Able Veterans » charity

Veterans Airlift Command

David — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Veterans Airlift Command is an incredible organization doing incredibly important work for wounded warriors.

Pictured to the left is Walt Fricke whose own experience led him to launch this great cause. Here’s a quote from Mr. Fricke from their Website:

“I spent six months in a hospital 700 miles from my hometown recovering from combat injuries sustained while flying a helicopter in Vietnam. My healing began in earnest when my family was able to gather the resources to make a trip to visit me.”

Walt Fricke
Founder, Veteran’s Airlift Command

Veterans Airlift Command provides free air transportation to wounded warriors, veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.

Currently their priority is on the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). As they grow and increased capacity allows, they plan to expand their mission to serve veterans of other conflicts as well.

Reading through their stories where their service has brought families together after long periods apart due to hospitalization is heartwarming. They really are leaving “no man behind”.

I can’t help recall my experience back in the 70′s when I was laid up in Walter Reed for a week at 15 years of age. It was very rare someone came in to visit the soldiers (I was the only civilian) and when my family came in for their one visit I recall feeling guilty as most of them had been laid up there for many weeks and months.

My hat goes off to Mr. Fricke and his entire organization. They are doing good.

Website: Veterans Airlift Command

DAV Charitable Service Trust

David — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:03:39 +0000

Want to help disabled vets, but not sure which charity will deliver the biggest bang for your buck? You can donate to Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust with confidence that your money will do a lot of good and that the entire organization is on the up-and-up. Visit them here: DAVCST

Charity Navigator gives DAV Charitable Service Trust above average marks with a 4-star rating. Review them here: Charity Navigator rates DAVCST

USO’s-in-a-Box

David — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:46:11 +0000

The USO has just invented a portable USO “Center” that can be trucked or airlifted anywhere on Earth, including even the most remote mountaintop. The “ruggedized” container (like you see on the back of a trailer-truck), was designed for combat service.

In less than 30 minutes, it converts to two comfortable rooms, offering wireless internet access, two computer stations, a flat screen TV with DVD player and three Xbox® 360 game consoles. Best of all, soldiers can call home and talk as long as they like, free of charge. All in a fully air-conditioned unit, powered by its own generator.

Find more videos like this on USO Community
They’ve already shipped three USO’s-in-a-Box to Afghanistan. The Army has asked for four more. Each one costs $350,000 to build, outfit, and deliver to the Front. The USO needs to raise $1.4 million right now to get the new “Boxes” to the Front.

Please give whatever you can – any amount will help