Meet the Heros

Connect to the Veterans of Valor blog for pictures and more here

Granted Hero Wishes of May, 2008:

a.      ·        Army: James V. vehicle hit by an IED severely wounding leg and arm.  His wife & daughter were in route to airport for Germany to be by his side.  They were killed in an auto accident.  James shortly remarried a woman with a daughter.  He works for minimum wage.  James loves the Indy 500 so we sent him with front row tickets, gas card (he now lives in Martinsville, IN and needed help to get to the race since it was a 70 mile round trip), parking, and food for the day for him and his wife.

b.      ·        Marine: David (see below) An SOS call from the Marine Liaison at WRMC notified us of David’s serious condition.  He was awake & alert and in lots of pain just staring at the ceiling and David was asking for a PSP to help pass the time.  Within 3 hours of the call, Klay purchased a PSP with 8 great games and 2 movies and it was sent overnight express.

c.      ·        Army: Alex K (see below) Alex was hit by an IED while he was in route back to base where he would be headed back to the states ending his long deployment.  His dad had recently been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and was in aggressive therapy.  Alex’s parents requested his mangled legs wait to be evaluated in the states.  Surgery below the knees was unsuccessful.  Shortly, above the knee was necessary.  Complications of bilateral lung blood clots threatened his survival.  Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend, an SOS call came to VoV.  Alex’s family would be gathered at WRMC (including his dad) for the first time since he had been wounded.  Alex had been cleared for his first visit off WRMC grounds.  His family being avid baseball fans wanted to see the Washington Nationals play.  Klay secured the Presidential suite complements of Washington Nationals in support of our wounded troops for this deserving hero and his family.  They received VIP treatment from entering the park until they left.  Favorite ball park food was included!  During the 3rd inning Alex and his wounded buddy, Bryan, received a stadium standing ovation while they were highlighted on the big screen.

 The following are some of the recipients of backpacks during visits: 

o        Sgt. Gary (M): readmit for additional surgery: visit only/already had support items

o        LCpl Keith (M): leg wounds: rod in leg: RPG hit / Vehicle patrol / Backpack w/IPOD

o        SSgt Jacob (M): serious/Backpack w/IPOD

o        LCpl Samuel (M) being discharged head wound/ visit only

o        LCpl Robert (M) buddy of PFC Daniel (M)

o        LCpl Robert: glove/gown precaution/ foot patrol IED severely wounded/Backpack w/PSP

o        Marine Buddies:  joined together were hid by IED; one lost both legs, the other sustained damage to arms.  At Dave & Buster’s they wanted to participate in the group NASCAR; however, they were limited due to wounds.  The Marine with the arm wounds operated the pedals and the Marine with the leg wounds sat beside his buddy and drove.  What an amazing site! Both received Backpacks with choice of IPOD/PSP

o        PFC Daniel: lost leg rescuing LCpl Robert.  Daniel just out of training & in Iraq 2 mo.

o        1st Lt David (M): granted PSP wish / David was in much worse shape than anticipated. Both arms had been significantly damaged as well as double amputee, broken back, and colostomy bag. / Backpack w/IPOD

o        Cpl Christopher (M): double amputee. / Backpack w/IPOD

o        Bryan W (A) : single amputee IED/ Backpack w/PSP (was guest of Alex for wish)

o        Alex K (A): Washington Nationals wish/double amputee/ Backpack w/PSP

o        Brad W (A): mid thigh amputee, left hand amputee/Backpack already had PSP & IPOD

o         Over 120 have attended D&B for an evening of fun, food, entertainment & games.

VoV hosted a country western concert at NNMC Auditorium.

VoV hosted a magic act during dinner at Dave & Busters

Veterans of Valor made its first trip January 2008 to Washington, D.C., to visit the troops. We met with wounded veterans at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRMC). We passed out backpacks to the wounded, provided a concert, and arranged a trip to Dave and Busters where we treated the troops and their families to dinner and video games. It was a fantastic trip. We met some inspiring young men and women. The families were especially grateful for a chance to leave the hospitals and enjoy a fun night out. We were also featured on Marine Corps TV. Homepage.