Greetings, Thirteen years ago, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I committed myself to doing something to help. That motivation led me to start Spirit of America. I had always appreciated America’s freedoms but, I had also taken them for granted. 9/11 was a wake up call. Ignorance was no longer bliss. My dear, old dad – who served as a SeaBee in World War II – and many, many others had done their part. With two young boys, I knew I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t do my part. In retrospect, it was a fairly naïve idea that regular citizens like me – with no government or military background – could help our troops and diplomats advance America’s freedoms and ideals. It turns out that it was an important idea. As a result, thirteen years later we’re still at it. We’ve learned a lot but the idea is still the same: provide private assistance to support the safety and success of Americans serving abroad. In the world of humanitarian assistance this is groundbreaking and unique; it is called “taking a side” because we take the side of America, we take the side of our troops and diplomats and the local people and partners they seek to help. Taking a side today, one of our field team is in Turkey working a project in Syria, another is in Peru and another is in en route to the Philippines. I’ll email more in the coming weeks about what we’re doing, where and why. In the meantime, please know that everything we do is in response to, and in support of, those serving our nation in the world’s toughest places. Thank you for your support. Jim