thedrifter
09-10-08, 06:53 AM
Injured Marines get local vacation
By Kate Spinner
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.
PUNTA GORDA -
Nearly two dozen wounded Marines will arrive here Thursday to spend five days away from their duties by fishing, golfing and eating at the area's best restaurants, compliments of local businesses and the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
The vacation is intended to give wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars a much-needed break and to show off Punta Gorda's renaissance from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Charley four years ago.
"We got so much assistance from everyone, including the armed forces," said John Wright, president of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. "And this gives us the opportunity for Punta Gorda to thank them and show them how far we've come since Hurricane Charley."
The 21 Marines scheduled to vacation here are still serving in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Once their wounds are healed, they may return to war zones in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Bob Naylor, a member of Punta Gorda Kiwanis and event promoter, has a son at Camp Lejeune who helped organize the excursion.
Though Naylor's son, a master sergeant, has been to Iraq three times, he is not injured and will not be traveling to Punta Gorda.
With help from the chamber and Jim Lawson, branch manager of Charlotte State Bank in Punta Gorda, Naylor coordinated with area restaurants to provide meals for the Marines. Businesses and private donors helped pay for travel and lodging.
On Thursday, the group will arrive by motorcoach, accompanied by the members of veterans groups from throughout Southwest Florida.
A Saturday ceremony will honor the injured Marine vacationers and veterans present.
"It's a good idea to honor the servicemen and -women that are over there," Naylor said.
But for the most part, the Marines will rest and relax.
The Punta Gorda vacation is a spin-off of a similar yearly vacation in Fort Myers offered to hospitalized members of the armed forces and hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in North Fort Myers, where Naylor's brother is commander of that post.
Giving vacations to troops has become a national trend in recent years, with veterans groups organizing trips and other nonprofits jumping on the bandwagon.
One Washington, D.C.- based nonprofit's sole purpose is to offer free vacations to recently wounded service members.
The group, Vacations for Veterans, coordinates with resorts and owners of vacation homes to provide weeklong stays across the nation.
Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice are among the destinations where free lodging is available.
Ellie
By Kate Spinner
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.
PUNTA GORDA -
Nearly two dozen wounded Marines will arrive here Thursday to spend five days away from their duties by fishing, golfing and eating at the area's best restaurants, compliments of local businesses and the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
The vacation is intended to give wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars a much-needed break and to show off Punta Gorda's renaissance from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Charley four years ago.
"We got so much assistance from everyone, including the armed forces," said John Wright, president of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. "And this gives us the opportunity for Punta Gorda to thank them and show them how far we've come since Hurricane Charley."
The 21 Marines scheduled to vacation here are still serving in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Once their wounds are healed, they may return to war zones in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Bob Naylor, a member of Punta Gorda Kiwanis and event promoter, has a son at Camp Lejeune who helped organize the excursion.
Though Naylor's son, a master sergeant, has been to Iraq three times, he is not injured and will not be traveling to Punta Gorda.
With help from the chamber and Jim Lawson, branch manager of Charlotte State Bank in Punta Gorda, Naylor coordinated with area restaurants to provide meals for the Marines. Businesses and private donors helped pay for travel and lodging.
On Thursday, the group will arrive by motorcoach, accompanied by the members of veterans groups from throughout Southwest Florida.
A Saturday ceremony will honor the injured Marine vacationers and veterans present.
"It's a good idea to honor the servicemen and -women that are over there," Naylor said.
But for the most part, the Marines will rest and relax.
The Punta Gorda vacation is a spin-off of a similar yearly vacation in Fort Myers offered to hospitalized members of the armed forces and hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in North Fort Myers, where Naylor's brother is commander of that post.
Giving vacations to troops has become a national trend in recent years, with veterans groups organizing trips and other nonprofits jumping on the bandwagon.
One Washington, D.C.- based nonprofit's sole purpose is to offer free vacations to recently wounded service members.
The group, Vacations for Veterans, coordinates with resorts and owners of vacation homes to provide weeklong stays across the nation.
Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice are among the destinations where free lodging is available.
Ellie