We would like to thank these supporting organizations and businesses:

American Legion Post 911 • Home Depot • Goodwill Industries • WILCO Blue Star Mothers of America • Bring Everyone Into the Zone • National Sojourners • the Vet Center • Red Cross • Vet Center of Harker Heights/Killeen • Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. • Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans • A New Entry • Austin Education Alliance • AT&T Veterans Support • Team Red, White and Blue • Texas Veterans Commission • Twin Lakes Fellowship • Mike Sharman – Keller Williams • Rotary Club – Centennial Austin • Upstream Investments – Scott Olsen • Soulfire Artisan • Ambit Energy – Sheri Taylor • CC Zing • Primerica – Derrick McGill • Humana – Eric Nielsen • Perks Glass • ICS – Jonathan Sprinkle • BBVA Compass – Teresa Pore • Scentsy – Mary Coburn • Symmetry Health Chiropractic – Danielle Lin • Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union – Estevan Torres •  Leigh Marie Designs • Go Foods Global – John Franks • DBS Ambit – Dennis Byer

We thank the city of Cedar Park, Mayor Matt Powell, Congressman John Carter, Cedar Park Councilmen, Camp Mabry,  Craig Bushon for graciously being the Emcee, our BBQ teams headed by James Jones, Rick Rodriquez who put in many hours of coordinating, Eder Holguin for arranging the bands, Carlos Meda for singing the National Anthem, our HNO Events Committee and the countless supporters who volunteered their time to make this event possible and enjoyable for all of our veterans and their families.

We would also like to thank these car club organizations for taking the time to show up and bring their fabulous Classic Cars: Austin Area Car Club, Falcon Car Club, Mustang Honors Car Club and the Lake Area Rods & Classics.   Thank you Pat Martin of the Austin Area Car Club for organizing the Car Show and raising $360 for the event.  Many thanks to all the members of these car clubs.

We are deeply indebted ♥

For more information on select businesses, click on their logo to be routed directly to their website:

Our Major Sponsor:

Contributors:

A big thank you to those that donated items for our Silent Auction:

Friendly Computers of Georgetown – Bill & Dana Schubert http://www.friendlycomputers.com/georgetown/

Novita Spa – Kristiana Schaefer – http://www.novitaspa.com/

Wag a Bag – http://www.wagabag.com/

J&J BBQ –  http://www.jj-bbq.com/

John Franks – http://cafr1.myefoods.com/

The Yogurt Experience – http://www.yogurtexperience.com/

Winged Heart Art by Quinn Henderson – http://www.wingedheartart.com

Gunfighter’s Clinic – http://www.gunfightersclinic.com/

American Red Cross – www.centex.redcross.org

Ambit Energy – Sheri Taylor – sheri@526earn.com

Symmetry Health Chiropractic Clinic – http://www.symmetryhealthchiropractic.com/

WILCO Blue Star Mothers of America – http://wilcobluestarmothers.shutterfly.com/

Rocky & Melissa Kau, Joe Schaefer, Paul Pro, Mike Clark, Ray & Walky Sanchez, Will Williams, Paul Hooper, Dana Schubert, Matt Brown, and Rick Rodriquez

Thank you again for supporting Heroes Night Out!

We want to start this wonderful tradition in Texas too of holding workshops to help these courageous men and women have the resources and contacts they need to start their own farming or ranching or if they have an opportunity to take over a family operation where to go for assistance.

Thank you in advance,

Melissa Blair

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Agriculture Workshop for Military Vet_June 16melissa.blair@tx.usda.gov

Hurry!  Plumbing class starts on May 21st!!!

Click on link for more information and form:

Gateway courses_sign up form

This Thursday April 19, 2012 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM You are welcome to bring your lunch

Location:

One Texas Center, Room 325

505 Barton Springs Road

Austin, TX 78704

Register at: http://www.austinsmallbiz.com/WebCMS_2007/class_register.php?Session=636

Saturday, May 26      0900-1700       Fort Worth, TX

NASJRB Marriage Class poster 052612vc

Returning from war is nevereasy but ten lucky wounded warriors in Central Texas got some help from asupporting comedian. Last week, Rodney Carrington reached out to a local VeteranService Organization (VSO) in Texas and invited some of them to have a laughwith him while he was performing in Austin, Texas.

After connecting with arepresentative from ArmedZilla, Rodney asked how he could support the veteransas they transitioned back into their communities. Former Army medic, Tim Stroudtold Rodney that some of the guys were hesitant to go out and enjoy the freedomthat they had fought for and a night out would be a great first step for them.Stroud said that there is a lot of resources available for veterans but manyveterans simply don’t know how to find them.

That is why he has beenworking to help build an online community for the military, veterans, theirfamilies, and supportive community organizations. Stroud said that veterans andtheir families should log onto www.armedzilla.comand connect to those who have served.

Rodney suggested that theyinvite some of the veterans that have been meeting at Heroes Night Out in CedarPark, Texas to his comedy performance at the Moody Theatre in Austin, Texas. Itcreated quite a buzz at the veteran outreach center since so many of theveterans listened to Rodney while on their deployments under Operation IraqiFreedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

One of the Founders of HeroesNight Out, Wes Pierce stated that a recent study has shown that on average,America loses 18 veterans a day to suicide and that connecting veterans toother veterans helps reduce that number. Their organization helps connect themto each other and to benefits in the Central Texas area. He further stated byhaving their organization on ArmedZilla that they have been able to reach otherveterans that don’t make it out to their center. Judy Pierce stated that organizationsneed to “meet the veterans where they are” and that place is largely online.

This isn’t the first timeRodney has welcomed back the troops and their families. He first met Sgt. TimStroud and two other OIF veterans in 2004 at Cap City Comedy Club. Ever sincethen Rodney has shown his support on and off stage for the 1% of America thatserves in the Armed

Rodney has invited veteransto attend live tapings of his comedy shows all throughout the United States. Hehas reached out to the veteran community and hosted them at his television showfilmed at Studio City, MGM Las Vegas show, and has performed in front of a soldout show on Ft. Hood, Texas.

Research on OEF/OIF Veteranssuggests that 10-18% of OEF/OIF troops are likely to have PTSD after theyreturn (VA, 2012). Tim Stroud states that laughing and connecting with otherveterans is a healthy step on the road to recovery.

For more information onRodney Carrington and appearances in your area, please check out http://rodneycarrington.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm.

Pictured with Rodney Carrington are returning veterans from the Texas National Guard, U.S. Army, and Founders of Heroes Night Out.