Tag: Building Homes for Heroes

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Memorial Day 2015

by KristinLeave a Comment on Memorial Day 2015

Contrary to what many believe, Memorial Day isn’t just a random day off from work that allows you to BBQ and go boating with friends.  It’s a holiday meant to appreciate and remember those who gave their lives in order to protect us and give us our freedom.  As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the granddaughter of a World War II Veteran, I’ve always understood the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

In the last three years, however, Memorial Day has had more meaning to me than ever.  My grandfather passed away three years ago, just five months after my grandmother passed away.  He had non-Hodgkins lymphoma which quickly spread to his bones after she died.  My dad passed away this week, only four weeks after being diagnosed with end stage cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and hepatic encephalopathy.  He dedicated years of his life towards helping other veterans and enjoyed working with an organization called Building Homes for Heroes (please see my previous post if you’d like to make a donation to this organization in his name).  He was chairman for the TWU Veterans Committee, and they were gracious enough to put together a video for Memorial Day that includes a tribute to him.

Please check out the video and feel free to share it.  Enjoy your BBQ’s this weekend, but also take the time to do what this holiday is meant for us to do…remember those veterans who have lost their lives and given us our freedom.

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Fallen Hero

by KristinLeave a Comment on Fallen Hero

Unfortunately, my dad passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 7:55 am.  I am beyond heartbroken, and it’s actually too hard to compose an entire post at the moment.  Instead, please see below for information on an organization my father felt passionately about.  If you choose to donate, please see the information in the post about how to donate in his name.  Thank you so much.

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Hi everyone,

As you all know, Henry “Hank” Trujillo passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 7:55 am. Some of you might know him as simply a coworker, but he was so much more than that. He was a Vietnam Veteran who had a passion for helping other veterans. He was an active member of the Transport Workers Union Veterans Committee and truly enjoyed helping and following the work of Building Homes for Heroes. He was also a husband and a father. He was the type of person who went out of his way to help everyone else, and put everyone else’s needs before his own. We all have different ideas of what a hero is and, even though we knew he was special, seeing the outpouring of love and respect for him, and the thoughts and prayers for our family during this horribly difficult time…we know he truly was one. Not just because he served our country, but because of his commitment to help those in need.

In light of this, our family is asking that, for those who choose to do so, please make any small contribution to Building Homes for Heroes in my dad’s name. Please see the information below to make your donation as simple as possible:

Organization Website: http://www.buildinghomesforheroes.com/about
Donation Link: https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=71680

***Follow the steps on the Donation page and include the following information at the bottom of Step 2:

Comments: Please include any heartfelt comments you might have about my dad.
Donate in Someone’s Name: Transport Workers Union Veterans Committee
Donate in Memory of Someone: Honor and Memory of TWU Veterans Committee Chairman Emeritus Hank Trujillo

Our family is truly thankful for all of your comments, emails, phone calls, visits, thoughts, prayers and respect. We take comfort in knowing that he is looking down on us now and is proud that we’re carrying on something he was very passionate about.

Thank you,

The Trujillo Family