St. James City resident receives Seven Seals Award
The highest state award given to an individual, the “Seven Seals Award” was recently presented to island resident, Capt. John “Giddyup” Bunch, the founder of the nationally recognized organization Operation Open Arms.
This award is presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve from the Department of Defense in recognition of a person’s outstanding achievement, initiative support or support over time that promotes the mission of ESGR. Intended to represent the seven branches of the U.S. military, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard Reserve as well as the Army and Air National Guard, Bunch received his award on Monday, April 18, during a luncheon at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in Fort Myers.
Bunch attributes this award to the dedication of the organization’s many sponsors, some of which have been a part of the program since its inception.
“It is an honor to receive this award and to realize this recognition comes from the ESGR. For the past six years, Operation Open Arms and our more than 200 sponsors have set the highest care standards for our troops on combat leave,” Bunch said. “The real heroes of OOA are found on our website. The names of each person and company is testament to their service and love of country, as well as our loyal and faithful contributors who believe in our mission and continue to sustain us through these challenging economic ties. Collectively, we share one common belief. Service to our country is ongoing. Those associated with Operation Open Arms perform tangible acts of kindness and demonstrate patriotism through their actions not just their words.”
Having been recognized on numerous occasions, Bunch on behalf of OOA also was presented with the key to the city of Fort Myers, was featured on the nationally broadcast Today Show, was a recipient of the Lee County EAwards, was proclaimed Citizen of the Year by the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce and was presented with a special proclamation from the Lee County Board of Commissioners and has been the recipient of many more accolades over the last six years.
Operation Open Arms was established by Bunch in 2005 and is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outreach programs and free or reduced services to active members of the armed forces on temporary leave from overseas duty. Relying on donations, OOA offers benefits in the form of free meals at local restaurants, fishing charters, golf outings, emergency dental care, hotels stays, weddings, mental health services and more. All of the services provided by OOA business and individual are easily accessible to those on leave in Lee and Collier County via the Internet. More than 200 offers from sponsors are posted at operationopenarms.org and those on the island include the Tarpon Lodge in Pineland and Angler’s Inn located in Matlacha who provide free lodging for qualified soldiers. Among the island restaurants participating in the OOA program are Mango Island Grill and the Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City, Sandy Hook Rib and Fish House and Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha and the Lazy Flamingo in Bokeelia. The big stars according to Bunch are his fishing charter captains who include Pine Island OOA participants Ballou Charters with Capt. Dam Ballou, Pine Island Charters with Capt. Chris Stanford, Max Marine Insurance with Capt. Steve Woodard and Capt. George Gosselfinger of St. James City. In addition to these island sponsors, several others can be found on the OOA website located in both Lee and Collier Counties.
Those who are interested in contributing to the ongoing success of Operation Open Arms are encouraged to visit the website at operationopenarms.com or call Capt. John Bunch at 822-8888.