Take me out to the ball game!

Alas, the kids are going back to school and the days are getting shorter. The idea that the long carefree days of summer will only be here for a few more weeks is kind of a downer. BUT there’s still some summer left! 🙂 Spend some extra time in the pool and out in the sun. We also have some great baseball games coming up for our families!

We have tickets to the Padres vs. San Francisco Giants game on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 5th @ 1:05pm as well as an Anaheim Angels vs. NY Yankees game on Friday, Sept. 9th. @ 7pm. Some awesome teams and a great way to close out the summer! Please contact Shana @ Shana@gotyourbacknetwork.org if you would like to attend.

Below is a great photo on the field at our last Padres game. It was tons of fun!!

LT Martin Fajardo will run 30 hours from 9/10 – 9/11 to help support Got Your Back Network!

I am an active duty Navy Officer with over 20 years of service. I am going to be running for 30 hours from 2:46am 9/10/11 to 8:46 am 9/11/11 to honor those service members and pay tribute to the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and all who have given their life since that day. If you would like to support my effort please visit www.gotyourbacknetwork.org and make a small donation or purchase a bracelet, shirt, hat or pin to help the families of our fallen heroes.

– LT Martin Fajardo 

Widows of Fallen Soldiers and “Got Your Back Network” participate in the ZOOMA run in Colorado Springs, on Sunday, July 17th

“Got Your Back Network” (GYBN), www.gotyourbacknetwork.org, is the primary charity of the ZOOMA run event in Colorado Springs, CO on July 17th, 2011. Executives from ZOOMA expect to have thousands of runners participating in the event on Sunday. Among the runners will be several widows of fallen soldiers who will be participating in the event.

GYBN is reaching out to runners, military organizations, NGOs and defense companies to ask people to register to participate at the ZOOMA run event in Colorado Springs, CO on July 16 and 17th, 2011. You can register at www.gotyourbacknetwork.org by clicking on the ZOOMA icon. On June 16th there is pre-race registration, race packet pickup and marketplace expo at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. The running event is on Sunday, July 17th with running distances of 10 K and a half marathon. The ZOOMA after-party expo will be held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort after the runs. Please check the www.zoomarun.com website for more information.

If you have any questions please contact me at rebaldwin1@verizon.net or calling me at 717-305-0159.

Thanks, Roy

President

GYBN

ZOOMA run, Annapolis MD

“Got Your Back Network” (GYBN), www.gotyourbacknetwork.org,  is the primary charity of the ZOOMA run event in Annapolis, MD. Executives from ZOOMA expect to have 4000 runners participating in the event on Sunday. Among the runners will be several widows of fallen soldiers who will participating in the event. Dr. Vivianne Wersel, a widow from the DC Metro area, will be running on Sunday. She has had help in training for the event through her training “buddy”, Cori Koch, who works for Under Armour in Baltimore, MD.GYBN is reaching out to military organizations, NGOs and defense companies to ask for volunteers to help out with the ZOOMA run event in Annapolis, MD on June 4 and 5th, 2011. On June 4th there is pre-race registration, race packet pickup and marketplace expo at the Sheraton, Annapolis, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. The running event is on Sunday, June 5th with running distances of 1.5 miles, 10 K and a half marathon. The ZOOMA after-party expo will be held at the End Zone of the Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium after the runs. Please check the www.zoomarun.com website for more information.

Below is a short contribution from Meghan Shepard, another widow of a fallen soldier who will be running on Sunday:

“On Sunday, you can find me somewhere in between the winner of the race and the sag wagon. I won’t be alone though. I’ll be running side-by-side with my mom and many other inspirational women. No matter what, I know that someone has “got my back”. This organization allows us to celebrate the lives of our heroes, which is pivotal to our healing journey. The journey, too, is analogous to the miles we put on the pavement- some easy and others not so much- as we train for and complete the Zooma race.  I’ve been training for the half marathon this year with an expectation to have fun! The hard work is behind me (18 miles last Saturday!) and the heat is in front of me. My main goal is to own the Naval Academy Bridge and to embrace the challenges that accompany each mile. I hope to encourage others to keep running, just as they will encourage me.  It might not be pretty, but I will finish. This week is a time to celebrate our hard work.  I’ll be participating in Zooma’s Girls Night Out and Got Your Back Network’s pre-party. If you see me at either event, then please, let’s celebrate and give a “cheers” to the men and women who serve our great country.” 

If you have any questions please contact me at rebaldwin1@verizon.net or calling me at 717-305-0159.

Thanks, Roy

President

GYBN

Nominate Your Hometown Hero!!

Please read this article by KyXy 96.5 about an upcoming event we are so excited to be a part of at the 2011 San Diego County Fair. Nominate your hometown hero San Diego, and help give back to those who have helped you!
http://kyxy.radio.com/2011/05/23/nominate-your-hometown-hero-2/

China Schools Hat Day

Students and staff at the China schools in China, Maine, support Got Your Back Network by wearing hats! China Primary and China Middle schools raised $283 on April 15, 2011.

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Hot off the Press!

AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH GOT YOUR BACK NETWORK
FOR AMERICAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGO

LCDR ANDREW BALDWIN’S GOT YOUR BACK NETWORK WILL HONOR
MILITARY FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN AT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

SAN DIEGO, CA – The American Freedom Foundation announces a new partnership with LCDR Andrew Baldwin’s Got Your Back Network at the 2ND  annual American Freedom Festival San Diego presented by SKYDEX to be held on May 28 at 7:30 p.m. aboard the USS Midway Museum.  The annual fundraising event  features Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins with special guest, the U.S. Army’s own, Rena Marie Cunningham.  In support of their mission, AFF and Got Your Back Network will recognize and acknowledge 10 families who have lost loved ones while serving our country. A very special ceremony is planned to take place during the evening.

For more information, please call (619) 398-8241 www.midway.org/freedom or  www.americanfreedomfoundation.org

If you are a spouse of our fallen please reach out to shanaksmith@yahoo.com for VIP tickets.

2nd Annual American Freedom Festival

We’re excited to announce another very special event! Families of our fallen heroes will be honored guests at The 2nd Annual American Freedom Festival aboard the USS Midway in San Diego on May 28th, kicking off Memorial Day weekend. The concert will be held on the flight deck overlooking beautiful San Diego Bay. Kenny Loggins will be performing and our very own Dr. Andy Baldwin will be speaking. As well as receiving VIP tickets to the event, families will be treated to a tour beforehand. This should be amazing as the USS Midway is a spectacular aircraft carrier and a legend in and of itself! This event is made possible by a partnership with the American Freedom Foundation, headed by the wonderful Ted Hacker and SMA (retired) Jack L. Tilley.

If you are a spouse of our fallen please reach out to shanaksmith@yahoo.com for VIP tickets.

Announcing our Third Annual Martinis & Makeover Event!

The Martinis and Makeover Event is a wonderful evening to relax, have fun and honor the widows of many of our fallen heroes. The night will be filled with pampering by Saks Fifth Avenue, Georgetown Cupcake, music, a silent auction and of course with some special signature Martinis sponsored by Patrons Ultimat Vodka!

All proceeds from the Martinis and Makeover Event supports programs and events for the families of our fallen soldiers,hosted by The Got Your Back Network, a 501(c)(3) organization.

We’re counting on your support, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the efforts of The Got Your Back Network and make a difference in the lives of our families of our fallen.

If you are a spouse of our fallen please reach out to kathleen@gotyourbacknetwork.org for VIP tickets.

Please view our Facebook invitation.

www.gotyourbacknetwork.org

LVN2BWELL was a success!

Wellness week in St. Louis was a success! The big hit on opening day was Yoga Booty Ballet, sounds interesting… I want to try! 🙂 Lynne Ernst, a loyal GYBN volunteer helped out at our booth. Dr. Baldwin’s father Roy, President of Got Your Back, was also at the event to help promote health and wellness and raise awareness for GYBN. Thanks and great job folks!