Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Beyers of Alden was handed a check for $40,960 Thursday evening from fellow veterans at Akron Post 3180, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Posted on 08/25/2006 11:56:46 AM PDT by Coop
Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Beyers of Alden was handed a check for $40,960 Thursday evening from fellow veterans at Akron Post 3180, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"I'm still trying to take it in," he said as the three-hour party was breaking up. "I love the military family, I love the VFW, I love the community."
Beyers, 27, who lost his right arm and leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq a year ago, was attacked and robbed of $300 with his wife, Denise, on July 22 as he was taking a break from rehabilitation in Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. [Coop note: Earlier stories said it was $500]
Beyers began work last week as an estimator with his family's business, Beyers Construction of Alden. He and his wife, who is an X-ray technician at Mercy Hospital, will use the money toward buying or building a handicapped-accessible home. "We're going to look around right away," Beyers said. "We're not going to waste an opportunity like that. We want to try to get our life started again."
Nancy O'Hara, president of the post's women's auxiliary, said the fund drive for Beyers began last February and culminated with a silent auction on Aug. 12. "The money is still coming in," she said. "I called the bank today and learned that another $400 has come in. We'll keep the account open for a while longer."
Most of the veterans at the party weren't acquainted with Beyers before this all happened, but they donated just the same.
"No matter what branch you served in," said Bill Ward, a Marine veteran of World War II and the Korean War, "if you've been there, you're part of the brotherhood."
A lot of FReepers sent me cards and donations (over $500 worth), which I then forwarded to Mark's father. (I met Mark and Denise during a visit to Walter Reed right after this horrible story broke.) And I know The Mayor went to a fundraiser - I believe this very one written about - with donations from other FReepers.
It's great to see the huge smiles on their faces. Lord knows they've earned the right to be happy.
And thanks to JimRob for this forum, which allows us to come together for worthy causes.
Please help me ping others who were following this story. I knew it would turn out beautifully, just like the Joshua Sparling saga.
Bump!
Great news ping!
Coop you were the driving force here at FR...
I sent mine to the bank..because I put it on my credit card...but I DO appreciate all you did to help him.
Someday, I hope he does, too.
Ping!
Thanks, Coop. I still get a little lost in here.
Ping
Ping!
Credit belongs to mware. And The Mayor had another effort going, which I'm not as familiar with. But it was all for this fine young couple.
Thank you very much for pointing this out to me. I was wondering how the event had gone. :)
you forgot me! lol
Oops! Sorry, Dolly.
The way this week has been it's a wonder I know my own name.
thanks so much for this thread coop.. I WISH I had known about this as I would have rallied a large contingency. will send the link & hopefully some will add to the money.
just teasing you sweetie.. I am in for a bit & off again. Busy day. Hope you are doing well.. well have a similar, though different pathway at this point
With all the graft that happen after Katrine, this family is using the funds that received to make their home handicap accessible.
Lets home Home Depot will help em out.
BTW Coop you do deserve the credit.
I wish the Salt Lake City Mayor could be so gracious to veterans.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this for us Coop!
Thank you for the follow-up, Coop.
Thanks to you and all FReepers who took the initiative to help turn loss into hope for LCpl Beyers and his wife.
Thanks for the ping . . . Great news!
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