Two wounded veterans each received a customized all-terrain wheelchair from Freedom Alliance on November 19. The double donation presentation took place 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.
Army Corporal Jonathan Flores (Left) and Army Corporal James Donaldson (Right).
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 presented the customized chairs to both men. “Each of these heroes has made incredible sacrifices for our country which 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.”
Both Army Corporal Jonathan Flores and Army Corporal James Donaldson are Purple Heart recipients who lost limbs from IED explosions. Jonathan speaks for both when he says: “This has opened up a whole other window for a lot of things that me and my family can actually start to enjoy again … fishing or even hunting.”
Donations from Freedom Alliance’s generous donors allows us to honor and support veterans and their families in a variety of ways. These donations represent one of the organization’s many efforts to heal the wounds of war in our nation.
Over the last 20 years, Freedom Alliance has awarded $20 million in college scholarships.
Freedom Alliance scholarships are awarded to students who have had a parent who was killed or permanently disabled in the service of our country.
Josh Miles served as Director of Military & Charitable Programs for Freedom Alliance for four years before his untimely passing in October 2021. Josh was loved by all and an inspiration to veterans and Gold Star students who receive our scholarship. His leadership helped to put Freedom Alliance at the forefront of veteran rehabilitation.
With our partners at U.S. Bank, Freedom Alliance provided loan-free vehicles to wounded combat veterans in need of reliable transportation. Freedom Alliance and U.S. Bank are committed to honoring service members for their sacrifice.
A White House ceremony in December helps to remind us of how blessed we are as Americans. In that ceremony, three U.S. service members were awarded our nation’s highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor. I’ve written about the case of SFC Alwyn Cashe. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and we are very happy for his family.
Joe Biden could plunge America into another Pearl Harbor. That was Lt. Col. Oliver North’s reaction to the Pentagon’s declaration that climate change and China were equally important national security threats.