thedrifter
05-05-09, 06:44 AM
Semper Fi to honor wounded
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
By KENNETH KESNER
Times Staff Writer kenneth.kesner@htimes.com
60-plus from Marines, Army are expected
The Semper Fi Community Task Force hopes to again double the number of wounded warriors it brings to Huntsville over Veterans Day for the third annual Heroes Weekend.
In 2007, the year it was founded, Semper Fi brought 17 wounded Marines for a long VIP weekend, including rides in the Veterans Day parade, dinners and visits to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and other attractions.
In 2008, the number feted in Huntsville was 32, and included the first Army member, said Bob Marshall, chairman of the Task Force.
For 2009, the nonprofit group is expecting more than 60 for about a week, with half from the Army and half from the Marines.
Because most of these men and women were wounded and unable to return with their units from months deployed overseas, they didn't get to participate in the "welcome home" ceremonies and celebrations, Marshall said. But they get them here.
"What Huntsville offers these wounded warriors in unparalleled," he said during Semper Fi's annual meeting last week, hosted at Raytheon in Cummings Research Park.
The support and thanks this community shows them is "an awesome deal," said Joe Bongiovanni, who leads the Heroes Weekend committee. "When they leave here, they're totally different people."
On May 15-17, Semper Fi is teaming with Fox Army Medical Clinic at Redstone Arsenal to bring 20 Army wounded warriors to Huntsville for a Friday night reception at the Heritage Club followed by entertainment from Randy Travis, a tour of the Space Center and VIP seats at the Sugarland concert that Saturday, and a Sunday "Army Strong Fishing Tournament" followed by a farewell dinner at Rocket Harley-Davidson.
Former Marines
A half-dozen former Marines founded the Semper Fi Task Force in 2007 as a way to continue giving back to the country and community as well as recognizing the efforts of the men and women who volunteer for the armed services.
The organization is open to all, not just former Marines and their families.
"It's unique to the nation," said retired Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti. "We are very proud but humbled."
"As a Marine, service and sacrifice are in our blood," Marshall said. "That doesn't stop when they take the uniform off."
A prime example was the foundation's special guest at the annual meeting, retired Col. David Hilmers.
He served in the Marines in Vietnam, later flew four space missions as an astronaut and went to medical school upon his "retirement."
Today, he is a pediatrician on staff at Baylor Medical School in Houston and works around the world as well as at home as a medical missionary.
His Marine Corps service "shaped the way I have thought about things, my ideals and my goals," Hilmers said.
Ellie
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
By KENNETH KESNER
Times Staff Writer kenneth.kesner@htimes.com
60-plus from Marines, Army are expected
The Semper Fi Community Task Force hopes to again double the number of wounded warriors it brings to Huntsville over Veterans Day for the third annual Heroes Weekend.
In 2007, the year it was founded, Semper Fi brought 17 wounded Marines for a long VIP weekend, including rides in the Veterans Day parade, dinners and visits to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and other attractions.
In 2008, the number feted in Huntsville was 32, and included the first Army member, said Bob Marshall, chairman of the Task Force.
For 2009, the nonprofit group is expecting more than 60 for about a week, with half from the Army and half from the Marines.
Because most of these men and women were wounded and unable to return with their units from months deployed overseas, they didn't get to participate in the "welcome home" ceremonies and celebrations, Marshall said. But they get them here.
"What Huntsville offers these wounded warriors in unparalleled," he said during Semper Fi's annual meeting last week, hosted at Raytheon in Cummings Research Park.
The support and thanks this community shows them is "an awesome deal," said Joe Bongiovanni, who leads the Heroes Weekend committee. "When they leave here, they're totally different people."
On May 15-17, Semper Fi is teaming with Fox Army Medical Clinic at Redstone Arsenal to bring 20 Army wounded warriors to Huntsville for a Friday night reception at the Heritage Club followed by entertainment from Randy Travis, a tour of the Space Center and VIP seats at the Sugarland concert that Saturday, and a Sunday "Army Strong Fishing Tournament" followed by a farewell dinner at Rocket Harley-Davidson.
Former Marines
A half-dozen former Marines founded the Semper Fi Task Force in 2007 as a way to continue giving back to the country and community as well as recognizing the efforts of the men and women who volunteer for the armed services.
The organization is open to all, not just former Marines and their families.
"It's unique to the nation," said retired Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti. "We are very proud but humbled."
"As a Marine, service and sacrifice are in our blood," Marshall said. "That doesn't stop when they take the uniform off."
A prime example was the foundation's special guest at the annual meeting, retired Col. David Hilmers.
He served in the Marines in Vietnam, later flew four space missions as an astronaut and went to medical school upon his "retirement."
Today, he is a pediatrician on staff at Baylor Medical School in Houston and works around the world as well as at home as a medical missionary.
His Marine Corps service "shaped the way I have thought about things, my ideals and my goals," Hilmers said.
Ellie