Writer Anna Lardinois reports on Hero Cards’ mission, launch, and the Grateful Nation Project.
The U.S. Navy History Podcast interviews Hero Cards founders Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez
Dale Robertson and co-host Steve interview Founders Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez about the Hero Cards concept, origins, the process of honoring Heroes, and the new Grateful Nation Project for schools.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum podcast features Hero Cards
Justin Locke of The National Veterans Memorial and Museum interviews Hero Cards CEO and Founder Dale Kooyenga on the Vetrepreneur Spotlight podcast.
Hero Cards named Wisconsin’s 2022 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – November 29, 2022 – The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce has named Hero Cards Benefit Corporation as its 2022 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. The award was presented at the Wisconsin Veterans Business Conference, held in Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center on November 10.
The Chamber (www.wiveteranschamber.org) serves veterans and military families by providing resources to support veteran-owned and veteran-friendly businesses across Wisconsin. According to Saul Newton, the Chamber’s President and CEO, “Wisconsin is home to more than 55,000 veteran-owned businesses, who report more than $20.1 billion in annual sales and employ more than 110,000 people. 10.8% of Wisconsin’s veterans are self-employed. The U.S. veteran population’s purchasing power exceeds $1 trillion annually.”
Hero Cards Benefit Corp. (www.herocards.us) was launched in March of 2022, with the mission to honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military—from the Revolutionary War to present day—who lost their lives while serving our country.
By developing collector cards that lead to online stories for each Hero, the company aims to educate students and adults about those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for their country. Hero Cards recently launched a new Grateful Nation Project for schools, delivering classroom tools and implementation suggestions for educators to connect students with real Heroes.
“We’re very honored by this recognition,” says Craig Du Mez, Hero Cards CMO and Co-Founder. “Besides being veteran-owned, our growth plan is to employ veterans for research, writing, photo restoration and creation of original artwork.”
Dale Kooyenga, Iraq War Veteran, CEO & Founder of Hero Cards Benefit Corporation, comments, “Hero Cards funds our efforts through the sale of cards and through Grateful Nation Project sponsorships. The company also serves as a catalyst for donations to veteran-focused non-profit organizations.”
The Wisconsin Veterans Business Conference, held in Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center.
L-R: Christian Thornton, WVCC Vice-President; Alannah McReavey, WVCC Board President; Craig Du Mez, Hero Cards CMO & Co-Founder; Saul Newton, WVCC President & CEO
Adrienne Pedersen, WISN 12 TV (Milwaukee) UPFRONT segment: ‘Hero Cards’ honors fallen war heroes.
“A new way this Memorial Day weekend to honor our servicemen and women, ‘Hero Cards’ has launched. Think baseball trading cards but featuring service members and their stories. The goal is to target a younger generation and to keep the stories alive for generations to come.”
WISN 12 TV’s Adrienne Pedersen discusses the Hero Cards project with Dale Kooyenga and Craig Du Mez.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Years ago, Dale Kooyenga wanted something meaningful to hand out at a parade. Now, he’s launched Hero Cards.
“After more than a decade in politics, state Sen. Dale Kooyenga is diving into a passion project that has nothing to do with bills or budgets. Instead, it's all about honoring those who served and sacrificed in America's wars.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Bill Glauber, along with photojournalist Mark Hoffman, tell the story behind the Hero Cards project.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Radio interview with Milwaukee WTMJ-620’s Vince Vitrano
Wisconsin’s Morning News radio host Vince Vitrano sits down with Hero Cards CEO and Founder Dale Kooyenga to discuss the project, one week before Memorial Day 2022.
