Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday declared August 12 a day of mourning for the 30 Americans, including 22 Navy SEALs, who were killed when their helicopter crashed in Afghanistan last weekend:
“While details surrounding the helicopter tragedy over the weekend are still being investigated, the human impact of the loss of these servicemen upon their families, their units, and the Virginia military community are profound,” Governor McDonnell said. “It is with a heavy heart that I ask all Virginians to join me in a day of mourning and remembrance for those who lost their lives defending our country and to offer their support and thanks to the families and military community they left behind. While no show of gratitude can ever replace what was lost during this tragedy, it is in times like these that Virginians need to rally to offer the care and support that can make a difference in the lives of all those touched by the tragedy.”
McDonnell has ordered all state flags to be flown at half staff from dawn to dusk, and is asking citizens who want to show their support to donate to groups such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, which provides financial support and tragedy assistance to military families.
Virginians can text SEAL to 90999 to donate $10 or go online to the organization’s website (http://navysealfoundation.org) to make a donation. Additional support organizations for military families affected by the event:
• Armed Forces Relief Trust: www.afrtrust.org
• Special Operations Warrior Foundation: www.specialops.org
• Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation: www.woundedeodwarrior.org
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