[Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

[Kirk Harmon]

Dwight, we need to get ahold of this Gentleman. I think we and he could 
benefit each other! I could use an individual like him on our National 
Fundraising committee. It sounds like he definitely has the right attitude! 
If you have any suggestions for me to contact him, please let me know, Kirk
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <NABlindVets at aol.com>
To: <blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 3:57 PM
Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans


>
>
> Blind  Army vet looks to help others
>
> Blind Army vet looks to help  others
> RACHEL BYRD
> November 9, 2007 - 6:45PM
> VICTORVILLE - Sgt. Major  Jesse Acosta's service to his
> country did not end when he was blinded during  a
> mortar attack serving in Iraq.
>
> He is now devoting his life to  helping returning
> soldiers who have been injured. Through his Thank a
> Vet  program, he will raise money for returning service
> men and  women.
>
> "Once they come home and their medical needs are
> attended to,  the government has done its job in their
> eyes," Acosta said. "That's where  nonprofits step
> in. My role in life from this point on is to help
> these  people coming home."
>
> Acosta, a 30-year Army veteran, has served in  Germany,
> Central America and Iraq. He enlisted when he was 18
> to fulfill  his dream of serving his country
> in uniform.
>
> After completing his  seven-year obligation in the
> Army, he was honorably discharged, and went home  to be
> with his wife of seven years, Connie.
>
> "My wife was tired of me  traveling," Acosta said.
> "There's always hardships. You're away from  your
> family, so you miss birthdays and holidays. But I have
> no  regrets."
>
> Acosta took a two-year break, but felt that he  could
> continue serving his nation while balancing life at
> home, and  enlisted in the Army Reserve.
>
> In October 2005, he was sent to Iraq during  Operation
> Iraqi Freedom and was assigned to the largest support
> base in  Iraq, Anaconda in Balad. In January
> 2006, he lost his right eye and vision in  his left eye
> during a mortar attack on the base.
>
> Acosta returned home  to Santa Fe Springs, in Los
> Angeles County, where he adapted to getting  around
> town without sight - but he no longer needs to do  it
> alone.
>
> Acosta trained extensively in October with seeing-eye
> dog  Charlie, and the two are settling into each
> other's routines.
>
> "It's  like starting all over, this time with a dog,"
> Acosta said. "He's getting  familiar with the living
> surroundings and I'm riding buses around town  with
> him now."
>
> Tired of being less active since his injury, Acosta  is
> preparing to return to work at Southern California Gas
> Co., where he  was hired in 1986, and he is
> going to take a computer class through Junior  Blind of
> America.
>
> "I don't need to work, but I'm not going to just  sit
> at home," Acosta said.
>
> Acosta is also devoting his time to getting  his Thank
> a Vet program started. He hopes to host events, such
> as concerts  at Dodger or Anaheim stadiums, and
> donate the proceeds to veterans.
>
> He  is grateful for the help of fellow veterans, who
> are already getting the word  out.
>
> "Regardless of the branch of service, we tend to bond
> to help  each other out," Acosta said.
>
> Acosta will be the guest speaker at the  Victorville
> Veteran's Day ceremony today.
>
>
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>
> ************************************** See what's new at 
> http://www.aol.com
>


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