[Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

Sun Nov 11 20:26:20 CST 2007

Maryanne, I would love to chat with you. If you don't hear back from Dwight 
Sayer (Our President)soon enough, due to his busy schedule,, then please let 
me know! I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. 
Kirk Harmon

Phone Home: 1-407-380-3371  Cell: 1-407-473-2176
I  reside in Orlando, Florida I am also the Chairperson for the National 
fundraising committee. I would love to have someone like yourself to help us 
raise funds to help us educate our fellow Veterans about their well deserved 
benefits!We also keep them informed on how to get the technological training 
they need to improve their lives and be able to continue in a successful 
life.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marianne Haas" <braillewoman at earthlink.net>
To: "'Info and discussion list for blind veterans.'" 
<blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 6:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

> Good Afternoon,
> My name is Marianne and my partner is a vet.  I would be very interested 
> in
> getting involve in this wonderful project.  I wonder, where I can get
> connected.  I have extensive experience in encouraging veterans to get 
> their
> benefits.  Personally I think Veterans should get together and demand
> benefits from the government.  I live in Northern CA, but can travel.  I 
> can
> also make and receive phone calls.  If anyone from this project would like
> to call me, I would be delighted.  Have a good Veteran's day.  I had to 
> stay
> home because of a medical problem.
>
> (510) 525-7965
>
> Marianne
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NABlindVets at aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 12:58 PM
> To: blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's new at 
> http://www.aol.com
>
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