A Thank You and an Invitation To Sebastian Junger

Sebastian,

I had the good fortune to meet you in Washington the day you appeared on Morning Joe and NPR and the even better good fortune of viewing Restrepo which you shared with us at the Coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Conference. 

As a veteran of 21 years of service, I so appreciate your dedication and determination to bring the story of the Korengal Valley to the American People.  As a reporter you didn't have to be there in harm's way.  As an award winning reporter you had to be there to capture the moments in such a revealing way.

When we met we discussed your visiting the Space Coast of Florida to share your experiences and perhaps show Restrepo as a Fund Raiser for Welcome Home Vets, Inc., a not-for-profit we formed here to support the young service members returning to Central and North Florida.  We stand ready to support you in this endeavor. 

Welcome Home Vets (WHVETS.ORG) provides financial support, has mailed over 530 packages down range, provides evaluation and treatment of PTSD and TBI, legal advice, couples therapy and providers retreats to these most deserving warriors and their families. 

Welcome Home Vets was been nominated for last years Florida Today Volunteer Organization of the year.  http://www.floridatoday.com/section/VideoNetwork?bctid=51214428001#...

Recently when the wives of the 173d Service Members deployed to Afghanistan reqested support for the deployed soldiers, we mobilized in conjuntion with out sister organization and sent $500 of sheets, pillow, pillow cases and personal items to the soliders currently serving with the 173d.

Thank you also for your kind support of TAPS.  I serve as the Camp Psychologist for the Annual Grief Camp in Washington on Memorial Day Weekend and there is no greater cause.

Sebastian, Welcome Home Vets would be honored to host your presentation and your booksigning on the Space Coast of Florida and would like to arrange a tour of the Space Center and an opportunity to speak at the newly formed Kennedy Space Center Veterans organization.  

http://ksc-vets.ndc.nasa.gov/