What: Two wounded local veterans will each receive a customized all-terrain wheelchair from one of the nation’s premier military support organizations, Freedom Alliance, during a double donation presentation on Friday, November 19 at the Iraq Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa.
U.S. Army Corporal James Donaldson enlisted in 2003 after graduating high school and served three years in the Idaho National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq and was stationed at FOB Kirkuk when he was hit with an EFP IED and lost both legs and his right index finger. He also suffered multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries from a roadside IED and medically retired in 2006.
Following the 9/11 attacks, U.S. Army Corporal Jonathan Flores was inspired to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. On July 4, 2007, while conducting combat patrols, his vehicle was hit with a pressure plate IED and small arms fire. He was transported via medevac helicopter and transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he medically retired in September 2008. The wounds he sustained in 2007 led to the amputation of his left leg in February 2019.
Both men were awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during combat.
Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon will present the customized chairs to both men. “Each of these heroes have made incredible sacrifices for our country and their sacrifice must never be forgotten,” said Kilgannon. “We hope these chairs help alleviate the pain from their wounds and provide comfort as our troops use them to access Florida’s beautiful beaches and join in other recreational activities that would not be possible without the assistance of a chair like this,” he concluded.
When: Friday, November 19 at 10 a.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Park & Museum, Iraq Memorial – 3602 N US Highway 301 in Tampa
Why: Freedom Alliance honors and supports veterans and their families in a variety of ways. These donations represent one element of how Freedom Alliance has proven to be a vital component of the military support system.
About Freedom Alliance:
Freedom Alliance is a charitable organization providing support to wounded troops and military families. We have awarded more than $20 million in college scholarships to the children of heroes killed or disabled in military service and spent millions more helping injured veterans and their families with recreational therapy, Heroes Retreats, care packages for deployed troops, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain wheelchairs and much more.
Learn more about Freedom Alliance at FreedomAlliance.org or facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.