Support Our Troops
NFM Lending is dedicated to giving back to the American troops through various initiatives such as our Annual Support Our Troops Drive and monthly NFM Salute Nominations. Our NFM Salute series is to help recognize the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to fight for our country.
NFM Salute (January 2021): Denetra Hampton
Our NFM Salute series kicks off its 5th year in style with 22-year Veteran Lieutenant Naval Corp Nurse Denetra Hampton (Ret.). Despite being retired from the military, Hampton remains on a battlefield of a different sort, fighting as hard as she ever has before. Her story is one of accomplishment and purpose. Her ongoing mission has propelled her on to the NFM Salute stage for January 2021.
NFM Salute (December 2020): Jessica Astorga
Having served as an Air Force critical care nurse in Iraq and Afghanistan, Alabama native Jessica Astorga has spent the greater part of her life taking care of others. Her selflessness comes second nature to her, but it’s also taken its toll. It is with a groundswell of gratitude that we share her story while honoring her with our December NFM Salute.
NFM Salute (November 2020): Jamie Willis
November is a month for showing gratitude and giving thanks, so we picked the perfect month to feature our November NFM Salute, Army Veteran Jamie Willis. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more devoted Veteran than Willis, who even in his civilian life, has not stopped serving. It’s our humble honor to feature Willis and share his story.
NFM Salute - October 2020 / Johnnie Ashe, Retired Marine Captain
Growing up as a African American young man in the heat of the Civil Rights Movement came with unimaginable challenges. Growing up as an African American star athlete during that time was even more precarious, as it brought with it an expectation to use the stage to represent an entire race of people. Tennis great Arthur Ashe decided early on in his Hall of Fame career to let his racket do his talking for him, but it would not have been possible if not for the selfless act of his own blood. Our October NFM Salute honors Vietnam Veteran Johnnie Ashe, who through his brotherly deeds, helped shape an important piece of American history.
To learn more about Captain Ashe and the NFM Salute initiative, visit www.nfmsalute.com.
To learn more about Captain Ashe and the NFM Salute initiative, visit www.nfmsalute.com.
NFM Salute: Ray "Cash" Care
When the iconic Twin Towers came crashing down the morning of September 11th, 2001, active Navy SEAL Ray Cash Care knew the trajectory of his military career changed instantly. He knew, in that moment, that his love of country had taken on a meaning beyond his wildest imagination. 19 years later, our September 2020 NFM Salute honors Care for his service and undying commitment to bring those responsible for 9/11 to justice.
NFM Salute: Kevin Sellers
Our August NFM Salute is the first of its kind. Never before have we interviewed a Colonel on NFM TV. Colonel Kevin L. Sellers gave our country 25 years of service before retiring to civilian life earlier this year. His 2 tours of duty taught him many lessons about leadership, while at the same time earning him extremely high honors. Hear about his devotion to the United States and his family and so much more in our August NFM Salute.
NFM Salute (July 2020): Tyler Stallings
Our July 2020 NFM Salute is the first of its kind. Never before have we featured a non-member of the military. When you see what 8 year old Tyler Stallings has been doing to pay it forward to retired and homeless vets, you’ll understand why he very much belongs on the NFM Salute stage.
NFM Salute - June 2020 / Jeremy Katzenberger
June 14, 2011 changed Colleen Katzenberger’s life forever when she got the nightmare call military spouses dread. On that day, her husband, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger, was killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan. He left behind Colleen and their newborn baby boy in Missouri. In our June NFM Salute honoring Staff Sgt. Katzenberger, we see the world through the inspiring eyes and words of his Gold Star wife.
NFM Salute (May 2020): "Grandpa" Bill Kelly
Hunting and fishing for food through the Great Depression; clearing unexploded ammunition in Guam during World War II.; and now at age 95, quarantined at home for weeks on end battling COVID-19. “Grandpa” Bill Kelly is a survivor. Listen in as our May NFM Salute discussed what it has taken to overcome so many obstacles in one lifetime.
NFM Salute, April 2020 - Major (Retired) Jeremy Haynes
Wounded in battle in Afghanistan, Major (Ret.) Jeremy Haynes was told by doctors he would never walk again. Haynes was thankful to return home alive to his wife and children, but the times ahead would be challenging. Then, through a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation and its partners, Haynes was presented with a remarkable gift that would change his life. And through the hard work and dedication of Haynes and his rehabilitation team, there was one more stunning surprise. Watch this inspiring story in April’s NFM Salute.
NFM Salute: Roger Dennis
We are proud to announce our NFM Salute for March 2020 is Roger Dennis. In this father and son interview, we catch a glimpse of the memories and hardships of Roger's service in Vietnam. Tune in as he shares some of his experiences in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On behalf of Roger Dennis, NFM Lending will be donating $2,500 to the Gary Sinise Foundation. To learn more about Roger and the NFM Salute initiative, visit www.nfmsalute.com.
NFM Salute (February 2020): Sgt. Eric Houck
Our country lost a hero; a mother and father lost a son; a sister lost a best friend. In between the tears, we learned what a great man Fallen Army Sgt. Eric Houck was, as his family welcomed us into their home to honor Eric as February’s NFM Salute. The Gary Sinise Foundation will receive this month’s donation on behalf of Eric and the Houck family. To learn more about Eric and the NFM Salute initiative, visit: nfmsalute.com.
NFM Salute (January 2020): Danny Austin
We’re pleased to announce our first NFM Salute of 2020, Danny Austin. Danny is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the military as an Air Force Rescue Medic from 1969 to 1981. He shares the adversities he encountered during and after the Vietnam war, and how he kept his involvement in the war a secret from his parents for almost 15 years. He also discusses how the unconditional support he receives from his wife and new service dog, Duke, have made a huge impact on his life. Danny Austin, we salute you and thank you for your service!
NFM Salute (December 2019): Jerry Williams
We are proud to announce our NFM Salute for December 2019 is Specialist Jerry Williams. Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969 in both Ft. Hood, Texas and Chu Lai, Vietnam. He was a Gunner on an armored personnel carrier. We had the pleasure of talking to his nominator and son, Jeremy Williams, to find out more about Jerry and why Jeremy wanted to honor him.
Operation Welcome Home (November 2019)
We are so thankful for our servicemen and women. Last week, NFM participated in Operation Welcome Home Maryland at BWI Airport to welcome back our troops from overseas. Please enjoy this short video that encapsulates an evening that was full of emotional reunions between families, and a chance to say ‘thank you’ to the brave men and women who fight for our freedom.
NFM Salute (November 2019): Matthew "Random" Dunn
We are proud to announce our NFM Salute for November 2019 is BM1 Matthew "Random" Dunn. Random served in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Seal from 1996 to 2006. He was a Sniper Instructor and a Basic Underwater Demolitions Instructor (BUDs). We had the pleasure of talking to his nominator and club brother, Mitch Akers, to find out more about Random and why Akers wanted to honor him.
NFM Salute (September 2019): PFC Willie Woods
NFM TV and NFM Salute are proud and privileged to present our interview with the Salute for the month of September, 93 year old Veteran PFC Willie Woods. Please watch and share his amazing story, one about blazing a path for African Americans in the Marines. Willie is the grandfather of Processor Alisha Wooten.
NFM Salute (June 2019): Chaplain (MAJ) Thomas Watson
Please welcome our NFM Salute for June 2019. Chaplain Watson’s 17 years of service in the Army National Guard began in 1985 as a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout. He subsequently received a direct commission in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corp in 2008.
NFM Salute (May 2019): Giovanni Pierorazio
SSG Pierorazio was born in a small mountain village in central Italy. He and his family emigrated to the U.S. when he was ten years old. He graduated high school in June of 1967. SSG Pierorazio immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army and began his military service the following September,
NFM Salute (December 2018): SPC Cliff Hageman
SPC Cliff Hageman joined the army just a few months after his high school graduation in 1988, serving until 1992. His military occupation specialty (MOS) was an 88M, or a Motor Transport Operator. SPC Hageman was assigned to a Service Battery Infantry Unit in Schweinfurt, Germany,
NFM Salute (August 2018): Sgt. Cristian Blandin
Shortly after graduating high school and completing his first semester of college, Sgt. Blandin voluntarily joined the Army, serving from 2009 to 2013. Upon completion of basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he was sent to Fort Huachuca, Arizona for Human Intelligence Advanced Individual training.
NFM Salute (February 2018):
Kenneth came by the NFM TV studios to be interviewed by Greg Sher to get a little more insight into this amazing Veteran’s military career and to find out what he is up to now at age 94.
NFM Salute (June 2018): Bruce Person, Retired Major, US Army
MAJ Person was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. At 21 years old, he voluntarily joined the Army in 1964, knowing his number would soon be called in the draft. This allowed him to somewhat direct his future and not be assigned to infantry.
NFM Salute (January 2017): Tom Wycall
Wycall served in the Navy from 1965 to 1968, and spent some 20 months offshore during the Vietnam War supporting operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. As a Gunnery Officer, his offshore ship supported shore bombardment, served as a plane guard for aircraft carriers, and as a search and rescue station for downed pilots and servicemen.
NFM Salute (November 2016): Edward Strine
On May 3, 1945, The USS Aaron Ward was patrolling the Pacific near Okinawa, Japan when it was attacked in a kamikaze assault. Fireman First Class, Edward Strine was on board. This is his harrowing story about that day and how he awoke after the attack to see the U.S. flag still waving.