Military Officer - May 2006 - (Page 58)

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Herrick and his wife, Diana, were aided by the Tampa Chapter during his time at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. The chapter has helped more than 200 families financially and emotionally. Sweets bring a smile to USCGC Monomoy Machinery Technician 1st Class Brian Clontz. The Jersey Cape (N.J.) Chapter adopted the crew when chapter member Lt. Adam Chamie, the ship’s commander, deployed to the Persian Gulf. ally wound up at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Fla., staying 11 months to recover in the spinal cord injury unit. During this difﬁcult period, his wife, Diana, stayed by his side. Although his medical bills were covered by the military, her living expenses weren’t. The Herricks were facing a massive burden both ﬁnancially and emotionally. Fortunately, a program called Operation Helping Hand was there. Founded in May 2004 by members of the Tampa Chapter, Operation Helping Hand provides monetary assistance, in-kind donations, and emotional support to military families who spend weeks — sometimes months — in the Tampa area while their loved ones recover from their wounds at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. “We hold dinners and give these families ﬂowers, gift cards, and cash,” says Capt. Bob Silah, USN-Ret., chapter president and chair of Operation Helping Hand. “It feels good to see we’re helping someone who needs it.” Chapter members (including Silah; Lt. Col. Robert Sawallesh, USA-Ret.; and Lt. David Lefavor, USN-Ret., a chaplain at the medical center) volunteer for Operation Helping Hand, each giving 20 hours a week. The program also receives community support, with civic and business leaders serving on the board of directors. Articles praising the good work being done by Operation Helping Hand have run in area newspapers, and Silah has been a guest on local TV and radio shows. In June 2005, the chapter received another accolade when Operation Helping Hand took top honors and a $10,000 grant at the annual Newman’s Own Awards, which are sponsored by Newman’s Own Inc., the Fisher House Foundation, and the Military Times Media Group. Soon after, both the chapter and Silah received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their work. Despite the accolades and attention, members of the Tampa Chapter remain focused on their goal — helping the families of wounded and injured military members. To date, Operation Helping Hand has assisted more than 200 military families. Support those who serve A growing number of MOAA chapters have started programs to support actively serving troops and their families. In Virginia, members of the Richmond Chapter News You Can Use 58 MILITARY OFFICER M AY 2 0 0 6 PHOTOS: TOP LEFT, COURTSEY TAMPA CHAPTER; ABOVE RIGHT, COURTESY USCG

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Military Officer - May 2006 Contents From the Editor President's Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Raising Iraq Dogfight Fun Caring For Our Own Pages of History Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - May 2006

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