“Folds of Honor provides money for thousands of children whose mom or dad aren’t coming home again,” said Folds of Honor Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey Chapter President Beth Simmons as golfers and volunteers prepared for the opening of the Wingman Open Tournament Sept. 10.

Saucon Valley Country Club hosted 298 golfers at the charity golf event. Blue sky and pleasant weather assured a day of fun for the golfers who had paid for the fun of competing for prizes. Inside the clubhouse, tables were laden with prizes in a silent auction format.

Prizes were impressive. They ranged from a foursome of golf at a Trump golf course to a vacation in Costa Rica.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Honorary Wingman Open Chairman John “Hatch” Borneman. Befitting a former U. S. Marine fighter pilot, he directed onlookers’ attention to the sky where a formation of six model T-34B propeller-driven monoplanes roared over the crowd streaming white smoke in their wake.

Moments later, former Navy Seals soared down from among the few clouds on parasails and landed with precision on the front lawn of the country club. The last one down came in with a huge American flag billowing between the jumper and a counterweight.

“Folds of Honor gives back 90 percent of its money raised into scholarships,” said Simmons in an interview. She said it’s all about raising money for military families whose active-duty members had been killed or injured.

Simmons said that fundraising totals have gradually been growing for the organization. She said since her chapter was organized in 2007, it has awarded 122 scholarships. The backstory on the origins of the Folds of Honor is very much based on the vision of a military aviator in Oklahoma.

As recounted on the organization’s website, “It began with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.

“As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Rooney watched as Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac. Among them was the deceased corporal’s young son, Jacob.

“Since that night, Lt Col Rooney has committed his life to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through the Folds of Honor. Since 2007, we’ve provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms, and our families will know they are not forgotten.”

“Folds of Honor has provided scholarship money to thousands of children whose moms and/or dads are not coming home again,” said Borneman, the master of ceremonies and former fighter pilot.

Philanthropists Michael and Christine Perrucci presented the 2022 Wingman Open Pennsylvania charity golf event. Forty-eight sponsors were credited in the program as supporting the event.