Gearing Up For PMF Gala!

Our "Red, White and You Gala..An Evening Under the Stars" is just around the corner...September 21st. Pleasanton Military Families is putting on the Gala to raise money for our care package program. We are getting our silent auction baskets ready, deciding on our raffle prizes and excited about making our orchid centerpieces. Last year's gala was indeed a beautiful outdoor event and we are hoping for a sold out event this year. Barone's Restaurant in Pleasanton is hosting the event from 6-10 pm with a live band, dancing, and 4 course salmon or steak dinner. 


$100 Tickets are available at www.pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org

Two Green Berets Killed in Afghanistan August 21, 2019

Horrible news out of Afghanistan. One of our PMF families has a son serving in Afghanistan on his 13th deployment -- he knew these two fine men. It is a grave loss to him and to all who knew, loved and served with them.

Two U.S. Special Forces soldiers were killed August 21 2019 in Afghanistan. 

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command has released their names 

24 hours after their families were notified. 

The two men were Master Sgt. Luis F. Deleon-Figueroa, 31, and Master Sgt. Jose J. Gonzalez, 35. 

They were both assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 

or 7th SFG (A), stationed out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"Our priority is to now provide the best possible care to the families of our fallen warriors" 

said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th SFG (A) commander. 

"We ask that you keep their families and teammates in your thoughts and prayers."

Both soldiers were posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant, 

and Deleon-Figueroa was also awarded the Bronze Star, given to 

U.S. Armed Forces members for heroism, and the Purple Heart, 

awarded to service members who are wounded or killed while serving.

Happy Independence Day America!

Our care packages mailed June 4th have arrived! We have received great letters of thanks from those away from home on the 

4th of July so that we can 

enjoy freedom at home...

To the Pleasanton Military Families,

Thank you for the care package you shipped to LCDR Chris Bjornnes.  I am currently with him on board USS RONALD REAGAN, and he's been very generous in sharing your gifts.  

Hearing support from folks back home provides a genuine and instantaneous morale boost to the crew.  There are Sailors all over the ship who start to beam after catching a glimpse of packages.  And for those who didn't have something coming this time (myself included), groups like you win the day.

It is a privilege and honor to serve and your kindness makes it even better.  Much appreciated.

Semper fortis,

LT Rik Andrews
Task Force Deputy JAG

Hey Aunt Barbara,

I apologize for not emailing sooner. I have had back to back courts martial for awhile now, and I have been traveling way too much.  But I wanted to reach out and thank you for the care packages. My paralegal and I received them, and it was really fun for us. It made us feel like the people back home were thinking of us. I know for my paralegal, he has been having a pretty rough time away from his family. They definitely made him smile. They were very special. Please pass on our gratitude to the people involved putting those boxes together. Again, I appreciate it, and I am sorry it has taken this long for me to write.

Anywho, sending my love.

Hello,
I just wanted to thank all of you for the amazing care packages you mailed to our son Joe Urban! He’s currently on deployment on the USS Abe Lincoln, and was very surprised. Joe said receiving mail is a group event, so it brought fun and excitement to his buddies as well!

He emailed us to say thanks, so I wanted to pass it along. The 4th of July toys/goodies were a hit for all of them! Also, they enjoyed reading the letters from the kids.

This event is so great for the troops, but also the families! It warms my heart to know strangers are praying, supporting and going out of their way to give my son a gift that has value beyond the actual items! 

My daughter and I were able to help with the “pack out,” and were amazed with the amount of work, desire and joy so many had to do put this together!

We are truly thankful, and hope to see you for the gala and the next pack out! 

Joan and Mike Urban



And finally... a letter with great photos from a deployed unit opening their surprise packages....

Dear Azi,

Thank you and the Pleasanton Military Families for these packages. I have passed the packages to 5 separate platoons in our company evenly. So many times I've heard these Soldiers say," this made my day" or " I can't believe this". I cannot express the appreciation I have for you and what you all do . You have lifted the spirits of my guys up and I'm sure receiving these packages is a story they will tell later down the line.

Here are a few photos that came out decently that were taken by my guys of them opening these packages .

 

Heart Breaking News About West Point Cadet

This news I saw on TV tonight just breaks my heart...and all of our hearts. We do not know the reason why the West Point Military training vehicle overturned but it did and many others were injured. Let us pray for this young man's family and for the heart of America who is mourning a great great loss.

The lone cadet to die in a violent rollover crash near the U.S. Military Academy in West Point that hurt nearly two dozen others, including two U.S. Army soldiers, has been identified as 22-year-old Christopher Morgan from New Jersey.

Morgan, of West Orange, New Jersey, was a law and legal studies major, and a member of the Army Wrestling Team. West Point wrestling Coach Kevin Ward said Morgan was "a talented, hardworking, and determined athlete who loved his sport" and said the team was "devastated."

The tactical vehicle overturned around 6:45 a.m. as it was headed to a land navigation site as part of standard summer cadet training. Two soldiers and 19 other cadets -- all from the class of 2020 -- were injured. Williams said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

West Point cadets will hold a vigil to honor Morgan on Friday evening. A memorial ceremony for the West Point community and private funeral service will be held at the academy next week.

219 Care Packages Shipped To Beloved Troops

This week, Pleasanton Military Families joyfully dropped 219 care packages at the Sunol Post office for troops stationed all over the world. Thanks to all the packers and donors for making this possible!

Chris Miller, Dennis Colvin, Connie Teshara, Duane and John...

Azi taking photo.

Peaceful Remembrance

... a very beautiful look at the essence of our Memorial Day Ceremony in Pleasanton last month.

Getting Ready for our next "Adopt a Care Package" Event!

At PMF we are getting geared up for our next Adopt A Box event at the Pleasanton 

Farmer's Market, May 18th. 

We staff a booth near Main Street on Angela and invite shoppers to donate $20.00 - $40.00 to help us fill and mail military care packages around the world...here we are at past events...I'll let you know it goes :-)

log onto www.pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org if you want to make a donation anytime.
Thanks!