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OUR THIRD FAMILY
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Kevin H. An excerpt from our hero’s letter to Luke’s Wings on September 9th, 2008: Dear Luke’s Wings, My name is Kevin H. I am an outpatient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. On September 30th, 2007 (almost a year ago), I was hit by an RPG while on patrol in Samarra, Iraq. The terrorists were aiming of our tank but they missed the tank and hit me instead. I suffered injuries to my hands and arms. As a result, my fingers have been amputated. Shrapnel penetrated my skull leaving inoperable injuries. I receive therapy daily. I receive counseling too. I have had over 20 surgeries so far with more to follow. And I will be hospitalized here at Walter Reed for another six to nine months. My next surgery is on October 1st and I’d really like to have my family with me. The most important thing for me right now is family support. My father, Charles is already here with me. He lost his job to be with me as a result of my injuries. To this date, he remains unemployed and by my side at the hospital. Hopefully after I am 100% medically retired from the Army, I will buy a home in Texas and live there. As I mentioned, my next surgery is on October 1ST. It would mean the world to me if you could bring my mother Terry and my two brothers Kyle (age 17) and Keith (age 15) to be with me during the surgery. The most important thing for me right now is family support.The Luke’s Wings Response and update September 30th: As we promised, we’d find a way to help you and to bring your mother and two brothers to your side. Well, we’ve got great news for you. Last Friday we held a fundraiser at Washington’s historic City Tavern Club. We sent out the message to all our friends and family to come join us and to raise money for more Luke’s Wings plane tickets. We were joined by 200 people who all donated to the cause and we raised enough money to bring your family to your side this weekend. Your mother and two brothers will be arriving Wednesday night and will be with you through the weekend. We will be posting pictures from our fundraiser to our website soon as well as your pictures, if you like. Additionally, Tiffany G will be handling all the arrangements for your family. And all the tickets have already been purchased. In addition to the travel planning services and travel tickets, Luke’s Wings has partnered with the Yellow Ribbons Fund who may be able to assist your family while they are in town. We are working to connect your parents with them this week. Thank you again Kevin, for your sacrifice to our country. You are a hero and you will always have our respect and admiration. On behalf of all 50 of us at Luke’s Wings and all 200 of us who came together last Friday to raise the money, we say thank you and please get well soon! You are in our prayers. The Luke’s Wings Team. Letter from the family on October 1st: Dear Fletcher & Tiffany: Thank you for bringing us to D.C. for Kevin's surgery. Thank you so much for everything, and for your prayers and support most of all. Yesterday was the exact one year anniversary of our son's injuries in Iraq - - it's hard to believe that one year has already passed. Indeed, we are so very thankful our son is alive, and we have you to thank for making it possible for us to be here with him for yet another surgery. I contacted Mia Henderson at the phone number you gave me and she was going to look into some possible restaurant gift cards for us and call us back but as of now I haven't heard back from her. I hope I do hear from her as that would be truly a blessing to us. Thank you for everything, and please know that you will never be forgotten for what you have done for us. I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Love,
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