This describes Christina Palmer, a longtime resident of Severna Park in Anne Arundel County who holds two important foundations dear to heart: the Travis Manion Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Both projects are to help serve fallen soldiers or to assist the families of the fallen heroes. Palmer lost two men in her life: her son-in-law, Lt. (Seal) Brendon Looney in Afghanistan in September 2010 and Brendon’s best friend, and Naval Academy roommate, Lt. Travis Manion, who lost his life to a sniper rifle in Iraq in 2007.
“[With these two projects] it’s the best of both worlds. Great representation, great service, and a donation to help support those who serve,” says Palmer. During these horrific events, Palmer em aced the tragedies and turned them into a positive outcome. Palmer has been in the real estate industry for more than 20 years and has been with Coldwell Banker Real Estate since 2009. Since last fall, for each property she sold, $500 has been pledged to either foundation on behalf of Palmer and Coldwell Banker.
The Travis Manion Foundation’s mission is to assist our nation’s veterans and their families. They also want to foster the strength of mind and body to create new leaders for future generations. The grants to survivors of fallen heroes (parents, children, siblings, spouses and battle buddies) help accomplish a goal, while honoring the memory of their loved one. Annual scholarships are awarded, for instance, to deserving high school students who are interested in government service. More than $200,000 in scholarship money has been given to foster strength of the mind. “I don’t think anyone realizes the price our young warrior pay still defending our freedom today,” continues Palmer.r
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Looney and Manion were roomates at the Naval Academy.
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The Wounded Warrior Project honors and empowers wounded warriors who incurred injuries in service during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Almost 42,000 soldiers were injured in these two conflicts. The Wounded Warrior Project extends a hand to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve their new goals. This project helps serve warriors with every type of injury from physical to the invisible wounds of war.
“Both of the foundations are worthy causes, and every day I appreciate the sacrifice all of our families have suffered,” says Palmer. If you're interested in helping The Wounded Warrior Project or The Travis Manion Foundation, visit their websites, Woundedwarriorproject.com Travismanion.com.
