Reflections from the President

January 1, 2006

As I reflect back on the past 16 months, many things come to mind. First - who would of thought?

Who would have thought that when my good friend, Sgt. Mike Russo signed up to go to Iraq for a year as an International Police Advisor, would have changed my life forever? If not for Mike, there would be no Operation Second Chance. Of that, I am certain.

When my friend decided to put his life on hold to go to a hostile country to train and work with Iraqi Police and do very dangerous missions, it brought the war closer to home for me, and made it personal on many different levels. A greater bond was formed. A newer respect. A deeper friendship.

I am thankful for the Internet, and the ability to communicate. I stayed in touch with my friend via e-mail and found that I quickly learned what it was like for our soldiers and civilian's that were stationed there.

I worried daily for my friend and prayed for him constantly. When I knew about missions outside the wire, I found myself on edge until I knew he was back safe within the confines of the wire. But even then, I was always fearful for my buddy. I learned that even a lunch hall inside the so called safety net of the wire, could and did become deadly. Every time I read the headlines or heard the news flashes about bombs going off, I was gripped with fear, and found myself quickly sending an e-mail to make sure my friend was safe. It wasn't until I received his reply, until I could relax.... until the next time.

Each night as I was safely tucked into the comforts of a warm bed, wondering what it was like to try to sleep with mortars going off all night long. Thoughts of him and our soldiers sleeping in uncomfortable settings, in a far away land, filled with violence and hostility, filled my mind. No comforts like warm running water for which to shower. Eating MRE's all day long. Insurgents plotting to cause as much destruction and death as possible. Bullets flying at you and finding yourself caught in kill-or-be- killed situations. Danger, and then more danger.

Driving down roads on missions, that could and often did, turn deadly. My Buddy lost friends while he served in Iraq . And when he hurt, I found myself hurting too. Men tend to carry their pain a little differently and during those times, I prayed even harder for protection and safety for Mike and for all of our soldiers and marines that put their lives on the line everyday. Long days and long nights can take its toile on even the strongest man.

As I continue to reflect, certain soldiers come to mind. Soldiers that will forever be a part of my heart. Reading a father's daily journal of his son's injuries, pain and challenges...

Michael Oreskovic, my very first soldier I ever met at Walter Reed... Travis Majors... Phil Sorensen.... and hundreds more. I love you all. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Through your donations, Operation Second Chance has been successful in assisting our wounded soldiers and marines. We have been able to help with finances for families that are struggling. We've been able to help with wheel chair ramps, doorway modifications, bathroom safety bars, airline tickets, clothing, groceries and so much more.

We held fundraisers and a golf tournament. RA5 rode over 320 miles on bicycles through three days of rain and learned a little bit about what it was like to live in unthinkable conditions. Operation Second Chance hosted special dinners, had special singers, spent Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas with our heroes. We took tours of DC, Arlington Cemetery and visited monuments. We went fishing and to football, basketball and hockey games. Often we were able to take soldiers to their very first professional game of any kind.

We have been blessed many times over by these brave young men and women allowing us the opportunity to show our thanks and respect to them. They are so brave. And I am humbled each time I meet a new one. Their lives have been altered, and we don't always know why, but I see them facing new challenges with courage, determination and strength. I am so proud to know them. I am renewed each day by the time I spend with my heroes. I am not as willing to listen to people complain about the small things in life. I view things with a different perspective these days....

It is through the generosity of the American public that OSC continues to help one hero at a time. We hope to continue to grow and assist our wounded for as long as it takes.

Cindy J. McGrew
President
Operation Second Chance, Inc.
301.938.2834
www.operationsecondchance.org
cindymcgrew@operationsecondchance.org
Good people sleep peacefully in their beds at night, only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

November 22, 2006

On behalf of all the members of Operation Second Chance, I would like to take this time to express our heart felt gratitude for your wonderful outpouring of financial support this week.

After being mugged at Lake Forest Mall on Monday evening, I have received an enormous amount of support from my community as well as my neighboring communities. It is hard for me to put into words just exactly how I feel. I can tell you that it is so wonderful to see something good and positive come out of a bad and horrible experience.

It does my heart so good to get your emails and calls. I hear your outrage at the cowardly act that I was the victim of, and I am humbled by your generous financial support. Your emails have reaffirmed my belief that there really are a lot of great people out there that want to do good things and help others.

Thank you for sharing my passion and love for our wounded veterans. They have sacrificed and suffered much, we owe them so much more, and yet they ask for so little. It is so rewarding to give. Thank you ALL for your giving spirits.

The bravery, courage and determination I see in the faces of my Heroes each day is truly the most rewarding and inspirational part of my day. I am blessed in so many ways.

If you find yourself in the presence of a veteran of any war – please give them a hug and let them know how much they are appreciated.

May your families be richly blessed this holiday season and throughout
the coming year.

With kindest regards I am,

Respectfully yours,

Cindy J. McGrew
President & Founder
Operation Second Chance, Inc

January 22, 2007

Reflections of 2006

So much has transpired over the course of this past year. Operation Second Chance is growing and has support for our Heroes in several states within our great nation. We have increased the size of our Board Members and have gained many new Volunteers. What a blessing it has been and continues to be to each one of us as we serve our young men and women that have sacrificed so much while serving our nation’s call to duty.

Throughout the year I have met many more wounded veterans, and have had to say good-bye to just as many as they have recovered enough to go home. For me personally, when that day comes, it is bitter sweet. Although I am elated and very happy to see my heroes recover enough to go home, I am also saddened by the fact that I may never see them again. I feel like I am a surrogate Mother to hundreds. One thing is certain; each young hero I come into contact with will always have a very special place in my heart.

Early in the year we were invited by the Damascus American Legion to attend a Soldier Appreciation Luncheon. Arriving at the Legion we were greeted with chants and cheers by members of the community waving flags. Between having a great day full of entertainment, we received monetary donations as well as a wonderful donation of a fully modified handicap accessible mini van from Mark and Julie Sain. We have used the van to transport some of our wounded veterans to various events throughout the year.

The support from the community did not stop there. The Damascus Community Bank raffled off a John Deere lawn tractor and donated the proceeds to Operation Second Chance. We attended breakfasts, dinners and meetings from local American Legions, VFW’s, Lion’s Clubs, Knights of Columbus, Sangri Li, The Honorable Blue Goose, Rotary Clubs and so many more that also served in their own way as fundraisers for Operation Second Chance.

As I reflect back throughout the year, I can honestly say that we have been blessed with financial support as well as offers of help from many sources. The letters and awards that I have personally received this past year for founding Operation Second Chance humbles me in so many ways. However, it is important to me that the recognition goes to my heroes. Everything I have ever done or will continue to do will always be about those that I serve. They are the heroes and the ones that deserve all the recognition and awards that we can give to them.

This year we received two of our biggest donations from private sources with simple notes that said, “We believe in you” and “keep up the good work.” Opening up those envelopes brought many tears of joy and so much excitement for me. I called my best friends and my board members and tearfully told them about the donations. I do not know if I will ever be able to fully describe how incredible it is to receive such incredible donations from individuals that I have never met, stating that they believe in the mission of Operation Second Chance and what the organization stands for. Even more incredible is the fact that they stand by and support our wounded veterans. What awesome American’s! From the smallest to the largest donation, all of us at Operation Second Chance are extremely grateful. It is incredible for us to serve our wounded veterans, and with your support we are able to do that to the fullest.

I was invited to Fort Carson for a special Memorial and Dedication Ceremony this year and was proud to be escorted by several of my wounded heroes from the Third ID. We toured Pikes Peek and Royal River Gorge.

Operation Second Chance participated in many events. Comcast SportsNet donated tickets and we were able to take our veterans to baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey and football games, as well as concerts, Disney on Ice, WWE and Monster Jams. We participated in America ’s 911 Ride, which is a motorcycle ride in Remembrance of 911. The ride began in Summerset, PA traveled to Washington DC and then to Ground Zero, NYC.

We hosted our Second Annual Golf Tournament and had 19 wounded veterans teeing off alongside our golfing participants. All those that attended enjoyed a special guest appearance by Mick Foley. Additionally, Operation Second Chance was invited to a retirement dinner that served as a fundraiser as well as many other dinners.

Another big event for us was the Marine Corps Marathon. We had runners participating from all over the country. Together Team Operation Second Chance rose just over $42,000. Our runners ran in the MCM 10K and the 26.2 mile marathon. Along with our runners, two of our heroes participated on hand crank cycles. We also had two Marines that ran the marathon while deployed in Iraq .

One of our soldiers along with members of Ride Allegheny participated in a four day, 325-mile bicycle ride that began in Pittsburgh , PA and ended with an old fashioned BBQ in Gaithersburg , MD. Rain and cold made the riding conditions more of a challenge, but these riders peddled on.

November was a scary month for me personally. While shopping at Lake Forest Mall in Gaithersburg I was robbed of $650 worth of gifts I had purchased for one of my wounded soldier’s children for Christmas. Once the community and local news stations heard of my ordeal, they ran stories, which prompted the community to come together and support Operation Second Chance and our heroes through donations. Operation Second Chance is proof that good can come from a bad incident.

Other accomplishments included help from members of Blue Goose International to renovate a basement for one of our Marines. We flew families here to be with their loved ones. We also made it possible for wounded veterans to go on small trips with their families. M1 for Vets helped several of our soldiers and marines with donations of M1 Garands. Some of our guys went to Camp Perry and also to NC for shooting competitions.

November 11, 2006 Operation Second Chance was chosen from more than 30 organizations to receive a $25,000 grant from the American Freedom Festival, directly from SMGR Tilley’s office. In December, our organization was chosen as one of the recipients to receive a $1.00 donation from each ticket sale during the TSO concert.

It has been an amazing year. I have only touched on some of what we have had going on and some of the blessings that we have received.

The greatest individuals I know are not Politicians, movie stars or even the wealthiest people in the world. The greatest individuals I know are the men and women that put their lives on the line each and every day and serve our country. I believe it is who you are inside and what you believe in that makes you great. That and how you treat and serve others is what makes you rich. To all that support our men and women in the military and to all those that have supported Operation Second Chance, we are truly grateful. Thank you for a great year.