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[erniezap]

From Mike Anderson, proud father of Cpl Michael D Anderson Jr, USMC, KIA 14 Dec 2004, Fallujah.

I just want to bring you up to speed, and make you aware on an important issue. The Gold Star Families in California are looking for some assistance.  I helped to get a Gold Star License Plate law passed a year ago and now the state has no money to fund it.  We are trying to raise the money to fund the program so that we can then purchase our Gold Star Plates to recognize our fallen children.

 I Co-chair a Gold Star Committee and also lobby for issues which directly impact our active duty, veterans, wounded and fallen heroes.

The purpose of this e-mail is to bring to your attention that the momentum for funds donated to SB #1455, California Gold Star License Plate Bill, signed into law September, 17, 2008 has come to a slow crawl. Anything you can do to heighten public awareness would be would be very much appreciated.  To date, we still need approximately $275,000 before the license plate can go into production.

 Our Gold Star families have given this country what is most precious to them, their child.  SB #1455 is a small token of appreciation for the Gold Star Families whose sons and daughters have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.  The Gold Star Vehicle License Plate serves as a reminder of the many freedoms afforded us because of our fallen heroes.  We owe them nothing less.



The State of California has agreed to issue a license plate (Special) just for Gold Star Families.  I'm sure I do not need to tell most people what that means, but just in case you forward this to others (which I hope you forward this to EVERYONE you know) a Gold Star Mom, Dad, family, means they lost someone serving on active duty.  However, the "startup" fund needs $300,000.00.  Currently they stand at approx $17000.00 (with $10,000.00 from one event).   We need to help raise the rest as the Gold Star families have already made a huge sacrifice.  

On April 2nd, 2010, we will have the first annual "LCpl Travis Layfield Memorial Golf Tournament" and Fund Raiser and is patterned after the Joey Graves Memorial Golf Tournament.  Details will be published by late January.  In the meantime, I'm looking for donations and I felt that if each member of the my email list just got one donation from anyone, we could start the April fund raiser off with a bang.  I've attached an explanation of the  Gold Star Project.  The check can be sent to: "The Some Gave All - The Joey Graves Foundation", P.O. Box 1215, Discovery Bay, CA  94505.  The check should be made out to the "Joey Graves Foundation" which is a 501 c 3 non profit (which means its tax deductible) and you should write "Travis" in the memo area.  FYI - Joey Graves father Kevin set up the foundation - Joey was KIA in Iraq on July25, 2006.

Here is what I'm asking and hoping for - there are 5000 people on our combined email lists. If each person, whether making a donation or not, could send this request to everyone they know, and that person could send it to everyone they know, we would be in good shape (the single biggest contribution so far has been $10.000.00) In addition, please approach every organization "you" belong to or have heard of - American Legion Post, VFW, MCL, etc.  And in your normal daily business, approach every motorcycle dealer, auto dealership, bar, club, etc.  And don't forget your employer.   We can really help the Gold Star Project. Obviously, if you get more than one donation, that would be fantastic. In addition to the Project Gold Star explanation sheet, I've attached a link to the Stories of Service, Our Fallen Warrior, LCpl Travis Layfield  - http://www.digiclub.org/sofs/index.php?page_id=17&video_id=8 .  Please review it and have others do the same - it will remind people of what just one Mom has experienced and lives with - then multiply this by the 575 just from the current conflict - and another 5700 from the Vietnam War - and these are just California (there doesn't seem to be a breakdown for Korea or WWII). And then pass it on along.  If you don't like to ask for donations but you think there is an organization that should be approached, send me the contact info and I'll take care of it.

Please make this a max effort!



PLEASE CHECK the Veteran and Family Support Events Calender at:  http://www.my.calendars.net/cencapgrevents

[CVOTequila]

As a fellow Gold Star family member, I wish you the best in accomplishing this goal!!!  I hope that Texas will follow with a license plate also!!! 

[porthole]

Ernie. I will be passing this on to our California relatives (my wife is there now for her sisters memorial).

Why is it so costly to get a new plate?

In New Jersey all that is needed is a good reason and a minimum order of 500 plates, which are courtesy plates and cost a one time fee of $50.

Prisoners make New Jersey license plates and we sure have a full work force.