OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
TEAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS.

The Transition Patient Advocate serves as the point of contact to assist transitioning severely injured and ill OIF / OEF veterans and their families.  This is the part of the program that we are donating to.

Our Mission: To assist transitioning severely injured and ill OIF / OEF veterans and their families. 

Money from this project will go to a special fund set up at each of the four Veterans Affairs Medical Centers located in North Carolina for the purpose of supporting severely wounded, injured and ill Servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and transitioning into the civilian community.

Thousands of our troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to North Carolina with severe injuries.  In defense of our freedom, they have suffered devastating injuries, both physical and mental.  Now they face a very difficult road to recovery. Thankfully, we can help make the way a little easier with our support of the OIF / OEF /Severely Injured / Ill Combat Veterans & Their Families.  With our gift of love and monetary support, we can ease their heavy burdens as they (and their fractured families) struggle to become useful, productive citizens. 

Our wounded warriors are as diverse as our nation but their spirit is like that of LT J. C. Redman (US Navy) who wrote:

"Two years ago, I lay on the battlefield in a remote land pouring my blood into the soil.

I looked up and saw Death standing over me, and he motioned it was time to go.  For a split second, I thought he was right, but then I realized, I wasn't finished.

I had kids to raise to be honorable Americans. I had a wife to come home to, to love and support as she has always supported me, and I had the torch of American Freedom to preserve and forever keep burning.

So I stood up, and walked 75 yards to the MEDEVAC helicopter, and I came home, and I vowed once again that I would never allow my flame to burn out while I still hold breath.

I ask everyone who reads this today to do exactly the same in everything you do. Two years ago I brought my flame of Freedom back from Iraq.  I pass it on to all of you who read this now.  What are you going to do with yours?" 

In sadness and with enormous pride the American Legion Auxiliary of North Carolina stands with our wounded warriors, doing our part to keep the flame of Freedom burning bright, by offering our support with the OIF / OEF / SEVERELY INJURED ILL / COMBAT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PRESIDENT’S PROJECT 2010-2011.