Aaron Tippin benefit for local Marine (Northern California)

KNCI, Club Aqua ^

[BlueNgold]

On January 6th of this year, Jeff and the rest of the 3/5 from Pendleton deployed to Iraq.

Jeff was the lead driver of the command platoon. Lt. Jensen, SgtMjr Kufchek, Cpl "Cheeks" Ramirez, and LCpl Bowie, were in Jeff's humvee. On may 21st, they left Camp Fallujah on a routine patrol. They had just crossed a bridge when they encountered a "routine" IED (improvised explosive device) with minimal damage and they continued their patrol.

Because of the earlier IED, Lt Jensen chose to return to camp on an alternate route. They came upon some debris in the middle of the road.

They could not go to the right because of some garbage bags, so Jeff went left. An IED was triggered and the humvee blew up and then veered off the road, traveling approximately 50 yards into a field. The rest of the platoon waited a few minutes when the break lights flashed and the vehicle turned around and headed back to the road with only three tires (the driver front tire was blown off). The humvee came to a halt when it hit some ruts right before the road. The platoon again waited for some response, but none came.

The passenger side of the vehicle was untouched so they had no idea how, if at all, bad it was. LtCol Looney ordered everyone to rush to their aid.

Cheeks Ramirez was the gunner of the vehicle and was the first to get aid. Corpsman Rodriguez (Doc Rod) assessed him, but Cheeks was already dead. Doc Rod then began aid to Lt Jensen when the others started yelling at him from the other side of the vehicle. They had pulled my son, Jeff, out and he was not breathing. Doc Rod began CPR. He was able to revive Jeff, and got him and the remaining injured safely to the hospital. I was notified the next day and told Jeff would probably not make it. Jeff was taken to a hospital in Baghdad, then to Germany.

Jeff was in a coma for nearly a month. He suffered a traumatic brain injury in which they had to remove the left side of his skull. Jeff also took shrapnel to his shoulder, and a wound that force doctors to rebuild his jaw. On September 28th Dr. Armanda reconstructed Jeff's head. Within 10 days Jeff had made a remarkable improvement. He then underwent a second surgery.

Jeff's speech continue to improve, but it is slow progress. He basically needs to learn how to pronounce words again. It is very humiliating for him.

There have been many, many people who have offered prayers thought Jeff's ordeal.

We would like to throw a welcome home party for Jeff and invite the community so we can thank them and share the experience of Jeff receiving his Purple Heart by LtCol Looney. We will also invite the rest of the 3/5 so we can honor them as well.

Anyone in Northern California is invited to come to this benefit! Aaron Tippin will be performing and CPL Landy will be awarded his Purple Heart. The proceeds will go to Jeff and his family to aid in his recovery.

Details:
Saturday Dec 9th, 8 P.M. (Get there early!)
Location of Club Aqua: 7942 Arcadia Drive, Citrus Heights, CA.
One Block North of the Sunrise-Greenback Intersection. If traveling north on Sunrise, turn right at the light after Greenback, which is Arcadia. Club Aqua will be on your immediate right about 50 yards up the road.

[BlueNgold]

I will be there, and I hope some of y'all can make it as well.

Semper Fi Marine, well done!

[BlueNgold]

Self Bump

[wizr]

All gave some. Some gave all. May God fully bless this Marine and his brothers, and sisters, in arms.

[llevrok]

ping

[heywaitadarnminute]

Some give their life. Some give all their lives.

[SandRat]

Aaron Tippin benefit for local Marine (Northern California)

[BlueNgold]

Thanks for telling folks!

[GVnana]

Please pass along my best wishes to Aaron. Unfortunately, I'm transporation challenged today and will be unable to attend.

[BlueNgold]

I hope to see you all tonight!

[BlueNgold]

Will do!

[proud_yank]

ping if you're interested.

[GVnana]

I just saw the KCRA Channel 3 News report about the event. Wonderful turnout. You must be very pleased!

Please post Jeff's full name under key words.

[freema]

Sweet

[Marine_Uncle]

May the good Lord in HIS infinite wisdom restore this young Marines ability to lead a normal life, and give his loved ones the strength to see him through the ordeals that still lay ahead...down that road ending in being amoung the glory bound.

[BlueNgold]

Post Script:
It was a great event! Thousands of dollars were raised for the family. Exact numbers weren't available to me, but the crowd was standing room only! Aaron put on a great show, and the crowd was enthusiastic about supporting Jeff and the fine young Marines who came to participate.

If you have never had the opportunity to witness the presentation of a Purple Heart it is one of the most awe inspiring events one can imagine. Jeff also received a NAM with combat device for his actions that day.

It's been more than 8 years since I left AD, and I never thought we looked that young, we thought of ourselves as men, and we were, and so are the fine young Marines and Sailors serving with the 5/3.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart showed up in force, as did the Marine Corp League and the VFW. I have seldom been in a room with so many true heroes as I was Saturday night.

These men believe in their mission, and every last one of them says that they look forward to going back, completing the mission, and giving the gift of freedom to people throughout the world. From the Lt Col, to the Capt, to the Sergeant Major, to the Lance Corporal - each and every one is a patriot, a warrior, and blessing to this greatest nation on God's Green Earth.

[Marine_Uncle]

Amen to your statements in post #15.

[CT102ndInfSister]

Aaron is AWESOME. He did a show for the troops in Afghanistan during Thanksgiving. My brother got to meet him and have several pictures taken with him. God bless Aaron Tippin.

[Valin]

So, how was it?

[BlueNgold]

See post #15.
Great show!