OPERATION: ENDURING GRATITUDE, INC.

Mission: WHO – OPERATION: ENDURING GRATITUDE, is a non-profit Veteran Organization registered and incorporated in the State of Florida, Federal Tax ID 26-4335930. Technically OP-EG is the largest Veteran Service Organization in the United States…it is just that too few are aware of our existence. If you posses a DD-214 with an honorable discharge you have paid the lifetime membership dues and are a member. It is OP-EG’s wish that you take full advantage of what we will accomplish. 27 million living American Veterans deserve the efforts of our mission. WHAT – OPERATION: ENDURING GRATITUDE was created to develop innovative ways to recognize and thank ALL U.S. Military Veterans on a daily basis before they perish. Awareness is the key and vital to accomplish a variety of missions that we have identified as beneficial to ALL U.S Military Veterans Nationwide. Although we have numerous causes we have earmarked for another time such as the purchase of fishing and hunting licenses as well as camping permits on State and Federal land, we have to prioritize and feel we should accomplish the following three missions first. "VETNET”, -To enlist a network of retailers and service providers that will share our vision and become members, supporters, sponsors, and/or underwriters by agreeing to provide a discount on services and products to our U.S. Veterans while proudly displaying the VETNET sticker next to MasterCard and Visa on their front door. This is an excellent opportunity for any merchant in the United States to find their own creative way to show their daily appreciation of your Service To Country. Legally identifying our VETS is paramount to the success of VETNET. V.I.P. (Veterans Identification Program)”, – Upon discharge, 95% of Veterans only receive a Department of Defense form (DD-214) which is the only documentation of their service to country. A DD-214 is much like a birth certificate and is not carried around by VETS. State issued driver licenses and ID cards will allow merchants and vendors to easily identify a United States Military Veteran nationwide. We have contacted and lobbied all fifty States for the legislation to vote and pass OPERATION V.I.P. into State law. Ohio’s Governor, Ted Strickland is this first governor to sign this into state law. http://www.op-eg.org/news1.htm . WHEN – All Day – Everyday, 24/7, 365. We have dedicated the rest of our lives to accomplish our objectives. WHERE – The Good Ol’ U.S.A. WHY – Well let us start by addressing the fact that they earned and deserve this! As U.S. Military Veterans they are very humble and do not ask for much. A recent serious accident, which I have turned into a positive experience has only increased my passion for OP-EG’s missions. The month I spent in two different VA hospitals exposed me to very sad situations that once again American Patriots died…nursing staff in tears because they feel they failed some of us…they don’t go to our funerals because it is too hard on them…a wife calling me after I was discharged that her husband and my new friend had died because we were not able to find an organ he required to continue living. I would like to point out some very simple facts, we do not receive the folded triangular U.S. Flag nor do we hear TAPS or the 21 Gun Salute. It is my humble opinion that a high percentage of Americans know a Veteran whether friend or relative. While there are numerous and wonderful programs that address very important issues such as the wounded and homeless, there is nothing that exists for ALL those who served proudly in support of combat oriented positions throughout the Armed Services. The ratio is (7 to 1) seven support personnel for every combat oriented position…that is a tremendous amount of unsung heroes walking around the United States…and we don’t know who they are. OPERATION: ENDURING GRATITUDE must find avenues to raise awareness levels in order to succeed.