12/9/2013 — Editor’s Note: What a great day we had! You can read all about it here: The Celebration!
BE A PART OF HISTORY & JOIN US:
THE OPERATION GRATITUDE
ONE MILLIONTH CARE PACKAGE EVENT!!
DECEMBER 7, 2013!
This will be an historic day, as we are the first military support organization to accomplish such a feat!
Please be sure to return to this page often for new and updated information. To receive updates by email, click: HERE.
THE EVENT:
A Family Day held on the huge lot adjacent to our facility at the Van Nuys National Guard Armory. We will welcome Community & Military Families (and children of all ages) to join us for a Day of Celebration…and a Day of Honor and Remembrance.
Can’t be there with us? Watch the celebration in real-time via Capsule! More info here.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT INCLUDE:
- Assembly of the One Millionth & One Millionth and One Care Packages
- The American Veterans Traveling Tribute: The Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Exhibits
- Military and First Responder Displays
- Live Entertainment and Celebrity Surprises
- Food Trucks and a Hosted BBQ Lunch for all attendees
- Games for Kids & Activities for Everyone
- Santa Claus Photo Ops and Give-aways!
A touching ceremony honoring our Fallen Heroes, Veterans from all conflicts, and our currently active Military will conclude with a Motorcycle-led procession past the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
SPECIAL PUBLICATION:
The Gratitude Journal, a commemorative retrospective chronicling Operation Gratitude from its humble beginnings to its 10th year celebration and One Millionth Package, will be the keepsake item of this Milestone Event.
This special “Limited Edition” publication will be released at the Event on December 7th and will be available for online donation orders thereafter. To receive notifications about The Gratitude Journal sign up HERE.
LOCATION:
17330 Victory Boulevard; Van Nuys, CA 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise (map and directions)
PARKING:
All parking will be off-site (map and directions) and shuttles will be available to and from the Event site. Parking and shuttles are available in and from the following lots:
Birmingham High School (across from the Armory on Victory Blvd.)
The Skate Park (just west of the Armory on Victory Blvd.)
ONE Generation (just west of the Skate Park on Victory Blvd.)
Drop-offs and pick-ups are available in the parking lots of the Skate Park and ONE Generation.
TRANSPORTATION:
We encourage the use of public transportation on December 7th. The Red Metro Line and the Orange Bus Line both stop within walking distance of the Event. For personalized directions from your location, please visit: www.la.transit.com/schedules
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SCHEDULE:
Thursday December 5:
9:00am: Vietnam Memorial Wall erected by volunteers
1:00pm: Vietnam Memorial Wall & Exhibits open and on display 24/7
Friday December 6:
Vietnam Memorial Wall & Exhibits open and on display 24/7
Saturday December 7:
9:00: Tent Doors and Activities Open
11:30: Millionth Package Celebration
12:30: Vietnam Memorial Wall Ceremony
1:15: Hosted BBQ Lunch for all attendees
1:30 to 4: Continuous Big Band Music, Activities, Games, Photo Ops
2:00: Cake Cutting and Ticket Drawings
3:00: Handoff of The Millionth Package to USPS
4:00: Event officially ends
Vietnam Memorial Wall remains standing and open to the public until Sunday breakdown.
Sunday December 8:
7:00am: Vietnam Memorial Wall dismantled and departs/Cleanup
Want to Volunteer? Email: m2mvolunteer@gmail.com
General Questions? Email: m2mdetails@gmail.com
General Information: Call 1-800-651-9012
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Can’t attend, but still want to help get that One Millionth Care Package out? Please make an online donation today!
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HOTEL INFORMATION:
If you’re attending the historic March to a Million event from out of town and need a place to stay while you are here, Operation Gratitude has made arrangements with nearby hotels to make it easier for you.
These special rates are offered for a limited time only. Don’t miss your chance to reserve your room at one of these discounted rates.
Airtel Plaza Hotel: 7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Room Rates (does not include tax):
$99 Single/Double
$109 Single/Double with breakfast for up to 2 people
For reservations, please call (818) 997-7676 (Airtel direct line) or (800) 224-7835 (Central reservations) and mention Operation Gratitude/March to a Million, or make reservations online HERE
Best Western Carriage Inn: 5525 Sepulveda Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
Room Rates (does not include tax):
$84 Single/Double
$90 Single with breakfast at Denny’s
$96 Double with breakfast at Denny’s
For reservations, please call (818) 787-2300 and mention Operation Gratitude/March to a Million to receive the group rate.
Courtyard by Marriott-Los Angeles/Sherman Oaks:15433 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Room Rates (does not include tax):
$109 Single/Double; Smaller Guest Room, One King Bed, no sofa bed (guests must call in for this room type)
$129 Single/Double; Larger Guest Room, One King Bed, sofa bed
$139 Single/Double; Larger Guest Room, Two Queen Beds
$159 Single/Double; King Suite, One King Bed, separate living room with sofa bed
For reservations, please call (866) 490-2065 and mention Operation Gratitude/March to a Million, or make reservations online HERE
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Want to Volunteer? Email: m2mvolunteer@gmail.com
General Questions? Email: m2mdetails@gmail.com
General Information: Call 1-800-651-9012
*****Please be sure to return to this page often for new and updated information.*****
To receive updates by email, click: HERE.
Operation Gratitude Blog 
We had such a great time, what an honor to be apart of such a great event, I was able to show my daughter her cousins name on the wall whom she is named after. Thank you Operation Gratitude
Esperanza
The Hook Up Resource center
Thank you for joining us today!
I am so excited about this event. I absolutely LOVE volunteering for Operation Gratitude. I walk away feeling so good. God Bless our troops, present and past. XOX See you on Saturday 🙂
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To all bikers: A special parking area for our motorcycles has been designated on the south side of Victory Blvd – just east of the Amory, where AVTT is being staged. After the M2M ceremonies have concluded, AVTT’s traditional “Ride of Honor” will take place at approximately 1300 hrs. Motorcycles will line up single file and enter the interior area where AVTT is set up – names of the fallen facing south. 1 by 1 bikers will ride along the Wall’s perimeter saluting as a show of remembrance and respect for the fallen & exit to the overflow motorcycle parking area.
If members of the motorcycle community have questions or need more information, please email Jeff at: 00fxsts@gmail.com.
This is a family event. All ages are welcome.
Jeff Kraus
Operation Gratitude Motorcycle Community Liaison
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I’ll be there from 7AM until 5PM providing ham radio comm support. As a former U.S. Navy veteran, I am really excited to be part of this – W6PST – God Bless our troops!!
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Im looking forward to attending the event on December 7. What is the minimum age for children? I have nieces and nephews as young as 5. Is that too young? See you soon!
ALL ages are welcome on December 7. (For other volunteer dates, we welcome volunteers age 12 and up.)
Fabulous! thank you!
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Unable to attend but congratulations.
Did you receive the 2 boxes sent from the Huntington Landmark Needlecraft Club? Hope so.
mllindfors@verizon.net
Yes, we did! THANK YOU so much! (You should receive your formal thank you in the mail very soon!)