FOUNDER

COLLEEN FOSTER

Welcome! My name is Colleen Foster and supporting our military and first responders is a passion of mine.  No, I am not military nor am I a first responder nor do I have any of these in my family. I am 100% civilian.

It's not strange for me to love this country and appreciate those that help protect us inside and outside its borders.  It is disappointing to me to hear from our military and first responders that I am strange because to have a 100% civilian proactively support is an anomaly.  I aim to change that.  I was raised being However, I was getting frustrated hearing from military and first responders that I am d it's strange to those who do serve to hear that I don't have a connection. They're not used to people like me.  That is what I aim to change.  I know there are more of me out there.  We just need to bridge the gap that exists between our two communities.  is what's crazy to me.  W.  I love this country.  I don't take how we are able to live for granted.  I appreciate those who are willing to make major sacrifices to protect all of us.  Sadly, 

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I simply love this country and am appreciative of those who are willing to work so hard so me and all those I love can comfortably go about our daily lives.  raSo, where does "it" come from?  I was raised to be proud of where we come from - a melting pot all united in one great country, supportive of those who have served in our military and appreciative of all that this great country has to offer.   

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For the past few years, I have been on the advisory board for Blue Star Families. BSF provides support services to active duty military.  I joined the organization because I am very passionate about supporting our men and women in uniform.  I'm even moreso passionate about re-uniting our military community with our civilian community in an effort to provide civilians with an opportunity to support, appreciate and educate civil

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am a civilian.  I do not have any military in my family.  

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As a young girl, I remember heading to Great Lakes Naval Base with my dad and siblings every Thanksgiving to pick up a couple of sailors to bring home for the day celebration.  That simple activity was really impactful and now as a mom, we are raising our son to have the same appreciation.

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CivilianSalute started with a desire to recreate the positive relationship between the civilian and military communities.  After 9/11, sadly, many of these opportunities went away.  It's time to bring them back.