Serving Those Who Serve: McClean Vineyards Gives Back!

A post from our friends at McClean Vineyards, they are truly remarkable!  Read this post, it is truly inspirational.

If you were to spot Michael McClean walking down the street, stopped him, and asked him what he does for a living, he would most likely respond with, “I make wine.” That, or some humbled variation of the phrase. Michael has been making wine in Templeton, California, ever since he and his wife Judy purchased land on an old almond orchard in the 1990’s.  Grape growing and wine making seems to be one of those professions that encompasses who you are.  I’ve met quite a few vintners who have told me that after a while, the process becomes a part of you.  With all of the care and dedication that is necessary to be a successful grape grower and wine producer, it never surprised me that the process would become partially or fully engrained in someone’s identity.  Seasoned and successful growers spend most of their days in the vineyard, monitoring its activities to sometimes alarming detail.  My interactions with Michael have led me to believe that the same, to some extent, is true for him.  As much as Michael has spent the last decade of his life making wine, he wasn’t always waking up to work the vines.

In 1968, Michael returned home from work at his father’s butcher shop.  Awaiting him was a rather large brown envelope.  The envelope contained details of his draft into the military.  After completing a term of service, he went on to study at Pasadena City College where he would begin work on his future.  At that point he was no longer an active serviceman, but he would always be a veteran.

For a long while, Michael has been donating ten percent of his earnings from his wine to the Armed Forces Foundation, a group whose slogan is “serving those who serve.”  In all its efforts, the foundation provides physical and emotional support for active service people, as well as retired personnel.  These services include “financial support, career counseling, housing assistance and recreational therapy programs.”  When I spoke with Michael about his decision to donate wine proceeds to the AFF, he spoke rather candidly to me about the obligation he felt to help those who are currently walking in the shoes he wore some time ago.

One of the prevailing public misconceptions in the professional world today seems to be the blanketing assumption that being a winemaker provides a cushion of comfort and wealth.  It seems so often that lay people assume that owning a vineyard and/or a winery means residing in a palatial estate, imbibing and living a life of utter luxury at all times.  Although there are most certainly some wine producers whose lifestyles fit this description, the truth is that a vast majority of active wine producers don’t come close to realizing extreme wealth or lavish lifestyles.  While Michael is able to make a living for himself and his family from his winemaking ventures, he is indeed part of the “working class of winemakers.”  I bring this up because I think it important to acknowledge that the proceeds Michael donates to the AFF don’t represent a careless or minuscule sum.  Still, Michael made it a point to emphasize the need to do whatever one can.  His precise phrasing was “now that I can, I want to help.”

A few days ago, Michael was received promotional materials for a special offer known as the “boot campaign.”  Essentially, the AFF partnered with The Boot Campaign to promote an item known as the “Give Back Boots.”  Essentially, all proceeds that stem from consumer purchases of the promotional pair of boots go right back to providing much needed support active duty service people, as well as veterans.  Of course, when Michael saw what the offer entailed, he jumped at the opportunity.

It should only be a matter of weeks before Michael receives his new pair of boots.  Knowing of his enthusiasm for reliable footwear, there is no doubt that they’ll be on his feet when he tends to this next vintage of Syrah fruit.  It’s comforting to know that these boots will be with Michael when he makes the wine that will go to help more service people in need.  After all, it’s important to do what you can… whatever that may be.

- Brent Bracamontes
Regional sales & communications – Orange County
McClean Vineyards & The Dennigmann Wine Group

From the Staff

My first day with the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) I had a brief orientation, I signed some documents, I read over programs that I would soon be running, it was a normal day, a typical first day at a new job. Since that Monday, working at the AFF has been anything but typical.  This journey has been challenging, yet it has equally been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, one that I am privileged to be a part of each day.  Our mission is direct, “Serving those who Serve.”  It is a powerful and resonating message; it is my distinct honor to assist those who have served our great country.

I am eager to arrive at 16 North Carolina Avenue and make a difference every morning.  As the official military charity of NASCAR, the AFF runs a terrific program, fittingly titled, “Troops to the Track.”  I have the good fortune of traveling with our participants to these races.  On each trip we are brought to the driver/crew chief meeting where the race rules are described and questions are answered.  At the Texas Motor Speedway, we were at this meeting when the speaker, as is customary, introduced the Wounded Warriors we had brought from Brooke Army Medical Center.  There was a pause and then one man stood up and began applauding, he was soon joined by a few others, then the entire room stood, including the drivers, and gave these service members a standing ovation that lasted nearly a minute.  It was incredibly emotional, a moment I will not soon forget.

Regardless of your political affiliation, or view on U.S. military engagement overseas, each and every American ought to be thankful for our military.  The men and women who wear the uniform have made a choice to serve this country and defend our freedom.  I thank each and every American who has made this commitment, thank you for your service.

Zack Roday, Director of Public Affairs

A Note from Missourri

I cannot thank you enough!  I was delighted to discover you covered childcare
for service members recovering from surgery.  In fact, I just recently
indicated your organization at our wounded warriors event.

-a note from a coordinator at the Family Assistance Center for the Missouri National Guard Family Program

Recent Grads Thoughts on the AFF

I came to the Armed Forces Foundation as a fresh-faced graduate, excited and ready to put the skills I had learned to work for our nation’s military families.  With a father and brother serving in the Army I felt blessed to have the opportunity to work for an organization committed to supporting the servicemen and women who sacrifice so much.  However, nothing could prepare me for what I would get in return.

At the AFF, we interact with individuals in critical situations every day.  Whether requesting financial assistance, enjoying a warm meal at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or blowing off steam on a fishing trip, the positive attitudes of these military families never waver.  They are strong, proud and undeniably gracious.

I will never forget my first day on the job.  Tasked with the responsibility of manning a prescreening of the latest X-Men movie for recovering service members and their families, I was both nervous and eager for my first real assignment.  Though I was still learning the ropes and getting my bearings, the families were nothing but patient and understanding.  In speaking with the families I was quickly struck by their upbeat outlooks, their continued patriotism and their ability to laugh in the face of what lay ahead.  To the casual observer these men and women may appear defeated, but I assure you they are they are not.

It is this attitude that serves as a daily reminder for who and what the AFF stands for, and a personal push to meet the mission of “Serving Those Who Serve.”

Corrine Mis, AFF Staff Member

Where I Work

Over the past two years working for the Armed Forces Foundation I have been privileged and honored to work with some of the most talented and appreciative men and women in our military.  Being able to support our mission and escort service members and their families to one of kind experiences has been eye opening.

From amazing stories to sad details it has all been a humbling experience that has helped me grow as an individual and appreciate the tremendous sacrifices these service members and their families endure.  I will forever cherish the friendships we have created and remember all those lives we have touched.

The Armed Forces Foundation’s mission is simple – to support those military members and their families in need.  I am very happy to say we see these actions take place every day, and I am honored to be a part of such a fantastic organization.

Sean Conway, Financial Development Officer

Texas Troops to the Track and the AFF

To work at the Armed Forces Foundation is a dream come true.  The ability to serve those who are most deserving is a rewarding feeling that cannot be adequately described to those who have never experienced a Wounded Warrior forgetting about all that is going on in life for a moment and just enjoy the world around them.  I had this experience on recent trip to the Texas Motor Speedway.

A young Sergeant had recently lost his left leg and the temporary use of his right one during an IED attack in Afghanistan.  We were at a tailgate party in the infield which made it difficult to see the race, especially for those that were sitting down.  The tailgate at which we were at had an RV camper, with a ladder to the roof so that onlookers could enjoy the race from a higher vantage point.   We were thinking that there was no way this young Sergeant was going to ever be able to see the race from this spot.

One of the sponsors had a different idea in mind and was going to make sure that this hero got to see the race from the best spot possible, on top of his RV.  This man put the young Sergeant on his shoulders and carried him straight up the vertical latter then set him in his waiting wheelchair.   Once he was situated, the Sergeant had an entirely new perspective on the race and I remember the pure joy he had from being so high up.  I still get goose bumps today thinking about it how much of an impact this simple, yet selfless act had on a man who sacrificed his body defending the principles of the United States and to the protection of his neighbors.

Stories like this make me so proud to work where I do, every time I hear them.  The best part is that the Armed Forces Foundation makes these type of stories happen all time, and if you speak to the tens of thousands of people who we have helped, one begins to understand the impact that we have across the nation and in our military community.  If there is one thing that I have taken away from my tenure here, it is that taking an extra second out of your day to thank a random military member on the street, in the airport or at a sporting event.  You may think it doesn’t mean anything but I can assure you it does.

-Josh Stokes, Director of Operations

Reflections on the AFF

Being an Army brat myself, I have always had a deep respect for members of the military.  My father was a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam.  This was a time when Americans did not support the war and therefore did not support the troops upon their return home.  Thankfully that era has passed and now I am proud to be part of an organization where we celebrate our troops.

One of the most memorable people I’ve met while being a part of the Armed Forces Foundation is Daniel.  He came to Las Vegas with the AFF in 2008 as part of the Salute the Troops weekend at the Venetian.  Although he was still unsteady on his feet due to heavy medications, he maintained a contagious positive attitude and always had a smile on his face.  He recently (late 2011) moved back to his hometown of Indianapolis (which shows you how long it takes to recover from various wounds received at war) and is still smiling in all the photos I see of him (thanks, Facebook).

-Tanya Finch