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Benefit Run Helps Families of Wounded Troops

Jul-16-2004 » Filed Under: General Military

Here's another story about helping the wounded at Walter Reed.

[Link to Full Article] (Photo included)
By U.S. Army Pfc. Chris Stump, 17th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, July 15, 2004 — More than 1,200 coalition troops recently showed their generosity and support to wounded veterans who fought here and in Iraq by raising money to assist their families while they are hospitalized.

The Fourth of July “Freedom is Never Free” run, a 10k walk/run around Bagram Air Base, was organized by Logistics Task Force 725.

Personnel from throughout Combined Joint Task Force-76 donated money and participated in the run, raising over $21,000 to donate to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW will ensure the money gets distributed to two Fisher Houses back in the States - one near Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the other near Bethesda Naval Hospital, both in Maryland, said Capt. Soraya Esmaili, Logistics Task Force 725 personnel officer. Fisher Houses are located near U.S. military hospitals to enable the families of troops to be near their loved ones while they recover.

The money raised during the run will be used exclusively to support the families of those injured in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom by covering part or all of the cost of their stay at the Fisher House, she said.

Since many of these service members are being treated at Walter Reed and Bethesda, the proceeds will be most beneficial at those locations.

“The money will go a long way to help the families of those injured stay by their loved ones for an extended period of time,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Flores, Logistics Task Force 725 personnel NCO in charge.

“It’s all for a great cause - soldiers helping soldiers,” she said.


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