In honor of our 64th Anniversary, we have partnered with Freedom's Fund to raise awareness for Veterans and improving and obtaining the EARNED benefits they deserve for their service to this Country. Our goal is to raise $1,960 per week during the month of February.
Donate To Vienna Inn Freedom's Fund
Freedom’s Story This is the story of Freedom. A dog who started life abandoned and starved and ended it as a service dog walking the halls of Congress as an ambassador for disabled Veterans. Freedom got off to a rough start. He was found by the side of the road as a puppy, dehydrated, starved, and showing signs of physical abuse. When he was taken to a local shelter in Kentucky, they thought he was too far gone and scheduled him for euthanasia. Luckily a local good Samaritan spotted him and decided he deserved a second chance. She saw something incredibly special in him and after nursing him back to health contacted K9s For Warriors, an organization that trains Service Dogs for wounded, disabled or otherwise impaired military Veterans. When his training was complete, he was partnered with retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Jim Kuiken to assist him with getting through the difficulties of living with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Jim is a on the board of directors of Military-Veterans Advocacy (MVA) and in this volunteer role he frequently visits the halls of Congress and meets with VA officials and others to help secure Veteran’s benefits. Freedom served on the Hill and everywhere MVA went, including Federal Courts and the White House, from 2016 through 2022, at which time he retired for medical reasons. After a year of medical treatments and support, Freedom passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Freedom’s Fund: Continuing his legacy During his six years on the Hill as part of the MVA delegation, Freedom is credited with helping to improve and obtain new benefits for more than 200,000 Veterans, most notably in the Blue Water Navy and PACT Acts. His mere presence ensured direct facetime with Congressional members, Senators, VA Secretaries and their staffs. Freedom was a silent but prominent presence in Congress, the courts and educational seminars. MVA credits his presence with significant influence on the ability to litigate, legislate and educate on behalf of millions of Veterans and Servicemembers. How can you help? The goal of the Freedom’s Fund campaign is to raise at least one dollar for each Veteran that Freedom impacted and helped. Funds raised for Freedom’s Fund will go directly to continuing the effort that Freedom and MVA worked so hard on – improving and obtaining the EARNED benefits that Veterans deserve for their service to The United States. |