Martha Roby honors Wounded Warrior Project members at White House
Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby attended a special White House event honoring wounded service members and veterans at the White House on Thursday. During a special ceremony for the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride — a four-day cycling opportunity meant to help those who have suffered war injuries overcome the physical and psychological burdens resulting from their service — Roby showed her support and appreciation for America’s wounded warriors. “For so many wounded warriors, the road to recovery can be long and difficult. Soldier Ride offers wounded service members and veterans a unique opportunity to help each other build confidence by participating in a challenging physical activity,” Roby said. “I appreciate the President and First Lady hosting this special event and for inviting me to attend so I could pay tribute to some of the men and women who have sacrificed for our country. I am proud to represent a state that truly honors the service and sacrifice of our military families and veterans, and I’m grateful for projects like the Soldier Ride that are making a difference.” Hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, the event welcomed 50 Wounded Warriors to the White House to kick-start the annual Soldier Ride bicycling event Thursday. “You’ve earned our freedom with your sweat and your blood and your incredible sacrifice,” the president remarked at the event. “On behalf of the country, let me extend to all of the riders and your families the warmest possible welcome to the people’s house. I call it the people’s house. It’s the White House, but I call it the people’s house. You are all so amazing. You’ve risked all that you have, all that you possess, to keep our people safe and our democracy secure. We are going to keep it going for a long time folks. You’ve earned our freedom with your sweat and your blood. We salute you, we salute your service.”
Tim Bryce: Donald Trump doesn’t get enough credit for his philanthropy
Since declaring his candidacy for president, Donald Trump has been at odds with his Republican rivals, allegedly the RNC executive committee, political action committees, the Democrats, and particularly the media who appear to despise this political outsider. The media paint a picture of a loudmouthed, uncouth racist, who is greedy beyond words and, therefore, evil. Let me go on the record by saying you cannot be successful in business, be it large or small, by practicing racism or dirty tricks. Maybe organized crime can get away with it, but there are simply too many bureaucratic rules and regulations to allow this to happen. Besides, it doesn’t make business sense to do so. Trump’s projects as a developer and entertainer are well known and documented, but the private side is a little sketchy, making fodder for the press. So what do we truly know about Mr. Trump? First, he has repeatedly said he doesn’t smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs, nor do his offspring. Anti-smokers should love this, as should Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). Marijuana proponents though will have a problem with his stance on drugs. He also loves sports, which most red-blooded American men should appreciate. We do not truly know how deeply religious he is, but he claims to be a proud Protestant, a Presbyterian to be exact. When he was younger, he was impressed by the work of Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, the acclaimed author of “The Power of Positive Thinking,” which touted “Believe in yourself!” and “Have faith in your abilities!,” lessons which Trump seems to have embraced. Then there are Trump’s philanthropic projects, which are often criticized by his antagonists. If you search the Internet, it won’t take long to compile a list of some of the charities he has contributed to, including: American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association Alliance for Lupus Research Arnold Palmer Foundation Autism Speaks Celebrity Fight Night Foundation Children with AIDS Citymeals-on-Wheels Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America David Foster Foundation The Doe Fund DoSomething.org Friends of Scotland Girl Up Institute for Implant Analysis at the Hospital for Special Surgery (which treated Trump’s parents). Jimmy Fund Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation Make A Child Smile Appeal Make-A-Wish Foundation Mississippi Animal Rescue League Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center National Network to End Domestic Violence Neurofibromatosis, Inc. New York City Police Foundation New Yorkers For Parks Operation Smile Paralyzed Veterans of America Pediatric Epilepsy Project Police Athletic League (PAL) Raising Malawi Reef Relief Ronald McDonald House of New York Smile Train St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters UNICEF United Way Vietnam Veterans Plaza in New York Wounded Warrior Project That’s 39 charities, not to mention those supported by his children, particularly The Eric Trump Foundation (ETF) which is dedicated to raising money for terminally ill children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It is my understanding that, to date, ETF has pledged nearly $28 million. Yet, Trump’s detractors in the press still portray him as Scrooge. Even if he were to donate all of his assets to charity, they would still find something wrong with his philanthropy, that he didn’t give enough. Also, there are several stories circulating about Trump’s kindness, most notably the “5 Acts of Kindness” by Trump. To paraphrase the popular article, the acts include: After three members of singer Jennifer Hudson‘s family were murdered, Trump provided a free sanctuary in Trump Tower to allow her to grieve. He also provided security to Hudson and her family to respect their privacy, all at his expense. When airlines wouldn’t help a boy with serious medical issues, Trump provided his own jet to transport him. He saved a family’s farm from going into foreclosure. When former Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi was released from a prison in Mexico last year, Trump sent him a generous check to help him restart his life. In 2013, a Buffalo, New York bus driver stopped to coax a woman from jumping off a bridge. After learning of the incident, Trump sent the bus driver $10,000 to thank him. There is also the story of a man who allegedly helped change a tire on Mr. Trump’s limousine. In gratitude, Trump and his wife sent the man’s wife a huge bouquet of flowers along with a note stating Trump paid off their mortgage. These are the stories the press has been made aware of; there may be many others. The fact is, we know Trump is capable of kindness. It certainly does not jibe with the press’ depiction of Trump as a tyrannical ogre. He is hardly the heartless heathen the media characterizes him as. Donald Trump is a tough businessman who relishes success, and rightfully so. That’s what capitalism is all about. However, there is nothing requiring him or anyone else to help others, but he does so willingly as he has demonstrated on several occasions. Regardless of what his detractors say, there is nothing to dispute his religion, his philanthropic projects, and his acts of kindness. If the anti-Trump people are even half correct about his contributions, he is still a generous philanthropist. • • • Tim Bryce is a freelance writer in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.
