For all the ongoing efforts to care for troops coming home from abroad, the families of those who survived — and those who didn’t — are somewhat overlooked. That’s why Major Dan Rooney founded Folds of Honor, a charity dedicated to assisting these families by providing educational scholarships to dependents of troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bushnell Outdoor Products has partnered with Folds of Honor for several years. The company is also a sponsor of the Outdoor Channel’s “Craig Morgan< All Access Outdoors.” The idea of getting Morgan, a 10-year U.S. Army veteran, involved with Folds of Honor was, therefore, in the words of Mark Schaefer, Marketing Director, Bushnell Outdoor Products, a “no-brainer.”
“We knew that Craig is one of those unique individuals who have given a lot back, not just to his community but to his country as well,” he said. “So we approached him with the idea of writing a song that would be a tribute to the military and their families, and he just loved and embraced it.”
Morgan finished that song, “What Matters Most,” two days before the 2012 SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show opened in Las Vegas. He premiered it there at a Bushnell press conference, where it was announced that a recording of the song would be made available for free download to the first 10,000 visitors at WhatMattersMost.FoldsOfHonor.org. Voluntary donations are encouraged from all who access this site, with Bushnell matching everyone with its own $1 pledge. The site will remain active at least through the end of 2012.
“We offer it free because we want as many people as possible to be exposed to the message of this song,” Schaefer explained. “It’s not just for those people we’re supporting through Folds of Honor; it’s really about the people that have to make sacrifices — not just those who are fighting for our country, but their families too. And people aren’t just taking advantage of the free download; they’re contributing. We’ve gotten over 3,000 downloads already, with people giving $25, $50, even $100, stepping up and supporting our country.”
“Most Americans support our military, regardless of their politics,” said Morgan. “But when a soldier has fallen in service to our country or is no longer able to work, their dependents still need our support. Folds of Honor offers educational assistance their parent or spouse can no longer provide. Those families must not be forgotten.
“Country Music gets that message across better than any other format,” he added. “It’s the people’s music. And education is critical for this country. We must ensure that these kids receive as much education as they can.”
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By Bob Doerschuk
Used by Permission © 2012 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
