Get involved in OPERATION S.E.N.D. CHRISTMAS 2009 TODAY! 

VIEW VIDEO

The State Journal, Frankfort, Kentucky - October 17, 2009

One of the year's highlights has to be participating in Lexington’s July 4th parade.  Military Missions won the Mayor’s Award for the float best representing the festival’s theme “Celebrate America.”  Needless to say, we are very excited to have won the award and hope that you will take a few minutes to check out our video featuring pictures from the parade.  Click here to watch the video Freedom Isn’t Free.

May 2, 2009 - Patriotic Americans across the country will be joining Military Missions, Inc. in a program that prompts participants to become more aware of those that stand in the gap to provide a safe America for all of us.  Not only do participants have a chance to honor our heroes, but they can also get in shape at the same time.  This program allows everyone to do something positive to make people more aware of the unsung heroes in our communities.

The concept is simple.  Take STEPS in honor of your hero and share your experience.  For every mile you “STEP” you can submit your mileage and share about your hero.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?  Anyone! If you walk, jog, or run, you are already taking “STEPS”.  Why not honor one of America’s heroes while you exercise?  From accomplished athletes to children to senior citizens, you are qualified to take STEPS to HONOR our heroes.

DO I HAVE TO RUN?  No!  If you are taking “STEPS” then you can participate.  Walk around the block, on the treadmill, around the track or even on the elliptical machine.  Keep track of your mileage and honor someone at the same time you are staying in shape.

WHO CAN BE HONORED? Firefighters, Military, Law Enforcement.  This includes veterans, those currently serving, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

WHEN CAN I START?  NOW, but the program officially starts on Memorial Day, 2009 and ends of September 11, 2009.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?  Go to http://stepstohonor.blogspot.com/ for information.

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO PARTICIPATE?  No, the program is free.  It is our hope that this program will cause people to stop and think about those brave men and women that put themselves in harm’s way to protect all of us.  There is no fee to participate, however, if you want to help us get the word out about our program, you can purchase a STEPS to HONOR t-shirt.  Proceeds will be used to meet the needs of our deployed military and their families through ongoing programs at Military Missions, Inc.

Click here to read the article at http://www.ourmilitary.mil/PressRelease.aspx?ID=283

LEXINGTON, June 29, 2009- On July 4th, Saul Good Restaurant & Pub will offer ½ price on all food as an incentive to generate donations for Military Missions, Inc.

Military Missions, Inc. is dedicated to providing care packages for every Kentucky soldier deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.  These care packages contain essential items (eye drops, foot powder, socks) and sundries (CD’s, snack food, video games).  The cost of each package, excluding donated items, exceeds $20.  In addition, it will cost approximately $11 to mail each package.

Last December, during OPERATION S.E.N.D. CHRISTMAS,  Military Missions sent 1,250 packages to Kentucky soldiers.   “We believe it’s important to let our soldiers know we have not forgotten them,” said Beth Pennington, founder of Military Missions, a Lexington based non profit organization. “The process of funding the annual Christmas care packages must begin now.   In unsure economic times, we all must start early and dig deeper into our hearts and pockets to show our appreciation for our military.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of Military Missions quest to encourage and thank our hometown heroes,” said Rob Perez, owner of Saul Good Restaurant & Pub.

Saul Good Restaurant & Pub is an American pub, which serves a wide variety of chef driven food, including hand tossed pizzas, gourmet burgers,  farm fresh salads and features a chocolate bar. The restaurant will offer ½ price on all food items on July 4, 2009, from noon to 8:00 pm.  Donations for Military Missions will be accepted.
Saul Good Restaurant & Pub is located at the Plaza at Fayette Mall, 3801 Mall Rd, Lexington, Kentucky 40503. (859) 273-GOOD (4663) www.saulgoodpub.com.

Click here to print this article.

Click here to print the flyer.

June 18, 2009 - Kentucky Guard Motorcycle Riders, VFW Post 680, and Military Missions, Inc. are hosting the First Annual Artillery Poker Run - Riding Beyond the Yellow Ribbon this Saturday, June 20, 2009.  The event will allow the community to show support and gratitude for service and sacrifice made by our soldiers.

This event will benefit our deployed military as well as their families here at home struggling with financial needs. While deployed, or when transitioning back into the community, there are difficulties that often arise that cause our soldiers to get behind with their financial responsibilities. Medical conditions, job layoffs, car repairs, appliance repairs and other unexpected expenses often set our military families back.  Most of them take a large cut in salary when they put on their boots and deploy on our behalf.

If you would like to donate tangible items to be used as prizes or food items for the event, please contact Roger Stevens, Quartermaster for VFW Post 680 at rstevens@qx.net.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please contact Beth Pennington, president of Military Missions, Inc. at militarymissions@insightbb.com or 859-509-4827.  All donations are tax deductible.

To find out more information about this event or to register for the 1st Annual Artillery Poker Run - Riding Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, please go to www.militarymissionsonline.com/artillerypokerrun.htm.  For specific questions about the ride or route, you may contact Dan Boller at daniel.w.boller@us.army.mil or Rob Corson at rob.corson@us.army.mil.

Schedule of Events
Registration
9:00 - 10:15 AM
KY National Guard Armory
4301 Airport Rd., Lexington, KY

10:30 AM
Riders Pull Out

1:00 PM
Ride ends at VFW POST 680
for cookout
1494 Leestown Rd, Lexington, KY

Registration Information
www.militarymissionsonline.com/artillerypokerrun.htm

Cost $30 Biker
Price includes Poker Hand, Meal Ticket, and Free T-shirt for the first 100  Bikers to register!

50/50 Drawing
Door Prizes
Raffles
Prize Given for Best Hand

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THIS ARTICLE

April 25, 2009 - An absolutely beautiful day in the Bluegrass set the stage for LexSHOUT - Lexington’s Shout Out to the Troops!  Members of Military Missions were out early to start their wild and crazy day shooting video clips and taking photographs.  Group members caravanned to different Lexington landmarks to catch up with Central Kentuckians out enjoying the best weather weekend of 2009. provides a way for civilians to say thank you to our troops.”

LexSHOUT stops included the Red Mile, Applebee’s Park, Thoroughbred Park, Commonwealth Stadium, and Keeneland.  At each stop, group members asked local bystanders to say a word of thanks to our troops.  “We had a great response!  Everyone wanted to say thanks and we shot a lot of great footage for our video, said Pennington.”  “We will definitely do this again!”

Military Missions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity established to support military members, as well as their families, on a year round basis.  “We are always looking for new and different ways to encourage our heroes.”  While trying to come up with a new idea for the monthly care package drive, Pennington started thinking about springtime in Kentucky.  With the Derby around the corner, it seemed like a great time to  send a Kentucky Bluegrass greeting.  “Not only will our Kentucky based soldiers get a glimpse of home, but those from other parts of the country will certainly enjoy a glimpse of the Bluegrass during the time of year when all eyes are on Kentucky’s horse racing industry,” said Pennington.

In May, care packages with the theme “Greetings from the Bluegrass” will be sent to approximately 200 deployed troops.  Military Missions is encouraging people to donate items with Bluegrass flavor.  T-shirts, caps, gadgets and more are going to be put in these packages.  Items having something to do with Lexington, the Bluegrass, Keeneland, the Derby, horse racing, UK, Wildcats, and more are being requested for the troops.  Businesses, groups, and individuals are all encouraged to take part in this Bluegrass greeting.  Donations are tax deductible.

“Personal messages are the most important part of our care packages,” says Pennington.  “When we hear from the soldiers, they always mention how inspiring it is to receive letters of thanks and encouragement.  We are hopeful that everyone will go out and purchase about 10 Kentucky postcards, write a short note of thanks, and drop them off to be included in our care packages.  We will also include a short message from Military Missions which will include a website link to our LexSHOUT video greeting as well as a slide show with pictures from the day’s events.”

The video is already up on the organization’s website and they have already heard from deployed soldiers that have had a chance to watch it.  If you are interested in participating in the “Greetings from the Bluegrass” care package drive or if you would like to find out more about Military Missions, Inc., please visit their website at www.militarymissionsonline.com. 

Click here to print this article.

 Click here to view the press release at http://www.ourmilitary.mil/PressRelease.aspx?ID=276

Click here to read about Military Missions in Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's December 5 press release!

Click here to read the recent article on Military Missions published in the Lexington Herald Leader