Night Stalker Foundation Thanks Veterans

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED

On Veterans Day, in this inaugural issue of the Night Stalker Foundation newsletter, we pay tribute to all veterans of this great Nation. Thank you.

 FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Night Stalkers, Veterans and Patriots, 

Please join the Night Stalker Foundation as we celebrate Night Stalkers, past and present, for their selfless and committed service to a cause greater than self in peace and war. Like so many other Veterans, they chose to do so in the cloth of our Nation willing to give all they had and all they were in the cause of freedom and justice. Quiet professionals, they chose to serve in a special way. As our Night Stalker Creed states:

Service in the 160th is a calling few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished, the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. 

Please join me and our Foundation team in saluting our Night Stalkers, their Families and our Gold Star Families for their service and sacrifice. We stand ready to assist our Night Stalker Family whenever and wherever the need arises.

Night Stalkers Don’t Quit! Kevin

Kevin W. Mangum Lieutenant General (retired), U.S. Army Chairman, Night Stalker Foundation and 10th Colonel of the Regiment

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S BRIEF

COVID-19 found its way into our lives early this year and continues to place an unwanted burden in just about everything we do. Many of us completely changed the way we conduct our day-to-day business, to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those we interact with.  

Night Stalkers do not have the comfort of adjusting their combat requirements, nor are they able to put the safety of their families, or themselves above the mission, as they continue to accomplish everything asked of them.  COVID-19 is simply another rock in their rucksack, that they must carry while training and fighting as the nation’s elite rotary wing attack and assault force.  

The 160th SOAR is still continuously deployed around the world, supporting elite special operations ground forces wherever they may be. This kind of performance comes with a price.  Night Stalkers and their families carry this burden without discouragement or complaint.  Unfortunately, two Night Stalkers paid the ultimate price in August of this year, while conducting a complex training exercise in California.  Another thing we cannot fail to do during these tough times, is honor our fallen and care for their families, a promise to always recognize their selfless service. 

Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Marketta Sergeant Tyler M. Shelton 05 August 1987 – 27 August 2020 26 September 1998 – 27 August 2020

Despite the challenges with fundraising during these unprecedented times, the NSF continues to support Night Stalkers, their families, and our Families of the Fallen.  If you would like to join us in our mission, please consider donating, every little bit makes a difference.  

Brian Supko Executive Director, Night Stalker Foundation

The Families of Fallen Night Stalkers crest resembles the 160th SOAR distinctive unit insignia. However, the winged centaur bows in honor of the sacrifice made by the soldiers and their families, represented by the gold star. The unit insignia has a crescent instead of the star, to denote day and night operations.

FAMILIES OF FALLEN NIGHT STALKERS

Families of Fallen Night Stalkers (FFNS) is a 501 (c)(3) peer-led organization who assists and supports the family members of Fallen Night Stalkers and serves as an informal communication conduit between the families and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

 We want to thank Willi Frank, as the outgoing president, for her many years of dedication and loyalty to the unit and its families, and for her love, her patience and her ongoing support. We also give a warm welcome to Josie Tuttle-Trimnal as she has stepped up to take on this most important job.  

Josie Tuttle-Trimnal is honored to assume the role as President of Families of Fallen Night Stalkers this year. She will continue the incredible work carried out by Mrs. Willi Frank, who remains involved with the Families of Fallen Night Stalkers as a mentor to Josie and as Vice President of the FFNS Board.  

 Josie is the daughter of Chief Warrant Officer (W3) William Tuttle who lost his life when his UH-60 Black Hawk, Tail #999, went down off the coast of Panama on October 4, 1983. Josie has benefitted from the many opportunities afforded to our Gold Star children including education benefits through the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Special Operations Fund as she received her Bachelor of Science in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Arizona State University and her Master of Leadership from Grand Canyon University.  

 Josie is married to retired Air Force Technical Sergeant, Troy Trimnal and they have five children. Two sons are currently serving in the US Army, one in the 101st Airborne Division and one in the 38th Clearance Company. Josie and Troy reside in Phoenix, Arizona.  

Families of Fallen Night Stalkers is excited to announce the acceptance of Emily Gibbons (18), daughter of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas Gibbons, and Marissa Sims (16), daughter of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jacob Sims, into the Academy of Rising Young Leaders taking place November 2 to 23, 2020. This three-week Leadership training is geared to Gold Star children in 9th-12th grades and focuses on leadership development, skills-building, professional connections, service opportunities and mentoring to encourage, empower and educate families so that they can uncover their inherent ability to persevere and move forward on their journey with confidence. 

Emily Gibbons  Marissa Sims

Contact: Josie Tuttle-Trimnal - FFNS President [email protected] 

 2020 NSF SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

This year, through your generosity and contributions, the Foundation provided for 84 scholarships for members, spouses, and children in the regiment. The amounts ranged from $500 to $5000 at 51 different universities in 20 different states. Congratulations to all our scholars on their achievement!

 A special thank you to our sponsors for their ongoing generosity and support.

 Sasha Foundation Special Operations Fund (SOFund) Envisioneering Inc. Cynthia Campbell Cruz Associates International Development Resources Inc. Lockheed Martin The Goodnature Fund Northrop Grumman Forrest D. Arvin and Sherry M. White Ron Howard Memorial Fund The Frank Family

NEW INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

We are pleased to announce the foundation began its internship program this fall. The goal of the program is to provide scholarship recipients with the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with the foundation, as well as gain valuable work experience. 

Join us in welcoming the Foundation’s first Nonprofit Administrative and Management Interns, who are already making a positive impact!

Riley Hartwell Abby Heitkamp 

Riley Hartwell is an NSF scholarship recipient who is a junior at Auburn University, majoring in nursing. She is the media manager for the Auburn Wake Team and has been involved with virtual fundraising and student orientations, which she organized and led online. She is skilled in MS office and the management of social media platforms. And, she is “passionate about the Night Stalker Foundation.”

Abby Heitkamp is an NSF scholarship recipient who is a sophomore at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is also a nursing major and brings a wealth of skills to this nonprofit role in her experience with her youth ministry's official communication and her sorority’s online fundraising. She is a certified MS Office expert and loves to play soccer. She aspires to “live a life of service and make a difference in society.”

NEW 160th SOAR (A) POSTER

Ned Dawson of HeliOps magazine worked with Night Stalkers across the country to provide a stunning capture of the Regiment's incredible aircraft. From the first helicopters used in early operations, to the 160th's latest Unmanned Aerial System, it's all represented in this gorgeous poster. It's only fitting that the Publisher and Chief Photographer of the world’s largest civil helicopter industry magazine conducted this amazing project. For those of you that missed the opportunity to purchase one of these posters, contact the Night Stalker Foundation at [email protected] for purchase opportunities.     

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The Foundation has postponed key events and fundraisers throughout the year, but remains focused on the mission and appeals to your continuing generosity to help achieve our goals: to support the Families of the Fallen, to support the soldiers and families of the 160th and to fund the scholarships for these deserving students. 

 We are planning to conduct a virtual fundraiser and webinar in December and will keep you posted with details.   

 We hope that you will consider a donation this Veterans Day - please visit our  WEBSITE for PayPal or Credit Card options (https://nightstalkerfoundation.com)

If you are planning your donation, please consider the Night Stalker Foundation’s recognition levels for your generosity. 

Donation                   Recognition

$75-999                     Bronze $1000-4999              Silver, Order of the Wings $5000-9,999             Gold, Order of the Dagger $10,000+                   Platinum, Order of the Crest

Donate today! And please know that every gift is appreciated and welcome: $5, $10, $25, $50. 

Thank you!

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