FOLDS OF HONOR 

ABC and the Folds Of Honor Foundation

 

Grand opening of Folds of Honor headquarters

by: RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Area builders demonstrated the ABCs of patriotism Tuesday.

The Oklahoma chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors was recognized at the grand opening of the national headquarters of the Folds of Honor Foundation, at the Patriot Golf Club just east of Owasso.
 Maj. Dan Rooney salutes members of the Associated Builders and Contractors for their part in building the national headquarters of Folds of Honor Foundation on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World
Maj. Dan Rooney, a Professional Golfers Association member and F-16 fighter pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the nonprofit Folds of Honor in 2007. It provides scholarships to the families of service members disabled or killed as a result of military service.

The ABC chapter, which is based in Broken Arrow, built the $1.3 million structure. Its members donated at least $850,000 worth of materials and manpower to the project.

"It's so humbling to think that during the economic times that we're in that a group of contractors get together and donate a $1.4 million building to the Folds of Honor Foundation," said Rooney, who has served three combat tours in Iraq.

"I'm excited about the furtherment of the mission and what this is going to allow us to do.

"It is much bigger than the four walls. This building has a spirit and its mission has united in this group, in my opinion, the greatest of all causes. Because without freedom, there are no other causes."

The national headquarters of Folds of Honor Foundation is shown at its grand opening on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World 

 
Sitting on land donated by the Tulsa-based Oxley Foundation, the 3,600 square-foot structure features heavy wood beams and an abundance of stone taken from the site.

Four local general contractors Crossland Construction Co. Inc., Flintco Inc., Key Construction and L.D. Kerns Contractors Inc. created a construction management team, with each company taking a one-quarter portion of the project. Joining the effort were numerous other specialty contractors and other industry professionals.

Carl Williams, ABC Oklahoma president and chief executive officer, estimated that more than 300 people have had hands-on involvement in the project since the building's groundbreaking June 11, 2009.

"To think that it started in my home office of Broken Arrow, Okla., and now we stand out in front of this," Rooney said. "I truly believe that we are just getting started."

The foundation has funded more than 1,300 scholarships, Rooney said.

"There are few things that I'm as proud of in my life," he said. "I'm an Oklahoman and this is an Oklahoma-based foundation that's having a tremendous national impact."

Original Print Headline: Folds of Honor opens national headquarters

Rhett Morgan 581-8395


rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com 

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100707_12_A1_MajDan428658




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