May 20th 2012

My name is SFC Nicole Durbin and I left my family on April 11th of 2011. Our adventure begins when the Army PCS’d me from WI to MI, before the move we could say we were given the short end of the stick leaving us with little money and a lot of pain in our family. Once we got to MI, hoping for a better life and ready to start fresh, I was informed the unit was deploying, a bit of a shock since we moved to MI in Nov and the unit was deploying in Apr. We decided it would be good way to save money and take the family on a Disney trip since we had gone through as much as a family could handle. Shortly after my departure my husband informed me the house we currently live in needed $2500 worth of electrical and plumbing and if it wasn’t taken care of they would have to be removed from the home, about a month later our transmission in our car seized up costing us $3000. Recently on my R&R when my husband picked me up from the airport, heading home we were in an accident, a part from a semi truck flew off and smashed into the front of our vehicle. Besides starting the R&R off badly, my children were beyond surprised to see me it was the best Christmas gift a mother could ask for. For the past 9 months I've watched my babies grow up from Skype, little videos and pictures, my husband has done a phenomenal job with the boys since roles have been reversed in life. This deployment has been really hard on my youngest son not understanding why mommy is gone for so long, my oldest just keeps telling me he wants me to come home. When I returned from R&R I was informed our house is so outdated that there is no insulation in the house and it needs to be done as soon as possible to keep the house warm for the kids and pipes freezing. I really want to take my family to Disney World despite all the mishaps in the past 9 months, I just want to give my children a vacation and see the biggest smiles on their faces. I think this would be a dream come true; Regardless if you answer my wish or not thank you for all the wishes you have answered and the support you provide us. This trip is planned for when I come home from deployment. I would need 3 Adult and 1 child 4 day Park Hopper Disney World Orlando tickets for: My spouse, myself, son (11 years old) and son (5 years old) We would arrive on 20 May thru 25 May 2012. Thank you so very much if you answer our wish.

May 10th 2012

I am currently in Afgahnistan and scheduled for block leave in May 2012. My wife and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary January 16th 2012 and again for the 4th time I was not there. When we were married we were not in a typical wedding and I never proposed in the conventional dream way. My Hero's wish is to take my son (1yr), daughter (5 yr), and wife to Disney World in Orlando Florida in May and somehow arrange a public vow renewal where I can wear my Dress uniform and get on one knee for my much deserving wife. She has supported me through every moment of our life and my career with minimal complaint. I would love to show her that she and my Family are what keeps me focused and able to maintain my resiliancy through deployments and my Army career. Additionaly this would grant the wish of my daughter which asks if I will take her to Disney and get her cotton candy. There is no date but if this dream is possible I am sure I can get the date arranged to work together for this. Thank you again for all you do as sponsors and supporting Soldiers.

Apr 22nd 2012

My Hero's wish is to enjoy a full Nascar weekend with pit passes and if possible, meet Dale Jr. Don't really care which race or where. I am currently in Afghanistan on deployment with the 45th IBCT, 1/179 INF BN, E Co 700 BSB as a part of the Recovery/Maintenance Team. We have suffered many losses here. While here many of us where able to watch a few of the races. Many of us ordered cars and trucks and started a RC race schedule with qualifying and points. Of course, I put the "88" and a few logos on the side of my truck. Sent pictures to JR Motorsports. They thought it was cool. I didn't get to make all the races due to missions but, when I did, it was a good way to get away from the elements. What a way to get back into the swing of things after I get home. I am not real sure when that will be yet. Should be before the race at Texas. My request would be at a track that I have not been to yet. Maybe Kansas Speedway? Like I said earlier, any track is good with me.

Mar 15th 2012

My name is SMSgt Don Russo I will be returning in February or March 2012. Over the past 2 years, I relocated my family from Europe back to the US; got them settled in our new duty station; then went on several temporary duty assignments for about a year. I have not spent a lot of quality time with them and a vacation is well overdue. Needless to say, I've missed lots of birthdays and holidays and I want to make it up to my wonderful wife and my beautiful children. I hope to take my kids to Disneyland and my wife to Manhattan and Venice beaches and other attractions around LA and San Diego. My Hero's wish is that I would like to take my wife and 3 kids to Disneyland in the spring of 2012. I would greatly appreciate tickets to Disneyland. I'll need 5 tickets because I have 3 kids ages 8,3,and 2 plus my wife and I.

Mar 7th 2012

My Hero's wish is to attend the Miami Heat Basketball game while I'm on R&R from deployment. While on my deployment my father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and his favorite basketball team is the Miami Heat. And I would like to surprise him with tickets to the game when I go home on R&R. I would really appricate the donation. Thank you God Bless.

Feb 25th 2012

I got married in May this year and found out two days later that I was deploying for a year to Afghanistan. My husband has 2 daughters and it has been hard for me to get closer to them since deploying. They are 9 and 3 and my Hero's wish is that I would love to surprise them with a disneyland trip when I am home on R&R leave to bring our family closer than ever. I will be home on R&R in February and we will have the girls the 3rd weekend in February.

Feb 23rd 2012

WE WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE OKLAHOMA THUNDER VS LA LAKERS GAME IN OKC ON THURSDAY FEB 23RD 2012. ME AND MY HUSBAND HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS AND SPENT OUR EARLY RELATIONSHIP WORKING ALOT TRAINING FOR OUR UPCOMING DEPLOYMENT, THEN SPENT A YEAR APART TO RETURN HOME AND PREPARE TO PACK UP AND PCS TO A NEW STATE. WE ARE NOW SETTLED IN OKLAHOMA ONLY 45 MINUTES FROM MY HUSBANDS CHILDREN SO WE HAVE THEM AT LEAST EVERY OTHER WEEKEND PLUS THE 2 CHILDREN I HAVE THAT LIVE WITH US SO OUR HOUSE STAYS PRETTY ACTIVE WITH 5 KIDS ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 6! NOW WE ARE EXPECTING OUR 6TH CHILD BETWEEN THE TWO OF US AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR MY HUSBAND BEFORE WE GET BUSY WITH THE NEW BABY BECAUSE HE IS CONSTANTLY DOING WHAT HE CAN FOR THIS FAMILY. HE IS A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND AN EXCEPTIONAL FATHER TO ALL 5 CHILDREN AND BECAUSE HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN OKLAHOMA, HE IS A HUGE OKLAHOMA SPORTS FAN, ESPECIALLY BASKETBALL, WITH HIS SECOND FAVORITE TEAM BEING THE LA LAKERS! NEITHER OF US HAVE EVER BEEN TO A PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENT SO MY HERO'S WISH IS BEING ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER WATCHING MY HUSBANDS FAVORITE TEAMS FACE OFF IN A SPORT WE BOTH ENJOY WOULD BE A DATE WE'D NEVER FORGET!

Dec 25th 2011

My name is MSGT ISMAEL SAGREDO and I was born July 3, 1968 in Naples Florida. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA in Dec 1992. After graduation, I reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California in March 1993 and trained as a 0341, Mortar Man. I received orders to 1st Battalion 4th Marines and was assigned to Weapons Company, 81mm Mortar Platoon where he operated as a plotter in the fire direction control center. While assigned to 1/4 he deployed in 1994 with the 15th MEU and again in 1996 with the 13th MEU participating in Operations Restore Hope, Polar Ox Returns, and Desert Fox. In January 1997, I was assigned to Marine Barracks, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and assumed the billet of Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon Windward Company. I served with the Marine Barracks until January 1998 and was then assigned to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. I was then assigned, to Echo Company, Weapons Platoon as the Platoon Sergeant. While serving with 2/3, I deployed to Okinawa, Japan and participated in a series of bilateral exercises designed to increase U.S. Navy Sailors' understanding of Southeast Asian cultures called CARAT 99 aboard the USS Fredrick (LST 1184). In June 2000, I received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California to attend Drill Instructor School. Upon graduation, I reported to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Charlie Company where I worked as a Drill Instructor for five platoons and a Senior Drill Instructor for three platoons. After Drill Instructor duty, I reported to 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton, California. I deployed with 1/5 to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II, serving in Fallujah and Operation Iraqi Freedom III where I served in Ramadi. I received a meritorious combat promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on April 2, 2005. In 2006, I was selected, and assigned to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor, Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NROTC Consortium. I participated at Officer Candidates School as a Sergeant Instructor for PLC Seniors, Echo Company in the summer of 2006 and as a Platoon Sergeant in Golf Company in the summer of 2008. I was promoted to my present rank of Master Sergeant on November 1, 2008. After AMOI duty I reported to 3rd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton, California. I fulfilled the duties as Weapons Company Operations Chief. Upon the Battalions, deployment to Sangin, Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2 I was assigned to the Embedded Training Team Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Battalion. My Hero's wish is for two Ski lift passes for Big Bear in California on December 25th and 26th.

Dec 25th 2011

My wish is for New England Patriots tickets for a Sunday or Monday game. Whether it's the current season or the following season. My wife, being a veteran and a Patriots fan as well, would be ecstatic to be able to attend a game. Since my injury the thing thing that heals me the most is her happiness. This would do that more than most anything else. I married into a New England Patriots family which makes me a fan by proxy. My wife, who is also a veteran (OIF) experienced as much emotional trauma as I did physical trauma when I was injured during OEF. This would be more for her than me but her happiness is what continues to heal my wounds. Thank you

Dec 24th 2011

I am returning from Deployment to Iraq, going home to Nashville, TN for Christmas to visit my wife and my twin sons. I wish to attend the Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars game on the 24th of December, 2011, and am unable to afford tickets due to child support payments. I would love it if I could give this to them as a Christmas gift and also as a gift to myself. Thank You.

Dec 24th 2011

As a born Texan (my father was in the Air Force, so we didn't spend a lot of time there)I have always been a rabid Dallas Cowboys fan through thick and thin, the thick times obviously being their Super Bowl wins in the 90s and the thin times being any time they don't make the playoffs. I have been deployed four times, for a total of about 40 months, I expect to be home sometime in late November, early December from the most recent tour in Iraq. I would love to take my wife and two boys, ages 7 and 4 to a Cowboys game, it would be a great bonding event for us as we all love sports. My wife and boys have been a great support to me as we have dealt with many difficult situations that not only has my units gone through, but also the difficulties that being gone from your family bring, each time in new locations, with new people. I think this would be a great way to express gratitude to the people who ache and suffer every step of the way along with their soldier. I would love to attend the December 11 game against the NY Giants at Cowboys Stadium as I am currently stationed at Ft Hood. We would forever be greatful if you could make this dream come true.

Dec 24th 2011

My husband, Major Kevin Conley, was with the DE National Guard and deployed to Bamain, Afghanistan, with the Embedded Training Team. He left DE Jan 8, 2010. While in Afghanistan, he helped build schools and mentor the government. He returned injured to Indiana on Dec 5, 2010, and arrived in Ft. Meade/Walter Reed on Dec 15, 2010. He was able to see our two children and myself on weekends, but couldn't return home until April 2011. He is home while seeking medical care and scheduling his surgeries. His first back surgery was 8/11/11, and we're still hoping the feeling will return in his leg. Kevin is currently on medical hold, and will remain on Active Duty until his surgeries and recoveries are complete. We were given about an 18 months. Since my husband hasn't "returned" from Active Duty, he was not included in a Welcome Home ceremony. My husband is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. He has always wanted to go to Texas to watch a Thanksgiving game. I'd love to see his wish come true. Tickets to the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Game would be a great welcome home!

Dec 19th 2011

My name is SSgt Dennis Deppen and I left my family on February 15th of 2011. When I said good bye my 4 year old son Xavier and my then 2 month old daughter Sabia and lovely wife Shayla I left with the understanding that I would only be gone for 7 months. Shortly after my departure I learned I would be here an entire year. Sharing that news with my wife was heart breaking. We decided that it would be best to come home during Christmas which would be almost 10 months since I've been home. For the past 9 months I've watched my kids grow up from email to email and skype to skype video call. This has been really hard on my son as he doesn’t truly understand why Daddy has to be gone so long. Regardless of what answer I give him he just wants to know when Daddy is coming home. I really want to take him to Disney World as he sees the commercials and constantly tells me that he wants to go see Mickey, Donald and everyone. With it being the holidays I think this would be dreams come true. Regardless if you answer my wish or not thank you for all the wishes you have answered and the support you provide us. This trip is planned for my R&R when I come home in December and then return for 2 more months in Afghanistan. I would need 2 Adult and 1 child 4 day Park Hopper Disney World Orlando tickets for: My wife, myself, son (4 years old) and daughter who is 1 will not need a ticket. We would arrive on 19 December.

Dec 19th 2011

I will be in San Diego on vacation with my family after my deployment. I wish to play a round of golf at Torrey Pines (South course). If I would have known about this organization before, I made my vacation plans in Monterey, I've always wanted to play Pebble Beach, but Torrey is on that wish list too.

Dec 11th 2011

My name is Zachary Durham and I am 20 years old. I am a Specialist in the US Army. On April 23rd, 2011 I was wounded in Afghanistan from a gunshot wound to the chest. My injury has left me with partial paralysis in my dominant arm (left). I now reside at home in Ames, Iowa attending Iowa State University and medical appointments. It has always been my dream since I was young to see the Green Bay Packers play. Recently I found tickets through Veterans Advantage. Unfortunately, due to tickets being hard to find, price inflation affects the prices tremendously. I am hoping to get two tickets, for myself and one companion, to attend the game at Lambeau the weekend before Thankksgiving, as that works best for my school schedule.

Nov 20th 2011

Hi my name is SSG Phillip Slaughter. My wish is for me, my dad, and my wife, who are all Cowboys fans, and my father in law, who is a Redskins fan, to go and enjoy the game between the Redskins and the Cowboys at Fedex field on November 20th as a family. It has been one thing I have been wanting to do for awhile but was unable to because of all of my deployments. This would mean alot to both of my fathers and my wife if this wish could be fullfilled.

Nov 19th 2011

My name is SFC Marvin Mitchell. I am an active duty soldier who has been in the Army for 17 years and who will be deploying in early Dec. It will be my 4th deployment. I am also a father of 6 of the best kids in the world between the ages of 2-13. I am hoping to be able to get enough tickets to take my family to the Shrine Circus it will be close to us on Nov 18-20 and I would really love to take my children and wife to the Circus before I leave. It would be their first time to the Circus and I would like to share that with them. I would need a total of 8 tickets for my family. Thank you.

Nov 19th 2011

My name is Monica Matous and I have known my husband for 2 years now. Until recently, we were not in the same unit. We were in two different units at Fort Riley, and with both units deploying, we hardly had time together. We went to field training excercises at different times. I spent a month in California for preperation for deployment, only for my husband to go to Louisana a week later for his month long deployment training. He then deployed a month after returning. I was not able to deploy right away, but in April I was finally moved to my unit, where I then deployed in June. Out of the two years together, we have only seen each other approximately 8 months together, including the now 4 months we have been together here in Iraq. During training and deployment, my two children, Paige and JP, have been with their father in Texas so in the last two years I haven't been able to see them much either. This meaning that we have not really been able to have any fun, quality, family time together. My Husband and I will be returning from Iraq this month. We have always wanted to go to a Texas football game, however with both of us being in the army, we have not been able to. We are hoping to take our two kids, Paige and JP, to the November 19 Texas vs Kansas State football game

Nov 12th 2011

My name is SSG Kory Ball and I have served for over 8 years, including 3 deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan for a total of 48 out of 100 months deployed. I am currently deployed in Afghanistan and I am due back to the states in about a month. I love serving in the Army but it definitely has its downfalls. I was recently blessed with a beautiful niece, Sydney. Unfortunately, due to this deployment, I have only seen her in pictures. Being an Oregon Duck fan runs in the family, and we have continued the trend with the best niece in the world joining the Duck fan base. My family and I are very close. They have kept me strong throughout my 4 deployments. It has been a life long dream of mine to see the Duck’s play in person. It would mean even more doing that with my best friend and family. My family truly is my support system, and without them my Army career would not be possible. I would love to make up for all the holidays missed and time away from my family, by taking them to this game and making the family Dream Come true. Thanks a lot, SSG Kory Ball.

Nov 6th 2011

My name is Rachel Bufkin and I am a Specialist in the United States Army. I have been in for 2 and a half years. I am currently serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I got here 20 July and will be here til July 2012. I go on leave Oct 29-Nov 13 (depending on flights from Kuwait). I would like to obtain 4 tickets to the Indianapolis Colts game on 6 November. I am married, and have two boys, Xavior is 6 and Maddox is 4. I am requesting four tickets because there are four in my family. I deployed 20 July 2011 to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Late November, when I return from leave I will be moving FOB's. My unit, 14th Engineer Battalion, stationed out of Fort Lewis, WA will be here until July 2012. Unfortunately, our orders were cut before January so we are on a year deployment instead of nine months. I am originally from Indiana and that is why I am requesting Colts tickets. I understand you only get a limited number and if my request is not met, I completely understand. I just wanted to take my family to a Colts game while I am on leave. The Colts are really the only team I will be able to attend because I can't go outside the radius of my leave location unless it is within a certain amount of miles. Thank you for what you do.

Oct 29th 2011

I am just returning from my second tour overseas. I served with the hardest hit unit to date in Iraq in 2005 where my unit and I lost 48 men. I am just returning from Afghanistan. My heroes wish is to fullfill mine and my wife's dream of visiting and attending a home Notre Dame football game. My son was 9 1/2 months old when I left and he is now 22 months old. I would love to be able to give back to my family for all they did for me while I was deployed. They were so strong and supportive and helped me get through and I can't tell you how it would feel to be able to share this with them. I am requesting 2 adult and 1 child ticket to ANY home football game as well as a hotel room for the weekend.

Oct 14th 2011

My name is Joseph Curtis and MY wish is to be able to get tickets for my wife, her friend Jennifer and her brother to a 3 Doors Down concert on 14 October. It would be great if they could get a meet and greet but I am not sure how much that would cost. It would be really nice if I were just able to get tickets for my wife and her best friend whom helped her with all the stress since I've been gone. I wish this because I have been on deployment 8 months now and even though it has been a hard time for me, it has been harder on her. She has been taking care of our two children and throughout the 8 months unexpected things have occured. Her friend Jennifer and her brother have been there for her through everything and helped out alot. I just want to thank them for helping her through this difficult time and be able to just give her sometime of enjoyment through these tough 8 months. A 3 doors down concert,

Oct 8th 2011

I would love to get two tickets to the UFC fight in Houston on October 8th. My husband is on his third deployment and returning around the end of August. His birthday is October 9th and he has always wanted to go to a live UFC fight. He is an avid fan ever since he went through combatives while being a drill Sgt at Fort Knox, Kentucky. We usually watch the fights at home with friends on PPV, but during his deployment he might have been able to watch one or two fights because the AFN situation didn't cooperate. Granting him this wish would mean so much to him and to me. Our 11 year anniversary is September 22nd, and this will be the first year out of many that he will even be around for it. October 8th is close to our anniversary date, so that would be a great gift for both of us as well. Being a military spouse, raising two girls by myself, working full time and taking college courses while he is deployed is very hard on us as a family, and I can't wait for him to get home! He missed the birth of our 2nd daughter by two weeks when he deployed from Germany in 2003. I hope you can make this wish come true for him! Thank you so much!

Oct 8th 2011

Howdy! Just getting back from a year long tour in Western Afghanistan. I had the privilege of providing aerial support and security as an Apache Longbow attack pilot/gunner. Our main mission was to keep the ground troops safe. We worked mostly with Army and Marines, but also provided support for all our NATO allies in the region, mainly the Italian and Spanish forces. I have been a UFC fan for quite some time now, and looked forward to watching the fights every few weekends before I left. Because of my schedule while deployed, I only got to see 1 fight the whole year. My dream was to be able to take my wife and a few friends to an actual live UFC event before I go back to Afghanistan in 17 months. It would be such an honor to be able to attend the one in Houston, which is less than an hour from my house. Thank you so much for the support! My family and I are truly grateful!

Sep 26th 2011

My name is Paul Meigs and I have been in the military for 14 years. In 2006 I moved to FT Carson, CO. and I have not been home, to the east coast, to see my family since. I have been deployed twice since I moved out here; AUG 07 - OCT 08 and MAR 10 - MAR 11. My brother and I used to be close but we don't talk as much anymore. We have not seen each other since Jan '05. I thought since he is a big Redskins fan and I being a huge COWBOYS fan that maybe the two of us and our wives, could go to the new COWBOYS stadium to see a game together. I don't believe he has ever been to a pro game before and it would be a good time to catch up on old times.

Sep 17th 2011

I am stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany and returned home from my second deployment to Iraq since 2007 in December 2010. I will be going home to visit my family for the first time since 2009 and I am dying to go to a Florida State Football game. Fortunately and Unfortunately, the only game while I am home is the FSU vs OU game and tickets for good seats are outrageous. Because of the amount of money I am spending for plane tickets for me and my wife to fly back to the US my funds are limited for tickets. Florida State University is only selling this ticket in a 3 game pass and I will only be home for the one game. I am not asking for free tickets, I would just appreciate a good price on four tickets for my wife, brother, father and myself to attend the game. Everything I have found is over 300 dollars for tickets on the sidelines. Because this is such a great game and my first game in years I would like to be able to find seats on the sideline for a decent price. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sep 9th 2011

My wish is to attend the Arizona State vs. Missouri game on Fri Sept 9th with my family, my wife and 4 kids. My wish is to attend the game and sit in the new Sun Devil Suites to get the greatest game experience possible. I am a native of Arizona and have been an ASU fan all my life. I am preparing to deploy again on a back to back rotation cycle and would love to have the greatest game experience possible while I am home for the couple months in between deployments. I appreciate you taking the time to view my wish and thank you for your efforts.

Sep 7th 2011

I am currently deployed in Afghanistan, but will be returning from my tour mid-March! Like most Soldiers, I have been deployed 12 months over the 2 years. I have been in the military for 22 years and have been deployed twice, once in each conflict. My family and I are big NFL fans and have never been able to go to any games due to time and resources. It has been hard on me, my wife and our children. When I have been home we play football together and my whole family gets involved. I would really like to take my family to their first NFL game when I return. I am stationed in Colorado, so the Broncos are the closest NFL team to us. I selected the Denver vs Chargers game to take them to, but any Denver Broncos game would be great. Thank you for considering my Hero’s Wish!

Aug 27th 2011

I will be on leave in August along with my son who is also deployed to iraq. I would really like it if we could go to Six Flags Fiesta Texas with 1 or 2 day park tickets and kinda get away from the day to day life...something extra special before we have to go back. My son and I have deployed together our last deployment but this time I am deployed to afghanistan and he is deployed to Iraq. My wife and my four girls have endured two straight deployments with both men of the house gone. So it will not only be a special event to reward my daughters for all their help, but a celebration for my youngest daughters birthday, and also a chance for me to have some extra special memories before I deploy again to Afghanistan and my son returns to Iraq.

Aug 12th 2011

Hello my name is SPC Navarro, I will be deploying to Afghanistan, I am married and have 2 kids. My wife and my kids are my treasures. I love them so much. My daughter is 3 years old and her birthday will be coming up, but unfortunately, I will miss her birthday since I will be overseas. Her biggest wish is to meet Mickey mouse... I will love to be able to take my family to disneyland before i deploy and be able to spend some very special memories with my family. 2 day hopper tickets will be so great but anything will be gladly appreciated . Thank you so much on behalf of me and my family.