11/3/2009 1:42:00 PM Incarcerated vets donate to injured troops
Veterans Group Ironwood (VGI), presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Florida-based Independence Fund on Oct. 13.
Special to the Times
BLYTHE - During a ceremony held at Ironwood State Prison, the Veterans Group Ironwood (VGI), presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Florida-based Independence Fund on Oct. 13. Over this past summer the VGI had previously donated $1,500 to the "Indy Fund."
The VGI has raised more than $250,000 through pizza sales and recycling of inmate trash for non-profit organizations.
Army Sgt. Maj. Jesse Acosta, 52, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., was one of several special guests invited to attend the ceremony, as well as the recipient of the check on behalf of the Independence Fund.
The Independence Fund is a non-profit Organization that helps veterans regain their physical independence after being injured in war.
The Indy Fund (www.independencefund.org) has purchased 20 robotic wheelchairs for injured veterans as part of its mission. The $25,000 iBOT chairs generally are not covered by military insurance policies.
Acosta, who was blinded in an attack in Iraq in 2006, remains on active duty helping raise money and awareness for other injured veterans.
"Those that are incarcerated at one time in their life did a good deed for their country," Acosta said. "We shouldn't forget them. It is an honor they have served their nation. I'm not here to judge anyone."
Some of the other special guests included retired Colonel, USMC, Chris "Caveman" Holtzman and retired Colonel, USMC, Norm "Frenchy" LaFountaine.
"The VGI's positive impact will forever be remembered by the many lives they have touched over the years," said Chief Deputy Warden, Dave Long, a former U.S. Marine.
Members of the Veterans Group of Ironwood are not only incarcerated in the medium-security prison, which houses approximately 4,000 inmates, several are highly decorated veterans themselves.
The VGI has also donated money to the local community, providing scholarships, assisting the JROTC program, elementary schools and the repainting of the family visitation rooms at the prison.
The group was instrumental in starting the Ironwood Project, which allows inmates to obtain a two-year college degree. More than 500 inmates are now enrolled in Palo Verde Community College and more than 650 have received degrees. Additionally, the veterans have donated $19,000 for scholarships at the college.
San Quentin had the first veterans group in a state prison in California. It was started in 1987 by two Vietnam Veterans, E. "Geronimo" Pratt and Jim "Sneaky" White.
That group, the Vietnam Veterans Group of San Quentin, encouraged other prisoners to start their own groups. In 1999, White, himself a multi-tour highly decorated helicopter pilot, arrived at ISP and immediately approached staff that had been co-sponsors of VVGSQ years before.
Though there were not many veterans at ISP, White found a core group of interested inmates. This included a large group of non-veterans who had military ties, such as family members, who willingly pitched in to start VGI. With the generous support of then Warden Don Taylor, another Vietnam Veteran, and his administration, VGI was off and running.
The Independence Fund is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations to the group are tax-deductible and help provide injured troops with the tools, therapies and guidance that they might not otherwise be receiving.
The Indy Fund has no paid staff and is run entirely by combat veterans. Its board includes Nashville musician Stephen Cochran and Jerry Kykisz, curator at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009
Article comment by:
no name provided
God Bless All Veterans regardless of their circumstances. Serving and protecting our country is of the highest calling.
Copyright 2010 Western News&Info, Inc.® Palo Verde Valley Times is the information source for Blythe, California, Quartzsite, Arizona and surrounding area communities. Original content may not be reprinted or distributed without the written permission of Western News&Info, Inc.® Palo Verde Valley Times Online is a service of WNI. By using the site, you agree to abide and be bound by the site's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which prohibit commercial use of any information on the site. Click Here to email your questions or comments to the Webmaster. Palo Verde Valley Times Online is a proud publication of Western News&Info Inc.® All Rights Reserved.
