All Service. All Volunteer. All In to Give Back.

Heroes’ Week

Each year, the Semper Fi Community Task Force of North Alabama (SFCTF) is honored to host Heroes’ Week, a week full of food, new friends, and many exciting activities and new adventures!

Often, these American heroes and their families do not receive the welcome home that so many of our military are given after returning home.  Many were in hospitals, recovering from injuries received in the line of duty, while their units completed the deployment and returned to a hero’s welcome.

We recently included first responders in the scope of our mission. Each year, local first responders who have been injured in the line of duty are nominated by their leadership and invited to attend Heroes’ Week.

This event gives our Tennessee Valley/Northern Alabama communities the chance to show their deep appreciation and recognition of these service members, their spouses, and caregivers.

Our guests are honored at the Huntsville, Alabama, Veterans’ Day parade, Marine Corps Ball, yacht cruises on Lake Guntersville, aerial tours of North Alabama by private pilots, and numerous lunches and dinners hosted by local organizations and businesses.

The Welcome Home

Our visiting heroes and their caretakers arrive at the Huntsville International Airport via commercial air or vehicle from across the Country.  They are met at the airport by hundreds of appreciative greeters from our local community.

• • These greeters include numerous youth and Veterans groups, Redstone Arsenal and Community leaders, our community partners and other local business representatives, school groups, and others across the local community.

Our guests are transported by motorcade to a local hotel in Huntsville with a police vanguard and the Patriot Guard Riders, Semper Fi Riders Motorcycle Clubs, and more as their escort.

Floating and Fellowship

During Heroes’ Week, guests are treated to a Yacht cruise and dinner on Lake Guntersville by the City of Guntersville, Guntersville’s Mayor, the Lake Guntersville Yacht Club, the Alabama State Marine Police and the City of Guntersville Fire Department Fireboat, AUSA – Redstone, and Vets with Vettes and Corvette Owners. 

These groups all work together, hosting our guests for a relaxing and fun afternoon cruise around Lake Guntersville, followed by a delicious southern-style seafood dinner.

Humidor Pipe Shop

Each year, the Humidor Pipe Shop, a long-time and very generous sponsor, welcomes any of our guests who would like to visit the shop for a chance to sample their cigars and relax ahead of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. 

On the Friday before the Heroes’ Week Welcome events, the Humidor Pipe Shop hosts an major annual sale and donates all proceeds from that day to Heroes’ Week! If you are in Huntsville this November, be sure to stop by the Humidor to support the Task Force while you shop – for your self or others. It’s a great time to do a little holiday shopping!

Thank you, Robin Morgan, Chuck Facemire, and the Humidor Team for your continued and generous support of the Task Force, our mission, and our Heroes!  

Good Fishing, Good Food

Some years, our Heroes have also been treated to a Bass fishing tournament where they were paired with a professional Bass fisherman with a professional quality boat, tackle, and insider fishing advice on the Tennessee River.

Celebratory Farewell

Huntsville/Madison County’s Veterans’ Day celebration is like no other. Our Heroes and caretakers start their morning with a Veterans Breakfast in downtown Huntsville and then they climb into Chevy Corvettes driven by the Vets with Vettes and Corvette Owners club, and ride as Guests of Honor in the Huntsville Veterans’ Day Parade.

The week concludes with an Alabama-style Farewell BBQ Dinner and concert at Redstone Harley Davidson.