The Tree of Valor

Sgt Joseph Caminiti, 3rd Marine Division, turned 99 last month.

He joined the USMC at the age of 17 and he is one of the last veterans of the bloody Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima.

Thank you for your service sir, we will never forget 🥀

To say this has been our year of firsts would be the understatement of all times. Hunter Whitley, it is with profound sadness that I had to meet your family in this way. You are so well loved. I promise to keep your Honor Tree with us & keep your light burning.

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Celebrate the season in a brand new way!
Our very first Tree of Valor gallery will open this Thursday, Pearl Harbor Day from 2-8 pm. We have 100 trees from 12” to 12’ tall.
Most trees are covered in militiary history or veteran stories with hundreds of local veterans featured! There are also empty trees waiting to add stories you suggest to us. There is simply nothing like this.

🇺🇸There is no way to express how excited Lexi is to see her veterans & meet new ones. It has added a fire to her spirit I haven’t seen in so long.

We can’t wait to see you!!

Dear Family of Hunter Whitley,
I can’t explain it to save my soul. I had never met Hunter or your family but every time I look at his photo, I do everything I can to not cry. How one’s heart can be so full for complete strangers is almost bewildering.
I wish I was meeting you under different circumstances, just one Marine family to
another.
I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your cause, & be part of your event. We will see you soon.

🇺🇸

✔️Day 10
Some of the Veteran Stories are just too large to fit on one of our regular story trees. But that’s ok, Burn the Boats tells a story we wish never had to be told. It tells of a brotherhood who truly had to stick it out till the very end.

🇺🇸Thank you Jackie Kohler for this beautiful tree donation. Your sons served during this same war. Many of the faces on this tree are Purple Hearts like your sons. And many, sadly, never made it home.

🇺🇸It seems like it’s taking forever to prepare these trees but I realized that no one has invested as much of their heart in telling these stories in this way, & it’s worth every minute for it to be right. Someone said to me recently, “Oh, it’s become your life’s work”. Wow. It really has.
I cannot wait to share it with all of you.

The Tree of Valor is humbled to have been asked to attend this event in honor of Hunter Whitley. Scott & I will be heading to Alabama in a few days with our 22 a Day tribute, “Not Your Seat”, so if you’re loved one or comrade is in that tribute, they’re about to be deployed.
Thank you Shannon McDaniel for this special invitation.

✔️Day 9

Our Vietnam tribute is coming along beautifully. Some of this is what we took to the Citadel for the POW dinner with the SC VFW. That event will be one of my favorites of a lifetime just because of the POWs.
- Alcatraz 11
- POW tree
- Missing Man Tree
-Agent Orange
-The Brothers of Vietnam
-Vietnam vets of the past
-KIAs from Alamance county
-A Letter Home
-the Missing Man table

Jay Thorne, as the mother of a disabled child, I sooooo appreciate how you are caring for our older veterans. The changes your organization are making really do make all the difference. Thank you for our freedom sir.

S2 E16: Jay Thorne Veteran Outdoors Foundation Jay Thorne is apart of the Veteran Outdoors Foundation a 501C that helps get veterans outdoors and out of their heads

Well, if this doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does. Thank you Colonel Tillman. It warmed my heart to see your support.
At 91, he has helped to unload a tractor trailer, is planning an event to be held there, & is actively trying to recruit help for us. He is the definition of “boots on the ground.”
If you would like to help place photos on the trees please give us a call.
717-515-7418.

✔️Day 8
-Col Tillman came by to visit & we soaked up every bit of it. He’s the pen pal to have for sure. Lex is completely thrilled to see him.
-a Marine & his wife came in to see what was up in our space & were presently surprised.
-more trees were organized in collections we hope will make your hearts happy.
🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸

Why is she tracking the days?
Because she is so excited about Alamance Crossing!

✔️Day 7
Anyone know of a sign company wanting to donate a sign for us ?

-entry way done
-large flag hung
Thank you to Navy veteran, Teresa Martin for gifting Lexi 2 years ago with a beautiful flag which Lexi wants proudly displayed as often as possible.
🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲🇺🇸🌲
If you would like to help place the photos on the trees simply give us a call. It’s an inspiring way to serve. 717-515-7418 ♥️

✔️Day 6:
Check out the face of joy. As we contine setting up, her joy & anticipation of the veterans & guests coming is beautiful to see. We waited till the trees were lit & brought her out. Her little mouth dropped open in a gasp. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

If you would like to help place the photos on the trees simply give us a call. It’s an inspiring way to serve. 717-515-7418 ♥️

It is so freakin stellar to be included in this. This event was life changing for us. Meeting the Steiner family, the family of Daegan Page, amazing veteran musicians, nonprofits, & the voices of podcasters across America, plus sooo many veterans….we will never forget it. We can’t wait for next year !!!

✔️Day 5:
The Tree of Valor girls hard at work, but love this mission so much we can barely call it work. Lexi is our official inspector.

If you would like to help place the photos on the trees simply give us a call. It’s an inspiring way to serve. 717-515-7418 ♥️

✔️Day 3 at Alamance Crossing
3173 Waltham Blvd, Burlington, NC
- Lexi is absolutely loving the new space. Since we have keys & are able to come in the afternoon, she can really enjoy this. She has already met her first veteran, Jamie Lockhart, a Marine who served in Vietnam.
It was sooo nice meeting you sir !
THANK YOU to our very first guest!

✔️Day 4:
I LOVE surprise vistors here at Alamance Crossing. I ESPECIALLY love when it’s family who stopped by from out of state.
Love you Larry & Cheryl!
Can’t wait for you to come back & see it when it’s finished. ♥️

✔️Day 2 at Camp Tillman
-work on our Native American tribute window
-organize 100 trees, each one is a story.
-vacuum a LARGE room with a small vacuum. (Thanks so much Scott!!)
- have a mtg with a possible new sponsor!! 😉
-realize we DESPERATELY need more white lights. Sooo many of our lights that worked previously no longer do. It’s a small way for people or businesses to help out that makes a big impact. Please let us know if you would like to donate lights.

If you would like to help place the photos on the trees simply give us a call. It’s an inspiring way to serve. 717-515-7418 ♥️

✔️Day #1 at Camp Tillman
- unload two tractor trailers & two 16’ trailers.
100 trees & thousands of photos have a new home.
- start windows for our Purple Heart Recipients.

Thank you Jesus.
Thank you to my better half, Scott.
Thank you Dan Martins with Alamance Crossing.
Thank you Best Logistics Group
Thank you The Rewritten Story Foundation.
Thank you Col Tillman, MAJ Fisher, LT McVann, PFC Ward, & Alamance County Volunteer of the Year Griffus.

If you would like to help place the photos on the trees simply give us a call. It’s an inspiring way to serve. 717-515-7418 ♥️

What an amazing morning. There’s a lot to said for a 91 year colonel & his comrades showing up to volunteer. Much love goes out to Phil Tillman, Dick Fisher, Jerrold Griffis, Allison McVann, & the Best Logistics Team. If we didn’t see you today, but you want to be part of Camp Tillman (the name for this deployment of trees) please let us know. We will be there at least thru March & are always creating new military stories in our forest of trees.

And a special thanks to Best Logistics Group for helping us in more ways than I can ever express. That’s a story all on it’s own.

This is an amazing organization doing amazing things for veterans. We can’t thank them enough for their donation in September that helped pay for our 12 tanks of gas to the HEROSTOCK event in Ashland, NE.

What an amazing Veterans Day 2023. To be able to give back and honor 2 of America’s True Heroes was such a blessing. All I can say is Thank You, to God our Father for calling me and Mrs. J into this mission field and for our veterans community for trusting DOM to be a part of their lives and healing process.

As per his usual, God has given me zero notice when he’s going to bless the tribute. 😂😂
I need boots on the ground this Friday morning at 9 at the Alamance Crossing at:
3171 Waltham Blvd, Burlington, NC 27215 beside Urban Legend to unload our tribute.
We are opening a gallery of military pictorial history with our Forest where for the first time, we will be open for the tribute to be viewed. Previously, all viewing was done thru windows in closed businesses with no interaction available to the veterans. We are so excited to serve the veterans in this community.
If you or your organization is able to offer any boots on the ground we definitely need help. A tractor trailer will be arriving Friday morning. at 9.

Please msg us if you can help or call 717-515-7418
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

We’ve decided to join those who are making November: National Veterans Month!
Shawn Laurie from VetLife4Life always says, “Don’t talk about it. Be about it.” Ok Shawn, here goes. Thanks for your inspiration!
This is WEEK #1

1. Put a Tree of Valor of NC WWII veterans in our newest NC county, Wake County & newest city, Wake Forest at our 2nd Texas Roadhouse!
2. Shared our story on the Sitrep22/Every Second Counts podcast with Tom & Matt.
3. Added a new tree to one of our newest locations: The Marine Corps League Toys for Tots Bldg in Winston at Hanes Mall. Thank you Marina Livelsberger for donating it & Janine Ruth for delivering it!
4. Deployed our tribute to Jacksonville, NC for the Onslow POW WOW / Veterans event.
5. Had a group of Marines set up our 22 a day tribute & gave them the name of “just the person they need” in Jacksonville if they are struggling. Rachel Roberts
6. Continue to show support to Purple Heart veteran, Scotty Hasting & highly encourage veterans to listen to his new song, “How do you choose ?”
7. Added almost 200 new veteran photos to our gallery.
8. Honored our veterans in Kernersville after the parade.

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing Sharon George!

***REMEMBERING THE CATS***

Thousands of cats were dispatched to the trenches during WW1 to keep rodent numbers down and act as early warning detectors for mustard gas. So many gave great comfort to the troops as companions and mascots. How many cats survived we will never know?

Paws At The Ready -
The cats of World War One had significant role in all the campaigns, we must honour their bravery too.

Give thought to all the kitties
who served in World War One.
A battalion of the finest
who never fired a gun.
What was their role?
Whether hunting rodents out at sea,
or loyal friends to men,
these many cats had vital roles,
time and time again.

The food was saved.
A common sight in trenches deep,
dispatching mice and rats,
the soldiers’ had a special bond
with many of these cats.
Many were treasured mascots.
Five hundred thousand cats were sent
to serve in the Great War.
Some detected mustard gas,
whilst others were off shore.

Some of the feline heroes -
Togo was the Dreadnought’s cat,
The Swan had their lad Ching.
Pincher was the Vinex’s mog,
it was luck they hoped they’d bring.
‘Martinpuich’ was aptly named,
by The 9th battalion chaps.
Pitouchi was the orphaned kit,
who’d survived on army scraps.
Spark Plug, Tabby and many more
were companions to the troops.
The feline unsung heroes,
those cats who became recruits.

We’ll never truly realise
just what these cats went through.

So spare a thought and give some thanks
for what they did for you!

Lest We Forget!

A gunner with the regimental cat in a trench in Cambrin, France, February 6th, 1918.

Yep….

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This was such an inspiring play by these students. Hats off to Cassy for choosing to teach these students about things that many won’t. The students were amazing! I appreciate Tami Kline from the Kernersville VFW for recommending The Tree of Valor to Cassy to help with photos.

The Academy at Lincoln puts on a play to honor veterans The Academy at Lincoln puts on a play to honor veteransSubscribe to WXII on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1mVq5umGet more Winston-Salem news: http://ww...