Our Story

With far too many people to thank and countless moments of synchronicity to mention, a simple concept of gratitude has evolved into "Project Join US " Every one of U is a part of US.  This is a grassroots project and the information below is highlights that brightened the way. Please check back as our AMAZING story is being written and will be published on this page and website soon! You can read about Diana and find her website at Open Heart Messages.

John John & Wanda

The seeds of Project Join US, "Every one of U is a part of US" took root in 1942 during WWII. A Polish, 19 year old, Catholic young man named John was taken from his home in the middle of the night, never to return. First taken to Auschwitz for a year, then transported to Buchenwald and survived long enough for the Americans to liberate the camps in 1945.

Several years following the end of the war, a young girl named Wanda, who grew up in Germany , felt compassion for the widows and orphans left after the war. She hid sausages and other foods in her pants from her parent's cellar to bring relief to those less fortunate than her family.

Years later John and Wanda would meet in the Chicago , marry, build new lives and raise a family. The United States of America is a place where people from opposite sides of a war can come and live as one.

In the 1990's Diana Anastazia began sharing John and Wanda's stories during her presentations to corporations and private groups as inspiration and spreading the message of kindness.

In 2003, when 7 POW's were taken at the onset of the Iraq War, Diana's friend Mendy, the Rabbi's wife suggested she select 7 Peace Imagems as a reminder to send prayer for their safe return. Perhaps when enough people pray, the answer becomes visible. Since that time Diana has carried those 7 Imagems to events and places which have contributed to The Project US journey.

Special prayers and blessings from spiritual and religious leaders from around the world have been gifted to this project since 2003, when it did not even have a name. The sisters from Sacred Heart Monastery have always given their prayers to Diana's projects prayed for her and this project for years.

2006, Diana met a young marine named Jon Tulo who had just finished his second tour in Iraq . She had begun creating a design for our Service members and asked John for his input. They met for coffee in early 2007, discussed her project and mostly talked about life. As she listened to parts of his journey, her heart was there were familiar echoes of the human experience of war and that heartbreak knows no time or country.

2007-special blessings from Ojibwa Fire Keeper Bruce Hardwick at Northeastern Illinois University 's for all Service members, and a lighting of a peace candle originally lit from the United Nations for this project. Duane Kinnart, Song Keeper gifted song and drumming to end the ceremony.

June 2007 - His Holiness the Khamba Lama from Mongolia and Bruce Hardwick, Fire Keeper do a special blessing with lighting the same peace candle with sweet grass and cedar for continued blessings to bring the light of this project to the world.

Betina

As the concepts developed and evolved, Betina Sievers, has been there every step of the way, sharing her time and talents. She has been Diana’s sounding board for overall project direction, including: packaging layout and design, graphic layouts and direction for manufacturers. Through their collaboration, Betina has helped translate Diana's inspirations and ideas for Project Join Us into finished and presentable formats, that have helped bring this project to fruition and further its mission to help, honor, and express gratitude to all who have served our country.

Diana's former Anthony Robbins colleagues are reconnected. John Henry Parker, former Marine founded Veteran's and Families. Send me his and his son's tags as inspiration.

December 2007 - With an intention to do this project with honor, Diana continues to receive guidance and input form the Service members at the Mount Prospect Military Recruiting offices.

Diana's cousin Michelle Schalloup, current Air Force Service member for 12 years gives her direction, ideas, support and a perspective of a woman in the military.

Gifts to inspire this project - POW Flag from Ann Marie of the Army Surplus Store, an American Flag from the grounds of the traveling Vietnam Wall, from Steve Doty.

VFW 2008 Pin from David Kivi of the VFW in Brookfield, IL .

Diana

2008 - Fire Chief Thomas Freeman agrees to inspire other Fire Fighters to volunteer for special events when we are ready, bringing many people of service together to honor our military.

The world renowned Amma from India blesses The Project US.

Diana happens to look on the USO website and notices the name of a former pon pon girl from 30 years prior. Sharon Tyk and Diana reconnect and Sharon has been a true light for "The Project US."

Robin and Dana

August 2008- Musician David Young and Diana write words to a song for the project during one of David's trip's to Chicago . Diana borrowed her brother's guitar, met David at her friend's Larry Greenberg's home just outside of Chicago . With all the prototypes, the 7 Imagems, and photos with Diana, later she realizes that 4 stones on the same table were stones etched with the names of 4 WWII concentration camps, and one was Auschwitz. Diana knew the grandfathers (stones) were listening.

Prototypes of the Grati-Tokens, new symbol, and words to the song are carried to Washing DC by Sharon to be in the presence of the 911 Pentagon Memorial Services.

Dana & Robin gave encouragement along the way and offered services and time to this project and web site. Dana Hasselbacher created Synergy Partners, a full service eco-friendly Web Design and E-Commerce firm that offers a fusion of creativity, vision, technology and value-added services.  Dana Hasselbacher is the founder of "The Village Connection" which bridges business and community and supports humanitarian efforts around the world. Robin Hyett is a web designer and active in her community.  She is a Disabled American Veteran who served in the United States Air Force.  Robin is an eBay Education Specialist and has worked and taught disabled veterans and students about web technologies. Robin also is involved in her community and is always happy to jump in to help a worthy cause.

Sarin

An anonymous person hears the journey of the Project US and makes it possible for debut at the USO Gala November.

Sarin Seesawat of Metallic Mutt Studio met Diana at the Women's Resource Fair in Evanston, IL during one of Diana's presentation. After learning about Diana's mission, she wanted to contribute to such a worthy project. Sarin donated her time, talent and illustration. "My intention is to use my skills to support people who also believe it's cool to contribute and are dedicating to building business that make a joyful and positive difference in our world." ~ Sarin Seesawat.

Judy Garber has been doing Diana’s accounting for years and encouraging her every step of the way to keep believing in this project. As a CPA and financial advisor, Judy also is on the Finance Committee for ACCW (Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women), and a board member of ACCW Vicariate. She will be an important part of Project Join US in keeping the financial matters in check and transparent.

A friend from years ago, Terry Bobroff, reconnected with Diana in March of 2009. When he listened to the journey of Project Join US, it was an immediate "I want to help you". With his operations background, and expertise in assisting start up companies, the timing was perfect. During their first meeting, Terry shared that he pauses to watch the names of every Service Member who was killed during the "In Memoriam" segment on ABC's Sunday Mornings. What Terry did not know, is that Diana has been doing the very same thing, and it served as another synchronistic connection forProject Join US.

My personal thank you to our Service members who serve and have served our country for this chance to do this dance with my father John, and the privilege to create work with a sense of compassion to feed people's souls gifted to me from my mother Wanda.