Thanks for your tremendous support and assistance for our special deer hunts last year which were held with the “Freedom Isn’t Free” theme. On Oct. 10 and 15, 23 wounded active duty soldiers from the Iraq War came to Newberry County from Fort Gordan Hospital.
This activity honored Specialist Thomas Day Caughman, our hero from Lexington, who gave his life for our country.
Then on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 23 more hunters honored the sacrifice of Lt. Jesse Baker from Whitmire, who gave his life in Vietnam for our freedom. We had 11 wheelchair hunters, seven more injured soldiers and five severely wounded Vietnam veterans for the Mobility Impaired Hunt. We were honored with very touching speeches from both Specialist Caughman’s father and Lt. Baker’s brother at our lunches.
Major support came from SEPVA, SCDNR, U.S. Forrest Service and Bethel Baptist Church.
Piggly Wiggly, Bojangles, Hawg Heaven and Farm Boys provided all our meals. Our largest donation was $4,000 in labor by Yarborough Farms.
The events were coordinated by SCDNR’s Lynwood Kearse and Gerald Moore. Both hunts were extremely successful in numbers of deer harvested, but success is not measured in numbers, but in “Fun and Fellowship” as was expressed by 11-year-old Dillon Greenway who has cerebral palsy.
Earnest McDuell, a Vietnam amputee, said nobody ever did anything for the soldiers when they came back from the Vietnam War. We need to bring these soldiers’ sacrifices back to a place of honor and not let our current soldiers feel unappreciated or forgotten. Nine events are already scheduled for this year such as deer hunts, lake fishing, pond fishing, rock bass fishing and local golfing events. We need well-stocked or unstocked ponds. You could be a host or sponsor of an event for six to 30 persons. The purpose of this letter is to seek support and pledges to assist with activities and the “Freedom Isn’t Free Lodge” to furnish bedrooms and a nice day room for wounded soldiers, wounded veterans, post tramatic stress disorder groups, children with cancer, “Take One, Make One” program and other special needs groups.
Lake Murray Rescue Squad voted (recently) to rent its old building to The Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans Association at a very reasonable fee. This is a non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible. Churches, civic organizations, businesses, veterans and other groups are encouraged to participate as hosts, donors or sponsors. Catered or deli foods, cookouts, furnishings, linens, kitchen products, maintenance work and appliances are some items needed to make this dream come true locally.
Pledges for 2009 have been made by Whitaker Funeral Home, Whitaker Floor Covering, Bethel Baptist Church, Piggly Wiggly, Farm Boys, Hawg Heaven, Ronnies, Dominos, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Yarborough Farms, and Specialist Thomas Caughman Memorial Fund.
What an exciting opportunity to not just say the words, but to really show we support our troops!
Your support and donations through one of the above mentioned organizations or through your church group is greatly appreciated by our heroes from the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Please e-mail me with your pledges as hosts or sponsors or to request a presentation at scubeco@bellsouth.net or call me at (803) 271-1861 or 364-2021. Thanking you in advance for your support and prayers for our troops, veterans, cancer children and handicapped individuals.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Cotney
Event Coordinator and Associate Member of Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans Association
Prosperity
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