Episode 1931: Sons of the Flag

Task Force Director, Chad Gruver, and Texas Task Force Member, Justin Beamis, begin today's podcast with a quick rundown of recent FOOLs events, Red River Throwdown and Chesapeake Fire Conference, and our largest fundraiser of the year: SOTF Stars & Stripes Luncheon and Film Festival.  At our annual luncheon, we recognize an American Veteran who's spent their life serving this great nation with the Sons of the Flag Legacy Award. This year, we honored a man who's defended America's freedoms behind enemy lines and upon returning home devoted himself to helping other returing Veterans struggling with PTSD, the Honorable Allen B. Clark.

After attending Phillips Exeter Academy, Allen graduated the United States Military Academy in 1963, after which he was commissioned in the Army Corps of Engineers. Two years after graduation from West Point, he volunteered for a tour in Vietnam where he served as a Military Intelligence officer assigned to the Fifth Special Forces Group.  Allen sustained injuries in an early-morning mortar attack at the Dak To Special Forces camp on June 17, 1967, that necessitated the amputation of both legs below his knees.  His military service and sacrifice were recognized with receipt of a Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was airborne-qualified.

Sons of the Flag is a nonprofit organization supporting military, first responders, and civilian burn survivors by providing funding for innovative research.

More: https://www.sonsoftheflag.org/