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Mullen Praises Newman's Own Foundation, Military Charities
(December 7, 2010) |
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Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the Newman's Own Foundation "Tribute to Those Who Serve" reception at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Dec. 1, 2010. Newman's Own is committed to helping make the world a better place through the foundation's donation of all its net royalties to thousands of charities around the world. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday
praised the Newman's Own Foundation and nine military charities that shared a
$2.5 million award from the foundation.
At the annual “Newman's Own Awards” ceremony here, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said
the foundation's role as a funding stream in an era when caring for
servicemembers and their families is critical allows military charities to focus
on making a difference.
The sacrifices U.S. servicemembers have made to the nation constitute a debt
that must be addressed and repaid, Mullen said.
"We as a country must recognize the debt these young people have created can
never be repaid, and it ought to be our consideration as the first check we
write, [to] do as much as we can to repay that debt," the chairman said.
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"We in the military feel privileged to be the focus of his
organization," Mullen said of late actor Paul Newman's foundation.
Newman died in 2008. |
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Nine military service charities were selected for
contributions from a $2.5 million award to continue their
work supporting servicemembers and their families before,
during and after deployment. The foundation made the awards
to the Armed Services YMCA, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation,
the Fisher House Foundation, the National Military Family
Association, Operation Homefront, Outward Bound for
Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the USO
and Warrior Gateway.
The charities honored last night and others like them
provide the “life-sustaining requirements” of today's
servicemembers, Mullen said.
“Their lives have changed while their dreams have not," he
said. But the path to reaching those goals has changed, he
added, and the charities provide essential help.
"Enabling them -- because they have given so much -- is
absolutely vital," he said.
Mullen cited a recent increase in battlefield injuries
comparable to the rate of those in 2004 and 2005 and noted
the spirit that makes wounded warriors worthy of the efforts
on their behalf.
"There isn't one young soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who
wouldn't get back in the fight,” he said. “[They knew] they
were serving in something bigger than themselves."
Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donated more
than $300 million to thousands of charities around the
world, according to its website, which also notes that
Newman was "committed to helping make the world a better
place."
The foundation donates all net royalties and profits after
taxes it receives from the sale of Newman's Own products to
charities worldwide. | |
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2010
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