® Volume 46 H April 2014 Providing Emergency Aid to Troops Severely Disabled in the War on Terror Troops severely disabled in war on terror “ thank Coalition donors for 10 years of help It’s not about the money or gifts, but about the selfless Sometimes a picture says more than educational conference, several wounded donors who work to keep a thousand words. This is one of those heroes found a creative way to say thank you “ times. for sending them to this life-changing event. the Coalition going. The heartwarming photo above was As you can see, your support is — Wife of wounded hero taken at the Coalition’s 2013 Road to making a real impact. Recovery Conference in Orlando, Florida, And the upcoming Memorial Day which was attended by nearly 100 severely holiday is the perfect time to celebrate all disabled troops and their families. we’ve done together since the Coalition And on the final night of the four-day was founded 10 years ago, in 2004. Inside your Road to Recovery Report: Letter from President 2004-2014: 10 Years of Helping Double Amputee Rob Jones David Walker America’s Disabled Heroes Rides Bike Across Country page 2 pages 8-9 page 15 Donors Rescue Wounded Coalition Donors a “Godsend” Thank You Letters from Hero and Son for a Wounded Hero Grateful Veterans page 5 page 13 page 16 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes ★ PO Box 96440 ★ Washington, DC 20090-6440 ★ www.saluteheroes.org ★ 1-888-447-2588 Letter from President David Walker Dear Friend of Our Wounded Heroes, I’m pleased to share with you this issue of The Road to Recovery Report – the Coalition’s newsletter highlighting how we’re putting your donations to work to combat the frightening crises facing our severely disabled military service members today. Board of Directors David W. Walker This newsletter shows how your donations are making a difference in President & Chief Executive Officer the lives of our wounded servicemen and women every day. Gail Laude Director It is my sincere privilege to lead the Coalition in boldly addressing, head-on, a national crisis that finds thousands of wounded warriors and their LTC Thomas J. Orlowski, U.S. Army (Ret.) families homeless, impoverished, and unemployed after returning home from Director the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. Tom Sircher Director Though this crisis is severe, I have hope. Every day I am encouraged Bruce Kelly by the uplifting words and patriotic hearts of supporters who generously give Secretary and Treasurer their time, money, and prayers to serve our severely disabled heroes. You are the lifeblood of this organization. You are the ones who keep our wounded heroes whole and healthy. You are the ones who give them Ambassador Corps cheer and comfort through your prayers and thank you cards. And you are Major General John K. Singlaub U.S. Army (Ret.) the ones who keep them off the street, put food on their table, and keep the Chairman lights on in their homes when they are struggling to provide for themselves. Lt. Colonel Roy White USAF (Ret.) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sacrifices you make to Colonel Evan G. Miller lighten the load of our suffering wounded heroes. U.S. Army (Ret.) They stepped forward without hesitation to answer our country’s call. Colonel Charles Bogle U.S. Army (Ret.) And I am honored to call “friends” supporters like you who do the same in the service of our severely disabled heroes. Colonel Pamela S. McGinty USAF (Ret.) Gratefully yours, David Walker President & CEO 2 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Your Coalition in Action Your support for emergency“ aid program rescues disabled troops from hunger, homelessness I made it back from Iraq in one piece, but we couldn’t pay the bills or put food on the table. — Army Sgt. James Sides (Ret.) oalition’s“ Emergency Financial But for a severely disabled veteran who is keeping food on the table, or keeping a car Aid program is at the heart of our unable to work, that wait spells disaster for in the driveway. Sometimes he will use it mission to provide direct assistance their family – especially when their spouse for medical bills; sometimes she will use C– with your generous help – to our veterans often has to leave their job to become a it to pay overdue utility bills. But no severely disabled in the war on terror. fulltime caregiver. matter what the emergency, you can rest assured that your gift is drastically A sluggish bureaucracy means our When you donate to the Emergency changing the life of a wounded hero who disabled troops and veterans wait an Financial Aid program, your gift goes to might otherwise go homeless, hungry, or average of 10 months (and often longer) a severely disabled veteran who needs suffer some other frightening hardship. for their first government disability check. help keeping a roof over his family’s head, Hundreds of desperate military families thankful for holiday meals programs oalition’s Easter Meals Project and These special meals brighten the holidays Thanksgiving Meals Project for veterans who might otherwise go hungry. provides hundreds of severely “I got out of the army last year and it has been Cwounded troops with $60 each so their hard,” veteran Luz Cowell told us. “It is families – who have sacrificed so much – can people like you that make it all worth it. The enjoy a special dinner during the holidays. boys and myself will have a nice dinner because of your gift card. Thank you for what As a faithful Coalition supporter, you’ve “I really wanted to share this you do and for making our Thanksgiving a photo with you because for me heard many times how the families of our great reason to be thankful.” disabled troops and veterans often struggle to it’s important for the people put any food on the table – let alone a special In fact, thanks to your giving, we’ve just that support this great cause to see how they help veterans and holiday dinner with all the trimmings. Special concluded another successful Easter Meals how they put big smiles on meals projects are just another way Coalition Project. In an upcoming newsletter, we’ll families’ faces.” — Pablo J. donors’ gifts go to work to show our severely share some “thank you” letters we’ve received disabled veterans that we remember them and from grateful veterans whose holiday was appreciate their sacrifices. brightened by your generosity. How your $500 Secret Santa gifts spread the Christmas cheer “ oalition’s Secret Santa Project Project. The Coalition – and our generous Now I do have a provides $500 Christmas gift checks donors, like you – couldn’t stand the thought of way to give the so our troops who have been children being heartbroken on Christmas children a happy Cmaimed, burned, blinded or suffered other morning because their wounded parent couldn’t “ Christmas. severe injuries in Afghanistan or Iraq can afford gifts from Santa. give their families Christmas presents. Each year we hear from grateful veterans — Michele M. The severely disabled troops and veterans overwhelmed by the generosity of Coalition your Coalition gift reaches are in financial dire donors whose gifts ensure not one disabled straits – they are struggling to keep their home, veteran’s family misses out on Christmas cheer. pay the electric bill, and put food on the table. These letters are truly heartwarming. That’s They certainly don’t have money for extras like why I felt it was so important to share some of Christmas gifts. them with you. You can find Secret Santa Project thank you letters from grateful veterans That’s why we created the Secret Santa on page 16 of this newsletter. The Road to Recovery Report 3 Your Coalition in Action Coalition President David Walker salutes legendary General John K. Singlaub for ‘critical role’ as national spokesman Coalition’s national spokesman, Major Gen. John K. Singlaub (Ret.) he Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes’ 10th He later saw action in the Chinese Civil War, served as Chief anniversary is the perfect time to recognize the of Staff to the supreme commander of all U.S. troops in South Korea contributions made by retired Army Major General John and performed intelligence missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail TK. Singlaub, says Coalition President David Walker. in Vietnam. “I can’t think of anyone who better understands what our In 2007, The OSS Society presented Singlaub with the severely disabled troops and their families are going through than prestigious William J. Donovan Award, named in honor of “Wild Gen. Singlaub, a living legend whose military career spanned 35 Bill” Donovan, first head of the OSS. years,” Walker said. The Donovan Award is intended to “honor a person whose “As national spokesman for the Coalition, Gen. Singlaub has courage and commitment to country and freedom exemplify the informed millions of patriotic Americans about the challenges life and public service of General Donovan.” faced by our wounded troops when they return home from the Previous winners include Presidents Reagan, H.W. Bush and war on terror. Eisenhower, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Admiral “And that has translated into more financial support for our Lord Mountbatten. desperate military families.” Medals earned by General Singlaub Military historians consider Singlaub one of America’s most distinguished special operations officers of all time. As a young Distinguished Service Medal (2) officer in World War II he volunteered for the Office of Strategic Silver Star Services (OSS) and later co-founded the CIA.