Photo By Kristen Wong | Jennifer Hong of Honolulu donates a travel mug, toys and books for the Holiday Gifts...... read more read more
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KANEOHE — All Lance Cpl. Joshua Kelly wants for Christmas is a cane.
When deployed in Afghanistan, the 23-year-old broke 12 bones in his feet after encountering an improvised explosive device. Since then, this Purple Heart recipient has had at least 14 surgeries and is undergoing physical therapy.
Through the United Services Organization of Hawaii’s second annual Holiday Gifts for Wounded Warriors, the patient from Wounded Warrior Battalion West – Detachment Hawaii can replace his slightly bent cane.
“It’s a very amazing and highly supportive program,” Kelly said. “It shows that there are people out there that care.”
Shoppers at Windward Mall on Nov. 13 donated a total of 12 large bags full of gifts for the wounded warriors of every military branch in Hawaii.
“This is a great community endeavor that shows our continuing support for those that give so much to our country, and expect so little,” said Eva Laird Smith, director of USO Hawaii.
Kelly, along with Lance Cpls. Joseph Leon and Matthew Shepherd, patients at the detachment on base, supported the drive at the mall and thanked donors. Leon and Shepherd are both Dallas Cowboys fans and wish for any team memorabilia.
“Not everybody has time to go and buy gifts … it helps the Marines’ morale,” said Leon, of Houston.
Shepherd said the drive is especially great not every wounded warrior can go home for the holidays.
“It’s nice to see people show their appreciation for what we do,” the native of Fresno, Calif., said.
Wounded warriors from here and Schofield Barracks asked for simple gifts, including guitar strings, gift cards and DVDs.
“They love it,” said Barbara Troegner, program manager, USO Hawaii, of the warrior’s response to the gifts. “It boosts their morale.”
Comedian Frank DeLima, Salem Media of Hawaii disc jockeys, and four current and former Miss Chinatown pageant winners made appearances in support of the drive.
The Red Hot Flashes of Hawaii, a local chapter of the internationally known Red Hat Society, volunteered by handing out fliers and collecting gifts.
“The military is very close and dear to our hearts,” said Milly Chun, the vice chair of the Red Hot Flashes of Hawaii. “[We] do everything we can to support our veterans and wounded warriors.”
Betsy Pierce, of Laguna, N.M., contributed Barbie toys and toy cars at the drive. Pierce’s father was a Marine, and a wounded warrior, having lost his leg in the Vietnam War.
“It’s very near and dear to my heart,” Pierce said. “I like to [shop] and donate my time.”
Fellow service members like Staff Sgt. Shiloh Linden, airframes mechanic, for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, supported the drive.
“It might be me one day, you never know,” Linden said. “It’s Christmas time. You’ve got to give.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Alvaro Munoz, machinery repairman, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, and his wife, a personnel specialist at Combat Logistics Battalion 3, handed out fliers and wish lists. Munoz, of Dallas, said spouses of wounded warriors may be very busy taking care of them and not have a lot of time to go shopping for their childrens’ holiday gifts.
Wounded Warrior Battalion West – Detachment Hawaii has transitioned at least 70 wounded warriors to civilian life or full duty.
For those unable to attend the Windward Mall event, donations will be accepted at the USO Airport Center or the USO Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. For more information about the USO, visit http://www.uso. org/hawaii.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2010 20:11 |
| Story ID: | 60527 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 331 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
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