The Commander of the 6th District, Brian McGuinness, recently announced that the 6th District will hold its 1st Annual Armed Forces Day Ball on the evening of Saturday, May 14th, 2022, at the California State Railroad Museum, in Sacramento. The proceeds from this black-tie gala will benefit the American Legions Operation Comfort Warriors program, which the 6th District has designated as one its primary programs. Operation Comfort Warriors ( OCW ) provides items that aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemembers and veterans whether they are recovering in military hospitals, transition units and VA medical centers, or at their home. OCW grant items have ranged from socks, clothes, video games, arts and crafts, televisions, iPads, sporting equipment, winter kits and food for homeless veterans, rehabilitation equipment such a recumbent bikes or elliptical work out systems, even tickets to ball games, and much more.
Recently when asked, Past National Commander James Koutz, who was and still is one the driving forces behind Operation Comfort Warriors, “Why do we still need to do this?” His response was “OCW is something we have to do. Because it’s taking care of our troops, we are always going to have injured troops and veterans that need help. The VA hospitals are not going to buy them comfort items. But The American Legion can.”
The ball will feature mirrored prime rib buffets, live music, a silent auction at the event, as well as a secrete silent auction online prior to the event, which features items to big bring in the front doors. (2) fully stocked bars, and the 6th District American Legion Auxiliary, is working on a Craft Beer tasting table. If you do not feel like dancing, that is ok. The entire museum belongs to the American Legion and her guests for the evening you are free to wonder the entire facility and check out all the fantastic exhibits.
Tickets for this event will go on sale on December 1, 2021, the price for an individual ticket will be between $65. & $ 70. Ea. Reserved tables of 8 are also available for $ 500.00. There are also other reserved tables at higher levels, each with special benefits. You will be able to order your tickets online at www.sacmb.com starting December 1, 2021, as well as make hotel reservations with our partner hotel. If you would like to be placed on the email blast for this event, or would like additional information, please email us at sacmb2022@gmail.com.
About Operation Comfort Warriors
As the war in Afghanistan winds down, U.S. military personnel are coming home where they join other recent veterans who served in Iraq. Many of these servicemembers have left the battlefield only to be faced with a new fight: a struggle to overcome the mental and physical wounds suffered during deployment. Those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are returning home in unprecedented numbers. In fact, the Army has said that up to 20 percent of the men and women who served in Afghanistan or Iraq have suffered TBI.
Even as the wars conclude, those in the military still face inherent dangers while fighting the global war on terrorism, during training exercises and while performing other dangerous duties.
While the care at many military hospitals and warrior transition units is extraordinary, The American Legion’s Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program was created to provide “nonessentials” – items that help wounded warriors’ recovery but don’t usually show up as a budget line on government spreadsheets.
Author: caLegion Contributor
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