SemperFiFund.org Serving those who preserve our freedom December 2013 Happy Holidays THE PHOTO SEEN ‘ROUND THE WORLD We wouldn’t be at all surprised to find this photo of Staff Sgt. Jesse Cottle and his wife Kelly on many “best of 2013” lists. It’s a remarkable illustration of service and love—and the Semper Fi Fund is honored to have played a small part in it. Jesse joined the Marine Corps in 2003 and served three deployments as a radio operator in Iraq. He transferred to an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team, spent two years in Japan, and was deployed to Afghanistan in February 2009. On July 19, 2009, Jesse’s EOD team was clearing IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in support of a Marine infantry company. Jesse stepped on a pressure plate with his left foot, triggering the explosion that claimed both his legs. He received immediate medical care, including the amputation of both legs, and was transported to Camp Bastion (the main British military base in Afghanistan) overnight, then to the U.S. support grants, assistance to his Air Force Base in Bagram, Afghanistan, parents to make home modifications, and then to Landstuhl, Germany. funds to purchase a special therapeutic A week after the explosion, Jesse mattress and a lightweight wheelchair, arrived at Bethesda Naval Hospital, a handcycle grant and grants for where he remained for four weeks. He transportation to and from San Diego was transferred to the Naval Medical while his vehicle was being modified. Center in San Diego, where he began the Free of the stress of financial concerns outpatient phase of his recovery after a for himself and his family, Jesse was able total of eight surgeries. to focus on recovery. He received his first The Semper Fi Fund’s assistance to set of legs in September 2009 and Cottle, along with members of the 3rd EOD Company, 9th ESB attached to 2/3 Jesse and his family included family continued on page 11 Golf Company in Afghanistan. A Word From Our Chairman A SEMPER FI FUND HERO StORY: BA O RD OF DIRECTORS Marine Corporal JOSH SaMS General Alfred Gray Chairman of the Board USMC (Retired) 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps As we approach the 2013 holiday season, we enter a time in which we put aside Annette Conway any differences that divide us and focus on those things that unite and bind us Vice-Chairman of the Board Former “1st Lady of the Marine Corps” as Americans and as humans. With this thought in mind, I’m happy to deliver some encouraging news: Americans overwhelmingly agree that the service R obert M. Bowlin Treasurer members who sacrifice so much on behalf of all of us deserve our unequivocal Former Chairman, Sony Music International respect and support. To this end, Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund have CPA (Retired) distributed more than $83 million in grants to more than 10,500 service Wendy Lethin members and their families. Secretary Bonnie Amos But our work is just beginning! As more service members return home, issues of “1st Lady of the Marine Corps” post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and transitioning from military to Kim Foley CEO of Foley Inc. civilian life take on greater importance. One way we’re working to address these Chairman of the Audit Committee issues is the Veterans 2 Veterans program that launched earlier this year; you USMC (1967-1971) can read about it on page 8 and I can’t express my thanks enough to everyone Karen Guenther who helped get this program off the ground. President, CEO, Founder Sergeant Major Carlton W. Kent It is with the deepest respect and admiration that I say thank you to: USMC (Retired) 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps • All the Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund staff and volunteers, Colonel Michael E. Lowe Chairman of the Investment Committee whose Herculean efforts all year round make such profound USMC (Retired) differences in the lives of so many. Major General James (Mike) Myatt USMC (Retired) • Everyone who has donated to the Semper Fi Fund and America’s Lieutenant General John F. Sattler Fund in amounts large, small and in between. We don’t take your USMC (Retired) support lightly, which is why we work so hard to keep our overhead Dr. James Wright so low. President, Dartmouth College (1998-2009) USMC (1957-1960) _____________________________ • All our service members and their families who sacrifice so much WHO IS JOSH? The first time Josh was deployed, in HOW DID THE SEMPER of themselves in so many ways on behalf of us all. These men and John M. Dowd, Esq. 2008, he served in Garmsir. In 2010, Honorary Board Member, Board Member Emeritus Josh Sams was born in 1984 in FI FUND HELP JOSH? women are remarkable beyond words, and they’ve earned admiration USMC (1965-1969) Wilmington, Ohio. The oldest of three Josh served in Marjah, which lies in a We provided Josh and his family with and respect beyond measure. Major General Tom Jones major poppy field belt; the harvesting Advisory Board Member, Board Member Emeritus children, Josh attended Wilmington a number of family support grants Finally, I want to ask you to do something very specific to help us in our USMC (Retired) High School, where he ran track and of poppies for opium production so Josh could focus on his recovery efforts to serve those who serve us – and it won’t cost you a cent.Spread the Peter M. Murphy, Esq. played football, baseball and lacrosse. makes the area a significant source of without worrying about financial issues. Honorary Board Member, Board Member Emeritus word! To help us in our mission, consider taking on the task of telling someone After graduating in 2004, Josh funds for the Taliban. In 2011, Josh We also provided him with grants for about the Semper Fi Fund and America’s Fund. Share our posts on Facebook was deployed to Sangin, notorious with your own Facebook friends. Forward our emails. Retweet us. Give this attended Thomas More College in an adaptive vehicle, a handcycle and newsletter to someone when you’re done reading it. Every little bit helps— HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Crestview Hills, Kentucky. He continued for opium trade and described by the an Action TrackChair – an all-terrain and if everyone reading this does just a little bit, the collective impact will be General James T. Conway his athletic career, playing outside Guardian newspaper a year earlier as wheelchair. We also helped with home enormous. USMC (Retired) “the deadliest area in Afghanistan.” 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps linebacker on the football team. modifications, including landscaping, Lieutenant General Wallace “Chip” Gregson Jr. Our goal remains the same: No American warriors or families must ever feel Off the gridiron, Josh was studying to accommodate the TrackChair. USMC (Retired) WHEN WAS alone on the long road to recovery. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and criminal justice. Pacific Security Affairs JOSH INJURED? WHAT’s neXT FOR JOSH? Stay well and have a Happy Holiday season. Take care of yourselves, take R ear Admiral Richard R. Jeffries WHEN DID JOSH JOIN On January 12, 2012, Josh was USN (Retired) “After I retire from the Marine Corps, care of each other, God Bless and - Semper Fidelis Former Medical Officer of the Marine Corps THE MARINE CORPS? on foot patrol in Sangin with the 1st I plan on returning to my home in North David J. McIntyre Jr. Josh joined in 2006 and was deployed Battalion, 6th Marines. He stepped President and Chief Executive Officer, TriWest Carolina with my wife, Lindsey – we were three times to the Helmand Province in on an IED (improvised explosive device) Lynne Pace married on July 5, 2011 – and our dog. Wife of General Peter Pace, USMC (Retired) southern Afghanistan. Along the way, and sustained injuries that required Advocate for military families I’ll be attending the University of North he completed the Advanced Assault both legs to be amputated above the Al Gray, Marine General Peter Pace Carolina Wilmington and finishing my Leaders Course and the Marine Scout Chairman USMC (Retired) knee. He also sustained a serious bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.” 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sniper School. pelvis injury. Barbara Woodbury President and Trustee, Navy & Marine Association To meet other Semper Fi Fund heroes, please visit semperfifund.org/heroes deceMBER 2013 2 3 SemperFiFund.org T O ALL OF ouR AN AMERICA’s FUND HERO StORY EVEnt HOSTS “Words cannot adequately describe the feelings that I AR MY STAFF SERGEANT have knowing that there is support out there for injured JASON GIBSON an D SPonSORS ... Marines. The grant you have sent me blew me away. Both this grant and the Shell gas cards are a major factor THANK YOU for me, as they will allow me to continue my search for fo R YOUR TIME, ENERGY, sustainable employment and to get back onto my feet. Your organization is a blessing. The only thing I can do is say HEART AND LOVE thank you. I really do appreciate all that you have done for that you have so gratefully given in me. If there is any way for me to contribute back to the support of our service members and Semper Fi Fund in the form of volunteering or in any way their families. We are humbled by possible, please let me know. This is an organization that your generosity as you continue to will have my continued support.” make such a difference in the lives of our heroes.