Some stay back in the shadows, some are front and center. But no matter their position, they are all firmly implanted in our hearts and we can never give enough thanks for them ... and to them.

Some are military, some veterans, some are family, some civilian. They are from all walks of life, with a common goal ... And asking nothing in return, but for a troop's smile.

Some of these are merchants, and we ask that if that is the case, next time you have need for services of their kind, choose from our supporters ... And let them know that's why you're there!!!

These are some of the people, (Outside of the firefighters, police, and all emergency first responders) who have stepped up for troop morale via the H2H effort ...

American Honor / Some Gave All

(Lakewood, WA) Official Venders for The National League of POW Families in WA DC, a portion of all sales on any related POW/MIA/KIA is donated to them.  They proudly to support the sacrifice and dedication of all the Armed Forces, Police Officers, Firemen, and our heroic Men & Women in their unselfish duty in Defense and Freedom of "The Greatest Country" on God's Green Earth!!

"We offer a wide line of products to all walks of life, our main focus is in support of our Military, Police Officers, Fireman, Medical and Life Giving and Protecting heroes here at home & abroad. Our products are memories of their lives, their families, friends past and future.

We are also supporters to Liz Jackson--HeroToHero.US - For all she does--- Above and Beyond--- HOOAH"

John & Pam detail our vehicle for the tour every year. They make our banners, they make the Fallen Hero black bracelets, they have been there from the very beginning and we are so thankful for that. They have become family to us over the years, and we truly appreciate all they have done for us. lj

AnySoldier.com

Sergeant Brian Horn from La Plata, Maryland, an Army Infantry Soldier with the 173rd Airborne Brigade was in the Kirkuk area of Iraq when he started the idea of Any Soldier^® to help care for his soldiers ...

Brian later completed a tour in Afghanistan and is now home, but AnySoldier.com continues larger than ever.

Brian's parents, Marty & Sue Horn took his efforts to heart and have devoted their lives to the mission of troop support. We visited them on one of our tours, and this family is the real deal. Want to send a great, well thought out, care package to our troops. Check 'em out!

**Yes, the AnySoldier.com logo is a HeartStone design. And no, this is NOT just for soldiers -- Marty takes care of every branch! Check out his site.

Treat Any Soldier

Want to send a care package to Any Soldier in Harm's Way? Treat Any Soldier is an effort to do just that. Pick a Soldier from the AnySoldier.com site or select your own.

TreatAnySoldier is an effort to bring some of the comforts of home to our military men & women serving in the War on Terrorism.

Due to overwhelming requests for ready-made care packages on the AnySoldier.com site, I started a separate effort and designed care packages that I actually sent to my son while he was in Iraq and now Afghanistan.

Through trial and error (and a lot of feedback from my son and his friends) I learned what TO send and what NOT to send.

**Sue Horn runs this great effort. She puts a lot more than goodies in these packages, they are personal to her, and her heart goes out with every package! Without Sue's help two year's ago, there might not have been many shirts getting out to the desert. Sue stepped up and made sure we had the funds to cover the shipment. She has been, and continues to be, a Hero to this effort. Please check out her site!!! lj

Hertz Rental Cars

(Federal Way, WA) That tour van that gets us out to all those departments and hometowns, is made possible by the generous support of Hertz, in Federal Way. We have tried to show our appreciation for their support by naming our mascots. "SHertz". Need a rental car from a class company? Can't beat Hertz!!!

Starbucks

(Lakewood & Tacoma) Don't believe those e-mails! We can give you proof that Starbucks does support out troops! They donate us coffee that we ship out to the troops. We held all of our initial planning meetings at their shops. The Lakewood (on 100th Ave) Starbucks baristas have been so wonderful to our troops. In fact, the "S" in SHertz, pays tribute to Starbucks. To be honest, all of the stores in the Puget Sound, and many across the country have baristas who donate their own coffee ... It's outstanding! Go have a latte, and tell them to keep supporting those troops!

Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipers

We've had the honor of the support of this outstanding Honor Guard team for all of our events. They have opened our PackOuts, kicked off our year program, supported our efforts, stood on the overpasses to send us off, and their local IAFF Local 31, even donated the hall for our first PackOut after party.

Karen, Scott, Chris, Kurt, Matt, Craig, Bruce, Derek, Willie, Frank, Jason, Brian, Steve, Judy, Pete, Fred, Bill, Lee Aaron ... You are all class acts! ... We thank & salute each of you!

Tacoma Fire Department Pipers

The Tacoma Fire Department Pipers, Seamus, Suzanne, (Also known as the Piping Duo) & Aaron are amazing, donating their time to play for us, and the too numerous memorials for our fallen troops. We can't imagine an event opening without them.  We give many thanks for their continuing support!

Papa John's

(Lakewood, WA) Clarence & our buddies over at Papa John's, on 100th Ave in Lakewood have been kept busy for all of our PackOuts so far. They make us a heck of a deal on one heck of a great pizza! Hungry, live in Lakewood? Say hi for when you order!

Jensen Lee

(Seattle, WA) Jim Officer and his crews have been so good to us. These cool tour bags y'all ask about ... Yup, they make them! We can vouch for the superior quality, and durability of the bags, as we have taken them on all but our first tour ... And hope to have them with us every time! Looking for a great team/bunker/gear/duffle bag, or even a stadium blanket? You won't do better than a Jensen Lee bag ... And you can tell them we said so!

WSCFF Burn Foundation Firefighter Calendar

We have had the support of Rod Heivilin & his awesome teams of gorgeous (on the inside & out) firefighters every year of H2H effort. The firefighters come out for the PackOut, and have brought many smiles to participants. The spouses really liked the hugs and the calendars at last year's event! This year, it is an all female firefighter calendar -- And they are all incredible!

**Hint: Look for Karen Leming in this year's calendar ... That woman doesn't age!

Kasey Kahne Store

(Enumclaw, WA) This is the official on-line store of NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Kasey Kahne #9. The store is owned and operated by Kasey and his mother, Tammy.  Kasey makes us Washington proud. He exudes great Pacific Northwest charm, rocks on the track, & has given hundreds of his shirts to our troops. Oh, and go Kasey ... Go!!!

Tammy, and Kasey ... You both have some big fans in this program. Thanks for all you do!!! You rock!

Infinity Graphix

(Yelm, WA) Tara Buel came on board to help us with keeping the H2H Brand consistent within all our marketing projects (fliers, business cards, logo redesign, etc). If you need any design work done she's the gal to call.

CoinForce.com

(Lakewood, WA) What more can we say about Jordan, Donna, Jerry, Kirk, and the rest of the team at CoinForce.com? They are another part of our family, and one we hope to never be without. They make our Director's coins, the Hero Coins, our official lapel pins, our infamous "Shirt-Faced" shirts, and so much more. They have been so supportive, even helping us with gas for the (inter)national tour! We love these guys, and can't thank them enough.

Their products are all great quality, and we're finding their coins are showing up all over the country. Need coins? They're all the rage ... Get 'em at CoinForce.com!

Hooters

(Tacoma, WA) Hooter's of Tacoma has been a great supporter this year! We connected with them for the first time last year, and they sent out small goodies with us on the road. Their lovelies even donned bunker gear to serve Hooters Hot Wings at the "Evening of Heroes”

Outback Steakhouse

Joe Garcia & the great folks at Tacoma's Outback Steakhouse have really been there for H2H ... And for the returning troops. They have donated "Welcome Home" cards for free food for our troops. They were there for our homecoming from the Passport Tour, and have committed to cook for the next PackOut ... It doesn't get any better! Read the quiet headlines of support for our troops and you'll be very surprised what Outback has done to show their hearts -- With no request of media attention! Huge salutes, mates!

Seattle Firefighter Pipes & Drums

How cool is it that one of the country's best pipe bands is right here in our back yard?! Even better, they have shown their support for our troops many times over. They play at the PackOut after-party, "An Evening of Heroes", and they make it rock! Spencer and the guys make every event they do, fun. Check their site for their upcoming events, you wanna check them out!

"The Seattle Firefighters Pipes & Drums (SFP&D) was formed in 2004 to honor fallen police and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The band is made up completely of career Seattle firefighters who volunteer their time and energy to honor the fallen with bagpipes and drums. This volunteer organization is funded on donations and paying gigs.

The tradition of bagpipes in the fire service dates back to the very first fire departments in the country who were made up mostly of Irish men who took the job out of pride but also because they couldn't find other work. Being a fireman back then was a dirty and dangerous job and no one wanted to do it. Faced with 'NINA' (No Irish Need Apply) signs for most other jobs, these men became policemen and firefighters. The bagpipes became synonymous with both professions due to the many funerals of these dangerous occupations.

Besides playing line of duty funerals, the band also participates in parades, fundraisers, charity events, parties, weddings, fire department ceremonies and just about anyplace they'll take us. If you wish to hire the band for an event, visit our website for more details at, www.seattlepipesanddrums.com."

AIM Mail Centers/Centerforce

(Lakewood, WA) Ken Ford, Chris, and all of the staff at Centerforce's AIM Mail Centers have been so supportive of the H2H Efforts. From providing us with a great place to receive all of your shirts, To great discounts on printing for our program materials., it has been a great partnership.

Even better is their purpose of providing assessment and training opportunities to individuals with disabilities, and to generate unrestricted revenue to support the agency's mission   Good causes supporting good causes, ya know?

Tired of the long lines at the Post Office? Here ya go!

Mayflower - Lincoln Moving and Storage

(Lakewood, WA) Bruce & his crew really stepped up for us. It was Mayflower boxes that got our shirts over to the troops in the sandbox. Lincoln Moving & Storage in Lakewood made it all possible, donating every box we needed -- tape, too!

Moving? You know who we recommend! Thanks Bruce.