Past Hero's Wishes
Dec 23rd 2012 Corporal Hardy Mills was born in Azle and raised in Millsap TX. In December of 2002, he joined the U.S. Marines, and deployed to Iraq with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force as an Artillery Forward Observer in January of 2004. On June 29th of that year, in the city of Fallujah during Operation Phantom Fury, one of the bloodiest engagements of the war, he was on top of a guntruck when he and a fellow Marine were struck by a mortar. He was knocked unconscious and woke up with a hole in his back, and covered with blood. For several days after the attack, he was unable to hear due to the explosion. His injuries included a lacerated spleen, broken scapula, severed leg artery, both lungs collapsed, infections, and severe burns among others. The doctors said that he would probably not live through the night due to a tremendous loss of blood. After being evacuated to Germany he went through three surgeries and then to Bethesda, Maryland where he went through more surgeries, including multiple skin grafts. It was there that he was told that he would never walk again, but he proved them wrong. Corporal Mills has been medically retired from the Marine Corps and now lives with his wife Danielle and children Shane and Madelyn in FT Worth TX where he is working on a Masters Degree in Business Administration His wish is to attend a Dallas Cowboy v. Washington Redskins game with my family maybe a suite and meet some cowboys. |
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Dec 2nd 2012 My husband, Medically Retired SSGT Randall Martel, and I are requesting any help that you can provide. Our wish is to take our family to Disney World. We would need (6) 4-8 day park hopper passes to Disney World for our family. (from 12/2/12-12/8/12) using a Disney vacation club belonging to the head of the family. Prior to my husband’s 18 month deployment, he was a police officer which was his dream job. We are both foster parents, taking in troubled teens, and I was a fulltime student working on my bachelors’ degree with hopes of going to law school to become a lawyer. Things did not go as planned and in every tragedy there are miracles peeking around corners setting you on the path to lessons learned. At the end of my husband’s 18 month deployment he was shipped to Fort Campbell Kentucky for three months of treatment then to Fort Dix New Jersey for another three months of treatment. My daughters Chelsea, Kira, Shelbie and myself followed spending our life savings to be near him while he was getting treatment for PTSD and a Traumatic Brain Injury. After more than 24 months the military finally put him on MRPII Orders, which made allowed him to receive treatment closer to home at Hanscomb Air Force base around 5 hours away. My dream of going to law school however was just not possible. My job became driving my husband around to his doctor’s appointments which made it impossible to find a job or professor that would allow me to take time off. During the switch between the military MRPII orders and the VA compensation, we almost lost our home, this was very stressful on the whole family. We've been learning to live with PTSD and a brain injury but it has been a struggle from day one. We have endured many hours of our own therapy with counselors to learn how to deal with everything. One of the suggestions my counselor had for me was to get out of the house and volunteer my time somewhere. This allowed me to have "me" time and do something that I love. I searched around and found that I could volunteer my time with the local Public Defenders Office. Ironically, this has since turned into a clerkship under the Vermont Law Reading Program which (while I haven’t gotten paid for the last 4 and a half years) allows me to sit for the bar exam after four years instead of going to law school. I will be sitting for the exam in February. The state of Vermont has recently asked us to adopt a teenage girl in need of a home, which we did. We now have four girls who have endured through all the craziness of life with a parent with a brain injury. Obviously, Disney World tickets for all six of us would be a lot to ask, so we would appreciate any help at all. Randall and Jessica Martel |
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Dec 2nd 2012 My dad is a Vietnam Veteran and my wish is to take him to go to a Green Bay Packer game at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin. If there is any way to get tickets to see any game, especially if they are playing the Chicago Bears or the Minnesota Vikings. (Nov. 14th, 2011 07:30 PM) would be the best. I would love to go with him, my brother is a huge Packer fan as well and my mom would just want to go because we are going! I am currently on active duty, living and working in Arlington, VA. So I will have to take leave to go home, but this would be so memorable for my entire family. |
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Nov 25th 2012 My name is SSG Jason Lieber. I have an amazing wife named Kariann who supports the whole family with soccer practice, football practice, and weekly family nights. Our oldest son Taylor is 11 and plays Pee Wee Football for the Cardinals in Sierra Vista. Our middle daughter is 7 and plays soccer for the Ft. Huachuca Fireballs. Our youngest daughter is 6 and is on a waiting list for soccer and dance. All our kids are extremely active. I have been away from my family on and off for the past 3 years. I wish to take my family to an Arizona Cardinals Football game with seats as close as we can get. I have a wife named Kariann and 3 Childeren: Son Taylor 11, Daughter Jerzee 7, and Daughter Lanna 6. There are a total of 5 of us so it would be amazing if we could get seats for all of us. If not at least for me and my son to go. |
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Nov 25th 2012 Hello my name is Specialist Yolanda Eddings and I am currently serving my second deployment in Afghanistan from 2011 with a return date to come home sometime in October 2012. My first deployment was in Iraq from 2009-2010. This has been a long, rough deployment for my husband and three sons ages 13, 12 and 4. When we found out I was going to deploy eight months after getting to our second duty station, we had to make the decision of either staying at our home base or my family moving in with my parents in Colorado to help them around the house. My mom and dad were gracious to open their home to an additional four people. They are getting older and could use the help. I was able to surprise my family excluding my husband on R & R because he had to pick me up from the airport, but one thing I wish I could surprise my boys is, of course with me coming home, but also tickets to see their two favorite football teams; the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers as well as my dream to attend my first professional football game and meet a player. We all five would hopefully like to go before we PCS in February 2013 out of the states. They play on November 25, 2012 in San Diego, CA. Thank you for your heartfelt consideration and God Bless. |
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Nov 21st 2012 My name is LT. Scott Vanarsdel, I have just finished a year-long deployment to Afghanistan and have now returned home to Owasso, OK. I have three daughters that are all fans of Carrie, especially since she’s from OKLA herself. My wish is to take my daughters to the Carrie Underwood concert in Tulsa, OK. It would be an incredible thing if I were able to take my daughters to the concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa next month. It’s probably impossible but an autograph or picture would be over-the-top. This would be a great PR event for Ms. Underwood but I don’t know how you would present this to her management. Thank you for the opportunity to request tickets for this event. V/r Scott Vanarsdel, LT, SC, USN |
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Nov 18th 2012 My name is LCDR John Ruane, USN. My family and I would love to see a Washington Redskins game in person. My wish is to take my family to a Washington Redskins football game. I would need 5 tickets for me, my wife and my 3 children. I have never had the opportunity to take my family to a Redskins game. We would be thrilled to attend a Home Game in 2012-2013! My deployment to Southcom consisted of anti-drug operations, as well as humanitarian aid (see attached photo of house we built in 4 days in a 3rd world country). The Lord gives back to those who give. Many blessings, John and family! |
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Nov 12th 2012 My name is Michael Daugherty. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. As you may know, tickets to a Steelers game are not exactly cheap, and not exactly in the price range for a senior airman in the USAF. I am constantly looking for tickets to a game at Heinz Field, however they are usually sold-out or way too expensive. My girlfriend is a Cleveland, OH native and doesn't really understand how or why we are so passionate about our Pittsburgh Steelers. It would mean so much to me if I could take her to a game in the city and let her experience what I once experienced as a child. This would be a dream-come-true for me to be able to attend a home game for my home town team. I will be returning home to the US in approximately 2 to 3 weeks, just in time for the NFL season!! If I had to choose a game, it would be the PHI vs. PIT, but honestly it wouldn't matter which game to me. The reason I chose the Philadelphia game is so that I could be a part of the I-80 rivalry game and see Mike Vick play in person against my hometown squad. Please help make my dream come true! [Service Before Self] |
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Nov 4th 2012 My name is Sergeant First Class Shawn Campbell. I currently have 19 1/2 years in the Army. I have deployed to Iraq four times for 43 months, to Kuwait one time for 5 months, and Saudi Arabia one time for 6 months. My wish is for 3 tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Cup: AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway and I would love to get the chance to meet Clint Bowyer. He has been my favorite Driver since coming to NASCAR and would love to get to meet him at the TEXAS Race on Nov 4, 2012. I have just returned home from my 5th deployment and would love the opportunity. |
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Oct 29th 2012 My name is 1SG Kevin Engler. Currently I am deployed to Afghanistan for my 5th deployment. I would like to be able to take my wife and three kids ages 10, 8 & 5 on a 4 day park hopper to Disney World from 29 OCT-01 NOV 12. The kids would love these Park Hopper Passes because they'll be able to also go trick'r treating down there at that time. Like most Soldiers coming home and all the deployments I haven't been able to actually take my family anywhere on a real family vacation that the kids would be able to remember. |
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Oct 28th 2012 My name is 1SG Brian R. White. My wish is for tickets to the 28 OCT 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville, VA. I'd love to take my twin sons to their first race. They have passed the test of watching a full race on TV now they are ready for the next step. This would be our first Father-Son event (with the help of my brother) that we have had the opportunity to go on. I am returning from a 3rd tour to Afghanistan at the end of September and have missed most of this years races. I have been deployed for the last year, once again, and have completely missed their kindergarten year of school as well as the start of the 1st grade year. This is the 3rd year long deployment since their birth and I have missed half of their lives due to serving my country in harm's way. I feel fortunate to have been on multiple deployments without being injured in any way. There are thousands of Americans that weren't so fortunate that I take the time to Pray for their families' well-being. I have missed several family birthdays, funerals and anniversaries. The latest event being the death of my father-in-law. Not to mention those cute school events that you only get to see once in a lifetime. Although sad, thousands of my fellow service members have fallen in the same category. I hope that your organization will fulfill this wish and allow my sons and I to make memories with you at Martinsville. |
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Oct 18th 2012 My name is SGT. Victor Bueno. My wish is to attend the Thursday night football game in San Francisco, CA where the 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks. I would like to take my little brother and his coach because they were actually the one's who got me thru my last deployment in Afghanistan and were always there for me. My brother's coach is a long time friend of mine and is a fan of the Seahawks, that's why I want to take them. And I also picked a Thursday night game because not many people would go, so easier on your organization to get I hope. |
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Oct 12th 2012 HELLO I AM SGT. ANGEL D MARTINEZ. I AM A NATIVE OF MIAMI FLORIDA BUT CURRENTLY A TRANSPLANT IN TEXAS.(I GOT HERE AS FAST AS I COULD)CURRENTLY I AM ON THE LAST LEG OF MY RECOVERY AT SAMMC(SAN ANTONIO MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER. I WAS INJURED IN ZABUL PROVINCE AFGHANISTAN ON SEPT 6 2010. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE OUR FIRST TWO YEARS OF MARRIAGE HAVE BEEN EVENTFUL. BUT OF COURSE IT IS NOT WITH OUT ITS "PLATINUM" LINING. FOUR MONTHS AGO WE WELCOMED A NEW EDITION TO THE FAMILY, CHARLOTTE MARIE MARTINEZ. WHILE THE NIGHTS HAVE GOTTEN SHORTER I WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD. MY WISH IS TO TAKE A WEEKEND THIS FALL OCT 12-14 2012 TO ATTEND AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL. WE ASK FOR (2) 3 DAY PASSES FOR THE FESTIVAL THAT SELL FOR $200.00 EACH. ANY CONTRIBUTION SMALL OR LARGE WOULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU |
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Sep 29th 2012 I was injured in Iraq July 2004 I lost the use of my hand by a IED. When I was in Iraq I promised myself I would attend my favorite group of all time, which is the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They had a huge impact to me in my tour in Iraq and with my recovery. Due to recent changes in my health I am now getting amputated in 2 to 3 months I would like to go see them before I go into surgery. My Hero's wish is that I would like to attend any Chili Peppers concert in Texas area. |
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Sep 23rd 2012 My name is Sergeant First Class Travis Evans. I have a family of five with three children from age 13 to 17. I found out I was deploying and I departed three weeks later. I was deployed their whole summer and they have no clue that I will be home at the end of September. My wish is to take my family to a Phoenix Mercury game. I think this will be a great suprise for them upon my return. |
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Sep 2nd 2012 Hi, I'm a proud husband and father to 5 great kids (4 girls and a boy..I know I know) who take turns driving my wife crazy and helping to keep her sane while I'm deployed. I grew up near Wrigley Field, and I have great memories of walking to the park, listening to the band play outside, smelling the hot dogs and beer, and listening to the crowd. I was outside the stadium for the first night game (8/8/1988), at least until it rained and changed the official night game until the following night. Due to our military committments over the past 18 years, I've been unable to take the kids to a game. My son was born on 8/8/2008, and I was sure that was an omen that the Cubs were going to win the World Series! That didn't happen, but I'd love to take my son (and the rest of the family of course) to their first Cubs game when I return from deployment, and that will be the year when the Cubbies finally win the World Series! |
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Aug 27th 2012 My wife and I have not been home to New York since I came back in the military in 2007. I'm currently on my 3rd deployment since then and I know it's been hard on her. After this deployment I wanted to give her a great vacation back home to see our families. Neither one of our parents have ever met my 2yr old son. Unfortunately the flight from El Paso, TX to NY is around $2000. This leaves little money to really go to many events or attractions while we're home. My wife and I are huge NY Yankees fans. They have a program called the Yankees Inside Experience. They only do this a few times during the season and one happens to be going on during the time frame I'm home during one of the most exciting games of the year, when the Yankees play the Redsox. With this experience, you get to take pictures with the championship trophy and meet players, plus the game. The tickets for this are $700 per person. This would also be my son's first baseball game and wanted it to be very special. If I would be able to give this experience to my family it would mean the world . My family has been through many tough times with all these deployments and would love to be able to give this to them. Thank You and God Bless |
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Aug 21st 2012 My name is Sonnie Simanski. I am a Logistics Specialist 2nd Class in US Navy. My wish is to take my daughter to Disneyland. She has been anxious to go to Disneyland when I come back from deployment. I would like to request 3 day Park Hopper passes. Hoping for your generousity to make my daughter as happy as she could be seeing me back plus a trip to her favorite place. Thank you very much. |
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Aug 20th 2012 I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and will return back home in July. I would love more than anything to take my 5 yr. old daughter to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. She has had a rough start to her life being that she was born with no kidney function and was on dialysis from birth to 1-1/2 yrs. old. She has been through numerous surgeries with her biggest one being her kidney transplant on Nov 4, 2008. I donated one of my kidneys to my little girl and she has been healthy and active ever since. It would be a wish come true to be able to take her to Disneyland with my wife and I. |
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Jul 28th 2012 My wish is to get to go see Mr. Ronnie Dunn while I am on leave from Afghanistan and be able to take my newly wedded wife on my birthday to see him before I have to return too Afghanistan. I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and will be on leave between 18 July 2012 and 1 Aug 2012 and would like to be able to go to the Ronnie Dunn concert on the 28 July 2012 at EQC in Tacoma. I am en route to Washington has I speak. I have always been a fan of his and never had the chance to go to one of his or his groups concerts and would really love to meet him also. |
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Jul 28th 2012 Hello, My name is SGT Matthew Hite. My wife and I are a dual military family with a 6 year old son. We have been together for (4) years and married now for almost one year. I am headed out on my 3rd deployment in May and my wife is a huge Celine Dion fan. You could say she is my wife's idol. Due to financial hardships it hasn’t been possible for me to surprise her with tickets to see Celine in concert. My wife and I do not get a lot of time together and with this 3rd deployment approaching fast, it is a very stressful time...an emotional roller coaster. If I could have one wish granted it would be to take my wife to see Celine Dion Concert in concert at Caesar’s Las Vegas. Thank you for considering my Hero’s Wish! |
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Jul 21st 2012 My name is SPC Simily, David, I deployed to southern Afghanistan in March of 2011 and returned home in March of 2012. During my deployment I received two Purple Hearts for receiving two TBI's (traumatic brain injury) and shrapnel. The first one was a dismounted patrol, when I walked up on an IED. The second one was when my lead vehicle hit a 200 pound IED. I suffer everyday due to my brain injuries. I know its not as serious as some others, but my injuries will be with me and my family forever. My wish is to attend a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and meet the Cardinals players before a game at Busch Stadium. We are huge baseball fans and the Cardinals are my favorite team. We go to as many games as possible. It has always been a wish of mine to go on the field and meet them. The reason I'm requesting four tickets is so I can bring my wife and children to the game as well. |
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Jul 1st 2012 I am currently serving my second deployment in Afghanistan and will be coming home in a couple of weeks. My wish is to really get to experience a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley field with my wife and parents. I have been a Cubs fan since I was young and because I have been stationed in Colorado, we haven't been able to afford tickets when we visit my family there due to the high cost of them. My wife is a huge baseball fan as well and would truly enjoy the game as well as the history of Wrigley with me. Of the three years we have been married I have been away for two of them and I want take advantage of the time we will have together during this leave. Between her and my parents I have had so much support and part of this wish is to somehow show them how much I appreciate it. It would mean a lot to me and to them. We will be going to visit my family June 15th to July 5th so either the Red Sox or Astros would be fine. Preferably a weekend game as my father works during the week but I would be grateful for anything during that time period. Thank you all so much for what you do it truly makes a difference. God Bless! |
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Jun 28th 2012 Since being home I have not had a lot of opportunity to do something special with my wife and children. My youngest son's Birthday is coming up and he has always wanted to go to Disneyworld in Orlando Fl. I am unable to afford these tickets as I can not work due to my disabilities. I have family that lives down there that would let us stay with them. So, my Hero's wish is for 6 Disneyworld Park Hopper tickets to take my son and the rest of my family to the most fun place on earth. That would mean so much to my wife and I to surprise the kids with that. Anyway Thank you for this opportunity to even have a chance at this! |
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Jun 23rd 2012 My name is SPC Louis Memis. I am 32 years old. I have been deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months and I am getting ready for another 12 months. I have been in the army for 6 years. I am married to my wife Dawn and I have 2 kids, my son Sebastian, who is 3 and my daughter Gabriella who is 22 months. My wish is to see PHISH in concert and possibly meet them. The concert is on June 23rd in Burgettstown, PA. I would like to take my wife Dawn with me to the concert. I would love this wish to come true and I thank you guys for all your help. |
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Jun 16th 2012 My name is Sgt Thomas Jeremy Adams. I have served 2 deployments to OEF. My wish is to be able to attend a Texas Rangers game with my family. I would need 4 tickets to the game. I would like to meet Josh Hamilton and be able to shake his hand and let him know how his book helped me overcome my injuries suffered in Afghanistan. I would like to be able to throw out the first pitch at the game if at all possible. |
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