Doggone Awesome

When we go to war, so do they. In every war in American history, dogs have been by our sides helping us to find the enemy and keep us safe.

Now they are also helping to heal our wounds.

A recent story in USA Today revealed that the two "specially selected and trained therapy dogs will be attached to combat stress units in Tikrit and Mosul, where 'they'll be a vital part of the medical team' that helps troops struggling with stress, sleep disorders and event-related stress." Read more.

Dogs are also being used to help our newly wounded troops through rehabilitation. Shane Parsons, a wounded soldier who recently received a new house courtesy of CSAH, has a very special bond with Gracie, a mixed breed therapy dog, who visits him often as he recovers at Brooke Army Medical Center.

And ... in this heartwarming case, man is dog's best friend. Nubs is an Iraqi dog who was severely injured and saved by one very special Marine. If you love dogs, you must read this story here!

Thanks Bondurant, IA!

This is just a great example of how one conversation can spark an entire community to take action. I had a conversation with my chiropractor one day about my involvement with the Coalition. She told me that she knew some people in the area who might want to raise some money. Now, here we are a few months later and one of the largest fundraising events for area veterans is just around the corner.

This Friday, in partnership with the Bondurant Chamber of Commerce, we are holding a dinner and auction to help local veterans.

Thanks to everyone who is helping to put this together ... it's gonna be a great event! More to come next week.

Publish Post
- Posted by Donny Daughenbaugh, National Spokesman/Events Coordinator

Reid Home Update #1

So I have decided to keep you all updated with progress on the Reids' home remodeling. This remodeling is one of the more recent projects in our Homes for Wounded Heroes program and it's really close to my heart.

Let me tell you why this case is especially interesting...

Pete was critically injured in a mortar attack that claimed the lives of five men in Iraq in 2004. (You can read the full story here.) Pete was injured so severely that he was given only a 1% chance of living. But he is here today. Talk about a miracle. Pete gets around in a wheel chair but it has been pretty difficult for him to get the wheel chair around his house. So he and his wife Michele hired a local contractor to make renovations to their Florida home. Those renovations included an expanded bathroom and doorways and even a device to help Pete, who can no longer swim, go for a dip in their backyard pool. The contractor started the job more than a year ago and took their money ... then he disappeared.

So that is when the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes stepped in. We found an incredible construction team - Done Right Contracting - in Florida to go in and finish the renovations. Thank you, thank you, thank you Done Right for doing right by our injured vets!

The project began on 1/14 and Done Right is keeping us posted by sending photos of their weekly progress. Now I'm sharing them with you:



Before shot of the Reids' home.








Cement trucks arrive at the Reid's Florida home on 1/14/08.








Pete visits with the Done Right team.






Laying cement.




















From the week of 2/12.






More to come early next week!

-Posted by: Dan Vargas, Director of Family Support for CSAH

MA Vets: Funding to Increase for PTSD Counseling

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes understands that not all scars from the war are visible to the eye. There is an estimated 300,000 troops from OEF/OIF that suffer from PTSD and TBI so these are becoming the signature injuries from these wars today.

That's why we are saluting the state of Massachusetts today. They have announced a promise to its veterans to increase financial aid for those suffering from PTSD and other emotional effects from combat. If you live in MA or want more information, we ask you to read this article from Military.com.

A state representative says that "Massachusetts has become a leader in providing support for veterans, who are seven times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, according to the Public Health Department."

If you or someone you love is suffering from the invisible scars of war, and need help, please call us. We can help you find someone in your area who can help you: 914-432-5400

The Post 9/11 GI Bill

During WWII, the well-known GI Bill was established as way for the government to say "thanks" to the members of the Armed Forces for their services. Since its inception, it has helped millions go to college, who might not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Although times have changed tremendously over the last 60 years, the Bill has changed very little.

Military.com has published this article that details new proposed revisions to the Bill. According to the article:

"Senator Webb of Virginia has teamed up with more than 30 other senators and veterans' advocacy groups to draft the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act." Their upgraded G.I. Bill would provide full tuition, room and board for veterans of the active duty military as long as they'd served after Sept. 11, 2001.

The bill would go further, however, by providing a $1,000 cash stipend, up to $1,200 annually for tutoring assistance, and it would pay for any testing fees for licensing after graduation."

To read more about Senator Webb of Virginia's proposed improvements, click here. To support the amendments to the GI Bill, contact your local representative.

(The picture above is a commemorative stamp from 1944 supporting the GI Bill.)

Oh boy ... We're the Jackson Seven!

It's a boy! Abby and I just welcomed Parker Lee Jackson, 7lbs 11oz, at 2:23 a.m. this morning. That now makes us the "Jackson 7"!

- B.J. Jackson, National Spokesman, Coalition to Salute America's Heroes

Congratulations, Gilyeat Family!

"Last night's episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC was especially powerful for us as the recipient, wounded Marine Dan Gilyeat, is one of our own. Dan recently came on board as CSAH's newest spokesperson. We were all moved to tears, of joy AND pride, as we watched Dan and his extraordinary children walk through the doors of their brand new home. Dan and his family are especially deserving. Congratulations, Gilyeat Family!

Read an article from the Kansas City Star about the new home: http://www.kansascity.com/116/story/484318.html

Shout Out in Country Weekly

An article in the February 11 issue of Country Weekly (http://www.countryweekly.com/) shouts out to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.

In an interview with Big Kenny Alphin, one half of the country duo, Big & Rich (http://bigandrich.com/), he talks about flying with the USAF Thunderbirds and his involvement with our organization. He says, "People are making a great commitments to us. We need to help them, and give all the help humanly possible." Big Kenny is certainly doing everything he can to help - read how he helped the Parsons family this past Christmas.

So when you're standing in the check out line at the grocery store this week, toss the magazine in your cart and read the article for yourself!

College-Bound? Want to go back to school? Listen up!

Operation Education Scholarship is a program from the University of Education Program that helps severely wounded OEF/OIF vets and their spouses pay for school tuition, books, fees, on campus housing, transportation, medical assistance, child care, adaptive equipment, tutoring and mentorship.

To apply for this scholarship, or for more information, visit http://www.uidaho.edu/OperationEducation or call 1-866-671-7041.

Vets to See Mileage Reimbursement Increase

Some good news from the VA for wounded troops today … they announced that "Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities ... the 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1." Read the entire article here: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161138,00.html

Rehabilitation does not end when we are sent home from the hospitals. Many of us are in rehab for years and live miles away from VA facilities. This new funding will really ease the financial strain for many of us living in rural areas.

Hopefully many more of our families will take advantage of this new funding. We will keep you posted on any more developments.

For injured troops still in hospitals like Walter Reed or Brooke Army Medical Center: We understand how hard it is for families to visit and stay with you while you are recovering. Our Family Support Network provides plane tickets and gas cards and pays for hotel rooms for your family members to see you. If you need more information on this program, please call us at 914-432-5400.

In Our Own Words

Today I want to share with you, our supporters, the kind words form wounded warriors who have been helped by your generosity. For those of us who work out in the field, visit military hospitals, answer phones at our headquarters or travel the country every day, we hear stories how the Coalition has helped change lives for the better. Today it is your turn to hear how the Coalition is assisting families along the road to recovery:

"I can't even put {what the Coalition means to me} into words. I didn't even know stuff like that existed. The programs they have are awesome for new injured troops, spouses and their children. And that stuff is very helpful. They are like family to us. Everybody we have met through the Coalition is family and it's nice to know that people do care. I will thank you a million times over. We have what we have because of the Coalition. We are on track now and everything is good to go. And it's because of you. So thank you." - Desiree Myers, wife of Patrick Myers who lost both legs in Iraq

"I hope that the Coalition is around for future troops because this is an organization that we definitely need. We need to support the Coalition. The Coalition is a great organization and they ARE for the troops. Thank you because you have brightened a lot of our futures. You have given the soldiers and their spouses a lot of hope. The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is our guardian angel." - Denise Jones, whose husband was paralyzed in Iraq

"We didn't put up a Christmas tree this year because we didn't want our children to think they would get presents. Now that we got this $500 gift card from the Coalition, we can give our kids a Christmas." - Mindy Ross, wife of wounded Airman

We feel privileged to be able to help so many troops and privileged that you are making that possible. Thank you.

- Jorge DeLeon, US Army (Ret.), Assistant Director of Family Support Network for CSAH