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Get the Latest Updates On Our Support Programs and Success Stories
Get the Latest Updates On Our Support Programs and Success Stories
Operation Warrior Shield was honored to host this Legacy of Service tribute to Chi Chi and Iwalani at the beautiful PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
All funds raised supported Operation Warrior Shield’s efforts to address the veteran and first responder suicide epidemic by providing an arsenal of health and wellness tools to help our heroes heal their hidden wounds.
Click here to see a special message from Chi Chi himself!
You can also view a special message shared at the event from Senator Rick Scott by clicking here.
You can also view the event page by clicking here and enjoy some pictures from the event below.
Operation Warrior Shield
“Healing Their Hidden Wounds”
Tax ID 81-1268470 501C3 IRS Certified
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2022
Contact:
CMSgt (ret) Edward Schloeman,
Chairman, Operation Warrior Shield (OWS)
eschloeman@aol.com
OPERATION WARRIOR SHIELD delivers their first two (2) companion dogs.
Brooklyn, NY.—OWS announced today that they have delivered their first two (2) companion dogs to two (2) Marines who were seriously wounded from the Iraq/Afghanistan war. .
In partnership with Doris Day Animal Foundation, Hope For Heroes and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, OWS’ goal is providing uniquely trained, loving and supportive canine companions to veterans, first responders and their families who live with physical and emotional injuries sustained in the line of duty.
The 1966 Marine Vietnam Veteran, CMSgt (Ret.) Edward Schloeman, President and CEO of Operation Warrior Shield stated: “Our companion dogs unconditionally bring a sense of safety, camaraderie, and most importantly, a special emotional support that helps minimize stress and challenges that our heroes face each and every day.”
“Our goal is to provide uniquely trained, loving and supportive canine companions to veterans and first responders and their families who live with physical and emotional injuries incurred in the line of duty,” explains Schloeman. “Our companion dogs unconditionally bring a sense of safety, camaraderie, and most importantly, a special emotional support that helps reduce the stresses and challenges that our heroes face each and every day.”
The Labrador retriever puppies are YELLIN and LOUIE. One is named “Yellin” (after the late WWII pilot and OWS co-founder, Jerry Yellin) and the other is “Louie” (named after the late 106-year old WWII veteran, Louis Forte).
Both dogs were trained by Hope for Heroes dog trainers, Mitch Serlin and Matt Notaro. “We start with 8 week old puppies, and socialize them with various stimuli such as traffic, loud sounds, crowds, public transportation, and the like, keeping in mind the specific lifestyle and activities of the recipient vet and family,” explains Serlin. “Then we set up a bonding period for the puppy and family.
Matt delivered Yellin to Marine Sgt. David Tupper, and his family, at their home in North Carolina and Mitch delivered Louie to Marine Sgt. Carlos Figueroa in his home in Texas.
OWS’ next project is a fund raiser at the Palm Beach Gardens PGA National Golf Course with golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez, on April 2nd
If anyone wishes to support our programs, they can donate online at www.operationwarriorshield.com or mail a check to:
59 East 2nd Street Brooklyn NY 11218
About Operation Warrior Shield
OWS supports veterans, first responders and their families with various wellness programs (Yoga-Transcendental Meditation, Individual Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (ITMS), etc.) and companion dogs to help those suffering from PTSD. They have been recognized for their work by many organizations such as NYPD, NYC Dept. of Veterans Services, David Lynch Foundation, Brooklyn Borough President, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce , WABC and others.
You can also find this information on “Healing Their Hidden Wounds” – Good News! (goodnewsplanet.com)
Pictures of the Warriors and their new companions are below:
Operation Warrior Shield
“Healing the Hidden Wounds”
Tax ID 81-1268470 501C3 IRS Certified
HOW OWS SERVED IN 2021
1. 2021 started out by OWS thanking all those notables who helped us “to heal their hidden wounds”; Commissioner Hendon, BG Sutton, Julie Weintraub, Susan Lucci, Loretta Swift, JW Cortes, NYPD Chief Scholl, Chef Rush, Daniel Rodriguez, Mayor-Elect Adams, NYPD Wil Wong/Deputy Inspector Wachter, Cindy Marinangel, Greta Blackburn, Bob Roth, Tony Lo Bianco, with special thanks to Scarlett Johansson.
2. Job Well-Done to our Sr. Goodwill Ambassador Errol Rappaport and his Goodwill Team and the skills of Branding Ovation’s Bethann Carbone and Mike Heil. Also, to the hundreds to whom there is not enough room to say –THANK YOU.
(Those who perform acts of kindness without seeking reward, receive the greatest reward of all—God’s Love.)
3. OWS received many awards throughout the year—NYPD Certificate of Appreciation, WABC 770 Radio, Brooklyn Borough President Proclamation, Dept. of Veterans Services Certificate of Appreciation, Doris Day Animal Foundation Grant, Wonderama Productions, NYC Council Grant (Pending).
4. Creation of Operation Canine Companion and Hope for Heroes program to develop companion dogs for seriously wounded Veterans. First two purchased (Yellin and Louie) and trained for Marines David Tupper and Carlos Figueroa. They will be delivered to them in January 2022.
5. NYPD/DLF/OWS luncheon was held to recognize the successful program of bringing Transcendental Meditation to NYC’s Finest. The program being funded by NYPD and is to continue in 2022.
6. OWS Annual Gala was a sold-out event at The Water Club where our first puppies were introduced with great applause. A night to be remembered.
7. Plans are being made for an April 2, 2022 OWS/Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Classic to be held in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
8. Picture is worth a thousand words !!
BEST WISHES FROM ED SCHLOEMAN, CHAIRMAN
“HEALING THEIR HIDDEN WOUNDS” |
CMSgt (ret) Edward Schloeman, Chairman
From all of us at Operation Warrior Shield, thank you for your support and keep our Heroes in your prayers. God Bless America
OWS presented its first virtual gala, saluting our Heroes and Healers, on Oct. 22, 2020. The YouTube version of this gala can be seen in its entirely here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0NQlc0gHA&feature=youtu.be)
Joining us for the evening were Featured Speakers Cmsnr. James Hendon, Dept of Veterans Services NYC; Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation; Eric Adams, Brooklyn Boro President; and NYPD Deputy Chief Charles Scholl. Special guests included Ross Guttler, CEO, The Open Center, Brett Cotter, Stress in Gone, and Dr. Bob Wright, Wellness Coach.
The evening was hosted by CMSgt Ed Schloeman and Anne Akers, Veterans Advocate. Emcee Jane Hanson welcomed celebrity guests Susan Lucci, Loretta Swit, White House Chef/Combat Veteran Andre Rush, Scarlett Johansson and Marine Combat Veteran/Actor JW Cortes.
In 2020, OWS partnership with the Open Center resulted in no cost virtual healing services for over 11,000 Frontliners and NYC community. And OWS has recently been invited to bring stress management services to the NYPD. The program will begin on Dec 1, 2020.
There are more veterans in need than any of us could help alone. We must work together to solve this problem. Please consider donating to Operation Warrior Shield.