Overriding the stark reality of being dropped into a global theatre of conflict oceans away, United States military personnel often wrestle with how to safeguard the family left behind. Fending on their own back home without their deployed loved one’s support can be a lonely and demanding situation, especially if a child or spouse becomes ill, injured or anxious. Even adapting to everyday life in an active duty family can present unexpected challenges to the emotional and physical well being of everyone involved, experts agree.
Enter the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and its fundraising advocate, Prescott resident and New York Times bestselling Author Mike Rothmiller. The writer or co-author of 11 books, with a 12th due out this summer, Rothmiller will donate proceeds from paperback sales throughout May in a salute to Military Appreciation Month.
Purchases of Rothmiller’s non-fiction compilation: “America. Words That Shaped the Nation. The First 50 Years 1776-1826” can be ordered online for $9.99 from Amazon.com. The Internet bookseller markets the paperback as “a must reference book for every American and those desiring to become Americans.”
The presentation of each of 50 historic manuscripts in the book begins with a short introduction, followed by a copy of the original document and a typed transcript of the actual text to facilitate reading. Included in the collection are The Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, The Treaty of Alliance with France, The Seal of the United States of America and George Washington’s First Inaugural Speech. All selected documents, Amazon states, have been “judged as most important relating to the founding and evolution of America” by staff at the National Archives.
“America. Words That Shaped the Nation” emerged as a fitting choice for this fundraiser, Rothmiller says, because it defines the legacy of the founding fathers, military and others in preserving personal freedoms enjoyed today. By reading these historic materials, individuals and families may better understand the significance of what service men and women strive to protect.
“The funds go to pay for programs at military bases around the world where families are stationed, and it provides things like computers, books and supplies for them on the base so that children can really be taken care of in a sense when their moms or dads are off to war,” Rothmiller explained. “It makes it just a little bit easier for the kids and the parents.”
The Armed Services YMCA prides itself on partnering closely with military leaders and facilities across all service branches.
“The ASYMCA provides no or low cost programming that is designed to support active duty service members and their families to deal with the unique challenges associated with military life,” said Chris Haley, vice president of marketing and communications for the ASYMCA. “We provide respite care for spouses whose spouse is deployed [and] after-school mentoring for children challenged with a missing parent with poor grades or social difficulties. We provide programs that increase the resiliency of the family structure and assist individuals.”
Haley described the goal for the fundraiser as reinforcing “the need for support to our junior enlisted service men and women, and their families. They sacrifice every day for our safety, so giving back is only appropriate. Whatever money is raised will go to our programs that directly benefit those heroes.”
The book itself, Haley noted, “provides insight into our history and would benefit everyone. We are proud of our ability to use 89 cents of every dollar donated to directly support our programs.”
William D. French, VADM USN (Ret) says he is excited about Rothmiller’s effort. “This is the second time his efforts have benefitted the men, women and families we support. His conviction to help aligns perfectly with our mission. Service members will directly benefit from his efforts. Thanks, Mike!”
Rothmiller’s first contribution to ASYMCA was a 2008 book containing essays and artwork by children of military personnel describing why their parents were heroes. Co-author on that project was Allen Appel, with whom Rothmiller had previously collaborated. The two had wanted to “give a voice to kids whose parents are going to war,” Rothmiller said. “My Hero. Military Kids Write About Their Moms and Dads” remains in circulation and proceeds continue to be donated to ASYMCA.
All funding for ASYMCA’s $25 million non-profit operating budget comes from corporate and personal donations such as those provided by Rothmiller and Appel, notes Haley. Additionally, Rothmiller encourages fellow authors to donate proceeds from their own works to ASYMCA.
“Mike is a patriot and was looking for another way to give back to service members and their families,” Haley shared regarding the current fundraiser. “His efforts continue to show his dedication to the men and women in uniform and their families. We are pleased that he continues to find ways to give of his time and investments in a meaningful way.”
By Sue Marceau
Photo by Sue Marceau
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