring on the Coffee

Rise and Grind! When everyday feels like Monday, getting the engine going can be a chore. Image what it must be like for our troops serving in dangerous, unfamiliar, and Spartan conditions.

That first cup of morning Joe can be like manna from heaven, from the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to the welcome jolt of caffeine as it lights up the old circuit board. Coffee is a delight that just can’t be ignored.

Coffee, in addition to waking us up and getting us going, is also powerfully evocative. The memories just come flooding back, you’re instantly transported to a better place, a happier place. That’s why we can’t thank the good folks at San Francisco Bay Coffee for their continued and unwavering support of our mission. Thanks to San Francisco Bay Coffee, our care packages.

Fun Fact: coffee is the number 1 requested item by our troops and SF Bay coffee was founded by an ARMY veteran who knows the importance of a good cup of coffee in the hands of our troops.

Deployed and Need Support? We’ve Got YOU!

If you are currently-serving & deployed overseas, or a family member of one of our deployed troops, you can sign up on our website to get on our shipping list for care packages for yourself and your buddies. Click here to sign up now!

It is our mission at Troopathon to make sure you are not forgotten and receive the support you deserve through our care package program. Sign up is easy, safe and seure and we can’t wait to see your smiling face when your Troopathon care package arrives!

All of our care packages are thanks to our fantastic donors, this program would not be possible without their love and thoughtful support.

September Photo of the Month

Grace G. and her team of Ammunition Specialists Smile while serving for us in the hot Middle East sun.

“A care package would put a smile on their faces and mine because it feel like someone back home is thinking of you and wanting to make sure your staying happy.” Grace G. United States Army, Deployed