Giving to those who gave for us
The SouthtownStar :: Orland Park :: Homer Glen :: Orland Hills
December 9, 2007
By Jodi Marneris


As our thoughts turn to giving this holiday season, it's only fitting to think about supporting an organization that gives to men and women who have given for us.


The organization is the Disabled Patriot Fund, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that provides financial relief for local U.S. military families adversely affected by the war on terror. To date, the group has helped more than 50 soldiers throughout Illinois with medical and other expenses as they and their families attempt to rebuild their lives.


The group relies on a network of area business people and local officials who volunteer their time to raise awareness, and money through various fundraisers. They currently are building a home in Richton Park that they plan to sell and channel the proceeds into the fund. Orland Park resident Dave Wagner, a founding member who serves as secretary on the board, said the land for the home was donated by Mill Creek Development and that everything involved in the construction of this home has been or will be donated.


Donations of time and money are always welcome. If you're interested in volunteering, call (708) 217-6565 or e-mail tcbartlett@comcast.net. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, call (708) 364-9445, visit www.disabledpatriotfund.com, or send a check made payable to the Disabled Patriot Fund to: The Disabled Patriot Fund, in care of Heritage Bank, 951 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, IL 60451.


Here's a thought. What if families in Orland Park bought just one less gift this holiday season and instead donated that money to the Disabled Patriot Fund? There's no telling just how much brighter you'd be helping to make the future for one of our military families.

 

Sgt. Joshua Michael
On 11-28-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for wounded Sgt. Joshua Michael in the amount of $1,000 for 6 months to help with monthly expenses. Joshua has bad knees and ankles which worsened due to his serving in Iraq. He is from Streamwood, Illinois.
 

The Patriot Home
The ground breaking ceremony for the "Patriot Home" is Saturday, October 27th at 10:00 a.m. The address is 6284 Oxnard, Lot 127, Richton Park. It is located at Sauk Trail & Ridgeland in the Las Fuentes Subdivision.

Download PDF of Home and Floor Plan >>

Francis (Frank) Garren
On 10-09-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for wounded Soldier Francis (Frank) Garren in the amount of $2,500 for help with monthly expenses. Frank was injured by an IED in Iraq. He is from Auburn, Illinois. (Linda Bronski of Serco, Inc., US Army Wounded Warrior Program)

Melissa Trotter
On 10-09-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for wounded Soldier Melissa Trotter in the amount of $2,500 for help with monthly expenses. Melissa was injured when a tank hit her fuel truck. She is from Granite City, Illinois.

Adriana Salem
On 09-05-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for the mother of deceased soldier, Adriana Salem, of $2,500 for help with expenses due to daughter’s death. Adriana was killed in the Line of Duty. She was from Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

Logan Ballew
On 08-30-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for wounded Soldier Logan Ballew in the amount of $1,000. This is to help his parents with travel expenses to be with him during surgery. He was severely injured by an IED. He is from Falbrook, California.

David Gaffney
On 08-15-07, the Disbursement Committee approved a grant for wounded Solider David Gaffney in the amount of $2,500 for help with his monthly expenses. David was shot in the head and has partial paralysis of the face and is partially blind in one eye. He is from Peoria, Illinois.

Picture is Kellie Willig, Teller Manager, of Heritage Bank - New Lenox presenting a check to Patrick McShane, President of the Disabled Patriot Fund. Funds were raised by Kellie and her staff volunteering at the New Lenox Community Park District's annual Proud American Days Event in July 2007.





 

Richard Culbrath
On July 25, 2007, the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Soldier Richard Culbrath, of the United States Army, a monthly disbursement for one year to help with his monthly expenses. Richard is from Bolingbrook, Illinois and was severely injured by an IED in Iraq.

SGT. Jason Pepper
On June 22, 2007, the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Sgt. Jason Pepper, of the United States Army, a disbursement to help make his home computerized to meet his needs. Jason is from Nashville, Tennessee and is completely blind from a bomb attack in Iraq. He is also a Bronze Star recipient.




 

Sgt. David Barker
On May 29, 2007, the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Sgt. David Barker, combat medic in the 82nd ABN DIV, a disbursement to help with financial hardship. David is from El Paso, Illinois and was injured in Iraq when his Humvee rolled over and crushed his arm resulting in amputation. On June 5, 2007, another grant was made to David to help with a down payment on a home.


 

Chad Watson
On January 31, 2007 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted soldier Chad Watson a disbursement to help with expenses due to his injuries. Chad lost his leg while serving in Iraq.

Eric Edmundson
On January 28, 2007 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Eric Edmundson a disbursement to aid in expenses while he is in rehabilitation. Eric was severely wounded and left paralyzed from lack of oxygen to his brain while serving in Iraq.

Harold Beville
On January 23, 2007 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted wounded soldier Harold Beville a disbursement to help rebuild his home. While Harold was recovering from injuries in a VA hospital, his home was broken into and severely vandalized.

Alan Anderson
On January 17, 2007 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Alan Anderson a disbursement to help with expenses due to his injuries. Alan was injured in Iraq and also recently has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.

Sergio Lopez
On January 15, 2007, the Disabled Patriot Fund met with wounded soldier Sergio Lopez of Joliet, Illinois to assess his needs due to the loss of both legs in Iraq. The Disabled Patriot Fund came together with the Will/Grundy Home Builders Association to help provide labor and materials to rehab his home making it handicapped accessible to meet his needs.

Jose Sanchez, of the US Marine Corps
On January 2, 2007 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Jose Sanchez, US Marine Corps, a disbursement for expenses due to his injuries. Jose has been medically retired from the Marines but his VA benefits have not started and needed to cover living expenses.

Roger Gross
On December 12, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Roger Gross, a soldier severely wounded in Iraq, a disbursement to help with expenses due to his injury.

Lance Cpl. Kenny Carleton-Smith
On December 2, 2006, the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Lance Cpl. Kenny Carleton-Smith, of the United States Marine Corps., a grant to purchase a new Pontiac G6 from Dan Wolf Pontiac. Kenny is from Waukegan, Illinois. He suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury and has also had his spleen, left kidney, part of his pancreas and half of his calf muscle removed.

Chris Packley, of the US Marine Corps
Chris Packley, of the US Marine Corps, was a sniper while he served in Iraq. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS) and is getting treatment for his condition.


On November 29, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Chris a disbursement to help cover his monthly expenses while he is seeking treatment. The board also approved to send Chris’ fiancé a disbursement for travel expenses for her to relocate to North Carolina to be with Chris.

Sgt. Daniel Alderman
Sgt. Daniel Alderman was injured and lost his leg below the knee while serving in Iraq. On November 15, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Daniel a disbursement to help pay for expenses related to his injuries.


On November 29, 2006 the board approved an additional disbursement to help cover costs related to his injury.

Joanne Neal
On November 15, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Joanne Neal a disbursement for expenses related to her son’s death in Iraq.

Cpl Tyler Ziegel, of the US Marine Corps
Cpl Tyler Ziegel, of the US Marine Corps, was injured in a suicide bombing attack in Iraq. He suffered severe burns on his face, head, left arm and right hand. Tyler incurred head trauma where shrapnel, the damaged part of his brain and a large portion of his skull had to be removed. Tyler lost his left hand due to burns as well as both ears and most of his nose. There is a chance he will still be able to restore the sight he lost in his right eye.


On March 14, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Tyler a disbursement for emergency cash to help cover insurance, utility bills, adaptive equipment for his vehicle and funds to cover his mother and fiancée Renee losing wages to care for Tyler.


September 27, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund approved a disbursement for the purchase of a property on which Tyler and Renee can build a home. This gift was presented to Tyler and Renee on their wedding day.  View pdf of Story and/or Picture
 

Sgt. Juan Arreola, of the US Marine Corps
Sgt. Juan Arreola, of the US Marine Corps, was stationed in Alfallujah, Iraq when enemies attacked him with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). As a result of the explosion, Juan suffered extensive trauma to both legs and his right hand. He also incurred injuries to his face and arms.


September 27, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Juan a disbursement to help pay for living expenses and cover costs for his family, due to his mother having to leave her job for three months to care for him.

Fundraiser Golf Outing
View pdf of Story and/or Picture

John Andrew Borders
John Andrew Borders was stationed in Iraq when he was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). He lost his left leg and his right leg is in an external fixator due to fractured bones. John suffered fractures to his left arm, contusions on his lungs and liver lacerations.



August 30, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted John a disbursement to help his wife and family, who are unable to work due to caring for John, pay for hotel and other living expenses.

Richard Meyer, National Guard
Richard Meyer joined the National Guard in November 2005 because he wanted to go to Iraq. While stationed at the Syrian border, he was burned in a gunner’s hatch of a Humvee. He suffered second and third degree burns to both legs. While he was trying to exit the Humvee, his boot caught causing him to fall head first at 15 mph. In addition, while Richard was serving in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina wiped everything he owned out.


August 30, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Richard a disbursement to help him with his expenses while he recovers and rebuilds his life.
 

Kristian Gagnier, US Army
Kristian Gagnier, of the US Army, was stationed in Balad, Iraq when he fell twelve feet onto concrete suffering traumatic brain injury.


August 30, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Kristian a disbursement to help with his rent while he spends three months in neuro-rehab.
 

SPC Daniel Perry
SPC Daniel Perry was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq when a bunker exploded and collapsed onto him during an attack. Daniel was trying to pull another wounded soldier to safety at the time of the collapse. He suffered traumatic brain injury, shrapnel to the his face, neck, arms and body, permanent hearing loss in one ear and permanent vision loss to his left eye.


August 30, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Daniel’s father, who left his job to care for Daniel, a disbursement to help cover his mortgage, insurance, phone, power and credit card bills.

Sgt Mike Mendoza, US Marine Corps
Sgt Mike Mendoza, of the US Marine Corps, was serving in Iraq when a grenade exploded five feet away from him. Mike, although seriously injured, stayed on after the explosion to complete the combat and help direct medical teams. He suffered injuries to his internal organs and spine as well as serious burns and damaged to his lungs.


August 15, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Mike a disbursement to help with hotels, meals and transportation for his wife and three month old son flew to Maryland to help care for him during his recovery. On November 15, 2006 the board approved to grant Mike an additional disbursement to cover unexpected costs relating to his injury.          View pdf of Story and/or Picture


On November 15, 2006 the board approved to grant Mike an additional  disbursement to cover unexpected costs relating to his injury.

Jeffrey Hummert Jr., 19th Engineers US Army
Jeffrey Hummert Jr., 19th Engineers US Army, was wounded in Iraq when two rocket propelled grenade rounds hit his vehicle. He sustained injuries to his right knee and hand, left arm and shoulder and the left side of his face. Although Jeff is capable of removing himself from his second tour of duty in August, he has chosen to return. He wants to go with the young soldiers and make sure they come back in better shape then he did.


June 28, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Jeffrey a disbursement for emergency expenses for his wife to travel to Germany where he was sent for emergency knee surgery. Then, on September 27, 2006 the board granted Jeff an additional disbursement to help with monthly expenses since his wife had to quit her job to care for him.

Sgt Miguel Delgado, of the US Marine Corps
Sgt Miguel Delgado, of the US Marine Corps, was serving in Iraq when his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). The two 155 rounds that went off broke Miguel’s femur, heel and tore his femoral artery. Miguel and his wife were expecting their first baby.


Initially June 28, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Miguel a disbursement for emergency expenses. Then, on August 2, 2006 the board granted him an additional disbursement to help with expenses due to his mother, father and wife missing work to care for him.

 

Staff Sgt Paul McQuigg, US Marine Corps
Staff Sgt Paul McQuigg, US Marine Corps, was serving in Iraq when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion shattered Paul’s jaw with extensive loss of bone and also caused a level III concussion. Paul has motor and sensory nerve damage on his left side and suffered a collapsed lung.


June 28, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Paul a disbursement to help cover his monthly expenses as well has medical expenses due to needing 24-hour supervision.          View pdf of Story and/or Picture

Philip Bell, US Army National Guard
Philip Bell, US Army National Guard, was serving in Iraq as part of a Special Police Transition Team. His Humvee was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED) and he took shrapnel, creating two gapping holes in his back.


May 31, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Philip a disbursement for travel assistance from Fort Polk, LA, where he was treated to his home in Orland Park, IL.

Then on August 2, 2006 the board granted him an additional disbursement to help him cover expenses while recuperating.

Bryan Anderson, member of the 411th Military Police of the US Army
Bryan Anderson, member of the 411th Military Police of the US Army, was escorting an Army colonel to a meeting with Iraqi police when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb and exploded. Due to extensive injuries, Bryan had to be placed under a drug-induced coma. He lost about 70 pints of blood during the attack and became the 4th American serviceman to lose three limbs in the Iraq war. Bryan lost his left arm and both of his legs. His right hand was also severely injured and he had abdominal injuries and a collapsed lung.


Initially, the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Bryan a disbursement for emergency cash so that his family could stay with him during crucial surgery. Then, on April 26, 2006, the board approved to fund the majority of the purchase of a handicap accessible van for Bryan.     View pdf of Story and/or Picture

SPC Victor Rojas, of the US Army, 3625th Maintenance Co.
SPC Victor Rojas, of the US Army, 3625th Maintenance Co., was serving in Iraq when two rocket-propelled grenades hit the Humvee he was driving. Victor, although seriously injured, kept driving to help save the other soldiers involved. He suffered brain injury, memory loss and has a plate in his right knee due to the attack.


April 26, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Victor a disbursement and on May 24, 2006 granted him an additional disbursement to help him pay for his monthly living expenses. In addition, the money went to help Victor’s family - his mother lost five months of pay and his father six months of pay in order to be with their son and aid his recovery.


On November 15, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Victor a disbursement so he could visit his family in Mexico.          View pdf of Story and/or Picture

Sgt Jeremy Girdler, US Army
Sgt Jeremy Girdler, US Army, was serving in Iraq when a roadside bomb attacked him. The explosion breached his armor and shrapnel pierced his face and arms. He suffered a deviated septum due to shrapnel going through his nose, radial nerve palsy in his left arm, multiple burns and minimal use of his left arm and hand.


Initially, on March 24, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Jeremy a disbursement for emergency expenses. Then on August 2, 2006 the board granted Jeremy an additional disbursement to help cover monthly expenses due to his wife having to quit her job to care for him. Jeremy and his wife had no place to live, his was working on a trailer to live in before he was deployed, and now has huge debt and were living on basically $40 a month. So, August 30, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Jeremy a disbursement to help him get back on his feet.          View pdf of Story and/or Picture


And, on December 20, 2006 the board granted Jeremy travel expenses so that he could go home for Christmas.

Sgt Jesse Acosta, US Army
Sgt Jesse Acosta, US Army, was serving in Iraq when a mortar round incident affected his vision. He is currently 100% blind in both of his eyes. He needs eye rehabilitation and surgery for a prosthetic eye as well as dental work due to loss of teeth from the injury.


March 15, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Jessie a disbursement to help cover travel expenses for his 12 year old child to visit him as well as monthly expenses such as home equity loan and credit cards due to his wife having to quit her job to care for him.

Wounded Heroes Foundation
March 14, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted the Wounded Heroes Foundation a disbursement for care packages going out to wounded soldiers.

Sgt. Daniel Casara, Supply NCD of Infantry Unit in the National Guard
Sgt. Daniel Casara, Supply NCD of Infantry Unit in the National Guard, was serving in Iraq when a roadside bomb hit his tank. The bomb pierced through the armor and exploded in the vehicle, flipping it, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. Daniel now uses a wheelchair as his legs were burned and smashed by the explosion.


February 22, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Daniel a disbursement (for six months) to help him pay his rent, car insurance, groceries and other monthly expenses.    View pdf of Story and/or Picture

Sgt. Mark Beaushausen, US Army
Sgt. Mark Beaushausen, US Army, was serving in Iraq when he injured his knee in a mandatory flag football game on his last day of duty. He also suffered nerve damage to his left arm in a convoy accident. Mark worked as an EMT for a private ambulance service before he was deployed and will not be able to work for some time due to his injuries. Mark’s wife is disabled and unable to work and he also has a 16-month-old daughter.


January 25, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Mark a disbursement to help cover his rent, car payment, utilities and credit card bills during his recovery.        View pdf of Story and/or Picture

US Army Private Christopher Alcozer
US Army Private Christopher Alcozer was killed in Iraq in November 2005. He was with the 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry Regiment. Christopher’s father Jesse Alcozer, a Vietnam Veteran shot seven times and at one point listed missing in action, accidentally left a candle vigil burning next to his son’s photo. As a result, Jesse burned his entire house down.


January 4, 2006 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Christopher’s family a disbursement to help rebuild their home and life after the loss of their son.

LCPC Justin Kinnee, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines
LCPC Justin Kinnee, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, was serving in Iraq when
he was wounded by a terrorist bomb attack. His left side of his body was paralyzed after the explosion.


December 20, 2005 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Justin a disbursement for living expenses. The money also aided Justin’s mother, his sole provider, who had to take unpaid leave to care for her son.

Sgt. Gabe Garriga, 504th MP Battalion of the US Army
Sgt. Gabe Garriga, 504th MP Battalion of the US Army, was serving in
Iraq when he was involved in a vehicle crash. Thirty-five percent of Gabe’s body was burned due to the crash. Gabe’s family lost their house due to his injury.


December 14th, 2005 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted Gabe a disbursement to
help him afford a place of his own to live.

Wounded Heroes Foundation
November 2005 the Disabled Patriot Fund granted a disbursement to the Wounded Heroes Foundation to support their “Impact a Hero” gala event.

 

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