“Real courage was what our troops…my heroes…face everyday. Real courage is being willing to give up your right to everything you want for your future, your memories from your past, and even, if need be, your life to make a better place for others.” By Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee
Again, we observe Memorial Day and take time to thank those who have served our country by giving the ultimate for our freedoms. One of my practices is to go back and read previous Posts I have written on Memorial Day Weekend. The messages are generally the same and are reminders of sacrifices made by many. If you have family or friends who served and died in battle, there is not much you can do but observe and honor their willingness to serve. There is one more thing we can all do…respect and appreciate the freedoms that have been paid for in full. 
This Memorial Day Weekend, again as is my custom, I pay my respects and salute those close friends of mine who died while serving our country. My high school friends included Danny Watkins from Meadowview, Virginia; Michael Charles and Kenneth Delaney from Bristol, Virginia; and Frank Campbell from Chilhowie, Virginia. There were several others who also died while in service. I have added Curtis “Duck” Montgomery, a World War II veteran and my long time friend who passed away last year at 101 years of age. And, this is a special time to remember my cousin “Marty” Clark who passed away on Memorial Day in 2016. All of these were great folks who deserve to be remembered each and every Memorial Day.
“The Pathway Project for 2018”
Goal $6,500.00 Actual Income=$4,250.00 Deadline: May 25th, 2018 (extended)
Time is getting very short. In two weeks our Copey Learning Center guests will be 
heading to the United States. We are nearly 95% complete with the planning for the trip and from all indications, things will be just as exciting and productive as the previous two years. We are very eager to see Maria Lourdes (Left) and Brian (right) arrive in America and experience our culture for the first time. And, eager to have them share their culture with us.
Thank You!
“I thank each of you who have already made your donation. Your funds have us well on our way to covering our immediate financial needs.”
However, we do still have fundraising challenges yet to contend with. The official end date for the fundraising campaign is today but I have unofficially extended the campaign another week to provide “anyone and everyone” the opportunity to support this project with large or small donations. Based on my best count at this time, we are just under 66% of our goal. And, this includes both the funds I have received and the funds I have not received yet but have firm commitments.
It would be great to hit our target of $6,500.00 and be assured we can financially support all the plans we have for our guests during their visit. However, if funds are short, some plans may be curtailed or even eliminated. I have not eliminated plans in the past, but I am prepared to apply any adjustments needed to make this project as financially successful as possible.
If you intend or feel inclined to support this project financially, please send me a short note to confirm the amount and expected date the funds will be mailed. This will allow me to avoid making unnecessary changes.
I ask you to consider being a financial supporter of this very extraordinary project. It is certainly worthy of your support. Based on current donations, it will take more past “Pathway Project” donors and some first time “Pathway Project” donors to make our goal. Thank you and please send your donation to my Kiwanis Club:
And, please do not make the check to “Friends of Copey” or to me personally. All funds will go into the TCI Kiwanis Foundation account to pay the expenses. The account will be managed by the Foundation’s Treasurer, Ms. Julie Meek, CPA. The Foundation has 501c3 status.
Finally, make plans for the big “reception” scheduled for June 15th in Abingdon, Virginia. You can let me know if you plan to join us and I will arrange for you to be placed on the list of invitees. There is still room. The guests and I certainly would enjoy having a large group of “Friends” attending to meet and greet our guests and experience first-hand their appreciation for our support.
“God Bless America…land that I love!”