Report From a Devil Dog Dad in Texas: Helping Wounded Marines Stay "Still in the Fight"
Yesterday's shocker notwithstanding, the American public loves and supports our troops. Reader Colin Kimball reports from Texas on a recent fundraiser banquet in support of wounded Marines. Take it away, Colin...
Guests included this fine bunch. Front row from left, they are WWR Comander Col. William Buhl; WWII Marine and Author Sgt RV Burgin; the WWR's SgMaj Michael Mack; our very own Lt Col Mitchell "Taco" Bell, USMC; and one giant unidentified Marine in the background who serves with Taco. Photos by Colin Kimball.
Helping Marines to Stay in the Fight: Fundraising for Wounded Warriors
By Colin Kimball
It was a humbling experience to be a guest of the Leatherneck Club of North Texas at the Fort Worth Club on January 18th. Sponsored by the Metroplex Military Charitable Trust, the banquet raised funds for a very important outfit, the Marine Corps' Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR).
Among its many programs, the WWR supports the Warrior Trials and Games. These games are not just sporting events; they also provide our wounded warriors with the vitally important opportunity to rebuild confidence and self-esteem. The WWR lost funding in the wake of Pentagon budget cuts, though, hindering its ability to support the trials. The regiment needs at least $120,000 for the program.
Which is where this month's banquet came in. Organizers pledged 100% of the proceeds to the WWR to support the Warrior Games.
The Fort Worth Club provides fine dining in an elegant setting. It was a suitable setting for the event. Speakers included World War II veteran and author Sgt RV Burgin, USMC, and the Honorable Gordon England, former Secretary of the Navy under George W. Bush. Both men inspired the audience with stories of their service to our nation. England told of his frequent visits to visit the wounded at Walter Reed Hospital, and said he always left inspired by the determined spirit that our nation’s wounded warrior community exhibited. Sgt. Burgin, a combat decorated veteran of the 1st Marine Division, who wrote Islands of the Damned and was portrayed in the HBO mini-series “The Pacific,” spoke of his time of service in the “Old Corps.” He impressed everyone that he can still fit in his Dress Blues nearly 70 years after serving as a Marine.
From PFC’s in Dress Blues to generals decked out in their Mess Dress uniforms, guests were generous. More than half of the $120,000 goal was raised by the roughly 300 people in attendance.
The Wounded Warrior Regiment is one of many groups supported by the Leatherneck Club of North Texas, which contributed more than $2,500 at this event alone. The need is great and our obligation has no end.
The Marines take care of their own, but they need our help as well! Visit the Wounded Warrior Regiment site, and help keep these Marines “still in the fight.”
Semper Fi from a Devil Dog Dad!
Sgt RV Burgin; Tom Stephens GySgt USMC (Ret,) President of the Leatherneck Club of North Texas ; Ron Clayton USMC veteran, member of the Leatherneck Club of North Texas.
Our correspondent, Colin Kimball, shaking hands with SSGT Jeremiah Workman, USMC Navy Cross Recipient and author of "Shadow of the Sword." Jeremiah flew in from Ohio to attend and support this event. He is a former member of the WWR.
Posted by Susan Katz Keating at 6:00 AM