Tulsa-Based Military Group Honored At Yankee Stadium

The New York Yankees recently recognized the Folds of Honor Foundation and its founder, Maj. Dan Rooney, for their work on behalf of military families.

The pre-game home plate ceremony was held at the new Yankee Stadium. The foundation is based in Tulsa and raises scholarships for the children of millitary members killed or wounded in service.

In accepting the recognition, Maj. Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a PGA Professional, paid tribute to the men and women of the United States military.  

“We are honored by this recognition from the Yankees, as a tribute to all our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Maj. Rooney.  “The sacrifices of our troops keep us all free.  It is our obligation to see that their families can still realize their dreams after a father or mother’s tragic loss in service to our nation. On behalf of all of our military families and the Folds of Honor Foundation, we thank the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family from the bottom of our hearts.”

The foundation was founded in 2007, when Maj. Rooney had an up-close and personal experience with the "unseen" side of war. While heading home from Iraq, Rooney witnessed the grief of a family as they received the flag-draped casket of Cpl. Brock Bucklin, killed in Iraq while the major was also there.

  In that moment and thinking of his own family, Rooney found his calling. He set out to create an organization that would provide educational opportunities to those who might not have a chance to realize that dream after losing a husband, wife, father or mother.

The Foundation’s annual fundraising event is Patriot Golf Day, which will be held at more than 5,000 participating golf courses this Labor Day Weekend. Money raised for scholarships – ranging from $500 to $20,000 – go to the families of military members killed or disabled in service to their country.  By asking golfers nationwide to donate one dollar (or more) on top of their greens fees to the cause, they’ve raised more than $3 million and helped more than 550 families in just two years.  

Also attending the on-field ceremony were: Jacqy Rooney, FHF founding member and wife of Maj. Rooney; Maj. Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (retired) and FHF senior vice president & executive director; Maj. Pulido’s wife, Karen, and their children, Kaitlin (8) and Kinsley (3), both of whom are recipients of Folds of Honor Foundation scholarships; and Ginny Creveling, president & COO, Folds of Honor Foundation.

Maj. Rooney finished his third tour of duty in Iraq in November 2008. He resides in Oklahoma with his wife and four daughters.

 More information is available at www.foldsofhonor.com and www.patriotgolfday.com.