Scott Simpson, Defense Commissary Agency, west director, explains the process it took for Soldiers to be selected to receive the Keeping the Soldier Strong awards at a ceremony held Friday in the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center. Photo by Wilson A. Rivera
Donation program grants Soldiers’ wishes
Wilson A. Rivera, Monitor Staff
Fulfilling a Soldier’s dreams is the goal of a new program made possible by local community donations.
Donating $5,000 each, Price’s Creameries and Pepsi-Cola joined forces with the Association of the U.S. Army and the Defense Commissary Agency to grant the wishes of three wounded warriors who have deployed to combat from Fort Bliss.
The “Keeping the Soldier Strong” program’s goal is to help combat-wounded Soldiers by making a dream come true for them and their families.
“This initiative is special because it helps recovering Soldiers and their families with what they asked for,” said Col. Robert T. Burns, garrison commander.
First Sgt. Carlos Bonet, who served with the 1836th Transportation Company in Iraq, was presented a free trip to Disneyland for him and his two children after his return.
Staff Sgt. Marc Campuzano served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq. Campuzano, who was shot twice at an outpost in Baghdad while trying to help an injured Soldier, received a free cruise for his family.
Vacations for the Campuzano family usually meant visiting relatives. Surprised at first, Campuzano and his wife waited to tell their children until they were sure they’d be truly going.
“The kids were happy,” said Campuzano. “This is a chance to as a family go and do something (together).”
Staff Sgt. Lloyd Edmond, a reservist who served with the 1114th Trans. Co. in Iraq, was awarded a new diamond wedding ring for his wife, to replace the one stolen while he was deployed.
“That kind of broke my heart,” said Burns. “When you think about something like (a wedding ring), it’s irreplaceable, and to replace that – it’s something very special.”
The key to keeping Soldiers strong is through the strength of family, said Burns. The program has helped make a few wounded warriors’ lives a little better, he said.
“We always look for ways to be a part of the community and give back to the community, and what better to give back to those who give us so much already through their sacrifice?” said Robert Acosta, Pepsi-Cola regional sales director. “We are very proud of them.”