FORE! The 6th Annual Patriot Day Golf Tournament Was a Big Hit
Alexandria, VA – Retired U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Matthew Eversmann considers himself one of the lucky ones. On Friday, Sept. 6, Eversmann recounted his courageous story, which has since been immortalized onscreen in the Hollywood film “Blackhawk Down.” If you’re not familiar with the story, approximately 150 American soldiers fended off thousands of enemy combatants at the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, from Oct. 3-4, 1993.
Eversmann told his story at a Yellow Ribbon Fund fundraiser at the Belle Haven Country Club in commemoration of Patriot Day, September 11 – the infamous date of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, which began the U.S.-led War on Terror. He said that the 18th anniversary of 9-11 also means that wounded veterans need increasingly more support on and beyond the battlefield.
“It was impossible to say no,” Eversmann said of the invitation to the sixth annual golf tournament, which raises money for the Yellow Ribbon Fund – a 14-year-old nonprofit dedicated to helping wounded warriors.
“We’re so honored and grateful for the support of Belle Haven,” said Meg Lewis, The Yellow Ribbon Fund’s development director. “We can’t provide the critical support our wounded warriors without friends like these.”
The tournament was well attended by local golfers, veterans, and club members alike, who played a heated round of golf, and bid in a silent auction to raise money for the Fund. Approximately $50,000 was raised in last year’s tournament, and this year’s goal was to double that amount. There is still no word on the amount of funds raised.
“This has been a fantastic event for six years straight for an even greater cause,” said Win Sheridan, one of the tournament winners. “There’s not enough we can do for our wounded veterans. I was happy to do it.”
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