thedrifter
12-08-06, 04:15 PM
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Dec. 8, 2006) -- As the San Diego Excursion’s Spirit of San Diego dinner cruise boat left the dock in San Diego harbor Nov. 29, wounded warriors from operations in Iraq gathered in the belly of the bow where they embarked on an annual Christmas party.
Marines and sailors from Medical Holding Company, Patient Administration, Naval Medical Center San Diego and their guests joined together for a three hour tour, which included a dinner, a raffle and a front seat view of downtown San Diego at night.
Bob Zimmerman, president and founder of We Thank Our Troops, Inc., a local charity for the troops, was responsible for the annual gathering on the boat.
“If anyone symbolizes support, he does,” said Capt. Jason D. Grose, commanding officer of Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion here.
“He sets these up on a consistent basis,” said Grose. “Bob is a unique individual. There is a lot of support for military appreciation, but he puts his money where his mouth is.”
Support shown for the wounded warriors in this way is not widespread, according to Grose. He said when things like this cruise come up, it helps the wounded warriors to psychologically cope with their wounds and physically heal because of the camaraderie they share with each other.
The message Zimmerman wants to get across to those who are wounded from battle is to never question the support the American public has for them. He said he started WTOT in an effort to give service members a warm welcome home and has been actively involved with deploying and returning Marines and troops since 1990.
“As long as there’s a need and as long as I’m able, I’ll be there for them,” said Zimmerman, who is originally from Titusville, Pa.
He said that it motivates him to see the wounded warriors’ fighting spirit and their love and devotion to their country and comrades.
“Most everyone I talk to would go back to be with their buddies,” said Zimmerman.
The guests had a memorable time as they watched downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge and the Navy’s shipyard pass by. Each Marine and sailor aboard received a HydraBrush electric toothbrush and prizes ranging from $20 restaurant gift certificates to a Symphonic 20 inch LCD television, which was won by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Sadler, corpsman, Marine liaison at the hospital.
One of the wounded warriors on the cruise, Cpl. James Do, arrived at the hospital three weeks ago. He said this was his first experience outside of the hospital with the other wounded Marines and sailors.
Do and his wife, Linda, who are both from Garden Grove, Calif., were pleased with the luxurious dinner they were able to share with the other members of his new company at NMCSD.
“This is great how they organized this for the Marines,” said Linda.
Ellie
Marines and sailors from Medical Holding Company, Patient Administration, Naval Medical Center San Diego and their guests joined together for a three hour tour, which included a dinner, a raffle and a front seat view of downtown San Diego at night.
Bob Zimmerman, president and founder of We Thank Our Troops, Inc., a local charity for the troops, was responsible for the annual gathering on the boat.
“If anyone symbolizes support, he does,” said Capt. Jason D. Grose, commanding officer of Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion here.
“He sets these up on a consistent basis,” said Grose. “Bob is a unique individual. There is a lot of support for military appreciation, but he puts his money where his mouth is.”
Support shown for the wounded warriors in this way is not widespread, according to Grose. He said when things like this cruise come up, it helps the wounded warriors to psychologically cope with their wounds and physically heal because of the camaraderie they share with each other.
The message Zimmerman wants to get across to those who are wounded from battle is to never question the support the American public has for them. He said he started WTOT in an effort to give service members a warm welcome home and has been actively involved with deploying and returning Marines and troops since 1990.
“As long as there’s a need and as long as I’m able, I’ll be there for them,” said Zimmerman, who is originally from Titusville, Pa.
He said that it motivates him to see the wounded warriors’ fighting spirit and their love and devotion to their country and comrades.
“Most everyone I talk to would go back to be with their buddies,” said Zimmerman.
The guests had a memorable time as they watched downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge and the Navy’s shipyard pass by. Each Marine and sailor aboard received a HydraBrush electric toothbrush and prizes ranging from $20 restaurant gift certificates to a Symphonic 20 inch LCD television, which was won by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Sadler, corpsman, Marine liaison at the hospital.
One of the wounded warriors on the cruise, Cpl. James Do, arrived at the hospital three weeks ago. He said this was his first experience outside of the hospital with the other wounded Marines and sailors.
Do and his wife, Linda, who are both from Garden Grove, Calif., were pleased with the luxurious dinner they were able to share with the other members of his new company at NMCSD.
“This is great how they organized this for the Marines,” said Linda.
Ellie