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U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D., 11th) has introduced a resolution in Congress on Wednesday honoring the Tri-Valley based Sentinels of Freedom program. The program helps veterans seriously injured in Iraq or Afghanistan, to enroll in school, find and maintain a job, and obtain housing.
The Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship program was founded in San Ramon in 2003 by Mike Conklin. Conklin heard about Jacob Brown, a soldier who had been crushed by a tank in a training accident. Brown needed help putting his life back together.
Conklin put together a program to help Brown. He contacted Shapell builders, who gave Brown an apartment rent-free for one year. He arranged for a job for Brown with UPS. After a year, Brown was doing well in his new job and life. That was the start of Sentinels of Freedom.
After helping Brown Mike began searching for another GI to help. He went through Walter Reed Army Hospital and found Manny Mendoza, who lost both legs in Iraq. Mendoza was given a specially equipped apartment from Shapell and a job with SBC (now AT&T). He has been doing great since he arrived in San Ramon.
In 2006 Mike Conklin was named Person of the Year by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce. Conklin shared this honor with the five members of the Sentinel’s Board of Directors.
In 2007 the Sentinels of Freedom received a $15,000 grant from Newman’s Own foods, which gives all profits to worthy causes.
Now, in 2009, McNerney has introduced a Resolution in Honor of Sentinels of Freedom on the floor of Congress.
“I’m proud to honor Sentinels of Freedom,” said McNerney. “This group deserves strong commendation and recognition for their hard work on behalf of the brave men and women who have sacrificed greatly for our nation.” .
RESOLUTION
Honoring Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization
Whereas in 2003, Sentinels of Freedom, based in San Ramon and Danville, California, was established;
Whereas the mission of Sentinels of Freedom is to provide life-changing opportunities for men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and who have suffered severe injuries;
Whereas the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation was created to benefit qualified veterans severely injured in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001;
Whereas Sentinels of Freedom provides four year scholarships that help veterans to become self-sufficient;
Whereas scholarship recipients receive support to enroll in school, find and maintain a job, and obtain housing;
Whereas Sentinels of Freedom organizes teams of local volunteers that provide mentoring and moral support for scholarship recipients;
Whereas Sentinels of Freedom has excelled in providing assistance to veterans;
Whereas thanks to Sentinels of Freedom, 39 veterans have benefited from scholarships and many more will in the coming years: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) honors Sentinels of Freedom;
(2) commends Sentinels of Freedom’s dedication and commitment to the brave men and women who have served the United States; and
(3) praises Sentinels of Freedom for its extraordinary work for the well-being of our Nation’s veterans.
By staff reports
