Douglas MacArthur Elementary Presents Check to Klay South

Students from Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Greenwood, Ind., presented an $800.00 check to wounded Marine Sgt. Klayton South, Dec. 18th, 2008.

The money was raised by students through a month-long bracelet drive. Their goal is to support Veterans of Valor, a non-profit founded by South to provide resources and services specifically tailored to meet the needs of the more than 30,000 combat wounded veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“This drive came from an outgrowth of Red Ribbon Week,” said Barbara Campbell, a 4th grade teacher at Douglas MacArthur. “Klay came and spoke about making wise choices in the fight against drugs, and since Veterans Day was the next week – we tied the two (ideas) together.”

The money will be used to purchase backpacks for severely wounded veterans. Each backpack is filled with items that have specific therapeutic value. For example, the packs include a new iPod pre-loaded with a variety of music, and audio books written by veterans who have suffered extreme wounds, but have recovered, adapted to the physical, emotional and mental challenges, and thrived.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Dec. 11, 2008 - Washington D.C.

The Veterans of Valor team hosted a Night Out at Dave & Busters for 18 service members, Dec. 11, 2008. In addition to a dinner buffet, the Marines and Sailors were treated to unlimited games. Such events provide a much-needed respite from hospital routines, and the pain of treatments and therapy.

Thank-You from a Backpack Recipient

Hi Janet,
I don’t know if you remember us, but my husband was Matthew Shiver, and I’m Tiffany. We met at Bethesda Medical Hospital almost a year ago. My husband was the one injured by the helicopter. We just wanted to thank you and your family for helping us get through that time in our lives, and for your son helping my husband believe that everything was going to be ok. Your support meant a lot to us, and we can’t thank you enough for the generosity you have shown us. I personally couldn’t get over what had happened to my husband, but with your warm welcome and caring heart, you showed me that if you have the will to make things positive you can make it through anything.

We now live in California. Matthew is back at work (here) and doing great. They are going to send him back to Iraq for six months (soon). I don’t want to take up any more of your time, but I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for us and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you guys. It’s hard to find people who care, and I’m glad we had a chance to have met you and your family.

Sincerely,
Tiffany and Matthew Shiver

Thank-You from a Wounded Warrior at BAMC

The following note arrived in the mail yesterday:

Dear Klay South,
On behalf of my husband and myself I wanted to say thank you for founding Veterans of Valor and thanks to your group for your help and consideration. My husband received one of your backpacks at Brook Army Medical Center (November 19, 2008), and really enjoys it. It's nice to see that people appreciate the wounded warriors. Thank you for your generosity and for taking your time to put together the pack. It will serve my husband well and help him with his healing process. Again, thank you and God bless!

The Hopkins Family

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Oct. 23, 2008 - San Antonio

Veterans of Valor hosted a night out at Dave and Busters for 86 service members and their families. The evening included dinner and unlimited games.

"It is easy to sit in (my) room by myself and not do anything," said one soldier. "Fun events like this get me out."

Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center, Nov. 19, 2008

The Veterans of Valor team visited Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, Wednesday, Nov. 19, to hand out backpacks to wounded heroes. Ten service members received packs. Seven packs went to Marines and soldiers in the burn ward, while three went to recently wounded OIF/OEF veterans with other injuries. Mario, a soldier with burns over 45 percent of his body, was especially pleased with the iPod and breakaway pants he received. His wife noted that the organizational binder and enclosed family goal-setting sheet would be especially helpful.

Bob Woodruff Family Foundation Gala in New York City, Nov. 4-6, 2008

A Note from Klay:

"Wow, what a wonderful to time I had in NYC. Thanks to the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation for sponsoring such an amazing event. Some of the people I was able to meet with were Christopher Meloni from Law & Order, and Jane Krakowski from 30 Rock just to name a few. Most importantly I was able to spend time with some of our true American Heros who have been wounded in combat. Enjoy the pictures."

Red Ribbon Week at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, Oct. 29, 2008

Klay visited the students at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Greenwood, IN, and recorded a television segment detailing his path into the Marine Corps and encouraging the students to refrain from using drugs. He then spoke to the children during individual classroom visits, and engaged a group of fourth and fifth graders during a brief question and answer period in the lunchroom.

Visit to Navy Medical Center, Oct. 22, 2008

The Veterans of Valor team visited the Naval Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Oct. 22, to hand out backpacks to wounded heroes. Two service members received packs. One of them, a Navy corpsman named Thomas, suffered a shattered heel, severed nerve, shrapnel wounds and traumatic brain injury due to a mortar attack. Thomas was attached to a Marine Corps embedded training team in Afghanistan when the attack took place. He happily accepted the pack and noted that the break-away warm up pants would be especially useful due to his leg injuries.

A Night Out at Dave and Busters, Oct. 22, 2008