At Ease February 2025 by APG Media of Chesapeake

Executive Editor of At Ease

Eli Wohlenhaus

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About Iwo Jima

I don’t always receive feedback from readers of At Ease, but occasionally I will have the opportunity to not only hear from them, but talk to them. This was true several months ago when I heard from the Iwo Jima Association of America.

It was shortly after our June 2024 edition hit the stands. That issue of At Ease paid respect to the D-Day invasion that had occurred 80 years prior. Now, as you flip through these pages, we want to honor the 80th anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima, which began on Feb. 19, 1945. That is all thanks to the members of the Iwo Jima Association of America who reached out.

I am so glad they did. Through emails and a few phone calls, I got to hear about the profound work these men and women volunteers do to keep the memories of those who fought in this pivotal — and deadly — battle alive. You’ll get to read more about it inside and I think you will feel as grateful as I do.

Your feedback and ideas are critical to our mission — please keep reaching out. I love hearing from you.

VISIT US

Remembering Iwo Jima: A Reunion of Honor

Story by Katie Melynn

Courtesy photos

On February 19, 1945, 70,000 Marines landed on the small Japanese island of Iwo Jima, intent on securing the strategic location. From this island, the U.S. would be able to land and launch bombers, dramatically changing the Pacific theater in one of the largest and bloodiest wars the world had ever seen.

Today, the Iwo Jima Association of America, IJAA, provides connections for Veterans of this historic landing, as well as remembrance of those who gave their lives on that beach.

Reunion of Honor

Every year, Veterans return to Iwo Jima to mark the event. Unlike their first time going to the beach, the reception is much different now. United States Veterans sit alongside a Japanese delegation to honor those who fought on both sides of the battle in 1945.

Fred Lash is the Communications Director for IJAA and shares the organization’s mission and upcoming events, including the commemoration of the battle at the Reunion of Honor.

“Originally it was American Veterans remembering,” Lash said. “Now it’s more Japanese and American Veterans remembering. Both sides lost lives and sacrificed a lot.”

Not every meaningful reunion at the event is between soldiers, sailors and Marines. One Veteran picked up a Japanese Rising Sun flag off the battlefield in February 1945. Japanese soldiers carried these flags, gifted from family members and friends, into battle as a symbol of their patriotism. As they fought, these flags kept their loved ones close.

At the Reunion of Honor, decades later, a U.S. Veteran was able to bring this flag back to that Japanese family.

“I think that highlights the efforts of the group to preserve those bonds and respect,” Lash said.

The Reunion of Honor is supported by United

States Marine Corps personnel in the region as well as the Japanese Defense Force. Current members stand alongside Veterans as they pay tribute to those who displayed such bravery on the Iwo Jima beach. Some can remember the sights, smells and feelings of that day while others only learned about it in books. The bond remains the same and the event is a solemn one.

Remembrance for families

The most significant place for Veterans to remember and honor Iwo Jima is at the beach where battles were fought, but other ceremonies also allow families and friends to come together to show respect.

Lash shared that many of the individuals coming to IJAA events are family members of those who served at the battle. He estimated that around twothirds of the attendees at IJAA events are family members, friends, and other supporters. As the number of World War II Veterans dwindles, it’s important to share their story.

“The Marine Corps has always stressed history,” Lash said. “The IJAA’s program fits in with that overall desire to preserve, protect and defend that heritage of the past.”

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the landing at Iwo Jima and IJAA will mark the occasion with special events in Arlington, Virginia, on Feb. 20-22.

“Gatherings such as this serve to continue reconciliation and strengthen the bond between the United States and Japan,” read a press release from the organization. Planned events include wreath layings at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the World War II Memorial on Friday and a memorial gala on Saturday to honor Veteran attendees who were at the battle.

While the Marine Corps was instrumental at Iwo Jima, storming the beaches in an amphibious landing and raising the American flag over Mt. Suribachi, signaling the U.S. victory on the battlefield, members of other services were also key participants in the battle. Members of IJAA include Navy and Army Veterans of World War II as well as women serving in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) units.

You can learn more about the Iwo Jima Association of America, including how to volunteer and ticket access for the 80th Anniversary events, at https://www.iwojimaassociation.org/.

Frank Wright

Juan Montano

Louis Bourgault

Fred Lash

Photos taken during a previous Reunion of Honor.

The National World War II Museum A place where connections are made

the war, to create more innovative avenues to share it, and to find even more stories that may fall through the cracks that deserve to be heard.

“So, what’s your family’s World War II connection?”

That’s what Peter Crean, Vice President for Education and Access, usually asks first when giving a tour at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The reason he asks that first is that when visiting this museum, it differs from any sort of documentary or text book that one could ever read because of that one word: connection. When visiting the six building museum chronicling the American side of one of the most history-dense wars in history, every single person is going to have a different learning experience that is tailored so that the immersive connection is one that you won’t ever forget with individual stories that are tailored to you.

The mission of the museum has always been the same: to tell America’s story and how it was fought and how it was won; each visitor in their own way will hopefully be inspired and learn the price of freedom, and that has never changed. However, the National World War II Museum is special in that it continues to strive to seek out more knowledge on the entirety of

“We started off as the National D-Day Museum, but the mission expanded to tell the story of America’s entire war and our experience,” Crean said. “There isn’t enough space to tell the whole giant story, and America alone fills all of the space. It’s a great story to tell.”

While one may already know the context of the big names, dates and events that shaped the war such as Roosevelt, Eisenhower or Truman, the goal of the museum is not to merely give you the gist of the matter; these are factoids that can be acquired in any PBS documentary or in a high school history class. What separates your experience when visiting the museum in New Orleans is the stories of the unsung heroes of the war that are told — the idea that you can go into the museum and hear an unfathomable story of a soldier, an engineer, or a factory worker that served their country and say something along the lines of, “This person reminds me of me,” or “This person lived and died in my hometown,” having never heard of them before is a force a classroom cannot replicate.

Story by Jake Russell

Photos by Jeff Heeney

Those who have seen the HBO series or read Stephen Ambrose’s novel can agree that what makes that series special is the human relationships in the small-scale, and that’s what Ambrose was after when the proposal for the museum began.

“We focus on the individuals who actually fought the war,” Crean said. “The museum started and the idea came in the 1980s between Ambrose and Gordon H. Mueller. Ambrose’s books gained traction and he interviewed a lot of the participants in the battles, and the idea for people to come and hear the oral histories about the actual men and women who came and fought and won the war was a resounding success.”

The National World War II Museum’s idea of telling the stories through the individuals where at the end of your visit you feel as if you’ve just

met those that were involved on a personal level is referred to as the patchwork quilt approach — it’s the idea where if you tell enough of the stories patched together, you get the bigger idea of the war. The crown jewel isn’t some sort of grandiose display, it’s the 12000 oral histories of the men and women where you can’t go 20 feet without seeing a personal story.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t unbelievable exhibits and displays for all to see with those stories to get the full moving, and educational experience, though. There’s a beautiful and magnificent Liberation Pavillion where one can explore the end of the war, the Holocaust and the continuing impact of it today. There’s a third floor theater that offers viewers the chance to get a cinematic experience, although there was a flaw in the plan to have that be the end, according to Crean.

“What we got wrong is that we finished the exhibit on the holocaust with the freedom theater," he said. “There’s no narration. There’s only oral history and those who liberated the holocaust camp and what the story was like. We assumed that people will stay for 5-10 minutes, but there’s half an hour in four different segments, but people will stay for the whole thing.”

If you love airplanes, there’s the largest suspended aircraft in North America, a B-17, airborne for all to see. If you’re a fan of Tabasco sauce, the maker of the brand, Walter Stauffer McIlhenny, was a brigadier general that has a helmet struck by a Japanese sword for you to make that personal connection if that’s what it takes.

The museum and its innovation is only continuing to push the envelope on how to make long-lasting memories, and one that has changed the learning experience forever is the “Voices from the Front” area that has utilized AI. They’ve taken 19 veterans and homefront workers and asked them roughly 1,000 questions. Using their responses taken from a studio, you’ll be able to interview a Medal of Honor recipient even 100 years from now merely by asking them a question into a microphone as it computes and uses their real, authentic answers.

Expansion to educate something as vast as World War II continues to be a goal for the museum long-term.

“Our job is to educate the American public and keep the story alive and convey why it matters,” Crean said. “We’re aiming our focus on expanding our educational programs to reach

students across the country and give unique, high-impact experiences to our students. We have curricula for teachers that were looking to teach World War II in our classrooms. That’s what I’m excited about — to have a second career and honor the previous generations and what they did is an honor. At the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, they’ve done their job if you have that special ‘that could have been me’ moment that is so special. Then we’re doing our job.”

There is nothing as valuable to the learning experience as that one word: connection.

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Adventures with Brie Paris — The city of light and love

Paris evokes dreams of romance, history and culture, offering endless opportunities to indulge all your senses. For those planning to visit the French capital, create an itinerary mixing iconic art, rich culinary experiences and exploration of the city’s various arrondissements for an unforgettable experience.

Discovering Montmartre through food

The Montmartre neighborhood, with its bohemian charm and cobblestone streets, is a haven for food lovers. A food tour perfectly explores its history while indulging in French delicacies. Begin your journey with freshly baked

croissants at a local boulangerie, then sample artisanal cheeses, cured meats and freshly baked baguettes from a fromagerie. End your tour with a sweet treat — try a rich crème brûlée or pick up macarons from a pâtisserie. Along the way, you’ll pass iconic landmarks like the SacréCoeur Basilica and Place du Tertre, where artists showcase their work.

Masterpieces of Paris: Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie

Art lovers will be captivated by Paris’ unparalleled museums, where past and present collide. While the Louvre remains popular,

expect to spend significant time there navigating crowds. The smaller Musée d’Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station, boasts an impressive collection of Impressionist and PostImpressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, van Gogh and Degas. Continue to Musée de l’Orangerie, nestled in the Tuileries Gardens. This intimate museum features Monet’s monumental Water Lilies series in an immersive, oval-shaped room — a meditative experience that allows visitors to get lost in the tranquility of his work.

Iconic landmarks: The heart of Paris

No visit to Paris is complete without experiencing its most iconic landmarks, which reflect the city’s history and grandeur.

The Eiffel Tower, perhaps the world’s most recognizable structure, stands as the centerpiece of Paris’ skyline. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair, this iron masterpiece offers breathtaking views from its observation decks. For a romantic experience, visit at night when the tower sparkles with lights for five minutes every hour. Enjoy champagne at the top, or admire the tower from the Trocadéro Gardens for the perfect photo opportunity.

The Arc de Triomphe, situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, pays tribute to French

military victories and those who fought for the country. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city, with avenues radiating outward in perfect symmetry. At the base, visitors can pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where an eternal flame honors fallen soldiers.

Notre Dame Cathedral, although undergoing restoration, remains an iconic display of Parisian Gothic architecture. Its intricate façade, stainedglass windows and legendary gargoyles make it worth seeing, even from the outside. Nearby, the Île de la Cité offers picturesque walks along the Seine and charming cafes for coffee breaks.

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica, perched atop Montmartre’s highest hill, dominates the Paris skyline with its gleaming white domes. Inside, visitors find exquisite mosaics, silver statues and an atmosphere of serenity. The surrounding Place du Tertre bustles with street artists and performers, adding to the area’s vibrant charm.

Practical tips for a memorable visit

• Visit Paris in spring or early autumn to avoid crowds while enjoying mild weather.

• T he Paris Métro provides convenient, efficient transportation throughout the city.

• Many popular restaurants and tours require advance booking, so plan accordingly.

Mount Vernon’s resident fifer is sharing history through music

Visitors to George Washington’s Mount Vernon often hear the distinctive strains of a fife travelling over the grounds. They may wonder who the masterful musician is, playing everything from period military marches to university fight songs, or sacred hymns at the Slave Memorial and Cemetery.

The man wielding the fife is Don Francisco, former Soldier musician and currently a history interpreter and fifer for the Mount Vernon Organization. How this former member of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps found himself sharing his talents with people from around the country and the world is an interesting tale.

about military bands, I thought, ‘I’m going to be paid to play music, to run and exercise and travel around the country and the world, this is a win-win’,’’ he recalled. “Because I was 17, my mom and dad had to sign to release me.”

Following basic training and attending The Army School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, Don’s first assignment was with the 5th Infantry Division Band at Fort (Polk) Johnson. He served in Korea, in the 8th Army Band, and went back to Ft. Johnson again – a fortuitous assignment because it led to his long career with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

“I told myself I like history and I love music, they go together well”

“The Division band travelled to Texas, and I saw the Corps perform and that’s what piqued my interest,” he said. “One of my friends who was with me at the School of Music was in the Corps and she recruited me for it. I went through the audition process, was selected and started in 1991.”

Don’s story begins in New Orleans where he was born and raised, when he joined the U.S. Army at 17, thanks to a visit by a recruiter to his high school in 1983.

“I love music and when the recruiter came and talked

He stayed with the Corps until retiring in August 2023. “Being in the Corps was like time traveling,” Don said. “When you put on the colonial uniform you go back in time. It was unique; we are the only unit in the military that wears that uniform. I was blessed to be able to do

Story by Alice Swan

Photos by Jeff Heeney

six inauguration parades, many White House arrival ceremonies and a bunch of exciting trips.”

The Fife and Drum Corps also frequently performs at Mount Vernon every year, and that helped him consider working at the historic site when he retired.

“I told myself I like history and I love music, they go together well,” Don said. “They didn’t have a musician position at Mount Vernon when I started. I came as a history interpreter, but I brought my fife along with me to play throughout the day on breaks and visitors would hear it and make requests. And then my supervisor asked if I could play for a ceremony at the Washington tomb and for other events. I was happy to because my goal was for people to hear the music and get a sense of what it sounded like [in the 1700s] while here.”

After being asked to play for even more ceremonies, Don approached his supervisors with the idea of creating the position of resident fifer.

When his bosses signed off on the idea, Don developed a special program – Music of the Revolution – where he presents near the main house each day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. He introduces his audiences to his large collection of wind and percussion instruments from around the world and different eras. They might also find themselves forming up to join Don in a quick step march across the grounds to the call of his fife and drum, to better understand the instruments’ roles on a battlefield.

“Washington liked music, the Army fife and drums and he danced when he hosted socials at Mount Vernon.”

“I told them I would like to be a history interpreter and musician to share the story of George Washington and music,” Don explained. “Washington liked music, the Army fife and drums and he danced when he hosted socials at Mount Vernon. So that’s why I play military marching music and 18th century Colonial dance music — menuets, reels and jigs.”

Another of Don’s duties is participating in the wreath laying ceremonies at the Mount Vernon Slave Memorial.

“I am here to discuss the issue of slavery in the light of recognizing, respecting and remembering the lives of the enslaved and sharing their stories,” he said. “I let visitors know this memorial is not a place of bitterness or hatred; it’s a place of peace, reverence, reconciliation, perseverance, faith, hope and love.”

Don said he hopes to be able to continue as resident fifer for as long as he is able, for two main reasons:

“I want to teach our younger generation, I don’t want the history to be lost,” Don said. “Also, I am African American and there are not many [of us] in this field. That allows me to reach young African Americans who don’t see many people who look like them in the history

field, working at a place like this, which can show them they could do this too.”

His second reason is more personal.

“I’m working here because I enjoy it,” Don said. “I grow here: intellectually, physically, spiritually. I am doing exercise, walking up and down hills on the grounds, taking in the Potomac River view. The job is therapeutic.”

The Mount Vernon staff certainly hope Don will keep returning, along with his fife. As George Washington’s Mount Vernon’s President and CEO Douglas Bradburn shared, “Throughout his time at Mount Vernon, Don has embodied the spirit of our iconic institution. The estate wouldn’t be the same without the ever-present melodies of his fife, his good cheer and his passion for teaching the next generation about George Washington. Guests laud Don for his good nature and musical talent, and members note that he often remembers them and makes them feel at home each time they visit.”

Bradburn added that Mount Vernon has great respect for the armed forces and that Don exemplifies Army values such as integrity and selfless service each day.

“It’s a beautiful thing when you find your sweet spot, a place that you respect and appreciate and the people respect and appreciate you,” Don told me, before quickly stepping off to lead his next Music of the Revolution program.

To learn more about visiting Mount Vernon, and experiencing one of Don’s music programs, check out the daily online schedule at MOUNTVERNON.ORG/TODAY. The historic site is open daily from 9 a.m-4 p.m. throughout the year. Military members, their family members, retirees and veterans can save $4 on daily admission tickets or save $20 on a Mount Vernon membership, which includes free daytime admission for one year. Information on the discounts is available online. Mount Vernon is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA.

Who’s behind the mic at Wreaths Across America Radio?

Different generations but the same mission – helping their fellow veterans

Two veterans, from different eras, and also Tampa, Florida neighbors, are now two of the top podcasters featured on the Wreaths Across America Radio broadcast line-up.

Bill Hodges, host of Veterans’ Corner Radio, shared that the opportunity to interview Wreaths Across America executive director Karen Worcester for his weekly podcast led to an invitation to join WAA Radio. He was happy to have one more way to help veterans get the benefits and services they’ve earned.

Josh Porthouse, a post 9-11 veteran, said his Transacting Values podcast joined the WAA lineup in January 2024.

“When I talked with Jeff Pierce, WAA director of broadcast and media partnerships, it wasn’t all

about business,” Porthouse said. “He told me the station was trying to show the next generations of patriots the importance of remembering, honoring and teaching about veteran legacies and that appealed to me, and their reach has helped grow my audience.”

Hodges described Veterans’ Corner as a “15-minute investment in your future and that of your family.”

“Each episode highlights what veteran benefits are available to you and your family members and answers the questions of ‘who do I call and where do I go to get what I need’,” he added.

The U.S. Air Force veteran began his fouryear military service time in 1959 as a BombNavigation equipment specialist on B-52s and he had a successful civilian career with his own company which provided military training programs all over the world. When he finally retired, Hodges was looking for something else to

Bill Hodges of Veterans’ Corner

Story by Alice Swan

Photos provided by Bill Hodges and Josh Porthouse

do, especially for the veterans and military retirees in his Tampa, Florida area community.

Reflecting on the difficulties he faced getting his own Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating and other benefits, Hodges decided to help others learn how to navigate the VA system. He began speaking to local veteran groups and in 2018, a small radio station in his community invited Hodges to do a weekly program to talk about the military and the VA which became Veterans’ Corner Radio. The COVID-19 outbreak provided the opportunity for Hodges to start streaming his broadcasts on Zoom, because guests couldn’t come into the station, which began his podcast journey.

Hodges has done at least one program a week since 2018. Episodes are all saved on his website www.veteranscornerradio.com, thanks to his producer Vern Hendricks and technical specialist Bob Dealmeida. Currently, Hodges is doing a series with the new presidents and commanders of various veteran organizations, like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, MOAA, along with the Gold Star and Blue Star organizations.

“I feel strongly that we (all veterans) need to join these groups,” Hodges stressed. “We need to be active participants because [veterans] are a very

small percentage of the total population, and we can get lost in the noise from other groups.”

While Veterans’ Corner focuses on helping people get answers to benefit questions, Transacting Values is designed to help veterans facing a deeper issue –‘what is my new role when leaving military service.’ Porthouse shared that his podcast is designed to help individuals recognize their self-worth through reconnecting with the values and character development instilled through their military service and life.

The former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman (who enlisted in 2010) and current Marine Reservist said that his podcast grew from a YouTube series he created called Survival Dad as a video memoir he hoped his son would someday see.

“Halloween 2021 was the first episode I uploaded,” Porthouse said. “After I put up a few more of my monologues talking about being a long-distance father and finding my identity as I separated from my role in the military, I started seeing comments from people in the same situation, and also a suggestion to start a podcast.”

Porthouse took the suggestion to heart and created Transacting Values, along with a media production company – SDYT Media – offering seminars, workshops, and print media. He has recorded episodes with more than 150 guests, who he calls ambassadors for his show’s important message – that individuals going through a role change in their lives can maintain their sense of self-worth by recognizing that they aren’t losing the values and character traits they’ve already gained.

“There is a demand for this message because everybody goes through transitions – whether they are separating from the military, retiring, divorcing, even children leaving home for the first time,” he said. “[We want to reach] anyone who is going through a transition in life where they are stuck, and their identity and their new role don’t match.”

You can hear Transacting Values on WAA Radio (https://www.wreathsacrossamerica. org/Newsroom/WreathsAcrossAmericaRadio) on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. or Sundays at noon. Veterans’ Corner is heard Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m. or Sunday at 10 a.m.

Josh Porthouse of Transacting Values

The brotherhood of war

Story by Lt. Col. Paul McCullough III

During the month of February, many people are enamored with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, but this year, February is special for me because of a very different reason. My son, who bears the suffix of IV in his name, has decided to join the Army. He is now the fourth generation of Paul McCullough to make the decision to serve his country.

He’s getting ready to leave for ROTC Advanced Camp in a few months, an activity which will determine in large measure whether he will continue on to earn a commission in the Army. In an effort to help him prepare, we recently went through a few “gorilla boxes” I’ve stored in my basement for several years, in the hopes I could one day pass on to him many of the items I utilized during my military career. As we went through the various pieces of gear together, his face beamed with joy and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in the man he’s becoming.

In the last few months since he’s joined ROTC, we’ve had numerous conversations about his experiences, and I loved hearing about every bit of it because I am now living vicariously through him. His military service has brought us incredibly close together, in a way that now allows us to understand each other’s struggles. Our shared experiences have helped us to develop a bond like no other – the brotherhood of war.

I mentioned that February is important to me. This is because only 9 days after Valentine’s Day this year, our country will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. This action was completed by six Marines from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, atop Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945. This unforgettable action was actually the second flag raising of that day but became the iconic and world-renowned pose that millions of people have viewed at the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington, D.C., since 1954.

For me, this statue represents the true essence of the brotherhood of war. Men and women, young and old, put their lives in each other’s hands during a combat situation. They have a mission to complete and they will do absolutely everything in their

Lt. Col. (Rev.) Paul McCullough, U.S. Army retired, is president of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Penn & Franklin-Greater Philadelphia Chapter and an Army Reserve Ambassador from Pennsylvania. He served 20 years in the Army, retiring in 2018 as deputy director for supplier operations, Defense Logistics Agency. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, and in 2017 as commander of the DLA Support Team-Kuwait. He holds a doctorate in business administration from Walden University.

power to accomplish that mission, including giving their own lives to protect their battle buddy. The six men who raised a flag at Iwo Jima symbolize the incredible struggle that all service members endure when they go to war and their dedication to the overarching mission – to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

I still remember taking this oath as a brand-new Second Lieutenant, fresh out of college. I didn’t know much about the Army at that point, but I did know about the concept of a battle buddy and how crucial it is to develop bonds with other service members. As I grew older and progressed in my career, the military was still important to me, but I discovered that I can have the same kind of relationship through my faith.

In Christianity, we are called to engage in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

This may seem like impossible odds, a situation in which we could never possibly hope to defeat the enemy of our soul. But much like the military, we are called to walk through life together as we practice our faith. Jesus modeled the concept of a battle buddy, sending his disciples out two by two.

As the Church grew and His disciples started preaching the Gospel in Acts, we read “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). I believe this is akin to relationships in the military.

For me, the statue from Iwo Jima will always represent the brotherhood of war, both in the military and Christianity. We are called to do life together, in both communities. As my son gets ready to begin his military career, I want him to know that I will always have his “six”.

The New Mexico Ice Wolves to wear Tunnel to Towers Foundation themed jerseys for upcoming games

The New Mexico Ice Wolves North American Hockey League team will wear special Tunnel to Towers Foundation themed jerseys for games on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, which will be auctioned on DASH Auctions with all proceeds going to the charity.

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget Sept. 11, 2001.

Ice Wolves Coach Kevin Hartzell has a personal interest in the impactful work performed by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation because his brother Michael “Bones” Hartzell was a homeless veteran in St. Paul, Minnesota. Kevin’s brother was a community treasure in his St. Paul community where he touched and inspired many individuals, families, and small businesses with his positive approach to life.

When Kevin joined the Ice Wolves and came to New Mexico with his wife Mary Beth, the only thing he asked was for the team, fans and community to make a major effort to help the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a way to help others and honor his late brother Michael.

Throughout the first three months of 2025, the Ice Wolves will encourage fans and others in our community and beyond to help honor Coach Hartzell’s brother by contributing to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation so that other veterans and first responders can get support from the foundation.

The team asks for contributions and also for support of the jersey auction where fans and collectors can help Tunnel to Towers by placing a bid and taking home a unique fully embroidered game jersey that was designed specifically for this event. The auction will be on Dash Auctions app leading up to and following FridaySaturday, Feb. 21-22 when the team will proudly wear the custom uniforms.

https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/ new-mexico-ice-wolves-support-tunnel-totowers-2025/c648530

https://fans.winwithdash.com/

Jonny Johannson (#7) celebrating after scoring his first NAHL goal. Photo by Scott Adamson

COMING UP

Virginia’s Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a veteran of the Marine Corps, delivers remarks at the March 2024 Support Women Veterans License plate roll out event. More on the event and how it is positively impacting veterans in Virginia in the March issue of At Ease. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

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