Testimonials

Letters from our troops...

To all,

My name is MSG Miguel Carrion and I served as a Rear Sergeant Major for STB, 4ID during their last deployment. I will like everyone to know that Mr. Patrick Sowers, through Operation Once in a Lifetime took care of 4th ID Soldiers returning from deployment to empty rooms and naked beds. The first call request came directly from me after exhausting all contacts on Fort Hood while trying to obtain linen and bedding for our Soldiers. Thanks to Operation in a Lifetime our Soldiers received over 3K pieces of linen through donations organized by Mr. Sowers and his organization.

Mr. Sowers is the kind of hero that works behind the scenes on behalf of deployed Soldiers and their families. I can testify to this first hand. I will respectfully ask every able group and/or individual to continue supporting Operation Once in a Lifetime; they are a remarkable organization in support of us which fight for our freedom and way of life.

V/R MSG Miguel Carrion

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for making it possible for our family to be able to travel home to Wisconsin before my husband left for his first deployment in June.

This is the first time that both my husband and I have been living so far from home, and it's been a very rough year for us. We had plans to go home for a visit before my husband deployed and due to our car breaking down, our plans had to change. We no longer had the money to take our trip, let alone fix the car totally. I had heard of this organization from another military family and thought I'd take a chance on contacting them to see if somehow, someway my husband could go home to see his family again before deploying for the first time. And thanks to the wonderful support of the people here at Operation Once in a Lifetime, all four of us were able to fly home! It was a dream come true for all of us. We hadn't seen any of our friends or family in over a year and it was a wonderful time back home in Wisconsin. It felt like old times to us and we were thankful for this opportunity.

We thank you all again for this wonderful gift that was given to us and we thank you all everyday in our prayers. It truely was a blessing to us all and we'll be forever thankful!

Sincerely,
The Kersten Family
PFC Clifford, Tamara, Anthony & Ann
Fort Hood, Texas

I was just writing to let you know we have received the check and we greatly appreciate it, We really weren't sure what was going to happen until I found your site you guys were great and responded quickly thank you so much for the help!!

Here is the picture you requested unfortunately I can't find one of all of us but I am sending one of our girls so you can see who we all did this for.. I just wish we didn't have to do it, but with gas prices and low military pay, well we all get into that slump once in awhile.... Again thank you so much for your assistance and Hope you all have a great day!!

Erin and Brent Nast

Hello, I would like to thank you so much for all your help.

Your company is reducing the financial burden a lot for us with these tickets. You are a real life savior! I will forward you a picture of our family when Thomas is here, and I will look forward to being able to help your organization so that you can continue this mission.

Thanks so much!

Dear Patrick,

I am writing to thank you very much for the help we received on getting our vehicles brake system fixed. If it hadn't been for you guys fixing this for us i don't know what we would have done. You are our guardian angels right now and we deeply appreciate it.This was a lot of relief off of our shoulders with my husband deploying next week. It made our last week a little less stressful and now we can enjoy it. Thank you so much for everything.

The Watts Family
Fort Hood, TX

I'd like to say thank you for helping us with getting our son home, PVT Reuben Rivera (E3) at Fort Hood , TX. He deploys in about 15 days and we were able to get him home but things went crazy from there and he was unable to get a return flight. We were beside ourselves because we didn't want to get into trouble. Your organization was able to help Reuben find a flight home. This is his first deployment and he is my only son, only 18 years old. I am very proud of him but can't help but wonder if I'll ever see him again. The time spent with him was such a blessing to me because we are very close and I have 11 days of wonderful memories.

I hope I'm not rambling on I just want you to know how very great full I am for your help in our lives.

Thank you again,
Terrie Rivera
Reuben's MOM

I am writing today to tell Operation Once In A Lifetime, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

My husband and I were so worried about how to make our car payment this past month! My mother-in-law recently passed away, leaving a 17-year-old daughter and a 1-month-old granddaughter in our hands. Since my husband was the oldest surviving son, we needed to make funeral arrangements and pay for the rest of the funeral costs that the other relatives were unable to cover, leaving us with little money on payday. :( I had been so stressed because we had called a couple of other organizations such as Operation Homefront in Arizona and the American Red Cross and they said they were unable to help due to the fact that my husband wasn't deployed. I couldn't understand it! I thought that we had no hope of making our car payment until I contacted Operation Once in a Lifetime through their website. I received a reply the same day I requested financial assistance.

You all are so awesome and I will be sure to let our military friends know that if they are ever in need, to contact Operation Once In A Lifetime.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,
The Bodie Family
(Sgt, USMC)

Dear Operation Once In A Lifetime,

Thank you so very much for the assistance you provided my family. Because of your help we will be able to travel home to visit family before my husband deploys this June.

Sincerely,
The Stocksick Family
PFC Robert Stocksick, Kimberly, Alex, Samantha and Reagan

Thank you very much for making it possible for our family to all be together before me and my Dad go to Afganistan within the next 60 days. It really means a lot to our family, and this would not have been possible without you. Thank you very much for all you have done for me an my wife within the past year, I dont think we could have made it this far without you.

PFC
Jacob Gilcrease
U.S. Army

Patrick,

I want to thank you for having me and my family at the Stars game. It really made our Christmas, especially because it was such a huge surprise. It was the first hockey game we had ever attended, and what a game it was. There was a last second goal to tie it up, overtime, and a shoot out that the Stars won. It was all we could ask for in our first game.

What you are doing is a great thing. Providing pleasures and opportunities to families is priceless. It becomes something that will always be remembered and talked about all because of you. Military families have it hard enough with husbands, wives, moms, and dads all going on deployments, always with the possibility of not coming home. You really make the homecomings and the times we can be together with our families special.

Thanks and God Bless,
Paul Bowers, US Navy
Jacksonville, Florida

To Patrick,

Me and the guys that took part in one of your Dallas weekends were talking and I thought I might drop you a line. I don't know if this is the best way to get a hold of you or not but it is the only way I have.

We just wanted to let you know that it was one of the best weekends we have had in our lives! It was to good to be true. The fact people like you care enough to show us a good time as you did. Well that makes me being in Iraq feel that much easier. Never in my life did I think that a weekend like that could be handed to me with out a catch.

Thank You,
SPC Triplett, Joshua
Dco. STB 4ID

Patrick,

I would like to thank you for helping me in one of the most difficult times of my life. After being deployed to Iraq, performing SOF missions all over the world, and losing friends I was faced with my greatest personal fight. My 12 year old nephew was diagnosed with cancer and the outlook was bleak. I needed to fly to Dallas ASAP to spend time with my family during this "war" on cancer.

That was what led to my unplanned trip to Texas. I was worried as to what I would find and what I would do with him while in Dallas. I wanted to spend every waking minute with my nephew but financially I had just taken a huge blow flying my family, all 5 of us, to Dallas and renting a car for the duration. That was when another family member explained to me about what you did for Soldiers.

I was surprised and very excited to hear that I would be able to attend a Dallas Stars game with my nephew, Brandon Barta. I was overwhelmed to find out it would be in box seats. And getting to meet the players from both the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars!! WOW!! What a blessing. In one of the darkest times of my life I had Operation Once in a Lifetime walking me through when I was not sure I could carry on. The way Brandon was embraced by you and your staff was second to none. The way he felt at the game getting to be there with his favorite people, Soldiers, placed a smile on his face that could not be removed. I am at a loss for words. I can only think that my 20+ year career has been so that this child could get this opportunity, and I embrace that thought. If this was the reason I am in the military I am glad.

To all of the Soldiers of the 4th ID that were there that night. I owe you. And I promise that I will work to MY dying day to ensure that you are taken care of. You reached out to a child that you did not know when it was your time to be served and that is the true meaning of Warrior Ethos. When we move to those who need it most no matter what situation we are in you are showing what it takes to be "Military". I have been told numerous times in my career by almost all nationalities all over the world that same thing, but I have never felt it until that night that you all reached out to my nephew. I was never more proud to be a Soldier.

Brandon is not doing well. He is still fighting the good fight but it is taking its toll on him. My family and I are back in Germany now and are watching from the sidelines. I ask for your prayers for him and for our families. But most of all Patrick, thank you for carrying me when I was unsure if I could carry on.

SFC Ronald Barta

Patrick,

Thanks for allowing my family and I to attend an awesome Dallas Mavericks game. We appreciate all the support from you and Operation Once and A Lifetime. We had an excellent time and my son and wife really enjoyed themselves.

Again, thanks for your support and God Bless!!!

Respectfully,
Charles E. Sills
Staff Sergeant
U. S. Army

Operation Once in a Lifetime,

Thanks for the opportunity you gave me to be at the Stars game. Though I don't really feel comfortable when people come up to me and tell me thanks for doing what I do, I am very thankful for all the support we do get, especially here at home in Texas. You sir, gave me and my daughter (Haley) who my wife calls my shadow, a wonderful night that we will always cherish. Though all four of my daughters miss me a lot when I deploy, Haley always misses me the most. Neither one of us has ever been to a hockey game. We enjoyed it tremendously.

Thank you,
Tony H Rubio
Staff Sergeant
US Army

Patrick,

I must tell you that my grandmother and I had a great time at the game on Sunday night. She has never been to a Mavericks game and she was extremely happy. Thank You for your continued support of the troops and their families.

Very Respectfully,
SFC Jeremy L. Heuman

I am First Sergeant Michael Welborn of D CO STB (Div PSC, 4ID) and I am writing to personally thank you for donating the suite tickets for my Soldiers coming to the Dallas games. I truly appreciate your support for my Soldiers and owe you a debt of great gratitude. My Soldiers always feel overwhelmed by the support and welcome they receive from everyone there. I can't thank you enough for helping bring these events to them. I am sure most of these Soldiers would never be able to experience this type of event and support without people like yourself giving their time resources. Feel free to email or call me with any questions. Again, thank you for all you have done for my Soldiers and know it is all greatly appreciated by many.

Michael R. Welborn
1SG, USA

Patrick, I can not begin to tell you how much fun we had Saturday evening. I believe that what you did for me and my wife is the epitome of "above and beyond the call of duty". Not only was the Stars game great since we had never been to one but the stops that we made before hand to the hotel W and then showing us the Ghostbar and just everything made for a memorable 6 th Anniversary. Thank you once again for everything. Thanks again for a hooahh night.

Sgt. Buglehall, Matt Alpha Co. 3-144 IN

Patrick,

My name is Joseph Anderson, I am the soldier that returned from the Middle East to find it more difficult to find a job than I thought. I personally wanted to thank you for giving my name to In Home Products. The group here is wonderful. It has been 2 and a half months since I first started and I couldn't have been luckier to find a job in time.

Sincerely,
Joseph Anderson

"Thank You...Two small words to express so much gratitude to someone who genuinely finds joy in the happiness of others...

Thank You...two small words filled with appreciation - not only for what you did, but also for all that you are."

I can't express how grateful I am. Things have been so hard and to have Matt here, well words can't say it. McKayla has been so scared, worrying about Matt and now scared about the disease.

Seeing her eyes light up was awesome. I felt the happiness she had not had for awhile. It's going to be a long road, but it was nice to see her smile for awhile. Matt wanted to do something for the guys, the projector, WOW, they are really excited. Thank you for everything, we need more people like you!

Mrs. Buglehall

P.S.
THANK YOU!!!!! I loved the game. It is the best gift I ever got!
I LOVE IT!!! I LOVE IT!!!!


McKayla

Patrick,

My name is SPC. Gregg Kunkle. On the 27th and 28th of May, you treated me and my family (Shannon, James, Lydia, Morgen, and myself) to a weekend away from Fort Hood Texas. You had invited us up to Arlington, Texas. We started the weekend off with lunch at Hooters. You allowed all of us to choose the lunch of our choice and we had a great lunch.

Next we went to Six Flags Over Texas (even though we couldn't get in due to reasons beyond our control) so we decided to not waste the experience and went to Ripleys Believe It or Not museum and the attached wax museum. The museum is a fantastic place for people of all ages. My childrens' faces lit up in every room (my wife and I's faces as well). We had a great time just enjoying the day seeing things that we normally would have never seen.

Next you had lined up for us to stay at the home of Ms. Debra Brown and her 2 wonderful sons. Needless to say this woman is absolutely fantastic. She catered to our every whim and treated us like we were family while we were in her home. This woman is amazing. She is such an intelligent woman and my wife and I could talk to her so easily right off the bat, almost like we knew her for years.. and her children oh my goodness.. such polite well behaved kids. My children all warmed up to them and have made a bond of a life time. Debra and her family have talked and will definitely be staying in contact for many years to come, not to mention have already made plans of visiting each other again. (Thank you again Debra)

Then finally to end our overnight adventure you had arranged for my family and several other soldiers to eat at a Dallas famous restaraunt named Babes Chicken. All we could say is WOW! incredibly great chicken, and superior service that is second to none!

Patrick, you have given my children, my wife and I a great weekend that couldnt be beat, and brought smiles to all our faces. It also made us forget for 2 days the normal hustle and bustle of stresses of being a military family.

Patrick I thank you and your family, as well as all your sponsors for something that i could never repay to you... A great weekend away with my family.

Thank you again,
SPC Gregg Kunkle
Shannon Kunkle
James, Lydia, and Morgen

This is just to let you know that I'm very thankful to you for the repairs on my car, I can't express how thankful I am for helping me when I needed it the most. I can attest and say that most people say that they support the military, but Patrick has gone above and beyond to help soldiers. Again, thank you and if there is anything I can do to help I am just a phone call or email away.

Respectfully Submitted,
Brian M. Jarrell

Good morning Patrick,

We wanted to take the time to say, "Thank you!" You have made, not only ours but most of all, our children more comfortable. What you are doing is truly a blessing. We thank God for you. We will definitely keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Look up to the sky, because God is showering you with blessings. LOOK, REACH, RECEIVE. Have a great day.

Sincerely,
SPC Jonathan Goodwin and Family

Mr. & Mrs. Hall are proud supporters and friends of Operation Once in a Lifetime.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall,

Yesterday, Patrick Sowers took 25 combat veterans to Hooters for a free lunch. He told us that you were the sponsors for the luncheon, and we wanted to say thank you very much.

Just when you think that there is no such thing as a free lunch, I had to be proven wrong. Our unit just returned from Iraq a few months ago and it is nice to see great Americans supporting the troops. My soldiers could not stop talking about how they were impressed with lunch and of course their waitresses. I have attached just a few pictures of the event.

Again, THANKS from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-12 Infantry Battalion!

Sincerely,
Sergeant First Class Eric Cooper

Hey Patrick, this is SPC Prater.

I just wanted to contact you and let you know that i had a wonderful time at the Rangers game. It was so great to not have to worry about money just to get out of the barracks. I think what you are doing is great and it really helps out with the soldiers, cuz most soldiers can't help it that they dont have any money to actually do anything to have fun. I just wanted to let you know that I, including all of us that attended the whole benefit,had a wonderful time and we all thank you and think that you should keep doing what you're doing because it's a great thing.

Thanks once again, SPC Thomas Prater

Sir,

Thanks for the tickets to the Rangers game this past weekend. I had a great time. I have not been to a ball game in years. It is great to know that there are people out there who still appreciate what we do. I would like to thank you for your support and compassion.

Regards,
SSG Ryan Memolo

Mr. Sowers,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity to attend the Byron Nelson championship. I am an avid golf fan (although my skills only qualify me as a hacker if I am lucky) and it was quite a treat. As it turns out my father had tickets as well and we were able to go together. I took my wife and we followed Anthony Kim around the course early in the morning and then we picked up Phil at the second tee box. It was a good time and I am, again, grateful for the opportunity you have provided me.

Have a wonderful Day!

Thank You
SFC Jeremy L. Heuman

This is a quick note to say thank you. My family and I really enjoyed ourselves. That was our first but, will not be our last hockey game. If there is ever anything that I can do to help promote your organization, I am more than willing to assist. Again, my family and I enjoyed ourselves and want to thank you for introducing us a whole new exciting world.

V/R SFC Davis Michael D

I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me, you have become family to me and that is who I miss the most being away from home, my family. You have been there for me when nobody else was able to be. When my windshield broke in my very first car and I did not have the money, you replaced it. When I did not have the gas money to drive to Dallas to have it replaced, you provided it. When I had no place to go for the holidays, you opened your home to me with some of the best home cooked meals I have ever had. You treat me like family, you treat me like a son and for that I will never forget you and I will be there for you, as you have been there for me. I will cherish every memory that you have given me as I am deployed in Iraq, I will fight harder and stronger because of you, because of my family and because of your kindness.

I will try and let the world know what you are doing to help the soldiers of the U.S. military; you have made a believer out of me, thank you.

Private Jeffery Boyett

Good Morning Mr. Sowers,

My boyfriend and I attend the basketball game on Friday, we had so much fun, we really appreciate it. Its amazing what you are doing for the troops.

Thanks again!

Very Respectfully,
SGT Kereen Bennett

I am a soldier. I perform the duties assigned to me without complaint because it is the path that I have chosen which allows me to contribute to the well being of our country. There is neither time nor money for fancy dinners, light hearted social gatherings or rest in a welcoming bed. The life of luxury is the one we have forsaken to be part of a greater purpose. It doesn't mean we don't think of home. Thoughts of home haunt every brutal run, every training class, and every preparatory event the Army hosts to ensure we are at our finest come deployment time. The fact is that our lifestyle as soldiers does not accommodate our fantasies. Perhaps this is why the gift granted to us by Operation Once in a Lifetime, an extraordinary meal prepared by the finest chefs and hosted by generous people of true character, had the impact it did on our lives. To put it simply, it was a gift that reminded us of the people and the country we are fighting for.

These memories of my fellow soldiers dressed up and full of laughter with full bellies to match are vivid images I have stored in my mind. I continue to be in awe of the kindness shown by all who participated in and contributed to this event. I am truly humbled by the generosity of strangers who simply wanted to give us a day to relax and to forget about the war ahead of us. You don't see elaborate dessert trays like the one gifted by the chefs at Three Forks Restaurant floating around the barracks. In fact, I believe it's safe to say that even prior to the military most of us had yet to enjoy such a lavish presentation.

The dedications of time and money to provide this event, the kindness of people sitting at surrounding tables and those who attended the event at Harley Davidson, the mere existence of this non-profit program all deserve so much more than a thank you. You have changed many lives, including my own, with your kindness. In addition to my deep appreciation please know that as we train for combat, that as our unit is called upon to defend this country and what it stands for, we will go into battle with pride that is stronger because of people like Patrick Sowers and the gift offered to us by Operation Once in a Lifetime.

Sincerely,
PFC Michael P. Griffiths

Sounds like they feasted to the extreme! Cool stuff, Patrick. Thanks again for the hockey tickets. My brother and wife had a great time and wanted me to thank you for them as well. There is nothing more important to a military member than making sure their family is taken care of. Wish the Stars could have won, but we'll get 'em next time. Not everyone can say they attended a playoff game!

Thanks again,
Todd Bachli, MSgt, USAF