[Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

[Frank J. Scarcella]

Hi Kirk,

Before contacting the gentleman you mentioned, I believe Dwight knows who he 
is I would be careful.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kirk Harmon" <kvh54 at cfl.rr.com>
To: "Info and discussion list for blind veterans." 
<blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans


> 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.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ************************************** See what's new at
>> http://www.aol.com
>>
>
>
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