Parachutists bring American, POW flags to Patriot Golf Classic in Sands Point

On a partly cloudy Monday morning, the roar of an airplane had about 140 golfers looking to the sky.

Two sets of parachutists with red and black colors first appeared as rice-sized figures somersaulting toward the Earth. As their shapes came into focus, they unfurled American and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags to Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." playing over a speaker.

Red smoke shot out behind them as they landed on the golf course at Sands Point Village Club, the crowd's applause drowning out the music.

The parachute jumps at the sixth annual Patriot Golf Classic, which benefited Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen and disabled military and first responders, symbolized the courage and sacrifice of these families, co-organizer Amber Traina said.

"We're here to tell them that we thank them for their service," she said. "We're here to support them. We meet their sacrifice with hope."

Traina said she and her husband, Joseph Traina Jr., co-organized the first Patriot Golf Classic in 2019. Since then, the event has raised nearly $500,000 in scholarships.

"We know how important education is," she said. "In doing these events, I've gotten to meet scholarship recipients who have shared their stories with us, and every single year we've become recommitted to doing whatever we can for them. Why shouldn't the community stand up and support this particular group?"

Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor, as a national organization, has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling over $290 million in all 50 states, its website says. 

The Sands Point event was one of 22 Folds of Honor outings held across the country Monday, Traina said.

Traina said she was inspired by the story of founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, who was returning home from service and saw a soldier's family meet the remains of their loved one on the tarmac.

"He said he realized that that's the other side of war, that's what it looks like and what their life was going to be like without their loved one," Traina said. "Having three children, it just rings so true for me."

The day began with a color guard procession by the Port Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1819 and American Legion Post 509 to a bagpipe rendition of "God Bless America."  "The Star Spangled Banner" was then sung.

Maria Trejo, 32, a grant associate with the Port Washington-based nonprofit Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, which donated to the cause, jumped with three members of the Patriot Parachute Team on Monday. Although she had skydived once before, she said Monday's event was incomparable.

"When I was in the air and then I saw ... the American flag ... we’re doing this for veterans today, so it really makes you feel proud and a lot of gratitude," she said.

Steve Lobin, 31, of Arizona, is a lead trainer and jumper for the Patriot Parachute Team, which describes itself as a veteran owned and operated company. He said as a member of the Navy for 11 years, it was gratifying to see so much support not just from other veterans or military personnel but from people from all walks of life.

"It's very rewarding to us and shows that we still have a community no matter where we're at," he said.