May, 2015 Dear Friend, Memorial Day is a time to recognize the heroes in our lives. We all have heroes. Mine are my parents who sacrificed for me, and my wife who gave up a promising career to focus on being a great mom to our children. They are also my teachers who inspired me and a boss who took time to mentor me. My heroes also include the staff at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch who selflessly devote themselves to the incredibly challenging job of helping troubled children. But most of all, my heroes are the brave men and women who died defending us. We Remember YBGR Alumni Dennis Wear Who Gave His Life for Our Country On September 10, 1968, Dennis Wear was killed in Vietnam. He died in enemy action while serving in the U. S. infantry. He was 21 years old. action while serving in the U. S. infantry. He was 21 years old. Dennis had a difficult life before coming to what was then Yellowstone Boys Ranch. He thrived at the Ranch for six years and while in the Army, remained in close contact with the staff until his death. Word of Dennis’ death came during a staff meeting at the Ranch. Superintendent Bob McFarlane had to stop the meeting as tears came and his voice broke. Dennis had written Mr. Mac (“the only father I ever knew”) the month before his death saying, “Bob, I am really happy, not in the way most people think of being happy. This is something different, more of a satisfied happiness. Maybe being over here does give me a different look at what things in life really are and something to fight for.”
2050 Overland Avenue, P.O. Box 80807 • Billings, Montana 59108-0807 • Phone (406) 656-8772 • www.yellowstonefoundation.org
Before his death two years ago, Bob McFarlane shared with me that Dennis’ willing sacrifice, when he had every right to be bitter about the bad events in his life before coming to the Ranch, was one of the most inspirational and meaningful events in Bob’s life. Yellowstone memorialized Dennis by naming a group home the “Dennis Wear Group Home.” And still, after more than 45 years, we don’t forget. Please Make a Gift to Yellowstone Foundation in Honor of Your Hero For decades, people who care about troubled children have supported Yellowstone by making gifts in honor or in memory of loved ones and other heroes. Those generous gifts help Yellowstone Foundation support the Ranch and similar organizations. We honor those heroes in every Wrangler newsletter. Please consider making a gift in memory of Dennis Wear or in honor of your personal hero for the benefit of troubled children. It would be our honor to recognize your hero. For the kids, Kurt Alme, President
The Mission of Yellowstone Foundation is to support charitable, religious, and education organizations and programs whose services primarily benefit youth and adults with special needs. Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is the favored grantee. All contributions to Yellowstone Foundation will be used to support the Ranch or other organizations or programs within the Foundation’s Mission.