2018 EOD Retreat Offerings
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We are excited to offer a variety of retreats in 2018! Please take a moment to read through the list below. We hope you find a retreat that is a good fit, and that you will apply.
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To qualify you must be a graduate of NAVSCOLEOD, dependent of an EOD warrior or immediate family member of a fallen EOD warrior.
Application links for each retreat are released 8 to 12 weeks prior to the actual retreat date. Please check the EODWF Facebook page for updates.
Active duty, retirees, veteran EOD warriors, and their families are welcome to apply.
The retreats are provided at no cost to you, but ask for a solid commitment from you, to attend, once accepted.
All retreats are kept small to ensure they are personalized and that attendees have customized and unique experience.
There are age restrictions for children on a few of the retreats; this is based on the content and safety while at the retreat. Please review the guidelines for each retreat carefully for more information.
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Transitioning from the Military?
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This year, we have updated the Resource Library by adding some new information and resources that we hope our community will find useful. Under the Education section, we added a transition guide for college military and veteran students, and under the Housing section, we added a home modification guide for disabled military veterans. We also added Gold Star Teen Adventures (GSTA) under the Gold Star Resources. If there are any EOD Gold Star teens that are interested in applying for one of their summer adventure opportunities, please apply at
gstadventures.org
directly, and GSTA will get in touch with us to coordinate.
Over the past year, I have spoken with many EOD Techs who are transitioning out of the military and looking for employment and educational opportunities. This is understandably a stressful time for them and their families, and as always, I recommend (if possible) attending your service’s Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) at your home base at least 12 months out from separation or retirement. We have added the “Commit Foundation” under the Employment section for those interested in taking their transition plan to the next level. Even if you are now out of the military and considering new horizons, the Commit Foundation can work with you. As a former career advisor and Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC), I have worked with many service members and families in identifying needs and goals in their transition plans. I urge all transitioning EOD techs and spouses to visit our Resource Library,
www.eodwarriorfoundation.org/resource_library
, with emphasis on the Transitioning Military to Veteran, Employment, and Education sections.
As your family caseworker, I am available to assist you as you transition from the military to new opportunities. Please contact me at
mike@eodwarriorfoundation.org
or (850) 255-4368 to discuss further.
Sincerely,
Mike Mack
EOD Family Caseworker
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There is nothing like the shock of cold, frigid water to start a great year! We were very excited to see three different plunges hosted by the EOD community in the first quarter of 2018, all in support of deserving EOD Warriors and their families.
The 2018 Schwartz Memorial Plunge in Cheyenne, Wyoming was the first of the three plunges this year. The plunge took place on January 27, 2018 and was a gathering of participants dressed in creative costumes including Chewbacca, narwhals, superheroes and more! In its 6
th
year, the Schwartz Memorial Plunge carries on the memory of Technical Sergeant Matthew Schwartz. To view photos from the event visit the official website at
www.schwartzmemorialplunge.com
or follow their Facebook page
HERE
.
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The second plunge took place at Turkey Creek near the EODWF’s office in Niceville, FL on February 7. Although it was not as cold as the plunge in Wyoming, our Floridian plungers were not acclimated to the cold creek waters, rendering the same feeling of intense cold that our northern friends experienced. The outside temperature was low 50’s with a cold breeze! The Penguin Plunge costumes included pageant queens and, of course, penguins! Check out the photos of the adorable costumes on the EODWF’s Facebook page
HERE
.
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Our final plunge of the season dealt with unpredictable winter weather in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The 2018 Polar Bear Plunge garnered over a 100 brave plungers. Colorful costumes ranged from a pup in wings, a hippie, and enlisted service members dressed in hula skirts. The eager plungers who came in costumes participated in a costume contest with Mary Dague as the official Plunge Marshal. Photos from the plunge are available on the official Polar Bear Plunge Facebook page
HERE
.
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The amazing coordinators who organized these events are already gearing up for next year and are ready to take them to the next level. Thank you all who came in for these events in support of the EODWF!
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Crab Zone, LLC Grand Opening
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February 1, 2018 marked the grand opening of Crab Zone, LLC in Niceville, FL. Crab Zone, LLC is owned and operated by retired Air Force EOD Warrior, Mark Fogle, who retired after 23 years of service.
Crab Zone is an EOD family owned and operated company that strives to provide a high quality and affordable line of customized clothing, accessories and personalized products to the EOD and surrounding community. A portion of every sale will be donated to the EODWF.
Crab Zone is also the official store for all EOD Warrior Foundation clothing and swag! Stop in and grab some great EODWF items today.
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To learn more about Crab Zone, LLC, visit
Facebook
for the latest updates.
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Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing at the 50th Annual EOD Ball on May 5, 2018 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Doors open at 5:00 PM and dinner is served at 6:30 PM.
We are honored to have Lieutenant General Reynold N. Hoover as this year's keynote speaker for the 50th Annual EOD Ball. Lt. Gen. Reynold N. Hoover is the Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. General Hoover is a proud EOD badge wearer. What an honor it will be to have him as our guest of honor and hear him speak this year.
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A Call to Arms for the 2018 Auction
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Dear EOD Brothers and Sisters,
The 2018 EOD Memorial Weekend is quickly approaching and it is again time to issue the “Call to Arms” requesting a donation of items for the EOD Auction. The EOD Memorial Weekend is our largest gathering of EOD family and friends and the largest fundraiser organized by the EOD Warrior Foundation (EODWF). On May 4, 2018, we will again gather to celebrate and support our united community.
This call to action goes out to all members of the EOD family; active duty, retired, prior service, their family members, and friends. Alone, the EODWF cannot fulfill its mission of Disarming Challenges for the EOD Family, but together we can provide our wounded, and fallen, and their families with the support they deserve, and ensure we always remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Please consider donating an item to be auctioned off that evening.
EOD Shops, Teams, Units, Platoons, businesses, and individuals have donated a variety of items over the years that have been incredibly successful. Some ideas include:
- Unit’s EOD Challenge Coin
- Unique display case to assemble a coin collection
- EOD paraphernalia
- EOD furniture, poker chips, poker table, trailer hitch covers, cups, mugs, etc.
- Blasting Machines (old, new, antiques, replicas)
- EOD Badges/Patches: U.S. and Foreign
- EOD Books, Publications, Pamphlets (old, new, unique – be conscious of classification)
- Explosive-related reading material – Signed by the author if possible
- EOD Gear: tools, knives, multipliers, crimpers, GPS, Oakley, Camel Backs, etc.
- Laser etched EOD Crab or service emblem into demo box
- Handcrafted EOD-related items: Quilts, Stained Glass, Wood IED clocks, Artwork
If you are unable to donate, you can still answer the call buy contacting businesses for donations that can be used at the auction. Please send donated items to the address below.
Thank you for your consideration to support the EOD Warrior Foundation. Together, as a team, we can continue to carry out the missions of the EOD Warrior Foundation and Disarm Challenges for our EOD Family.
Four Services. One Crab. We remember!
Very Respectfully,
Melissa Tackitt (EODC Ret)
EOD Memorial Care and Event Coordinator
EOD Warrior Foundation
(850) 729-2336
Ship Items and the Information Sheet, which can be found on our website under the
2018 Auction
tab, to the following address:
EOD Warrior Foundation
701 John Sims Parkway E
Suite 305
Niceville, FL 32578
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11th Annual Golf Tournament
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Registrations are for the 11
th
Annual Golf Tournament is open! To register, click the button below.
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Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click the button below to learn more about becoming a sponsor for the 11th Annual Golf Tournament.
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Join us for the 49th EOD Memorial Ceremony on May 5, 2018. The ceremony will be held across the NAVSCOLEOD on Range Road in Niceville (Bluewater Bay area), Florida.
We are honored to have the Director of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency (JIDA), Lieutenant General Michael H. Shields, as our guest speaker for the ceremony.
This year, twelve names will be placed on the EOD Memorial Wall. The fallen EOD warriors to be added made the ultimate sacrifice extending from WWII through the Gulf War. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM.
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Traveling to Niceville, FL?
106 Bayshore Drive
Niceville, Florida 32578
850-678-9131
Click the button below to take advantage of these savings!!
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4
EOD Auction – Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
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EOD Memorial Ceremony – NAVSCOLEOD, Range Road, Niceville, FL
5
Annual Crawfish Boil – Location TBD
5
50
th
EOD Ball
– Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
14
Golf Tournament at Picatinny– Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
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2018 Chris Stark Memorial 5K Run/Walk – Waynesville, MO
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1st Annual Sheppard AFB EOD Ruck/Run 5K – Sheppard AFB, TX
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13th Annual EOD Memorial Challenge
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Join us for the 13th Annual EOD Memorial Challenge!
Challenge yourself, challenge a team OR challenge another service branch for placement on the Iconic Trophy held in the NAVSCOLEOD showcase!
Packet Pick Up
: 3rd Planet (new location) Time TBD and more information to follow
Event Time line and distances
:
6:00 AM - Check in and "Day of Registration" opens
7:15 AM - Kick off event with the following challenges:
Ruck - 4.25 miles (30 lbs for men / 15 lbs for women)
*Arrive at Station 1 - drop your ruck, grab your swim gear
Swim - .5 miles (floaties, fins, assistance allowed / NO PADDLE BOARDS)
*Arrive at Station 2 - drop your swim gear, grab your running shoes
Run - 3.1 miles
*All gear dropped at Station 1 and 2 will be available at the finish line
Event concludes at LJ Schooners for awards, DJ, and refueling your carbs! Hamburgers and Hotdogs will be available to purchase for $5.00!!!
*Transportation will be available to take participants back to NAVSCOLEOD to remove their vehicles*
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It’s that time of year again! Summer is just around the corner and there is no better way to kick off the summer than to spend Memorial Day with your friends in the EOD Community. Honor those who are actively serving or have served and help raise funds for the EOD Warrior Foundation’s programs.
On May 28, 2018, we will hold the Annual EOD Warrior 5K at NTC Park in Liberty Station - San Diego. This annual 5K never fails to draw a large crowd, with last year’s crowd totally more than 1,100 participants!
Register yourself, your team, or join a team running at locations other than Liberty Station.
Early Bird Registration (only $35) ends on April 15th!
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2018 American and British EOD Charities Gala
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Save the date for the 2018 American and British EOD Charities Gala on September 15, 2018 at Lansdowne Resort and Spa. The gala is being held to raise awareness and funds for the EOD Warrior Foundation and the United Kingdom's Felix Fund - The Bomb Disposal Charity.
The gala will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Rooms have been reserved for Friday, September 14, 2018 and Saturday, September 15, 2018 for Gala guests.
- Special rate of $209 per night
- There is a kids club and a special EOD activity planned for the kids the night of the gala.
- The fitness center, yoga, tennis clinics and golf clinics are available to all guests staying at the resort and the resort is dog friendly.
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For the latest updates on events, follow us online:
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To make a donation in support of the EOD Warrior Foundation, click the button below
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