Land of the Free Foundation
Giving thanks to a trio of heroes.
Today, we take a look at three humble heroes who have given back. After many years of individual philanthropy, three military veterans from Majestic Realty came together to start the Land of the Free Foundation. Led by Edward P. Roski and joined by his military service colleagues, Kent Valley and John Semcken, they have promised to celebrate and support the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces – past, present, and future. Their foundation’s uniqueness is that no operating costs are taken from its fundraising efforts; 100% of the money is donated to many organizations supporting military veterans.
Edward P. Roski, Jr. served as an officer in the United States Marines from 1962 to 1966. Mr. Roski received his commission through the PLC program after graduation from the University of Southern California in 1962. After attending The Basic School in Quantico, VA, he reported to the First Marine Brigade and was assigned to Alpha Company First Battalion Fourth Marines (Pineapple Marines) in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Mr. Roski deployed with the Fourth Marines to engage in Combat Operations in the Republic of Vietnam in May of 1965. He became the Commanding Officer of B Company Third Anti-Tanks. That summer during Operation Starlite, Mr. Roski was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor and two Purple Hearts. Mr. Roski left Active Duty in 1966 and began his Real Estate Career for Majestic Realty Co.
Kent Valley served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Valley received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from the University of Idaho in 1962 where he was a Football Scholarship Athlete. After attending Officer Basic School in Quantico, VA he was assigned to the 1st Battalion 4th Marines (Pineapple Marines) in Hawaii. Mr. Valley deployed with his unit as part of the First Marine Brigade to engage in Combat operations in The Republic of South Vietnam May 7, 1965 until June of 1966. Mr. Valley was decorated with the Bronze Star with combat “V” for Valor in combat as well as other Campaign and Unit Citations. He was Honorably Discharged from active duty June 1967.
John Semcken is a 1978 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. After graduation, he attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida, and Beeville, Texas. After receiving his Wings of Gold he was ordered to San Diego, CA at Miramar Naval Air Station to train to fly the F-14 Tomcat and was assigned to Fighter Squadron 213 the Fighting Blacklions. The Blacklions were part of Airwing 11 aboard the USS Enterprise CVN-65 and were part of the Battle Group that was sent to the Northern Pacific by President Reagan. Mr. Semcken graduated from Navy Fighter Weapons School, “Topgun” in June 1983 and was assigned by the Commander of the Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing in the Pacific to oversee the motion picture TOPGUN in 1985. His aviation career included over 300 carrier landings and 1200 flight hours.
The Land of the Free Foundation founders are committed to celebrating the men and women of the United States armed forces, past, present, and future. These three have dedicated their lives to giving back to all those who have served our great nation. Since the foundation’s beginning, the trio has raised over 17 million dollars, with 1.3 million raised in 2024.
I am proud to call these three humble yet dedicated men friends. When you meet them, you see three unassuming men who have a heart of gold; you would never know what they have done to celebrate Veterans. Thank you, Ed, Kent, and John, for all you do.
If you want to support their cause, you can do so through their webpage; the link is below.
“The Land of the Free Foundation is committed to celebrating the men and women of the armed forces of the United States, past, present and future. The Foundation will support programs that help our armed service personnel and their families and will ensure that the commitment of our nations heroes will never be taken for granted and that all Americans recognize, because of the sacrifices of our armed service personnel, we will always live in the “Land of the Free”.
Laurie Wilson-Jenkins Director Land of the Free Foundation
A Veterans Journey 