If you're not familiar with Team Rubicon, they're a group that's well worth knowing, and supporting. What do they do? Their mission statement sums it up:

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.

When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon at the head of his legions and marched on Rome, it marked a point of no return. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has since survived in reference to any group committing itself to a risky course of action. On January 17th, 2010, despite government and large aid organization's advice not to proceed, Team Rubicon members crossed the Artibonite River separating the Dominican Republic and Haiti, carrying crucial gear and medical supplies to the people of Port-au-Prince. Once across, they were irrevocably committed to their task. Hence the name: Team Rubicon.

You'll recall the horrific tornadoes of last April that devastated the Illinois community of Fairdale. Team Rubicon was there, providing disaster response, in what they called Operation Barbed Wire. This weekend (12/4-5), they'll be in Oregon, Illinois helping a family who lost their home to the tornadoes, to build their new home. They call this effort Operation Barbed Wire Rebuild.

 Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to perform these services. Beyond disaster relief, Team Rubicon helps veterans find a renewed sense of purpose—vital as many return to civilian life after more than a decade of war. Team Rubicon performs its services at no cost to those affected, thanks to the generosity of its donors. To learn more about Team Rubicon’s mission, or to become a supporter, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.

 

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