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| A Hollywood Good Guy Makes Good |
Published: 08/04/2009 Author: Chris Hill
Posted On: August 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM By: |
(Links: USA Cares , Dennis Miller )
Back in February I had the high honor to meet an Iraqvet who lost a
leg while serving with the 1/25 Marines in Al Anbar Province. Neither
he nor the triple amputee who accompanied him to a Fischer House
Benefit as the guests of Second Brigade and Viet Nam Vets MC exhibited
anything other than the warrior spirit. In fact, they insisted that
the first drink of the evening had to be drunk from their prosthetic
legs. Now that was a sight to see.
Several months later, that same vet approached me for an assist. He
has been fighting with the V.A. over medical bills related to his
wounds. Bills were mounting. I put him in touch with Al Gambone, an
attorney I’ve mentioned on this site to get that problem in check.
Unfortunately, he was also behind on his mortgage through no fault of
his own. I tried various avenues to come up with cash to prevent the
foreclosure, to no avail. This morning I was listening to Dennis
Miller’s radio show and he mentioned his participation with USA Cares
as a spokesman and proponent (http://www.usacares.org/). Figuring I
had nothing left to lose, I ponied up the $18.00 to join the DMZ,
Miller’s premium subscription package, so I could email him
personally.
In my email, I explained about our wounded Marine and the trials he
has been forced to withstand since returning home. I explained how we
had found an attorney, but had to prevent this Hero from losing his
home. I simply asked him to put me into contact with someone from USA
Cares and let me plead the case. If this fails I said, “We’ll have to
start selling blood,” because there’s no way I’m letting one of my
heroes lose his home, especially with a new baby on the way.
Anyway, within an hour, the retired Sgt Major who started USA Cares
called me personally. He took down our Marine’s phone number and
promised to help. The Sgt Major also insisted that in the future GoE
and USA Cares would collaborate to reach and assist more of our
heroes. Dennis Miller, who was on the air at the time, had read my
email, contacted the Sgt Major and my phone rang. While all this was
happening, Miller’s show never missed a beat. In this day and age
when we have come to expect Hollywood celebrities to kick us when
we’re down, Dennis Miller took up the colors and charged into the
fray.
I urge you to recognize both Miller and USA Cares for this wonderful
act. Our Marine’s house was set to go into foreclosure on 12 August.
Thanks to two very good men that will not happen. God bless you both
gentlemen and know that our veteran’s community owes you one for the
solid you did one of our own. That debt is payable upon demand, just
yell out. Thanks, you guys. Manchu.
--
Chris Hill
Executive Director
Gathering of Eagles |
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| Posted on August 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM by
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To: Kathy Miller and the Marine
 Dennis just upped his personal net worth considerably.
1 Posted On: August 6, 2009 at 2:57 AM By:
To: Kathy Salute! & Thanks!
 Knowing the trauma fellow veterans faced upon their return from Vietnam, I was pleased to read about folks that actually want to help this generation of warriors. That one of them would be a television personality ...well, that astonished me. You have given me hope that perhaps, somehow, I will find a way to keep a local Korean war veteran in his home.
His substantial retirement income has been reduced to nil by the efforts of a daughter that had no contact with the man until his near-fatal car accident. She now controls his finances; the man rarely gets food in his refrigerator and she never answers his requests for decent clothes. He is reduced to wearing worn out, moth-eaten clothes stored in his attic for years. A couple days ago, he told me she was forcing him to move to a trailer somewhere on her ranch. Interestingly, her ranch was once HIS home.
It is too long a story to relate here, but the local VFW has been no help at all despite my friend's status as the former commander of Missouri's VFW and national VFW delegate. Adult protective services has been snowed by his smooth talking daughter.
We are running out of options to keep this veteran near his friends. My heart aches for him.
The one bright spot was your article detailing successful efforts to help at least one combat veteran remain in their home. Thank you for that heart-warming story. I will renew my efforts to keep this veteran in his home.
Warm Regards,
Bobby Jean
United States Navy Veteran, SC
http://horsedrawnvehicles.blogspot.com/
2 Posted On: August 6, 2009 at 7:52 PM By:
ax2usn
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