News and Updates
News
Thousands of miles to better housing for aging veterans
On Dec. 5, Rick Heppard and Bobby Brooks, better known as Running for Heroes, will run the 2021 EOD Warrior Holiday Dash 7K, Half and Full Marathon on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in D.C. It will be their 12th marathon this calendar year. They laced up in 20-degree...
Running for Heroes is still on the run
Since the year isn't over, we are still running! Our trip up to Washington's Crossing for the Bucks County Marathon was a really good one. We were very lucky with the weather. It was cold but not bitter when we started. The later 9:00 a.m. start gave us a little time...
Ed Benson: Uses skills he has spent a lifetime polishing to help veterans in need
Ed Benson is no stranger to veterans; the Air Force veteran is one. Benson spent 12 months from May 1968 to May 1969 in Vietnam working air traffic control for friendly forces. His unit deconflicted the airspace for them. “I received an all-expense paid trip to the...
The Story Behind the Brick: The Corvette Club
Thank you to the The Piedmont Corvette Club that bought a Commemorative Brick! The Chevrolet Corvette has long been considered America's sports car. Therefore, it is no surprise that veterans love the Corvette, and Corvette owners love those that have served. The...
Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Beahm Finds a Purpose for Obsidian With Hero’s Bridge
Kim Beahm and her husband and children have been breeding dogs in Fauquier County for over five years. "One time a woman came to meet a litter of puppies to see if any would make good therapy dogs. This prompted me to learn more about therapy dogs and see if it might...
The Story Behind the Brick: Duane Huffman
The recent passing of Mark Huffman's father serves as a reminder to him that moments are fleeting and once they are gone, you can't get them back. "I know that he served in the National Guard and was never called into action, but I don't know much beyond that," he...
Running for Heroes Running Update
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly RUNNING FOR HEROES TELLS IT LIKE IT IS Running for Heroes has taken on the challenge of running one marathon, every month in 2021 to raise $26,200 for the Hero’s Bridge Veterans Village. With only two marathons to go, they are close to...
Local Hero: Molly Brooks of Hero’s Bridge
One woman leads an army of volunteers to serve our area’s veterans Midland’s Molly Brooks had a vision early on. Growing up in the economically-depressed Ozarks with her mother working in a nursing home, Molly was privy to the substandard environment of the elderly...
A Tribute to Healthcare Professionals: Lieutenant Commander — Carolyn Mellon
Born in 1937, Carolyn Mellon was one of five children. Her father’s life remained a mystery to the family. She knew only that he had spent the first half of it working as a Bobby or policeman in Scotland where he had five children with a previous wife. He came to the...
Veteran Kenneth Moore’s Story as a Vietnam Radioman
Kenneth Moore served as a radioman for the US Marines during the Vietnam War. He enlisted on January 15, 1964 out of Baltimore, MD and was sent to communications headquarters in Cherry Point, North Carolina. This was in large part due to his amateur radio hobby. While...
When Living Conditions Become Unlivable
Vietnam Veteran, Mike, has called a small trailer home for fifty years. Five decades will leave its mark on anything and over the years, the once new trailer has fallen into disrepair. Mike's age has made it difficult for him to maintain the trailer. With holes in the...
Welding Everything Except Broken Hearts
Memorial Day recognizes veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those who lost their lives defending freedom around the world and throughout history. Hero’s Bridge salutes every veteran who did not make it home. We also salute their family members. Many veterans who...
November Newsletter: A Note From Molly
Every day the Hero’s Bridge team demonstrates our thanks and gratitude for our veterans. We do this with many simple acts of kindness: a birthday card, a coloring page, assistance with groceries, and more. These simple acts are to help make days easier, less lonely,...
October Newsletter: A Note from Molly
Every day is Veterans Day at Hero's Bridge, however we are always grateful at this time of year when the nation takes time to recognize and honor all Veterans who have so honorably served. We will be spending special one-on-one time with many of our veterans that week...
September Newsletter: A Note From Molly
We have lost 7 of the veterans we serve since June. It is always difficult to learn that a veteran, who we cannot reach during our welfare checks, has passed away. But it also serves to remind us that right up until the very end of their lives, we offer help. This is...
August Newsletter: A Note From Molly
At Hero's Bridge, the majority of our requests for assistance are to help Vietnam Veterans. That war had special circumstances that left more damage in its wake than previous conflicts. A lengthy war spanning several presidents and cabinets. Politicians making...
July Newsletter: A Note From Molly
Summer is still in full swing and so are our Village plans. We are excited to continue promoting our brick fundraiser for all of our supporters to leave their mark on the Village. I would like to extend a special thanks to our Running for Hero's partners, Bobby Brooks...
June Newsletter: A Note From Molly
In April, a three-war veteran died at age 96 in the comfort of his historic farm home with his wife by his side. Not every older veteran has sunset years as comfortable as he did. Too many of our aging veterans end their lives living in substandard housing conditions...
May Newsletter: A Note From Molly
As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, military recognition days are on my radar. Each year remembrance days from each of our nation's battles has me thinking of the soldiers who lost their lives in wars and skirmishes throughout the years and throughout the world. I...
April Newsletter: A Note from Molly
There is finality in everything we do at Hero's Bridge. We know that we are serving these veterans in their final moments. In some cases, even their twilight years have passed and they are simply waiting to pass away. It isn't easy to accept. In the five years since...
March Newsletter: A Note from Molly
Our team members and volunteers have done their fair share of running around lately...and I mean that both figuratively and literally! Our veterans could always use an extra hand and maybe some help around their house. Many of them live in old homes that show their...
February Newsletter: A Note From Molly
This month was another busy one for our team. We welcomed social work intern, Amber Mullins from Liberty University. She will be working with our Battle Buddy Coordinator and meeting with veterans. We have enjoyed getting to know her and getting her up to speed. The...
December Newsletter: A Note From Molly
Like many people we know, as we head into December, we are keeping our eyes firmly on 2021. We are all experiencing COVID-fatigue and the veterans we serve are too. We know some at-risk veterans who have been at-home since March with little interaction with anyone...
November Newsletter: A Note from Molly
As we embark on the holiday season, at Hero's Bridge we have much to be thankful for. Primarily, we remain thankful for all our veterans and their service and dedication to our nation. We are grateful for our community that supports our efforts to ensure aging...