(1888PressRelease)
June 02, 2007 - Please be advised: Sam Patterson, Woody Degan, and all other Board and Honorary members of the SSF/Bronzes of the Brave Special Project,
As of this date, 17 May 2007, you are hereby notified of the following:
Let it be known that Sam Patterson, Commander of the Service Member's Stewardship Foundation, nor anyone associated with the SSF/Bronzes of the Brave Special Project has any rights to any pictures of, or use of the name of SSgt. John "Ryan" Howard - USMC, or his likeness for the purposes of promoting, supporting, or solidifying any rights of the Bronzes of the Brave Special Project, nor any future rights to promote the said project with the same.
This action is being taken by the Howard family due to the Service Member's Stewardship Foundation/ Bronzes of the Brave Special Project's recent use of offensive words towards members of SSgt. John "Ryan" Howard's family on it's website, on press releases, and the like. http://www.thessf.org
The Howard family has been through enough without having to deal with these harmful words that create dishonor to SSgt. Howard's sacrifice of life on 11 August 2004, his loving family, and those who have helped the Howard family to heal from their loss. The Howard's do not want to be any part of any "mudslinging" geared to harm those who have only respected their family, as these people we speak of have always only wanted to help other families like theirs get over their loss, nor do they want to be any part of any possible harm to other families like theirs as such.
Be very aware, that the Howard family owns all rights to the creation of, purchase of, and completion of the Staff Sgt. John "Ryan" Howard Memorial Statue which was unveiled in Covington, Virginia on Sunday, November 19, 2006. Through the efforts of the Howard family, their community, and friends, the SSgt. John "Ryan" Howard Memorial Statue became reality, not because of the efforts of Sam Patterson, the SSF, or the Bronzes of the Brave Special Project, or any of it's associates.
Let it be known, the association of Sam Patterson, and the SSF/Bronzes of the Brave Special Project to the Staff Sgt. John "Ryan" Howard Memorial Statue unveiling on Sunday, November 19, 2006 was only allowed by the Howard family because they felt that the event could help the organization reach other families of lost service member's, and help them heal from the loss of their loved one. The Howard family no longer feels that it's association with your organization would do that, and revokes this use. It was the Howard family's hopes that this unveiling event could help promote the efforts of reviving a dead project known as the Statues of Servicemen Campaign to benefit the families of the lost, not harm their family.
With this being said, and by the purchase receipt in their possession declaring the Howard family as the owners of the Staff Sgt. John "Ryan" Howard Memorial Statue, you are hereby notified to IMMEDIATELY remove all materials associating the Staff Sgt. John "Ryan" Howard Memorial Statue, and any reference to his family as such to your project, as the Howard family no longer wishes to be associated with your project as of this date Thursday, May 17, 2007.
Should you have any questions, or would like to speak with our duly elected representative, please feel free to email us at this address with your personal contact information to include name, address, and telephone number, along with your question so that a representative of the Howard family can contact you with an answer.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
The Family of Staff Sgt. John "Ryan" Howard - USMC
KIA on the night of 11 August 2004
Helicopter Crash
Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
Covington, VA
http://www.thessf.org
