Veterans of Valor

February 19, 2010: Fort Sam Houston Warrior and Family Support Center

2010-02-22T17:23:00.001-06:00

I would like to thank Fort Sam Houston Warrior and Family Support Center for the Certificate of Appreciation I received in recognition of Veterans of Valor for the support we provide to our wounded warriors and their families. It is always an honor to serve those who give up much yet ask so little in return. Thank you for the honor.

August 21-27 - Louisville, KY

2009-08-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

On behalf of Veterans of Valor Klay has been asked to be a special guest at the American Legion's 91st National Convention.

Event for the Wounded - Dave and Buster's Night Out

2009-08-14T10:58:00.000-05:00

Veterans of Valor is proud to announce our biggest event of the year will take place September 17th in San Antonio, Texas. This outing is so massive VoV will close Dave and Buster's to the public allowing room for the wounded and their family support members to participate. VoV is proud to announce our partnership with the American Legion and continuing care with our combat wounded. More updates will be posted as the date gets closer update to inform you of special guests and celebrities attending.

August 11 - Poker Tournament

2009-08-12T14:39:00.000-05:00

Veterans of Valor held their 2nd poker night at the American Legion Post 252. Winners were Kirby South and Tony Dirk split pot at $50.00 each. Thanks to everyone who participated and our volunteers, your time and effort is greatly appreciated! Extra thanks to Troy DeHart who donated an extra $100.00 to the organization.

July 22 & 23 New York City, NY

2009-07-27T14:06:00.000-05:00

Klay was asked to address executives at GFI Investments who support the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation at the SoHo House in New York City. The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation has made it possible for Veterans of Valor to provide comfort items and various services to OIF/OEF combat wounded Americans. Janet South attended as Klay's guest. Colin Heffron and the team at GFI Investments rolled out the red carpet. A special thanks to the lovely Rene' who is perfect.

Tuesday July 14 Indianapolis, IN

2009-07-27T14:03:00.000-05:00

Veterans of Valor held their first poker tournament at American Legion Post 252. Klay was pleased with the great turn out. First place winner walked away with $75 and the second place player won $25. Look forward to next poker tournament on August 11 also at American Legion Post 252.

July 8 & 9 San Antonio, TX

2009-07-27T14:01:00.000-05:00

Veterans of Valor hosted our monthly event for wounded heroes and their families at Dave and Buster's in San Antonio, Texas. The event is always at capacity making it a huge success with a turn out of well over a 110 wounded service members and families. VoV guests enjoyed dinner, deserts, and an evening of playing games. Klay addresses his guests with dedication and commitment to serve, but when game time arrives, the children compete with him as their equal. Guests of all ages have to be tracked down and pulled away from the games to catch the transportation back to base. A special thanks to Tom Reynolds and all of his volunteers that served our heroes from their heart.

June 3 & 4 San Antonio, TX

2009-07-27T13:56:00.000-05:00

Veterans of Valor hosted wounded heroes and their families at Dave and Buster's in San Antonio, Texas. Our special guests were accommodated with entertainment from local comedian Steve Trevino. Also, our guests were treated to a full dinner and delicious deserts. After their dinner and show, guests were extremely anxious to take advantage of loaded game cards and soon after winning buckets of tickets for prizes. Veterans of Valor wants to give a very special thanks to comedian Steve Trevino, Nick Lowery, and volunteers from the American Legion Post 593 who made this night such a success. Nick Lowery who is a close personal friend of Klay attended with his wife, Nicky Lowery. Nick is also the Navy Corpsman who saved Klay's life when he was combat wounded in Iraq.

Tuesday May 19 Indianapolis, IN

2009-07-27T13:52:00.000-05:00

Students of McGarthur Elementary presented Klay with the Support Our Heroes Award.

Friday May 15 Indianapolis, IN

2009-07-27T13:48:00.000-05:00

Klay was guest of honor to Gen. Umbarger at the Armed Forces Day Banquet, Indianapolis 500. The evening honored all military service members who have served our country past and present. Special recognition was given to attending Purple Heart recipients.

Video Shoot

2009-04-27T14:25:00.001-05:00

Hello! This past week was a busy one for Veterans of Valor. Part of our team traveled to Pennsylvania for Retired Maj.Gen. Tom Jones's Outdoor Odyssey Camp Klay spent time interacting with wounded veterans and encouraging the young men who attended the leadership and work development program. Friday, he headed back to Indianapolis to meet with the author of his book, while I jetted away to Washington D.C. to help shoot a fundraising video. Our great friends Chris and Elise Hannamann, along with amazing volunteer and professional videographer Joey Santos, met there, and proceeded with an eight-hour shoot. The whole team was wonderful to work with, and I've posted a few pictures of our visit.

v/r,
Lydia Davey
Director of Public Relations
Veterans of Valor

April Update

2009-04-20T10:52:00.001-05:00

So far, 2009 has been a busy year for Veterans of Valor. We’ve made two trips to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, and one trip to the National Naval Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to deliver backpacks and host our popular Veterans of Valor Night Out Event. We’ve seen lives touched, and - as the months pass – bodies and minds mending.

I have also begun recording my memories and experiences in collaboration with author Robert Armeo and New Century Publishing with the intent to publish my memoirs this fall.

The current state of the economy means tough times for many, and donations have slowed significantly. However, Veterans of Valor is looking to expand our efforts to help meet the mental health needs of wounded heroes through our PTSD Mentorship Program.

We hope you will consider joining your resources with ours as we take this significant step of support for those who need it most. Please consider making a donation of $10, $25, or $50 to provide hope and help for our nation’s heroes.

Semper Fi,
Sgt. Klay South

Veterans of Valor
7216 U.S. 31 South
Indianapolis, IN 46227

Updated Website!

2009-03-20T13:23:00.001-05:00

The Veterans of Valor website has a new look! Come check it out at www.veteransofvalor.org

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, March 11, 2009 - San Antonio

2009-03-20T13:17:00.000-05:00

The Veterans of Valor Team traveled to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, March 11, to deliver packs to combat wounded burn victims there. Veterans of Valor also hosted a Night Out at Dave & Busters for wounded veterans and their families.

San Antonio Comedian Dave May, a Comedy Central veteran, donated a stand-up show. A total of 117 guests, along with a team of three area volunteers, were provided a roast beef dinner and unlimited game cards.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Feb. 18, 2009 - Washington D.C.

2009-02-20T11:55:00.000-06:00

The Veterans of Valor team hosted a Night Out at Dave & Busters for 46 service members, Feb. 18, 2009. In addition to a dinner buffet, the Marines and Sailors were treated to unlimited games. Such events provide a much-needed respite from hospital routines, and the pain of treatments and therapy.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Jan. 17, 2009 - San Antonio

2009-02-11T12:54:00.000-06:00

Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center, Jan. 17, 2009

2009-02-11T12:47:00.000-06:00

The Veterans of Valor Team traveled to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, Jan. 17, to deliver packs to combat wounded burn victims there. Veterans of Valor also hosted a Night Out at Dave & Busters for wounded veterans and their families.

San Antonio City Councilwoman Delicia Herrera attended the event, and spoke words of encouragement to the 87 gathered BAMC outpatients and family members. Two San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers also attended for a picture and autograph session. Guests were provided a roast beef dinner and unlimited game cards.

"If it weren't for events like these," said one veteran, "I'd be sitting home alone tonight. Thank you."

Douglas MacArthur Elementary Presents Check to Klay South

2008-12-22T07:35:00.000-06:00

Students from Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Greenwood, Ind., presented an $800.00 check to wounded Marine Sgt. Klayton South, Dec. 18th, 2008.

The money was raised by students through a month-long bracelet drive. Their goal is to support Veterans of Valor, a non-profit founded by South to provide resources and services specifically tailored to meet the needs of the more than 30,000 combat wounded veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“This drive came from an outgrowth of Red Ribbon Week,” said Barbara Campbell, a 4th grade teacher at Douglas MacArthur. “Klay came and spoke about making wise choices in the fight against drugs, and since Veterans Day was the next week – we tied the two (ideas) together.”

The money will be used to purchase backpacks for severely wounded veterans. Each backpack is filled with items that have specific therapeutic value. For example, the packs include a new iPod pre-loaded with a variety of music, and audio books written by veterans who have suffered extreme wounds, but have recovered, adapted to the physical, emotional and mental challenges, and thrived.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Dec. 11, 2008 - Washington D.C.

2008-12-15T14:56:00.000-06:00

The Veterans of Valor team hosted a Night Out at Dave & Busters for 18 service members, Dec. 11, 2008. In addition to a dinner buffet, the Marines and Sailors were treated to unlimited games. Such events provide a much-needed respite from hospital routines, and the pain of treatments and therapy.

Thank-You from a Backpack Recipient

2008-12-10T13:20:00.000-06:00

Hi Janet,
I don’t know if you remember us, but my husband was Matthew Shiver, and I’m Tiffany. We met at Bethesda Medical Hospital almost a year ago. My husband was the one injured by the helicopter. We just wanted to thank you and your family for helping us get through that time in our lives, and for your son helping my husband believe that everything was going to be ok. Your support meant a lot to us, and we can’t thank you enough for the generosity you have shown us. I personally couldn’t get over what had happened to my husband, but with your warm welcome and caring heart, you showed me that if you have the will to make things positive you can make it through anything.

We now live in California. Matthew is back at work (here) and doing great. They are going to send him back to Iraq for six months (soon). I don’t want to take up any more of your time, but I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for us and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you guys. It’s hard to find people who care, and I’m glad we had a chance to have met you and your family.

Sincerely,
Tiffany and Matthew Shiver

Thank-You from a Wounded Warrior at BAMC

2008-11-25T11:47:00.000-06:00

The following note arrived in the mail yesterday:

Dear Klay South,
On behalf of my husband and myself I wanted to say thank you for founding Veterans of Valor and thanks to your group for your help and consideration. My husband received one of your backpacks at Brook Army Medical Center (November 19, 2008), and really enjoys it. It's nice to see that people appreciate the wounded warriors. Thank you for your generosity and for taking your time to put together the pack. It will serve my husband well and help him with his healing process. Again, thank you and God bless!

The Hopkins Family

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Oct. 23, 2008 - San Antonio

2008-11-24T11:09:00.000-06:00

Veterans of Valor hosted a night out at Dave and Busters for 86 service members and their families. The evening included dinner and unlimited games.

"It is easy to sit in (my) room by myself and not do anything," said one soldier. "Fun events like this get me out."

Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center, Nov. 19, 2008

2008-11-24T10:20:00.000-06:00

The Veterans of Valor team visited Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to hand out backpacks to wounded heroes. Ten service members received packs. Seven packs went to Marines and soldiers in the burn ward, while three went to recently wounded OIF/OEF veterans with other injuries. Mario, a soldier with burns over 45 percent of his body, was especially pleased with the iPod and breakaway pants he received. His wife noted that the organizational binder and enclosed family goal-setting sheet would be especially helpful.

Bob Woodruff Family Foundation Gala in New York City, Nov. 4-6, 2008

2008-11-12T11:57:00.000-06:00

A Note from Klay:

"Wow, what a wonderful to time I had in NYC. Thanks to the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation for sponsoring such an amazing event. Some of the people I was able to meet with were Christopher Meloni from Law & Order, and Jane Krakowski from 30 Rock just to name a few. Most importantly I was able to spend time with some of our true American Heros who have been wounded in combat. Enjoy the pictures."

Red Ribbon Week at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, Oct. 29, 2008

2008-10-31T08:44:00.000-05:00

Klay visited the students at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Greenwood, IN, and recorded a television segment detailing his path into the Marine Corps and encouraging the students to refrain from using drugs. He then spoke to the children during individual classroom visits, and engaged a group of fourth and fifth graders during a brief question and answer period in the lunchroom.

Visit to Navy Medical Center, Oct. 22, 2008

2008-10-31T07:52:00.000-05:00

The Veterans of Valor team visited the Naval Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Oct. 22, to hand out backpacks to wounded heroes. Two service members received packs. One of them, a Navy corpsman named Thomas, suffered a shattered heel, severed nerve, shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injury due to a mortar attack. Thomas was attached to a Marine Corps embedded training team in Afghanistan when the attack took place. He happily accepted the pack and noted that the break-away warm up pants would be especially useful due to his leg injuries.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Oct. 22, 2008

2008-10-28T14:25:00.000-05:00