April, 2009
As some of you know, I have spent a bit of my time raising money each year for our veterans. Last year we competed in the world's toughest foot race, running through Death Valley in July covering 135 miles in 40 some hours. We have raised well over $100K in the last couple years for SemperFiFund.org. The Marines personally sent me a flag flown over Fallujah with a certificate of authenticity that sits on my desk with great pride. As a Vietnam veteran, I understand first hand what one deals with when you return from combat.
First, you deal with depression, then ridicule. The media lets you know daily what you did really isn't all that popular. Then you try to pick up the pieces and regain some normalcy in your life. The experience of real combat, getting wounded and shot at by people who really hate you, and our country, leaves you scarred if not physically certainly emotionally. There simply is no other way to put it.
If you are lucky enough to find a wife who will put up with you then you are doubly lucky in your re-entry to society.
We here at Bialla Vineyards have made June the month of patriotism and giving since economic times have devastated charititable budgets along the way.
This is where the Wounded Warrior Project comes in: see www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Two events to raise awareness are planned, quite ambitious if you will.
Linda Bialla and her teammate Kim Ford are racing as a two person team named TEAM FITISTA in the ultra-distance bicycle race, Race Across the West. This bicycle race is 1000 grueling miles starting in Ocean Side CA. and finishing in Taos, New Mexico. The Race Across the West is considered to be the most challenging 1000 mile section of the world's toughest bike race, Race Across America and is held in conjunction with that race. This is a non stop journey that you can follow on www.raceacrossamerica.org
Shortly thereafter to keep up with the family insanity six swimmers will start a journey on June 27th, at 8am, on the beach by La Paz, Mexico and swim straight across the Sea of Cortez. This will be a world record relay swim and first in the history of mankind. We will swim under the English Channel rules: no wet suit and strict one hour shifts.
To make your support to WWP a little inviting here at Bialla Vineyards we are doing a special offering of the following. You buy three bottles of our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and we will make a donation in your name for $93, the equivalent of one bottle, and send you a tax deductible copy of the check made out to Wounded Warrior Project. (This offer has expired.)
The Wounded Warrior Project, which is the largest non-profit organization serving our veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict, is supporting our event with all the muscle and help it has. Steve Nardizzi, their CEO, is personally very involved and we hope to raise a half a million dollars. Your donation goes directly to them. We never touch the money and are funding our own journey and expenses.
Linda and I have one last favor. Please send this email to a special friend who you think might have a bit of patriotism that would translate in to a donation. Assuming of course they'd like a fabulous 94 WS rated Cabernet. Inventory at Bialla Vineyards is low but this cause is too great. Offer expires June 1st, 2009.
Thank you for making our journey a very beneficial one to our veterans. Both Linda and I will try not to let you down. Our veterans didn't.
For blogs and updates stay tuned to www.nighttrainswimmers.com or www.raceacrossamerica.org and look for Team Fitista.
As always thank you for sharing our passion
Vito & Linda Bialla