Cruise for Our Wounded Warrior Heroes

 

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The Wife and I have been supporters of a program to send some of our Wounded Warriors and their Caregivers on a cruise for about a decade now.  It is a way that we can say thanks for their sacrifices and pains in recovery.

In the days when I attempted to assist Veterans with some counsel and assistance and my wife Betty who worked as a Nurse in the Army and the VA, we often saw the suffering and challenges that our Wounded Warriors and their caregivers faced on a daily basis.  What has been heartening to witness is the improvement in treatments and care our wounded are now receiving and the "Warrior Spirit" and ethos one sees in these active duty, reserve troops and veterans.  

The process is long, painful and challenging.  I have talked with a Special Forces Soldier who required 34 pints of blood to survive his medical evacuation process from the combat zone, loss of limbs, and many surgeries to become capable of walking with prosthetic legs and continuing a career as an army officer.  I have talked with another whose double amputation still allowed him to raise funds  for future Wounded Warrior cruise candidates with a rucksack race and other sports competitions.  I have talked with Combat Medics and Corpsmen who received serious wounds or injuries from aircraft and vehicle incidents in attempts to save others.  

Another Soldier we know has undergone 30 surgeries to first survive, and lately to regain enough mobility to simply play with his children.  I could tell many other stories as well.  What often goes untold are the spouses of these Warriors who have often had to put their careers or jobs on hold to provide daily care to their partners.  

What the cruises accomplish are simply a way of saying thanks - not just for their service - but for their sacrifices, in the past and ongoing.  It may offer some a brief vacation from the recovery process and physical and occupational therapy for some relaxation, water sports, and sightseeing.  We hope that these efforts might help make their future just a little brighter.

If you are one of us who actively support veterans, please consider providing a little assistance by either donating to this cause, going on the cruise with your spouse, and asking your veteran or service organization to become a sponsor.  Attached is an information sheet with upcoming cruise information and some past cruise photos and information.  

The 46th Special Forces Company Association (Abn) is an authorized non-profit charitable activity under the 501 (c) (3) code and donations are tax-deductible.  If you or someone you know is in the business world that wishes to something for deserving veterans, the goodwill and acknowledgement would be publicized throughout the veteran community.  If you or your activity cannot participate, please pass on the information to others.

I am hoping that even a little bit more can be added to the activities around this Wounded Warrior Cruise.  I would really recommend that you choose to use this as not only a way of helping our wounded and injured Warriors, but as a truly rewarding experience along with a fun and relaxing vacation.  

If you do decide to go, please use the contacts from the 46th SF Company for reservations as it helps to obtain the maximum number of cabins and bennies from the cruise line for the Wounded Warriors on the cruise.

I have had several Inquiries as to receiving a 46th SF Co Assn Newsletter but must announce that MSG Reed (Cadillac) Johnson, US Army (Retired), succumbed to Agent Orange related medical problems last year.  There might be a newsletter in the works.

There are several things to see and do around Miami as well as cruising but if you are pressed for time, detailed research into flights between Las Vegas and Miami can be timed to minimize hotel costs by shuttle from the airport and cruise ship and back.  

I am available at loumicsm@yahoo.com to answer questions around the cruise experience but for costs and reservations, contact those on the attached sheet and CC address above.  This is one of the greatest opportunities available to you to support our Wounded Warriors, learn of their journey of healing, and have a great vacation - all in one.  It is also an opportunity for a veterans organization to sponsor one of their deserving Wounded Warriors.  On the last cruise, VVA Chapter 1076 sponsored a local 101st Airborne Veteran amputee and DAV Chapter 13 members helped with his expenses.  

Lou