® PO Box 96440 Washington, DC 20090-6440 Volume 48 H August 2014 Providing Emergency Aid to Troops Severely Disabled in the War on Terror There are a lot of organizations“ that help with different aspects, “but when it comes to emergency financial assistance, the Coalition is who you need to go to. — Marjorie Pennington, wife of disabled veteran an you imagine dreading the Christmas Season Some disabled heroes are suffering, so for them, Christmas because you are afraid of losing your home and your isn’t a joyful occasion; it’s a painful reminder of how family being turned out into the street? dangerously close to the brink of financial disaster they are. So while it may seem early to be thinking about Christmas, here COr knowing your electricity could be shut off as winter at the Coalition we are already planning for it – because these approaches, leaving your family shivering in the cold? scenarios are all-too-often the reality for our disabled veterans. Or fearing your children won’t even have food on the Look for letters and emails from us in the coming weeks table this Christmas, let alone presents under the tree? sharing how you can help ensure our severely wounded Or enduring a painful injury that makes the holidays a troops aren’t homeless or hungry or suffering other financial struggle instead of a joy – but waiting endlessly for the disasters this Christmas. (If you don’t already get our email medical treatments that could ease your pain? updates, please sign up by including your email address on the enclosed reply form when you return it.) As you read the stories and updates in this newsletter, know it’s your generosity that makes it possible for us to help these heroes. Your support is making a difference every day. Thank you for your faithful support, patriotic spirit, and generous giving. Inside your Road to Recovery Report: Letter from President David Walker Veteran Shares His Personal Struggle Donors Save Disabled Veteran’s page 2 with PTSD Family from Homelessness Announcing: Coalition’s 2014 Road page 5 page 10 to Recovery Event Coalition Honors America’s Thank You Letters from Grateful page 4 Veterans on Memorial Day Heroes pages 8 & 9 page 16 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes H PO Box 96440 H Washington, DC 20090-6440 H www.saluteheroes.org H 1-888-447-2588 Letter from President David Walker Board of Directors Your gift saves disabled veterans from David W. Walker President & Chief Executive Officer homelessness and hunger LTC Thomas J. Orlowski U.S. Army (Ret.) Chairman Gail Laude Vice-Chairman Tom Sircher Director Dear Friend of Our Wounded Heroes, David Wetherell Director Thanks for taking the time to read The Road to Recovery Report – the Coalition’s Bruce Kelly newsletter sharing updates, stories, and photos of how we’re using your generous gifts Secretary and Treasurer to take on the frightening crises facing our severely disabled service members today. For 10 years now the Coalition has been saying our government isn’t doing enough Ambassador Corps to help our disabled veterans – as evidenced by the fact that the bureaucratic backlog has Major General John K. Singlaub veterans waiting an average of ten months (and sometimes even longer) to receive their U.S. Army (Ret.) first government disability check after leaving the hospital and separating from service. Chairman Lt. Colonel Roy White And that’s why the Coalition was founded in 2004: To provide emergency financial USAF (Ret.) aid to the brave men and women who were severely disabled while serving in the war on terror, and who now find themselves facing financial disaster because of it. Colonel Evan G. Miller U.S. Army (Ret.) But recent news has made it tragically clear that financial struggles aren’t the only problem faced by veterans enduring the disability claim Colonel Charles Bogle U.S. Army (Ret.) backlog. They’re also waiting months to receive the urgent medical care they desperately need – and some veterans have even died after Colonel Pamela S. McGinty being put on a waiting list instead of receiving treatment. USAF (Ret.) SFC Dana Bowman And the men and women who are already suffering financially while enduring a U.S. Army (Ret.) severe disability just can’t afford to bypass the government bureaucracy and seek medical care from a private provider. Field Management Team Our nation owes these men and women a debt of gratitude for their bravery and Donny Daughenbaugh sacrifice, and it’s unthinkable that we should allow them to suffer due to neglect or red tape. U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) Regional Vice President, East As a faithful Coalition supporter, I know you take that responsibility seriously. Colonel Martin L. Badegian Your generosity has proven time and time again that you’re willing to do whatever you U.S. Army Reserve can to lend a helping hand to these heroes in their time of need. Regional Vice President, West So I hope I can count on your continuing commitment as we do everything in our Jorge De Leon power to rise to the new challenge of helping disabled war on terror veterans in U.S. Army (Ret.) desperate need of medical care, and continue helping them avert homelessness, hunger, Assistant Vice President, West and other financial disasters. Mary Jessie Herrera U.S. Army (Ret.) I’m so grateful for your friendship and your commitment to keeping our wounded Field Representative, West heroes off the street, putting food on their table, and keeping the lights on in their homes. Matthew Pennington On behalf of our wounded warriors, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your U.S. Army (Ret.) ongoing support. Field Representative, East Gratefully yours, Michael Meyer Manager of Gift in Kind David Walker President & CEO 2 Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Your Coalition in Action Your gift saves disabled veterans from “ homelessness and hunger It’s not about the money or gifts, but it’s about the selfless donors and all who work to keep the Coalition going. God bless you all. “ — D. Aisner, wife of a disabled veteran he Coalition’s Emergency government disability check. But for family’s head, food on the table, or a Financial Aid program is at the a disabled hero who is unable to work, car in the driveway. Sometimes he will heart of our mission to provide that wait spells disaster for their family use it for medical bills; sometimes she Tdirect assistance – with your generous – especially when their spouse often will use it to pay overdue utility bills. help – to our veterans severely has to leave their job to become a But no matter what the emergency, you wounded in the war on terror. full-time caregiver for their loved one. can rest assured that your gift is A sluggish bureaucracy has our When you donate to the drastically changing the life of a disabled troops and veterans waiting Emergency Financial Aid program, wounded hero who might otherwise go an average of 10 months (and your gift goes to work quickly to help homeless, hungry, or suffer some other frightening hardship. sometimes longer) for their first a disabled“ veteran keep a roof over his With bills that I cannot pay, I had gave up on having a Thanksgiving meal. Your gift has allowed us to buy all we need for Thanksgiving dinner. I am so grateful and blessed. “ — James M. Your gift provides holiday meals to disabled veterans oalition’s Easter Meals they’re so badly injured their spouses In fact, we concluded another Project and Thanksgiving are forced to quit their jobs to take care successful Easter Meals Project Meals Project provides of them — and their family is suddenly a few months ago, thanks to the thousandsC of severely wounded without income. generous giving of Coalition troops with $60 each so their These families struggle to put donors. And the thanks just keep families – who have sacrificed so any food on the table – let alone a pouring in from grateful veterans! much – can enjoy a special dinner special holiday dinner with all the Turn to the back page to read during the holidays. trimmings. These special meals heartwarming “thank you” letters As a faithful Coalition supporter, projects are just another way we’ve received from grateful you know our disabled troops and Coalition donors’ gifts go to work to veterans whose holiday was veterans wait an average of 10 months show our severely disabled veterans brightened by generous people (and sometimes longer) for their first that we remember them and like you.“ government disability check. Often appreciate their sacrifices. I’m not rich and struggle with trying to pick bills or food but during this Christmas I am able to do both for the first time in a very long time. — Rocky S. “ Your gift gives Christmas presents to struggling veterans’ families he Coalition’s Secret Santa in financially dire straits – they are morning by getting nothing from Project provides $500 struggling to keep their home, pay the Santa because their wounded parent Christmas gift checks so our electric bill, and put food on the table. couldn’t afford it. Ttroops who have been maimed, They certainly don’t have money for Each year we receive burned, blinded, or suffered other extras like Christmas gifts. heartwarming letters from grateful severe injuries in Afghanistan or Iraq That’s why we created the veterans overwhelmed by the can give their families a few Secret Santa Project. Coalition – generosity of Coalition donors. Your Christmas presents. and our generous donors, like you – giving ensures not one disabled The severely disabled troops and couldn’t stand the thought of children veteran’s family misses out on veterans your Coalition gifts reach are being heartbroken on Christmas Christmas cheer.