I had notified several people personally who I have known over the years. I received a card along with a check from someone that I have known since the 5th grade and have maintained a friendship of 63 years now. I am sharing photo of a heartfelt card that she wrote and a very generous check that I have since mailed to Soldiers' Angels.
Soldiers' Angels 2895 NE Loop 401 Suite 107 San Antonio, Texas. 78218
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I'm thrilled to spill the beans – "More Hearts Than Mine" by yours truly, Sam Conner, is now out on vinyl!🎵 If you're anything like me, you know there's something downright magical about vinyl. And let me tell you, hearing "More Hearts Than Mine" on vinyl is like rediscovering it all over again. It's got all the feels and then some. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of diving into my tunes yet, let me tell ya – it's a vibe. Think heartfelt lyrics, soul-stirring melodies, and a dash of that Sam Conner charm. So, if you're on the hunt for your next vinyl obsession (and let's face it, who isn't?), head on over to Instant Vinyl and snag yourself a copy. Trust me, your ears will thank you. https://instantvinyl.co/product/sam-conner-more-hearts-than-mine (https://instantvinyl.co/product/sam-conner-more-hearts-than-mine) Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/esy8iFBH Let's keep the music spinning and the good vibes flowing. Catch ya on the flip side! Rock on, Sam 🎸 2 awesome young ladies who participated with their moms.
The 4 leaders of ROC SOLID FOUNDATION - Lisa is 2nd from left and based out of Apex, NC. The other 3 leaders with her are based out of Virginia. The finished Playhouse for Gracelyn, complete with handwritten personal and uplifting messages from all the volunteers who showed up and worked to make this happen for Gracelyn and her family. I was extended this invitation by her Grandma who is a dear friend and member of the American Legion Family. When she text me about it, I instantly said of course I will come. I am both humbled and honored not only being ask to participate and share in such a moment; but to also meet Gracelyn who at her very young age is battling Cancer..
The play set was donated and built this morning by ROC SOLID FOUNDATION whose members came from as far as Virginia to assemble it along with many volunteers who you will see in the pictures. All donating their time and labor. Wendy’s corporate also contributed. It was hard to believe everything was delivered yesterday and the workers arrived at 8 am. As a team they had completed entire build right down to spreading the mulch. After photo ops the director dedicated a framed plaque for Gracelyn and the family and participants were given a sharpie to write a special message of encouragement to Gracelyn on the beams of the play set. APROPOS After a year and a half, I finally have come to terms with a reckoning of "Father Time" catching up to me; I cannot continue riding. It would be another 2 months before I willed myself to move forward with trying to sell my beloved bike. I stopped at the bike shop, Cutter's Custom Cycles who have been the only shop maintaining the bike since I moved to North Carolina 18 years ago. Derek suggested a selling prices as well a mentioning to put it on Facebook Marketplace as well as Offer Up, and that I can show the bike at the safety of the shop. I wrestled with that notion for a week a week and felt unsettled about going that route. I began doing web searches for Veterans donations and vehicle donations for veterans. I chose Soldiers' Angels after reading their Bio and then speaking at great length on the phone with a representative. The money from their sale of the bike goes directly to aiding veterans. That night I was able to finally sleep through the night, no longer anxious, and my heart and my mind was at peace. I equated all of this after realizing that just like my riding the bike on my yearly Saddle Up VA Hospital Route 66 missions visiting patients and their families ; that this is just another way of me providing support to veterans. Yesterday was another monumental day as I went to the DMV to turn in motorcycle license plate. When I reached the counter I told the clerk how after riding this bike for 22 years and of my missions it was now time for me stop. As she processed my paperwork, she gazed up at me and instinctively asked if I was alright. Collecting my receipt from her I headed for the exit. Before reaching the door a lady in line stopped me and said, "Sir, I heard what you said about how you donated your motorcycle to Soldiers' Angles and that many veterans will benefit from your generosity." As tears began to well in her eyes she hugged me and said, "You are an angel." Within military culture it has been said, "That old Soldiers never die, they just fade away." On February 26, 2024 the pick up of my bike took place. I assisted the tow truck vendor in loading the bike that had safely taken me on this journey and logging over 73,000 miles. With a tear I honored its loyal service with a final salute. Soldiers Angels- “May no soldier go unloved | May no soldier walk alone | May no soldier be forgotten | Even after they come home.”™ Soldiers’ Angels is a national 501(c)3 charity, gifts to which are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Our Tax ID# is 20-0583415. CFC# 25131. About Us Soldiers’ Angels provides aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families. Will you help us support our troops? The Diversity of our Service Members We make it a point in our storytelling and communications to highlight and celebrate the diversity of people and cultures. Orlando Magic, MCW Host Hoops for Troops Commitment to Service ProjectORLANDO – Years ago, when Michael Carter-Williams would visit his grandfather in Massachusetts and ask about a missing finger on his hand, LeRoy Carter would usually make up a story about a lawnmower accident and quickly change the subject. Carter-Wiliams learned later in life that his now-late grandfather actually lost that finger and suffered other scars - both physical and mental ones while serving in the military and fighting in foreign wars. That LeRoy never wanted to recount the horrible visions of death and destruction that he saw during war spoke volumes to young Michael. Those memories made Carter-Williams’ attendance at the Soldiers’ Angels Domiciliary Dinner at the Orlando VA Medical Center on Tuesday even more important and impactful. Carter-Williams, Magic Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw and other Magic staffers served food and played games of Bingo with some of the 60 former veterans and patients working to heal their bodies and minds at VA Hospital in Lake Nona. Carter-Williams said it was the least he could do to show his appreciation to a group of people who gave so much for the well-being of the United States if America. “I can relate to (the VA patients) because my grandfather was in the military, and they go over to different places and fight for us and it’s not easy for them,” said Carter-Williams, who re-signed with the Magic in July after helping lead the franchise to the playoffs last spring. “So, yo just try and give back to them in whatever way that he can, it’s very important.” Thanks Maria Byrd and Christian Biagiarelli of Team Powersports Kawasaki-Suzuki Raleigh, NC for providing memorable experience for me today when I picked up my just released Kawasaki Adidas Ninja sneakers. Proud to be a Kawasaki rider and ambassador!
Breaking More Hearts Than Mine- is available on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube music, Amazon music, and more
The Wall That Heals Ceremony Garner, NC *The guy singing is a broadway performer and flew down just to sing and dedicated this performance to the Vietnam veterans and their families in attendance. He left right afterwards to catch a flight back to NY for a performance tonight on broadway. |
Samuel Conner, Author
Sam is a Veteran who rode his motorcycle from the East Coast to California where he then joined "Run For The Wall" riding 3,000 miles from California to The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. and he wrote his first book sharing his journey. Sam and the other Veterans are healed by the receptions given to them by strangers along the way. Sam's initial trip and subsequent trips thereafter inspired Sam to author other books. For more information about Sam please click here. Archives
April 2024
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