Psalms 145: 3-5 "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate." Operation Enduring Thanks - from One Generation to Another A tribute to our veterans OVERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS THRIVENT FINANCIAL GIVING PLUS PROGRAM HONORARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS National Public Radio (NPR) story June 7th, 2005 Delta College (Q-TV) PBS documentary AAHSA 2006 Annual Meeting presentation including Operation Enduring Thanks Tool Kit available for download. OVERVIEW: The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors 16 million men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces, more than 400,000 Americans who died and all who supported the war effort from home. As the defining event of the 20th Century, the Memorial is a tribute to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. Operation Enduring Thanks was a special trip planned by Lutheran Homes of Michigan (LHM) to give our resident veterans a chance to visit the World War II Memorial, and see for themselves America's tribute to their heroism and sacrifice. Nearly 30 U.S. Veterans associated with Lutheran Homes of Michigan and another 70 volunteers traveled to Washington, D.C. in June 2005 for Operation Enduring Thanks, a journey to the World War II Memorial to honor and remember our nation's war heroes. By all accounts the trip was a wonderful success. Many thanks to the volunteer Steering Committee (which included more than 100 people), the LHM staff and administration, friends and family members who helped make the trip a life-giving event for our veterans. Back to Top QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: What is Operation Enduring Thanks? Operation Enduring Thanks is a four-day journey to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor the heroes of the war, both living and deceased. The journey is being sponsored by Lutheran Homes of Michigan. Why is LHM sponsoring this event? Many of our seniors participated in the war effort. Without fail, these men and women remember days, hours and precise minutes of the war: where they served . . . who they lost . . . how they survived. With about 1,000 World War II veterans passing away each day, those who are still with us deserve our admiration and thanks. A trip to the World War II Memorial would be like a dream come true for so many of our residents, a poignant journey back in time and a way to close a life-changing chapter in their lives. Operation Enduring Thanks is a perfect extension of the LHM ministry, and a way for all of us to say "thank you." Who is eligible to participate? Any LHM resident or family member that served in World War II in any way is eligible to attend, along with family members. What are the event details? The trip is tentatively planned for June 4 - 8, 2005. Specifics about the itinerary are still being planned. Will the frail elderly or those with chronic medical conditions be able to attend? Our goal is to make sure every eligible veteran who wants to attend can do so. For those who are frail or chronically ill, LHM will provide the necessary medical support to make it possible for them to take this trip. Wheelchairs and walkers are welcome. How will LHM fund the trip? Veterans will be subsidized by the Operation Enduring Thanks Fund, which is being supported by financial donations. Family members of veterans who need financial assistance will have access to financial support as needed. Operation Enduring Thanks - Cook Book Fund Raiser: Lutheran Homes of Michigan collected over 500 favorite recipes from employees, residents, clients and thier families to be published in a beautiful spiral bound cookbook. They are now on sale for a minimum donation of $10. Click here for more information. What does LHM need to make the trip a reality? LHM needs significant volunteer support to help plan the trip, and then many more volunteers to take the journey. A steering committee has been established to help with planning. LHM envisions a need for a variety of volunteers, from event planners to communications professionals to health care professionals and more. LHM also needs considerable financial support to help subsidize the cost of attendance for those with limited financial resources. A special fund has been established for donations. How do I make a contribution? To make a contribution, visit the donations page of our website at www.LHMINC.org or send a check made payable to: Operation Enduring Thanks c/o Lutheran Homes of Michigan P.O. Box 329 Frankenmuth, MI 48734-0329 For further information, call: 989-652-3470 Maximize your donation by taking advantage of the Giving Plus® Program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. A gift to Lutheran Homes of Michigan for Operation Enduring Thanks is eligible for Thrivent's Giving Plus® Program. Under the program, Thrivent Financial will supplement $1 for every $2 donated by Thrivent members up to a $300 maximum. That means a $600 gift to Operation Enduring Thanks will become $900 for the cause! See our donations page or Click here to link to Thrivent's Giving Plus® Program web page for more information. You can be part of our enduring thanks! Operation Enduring Thanks is an unprecedented collaboration of individuals, families and businesses who have a common goal: to pay tribute to the heroes of World War II. We need your time, talents and financial contributions to help make this dream a reality for our LHM veterans. Please commit your support today. Back to Top Operation Enduring Thanks Honorary Committee Members Governor Jennifer Granholm, Co-Chair Attorney General Mike Cox, Co-Chair Congressman Dave Camp Congressman John Dingel Congressman Dale Kildee Congressman Thaddeus McCotter Representative Andy Dillon Representative Roger Kahn Representative Herb Kehrl Senator Mike Goschka Senator Bev Hammerstrom Senator Laura Toy Joe Antonini, Former Kmart Chairman & CEO Dr. Larry Minnix, President/CEO of AAHSA Sandra Kilde, President/CEO of MAHSA Back to Top National Public Radio (NPR) Story aired June 7th, 2005 Click here to link to the NPR story aired June 7th, 2005 on "All Things Considered" by Joseph Shapiro. There is an audio link to listen to the story entitled "WWII Veterans Win New Respect During Washington Visit." Back to Top
	Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Documentary of the Trip Click here to link to information about the PBS documentary of the trip Don't miss the very special program "Vanishing Voices of World War II", a production of Q-TV featuring mid-Michigan Veterans and others whose contribution to the war effort should never be forgotten. Tune in for the premiere on Sunday, November 27, at 8 PM. In the Saginaw area, TV Dates (on Delta College Q-TV can be seen on Charter Cable channel 9, or regular broadcast on channel 19). The radio program can be heard on FM-90.1. The Q-TV program will air soon on other Michigan public TV stations, the radio show has been offered statewide, and the TV show has been offered for nationwide distribution. TV Dates: Sunday, November 27, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10 2005 at 5:30 p.m. Radio date: Wednesday, December 7, at 10:00 a.m. (Pearl Harbor Day) Back to Top
	AAHSA 2006 Annual Meeting Presentation of Operation Enduring Thanks: David Gehm, President & CEO and Al Kaul, VP of Service Excellence, presented the following information at the AAHSA 2006 Annual Meeting & Exposition on November 5-8 in San Francisco, CA: Hear how Lutheran Homes of Michigan undertook a journey of over 100 elders, family members, caregivers, board members and volunteers to visit the newly dedicated WWII Memorial in Washington, DC and examine the lessons learned. Assess the many components of this entire consumer-centered trip process- including logistics, planning, working with a disability travel expert, fundraising, communicating with the public and interfacing with the media. Receive practical tools that AAHSA providers can use to empower elders in their organizations via travel, to foster a person-centered culture of engagement and to help consumers remain connected to their larger community. Click here to link to our downloads page where, after registering, you can download the Operation Enduring Thanks Tool Kit. The Tool Kit includes the following information: Operation Enduring Thanks Tool Kit Downloads - Table of Contents: Admin Support Staff Invitation Ltr - invitation for support staff to attend trip Admissions Application - application for veterans to attend trip Bulletin Insert - sample informational bulletin insert for congregations (Microsoft Publisher File) Calendar of Events - list of event dates leading up to trip Client Family Letter Sample - introduction of Operation Enduring Thanks concept to families of clients Client Information Card for Travel - card used by caregivers during trip for each veteran Communications Plan While Traveling - hierarchy and task assignments Dog Tags Website Information - website for ordering dog tags Exercise Letter and Docs - letter explaining exercise program to prepare for trip Fact Sheet for Minute Man Talk - information about Operation Enduring Thanks to share with public during a speaking engagement Final Details Communication - "What every traveler needs to know" - logistical information about trip (i.e. transportation information, flight information, meal information&ldots;) Fundraising Letter - letter to potential donors requesting support to finance the trip Government Official Invitation to Honorary Cmte - letter sent to governor requesting service on Honorary Committee Health Care Power of Attorney Implementation Committee Agenda #1 - sample agenda of committee meeting Library of Congress Veterans History Project Vet Bio Data Form - form for participation in Veterans History Project (visit http://www.loc.gov/vets/) (PDF File) Library of Congress Veterans History Project Vet Release Form - form for participation in Veterans History Project (visit http://www.loc.gov/vets/) (PDF File) Minnix Still Cant Talk About It 11 05 - letter written by Larry Minnix, President and CEO of AAHSA regarding Operation Enduring Thanks OET Communication Chart - hierarchy of leadership for trip OET Organization Descriptions - description of committees and task forces set up to coordinate trip OET Veteran Invitation Letter - invitation letter sent to veterans under LHM's care to participate in trip OET Volunteer Invitation Letter - invitation letter sent to potential volunteers OET-Medical Assessment Form - form listing all medical information about veteran attending trip Photo Release Form - sample form authorizing use of photos Scripture - scripture passage behind trip Staff Introduction Letter to OET - letter to LHM staff introducing concept of Operation Enduring Thanks Tips on Talking With the Press Tour Site Information Sheet - used by implementation committee while considering potential sights of interest during trip Volunteer Worker Agreement - document outlining details of expectations for volunteer workers Handbook Auth Release Form - veteran authorization to use photographs and video Boot Camp Checklist - list of suggested items to pack for trip Cover Page of Handbook OET Bus Check List - list of items to pack in each bus coming from Michigan to DC OET Staffing Needs Chart - chart showing quantity/type of staff needed for trip Orientation Handbook - handbook distributed to staff traveling to DC Traveler at a Glance - chart detailing special needs of each veteran traveler Back to Top
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