LEMONT, Ill. -- It started, as most good ideas do, over a quiet dinner.

Phil and Amy Mickelson started talking about American history. And soldiers. And how hard it must be on those coming back home and picking up their lives.

They wanted to give back to those who put their lives on the line for the United States and before they knew it, the Birdies for the Brave program was born.

Two years later, Mickelson unveiled the new logo and announced how fans could also be part of the program Tuesday afternoon at the Cialis Western Open.

Through the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Gift Fund, the Mickelsons will donate $100 for every birdie Phil makes and $500 for every eagle and Callaway Golf will match those donations.

Monies will provide both educational opportunities to children of veterans through the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and help renovate or build homes for handicapped veterans through Homes for Our Troops. BearingPoint, Callaway Golf, America Supports You and PGA TOUR Charities Inc. are the other founding sponsors and fans can donate by going to www.birdiesforthebrave.org.

“We're not looking at it in terms of dollars,’’ Mickelson said. “I mean, it would be great if people put in a penny a birdie, just so that they're aware of what's going on, and that there are soldiers out there, whether we agree with the war or not, that are putting their lives on the line for us, and when they come home, and hopefully they do come home, when they come home they have the same quality of life that we want them to, that they should have.’’

Mickelson, whose father Jim, was a Navy fighter pilot, said touring one of the specially adapted homes for those with life-altering injuries was impressive. The houses are specially adapted for wheelchairs and other disabilities.

“It was interesting,’’ he said of the necessary changes. “It wasn’t the easiest thing to do.’’

John Gonsalves, President and Founder of the Homes project, presented the Mickelsons with a drawing done by Sgt. Peter Damon, a Massachusetts Army National Guardsman who lost both arms when a heliocopter exploded while he was changing a tire. Damon was a right-handed artist before the explosion, but now draws left-handed, using a prosthetic arm.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation guarantees scholarship grants to the children of those killed in combat or training missions. There are currently 100 children benefiting from the program.

Phil Mickelson will make his first appearance since the U.S. Open this week. (AP)

Col. John T. Carney, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) and president of SOWF, presented the Mickelsons with a Jezar -- a 1813 flintlock rifle inlaid with ivory that was once owned by an Afghanistan war lord. Special Forces troops bought the rifle north of Kabul and, Carney said, “it was a real special operation getting it back here.’’ Mickelson now has a letter letting him take it anywhere.

Mickelson also received a letter from General Doug Brown, the Commander of Special Operations Command, saying “you are always below par with us in Special Operations.’’

The Mickelsons have gone out of their way to meet and talk with veterans and soldiers at a number of events and their commitment to the Birdies program has spilled over to his fans.

“I don’t ever think we’ll ever be able to do enough,’’ Phil said, “but it’s fun having some type of impact.”

Larry Dorman, Vice President of Callaway Golf, said the company felt it should ‘’support Phil and Amy in a great cause. As Americans, regardless of what our viewpoint is about the war, all of us need to support the men and women who put their lives on the line so we can live in a free nation.’’

Mickelson agreed.

“I think everybody has something that just touches their heart. My dad was in the military, and with three children I look at it and I just want to know that if something were to happen to me that they would be taken care of and be given every opportunity in life. It's fun for me and Amy to be in a position to do this.

“... It's not just about how many dollars we raise. That's kind of secondary to raising awareness and appreciation for the fact that these guys are putting their lives on the line for us. ‘’