February 2024 Newsletter

A Salute to Our Heroes Foundation

Newsletter

February 2024

A Letter of Gratitude

As we approach 2024 and the celebration of our 5th Anniversary, we cannot help but be thankful for the generous monetary donations from our donors, businesses, philanthropy groups, family, friends, golfers, and volunteers for the success that we have achieved.

The money that the Spc. Ethan J Martin Scholarship has received from your donation has enabled us to provide needed continuing education to our young adults within the Kane County community to further their education, build self-esteem in a positive environment in creating a better future. Your support makes it possible for children of veterans to pursue their educational and vocational endeavors (at Universities, Junior Colleges and/or Trade Schools).

A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation scholarship program could not exist without the generosity of individuals like you!

We invite you to join us at our 5th Anniversary Golf Outing on Friday, June 7, 2024, which will be held at Bowes Creek Country Club in Elgin, IL. You will have the opportunity to be surrounded by the men and women who have served our country, a day filled with joy and laughter and camaraderie including our patriotic flare.

Registration opens March 1, 2024. To register go out to our website at: asalutetoourheroes.com or call us at 224-600-3318.

Registration fills up fast!

Thank you for your years of support and a better future!

Thank you,

Dona A. Stretch

Founder / CEO

A Salute To Our Heroes Inc. Foundation

Spc. Ethan J Martin Scholarship Board

9N850 Channel Court

Elgin, IL 60124

Not-for-profit 501(c)(3)

www.asalutetoourheroes.com

2024 Honorees

It is with great pride and honor we announce that

“A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation”

5th Anniversary

2024 VETERAN honorees will be

Mary Arvidson & Jim Creighton

ISCM Mary J. Arvidson (Retired)

Intelligence Specialist Master Chief Mary Arvidson served in the Army 1973-1978.

Signal analyst and assigned to operational stations in Virginia and Germany. Ten years later ISCM Arvidson continued in her work as an Intelligence Analyst first at Glenview Naval Air Station and then at Fort Sheridan, IL. Advancing rank to Senior Chief and was assigned and was Command Senior Chief for the Midwest Reserve Intelligence in Washington, D.C. Naval Intelligence Post 9-11 for one year. In 2003 she was promoted to Master Chief and then in 2005 she was assigned as the Enlisted Training Program Coordinator for the Navy Reserve Intelligence Command. In 2008 Master Chief Arvidson returned to active duty of Defense Intelligence Agency Navy Element. After a three-year tour there she served as the Reserve Liaison for Deputy Director for Intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J2) for one year

before retiring from the US Navy in 2012.

Awards: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medals, and National Defense Service medals.

Graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago- majoring in Criminal Justice. She is retired from the North Suburban Emergency Communications Center where she served as a Computer Specialist and now spends her time sounding Taps at military funerals and at A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation annual golf outing, researching genealogy, and generally having fun with her family-which is getting bigger all the time.

MOS Jim Creighton –(Retired) E4 Corporal

Jim Creighton, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999-2003, is a current police officer for the South Elgin Police Department. Jim’s MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was 0311 (Infantry). However, he was selected to have the unique opportunity to become a World-Famous Body Bearer with Bravo Company at 8 th and I Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Jim earned his black and gold and the title WFBB and during his four years, he had the honor and privilege of carrying the casket and folding the flag for 575 Marines at Arlington National Cemetery. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim’s rank was an E4 Corporal. He then went over with his security clearance and worked in Baghdad, Iraq as a civilian contractor from 2005-2006.

He has been a police officer with the South Elgin PD for 17 years. Throughout the years, he has been assigned various positions including Patrol, School Resource Officer (SRO) at SEHS, Detective, and Community Relations/Crime Prevention officer. Jim serves as the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) Chapter 204 Union President and is a negotiator on the Kane County SWAT team. In addition, he is a member of the SEPD Honor Guard as well as the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association (KCCOPA) Honor Guard.

Jim has been blessed with a servant’s heart and dedicates much of his time and passion to various organizations that are near and dear to his heart. He supports A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation, Operation Warrior Wishes and True Patriots Care, both groups dedicated to supporting and honoring veterans and first responders. He is a lead advocate for the Law Enforcement Torch Run that benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois. It was during a Polar Plunge that he met his wife. Jim works with the Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a group that provides support to officers killed in the line of duty. In addition, Jim is a bagpiper in the Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society – Chicago Police Department, a band whose ultimate mission is to honor the fallen.

Jim credits his wife Melisa and their son Aidan for their unwavering love and support in all he does.

Specialist Ethan J. Martin Scholarship Fund

A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation Scholarship Fund of Elgin, Illinois is offering a scholarship opportunity to children of veterans or individuals who have an immediate family member (mother, father, grandparent, or sibling) who is a veteran or on active military duty for the United States. Applicant(s) must reside in Kane County and be a high school senior, college student or adult entering studies for a degree or trade.

Applicants may request an application in the high school counselor's office or by email at [email protected] starting January 8, 2024.

Scholarships awarded will be granted directly to the named accredited college/university or trade school. The application submission deadline is April 15, 2024, and scholarship(s) will be awarded on May 3, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 224-600-3318 or email us at: [email protected]

2024 A Salute To Our Heroes

5TH ANNIVERSARY Golf Outing Brochure

Click the link below to download and share this year's golf outing brochure:

2024 A Salute To Our Heroes Golf Outing Brochure

A Special Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors & Donors

On behalf of A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation, we would personally like to thank all our Sponsors and Donors for their gracious donations to the Specialist Ethan J. Martin Scholarship Fund for helping Veterans and their families in 2023.

A SALUTE TO OUR HEROES THANKS OUR 2023 SPONSORS AND DONORS

Purple Heart Sponsor

Medal of Honor Sponsor

Gold Star Sponsor

Eric & Karin Nosal

McGrath Honda of St. Charles

PetroChoice

Silver Star Sponsor

Country Financial

Craft Urban of Geneva

Team Installers

Jim Leyden

John Castaneda Law Firm

National University of Health Science

State Representative Anna Moeller

Toppel Plumbing Inc.

Senator Richard Dewitt Republican Party

Bronze Sponsor

Ascension St. Joseph of Elgin

Fox Valley Shooting Range

HWH Environmental

Edwin Crego

Canteen Sponsor

Riverside Pizza & Pub

Senator Cristine Castro

The Graceful Ordinary

McGrath Nissan

Tee Sign Sponsor

Baird and Warner – Valerie Pierobon

Brilliance Subaru of Elgin

Carey Travel Express

Danny’s Pizza

Edwin Crego

Elite Printing & Promotions

First Federal Savings

HD Supply – George & Kerri Gaspari

Kane County Republican Party

Law Office of Douglas J. Scheflow

Mad Batter Bakery & Confections

Universal Marketing

Village Squire of South Elgin

Blain’s Farm and Fleet

Elgin Insta Print

Symonds – Madison Funeral Home

Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog Insurance Agency

Lauderdale Electric

Associated Imaging Specialists

Sponsor a Veteran

Linda Hefferin

Toppel Plumbing Inc.

Symonds – Madison Funeral Home

Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog Insurance Agency

Lauderdale Electric

Associated Imaging Specialists

Other Sponsors and Donors

Ace Ziegler Hardware

Alexandra Mikos

American Legion Riders Post 57 Elgin

Anvil Club

Arrow Head Golf Course

Ascension St. Joseph Hospital Elgin

Associated Imaging Specialists

Baird and Warner – Valerie Pierobon

Barrel & Rye

Bartlett Golf Course

Blain’s Farm and Fleet

Bleuroot

Booker’s Bar & Grill

Bowes Creek Country Club

Brilliance Subaru of Elgin

The Burger Local

Café Roma

Carey Travel Express

Copper Fox

Cosco

Country Financial

Craft Urban of Geneva

Culver’s – South Elgin

Danny’s Pizza

Davis Family

Deborah Peterson

Dr. Deborah Growth – South Elgin Vet Clinic

Dr. Savitha Susarla

Edwin Crego

Elgin Insta Print

Elgin Police Department

Elite Printing & Promotions

Eric & Karin Nosal

Family Chiropractic

First Federal Savings

Fox Fire Restaurant – Chef KC

Fox Valley Shooting Range

Gia Mia Geneva

Gia Mia Naperville

Gia Mia St. Charles

Gia Mia Wheaton

Grumpy Goat Tavern

Gudino Family

Hawk’s View Golf Course – Lake Geneva

HD Supply – George & Kerri Gaspari

Hit Strength

HWH Environmental

Incontro A Tavola

Jack and Diane Saylors

Jack Cunningham

Jacquie Swanson

Jersey Mike’s Subs – South Elgin

Jewel – Dundee

Jewel -South Elgin

Jewel – St. Charles

Jewel – Elgin

Jill Hoppe

Jim Leyden

Jimmy’s Charhouse Elgin/Libertyville

John & Susan Ortega

John Castaneda Law Firm

Johnny’s Supper Club

Kane County Republican Party

Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog Insurance Agency

KK Konishi

Lauderdale Electric

Laura DeBrocke

Law Office of Douglas J. Scheflow

Linda Hefferin

Livia

Maccinos

Mad Batter Bakery & Confections

Mayor Dave Kaptain

McGrath Honda of St. Charles

McGrath Nissan

Michael Kenyon

Nancy Gentile

National University of Health Science

Niko’s

Noe & Ari Janus

Otter Creek Wine and Spirits

Patriotic Professional Women’s Group

Paul’s Restaurant

PetroChoice

Premier Living

Preservation Bread & Wine

Quilts of Valor Foundation

Randall Oaks Golf Course

Reams Meat Market – Elburn

Riverside Pizza & Pub

Sammy’s Mexican Grill

Senator Cristine Castro

Senator Richard Dewitt Republican Party

St. Andrew’s Golf Course

State Representative Anna Moeller

StretchLab Thornwood

Symonds – Madison Funeral Home

Team Installers

Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy

Culinary Fox Café and Caterers

The Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club

The Graceful Ordinary

The Highlands

The Royal Wren

The Royal Wren’s Nest – Geneva

Timber Pointe Golf Club

Toppel Plumbing Inc.

Universal Marketing

Village Squire of South Elgin

Wayne and Jeanette Russell

Wheaton Park District

A Salute To Our Heroes Foundation | asalutetoourheroes.com