thedrifter
09-30-07, 07:26 AM
Wounded Marines not forgotten
By BETSEY BRUNER
Sun Staff Reporter
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Five Marines were sitting around the Pine Canyon Golf Clubhouse Thursday, but they weren't filling out their scorecards.
The five -- two from Flagstaff and three from a U.S. Navy medical center in San Diego -- were all wounded in Iraq.
They were the guests of honor at a gala dinner following a benefit golf tournament that raised $33,000 for two local charities.
"It's basically Marine League Charities, supporting Toys for Tots and Wounded Marine Program," said Capt. Richard Herr, president of the charity. "It goes to help the families with expenses incurred by relatives and friends visiting wounded Arizona Marines during their hospitalizations."
Marine League Charities paid to bring three wounded Marines to Flagstaff from the Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park: Sgt. Chad Carter, 27, from Iowa; Cpl. Jorge Zapata, 24, from Tennessee; and Sgt. Josh Stout, 24, from New Hampshire.
Also at the dinner were two local Marines who had not played golf, but were invited to host the other three: Sgt. Lance Davidson, 28, and Cpl. Matthew Buchanan, 25, both from Flagstaff and graduates of Flagstaff High School. Both men were injured in Iraq and returned from combat in 2005.
Many Toys for Tots boosters were at the dinner, including Ralph Boyer, who is also a spokesman for Marine League Charities.
"We've become more involved in the needs of the community and the needs of our Marines," Boyer said "We're becoming nationally recognized for doing this. Every event we do, part of the money goes toward the Marine programs. We have enough for the kids, now we're helping our Marines."
The three Marines were each treated to accommodations at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel, free transportation and a variety of fun activities through Sunday in the Flagstaff area.
Zapata said he will receive a medical retirement soon. The other two men will have more surgery.
"I'll have another surgery and then, hopefully, I'll be going back to work," Stout said.
Added Carter: "There will be surgeries in the near future, but I'm trying to stay in the Marine Corps."
The soldiers spoke highly of the Wounded Marine Program.
"It's great," Stout said. "We're very grateful for that. Everyone will tell you that."
Zapata said he's liked the accommodations.
"The beds are nice; you can fix the air pressure," he said. "We're having such a good time. Everybody here is so amazing."
Reporter Betsey Bruner can be reached at 556-2255 or by e-mail at bbruner@azdailysun.com.
Ellie
By BETSEY BRUNER
Sun Staff Reporter
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Five Marines were sitting around the Pine Canyon Golf Clubhouse Thursday, but they weren't filling out their scorecards.
The five -- two from Flagstaff and three from a U.S. Navy medical center in San Diego -- were all wounded in Iraq.
They were the guests of honor at a gala dinner following a benefit golf tournament that raised $33,000 for two local charities.
"It's basically Marine League Charities, supporting Toys for Tots and Wounded Marine Program," said Capt. Richard Herr, president of the charity. "It goes to help the families with expenses incurred by relatives and friends visiting wounded Arizona Marines during their hospitalizations."
Marine League Charities paid to bring three wounded Marines to Flagstaff from the Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park: Sgt. Chad Carter, 27, from Iowa; Cpl. Jorge Zapata, 24, from Tennessee; and Sgt. Josh Stout, 24, from New Hampshire.
Also at the dinner were two local Marines who had not played golf, but were invited to host the other three: Sgt. Lance Davidson, 28, and Cpl. Matthew Buchanan, 25, both from Flagstaff and graduates of Flagstaff High School. Both men were injured in Iraq and returned from combat in 2005.
Many Toys for Tots boosters were at the dinner, including Ralph Boyer, who is also a spokesman for Marine League Charities.
"We've become more involved in the needs of the community and the needs of our Marines," Boyer said "We're becoming nationally recognized for doing this. Every event we do, part of the money goes toward the Marine programs. We have enough for the kids, now we're helping our Marines."
The three Marines were each treated to accommodations at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel, free transportation and a variety of fun activities through Sunday in the Flagstaff area.
Zapata said he will receive a medical retirement soon. The other two men will have more surgery.
"I'll have another surgery and then, hopefully, I'll be going back to work," Stout said.
Added Carter: "There will be surgeries in the near future, but I'm trying to stay in the Marine Corps."
The soldiers spoke highly of the Wounded Marine Program.
"It's great," Stout said. "We're very grateful for that. Everyone will tell you that."
Zapata said he's liked the accommodations.
"The beds are nice; you can fix the air pressure," he said. "We're having such a good time. Everybody here is so amazing."
Reporter Betsey Bruner can be reached at 556-2255 or by e-mail at bbruner@azdailysun.com.
Ellie