Fund set up for wounded soldier

[lebkuchen]

Is the US so poor that it can't afford to send this Marine's family to visit their burned son as often as they please without having to beg for donations??

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=89414

The Gainesville post of the American Legion is excepting donations to assist the family of Matthew Turner, who is the Oakwood Marine injured in an Iraq explosion last month.

Turner is at Brooks Army Medical Center in Texas with burns to over 40% of his body. The legion says the family is having to make many trips to Texas while he recovers and it is causing a financial strain.

You can donate to the fund through the American Legion and Auxiliary P.O. Box 552 Gainesville, GA 30503

All donations are tax deductible.

[Solly Mack]

1. unfortunately it's common

I've been part of spousal groups raising money to give to parents of injured soldiers so they could remain near their injured child...

Group at Reed do it all the time.

Most times one parent stays with the child while the other stays home to work and then visits on off days. They can't both be there because someone has to pay the bills. It's worse for single parents.

it's a big problem that the military does little about.

[lebkuchen]

2. It reminds me of my days in the US, exasperated

when parents had to beg for money or organs on TV to extend the life of their terminally ill child. Is that still going on in the "richest and greatest country in the world?"

[Solly Mack]

3. Haven't seen it on TV but "please give" jars still pop up

in businesses asking for help with medical bills for children.

BTW, I lived in Gainesville for 17 years. I need to call my sister and see what we can do to help this family.

[lebkuchen]

4. May I suggest a donation request from those who missed training

so that others might serve in their place: our pResident and vice pResident.

[Solly Mack]

5. As if. lol We both know they don't care

Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy living in Germany? :)

[lebkuchen]

6. Headed to any protests next week?

I went to Munich's and found it cathartic.

Mainz will have never seen the level of security it's about to experience. I doubt Bush's visit will translate into hoards of future tourists making up for lost wages during his visit.

[Solly Mack]

7. Have plans to

Decided I would need to get there the day before...or the wee hours of the morning. Lot of road closing and precautions to work around.

[lebkuchen]

8. since it's a university town, it will be fun to hang out in

waiting for the action to begin.

If you take any digital photos and need them hosted, I have finally figured out how to set up a site. You can put them on mine or set up your own fairly easily, if you don't have one already.

I'd love to see the photos.

Here is Munich:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotling/show/

I recommend the painted umbrellas. I thought that was a clever way to protest, and in winter, they serve a dual purpose.