Local Organization to Host "Freedom Isn't Free" Event for Veterans and Families
By: Laura Kirtley
Updated: November 8, 2012
Freedom Isn't Free Tribute is a community outreach sponsored to veterans from all wars by Point Man Ministries of Newburgh. There are an estimated 30,000 veterans in the Evansville MSRP and we have five goals:
1. Honor veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan with a special Welcome Home Tribute.
2. Make veterans aware of the benefits that they have earned from a grateful nation.
3. Provide a Job Fair with representatives from WorkOne, Fifth Third Bank, Old National Bank, Humana, Shoe Carnival and Toyota Boshoku, Indiana.
4. Make veterans aware of their educational benefits with workshops presented by veteran representatives from University of Evansville, University of Southern Indiana and Indiana Vocational Technical College.
5. Make veterans aware of the help available from Point Man and Home Front to help them transition from war to home.
Who will be participating in the Event?
1. Henderson County JROTC Color Guard and Harrison JROTC
2. Crossroads 200 voice choir and band will be playing a medley of patriotic music
3. Mayor Lloyd Wennecke
4. Major General Martin Umbarger, the Adjutant General for the Indiana National Guard
5. Keynote Speaker, Chuck Dean, nationally recognized author and lecturer on combat transition issues
6. Veterans Administration Mobile Center and Vet Center.
7. Veteran Service Officers from Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties
8. American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans Foreign Wars (VFW)
9. Rolling Thunder and Christian Motor Cycle Association
10. River City Thunderbolts, (military vehicle preservation group)
When and Where is the Event?
1. The Freedom Isn't Free Tribute will be at Crossroads Christian Church at 10800 Lincoln Avenue, Newburgh
2. Times of the event is from 8:30 to 1:00 with the following breakdown
a. Freedom Isn't Free Tribute: 9:00 to 11:00
b. Workshops and veterans assistance: 11:00 to 1:00
What is Point Man and Home Front?
Point Man and Home Front are combat veterans and their families helping other combat veterans transition home from war. Point Man and Home Front Newburgh were founded 2-years ago this month and over 85 men and over 25 family members have attended at least 2 meetings. We routinely have about 30-men and 10-family members at our Monday night meetings at 6:30 at Crossroads Christian Church. We provide the following to a veteran and/or their family:
1. A safe place where the combat veteran can share their deepest feelings with people who have been in combat or who have lived with a combat veteran and who are or have successfully made the transition home.
2. Our study material is designed to help the veteran or their family to understand why they behave the way they do and most importantly, how to get better.
3. We are bridge back to church because the soul is one of the first casualties of war.
4. Our goal is for every combat veteran to not just live, but to live a full and complete life


