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HomeNewsClarksville's Ted Crozier receives SAFE Community Heroes Award

Clarksville’s Ted Crozier receives SAFE Community Heroes Award

SAFE - Soldiers and Families EmbracedClarksville, TN – On Wednesday, November 13th, 2013, SAFE: Soldiers and Families Embraced presented Col. (R) Ted Crozier, US Army, with the inaugural SAFE Community Heroes Award to recognize Col. Crozier’s passionate work for Soldiers, veterans and family members.

The award was the Inaugural Community Heroes Award and will in years to come awarded by SAFE to honor those who work tirelessly for our military, veterans and their families.

Ted Crozier receives SAFE Community Heroes Award
Ted Crozier receives SAFE Community Heroes Award

The award was received by Col. Crozier’s family members (Ted Crozier, Jr., daughters, Kari Rassas and Caroline Crozier) at SAFE’s annual fundraising breakfast on November 12th, 2013 at F&M Bank because Col. Crozier, Sr. (US Army Ret) was following doctor’s orders and staying in to recuperate from pneumonia.

“Our board was anxious to honor Col. Crozier for his tireless efforts for our military and families,” says SAFE Executive Director Rev. Jodi McCullah. “We also wanted to inspire others to follow in his footsteps, though we know that will be a tall order for anyone. Few of our citizens are as single-minded and as passionate as Col. Crozier. Even when he isn’t able to get out, he works the phones day after day, lobbying for anyone who will listen to get involved and help.”

“My Dad really loves SAFE,” says Ted Crozier, Jr. “He talks all the time about this program and how much it means to him and our military families here in Clarksville-Montgomery County. We are honored for him.”

The breakfast was one of several events in November to raise money for the SAFE program, which helps Soldiers, veterans and their families who seek healing from the traumas of war by offering free, confidential counseling. All monies raised by SAFE stay local to help those who are struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress, grief, readjustment issues and traumatic brain injury.

More than $40,500 was raised through two breakfasts and individual donations. A breakfast hosted by Nelson Boehms at F&M Bank brought in nearly $11,000 while another at the studios of Ben Folds on Music Row brought in more than $6,500.

The Sunrise Rotary Club donated the proceeds from a road race, which brought in $1,500, according to McCullah. “We pay our licensed counselors $40.00/session to see our clients, so this will help us pay our counselors for several months. We know the need will continue to grow as units return and the effects of more than a decade of war take their toll on Soldiers, veterans and families alike.”

Singer/songwriter Jason Jones was on hand at the Clarksville event to sing a song written with veteran Bill Fritschler and songwriter/veteran Keni Thomas entitled “Unspoken.” The song was written in September when SAFE paired Nashville songwriters with soldiers to share their stories through songs.

About SAFE

SAFE - Soldiers and Families EmbracedSAFE is a resource for the region to ease the readjustment and reintegration of military members returning from our current wars and their families, as well as veterans from previous eras. The majority of counselors and staff of SAFE are veterans or their family members or have extensive experience working with them. All services are confidential and provided free of charge.

For more information about SAFE or to seek help, call 931.591.3241 or email info@thesafenetwork.org . Donations are accepted at their offices at 510 College Street or online at http://thesafenetwork.org .

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