Founder, Donald Fedorko was featured on Talking with Heroes on March 13, 2010 hosted by Bob Calvert.

“Donald Fedorko started the Living Patriot Initiative after his brother-in-law, a Marine Colonel, gave him an American flag that he flew over Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on the 5th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Seeing the flag in a dark, wood box didn’t seem appropriate. So, that evening he built a transparent flag display case that he calls a Prism.

The American flag, a worldwide symbol of freedom and liberty that belongs to all American citizens, can now be displayed in all of its radiant glory. For two years Fedorko kept his Prism and flag in his firesafe. But, after friends, family and neighbors saw the Prism, they too wanted one for their flag. The Living Patriot Initiative and the Prism were born.”

Living Patriot will continue its mission of thanking veterans and first responders for their personal sacrifices by participating in the Pepsi Refresh Project campaign in March. The Pepsi program, which provides $1.3 million in grants to worthy endeavors each month, will provide The Living Patriot Initiative the opportunity to grow and expand its operations.

The mission of St. Louis-based Living Patriot is to say “thank you” to every living veteran and first responder through the gift of a full-sized, folded American flag housed in a beautifully crafted, clear case called a Prism.

Living Patriot owner Donald J. Fedorko hopes that the camaraderie that veterans and first responders share, and the gratitude of the American people, will result in his proposal staying in the lead during the month-long grant competition.

“I am thankful for everyone’s support so far, and I love what my operation does,” Fedorko says. “It allows us to say thank you to our heroes by giving them Prisms and allows Americans to proudly display their own flag in its full luminous glory. I am excited and thankful for the opportunity that Pepsi is giving us.”

To learn more about The Living Patriot Initiative, visit www.LivingPatriot.com

The first Prism with flag flown over Iraq

Living Patriot Initiative news release on Thankyouforyourservice.us

It was the tiny grains of sand sifting through the folds of an American flag that inspired Don Fedorko to start the Living Patriot Initiative. Now his life’s mission is to say “thank you” to every military veteran and first responder by giving each one of them one of his Living Patriot Prisms with American flag.

Official press release for the launch of the Living Patriot Initiative as picked up on stltoday.com.

Fedorko launched his Living Patriot website on October 16, 2009. “While we will continue to design and make new products, our ultimate goal is to provide jobs for former, disabled and retired military men and women at our manufacturing and assembly facility right here in St. Louis,” says Fedorko. “What could be better than products built for patriots, by patriots?”

Living Patriot founder Don Fedorko was featured with the Living Patriot Initiative on KMOV in St. Louis last month.

“As Thanksgiving approaches, many Americans are thinking of loved ones far away serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. At the same time, a St. Louisan is taking a gamble. He’s starting a new business to honor those veterans and more. That’s “good news for a change.”"

You can find the story and video on the KMOV web site.

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Association has found a unique way to honor the memory and the lives of our fighting men and women throughout the duration of our countries existence. Through Art.

“The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Association has commissioned internationally-recognized artist Charles Gilbert Kapsner to design and paint canvases depicting the history of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard. Five 8 x 10-foot oil canvases will be hung in the cemetery’s committal hall to represent all who served, commemorating their sacrifices in all wars, rather than eulogizing a particular war. Beyond being a memorial to our nation’s fighting men and women, the paintings will serve as an educational tool to help future generations understand our history and the vital role our military plays in maintaining our freedom and democracy.”

As we consider ourselves to be artists, we truly appreciate the power of art to communicate and honor. Artwork, when carefully considered and rendered can move the very core of ourselves and open doors to considerations of new ideas and challenge conventions, or, it can soothe and relax and provide a moment of repose. We love the efforts of the State of Minnesota as they use this medium to honor our Patriots.

The project is being administered through a partnering arrangement with the Initiative Foundation, a charitable nonprofit Foundation with headquarters in Little Falls, MN. If you would like to offer a donation you may send it to The Initiative Foundation, 405 First Street SE, Little Falls, MN 56345.

If you happen to be in Central Minnesota in February, you can see the artwork at the Franklin Arts Center in an exhibit sponsored by the Crossing Arts Alliance. Exhibition and reception at The Crossing’s Q Gallery, 1001 Kingwood St. #222, Brainerd, MN 56401. Exhibition: Jan 21 to Feb 13, Tues and Th from 10 to 4 and Sat, Feb 13 from 10 to 2, or by appt 218.833.0416. Reception: Fri, Jan 29 from 5 to 8.

I can remember visiting Washington D.C. as a kid. I think I was 10. I remember the planes hanging from the ceiling in the Air and Space Museum, the view from the top of the Washington Monument and the overwhelming figure of President Lincoln as he sits stately in his place along the mall. I also remember the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame. I remember asking my brothers over and over again how they made that thing stay lit. My memories are scattered and broken and inspire me to return with my children now that they are old enough to appreciate it.

While browsing the internet, I came across another fan of America’s National Capital in Ben Stein. He also talks about the beauty and majesty of the place and it’s monuments, but he adds that the highlight for him is the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. http://www.uso.org/usoonpatrol/article_home-of-the-brave.html

“But if you want to see the very most spectacular display in our national capital, you should go as I do, many times a year, to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This immense hospital complex has something that you cannot see even at Arlington National Cemetery: It has a living, breathing collection of the finest, bravest, most magnificent souls on the earth.” – Ben Stein

We are in awe at the bravery and dedication of our fighting men and women in the armed services who dedicate their lives to preserving the ideals of this country. We are also grateful for those in the public eye who take a moment and give a little of themselves to support and bring recognition to these selfless servants of freedom. Our hats are off to Ben Stein and his efforts. But more so, we honor, as he does, those who provide the blanket of security that allows all of us life, liberty and the pursuit.

When there is a crisis somewhere around the globe our military men and women dawn the appropriate hat and go to work. We hear a lot nowadays about Iraq and Afghanistan, as we probably should, but I love to hear stories of when America’s finest take off the combat helmet and wear a hat of a totally different make.

A few months ago, the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element performed a Medical Civil Action Program, or MEDCAP, treating 2,987 people in several different cities affected by the El Salvador mudslides. We were so caught up by the health care debate, Guantanamo Bay and Christmas shopping that the story of the natural disaster in El Salvador went widely unnoticed.

The U.S. Army medical team responding to the crisis was only 10 strong, but they impacted the health and well-being of thousands. It’s easy to see the theaters where we have sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to fight and sacrifice allowing these others to work in anonymity and without fanfare. There were no engagements to be won. No hilltops or city blocks to be taken from the enemy. There wasn’t any reason to even draw a weapon. But there was real work done. The United States Army demonstrated again its compassion and commitment to peace and health, not on national television or for any political purpose, but rather because it was the human thing to do.

Way to be Army Strong JTF-Bravo

At Living Patriot, we are actively looking for charities that are dedicated to helping our troops, active, and retired. When good work is being done, we think everyone should sit up and take notice. We have identified a few charities that we are building relationships with. If it were possible, we would try to support all of them. Of course, this isn’t reality. So we will continue to support those charities that we have identified, look for more, and be sure to give props, where props are due.

We have recently heard about the charity Building Homes for Heroes. This organization collects donations from individuals and corporations in order to help disabled and severely wounded veterans as they try and rebuild their lives.

“Building Homes for Heroes is committed to supporting these extraordinary men and women, with a goal to build homes for families in dire need. We believe that it’s our responsibility to support those who have been called upon to make the ultimate personal sacrifice to protect and safeguard our country by fighting America’s War on Terror.”

We are thankful for so many who do so much to help! But there is SO much more that needs to be done. As a society, it is our responsibility to remember those who have served our country and provided the security which we all enjoy! Each of these warriors also have families and loved ones that have sacrificed for us. Let’s do all that we can to support them. If every person in this country took just a little time and donated a little money to help these charities, a great work could be accomplished.

So, for the Holidays, we at Living Patriot would like to encourage everyone to identify a charity in their local area that is directly helping our troops or our veterans and give them a little gift, write a paragraph or two about what you have given and how feel about those that serve, seal it in an envelope and put it on your Christmas Tree. Then, after all the gifts have been opened, before everyone runs off with their new toys, and there is a quiet moment, open that envelope and share that last gift as a memorial to those who provide the blanket of freedom under which we all sleep.