You’ve heard the sayings … “When life gives you lemons, it’s a good time to make lemonade,” “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and “You can’t make something out of nothing.” What? Well, in the case of this month’s Mortgage Hero, J. Barry Sherlock, that’s just what he’s done.
Recognizing a good thing, Barry took the USA Cares Certified Military Housing Specialist (CMHS) Course and knew it was a great tool for delivering skilled services to our military servicemen and servicewomen. But, retired from the mortgage industry, Barry no longer had military clients to help. How then could he show our military personnel his gratitude for their service to our country? How could he utilize his new skills? He recruited real estate agents and mortgage brokers to the CMHS Course and its benefits, but he wanted to do more. What’s a retired loan officer/mortgage broker to do? He looked around and soon found a way to make something happen.
Near Barry’s home in Lexington, Ky. is the historical Keeneland Race Track, who just happened to be hosting “Military Appreciation Day” with the Kentucky National Guard and Windstream. Hmmm? They would be auctioning a camouflage saddle cloth, signed by all members of the jockey association. Hmmm? Barry thought he knew exactly who that money should benefit, so he picked up the phone and called the Keeneland Racing Association to tell them about the national non-profit organization he wanted to help. After educating them on the USA Cares mission and their measurable results since 2003, Keeneland officials agreed. They were all in for making an extremely successful “Military Appreciation Day.”
Keeneland’s North Terrace was transformed into the Military Family Zone with free food, live music and activities throughout the day for military members and their families. After the Presentation of Colors and National Anthem, a parachute demonstration by 101st Airborne Division followed. Kentucky Guardsmen deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan gave pre-recorded messages of thanks to Keeneland and the military families on the track’s video boards.
“The weather was right for sweatshirts,” Barry said, “and we had USA Cares sweatshirts to give away. Could not have scripted it better if I’d planned it. I got to speak with many veterans and spouses. It’s a pleasure shaking hands with them and thanking them for their service.”
Keeneland’s featured race was a salute to all military with the horses wearing camouflage saddle towels. The trophy presentation included Windstream, Major General Edward W. Tonini, and Mortgage Hero J. Barry Sherlock. The winning saddle towel, signed by the Keeneland jockey colony, was auctioned for $999, with proceeds going directly to USA Cares to help provide financial and advocacy assistance to post 9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families.
"This truly is a welcoming community and a great venue for the military and their families," said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy, command chief to the director of the Air National Guard. "What a tribute to us all."
J. Barry Sherlock is proof to the old adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Barry has the will and he found a way. In his three short months of volunteering on behalf of USA Cares, Barry raised just shy of $1,000, and he’s only just begun. His next project? “Making a sales call on Churchill Downs for their upcoming Military Appreciation Day,” Barry quips. “I'm excited! It’s my honor to serve the men and women of the military.”
E-mail Barry for his ideas to raise money in your own community at
[email protected].
Be a Mortgage Hero! This recognition is free to Certified Military Housing Specialists. Take the FREE Certified Military Housing Specialist course offered online by USA Cares and tell us how you are “Helping those who defend our homes, preserve their own.” Please contact Program Manager Beverly Frase at
[email protected] to join our national team and be our next Mortgage Hero. We want to recognize you!
