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All the Way and Then Some

October 26, 2007

Last week a friend at Soldier’s Angels contacted me because one of our brave warriors is in a bad way. He is an Iraq veteran (Cavalry Scout) currently stationed in Texas. He is married with three small children. His wife has a rare disease called Gardner’s Syndrome, which causes cancerous tumors to develop. She has been in and out of ICU for months and the children have all inherited the disease. One of them recently had brain surgery to remove a polyp. Our brave brother has accepted the burden without complaint, but the bills are steadily mounting. The house is in danger of foreclosure and all the bills are past due. With time running out it seemed all was going to be lost. I reached out to the veteran’s community here in Philadelphia and the 82nd Airborne Association responded.

This past Sunday five of their members put on their uniforms and stood outside a Philadelphia Eagles football game with me to collect donations for a man who has never once complained. For four hours we watched people eat and drink as they strolled by us. Many people thanked us for our service and some threw a dollar into the buckets we carried. In a stadium that seats 56,000 we hoped to get just 7% of people to give one dollar. That did not happen. We collected around $2,000 that day. The 82nd donated half of the take to the brave warrior and half to their charity. All of us could have been doing other things. All of us could have waited for someone else to help out. Instead, five Vietnam vets and I did what needed to be done. While it is not enough and there will always be another warrior who needs help, for now we have stopped the financial bleeding.

Were it just me I would not post this. GOE has helped many soldiers before, but this action was extraordinary in that time was of the essence. The Philadelphia 82nd Association deserves praise and an “atta boy” for taking the time to help. Thank you my brothers for extending a helping hand, and know that your assistance has made all the difference in the world to a soldier who wants no hand outs, but simply could not help himself. From the bottom of my heart…THANK YOU. Airborne.

Chris Hill
Gathering of Eagles
National Director for Operations
http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/

Written by Robert Hahn · Filed Under After Action Reports 

Comments

3 Responses to “All the Way and Then Some”

  1. navairdan on October 26th, 2007 10:24 am

    Where can we send a few bucks to? Got an address
    for a private, very modest contribution?

  2. Kathy on October 26th, 2007 3:38 pm

    You are selfless when it comes to helping out our soldiers Chris. A true model for us all.
    Bless you and keep you safe.

  3. BlueStarRider on October 26th, 2007 3:42 pm

    What a shame the fans couldn’t take money from their beer/food fund and help out. You guys were fantastic. Has anyone contacted Soldiers Angels?

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