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Stories from the Homefront

• Six days after his 21^st birthday, Marine Cpl. Gentile’s squad was ambushed while on patrol in Ramadi.  The unit suffered substantial casualties and Cpl. Gentile was one of the wounded.  The injuries caused extensive damage to the right side of Cpl. Gentile’s face, and loss of visual acuity in his right eye.  With the help of its supporters,  Homefront America was able to offer this American Hero a “hands up” as he transitioned from military to civilian life.  Today, Cpl. Gentile is married to a wonderful lady.  The couple has a beautiful daughter, and Cpl Gentile will be receiving his Bachelors Degree next spring (2011).

• A Marine wife was diagnosed with Keratoconus.  The disease causes an irregular protrusion of the cornea.  As the disease progresses, the condition would ultimately lead to blindness.  In spite of this disability, this Marine wife wanted to pursue a college degree.  But, to do this, she needed a laptop to accommodate the necessary specialty software to take notes in class.  Homefront America put the call out for help, and the Marine wife received the new laptop she needed. 

• A Navy Chaplain contacted Homefront America when one of his Sailors tragically lost his toddler son.  The Sailor was deployed to Afghanistan at the time.  The Sailor’s grandmother, who lives out of state rushed to the aid of the surviving family members.  Unfortunately, the family did not have an extra mattress available for the grandmother to use, or the financial means to purchase one.   With the help of the local VFW, Homefront America purchased a new mattress for the grandmother.

• SSgt Nava received orders for a fourteen month deployment to Afghanistan.  He answered the call to duty willingly even though he would leave behind a wife and four children.  The Nava’s ten year old son has Down Syndrome and severe speech problems.  Without a computer and special adaptive software, SSgt Nava would loose all ability to communicate with his ten year old son during his absence.  When Homefront America learned about the Nava family’s situation, the organization reached out to a local computer service provider for a new computer, and worked with the child’s Special Ed. Teacher to install the necessary software in the computer so father and son can stay connected. 

• Christmas of 2008, Sgt Woodson contacted Homefront America to help provide Christmas gifts for his three children.  The Woodsons have a six year old daughter and two and half year old (boy and girl) twins.  The twin girl was born with a condition called Pulmonary Stenois, a congenital defect that occurs as a result of abnormal development of the fetal heart during the first eight weeks of pregnancy. The only hope for patients with this condition is a heart transplant.   Homefront America assisted this family by finding a sponsor to “adopt” them for Christmas.  In addition to adopting the family for Christmas, the sponsor also assisted with lodging expenses for the family so they can remain close to their daughter after the surgery.  

• SSgt and Mrs Morales’ three year old son was loosing weight at an alarming rate.  SSgt Morales was on his third deployment to Iraq at the time.  Mrs. Morales became increasingly concerned that her son stopped eating.  According to Mrs. Morales, every bite caused her son excruciating pain.  Mrs. Morales heard about the Homefront America dental assistance program through a friend.   When Homefront America received the call from Mrs. Morales, the organization immediately contacted a local dentist in town to help the Morales’ son.  The little boy is now a healthy tyke, and is looking forward to spending time with dad doing “guy things” when dad retires from the Marine Corps next year.

Since launching its first program in 2006, Homefront America and its partners have provided, in addition to the above, the following services for military families:

• $ 100,000 in scholarship awarded for military dependent children

• 880 children with custom filled Easter baskets and hosted Easter egg hunts

• 1729 children school backpacks filled with school supplies

• 199 families with Thanksgiving meals

• 5690 children and their parents with gifts, gift cards, food, plus more for

• Christmas

NOTE:  Although the organization incorporated in 2005, the program launched in 2006. 

Without a doubt, we could never have accomplished any of the above without the support of our partners.  Please help us to continue our mission to honor and hold dear those who willingly defend our freedoms, and to serve their families, especially the children by providing quality, caring, and meaningful assistance in their times of need.

Combined Federal Campaign #21305

Neither the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this product, or promotion, or service, or activity.