Wounded Warriors

Over at Warrior Class the cause of aid to our brave wounded warriors was raised. Support for our troops extends well beyond putting a yellow ribbon on your lapel or a magnetic logo on your trunk lid. The military has a long tradition of looking out for our own, but the "system" can only reach so far in insuring that these brave troops get all that they need when they return to the world.

When our war wound down, the formal association of air warriors that had carried the battle over North Vietnam had a choice. We could become an annual gathering for beer drinking and tall tale telling until the last old pharts died or we could do something positive along the way. The Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Ass'n (aka River Rats) established a scholarship fund to assist with college tuition for the families of our POW/MIAs. Over the years we've made our dent with more than two million dollars in contributions to young students.

RRVA Accepts Help

A few years back, Bob Pardo, of Pardo's Push fame (Google it!) learned that his former wingman was ailing with ALS, Lou Gherig's disease. Bob got active raising money to help his friend out and get him a van to retain his mobility. That effort grew into an organization to assist our wounded warriors in rehab and restoration of their lives. Today it is the Air Warrior Courage Foundation.

AWCF Maintains the Fight

Both of these agencies are registered and audited 501(c)3 non-profits. Both benefit from volunteers and low overhead so that they average 90% of contributions going directly to the recipients and not being squandered on overhead, advertising or staffing.

And both are options for you to choose when you participate in this year's United Way and Combined Federal Campaign drives.

Please take a look and consider choosing one of these worthy charities and give our wounded warriors a hand.