PGA Professional Dan Rooney, an F16 pilot, with two tours of duty in Iraq established the Fallen Heroes Foundation to assist the children who lost a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan.

As part of their effort September 1st was designated the day when all golfers would be asked to contribute $1. The response at Gleneagles was overwhelming; $1266 was sent to the Fallen Heroes Foundation!

We must also emphasize the contribution of Wilson Sporting Goods. For every golfer who contributed Wilson offered them a free golf ball. Wilson Golf is a local resident who contributes much to the community. Their products are innovative, useful and affordable. Wilson has always been on the cutting edge of golf technology and offers the best equipment available on the market today. Ask British Open Champion Paidrig Harrington how well his Wilson equipment performed. If it worked for him it will work for you. Thank you Wilson Sporting Goods.

When all the contributions are collected nationally, I'm sure Dan Rooney on behalf of the family will express a sincere expression of gratitude. That expression should pale in comparison to the gratitude we must express to the families and especially the children whose fathers and mothers made the ultimate sacrifice of their own life. They must never be forgotten. Giving them a military funeral, their family the flag that drapes the coffin and a military salute although appropriate and honorable, is surely not enough. When we as a nation literally waste billions in stolen and misplaced foreign aid, surely we can and must provide for the children of fallen heroes. These children should never be in need. Thank you to all those who contributed!