Happily Ever After: A Fairytale Wedding

 

 

Cpl. Baldwin Scott Casimiro-Moreland was born in Hawaii, but raised and recruited out of Texas. In October of 2007, Scott was proud to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.  During his service, he deployed a total of three times within five years. These experiences weighed hard on him mentally and physically.

 

 

Luckily, Scott was not alone in enduring the emotional trials of his deployment. Rebekah, his girlfriend since 2009, was by his side for the ups and downs and then a devastating phone call.

 

On October 31, 2011, while Scott was on combat patrol, a 40-pound IED exploded five feet away from him. The explosion sent shrapnel through his sunglasses, leaving him blind in his left eye. The shrapnel also embedded into his arms and legs and gave him a grade three concussion. Rebekah received the devastating phone call five hours later.

 

Scott returned to the United States for his rehabilitation.  About a month after the accident, he pulled a ring from their Christmas tree, and proposed to Rebekah.

Losing sight out of his left eye is not the only struggle Scott has dealt with throughout his life. Loss of family, and parents has been an emotional battle for Scott since his childhood. Abandoned by his mother, and raised by his stepfather, Scott has not had it easy. Since his injury, his family has become closer.

Weddings are a time when family can be brought together to celebrate a new beginning. In order to celebrate their wedding properly, Scott turned to Hope For The Warriors® and our A Warrior's Wish® Program. 

Through the A Warrior’s Wish® Program, Scott's Wish for a perfect wedding for his bride was granted. The Wish provided Scott and Rebekah with almost $9,000 to cover expenses for their wedding.  They married on September 15, 2012 in Columbia, SC at the Seibels House & Garden.

 

It is a privilege to be able to serve members of the military who have served our nation for so long. Without the generosity of the Hope For The Warriors® supporters, we would not be able to grant Scott’s Wish. Thank you from all of us at Hope For The Warriors®.

 

 

 

 

Critical Care Coordination

 

This summer, several members of the Hope For The Warriors® staff met to discuss one of our important programs, Immediate Needs.  As they discussed the program and the military families that we assist through this program, several things became clear.  First, our military families continue to struggle financially as they deal with physical and psychological combat wounds.  And second, that the name of the program does not really describe all the assistance that is given through this program.

For this reason, we have renamed the program: Critical Care Coordination.  Under this umbrella, program coordinators continue to work with military families to address immediate and emergency financial needs.  However, coordinators also work with the Department of Veteran Affairs, the military unit, medical professionals, the Department of Defense, and other nonprofit organizations. 

By working with other agencies and nonprofits, we strive to not just help with emergency needs.  Often, we connect with the family during times of transition:  newly injured, transitioning out of the military, or loss of jobs due to injuries.  Our ultimate goal is to pinpoint solutions that will help the family today and in the future.

In August alone, Hope For The Warriors® provided more than $75,000 in support through the Critical Care Coordination program.  The chart shows how those dollars were spent. (Click on the chart to enlarge view.)  Rent and mortgage payments topped the list in August as it does most months, followed by food.  During the most stressful times, we strive to keep these military families in their homes with food on the table. 

Many of the smaller, miscellaneous expenses were spent to support families who are relocated temporarily to military medical facilities to be near a wounded service member.  This transition can be a financial burden to families during a critical time in a service member’s recovery.  Support is granted to alleviate stress from these families and allow them to focus on the medical needs of the service member.

To learn more about this program, please visit the Critical Care Coordination website page.

 

Man's Best Friend

Cory and Ali bond

 

Corporal Cory Bracy, USMC may understand the meaning of the old saying, “A dog is a man’s best friend” more than most as a Marine who trains with dogs who will deploy into combat.

 

Training with Ali in Yuma

 

In 2008, Cory worked at the USMC Specialized Search Dog School where he was introduced to Ali. Ali was one of the dogs being trained to go into combat, but when the time came to deploy, he did not make the cut. Cory was forced to deploy with another dog, Blade, leaving Ali stateside.

 

Cory deploys with Blade

 

During the deployment, Cory and Blade were hit by an IED. Cory now struggles with a traumatic brain injury and several other medical problems. Blade survived the blast but, as a result, became severely aggressive.

With Cory’s injuries, he looked to adopt a service dog to help him with his stability and it only seemed fitting to adopt one of the dogs he had trained with. Blade’s aggressiveness wouldn’t allow him to be adopted, but the kennels have allowed Cory the opportunity to adopt his first dog, Ali, in his stead.

To support Cory’s use of a service dog, Hope For The Warriors® purchased the required dog harness needed for Cory’s stability and balance. Providing the harness is just one way that Hope For The Warriors® aims to restore self, family and hope for wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen.

We are pleased that Ali’s adoption will soon be complete and Hope For The Warriors® hopes that this harness will help the two friends remain happy and healthy together for years to come.

The American Flag Unites

Jean is a member of Team Hope For The Warriors® and she will join the Team at the ING New York City Marathon this November.  However, Jean will do more than just run.  She will complete all 26.2 miles carrying the American flag. 

On Saturday, Jean held a Relay Run at her local high school with two goals in mind.  First, to remember the events of September 11 and honor those lost.  And second, to raise funds for Hope For The Warriors®.  

Jean with three of her five children

The event began at 9 a.m. with the plan to have at least one person running or walking around the track at all times until 11 p.m.  To participate, people donated $5/lap or no more than $25.  Of course, people were welcome to donate more too.

Jean speaks to the group

The day was beautiful, although windy.  It began with Jean talking to the group about Hope For The Warriors® and the goals of our programs.  A veteran spoke and the entire group sang the National Anthem. 

Jean ran the first lap but she was definitely not alone.  She was joined by firefighters, walking in full gear, the high school cross country team, veterans, and many more from the community.  All together, 256 laps were completed and more than $800 was raised. 

Many from the community joined to honor and remember

Jean also met her goal of completing 60 laps.  The day had to end a little early due to the high winds, but all goals were met before the flags blew away!

Thank you to Jean for planning this great event that raised funds and awareness for Hope For The Warriors®.  When asked why she runs with a flag, she shares:

“Why carry the flag?” is something I often get asked. I wanted to do something to get people excited about their country. Americans love their flag. It is a symbol of Hope and Freedom, among others.  New York is a center of hope for this nation. 11 years ago, this nation united to give hope to a city that had been devastatingly attacked.   Since running with the flag, I have seen how such divided people can become one.  I have seen what it means to veterans who have sacrificed so much for all of us.  I want them to know that what they have done is appreciated, and not done in vain.  I don't just carry the flag for myself, I carry it for all Americans.  How fitting it will be to carry our flag through the streets of New York, and also, to run and raise money for Team Hope For The Warriors®.  I am so honored to have this opportunity.

To view more photos, visit the Facebook photo album.

Serving Without Regret

Jon has no regrets.

A native of Colorado, Jon enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and served from 1993 - 1997.  Jon had served honorably and had moved on to a new life.

The events of 9/11 had a huge impact on Jon, as it did on many in our country.  Still, living in Colorado, it would have been easy for him to continue on with his new life.  And yet, it changed his entire outlook.  He reenlisted and deployed to Kuwait in January 2003. On March 23, enemy forces fired on his 5-ton truck.  Wounds sustained have led to lower leg paralysis and nerve damage.

Despite his injuries and his slow recovery, Jon has never regretted his decision to reenlist. He remains proud of each and every day of his service.


On Top of the Mountain

Photo taken by Reed Hoffman

Jon has also never given up on new goals.  Always an avid skiier since childhood, Jon was reintroduced to the sport after his injury.  Today, he is the 2012 Standing Men's Adaptive National Champion in both Downhill and Super Giant Slalom.  He was also named to the US Adaptive Alpine B Team. 


Tunnel to Towers

When Jon is not speeding down a mountain, he is working hard to stay physically fit and continue his recovery.  He has utilized a handcycle for training in his off season and cycles 5 - 15 miles per day. 

Jon has also never forgotten the impact of 9/11.  Last year, he joined Hope For The Warriors® at the Tunnel to Towers Race, a 5K run that remembers the path of a firefighter on the morning of 9/11.  Each year, members of Team Hope For The Warriors® start in the front of the race and lead the crowd through the Brooklyn Tunnel and towards the fallen towers.  The very front of the start are the handcyclists from the Team.  Each are a wounded service member who utilizes athletic goals as part of their rehabilitation. 

Last year, Jon left his handcycle at home and worked his way through the 5K course on foot.  He pushed his way through the streets both running and walking and had a great time meeting the former mayor of New York City at the finish line.

Jon is not alone.  There are thousands of military members who have served and continue to serve this country.  In spite of their injuries and challenges, they do not regret their choice to defend our nation.  Hope For The Warriors® thanks each for their service and remains focused on restoring self, family and hope in each.

Returning to NYC

This year, Jon is returning to the Tunnel to Towers race.  His goal this year is to run the entire distance.  As a Marine, we have no doubt that he will meet this goal.

Go Jon and Semper Fi!

Surprise Hunting Trip

The weekend came with a big surprise. 

Wounded service member, SPC Lance Gieselmann, USA, was invited to join Hope For The Warriors® at this year's Buckmaster's Expo, held in Montgomery, Alabama.  For a man who grew up hunting, the expo alone was exciting.  He met many of the people that he sees on his favorite TV hunting shows.  In the above photo we see him with Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters and star of The Jackie Bushman Show.

The big surprise however was the reason that Lance was on stage and reading the letter.  He has been invited to the next Classic Life Hunt, a weekend long hunting trip that is hosted by Jackie himself.  Each year, Jackie invites wounded service members to attend this hunting trip with him. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone who loves the great outdoors.

Lance with the Bone Collectors

Hope For The Warriors® was excited to invite Lance to the Buckmaster's Expo as part of our Outdoor Adventures Program.  The program provides adaptive opportunities for wounded heroes to participate in sporting activities in the great outdoors.  Thank you to Buckmasters for making this opportunity possible for service members.

And Lance's reaction?  We are proud to share his words:

I want to personally thank...Hope For The Warriors®. You were professional, personable, more than accommodating, warm, and caring towards me and my wife. Unless you have rolled in my chair or suffered like I did and still do, no one will ever know how much being picked over so many more deserving soldiers means to me. I had few words the other night because it is still overwhelming to grasp. Shock, honor, blessing, grateful are just a few words that have been running through my mind since I left the stage.

Hope For The Warriors® has made me feel proud to be a veteran again. That what I did and what I sacrificed mattered to more than just my family. That the organization "gets it". They really understand how important it is for us broken, beat up warriors to get back in the woods and pick up where we left off before war changed us. And to get in the woods with a hunting icon, it's an indescribable feeling of honor, that people think enough of you to grant you the opportunity to do something like this. It has been a prayer request of mine for a long time, and for a long time, I never thought it would be answered.

I am honored to be selected, I'm blessed to be in such good company with Hope For The Warriors®, I'm grateful to have met you, and shocked that I didn't have some kind of stroke or mild heart attack when I read that letter on stage.


To learn more about the Outdoor Adventures Program, visit the Program Web Page.  To contact the director for outdoor opportunities, e-mail outdooradventures@hopeforthewarriors.org.

Mother's Day Wish-Update

Veteran with his wife, parents and service dog

Hope For The Warriors® is always quick to highlight that we do more than just assist wounded service members, we also assist their families. By including family members, we recognize the personal sacrifices that families have also made.  The family serves alongside their son or daughter, husband or wife, mother or father.

In honor of Mother's Day, we posted a story on this blog about a wounded service member, his Mother and A Warrior's Wish® to go on a trip with his family.  His mother, always supportive throughout the years, was now struggling with cancer.

A Warrior's Wish® Program supports the long-term goal of hope beyond recovery through financial grants.  These Wishes fulfill a desire for a better quality of life or support a quest for life-gratifying endeavors.  Knowing that Wishes can come true directly affects service members' spirits in addition to the families and communities that support them.  Whether realizing a dream to sail, ride a bike again, or own a home adapted to specialized needs, Hope For The Warriors® honors the goals and desires of wounded service members and their families.

We are happy to share that this family has returned from their trip.  The mother's health continues to be a concern for this veteran.  However, by granting this Wish, he will always have this wonderful family time to reflect on in the next months and years. 

Hope For The Warriors® was proud to grant this Wish.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family as they continue to meet their challenges together.

Visit the A Warrior's Wish® Program web page to learn more about the Wish program and to read other inspiring Wishes that Hope For The Warriors® has granted.