Wells of Life Donor to Dedicate a Fresh Drinking Water Well in Uganda in Honor of America's Military Veterans on Veterans Day, Wed., Nov., 11, 2015

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Veterans Day -- this Wednesday, November 11, 2015 -- Wells of Life, a California-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to villages in Uganda, will commemorate a very special well dedicated to veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

"In everything that we do and in everything that we accomplish, we cannot forget the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. They have dedicated their lives to providing a safer world for us to live in. Without their sacrifice, what we do today and tomorrow would simply be impossible," said Pete Callahan, Wells of Life President.

To date, Wells of Life, a 501(c)(3) organization, has funded over 150 wells, including the well in honor of the veterans of the United States.

Funds for the well were donated by Bill Chronister, a California resident and U.S, Army military veteran, who will participate in the dedication ceremony at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California at approximately 10:45 a.m. PT on Veterans Day.  

The Veterans Day well will be officially dedicated at 11 a.m. in remembrance of all U.S. military men and women, past and present, who have served in uniform for the United States.  Callahan, also a U.S. Army Veteran and Life Member of the American Legion, will host the ceremony.

Chronister and Greg Gardner, the representative of the U.S. veterans at the event and commander of American Legion Post 721 San Juan Capistrano, will receive their commemorative artwork and well dedication plaque, which will read: "A gift to the people of Uganda, from the military veterans of the United States of America."

Veterans Day was created in honor of the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, which occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. November 11, 1918 is considered the end of the destruction and violence of the war, though the Treaty of Versailles was not officially signed until June of 1919.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 22 million veterans currently living in the United States with 1.5 million of those living in Texas, California, and Florida.

In California alone, there are 1,851,000 veterans according to the 2014 survey by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Founded in 2009, the mission of Wells of Life is to fund 1,000 water wells over ten years in Uganda, helping to solve the problem of contaminated drinking water which plagues this part of the world. Lack of potable water is the leading cause of poverty and disease in Uganda and the efforts of Wells of Life will bring clean water to over a million villagers.

Earlier this year Wells of Life Ambassador Anthony Kearns, a world-renowned singer and member of The Irish Tenors, participated in an event hosted by Orlando Magic player Tobias Harris.  Kearns sang "God Bless America" which he dedicated to the victims of 9/11.

Prior to the event Kearns said, "9/11 is a day that will never be forgotten. But we are also reminded about how a great nation and its people came together and became even more resilient in the face of tragedy." Last fall, he also dedicated a well in his name to the victims of 9/11 to serve as a lasting memorial.

"The new life that is growing as a result of this water well is a meaningful way to cherish their legacy," said Kearns, who frequently performs at charitable benefits honoring military members, their families, and veterans.

Located in the Katakwi District of Uganda, "The 9/11 Anthony Kearns Memorial Well" is already providing fresh drinking water for the local community. Mr. Kearns dedicated the well after performing during the 2014 National September 11 Memorial & Museum Benefit in New York City.

Wells of Life CEO Nick Jordan said," Today, through our Veterans Day well, we are honoring our veterans with our tradition of giving back in a way that strengthens the bond between the citizens of the world."

For more information, visit wellsoflife.org.

Contact: Kirsten Fedewa 1-202-365-6936

SOURCE Wells of Life

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