Wounded Heroes Fund's Salute to Local Heroes

JR with Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) (Photo Credit: Vince Fong)

Today we attended a fundraiser for the Wounded Heroes Fund at the Kern County Fairgrounds. It was a wonderful tribute to our local soldiers and veterans. Booths were set up featuring various veteran-related organizations and it was great to see everyone working together for the common goal: helping and honoring our veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country. A tri-tip lunch was served to everyone in attendance, followed by a presentation that included Channel 17's Jim Scott as MC, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, video tributes to our fallen local soldiers and a performance by the band Von Cotton. It was an honor for us to be amongst so many veterans: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, WWII... all were represented. We have heard of the great things that the Wounded Heroes Fund have done for our community (and a few of our friends), but this was our first experience with them directly. Wow, were we impressed!

So what does the Wounded Heroes Fund provide? According to their website,

• Transportation costs, meals, lodging, and other travel related expenses for family members to visit hospitals and rehab centers.
• Child care expenses incurred as a result of injury, or simply to enable a spouse to visit the hospital.
• The purchase of new, or modifications to, vehicles to accommodate a service member’s injury.
• Home modifications to accommodate injuries.
• Scholarships for spouses and children of wounded or deceased.
• Job training for the wounded.
• Other financial needs approved by the WHF.

Their website also explains:

The Wounded Heroes Fund (WHF) is a community-wide organization dedicated to providing assistance to brave service men and women returning hime from the battlegrounds of Iraq and Afghanistan. Wendy Porter, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, realized that more needed to be accomplished, especially for service members and their families to resume life after war. She could not help her father and other returning Vietnam veterans. However, as Executive Director of the WHF, she is leading the effort to help the men and women who fought for our freedom in the Middle East.

Wendy Porter and her team are a great group of dedicated volunteers who truly care about their cause. Every person we met today was friendly and overjoyed to help the veterans both at the event and out in our community. They also understand the importance of working together with other organizations and bringing in the youth to get involved. We saw the VFW represented, NAMI Front Line, the local VSO, Vets Center, and local ROTC students. The combination was inspiring and gives us hope that there are programs available to veterans to get the assistance and help that they need.

If you would like to donate to the Wounded Heroes Fund, please visit their website for online donations.

Originally posted on PTSDdiary.com, 2/28/10