The State
mare upon returning from a misIn addition to financial assion near the border of Pakistan. sistance, he says, “we provide An improvised explosive device emotional support to our families. detonated, killing two of StrickWe honor and remember their land’s comrades and leaving sacrifice.” him with traumatic brain injury, The organization accepts donaa shattered jaw and bilateral tions year-round, but much of amputations above his knees. the funding for Folds of Honor is Recovery has been a battle on raised at events such as the Patriot its own, but he is inspired when Cup, a charity golf tournament, he sees how Folds of Honor has gala and concert held each Memochanged the lives of his sons, rial Day weekend at Owasso’s The ROONEY AND PROFESSIONAL GOLFER RICKIE FOWLER HIT CEREMONIAL who attend a Tulsa-area private Patriot Golf Club in conjunction OPENING TEE SHOTS TO KICK OFF school thanks to FHF scholarwith the Professional Golfers AsTHE 2014 PATRIOT CUP. ships. sociation and U.S. Golf AssociaPHOTO COURTESY FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION. “FHF ensures that my tion. children both have a school that In addition to the Patriot Cup, understands and cares about our family’s situation,” Strickland says. “They have more focus and courses around the nation host Patriot Golf attention on them personally by having a smaller school setting, and they have both been blessed Day throughout the year, usually around Labor with several friends…I have seen my boys grow in many ways.” Day, to raise funds for the foundation. Each Strickland says during his years recovering, the family’s focus was on his rehabilitation. His player is asked to donate $1 for each round of sons didn’t participate in sports. Now, they both play football, basketball and soccer – outlets golf played. This past year, more than $5 milteaching them focus. lion – a record for the foundation – was raised “It helps maintain their grades and keeps them physically active,” Strickland says. “After all of through Patriot Golf Day events. President the moves and all of the struggles, having them in a school that makes them happy and thriving George W. Bush serves as the honorary chairwith the help and generosity of Folds of Honor – this is one of the biggest blessings we have ever man of Patriot Golf Day. received.” In addition, Rooney says, partners such Anyone can donate to the Folds of Honor Foundation at www.foldsofhonor.org, but Sweger as Budweiser and QuikTrip also run specials says that there are other ways to thank U.S. veterans. throughout the year to fund the foundation’s “Never forget the sacrifices our families make that better allow our service members to go scholarships. forth and defend our liberties,” Sweger says. Ronny Sweger, a retired U.S. Army Special “By saying ‘thank you’ to a veteran, that is kind enough,” Strickland says. “But we signed up Forces member, has experienced firsthand the for this job and would do it over and over again. We did not give to receive; we gave to protect our impact Folds of Honor makes in the lives of freedoms and country and to serve others.” wounded veterans and their families. Sweger TARA MALONE joined the army at the age of 19 and served for more than 14 years before receiving multiple wounds over the course of seven tours during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The father of 7-year-old triplets, Sweger says he can rest easier knowing his children’s needs are taken care of. KINGS OF LEON. “The Folds of Honor Future Use ScholarPHOTO BY DAN WINTERS. ship helped provide me with great peace of mind for my children’s futures,” Sweger says. “It was a surprise and an honor to be recognized for my service to our country by the SHOUT OUT FHF…Being recognized by the FHF assisted 2013. “Seeing the inner workings of a big tour It might be said that Michael Bewley and in my healing, and my travels on their behalf and all that goes into it to make it a success Jacob Mann took the bull by the horns this allowed me an avenue back into the military is an invaluable experience.” spring. The former students of the Academy community.” The ACM@UCO, as the program is known, of Contemporary Music at the University of Sweger, in turn, was inspired to create his is affiliated with and modeled on the AcadCentral in Edmond recently hooked up with own organization benefiting veterans, the emy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Kings of Leon on the rock band’s 2014 MeFoundation for Exceptional Warriors. chanical Bull Tour as marketing coordinators, U.K., and provides “real world” experience “While traveling for Folds of Honor, I for students looking at careers in today’s muthanks to some useful school connections. recognized a need for services for special Working with brand management company sic industry. The UCO program offers degrees operations forces and the valorous, whether in a variety of areas from performance and Brand Synergy Group, the pair will be ambaswounded or not,” Sweger says. “The FEW proproduction to the business end. sadors for BSG client Klipsch Audio, the prevides recreational therapy to the underserved, “I wouldn’t be on this tour if it weren’t for senting partner for the Kings of Leon’s tour. quiet professionals to assist their healing and ACM – the people at the school connected “This opportunity is absolutely a positive reward their unparalleled service and valor.” me to the right folks to make this opportunity stepping stone in the right direction in my In February 2010, U.S. Army Sgt. Legrand a reality for me,” Mann says. – Karen Shade career,” says Mann, who graduated in May Strickland faced every soldier’s worst night-
TOURING LIKE KINGS
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OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JULY 2014