Wyakin Wyre -- July 2015

George Nickel (US Army Veteran, Wyakin Warrior alumnus, and Wyakin Director of Student and Veteran Affairs) telling his story, "Another Nickel Saved" during the June 2015 Guardian Council luncheon.  

Mike Masterson ( Former Boise Chief of Police and founder of Joining Forces for Treasure Valley Veterans) sharing his experience and support of the Wyakin Warrior Foundation.
Todd Monroe (Executive Director) discussing the Wyakin mission and goals for the future.
Message from the Executive Director
By Todd Monroe

 

 

Happy July!   And, Happy Independence Day!  As we head toward the 4th of July, I hope we will all pause to reflect on the many things we as Americans should be grateful for...especially our freedom.

 

I am also very grateful for the Wyakin Warrior Foundation and what it represents - giving back to empower those whose service and sacrifice makes our freedom a reality; and I'm grateful for the many like-minded friends and supporters of this organization's cause.  Thank you.

 

This summer we are running a pilot program called "New Warrior Orientation", whereby prospective warriors to be inducted during the December Guardian Ball and Induction Ceremony, as well as a few existing warriors, are participating in Wyakin 101 to ensure full awareness of program expectations.  The 2-month course also covers challenges and recommendations / solutions for transition into the education and corporate environments; and helps identify considerations for Wyakin staff and mentors to build the individually-tailored roadmaps for the success of each warrior.  From what I've seen and heard, the first iteration is going well and we should have many lessons learned to continue improving.  Sincere thanks to the Academy staff, key volunteers, and guest speakers / presenters who have been committed to bringing this to fruition!

 

We have recently produced 2 more Wyakin Alumni - Mischa Brady and Aaron Woods!  When you cross paths or through e-mail, please take the opportunity to congratulate these two fine young men, and role models!

 

Thanks yet again to the Boise Hawks for their enduring partnership and support of Wyakin.  During the opening series of this season, and for the fourth year in a row, a Wyakin Warrior was invited to throw out the first pitch.  This year Meagan Brown did the honors, and brought her impressive heater!  We look forward to continuing to develop and deepen our partnership with this Boise icon.

 

I'm very excited to announce that later this month we will again host a Department of Defense VIP visit - recall the recent visit from Admiral Michelle Howard, Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO).  This time, as part of the Chief of Naval Operation's Executive Engagement Visit initiative, for the purpose of conducting multi-day outreach engagements in U.S. cities by Navy leaders including engagements with corporate executives, government officials, education leaders, civic groups, veteran's organizations and media.  The Navy leader to visit Boise is Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and a personal friend.  He requested Boise due to his connections with several Wyakin staff and volunteers.  We have played a significant role in shaping his visit to meet CNO's objectives as well as better familiarize him with the Wyakin Warrior Foundation.  Stay tuned.

 

Finally, we are honored to have three teammates (David Maxwell, Tommy Montgomery, and George Nickel) participating in this year's first annual "Veterans Charity Ride" to Sturgis, SD, which will culminate in the 75th Annual Sturgis Rally!  The veteran riders are using this opportunity to enlighten fellow veterans that there are many good people, groups and organizations in our great Nation that care about them and want to support veterans, especially those coming back from deployments where they were wounded or severely injured.  Wyakin is one of the handful of these featured organizations, and we are proud to be a part of this great American event!

 

This month's emphasis from the Wyakin governance philosophy is:  Enjoyment:  Attitude is everything.  If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.  We will have to deal with many challenges we may not like, but while "the pain may be mandatory, the suffering is optional."

 

Wishing you all the best, and with gratitude!

 

Pride and Professionalism!


 

~ Todd

VETERANS CHARITY RIDE TO STURGIS
By Roy Ledesma, Director of Operations

The Wyakin Warrior Foundation has been selected as one of the charities benefiting from the 1st Annual "Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis" (July 27th to August 9th).  This event, intended to raise support for severely wounded and injured veterans, will offer a group of former military service members, including three Wyakin Warriors (George Nickel, David Maxwell, and Tommy Montgomery), the opportunity to ride from Los Angeles to Sturgis, South Dakota just in time for the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  More than a dozen veterans, from various military branches and of varying ages, will participate in the week-long motorcycle journey.

 

The group will spend six days riding spectacular scenic back roads and exploring some of America's greatest national treasures including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capital Reef National Park, The Arches and Moab, Utah. From Utah the group will continue their journey through the Colorado National Monument, Hahn's Peak Colorado and Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming, arriving in Sturgis on Sunday, August 2nd.

 

The entire journey will be captured by Emmy award winning director Robert Manciero and his production company Full Vision Productions. "Our team will also be using an interactive media platform that will enable fellow veterans, Indian Riders, motorcycle enthusiasts and the general public to follow the riders and campaign in real-time interacting with the veterans on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We hope to achieve a sense of community, involvement, and unity among the group while encouraging other Veterans to join us on this adventure," said Robert Manciero.

 

For more information on the Wyakin Warrior Foundation, or to make a supporting donation, visit the Wyakin Warrior Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis website at:

https://wwfsturgis.afrogs.org/#/index 

 

For more details about the campaign, videos and specifics of the route and excursions, visit the Veterans Charity Ride official website at:
www.veteranscharityride.org

Two New Warrior Alumni 
By Scott Tagg, Academy Director
Wyakin Warrior Alumni
Mischa Brady
Class of 2013

Mischa recently graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor's degree in History, and is currently planning on starting a Master's degree in either Social Work or Library Science in the fall.  Mischa is heavily involved with Capital City Post 63 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was recently elected as Post Commander, making him one of the youngest Post Commanders in the country.

Wyakin Warrior Alumni

Aaron Woods

Class of 2013

 

Aaron recently graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, and has accepted a job offer from Lockheed Martin in San Diego, California as an associate engineer.  Aaron will be starting his new job on July 6th.  Aaron is also starting his Master's degree in Computer Science at San Diego State University this September.  

Community Service Project
By Scott Tagg, Academy Director

Wyakin Warrior Aaron Woods presented his Community Service Project on June 24th.  Aaron's project was in support of the City of Boise Parks & Recreation Department efforts to enhance the Idaho Birding Trail along the Boise Greenbelt.

 

Aaron Woods and Todd Monroe
Aaron Woods
Jerry Pugh, Community Programs Coordinator describ ed Aaron's project: "The Boise Parks & Recreation Department has historically been pretty good about working with the community to enhance wildlife habitat, including the installation of bird boxes. However, we haven't been real good about keeping track of what we have and meeting their ongoing maintenance needs. Last fall we determined that we needed to get a better handle on the bird boxes that are installed on park property and Aaron's efforts allowed us to t ake a giant leap forward toward achieving this goal.   In total Aaron inventoried a 2 mile stretch of the Boise River Greenbelt, removing all  the bird boxes he found. He refurbished the boxes and reinstalled them in a more concentrated area. Having the boxes more concentrated and mapped out, via the map he provided, will make it much easier to keep track of the boxes and manage their upkeep. We are very grateful for the work Aaron Woods put into the project. He was a pleasure to work with, and we wish him nothing but success going forward."

 

Congratulations Aaron on a successful Community Service project and giving back to the Community.

 

 Congratulations to Wyakin Warrior Class of 2014 Antonio Delatorre on his wedding Saturday, June 20th, 2015.

 

Pictured L to R: Wyakin Warrior Foundation Executive Director Todd Monroe, Foundation President Jeff Bacon, Kayla & Antonio Delatorre, and his Community Mentor Jeff Pierose (photo by Bruce Bates)

 

Second Quarter 2015 Donors

Sincere thanks to ALL donors who contributed during the second quarter of 2015. 

 

Our philosophy is simple...with partners like you, we're changing the lives of brave men and women who've served and sacrificed.  

It's our turn...and we couldn't do it without you!

 

Special thanks to those who gave second-quarter major gifts in the amount of $1000 or more....

 

Adrenaline Truck Performance

Axiom Fitness

Dayton Truck Parts, LLC

Robert Donnelly

Dorman Products

The Gibney Family Foundation

Bruce Green

Kevin Guth

 Julius C. Jeker Foundation, Inc. 

JP Morgan Chase Foundation

L&H Threaded Rods Corporation

Long Island Truck Parts

Louisville Auto Spring & Brake Company, Inc.

Meritor, Inc.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Northeast Truck and Trailer

Oppenheimer Companies, Inc.

Phillips Industries

Point Spring & Driveshaft Company

Razoo Foundation

Stone Truck Parts

Southern Wine & Spirits Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Union Pacific Foundation

 

Seeking Community Service Opportunities 
for Warriors
By Scott Tagg, Academy Director

 

One of the six tenets of the Wyakin Warrior Foundation program is completion of a Community Service Project. The intent of the Community Service Project is to give back to the community that has been supportive of our efforts, along with having the warrior work with other groups and increasing their project management and leadership skills. Some of the already completed Community Service Projects have been with other non-profits, groups, and schools.

 

There are several warriors looking for potential Community Service Projects. If your group has a potential project for a warrior to consider, please send an email to Scott Tagg, Wyakin Academy Director at scotttagg@wyakin.org or Jo Ann Daron, Director of Community and Volunteer Services at daron@wyakin.org

 - -
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - -
The Boise Hawks Baseball Club

 

Thank you to the Boise Hawks for their support to the Wyakin Warrior Foundation the past four years in allowing one of our student veterans to throw out the first pitch during the season opening series.

This year's first pitch was thrown by Wyakin Warrior Meagan Brown!!
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Roy Ledesma, Robin Rausch (Touchmark, Public Relations), Matt Hoskins (Touchmark, Executive Director), Todd Monroe

Touchmark at Meadow Lake Village

 

Thank you to Touchmark for their generous support and donation to the Wyakin Warrior Foundation during their recent Classic Car Show! 

 

Touchmark at Meadow Lake Village

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Phillips Industries, Inc.
Mike Kuypers, Wyakin San Diego team member, speaks about Wyakin at the Phillips Industries annual sales rep meeting in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

Mike Kuypers with Pete Joy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Phillips.
 
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Wyakin Warrior Volunteers

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

 

Thank you to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival for their support of the Wyakin Warrior Foundation and allowing us to volunteer during the production of The Tempest.  It was a great community service event and allowed us another opportunity to educate the Boise community on the Wyakin cause.

 

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The Lab Boise

 

Thank you to the Lab Boise for their July Promotion. Military Veterans will receive FREE training for the month and they will donate $5 to the Wyakin Warrior Foundation for each person that comes into the Lab.
- -UPCOMING EVENTS- -

Professional Development Seminars

 

July 14

Scott Summerlin 

The Principal Group

Financial Management for Wyakin Warriors and Families

 

August 4 

BSU Academic Advising

Getting ready to start/going back to school

 

Organizational Events

    

June - July 2015

New Warrior Orientation

BSU Veterans Services Center

 

July 16 

1oo Year Anniversary Snake River Stampede Rodeo

Ford Idaho Center, Nampa ID

 

July 27 - August 2 

1st Annual Veteran's Charity Ride to Sturgis' 75th Annual Motorcycle Rally 

Los Angeles, CA to Sturgis, SD

 

August 26 - 29

Great American Trucking Show

Dallas, TX 

 

September 8- 9 

Hire Heroes USA Workshop

Friendship Square, 610 Reserve Street, Boise, ID
 

September 15 - 16

Idaho Statewide Non-Profit Conference

Boise, ID

 

October 14-15

Stronger Families Seminar

Friendship Square, 610 Reserve Street, Boise, ID

 

December 5

4th Annual Guardian Ball and Induction Ceremony

Boise Center, Boise ID

 

- - COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD - -
 
Snake River Shooting Products would like to inform and invite all of you to the Patriot Tour coming to Boise August 22, 2015.  It will be held at the Egyptian Theatre.  Speakers will include Marcus Luttrell of Lone Survivor and Taya Kyle, widow of The American Sniper Chris Kyle.  The Patriot Tour would love to fill the venue with Law Enforcement and Military personnel.

Corporate Address:  9249 W. Bay Stream Ct.  Garden City, ID  83714

Mailing Address:  PO Box 9924 * Boise, ID  83707 

Administrative Office:  208-853-6001  *  Wyakin Academy: 1-888-992-5469

 

info@wyakin.org  * www.wyakin.org

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