Once every two years, 100 of the best long-distance riders from around the country are selected to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, a 10,000-mile endurance ride across America. Keeping with the philanthropic spirit of Hoka Hey, each rider participates for a cause. Orange Coast HOG (OCHOG), our longtime friends and supporters, proudly had six members chosen for the 2020 Hoka Hey Challenge! OCHOG is riding in support of Warrior Foundation Freedom Station and completing this challenge for our nation’s deserving military heroes. Join the OC Hoka Hey Riders by donating at https://us.commitchange.com/ca/san-diego/warrior-foundation-freedom-station/campaigns/oc-hoka-hey-riders-for-warrior-foundation-freedom-station

Did you know you can help ill and injured service members by donating your unwanted vehicle, running or not, via our partner CARS? Vehicle pickup is free, and your donation is tax-deductible! Proceeds from the sale of vehicle donations directly fund quality-of-life items, support services and transitional housing for our military heroes. Call 855-450-GIVE or visit https://warriorfoundation.org/ways-to-give/donate-your-vehicle to donate or learn more. After all, who could say no to Erwin?

It took a dedicated team to bring Freedom Station II to life. Two important members of that team were John and Connie Whitcraft of Whitcraft Engineering Solutions, who graciously volunteered their electrical design services for the Home of the Brave. John wrote a heartfelt post about what it meant to him to "be recruited for one of the best military operations in San Diego, California." https://whitcraftengineering.com/volunteering-for-those-who-fought/

Warrior Foundation Freedom Station's month-long celebration of America's birthday continues! We asked Master Sergeant Mark Mann, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) why he's proud to be an American. He shares his personal story with us below. “The Marines took me around the world where I saw countries torn by war; where dictators, militants and suppression were the rule. I soon understood that we enjoy many freedoms here which we often take for granted. I am proud that we have freedom of speech, the peaceful transfer of power, the ability to sleep at night and not worry about being taken away for political reasons, to worship in peace. One particular moment I remember that made me realize how lucky we are, came in East Timor while I was on a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit). When we pulled up to the island in the dark, the middle half of the island seemed to be on fire. A lot of the fighting was mostly done, but the humanitarian operations were still in effect. We went ashore in the morning as part of security for the landing area. As we set up security, a family passed by. They didn’t say much, but the look of gratitude in their father’s eyes for the safety and help we provided is something I will never forget. I am proud to be an American, standing together, ready to protect and help those in need. As we celebrate the fourth of July, I hope we will take this time to appreciate our hard-earned freedoms and how we can move forward together as a country and as a people.”

Thank you to Ranch & Coast Magazine for the beautiful story on Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in your July issue! This family-owned and operated magazine has been a San Diego mainstay for over 50 years and truly supports our military. Their publishing, editorial and photography team spent the afternoon with us at Freedom Station II, our newest Home of the Brave, and were the loveliest people to work with. Read the article at: https://ranchandcoast.com/2020/07/01/freedom-station-2/

Happy Birthday America! Thank you to the entire Warrior Foundation Freedom Station family - our donors, volunteers, partners, staff, and of course, all active duty U.S. service members and veterans around the world, for your contributions to this remarkable country that we are blessed to call home.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the founding of a truly extraordinary nation. Instead of just one day, America's 244th birthday is worthy of a month-long celebration! Throughout July, military service members will be sharing with us why they're "Proud to be an American." Ray Sizemore, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime member of the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station family, has this to say about what he values about our country: "Freedom. We have the freedom to go where we want, when we want, by any means of transportation. We have the freedom to sit in the front of the bus, the freedom of any religion, the freedom to marry whomever, the freedom to stand up for what you believe, the freedom to speak out against injustice. Try finding that anywhere else in the world. Most countries go out of their way to emulate our way of life. It is truly my greatest honor to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the best men and women of our military to protect these freedoms."

Our Warriors are number one, they adapt and overcome.