Annapolis Military Fundraiser Supports Flags For Late Veterans, MD Nonprofits

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Maryland nonprofit hosted a masquerade and a festival in Annapolis last weekened to support local veterans.

The Proffitt Brothers Foundation held the event, which fundraised for its campaign to send a flag to the families of all 1,833 veterans killed in Afghanistan. The Rockville group also raised money for other military charities at its wekeend gathering, called the American Heroes Benefit and Festival.

The foundation started its flag initiative after the U.S. withdrew its troops from Afghanistan over the summer.

In February 2020, former President Donald Trump agreed to evacuate American soldiers in 2021. President Joe Biden executed his predecessor's plan, leaving the country this August. The Taliban, the terroristic group that the U.S. was fighting, immediately regained control of the country.

"America's veterans, service-members and their loved ones are understandably unsettled that their collective sacrifices in Afghanistan were in vain," stated Vince Proffitt, founder of the Proffitt Brothers Foundation. "We started this campaign to demonstrate to America's warriors and their families that we will honor their sacrifices now, not decades later with a monument and a ceremony."

The nonprofit's act of grattitude will buy a Flag of Valor, or a wooden patriotic banner, for each affected family. These craft gifts are expensive, however. That's where the Annapolis fundraisers came in.

The Friday gala and the Saturday live music event attracted hundreds of donors. The Proffitt Brothers Foundation does not yet know how much the weekend raised. The planners did mention that some of the money will also help these Annapolis causes:

• Valhalla Sailing Project, which fights veteran suicide with sailing
• Live Water Foundation, which offers veteran watersports
• Warrior Sailing Program, which teaches veterants how to sail
• Warrior Events, which organizes veteran leadership and civic opportunities

"We expect the increased awareness and the donations will greatly help these organizations," the Proffitt Brothers Foundation posted on Facebook. "Thank you for your generosity and support!"

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