thedrifter
03-04-09, 07:12 AM
Retired Marines send souped up golf cart to help wounded
by Marissa Belles - Mar. 3, 2009 09:37 AM
The Arizona Republic
It is going to get a little easier for wounded marines to be transported throughout Camp Pendleton, Calif., thanks to the support of the East Valley Marines, a Chandler-based detachment of the Marine Corps League.
A 10-car convoy will be sent Wednesday to transport a specially manufactured golf cart to California in order to transport wounded soldiers around the base.
The local Marine chapter is assisting the Wounded Warrior Program, which helps injured
marines throughout the phases of their recovery.
East Valley Marine member Art Stahl of Ahwatukee said the wounded soldiers deserve all that the country can give them.
"Watching these poor wounded fellows come home is not fun and that is just the beginning," Stahl said. "Transporting them in between their barracks and the treatment center can be awful . . . . That is what we are trying to help with."
Greg Holland, owner of Creative Works in Star Valley, helped manufacture the golf cart by fusing two carts together.
"The vehicle can transport seven men," Holland said. "We also installed a ramp to make it easier for the disabled."
Richard Hippner, commandant of the East Valley Marines, said the project was meant to help the young people who have been injured serving their country.
During its annual Marine Ball, the organization had collected more money than it had anticipated and wanted to do more with the extra cash.
"We got the idea of a transport cart and contacted the Wounded Warriors battalion to evaluate the need . . . they were thrilled will the offer," Hippner said. "They do so much for our country and this organization wants to support those who have given and lost for us."
The construction of the $14,000 transport cart was coordinated Hippner and by EV Marines member Chuck Crist, a driver for AI Golf Carts, a company that helped front the cost.
"I have not been close to being in the state that some of these young people are," said, Crist, a wounded Vietnam veteran. "They deserve all the comfort and convenience we can possibly give them."
Crist says the trip to California is going to be fun.
"The cart is all decked out in Marine colors" Crist said. "It is an honor to deliver it to these young men."
Ellie
by Marissa Belles - Mar. 3, 2009 09:37 AM
The Arizona Republic
It is going to get a little easier for wounded marines to be transported throughout Camp Pendleton, Calif., thanks to the support of the East Valley Marines, a Chandler-based detachment of the Marine Corps League.
A 10-car convoy will be sent Wednesday to transport a specially manufactured golf cart to California in order to transport wounded soldiers around the base.
The local Marine chapter is assisting the Wounded Warrior Program, which helps injured
marines throughout the phases of their recovery.
East Valley Marine member Art Stahl of Ahwatukee said the wounded soldiers deserve all that the country can give them.
"Watching these poor wounded fellows come home is not fun and that is just the beginning," Stahl said. "Transporting them in between their barracks and the treatment center can be awful . . . . That is what we are trying to help with."
Greg Holland, owner of Creative Works in Star Valley, helped manufacture the golf cart by fusing two carts together.
"The vehicle can transport seven men," Holland said. "We also installed a ramp to make it easier for the disabled."
Richard Hippner, commandant of the East Valley Marines, said the project was meant to help the young people who have been injured serving their country.
During its annual Marine Ball, the organization had collected more money than it had anticipated and wanted to do more with the extra cash.
"We got the idea of a transport cart and contacted the Wounded Warriors battalion to evaluate the need . . . they were thrilled will the offer," Hippner said. "They do so much for our country and this organization wants to support those who have given and lost for us."
The construction of the $14,000 transport cart was coordinated Hippner and by EV Marines member Chuck Crist, a driver for AI Golf Carts, a company that helped front the cost.
"I have not been close to being in the state that some of these young people are," said, Crist, a wounded Vietnam veteran. "They deserve all the comfort and convenience we can possibly give them."
Crist says the trip to California is going to be fun.
"The cart is all decked out in Marine colors" Crist said. "It is an honor to deliver it to these young men."
Ellie