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CAMPAIGN SUMMARY
JJ Murray, a 93-year-old WWII vet with a heart of gold, is raising $10,000 (+$300 to cover processing fees) in honor of his best friend from high school, Ambrose "Amby" Geib, who was killed in action on December 20, 1944, during WWII fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
The funding we raise will be donated through The American Legion Post 44 located in Scottsdale, Arizona to two partner nonprofit organizations:
MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House: a peer-support organization of homeless and formerly homeless veterans that assists currently or at-risk veterans experiencing homelessness, providing each one the opportunity to reclaim a life of self-sufficiency
Veterans Furniture Center: a veteran-run nonprofit dedicated to assisting formerly homeless veterans to transition to permanent housing by providing them, free of charge, a complete kit of new furniture and household goods to make a home and return to society
Please join JJ in making his wish come true in honoring his best friend who heroically gave his life for our freedoms today.
For full details about this campaign, please read below. We've collated many great photos, clippings, and additional background information about how this campaign got started, who it is benefiting, and how you can help!
THANK YOU!
Private First Class James "JJ" Murray
WWII Veteran, Army Air Corps 1944 - 1946
KLAS '44: IN MEMORY OF AMBROSE "AMBY" GEIB, WWII FALLEN SOLDIER
Think back to your childhood best friend. The memories. The stories. The laughter. The hardships. The feelings. The true essence of your friendship. There is nothing quite like it.
For James “JJ” Murray, a 93-year-old WWII vet who has a heart of gold and a passion for life that even teenagers would envy, his childhood best friend was Ambrose "Amby" Geib. Along with JJ's twin brother, Pat Murray, and his older brother, Gerard Murray, they spent summers at the lakehouse, played sports together, and danced through their childhood with a core group of friends. It’s a period of life that JJ still reflects on with endearment and happiness.
ABOUT JJ & AMBY
JJ, Ambrose, Pat, and Gerard all attended Marmion Military Academy (now Marmion Academy ) in Aurora, Illinois during the peak of World War II. At that time, they went to Marmion Military Academy not to avoid the war, but to willingly prepare for it and fight against one of the worst terrors humanity has ever seen. Ambrose graduated in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the army. JJ and his brother, Pat, graduated in 1944 and joined his comrade to serve our country.
During their time in the service, they rarely saw each other, but memories of their friendship served them both in times of hardship.
AMBY'S BIO
Activities at Marmion Military Academy
Before graduating from Marmion Military Academy in 1943, Amby Geib was a star halfback on the varsity squad and a most able Captain Adjutant. Amby was on the Rifle team, Track team, and Football team. He was the MVP of the football team. He was also a member of the Reveille Staff, the Lettermen’s Club and was the VP of the senior class.
Amby Geib MVP Football Award
The MVP award for football at Marmion Military Academy was created shortly after his death and is named in his honor.
Varsity Track and Field Team, 1942
AMBY'S TIME AT WAR
Shortly after graduation, Amby enlisted in the army and was a member of the 96th Division of General Patton’s Army. Pvt. Amby Geib was killed in action fighting in France on December 20, 1944.
Amby fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which was the bloodiest battle of the war and still the second bloodiest US battle of all time. This was the last major offensive by the Germans in the war. Their goal was to cut off allied supplies. Had the Germans won this battle, we may still see a Nazi regime in this world. Things today would be very different.
THE MAN BEHIND THIS INITIATIVE: JJ MURRAY
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Private First Class JJ Murray graduated from Marmion Military Academy in 1944, upon which he became a gunman on the B-29 Bomber during WWII from 1944 - 1946 in the Army Air Corps.
After leaving the service, JJ attended Georgetown University and graduated in 1950. After graduation, he married Georgia and together they raised 5 children. JJ and Georgia were married for 46 years and after her passing, he moved to Scottsdale, AZ. JJ is also blessed to have 5 grown children, 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren that he is very close to.
JJ now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. He still shimmers with life and passion and an eagerness to help those in need. At 93, he is the most inspiring man in Scottsdale (arguably anywhere).
JJ still thinks about his best friend, Amby Geib, his time in the military, those that still serve today, and the families that are impacted by their service. His goal is to inspire others to join him in making a true, tangible difference in the lives of those who served our country and need our help.
JJ is a regular at Olive and Ivy, a restaurant and coffee marketplace in Scottsdale, and Uncle Sal's, an Italian restaurant in Scottsdale. Being a “regular” is an understatement...he might as well be the governor of these establishments. Everyone knows him because of how much joy he brings patrons and servers alike.
"I’ve been blessed to know JJ for the past two years because he is one of our beloved regulars at my work, Olive & Ivy. JJ brings a smile to everyone’s face that he meets. He has shared memorable stories about his favorite childhood pastimes and living in Chicago, adoration for his family, serving in the military, and love for our country. I always look forward to seeing and chatting with JJ because of his warm smile, charisma, and love for life. He always makes a genuine effort to make everyone feel special by asking how their day is going and letting them know that he is happy to see them. He is a loving man who dreams big, never gives up, and has a heart of gold."
- Amanda Gonzales, Olive and Ivy
He is also a proud member of the American Legion Post 44 in Scottsdale, Arizona (The Best Damn Post in the West!).
JJ Murray being honored at the American Legion Post 44 on Sunday, September 15th, 2019, Scottsdale, Arizona for his service in World War II.
WHAT WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR
JJ’s mission is to honor his best friend, Ambrose Geib, by raising $10,000 for disabled and homeless veterans.
The $10,000 we raise together will be gifted through the American Legion Post 44 to the following two amazing organizations:
MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House: MANA House is a peer-run organization of homeless and formerly homeless veterans offering personal, individualized basic resources, community and advocacy for all veterans.
Veterans Furniture Center (VFC) of Phoenix, Arizona: Our mission is to help these men and women get back on their feet and become fully functioning members of society. We provide them with what they need to make their apartment a home, giving them a new lease on life, and often making the difference between a successful fresh start and a return to the street. Since its founding in 2009, the Veterans Furniture Center has helped over 2,700 formerly veterans return to society.
The VFC carefully selects new donated and purchased furniture and goods to make up a standard kit that includes a full complement of bedroom and living room furniture; kitchenware, including dishes, cookware, and small appliances; linens, including sheets, towels and dish towels; and a hygiene kit. Through very selective purchasing, obtaining discounts and donations from retailers, and the support of their volunteers to assemble items, they are able to provide each transitioning veteran with a full complement of new furniture and household goods for under one thousand dollars.
We are honored to partner with these two incredible organizations, alongside the American Legion Post 44, who have a history of successfully helping homeless veterans transition back into contributing members of society.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Through this campaign, you have the opportunity to not only make JJ’s dream come true of honoring his best friend, Amby “Klas” Geib, but to also have a tangible impact on the life of veterans in need.
We thank you, the hero of this story, for all of your support and love.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
- JJ Murray
SPECIAL THANK YOU!
We would like to share a special thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their support in making this initiative come to life.
Stephanie Hershey for being JJ's best friend and helping with all of the logistics.
Shane Stetter for leading the greatest campaign launch event ever at Murphey's Law Irish Pub.
Murphey's Law Irish Pub in downtown Chandler for hosting an incredible campaign launch event.
Anthony Jansenn, Founder of Ladge Media, and his talented team for filming and producing the campaign video.
John Orendorff (Commander) and Roger Wells (Adjutant) of Post 44, along with the American Legion Post 44 family, for providing the space to film JJ's campaign video.
Bill Fox, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations at Marmion Academy, for helping source the photos and quotes from the archives.
Olive and Ivy and the amazing "family" that loves and supports JJ.
Uncle Sal's and the amazing "family" that loves and supports JJ.
JJ Murray, a 93-year-old WWII vet with a heart of gold, is raising $10,000 (+$300 to cover processing fees) in honor of his best friend from high school, Ambrose "Amby" Geib, who was killed in action on December 20, 1944, during WWII fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
The funding we raise will be donated through The American Legion Post 44 located in Scottsdale, Arizona to two partner nonprofit organizations:
MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House: a peer-support organization of homeless and formerly homeless veterans that assists currently or at-risk veterans experiencing homelessness, providing each one the opportunity to reclaim a life of self-sufficiency
Veterans Furniture Center: a veteran-run nonprofit dedicated to assisting formerly homeless veterans to transition to permanent housing by providing them, free of charge, a complete kit of new furniture and household goods to make a home and return to society
Please join JJ in making his wish come true in honoring his best friend who heroically gave his life for our freedoms today.
For full details about this campaign, please read below. We've collated many great photos, clippings, and additional background information about how this campaign got started, who it is benefiting, and how you can help!
THANK YOU!
Private First Class James "JJ" Murray
WWII Veteran, Army Air Corps 1944 - 1946
KLAS '44: IN MEMORY OF AMBROSE "AMBY" GEIB, WWII FALLEN SOLDIER
Think back to your childhood best friend. The memories. The stories. The laughter. The hardships. The feelings. The true essence of your friendship. There is nothing quite like it.
For James “JJ” Murray, a 93-year-old WWII vet who has a heart of gold and a passion for life that even teenagers would envy, his childhood best friend was Ambrose "Amby" Geib. Along with JJ's twin brother, Pat Murray, and his older brother, Gerard Murray, they spent summers at the lakehouse, played sports together, and danced through their childhood with a core group of friends. It’s a period of life that JJ still reflects on with endearment and happiness.
ABOUT JJ & AMBY
JJ, Ambrose, Pat, and Gerard all attended Marmion Military Academy (now Marmion Academy ) in Aurora, Illinois during the peak of World War II. At that time, they went to Marmion Military Academy not to avoid the war, but to willingly prepare for it and fight against one of the worst terrors humanity has ever seen. Ambrose graduated in 1943 and immediately enlisted in the army. JJ and his brother, Pat, graduated in 1944 and joined his comrade to serve our country.
During their time in the service, they rarely saw each other, but memories of their friendship served them both in times of hardship.
AMBY'S BIO
Activities at Marmion Military Academy
Before graduating from Marmion Military Academy in 1943, Amby Geib was a star halfback on the varsity squad and a most able Captain Adjutant. Amby was on the Rifle team, Track team, and Football team. He was the MVP of the football team. He was also a member of the Reveille Staff, the Lettermen’s Club and was the VP of the senior class.
Amby Geib MVP Football Award
The MVP award for football at Marmion Military Academy was created shortly after his death and is named in his honor.
Varsity Track and Field Team, 1942
AMBY'S TIME AT WAR
Shortly after graduation, Amby enlisted in the army and was a member of the 96th Division of General Patton’s Army. Pvt. Amby Geib was killed in action fighting in France on December 20, 1944.
Amby fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which was the bloodiest battle of the war and still the second bloodiest US battle of all time. This was the last major offensive by the Germans in the war. Their goal was to cut off allied supplies. Had the Germans won this battle, we may still see a Nazi regime in this world. Things today would be very different.
THE MAN BEHIND THIS INITIATIVE: JJ MURRAY
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Private First Class JJ Murray graduated from Marmion Military Academy in 1944, upon which he became a gunman on the B-29 Bomber during WWII from 1944 - 1946 in the Army Air Corps.
After leaving the service, JJ attended Georgetown University and graduated in 1950. After graduation, he married Georgia and together they raised 5 children. JJ and Georgia were married for 46 years and after her passing, he moved to Scottsdale, AZ. JJ is also blessed to have 5 grown children, 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren that he is very close to.
JJ now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. He still shimmers with life and passion and an eagerness to help those in need. At 93, he is the most inspiring man in Scottsdale (arguably anywhere).
JJ still thinks about his best friend, Amby Geib, his time in the military, those that still serve today, and the families that are impacted by their service. His goal is to inspire others to join him in making a true, tangible difference in the lives of those who served our country and need our help.
JJ is a regular at Olive and Ivy, a restaurant and coffee marketplace in Scottsdale, and Uncle Sal's, an Italian restaurant in Scottsdale. Being a “regular” is an understatement...he might as well be the governor of these establishments. Everyone knows him because of how much joy he brings patrons and servers alike.
"I’ve been blessed to know JJ for the past two years because he is one of our beloved regulars at my work, Olive & Ivy. JJ brings a smile to everyone’s face that he meets. He has shared memorable stories about his favorite childhood pastimes and living in Chicago, adoration for his family, serving in the military, and love for our country. I always look forward to seeing and chatting with JJ because of his warm smile, charisma, and love for life. He always makes a genuine effort to make everyone feel special by asking how their day is going and letting them know that he is happy to see them. He is a loving man who dreams big, never gives up, and has a heart of gold."
- Amanda Gonzales, Olive and Ivy
He is also a proud member of the American Legion Post 44 in Scottsdale, Arizona (The Best Damn Post in the West!).
JJ Murray being honored at the American Legion Post 44 on Sunday, September 15th, 2019, Scottsdale, Arizona for his service in World War II.WHAT WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR
JJ’s mission is to honor his best friend, Ambrose Geib, by raising $10,000 for disabled and homeless veterans.
The $10,000 we raise together will be gifted through the American Legion Post 44 to the following two amazing organizations:
MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House: MANA House is a peer-run organization of homeless and formerly homeless veterans offering personal, individualized basic resources, community and advocacy for all veterans.
Veterans Furniture Center (VFC) of Phoenix, Arizona: Our mission is to help these men and women get back on their feet and become fully functioning members of society. We provide them with what they need to make their apartment a home, giving them a new lease on life, and often making the difference between a successful fresh start and a return to the street. Since its founding in 2009, the Veterans Furniture Center has helped over 2,700 formerly veterans return to society.
The VFC carefully selects new donated and purchased furniture and goods to make up a standard kit that includes a full complement of bedroom and living room furniture; kitchenware, including dishes, cookware, and small appliances; linens, including sheets, towels and dish towels; and a hygiene kit. Through very selective purchasing, obtaining discounts and donations from retailers, and the support of their volunteers to assemble items, they are able to provide each transitioning veteran with a full complement of new furniture and household goods for under one thousand dollars.
We are honored to partner with these two incredible organizations, alongside the American Legion Post 44, who have a history of successfully helping homeless veterans transition back into contributing members of society.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Through this campaign, you have the opportunity to not only make JJ’s dream come true of honoring his best friend, Amby “Klas” Geib, but to also have a tangible impact on the life of veterans in need.
We thank you, the hero of this story, for all of your support and love.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
- JJ Murray
SPECIAL THANK YOU!
We would like to share a special thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their support in making this initiative come to life.
Stephanie Hershey for being JJ's best friend and helping with all of the logistics.
Shane Stetter for leading the greatest campaign launch event ever at Murphey's Law Irish Pub.
Murphey's Law Irish Pub in downtown Chandler for hosting an incredible campaign launch event.
Anthony Jansenn, Founder of Ladge Media, and his talented team for filming and producing the campaign video.
John Orendorff (Commander) and Roger Wells (Adjutant) of Post 44, along with the American Legion Post 44 family, for providing the space to film JJ's campaign video.
Bill Fox, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations at Marmion Academy, for helping source the photos and quotes from the archives.
Olive and Ivy and the amazing "family" that loves and supports JJ.
Uncle Sal's and the amazing "family" that loves and supports JJ.