Congratulations to Don van Straaten, who is a Board Member of DreamPower Horsemanship and President of the San Martin Lions Club. On June 30, 2012 Don was awarded by the Military Department, State of California THE CALIFORNIA COMMENDATION MEDAL. Don said, "My work with and being on the Board of DreamPower with its dedication to our "Horses for Heroes" program and the care we extend to our veteran clients is of major importance to the military community. DreamPower and the "Horses for Heroes" program shares in this marvelous honor. Included in the award was my dedication to Military Funeral Honors and final care for veterans funeral services." Don and the San Martin Lions Club, we at DreamPower are grateful beyond words for your support of our veterans and military personnel and their families. Our Horses for Heroes program got off the ground because of your support and we are truly grateful. Your support through the years through funding, food preparation and serving, and physical labor has made our veterans' program possible. Thank you, San Martin Lions, for your support and Don, we are very proud of you!!

I am proud to be the mother in law of a vet. He served his country proudly in Iraq. It's a shame how difficult it is for the vets to get health care, etc. when they return home. It is the least we can do for them.

My son joined the military in 2004, I think it was. He had graduated at the top of his class, and received a full scholarship to the school of his dreams in another state. His life was on track to pursue the career he always wanted. He stopped by the house to tell me that he joined the National Guard in our hometown, and was planning on transferring to the National Guard in his college state when he finished his basic training. He did it as a way to better support himself while in school, and I suspect because the specter of 9-11 still hung over the country, and many of his older brother's friends had joined up right after our nation's tragedy. Although I expressed my concern, he reassured me that the National Guard would see no overseas action. At the end of basic training, he was told that his unit would be undergoing additional training, as they were being sent to Iraq. He lost his scholarship as a result and stayed with his hometown unit. While home for a visit, he related the story of how he picked his MOS. He simply asked the recruiter what had the highest sign-on bonus. The recruiter pointed to the acronym 'EOD'. My son never even asked what it was, he just signed on the dotted line. After getting to Iraq, my son's unit replaced the marines leaving Abu Ghraib. He did well with the whole EOD job. He was attached to the 10th mountain for a time, where he had a LOT of, shall we say, ribbing, for not being 'real' military. He was cool under pressure, and has a stack of commendations and a bowl full of 'challenge coins'. To hear him relate the exploits he's allowed to talk about, you would never think any of them were a big deal. It is just his job. When I got him to tell me about the 2 coins he received from our previous Secretary of Defense, I was so proud, and laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants, because even though my son is a hero, he is a comedian at heart and has a way of telling me things to lessen the worry factor they might cause. My son found out recently that he was being tapped to go to Afghanistan, as an expert in his field. When members of his unit found out, they ran down and signed up so they could go back with him. Then my son found out he didn't have to go. But rather than leave his brothers in arms hanging, he signed up anyways. Like everyone else serving overseas, my son has a very dangerous job. He has saved countless lives, and saved us taxpayers millions of dollars. He has made many friends, both in the military and overseas. My sweet, sensitive boy has grown to be a confidant and capable young man, who has the complete trust, respect, loyalty, and the love of everyone who knows him. Despite having to go back overseas and various other setbacks, he is trying hard to start a business, where he employs his dad and various other friends who need help. He is a great father to his young son. He is just an all-around great guy, who takes responsibility-to family, friends, and duty-very seriously. While I know there are plenty of other veterans and active duty men and women much like him, and I am proud of our military as a whole, I couldn't be more proud of my son.

Without the animals, we could not be where we are today. It is because of their service that we have won the battles and wars that we did, and because of them that we now have the technology that we have. We measure engines in horse-power, which just goes to show how valuable these resources were to us. We are honoured to have these animals, and our lives would not be the same without them.

For every breath of freedom we take, we owe an unpayable debt of gratitude to veterans who gave their all for us. I fear a generation will come which forgets the evils that have stalked the world and which still enslaves so many people in so many ways. Forestall that day by expressing your gratitude for the heroes among us, and honoring and supporting the therapy animals who selflessly serve them. (And thank you, Bill & Eliz, for spotlighting such an eminently worthy cause.)

The All Glory Project had an awesome display at the Hollywood Charity Horse Show. My friends and I had so much fun and really enjoyed the 11th CAV and 300th Army Band as they paid tribute to our service members, past and present. The veterans who participated in the arena show were very honored to participate and can't wait to attend the competitions and arena show next year. Thank you, Elizabeth, for all you are doing for our veterans.

Understanding Bonds Buddy is a teacher and friend to many. I've known Buddy for just over 10 years but I don't know much about his life before I met him. When I met him, some were afraid of him as they said he was spirited when he was out in the nearby hills. I didn't see that in Buddy. I saw a calm introvert, also considered the strong and quiet type, who did not like to socialize too much. However, Buddy was always there when we needed him and never complained of any chore or task that was asked of him. He seemed especially fond of children or those who were considered disabled. He took a lot of care to earn their trust. Anyone else, however, he would turn his back to them and walk away. Buddy's long blond hair is often disheveled and in dire need to brushed but he has been known to attract quite a few females nonetheless. His attitude is pretty easy-going as he seems to have experienced a lot in his life. He is still very caring to those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. He walks carefully around those who need assistance walking and he will often carry them on walks where their wheelchairs cannot take them. He will lend an ear to people who need someone to listen. He will over a shoulder for those who need someone to lean on or a shoulder to cry on. He never judges. He never scolds. His joy seems to be to comfort. Buddy is one who likes to play jokes on people. One time I went outside to visit him and I noticed he totally wrecked the place. Buckets were thrown all over the place, shovels and rakes were scattered and he left the hose on and in the middle of the road draining down the drive. When I called for him I saw him peak his cute, fuzzy chin out from behind a young tree that was about 2-inches in diameter and about 7 feet tall. The silly goof acted as if I couldn't see his rotund bottom sticking out of one side of the tree while his sloppy locks protruded from the other as he had a very sly grin and sparkle in his eyes. When I laughed and told him I found him, he just skipped off shaking his head and then came over and gave me a hug. He continually teaches me about how to shrug off worries and enjoy life. Buddy is preparing to retire from his current teaching position of which he has been at for about 30 years. Lately, however, he has been working with some veterans who are still suffering from the invisible wounds they have received from combat. He has some friends that visit him from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and from our current conflicts. They hang out with Buddy and tell him what is currently going on in their lives. By just listening to what they have to say, he helps them relax. Buddy is a homebody of sorts. However, he will sometimes walk down the street with these veterans. He has always been very cautious when he walks around the neighborhood and sometimes seems a little edgy himself. He often reminds the veterans of themselves. Just like when they walked the roads or trails of their battle zones, they had to be on heightened alert, Buddy tends to be on heightened alert when he walks "the hood." Sometimes he startles at what appears really small to others such as a cat jumping out of the bushes and running across the street. As the veterans walk with Buddy and calm him down, they are also reminded of how some of the small things they get upset about look big to them, but are also small to everyone else. As they help Buddy relax, they also learn to relax. They understand each other even if no one else understands. I've been with these folks on their walks and it's very heart-warming to see the camaraderie grow among these "tough guys." Man, I sure love this horse!

Sgt. Tom Quinn of the USMC served both our country and our 501c3 therapeutic riding facility, BraveHearts. Tom was a devoted volunteer offering his help whenever possible, which sometimes amounted to as much as five days a week. Tom was a very giving individual and friend to BraveHearts and will begreatly missed. Love, Tom's BraveHearts Family

A local Horses for Heroes, equine therapy for veterans. Dreampower Horsemanship. A fantastic group of volunteers who do a lot for the community of Gilroy, CA. They have a variety of different programs. I love that not only do they have the veterans program, they also work with with children, teens and adults with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems and with complex medical issues and disabilities.

Tribute - The statue you see on our site is Sculptor Douwe Blumberg’s “De Oppresso Liber” a monument to our Veterans that currently resides in the West St. lobby gallery of One World Trade Center, looking over Ground Zero. For the amazing story behind this monument, visit http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/14/secret-mission-the-horse-soldiers-of-911/ and the artist's site at http://www.douwestudios.com/public_art.html

The All Glory Project seeks to promote, foster and support programs that utilize animal-assisted therapies in aiding military veterans and their families. We are a non-profit campaign of consciousness to thank our wounded heroes, human and animal alike, as well as their families.