09/28/2015
Have you heard about Reflections Framed?
Reflections Framed is absolutely FREE and is a celebration of military service, past and present.
Here’s how it works
1. We ask people in our community to reflect on a military service memory from either their time in service or time spent by someone they know and love. The subject can be from any branch of service, retired or active, alive or long passed, and may have a simple story or a dramatic one to tell.
2. They submit their Reflection in one of two ways:
a. By completing an online form at http://www.helpaveteran.org/reflections/index.htm;
b. By picking up a physical form at the Wheaton Public Library and completing and returning it there;
In both cases, the submitter includes a short story, a picture, a caption for the picture, and optionally an audio tape of a reading of the short story. These elements make up the Reflection.
3. Bob Greene (DuPage Framing Center) then beautifully frames the Reflection.
4. Betsy Adamowski's Wheaton Public Library team digitally archives the Reflection so it is available for generations to come.
5. On Veterans Day (November 11), at Wheaton College's Coray Alumni Gymnasium, from 4-6PM, each Reflection Framed is delivered to its rightful owner (and/or their family and friends) by Wheaton College ROTC cadets in a wonderful, open-to-everyone celebration.
6. All proceeds go to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton.
7. The deadline to submit is October 19, 2015 with the first 100 Reflections framed for FREE.
"No Reflection left behind!"
Too often we leave our stories on living room couches or at our favorite "watering holes" - but once the story teller is gone, often, and sadly, so too is the story, the Reflection. Don't let the happen.
Our inaugural event in 2014
Last year was our inaugural, and it was truly moving. 56 Reflections were submitted, framed, presented, and celebrated. Music … color guard … big screens with a selection of videotaped Reflections playing … time to walk around and share stories and celebrate!
What a gift!
So, do you have a Reflection? Does your father/mother, grandfather/grandmother, brother/sister, or friend/colleague have one? Can you submit it for them if they need help or are no longer with us? With the holidays coming up fast, what a great gift, and FREE!
"Who's leading this?"
A group of local leaders met in 2014 and agreed that we could do more to lift up our community's heart for service, in this case, its heart for service to our country.
Sponsorships of all shapes and sizes are available!
If you have an interest in sponsoring Reflections Framed 2015 please let me know. I'd love to talk to you!
Why not in the Wheaton Grand Theater?
Someday we'll host Reflections Framed in the Wheaton Grand Theater! I know a guy who can help make that happen.
Have a great week everyone!
Rick Erickson ([email protected])
Photographs provided by Michael Hudson Photography
