3rd Annual Salute to the Air Commando Family Provides College Educations to the Children of Fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations Troops

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is hosting its 3rd Annual Salute to the Air Commando Family Dinner on November 15 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., paying tribute to the members of the Air Force special operations community and raising money for the foundation's mission of providing full college educations to the children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel.

Fort Walton Beach, FL (PRWEB) November 4, 2007 -- The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is hosting its 3rd Annual Salute to the Air Commando Family Dinner on November 15 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., paying tribute to the members of the Air Force special operations community.

Okaloosa County's own Hurlburt Field is the headquarters for the Air Force Special Operations Command, which provides air support for Special Operations Forces around the globe. The roots of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation started at Hurlburt Field in 1980 when special operations forces attempted to rescue Americans being held hostage in Iran.

Tragically eight special operations personnel lost their lives when a helicopter collided with C-130 aircraft. Those eight servicemen left behind 17 children. From a pledge made on the desert floor in Iran to take care of the children left behind grew the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides college educations to the surviving children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training.

"It will be an evening of remembrance and paying tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom," said the foundation's president, retired Air Force Col. John T. Carney, Jr.

In attendance at this year's dinner will be Master Sergeant Edwin Horton Jr. At age 91 and a native of Ft. Walton Beach, Sergeant Horton is one of the twelve surviving members of the James H. Doolittle Tokyo Raid of 1942. The Doolittle Raid was the first Special Operations mission in our military's history.

On April 18, 1942, just over four months after Japanese naval forces had bombed the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor, sixteen crews led by then Lt. Col. "Jimmy" Doolittle flew their B-25 Mitchell bombers off of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the first strike against the Japanese home islands. The 80 members of the Doolittle Raiders trained at Eglin Air Force Base.

Horton was part of the first Air Force personnel assigned to the newly constructed Climatic Laboratory at Eglin AFB in 1947. Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Chinese, Army, Navy, Air Corps, and Air Force Medals. Master Sergeant Horton retired from the United States Air Force in 1960 after 25 years of distinguished military service.

Several corporate sponsors are underwriting this year's event including Pinch A Penny, Inc., Bell-Boeing, L-3 Communications and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Other sponsors include Aerovironment, EADS North America, WinTec Arrowmaker and several other local corporations and businesses.

"It is also a night for reaffirming the foundation's commitment," Carney said, "a pledge to provide a college education to all surviving children of special operations personnel killed in combat or training."

Currently there are 718 children in the Foundation's program, with 113 students enrolled full-time in colleges across the country. Since 1980, Air Force special operations have lost 145 personnel and they have left behind 194 children.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full funding for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and some personal expenses along with a laptop computer and printer. The foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in combat.

"It is important to remind our military that their community supports their efforts," said Carney. "And in the case of the special operations community, if they lose their lives fighting for our freedom, they know the Warrior Foundation is here to provide for their children's education."

This year's keynote speaker will be General Norton Schwartz, currently the Commander, U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. General Schwartz was the former Wing Commander at Hurlburt Field.

Entertainment will be provided by country singer, Rockie Lynn and his band. Lynn has performed with Carrie Underwood and Lynyrd Skynyrd and at the Country Music Awards Music Festival.

The dinner, which is being held at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton Beach, starts with a reception at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner and the program at 7:00 pm. Dress for the event is business attire.    

The cost to attend is $100 per person, which includes dinner and entertainment. There are a limited number of tickets available through Nov. 9th.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.specialops.org or by calling (813) 805-9400 to reserve your tickets now.

For more information, please contact Edie Rosenthal at the Special Operations Warrior Foundation at (813) 843-4417 or email edie @ specialops.org.

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