Local organizations partner for Military Appreciation Day at Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC)

Fayetteville, NC — June 10, 2013 — The Army’s Army, in collaboration with the Fayetteville Sam’s Club, will commemorate the 238th birthday of the U.S. Army by hosting a Military Appreciation Day to honor Cumberland County veterans, delivering cake and handwritten cards demonstrating the strength of the local community’s support for its veterans.

The celebration will officially kick off with a ceremony and card signing table at Sam’s Club on Friday, June 14 at 11:00am. Residents and visitors are invited to stop by and show their support for community veterans by sending them personal notes of appreciation. The Sam’s Club is located at 1450 Skibo Road in Fayetteville, NC.

Following the card signing, the Rolling Thunder Chapter One of North Carolina will escort volunteers from Sam’s Club and The Army’s Army to hand-deliver the cards to Cumberland County’s local heroes at the Fayetteville VAMC. Sam’s Club Manager Mike Zalampas will then present the VAMC veterans with a massive birthday cake prepared by the Sam’s Club bakery. The Fayetteville VAMC provides medical, mental health care, and specialty services to more than 50,000 veterans.

“This event is the perfect opportunity for the community to honor and salute our local veterans and we are excited to partner with our newest sponsor, Sam’s Club, to commemorate those who have served our nation,” said Janine West, Executive Director of The Army’s Army. “It’s a privilege to celebrate the Army’s Birthday with veterans from our own community, giving Cumberland County residents a unique way to show their patriotic and military support.”

In addition to their collaboration on the U.S Army’s Birthday, Sam’s Club will also be sponsoring several projects for The Army’s Army program, Children of the FallenTM, this fall. “Sam’s Club has always had a deep appreciation for the sacrifice of our military’s men and women. When we learned about the need and opportunity to support the Children of the Fallen program, it touched our hearts and we knew we had to participate,” commented Mike Zalampas.

The card-signing event is open to the public and intended for all ages. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation to The Army’s Army or the Children of the Fallen program, please contact Janine West at (910)709-9671 or [email protected]

About The Army’s Army:

The Army’s Army is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization made up of citizens and businesses who have pledged their support to those in the military. We do everything we can to make soldiers, veterans and their families feel welcome, appreciated and safe. The Army’s Army is dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us©.” For additional information, please visit www.armysarmy.comor www.brieffromthefront.com

About Children of the Fallen:

Children of the Fallen was established by The Army’s Army as a mentoring program to help children who have lost a parent or guardian in the war. Through this program, and the continued support from partners and members, they are able to host fun, interactive events for surviving families, as well as pair children with supportive mentors.

About Sam’s Club:

Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation’s eighth largest retailer and a leading Membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million Members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. To learn more about Savings Made Simple®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam’s Club on Twitter, Facebook and on mobile and iPad® apps.

About Rolling Thunder:

Rolling Thunder is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring our nation’s POWs and MIAs are not forgotten, and to assist veterans in need.