Freedom Team Salute will be shutting down this Month. Here are the following announcments they have up on their sites, and a little bit about them for those who were not familiar with them. This struck me as particularly horrible timing. We are closing down operations in Iraq, gearing up operations in Afghanistan… now is not the time to back off on funding for troop support. This news comes the same week that milblogger David Belavia states “Our Mission is Finally Accomplished… Anyone Care?” I care David. I care greatly, and I hope that those who read this post and click over to David’s place will leave him a note telling him that.
In the meantime, they can shut down Gov’t funded troop support that does not stop our private sector cheerleaders like Soldier’s Angels, Sponsor the Troops, and Operation Gratitude. There are many out there. I know that FTS was more than that, but now is the time for families, Veterans and civilians who support our military to push forward and find new ways to get the message to our guys on the front lines. Don’t ever assume they know we care. Tell them. Show them.
From the FTS website:
Since its beginnings in 2005, FTS has recognized and honored the services of more than 2.3 million Parents, Spouses, Employers, Supporters and Army Veterans. While the Army will no longer be able to recognize individuals and organizations with FTS commendations, please know that we still appreciate the service and sacrifice of those who stand in support of our Soldiers and Veterans.
The success of FTS can be attributed to the Army’s Leadership; Veterans Service Organizations at the local, state, and national levels; Army units and installation leadership; and Soldiers themselves who took the opportunity to recognize those who supported them. FTS owes special thanks to our nearly 1,000 Ambassadors who unselfishly volunteered their time to support this program—much of the success of FTS can be directly attributed to their efforts.
The FTS staff and I want to personally thank all of those who supported our efforts. You have all made a difference in the lives of our Soldiers, Veterans, and the Army Family. Please continue to thank them for their service and sacrifice.
Sincerely,
COL David M. Griffith
Director, U.S. Army Freedom Team SaluteThank you for your interest in the Freedom Team Salute (FTS) Program. We have been proud of the accomplishments of FTS—however, due to the Army’s multiple competing missions and demands on resources, FTS will cease operations at the end of February 2010. In order to allow time to process commendations before the program ends, FTS will stop taking commendation requests after 11 February 2010.
I’m very, very upset…This is very disappointing…I’m looking for FTS to send a packet to my niece. She took on the hard mission to take care of my kids, on a very last minute notice…She had less than a month to pack her stuff and go to my house to take care of our three kids..Her second language is English and she is strugling with it. Despite all that and other issues that came up in her life she still did it. My husband and I are both currently deployed to different locations one in Afghan and the other one in Iraq. Having her taking care of our kids is being a blessing to our family and our kids. I wanted to tell her that the Army appreciated her support to this nation and to our troops, because without her sacrifice and support…I would not be able to complete my mission. And I was counting with FTS to make our thanks more special…and to find out that is not possible it is very sad to me. I truly hope that it comes back and the people that decided to take it away have no idea of the negative impact that taking it away had in a lot of ways…I wish they would have done a survey or something and they would have asked us the Soldiers for our input. How can they take away something for us, just like that, not only for us for our loved ones, that truly sacrifice themselves for this country as well. It was a great program and people that received those packets really appreciated them.. I wish my niece could have the thanks from the Army…I know it would be extra special for her! But unfortunately reality check…is not going to happen! For the person that made the final decision on this…I’d like to say…Thank you for providing this service while it lasted…I just hope you did the best you could to keep it alive….Once again, Thanks!
Pingback: Feb 18th Live Blog — You Served® – Veteran and Military Blog and Military Podcast
Yes, I want to continue receiving this informative and readable publication and the print edition for Veterans Day. The U.S. Army decals will be put to good use.
It will be sadly missed. Will there be a replacement?
Roger
This is a real shame to be losing such a wonderful program. It really makes one wonder where our country and patriotism went.
As a recruiter for the United States Army, I am sadden that the program came to a close, and I sincerely wish and pray that they will consider reinstating it. They would not believe how many parents, spouses, and love ones appreciate those small attributes that the military offers. Who ever decided to cut this out, should think of it as this is a small monitary amount to the Army (military) and with some of the things that they spend money on uselessly, this project within itself was indeed a good one. Not taking away from the service member, but it was a good thing nevertheless. Just my opinion.
These people, the Veterans, sacrificed their lives for our freedom & we can’t continue to show them our appreciation? How very sad- what a statement about where our country is headed.
I am currently deployed, and I would just like to say thanks to everybody who has sent items to us overseas. We thank all of you for the time you take to make our deployments easier. With the FTS, I felt it was a way to show our gratitude to the ones back home for what they do for us. I hope they reinstitute the program, for the sake of our morale in our Country.
This was Indeed the Finest Salute to Active Duty Military Americans and The American Veterans of which I am and
Yes, Proudly! There is a God, our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. My Friends are Jewish and they are “IN FAITH”
as I am. I do not know if there is a Future for The Freedom Team but I know that some Prayers are coming from
this end! God Bless Us All and The Freedom Team!
I am wondering how much this program costed? What would it take to get this to start again?
I wish to thank all those that helped with freedom team salute.. everything you have done has been appreciated. I always tell the veterans past and present thank you for all you have done, I met a 7 yr old boy about 5 months ago that loves the army. He dressed up as an army guy for halloween, he said he wanted to meet a real army man, so when my son came home from his tour in Iraq and for christmas I arranged for this young man to meet my son in is uniform… to this day this young man loves the army and everyone in it. Dont give up hope, there are alot of people that care! God is good… God bless all of freedom team and our country.
Agree It will be missed.Sent many Veterans one and people that Support Our Army and Armed Forces.Hope someone can reopen It.
My name is Gabe Sluis and I was the soldier used in the ACU photos for this campaign. I was supposed to get some copies of the stuff from COL Griffith, but never did. If anyone in charge reads this, Id like to get some feedback or left over photos. Thanks!!
This shut down saddens me due to the fact that my employer has supported the military for quite some time and being a retired Airborne soldier, I wanted to say thank You through this program.Its a sad day when a desk jockey decides mission accomplished when in fact it isn’t….
I am so upset,Have a daughter in army,grandason in Navy & a grandson in Afganastan & my daughter & husband are retired Navy.Sad fooor all our troops!!!God Bless
I have been boots on ground in Afghanistan since March 2010, 18 months so far. Everyday I read another article or hear another announcement about somethings being shutdown or closed. I hear the rhetoric from back home, despite the main stream media’s complete ignoring of whats really going on over here as compared to when another President was in office. And I have to tell you…its heartbreaking. Why did I volunteer to spend two years of my life, away from my family, putting myself out there when more and more, the majority of American’s and politician’s have lost sight of whats really important and turning their backs on soldiers and what we are fighting for. Disposable heroes indeed. The current climate in the States has made me question my 25 years of service and all I sacrificed to serve this great nation. After all we’ve accomplished. After the millions of people we have freed or helped. Our sacrifice comes down to a budgetary line item. And people who have always been “takers” their entire lives are ahead of us in line for those Federal and State funds. Its the definition of insantiy.
I thank all the patriotic American’s who despite the increased rhetoric and public opinion have continued to send care packages and letters to the guys and gals on the ground. Your support means more than you may ever know. We are winning the effort here in Afghanistan despite what you may hear. Yes, its been tough, but everyone can leave here knowing that we have made things far better for the Afghan people, and our National Security.
I am not sure of all of what freedom team does but I know from what i have read it is all good for the troops.
I am a Chaplain for the D A V chapter 29 in Killeen TX. I was a Chaplain Assistant in Iraq. My prayer is that God will help anyone who helps the american soldier. I wished I had known be for now, I was in Iraq in 2005 having rocket throwen at me, some got close.
I’m really not surprised about the present goverment at the White house in not supporting our cause. FreeTeamSalute was , and should always be available to all our present and past veterans of all wars.
Thank you all for your service, and please reopen this site.