Blog

In looking at the month of April, I realized I was on the road 23 days this month. Now, that is a LOT of time away from my family, but when I get to come to events like the 2009 Grand Slam Charity Tournament in Tampa, put on by the great people of TAMCO Foundation on April 16th and 17th, and I get to see the patriotism of so many great Americans, it makes life on the road easier. The Tampa VA Hospital brings out some of our wounded heroes to fish in this great charity tournament.

Now some of you are probably thinking, “BJ is fishing and not golfing. What's up?” Well, I have to tell you, Jack Thompson, a true Hero to us and his TAMCO Foundation team of volunteers “do it right”. General Chip Diehl, along with fellow wounded heroes Gary Boggs, Pete Reid and his wife, Michele, and Laura Narvaez were able to attend, as well, to support the Grand Slam Fishing Tournament. They all say, "If you love to fish, this is the tournament for you."

62 boats fishing for Redfish, Snook, and Trout on Old Tampa Bay: a true fishing Grand Slam! Wounded Heroes and great stories; what more could you ask for?

Mr. Thompson, from my family (Wounded Heroes) to yours (fishing people and volunteers), thank you!!! I challenge anyone who reads this to think of ways to support this event. Better yet, start one of your own. Go to their website www.tamcofoundation.org to learn more about this annual event. This is just one example of a great American using his resources to assist our wounded.

So, to TAMCO and Jack Thompson, I salute you!

BJ Jackson US Army (Ret.)
National Spokesman
CSAH

As soldiers we have all had missions and assignments, as injured vets we now get through our days with dreams and goals; goals as small as being able to speak straight or dress ourselves in the morning or dreams as broad as touching someone’s heart with our art.

After being hurt in Iraq, the full injury for me was not completely understandable, and my goals of pursuing a similar civilian career were crushed. I’ve spent two years dealing with my injuries and trying to find a “thing” to keep me going.

When I was in Iraq I was able to take a few pictures that spoke so much to me after.

I knew that that is what I had to keep doing.

I cannot read or write without human or technical help, so I dream to make a coffee table book full of photos that will speak to people in a way only I can now fully communicate. Through Art.

Shane Parson’s and I, along with our mom’s went to Chicago for an amazing surprise of a lifetime! We met Gary Sinise, one of the most humble kind men I’ve ever met, and Mr. Kimo Williams, one of our fellow brothers of arms.

Kimo met Shane at last years Road to recovery conference and they really bonded over music and art. Kimo then came up with an idea to give Shane a guitar to help pursue his dream, and to give myself a camera to be able to pursue my dreams.

We were all honored guests at the Lt Dan Band concert in Chicago, pulled up on stage and given our gifts. I cannot say how much this means to me and I know to Shane.

I hope to be able to create a moving photo music video to Shane’s music and share it with everyone.

Thank you Kimo, Gary and the Coalition for doing this. I know we are the first receiving gifts of the arts for this program and I know we are not the last, but it’s a gift of hope and love and expression we will cherish every day!

Laura Narvaez US Air Force (Ret.)
National Spokesperson
CSAH

Today is a great day to be alive. It is April 1, 2009, which means it is also a great day to play jokes on loved ones. For me six years ago today represents the first day of the rest of my life. It was a cold, icy snow filled day in Wisconsin when the 186 MP’s were told to load into buses to head to the airstrip. We were all on the buses and ready to head out when our First Sergeant climbed aboard and told us “ground your gear. We’re not leaving today -- the runway is too icy”. The MP’s didn’t like this April fool’s joke. We shuffled back out of the cramped buses and went back into the barracks.

Now if my memory serves me right, on April 3 we made it all the way to the airfield but when we got there they sent us back -- the runway was still too icy. The next day we got inside the hanger before being turned away again. All I kept thinking was these April fool’s jokes aren’t that funny. On April 5, 2003, when we got to the airstrip I was selected to be on the detail to load the plane with all of our gear. As we were loading the gear, we joked that we were going to load the gear onto the plane and then board the plane just to be told the runway is too icy and then de-board the plane and move back to buses.

Luckily the joke was over and we were able to load up and start our long journey to Iraq. Our first stop was New York then on to Rome and then Kuwait. After 18+ hours and two or three sunrises later we were in the Middle East where we had joked we would never get to. Now some might think be asking, “Why would you joke about being able to go to Iraq?”

I have learned a lot about life in my 27 years but the most important lesson I have learned is if you can’t smile and joke and look at the brighter side of things, then you have lost already. I have learned that there is always someone that loves you and cares about you even in the darkest moments -- this is what makes them your friend. Use that friendship to help each other. Remember, no one is alone in anything they are going through: others may be going through the same thing or something worse.

I was 22 when I was injured and in the best shape of my life. I was as independent as anyone is in the military. On August 7, 2003, I learned what the word “friend” really means. A friend may be someone you have known for 20 years or it may be a stranger. The greatest challenge we face is to be a friend to one another – a challenge I hope you will all take.

“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all”-Unknown

BJ Jackson US Army (Ret.)
National Spokesman
CSAH

The Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), in San Antonio, TX, is the No. 1 care center for burn patients and will soon be the No. 1 care center for amputees and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. It is to BAMC that most of the wounded troops from the War on Terror go to begin their road to recovery.

You can imagine how hard it is for wounded troops and family members to go through the process of recovery: changing bandages, cleaning wounds, the needles, therapy and, most importantly, getting used to a new life style.

That is why the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes is very involved in not only providing financial assistance but in bringing some fun activities to the service members and their families, such as hunting trips, concerts, football, basketball, hockey, and baseball games, as well as fishing trips. For example, we have lots planned for service members and their families this March. In San Antonio, we are taking 20 troops to a WWE event at the AT&T center and we are hosting a gala event for more than 50 troops. In Houston, four troops are going fishing and later on there will be a skydiving jump, where one of our spokespeople will be jumping from more than 10,000 feet up in the air!

These are just a couple events that CSAH has scheduled. We hold many events all year across the nation but the ones where the wounded troops and families are involved are the most rewarding for us.

We provide these activities to be fun, to help the wounded troops and their families relax and to let them forget, for a little while, the hard times at the hospital.

Please visit out Website for upcoming events. If there is one near you please attend and spend some time with our heroes.

For more information, please visit http://www.saluteheroes.org/family-support-network.html or call 1-888-44-SALUTE.

Jorge De Leon US ARMY SGT (Ret)
Assistant Director, Family Support Network and National Spokesperson
CSAH

Today was a good day. The sun was out; the air was warm -- much needed in a long and cold winter here in Iowa. The streets were flooded with families taking walks, dogs barking and kids playing. Today was a good day. I wish I could say they’re all good but once you encounter something evil in the midst of doing something good, that evil sticks with you. Lurking in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head at a moment when you aren’t at your strongest.

For me, that evil was shown to me on the night of Oct. 12, 2004, and it changed my life forever. I still think about it: I remember the screaming, the gunshots, and the vision of what happened still as fresh as if it were yesterday and the white hot of the bullet tearing through my skin, not knowing what the ultimate outcome would be. I blacked out and in the time before I came to, I decided that I was going to fight, I would not give in to the damage done to my body but instead I’d learn from it, grow from it and make it a goodness that I can use and pass on to others.

My experience has charted a new course for my family and my life and I hope that others can learn to do the same. My heart breaks when I hear on the news that another veteran has chosen to end his own life rather than annihilate the evil within. In today’s times, a person who joins the fraternity known as the United States military becomes a part of the strongest family and network of friends on the face of the earth. Let us use that, and help one another. The anguish that suicide brings to a veteran’s entire family is shattering and I believe whole heartedly, it could be prevented and that person could use those experiences to learn and to grow from.

If you are a soldier and have faced this evil, look around and please know that I want to help you, your family wants to help you and the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes wants to help you. There is so much good in life, you have to give yourself the opportunity to share in its experiences. Sometimes the road you have to walk is going to seem very dark and at times you may seem like you’re alone but know this -- you’re not. There are a number of resources out there to help veterans in an emergency. Like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1. Or call us at the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes at 888-44-SALUTE.

We all swore an oath to protect this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and the evil that you may be facing has become a domestic enemy. Please allow yourself, in your time of need, to be protected. Let us help you. Let your friends and your family help you. Together we can chart a new course for your life and the life of your family. Trust in those around you and give yourself a chance to be helped There are a million better options than ending your life, the life of a hero. All you have to do is try.

Thank you for the service you do or have provided to protect our freedoms and our amazing way of life.


Cpl. Donny Daughenbaugh U.S.M.C. ret.
National Spokesman/Director- Events
Bondurant, Iowa

As I lay down at night I’m thankful for the day just passed and the day to come. Every day is a new day and may I never forget that I got a second chance. Thanksgiving is a day for all to remember what they have and have had and to realize how fortunate they are to have it. It is a time for all to come together and share their stories and laughter. To me it is one of the most important holidays. For me it is a time to eat till your stomach cries for no more, it is a time to reach out to others less fortunate, it is a time to shed all worries from your body, it is a time to clear the slate and finish the year with a smile.

At the end of the year comes joy, in more forms than one. The Road to Recovery Conference is something that brings hundreds of broken down, worn out, tired, and terrified hearts together to heal. It is something some wait all year for; just to feel a little peace of mind, a time for their families to let loose, and shake a little stress off. A time for injured soldiers to share with others that understand. An enjoyment for the kids, and a break for the wives.

-Lcpl. Joel Klobnak U.S.M.C. ret.

The #20 Coalition to Salute America's Heroes Chevy Camaro, piloted by our talented driver Mark Mathias, was excited to begin the 2008 racing season at Thunderhill Raceway, Kyle, Texas, on April 12, 2008. The day started as a beautiful 70 degree day with clear skies, and became much cooler and windy, dropping to 50 degrees at race time.

The #20 began the 8-lap qualifying heat race starting in the #2 outside pole position on this vaunted 3/8 mile, D-shaped flat oval asphalt track. However, tire issues quickly placed Mark in the #6 position, battling an extremely tight race car the entire heat race. On Lap 6, while battling back for 5th place with the #51 car, we got into a racing altercation, causing damage to the right front of the race car. The #20 ultimately placed 6th in the 10-car field for the heat race.

In preparation for the feature race, we repaired the damage to the right front corner of the race car, made some wedge and air pressure adjustments, and prepared to battle the 20-car field in the main event.

The # 20 started the event in 4th position, and maintained his position for the first 25 laps of this 40-lap event, as the front 4 cars separated themselves from the rest of the field, with the 99 and 28 cars leading the way at a blistering pace. On lap 33, however, mechanical problems affected the 99, bringing him off the pace of the 3 following cars. On lap 34, Mark piloted the #20 into the 3rd position, despite the car becoming looser as the race grew to a close. Expertly guiding the car through lapped traffic, we finished the A-Line Super Stock 40-lap feature race in the 3rd position.

Westover Motorsports was proud to host Mike and Marie Greenstone, along with their daughter Gisella, to the evening’s event, as part of our ongoing partnership with the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes. The Coalition supports our veterans who have been wounded in the Iraqi (OIF) and Afghanistan (OEF) conflicts. The whole family was entertained and thoroughly enjoyed the racing experience, giving them a break from the everyday grind of recovery. Many thanks to the staff of Thunder Hill Raceway for assisting us in this endeavor!