'Operation Homefront' and our 'Hometown Heroes Tour'

     The Red, White and Blue Project is committed to presenting, hosting and partnering in cooperation with other non-profits, civic and private organizations, as well as educational institutions, on a variety of Community Outreach and Fundraising Events directly benefitting veterans, families and students at all levels.
     These events, both grassroots and national in scope, include such things as screenings of our films; providing keynote speakers tailored to your engagement; and, making presentations at schools, colleges, universities, civic clubs (including VFWs and American Legions), private organizations, at military installations, faith-based institutions (of all denominations), or a variety of other venues.
     Our Mission, our Pledge as a not-for-profit organization, is to “Educate, Inspire, Empower, Support,” while being activists, advocates, facilitators, friends, neighbors and supporters of the U.S. military, veterans from all eras and their families.
     And one of the most significant, uniquely structured events within our mission, is the 'Hometown Heroes Tour.'
     These public events include musical performances from notable artists, guests from the sports and entertainment world, as well as luminaries from many fields of endeavor. 'The Hometown Heroes Tour' events are commemorations to all veterans, with special tribute paid to our fallen heroes.
     'The Hometown Heroes Tour,' in addition to providing camaraderie, entertainment and support, always includes a “pay it forward” element. Every event includes a significant contribution from The Red, White and Blue Project to a Memorial Scholarship Fund, to school organizations such as Sports Boosters Clubs, or to veterans' and children's advocacy/family-related organizations in the name of a fallen local veteran(s).
     We believe that when courageous volunteer warriors such as Shane W. Cantu of Corunna, Mich., Andrew Keller of Beaverton, Oregon, Jonathan Yelner of  Lafayette, Calif., and Brittany B. Gordon of St. Petersburg, Fla., are killed, we don't view them and their grieving families and friends as people we don't know.
     It is our belief, while respecting the privacy and grief of a fallen hero's loved ones, that it is appropriate to take the death of an American man or woman in uniform personally. They are one of us. They are our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors. They fly to far away lands - just as they always have throughout our history - to confront evil with force, skill and compassion. They do so in order that the rest of us don't have to.
     The death of every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coastguardsman is devastating and tragic. But we can find light amid the darkness if we honor and commemorate the lives of these brave Americans, while putting our collective arms around their loved ones and assuring them we will never forget. 

'Tribute to U.S. Army Pfc. Shane W. Cantu' 
Killed in service to America, Aug. 28, 2012, Logar Province, Afghanistan
 
Saturday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., Owosso, Michigan
The Comstock Inn & Conference Center, 300 E. Main Street
Please join us for a community patriotic evening of Music, camaraderie, and support 
In Honor and Commemoration to all of America's Best and Bravest 
 
 
Tickets Now on Sale! - Call 989-725-0999 
($20 each: includes food and are tax deductible)
 
This benefit event supports the Corunna Athletic Club, Owosso Sports Boosters and 
The Shane W. Cantu Memorial Scholarship Fund
Musical Tributes from:
 Jennie Haber, Thomy Rogers, The Dirt Surfers, The Remix Band
Special guests: Coach Mike Sullivan, former UofM gridder (Two Rose Bowls)
The family of Pfc. Shane W. Cantu
Keynote Speaker: Roger Callard, former Michigan State football player, 
Hollywood actor and former Mr. America/Mr. Universe bodybuilder
  
 

World Premiere




  Our Mission: The Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community


Michigan Premiere

THE MICHIGAN PREMIERE of the critically-acclaimed documentary film, “Outside the Wire: The Forgotten Children of Afghanistan, was held at The Owosso Community Players' blackbox theatre, known as “The Studio Theatre.” The three screenings drew nearly 500 people and the film was received with rave media reviews and humbling support from audiences. This, of course, is all due to the film's universal message of hope, compassion and humanitarianism so courageously carried out by the men and women of  the United States Armed Forces, the men and women of the 47-country International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), members of non-profit and non-governmental agencies, as well as good people around the globe who care about fellow human beings, especially children and other innocents, and regardless of race, color or creed. Thank you and God Bless you all!    


Educational outreach is an important part of our 'Operation Homefront' programs. We enjoy the interaction with students, as we present and discuss various aspects of service by the men and women of the U.S. military, as well as its veterans. The programs, age-appropriately prepared for middle school thru college and university audiences, as well as civic and private gatherings, are highly informative and deal mostly with other cultures and customs as they relate to the U.S. Armed Forces throughout our history, and especially up to current events in Iraq and Afghanistan. These educational events, while critical to improving our future, also blend seamlessly within our core set of values and belief that lifelong learning is essential. Our programs are never politically or religiously heavy-handed, no matter the age group. We speak from the heart and never lose focus of our mission to "Educate, Inspire, Empower and Support."  
 
U.S. Air Force Col. Vic Kuchar (Ret.), one of our Board of Director's members, on a flight with American military heroes and former astronauts, including first man on the moon, the late Neil Armstrong (center), Eugene Cernan (left) and James Lovell (right) during a flight back from Afghanistan, where they visited the troops. Actor and TV host David Hartman is seated in front.


 
















































041213-N-2541H-002 Mayport, Fla. (Dec. 13, 2004) - A Sailor reunites with family members after returning home from a successful combat deployment to the Persian Gulf aboard the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). While operating in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Kennedy and embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) supported Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the Global War on Terrorism. Before leaving the region, Kennedy and CVW-17 provided critical air support for coalition ground troops as part of Al Fajr operations in Fallujah, Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class William Heimbuch (RELEASED)

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Capt. Steve Gerken, 34th Bomb Squadron aircraft commander, and his 3-year-old son, Diedrich, embrace May 13.  Six B-1 Lancers and their crews return to a crowd of family and friends welcoming them home here.  As of May 8, B-1s flew 497 combat sorties supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and dropped 4.56 million pounds of munitions.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Karah McNeill)

030303-N-8273J-008 Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2003) -- Amidst tears and last kisses, MachinistÕs Mate Fireman Luis Rangel a crewmember assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68), says goodbye to his daughter before boarding the aircraft carrier.  Nimitz, her battle group, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five, and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Tiffini M. Jones.  (RELEASED)

030613-N-6607P-005  Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Jun. 13, 2003) -- A Sailor from the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) rejoices after being reunited with her family during the ship's homecoming celebrations.  Mount Whitney completed a seven-month deployment as the flagship of Commander, Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).  The most sophisticated command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) ship ever commissioned, Mount Whitney incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment available today.  Mount Whitney departed Nov. 12, 2002, in support of the ongoing war on terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom.  US Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Delia Pettit. (RELEASE)