MEMORIAL DAY ISSUE, 2016
In the next few weeks, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day will reinforce
our tradition and our duty to defend American ideas and institutions at home and
abroad. They remind us of the preeminence of the Constitution’s first line, which
provides for the common defense of our nation. In this brief, we will highlight ways
the Bradley Foundation and the Bradley Impact Fund support this guiding principle.
IN DEFENSE OF OUR GREAT NATION
For more than 30 years, the Bradley Foundation has been
committed to the defense of American ideals at home
and abroad. The intellectual underpinnings of national
defense are essential to this goal, so we support Hoover
Institution scholar Victor Davis Hanson, who studies
patterns of conflict in military history in light of modern
warfare. Our Armed Forces use this learning today in
military planning and strategy. However, the number
of scholarly military historians and university programs
on military history is declining rapidly. If, as the saying
goes, those who don’t learn from history are doomed
to repeat it, Americans should be alarmed at the lack of
scholarly inquisition into military history. We are honored
to support this vital academic work, as well as that of
other programs such as the Program in Military History at
The Ohio State University, under the direction of scholars
such as Dr. Peter Mansoor, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.).
In the case of Dr. Michael P. Noonan and
Dr. Roy Godson at the Foreign Policy Research Institute,
Bradley’s support of intellectual work underpins the
public policy work of our grant recipients, as they bring
the insights of scholarship to bear on security challenges
facing the United States with a geopolitical perspective
that
illuminates
contemporary
international
affairs
through the lens of history, geography, and culture.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on our American
military story, but how do we keep that story alive within
America’s younger generations? We can find this answer
at Ronald Reagan’s beloved Rancho del Cielo, which is
owned and managed by Young America’s Foundation.
Through YAF’s work, thousands of students learn of
Reagan’s legacy, including his well-conceived strategic
foreign and defense policies, and moving tributes
to America and American servicemen and women.
SAVE THE DATE | KOHLER IMPACT CONFERENCE
Join us September 29 & 30
1-855-299-3863 | bradleyimpactfund.org
“
At YAF, Reagan’s work inspires young people to learn
about the brave patriots who sacrificed their lives for
“We share the Bradley Foundation’s
commitment to supporting our nation’s security. That’s
why we support the American Foreign Policy Council, a
go-to resource for Congress and sensible Administration
leaders, through our Bradley Impact Fund account.
Broad and direct knowledge of security threats
from China, Iran, Russia and beyond offers priceless
protection, and justification for a strong military lever
in our dealings around the world.”
our precious country – a message not delivered as often
and as clearly as it should be in current times. With
funding from the Bradley Foundation and BIF donors,
YAF is able to keep Reagan’s vision alive and flourishing.
On a local level, we encourage you to visit the
MIlwaukee County War Memorial this summer with your
— Reed Coleman
family. The Memorial’s recent restoration, supported
Bradley Impact Fund Donor
by a major gift from the Bradley Foundation, makes it
Veteran, United States Air Force
SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN FREEDOM,
MULTIPLIED
The Bradley Impact Fund is the first donor-advised fund,
a 501(c)(3) public charity, to be affiliated with a private
foundation. We created BIF so that like-minded donors
could advance their philanthropic goals in partnership
with The Bradley Foundation. Through the coordinated
a serene place to reflect on the sacrifices made for our
strategic philanthropy of BIF, individual donors generate
freedoms. Helping to preserve the Memorial also gives
a “multiplier effect” in support of better public policy and
our community a place to educate future generations
a more vibrant civil society. Together, we can restore
on the importance of the principles we hold so dear,
American principles to their rightful place as the guiding
including our Constitutional responsibility to “provide for
public philosophy for our future. We encourage you to
the common defense.” The Memorial will inspire other
join us by opening a BIF account, or by giving to one of
generations to rise to the challenge when we need their
our Impact Areas.
courage, whether in battle or in daily life.
“
A key aspect of Bradley’s mission is to Defend
at Home and Abroad… American Ideas and Institutions.
“You all knew that some things are worth dying
for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is
worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable
form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved
liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you
knew the people of your countries were behind you.”
— President Ronald Reagan
“The Boys of Point du Hoc” speech
June 6, 1984, 40th Anniversary of D-Day
1-855-299-3863 | bradleyimpactfund.org
Here is a sampling of grantees we currently fund to
advance this mission:
− Association of the Graduates of the
United States Military Academy
− National Bureau of Asian Research
− Hudson Institute
− American Enterprise Institute, Foreign
and Defense Policy Studies
− Gary Sinise Charitable Foundation