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a small civil military support element is operating out of the embassy they see a need, but they have no funding to meet that need. what do they do? since 2005, they have had the ability to turn to spirit of america, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the "safety and success of americans serving abroad and the local people and partners they seek to help." retired gen. stanley a. mcchrystal, the former commander of u.s. forces in afghanistan, calls the group a "philanthropic rapid response team."
The organization's advisory board, a veritable who's who in the Department of Defense, boasts members like Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Charles Cleveland, Gen. (Ret.) Jack Keane, Dr. David Kilcullen, Adm. (Ret.) Eric Olsen and Gen. (Ret.) James Mattis, who said he buys into the idea of Spirit of America because it opens "a whole new vista for direct support when U.S. Government money is not the answer."
Founded by Jim Hake - a technology entrepreneur, who started one of the first Internet media companies - following the attacks of 9/11, Spirit of America provides private assistance in direct response to needs identified by...