Public’s help is needed to fund charitable project

Tulsa, OK — Writers from across the country have joined forces to craft a book to honor the soldiers, including a local man, who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

SSG Jason Hendrix, of Claremore, OK, has been chosen as one of the 52 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are featured in "Faces of Freedom." The book, which is scheduled to be release on Armed Forces Day — May 19 — profiles one fallen service member from each state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Kit Jarrell, of Tulsa, wrote the story honoring Hendrix. She is a military blogger who writes at EuphoricReality.com.

The proceeds from the sales of "Faces of Freedom," which has received pre-publication praise from Gen. Colin Powell and U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Arizona), Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) and Max Cleland (D-Georgia), will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Fisher House, two organizations that aid wounded veterans and their families.

"It is important to demonstrate the pride we have for those good men and women serving our nation everyday at great personal costs, and that pride is evident here, in Faces of Freedom,’" said McCain.

Nationally acclaimed authors and writers, military veterans and print and broadcast journalists have donated their time to make "Faces of Freedom" a reality. However, before that happens, the contributors of the book are seeking the public’s help to cover the basic printing costs of the book. Any additional monies raised will go to the charities.

To learn about the Fisher House and Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.fisherhouse.org or www.woundedwarriorproject

You may buy books at www.rebeccapepin.com.

The cost is $27.95.

E-mail Rebecca Pepin to learn how to make a donation toward printing costs at beccapepin@yahoo.com.