MOPH Sunny Jones Chapter 49
PO BOX 1068
Lemon Grove, CA 91946
ph: 619-262-1693
umiller
VETERAN: UNIQUE OFFERS / INFORMATION
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SUNNY JONES: "GOES DEEP-SEA FISHING IN SEPTEMBER 2011"
In our quest to fully serve veterans of all stripe, the Sunny Jones Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart was on the docks of Point Loma (San Diego, CA) to see the departure of 2 "wounded warriors" off on a 5-day deep-sea fishing trip. For the past couple of years, the EXCEL Sportfisher and Charter Master Al Gross, have invited Chapter 0049 to fill varying quotas aboard the luxury fisher with wounded warrior/purple heart holders for a recuperative deep-sea fishing experience.
So, on a cool September 2nd morning, the sleek, luxurious EXCEL loaded its crew and all the sport fishermen, including Corporal Michael Spivey of Albilene, TX, and Hospital Corpsman Stuart Fuke of Hawaii, and set sail out of Point Loma for some deep-sea fishing off the coast of California and Mexico.
The crew and the sponsoring parties of outdoorsmen were enthusiastic to have the warriors aboard and they were especially glad that both of their recoveries were progressing well enough that they could sail with them. The offer of the sponsored slots were made to Chapter 0049 Commander Joe Petrini and were sanctioned and coordinated with the Warrior Unit of the Naval Hospital.
The Excel flying Chapter 0049's Purple Heart flag in the subordinate position to the U. S. Flag. Move your cursor over the lower right-corner of the image and click the + sign to enlarge.
Corporal Spivey and Corpsman Fuke served together in the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines (3/5) last year during the arduous campaign to secure the Sangin area of the Helmand Province of Afghanistan whereby the Marines suppressed and overcame the Taliban opposition after 450 firefights and removal of over 500 roadside bombs. The 3/5 suffered the most casualties of any Marine battalion in the war, 35 killed and 179 wounded.
L-R: Corpsman Stuart Fuke and Cpl. Michael Spivey on the docks at Point Loma (San Diego, CA)
Michael lost his left arm and is progressing with his prosthesis skills and he will have another operation to further restore his inner ear. Stuart is strong enough on his cane to move well, despite his severe leg wounds.
Ms. Ingrid Poole, owner of the EXCEL, met the Marines at the dock shortly before boarding to tell them about her husband, the late Bill Poole, the founder of San Diego's modern Sports fishing industry and builder of several large sport fishing yachts, including the EXCEL.
Follow the story of Michael and Stuart when they return on September 7, 2011 with all the available tuna, groupers, sailfish and sea bass. Meet them on the docks to claim your share.
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Follow-up story to departure on September 2, 2011
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It was the 8th of September 2011, when I rolled out of bed at 05:30 a.m. This is one helluva time for a retired " gizzer" to roll out of anything. After clearing the cob webs of sleep deprivation from my head, I jumped into the shower to wash the memories of a south sea island dream away.
The reason for getting up at this hour was to meeting the Excel, a sport fisher, which sails out of Point Loma (San Diego). Today is the day that our "wounded warriors" were returning with 2 tons of tuna and who knows what else. So, I jump into the car and drive the 12 miles to Point Loma and arrive just in time to see the Excel position itself to back into the berth.
It always amazes me how proficiently the Captain of the Excel is able to back that massive boat into the berth with little or no mistakes. I remember trying to berth a small, flat-bottomed 30-foot canal boat in the south of France... oh well that is another story.
Anyway, Corporal Michael Spivey and Stuart Fuke are due in after a 6-day, all expenses paid trip, to help with their recovery. The big heart of Charter-master, Al Gross and his family are the principal donors to Chapter 49 of this trip. The Gross family has help us with this mission for 2 years and the chapter is grateful.
So here comes the Excel slipping into its berth at a few minutes before 07:00 a.m.
The EXCEL pulling in
As you can see, there isn't much room to get into this docking berth. And it only took the captain about 10 minutes in total maneuvering time. Say, did I ever tell you about the time I was in the South of France... trying to maneuver a 30-foot canal boat .... I did?? Oh, well.
Beautiful morning! Not a cloud in the sky. Day was just breaking out east and the sun had not started it climb over the East County of San Diego. Not having personally met Michael or Stuart, I walk down the wharf to greet them. Both were spry and well-rested as they dragged their gear off the boat.
I immediately asked about the 2-ton of tuna and where it would be unloaded. I am "interested" because I wanted a share. I was told that the bounty would be unloaded later and I would have to wait. I, too, was in the military and I remember the routine.
L-R: Stuart Fuke and Michael Spivey
Docked
Sunrise over East County 
The owner of the Excel stopped by to greet our warriors. Mrs. Poole was also present when they sailed on Sept. 2nd.
Mike Spivey and his bounty
Another view
Stuart Fuke and his bounty
Another view
I left the docks of Point Loma only partially-satisfied: I had met 2 tremendous warriors; but I also found out that Marines are like all fishermen, they are more than likely to misjudge their catch, the weight and the size. I am beginning to wonder if these guys didn't buy their catch. Would they do such a thing?? No, after all they're Marines.
This story updated: 13 September 2011: 15:45
SUNNY JONES: "VETS HELPING OTHER VETS"
It isn't very often that we (veteran service organizations) get to pump our fist and beat our chest in celebration, but when the opportunity does come around we don't want to miss it. In a chapter election meeting on Saturday, 16 April 2011, one of our Chapter 49 patriots arrived with the best news of the year.
Patriot Neil Avant and Roxanne Olivas
The Military Warriors Support Foundation has been featured on the Chapter 49 web site for about 3 months. Patriot Neil Avant has subscribed to the site and made application ... and viola, he hit the jackpot.
Neil and I spoke on Tuesday evening (April 12th) and he told me about his good fortune. He was reluctant to release the information before getting the keys to his new home on Friday (April 15th) and asked me to keep it under wraps. However, he did not tell me about the news article that would also appear in the North County Times, written by Paul Sisson. Oh well, if you have to be "scooped," better that it is done by a professional.
Patriot Avant while in interview session.
While in discussion with the North County Times, Neil recalled some of the events leading to the award of his Purple Heart. Video insert. While speaking of his recovery at Walter Reed and subsequently at Balboa Hospital, Sgt. Avant was awarded his Purple Heart Medal.
Sgt. Neil Avant's Purple Heart
One of the most touching tributes that Sgt Avant paid to the Sunny Jones Chapter was his acknowledgement of finding the information that led to his newly-found home on our web site. The web site is one of our prime missions of disseminating critical, and time-sensitive in-formation to veterans and the veteran community. Neil's acknowledgement of our mission was the highlight of the meeting. See: emails
To read all of the accounts of Patriot Neil Avant and his interview in the North County Times, please Click here.
Note: The Military Warriors Support Foundation is still taking application from Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans who were wounded in combat. The application for a mortgage-free home will be taken until April 25th, 2011. There are 100 homes to be awarded. Don't let this opportunity slip by.
For additional information, Click here to be taken to the web site.
This story updated: 18 April 2011: 15:45
MILTARY WARRIOR SUPPORT FOUND- ATION AWARDS ANOTHER HOME TO SUNNY JONES' CHAPTER MEMBER
It was a warm summer afternoon on September 21, 2011 when Adjutant U. Miller answered the ringing phone from yet another purple heart holder. This time instead of the usual request for information or a chat about upcoming events, I was treated to a conversation about a second award of a "mortgage-free" home to another Sunny Jones' member.
On the line was Patriot Richard Silva of San Diego, CA. Richard called to report that on August 12, 2011, he and his family was called to an office in downtown San Diego for a final interview by the executives of Military Warrior Support Foundation consisting of Lt. General Cisco (Ret.) and Mr. Jamie Diamon, Chief Executive Officer and chairman of JP Morgan Chase Corporation.
CEO Diamon and Patriot Richard Silva
After a meeting with the family and a tour of some business assess of Chase, Mr. Silva and his family was called to the stage.
The Silva Family on stage with Diamon and others.
At this point, Mr. Diamon makes the announcement that the decision has been made that Patriot Richard Silva, and his family, is the awardee of a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, home in the East Lake area of Chula Vista, CA.
Tears of joy.
Naturally, the combat Marine is overwhelmed by the announcement and embraces the JP Morgan Chase executive in a moment of joy. The day of Friday, August 12, 2011, will be indelibly fixed in Richard's mind for ever. After all, it is not every day that a family is the recipient of a "mortgage-free" home for life.
L-R: Lt. Gen. Cisco; Jamie Diamon; and Richard Silva;
L-R: Maury (daughter); Mrs. Carmen Silva (wife); and Sarah (daughter). Missing from picture is 4-year-old Richard P. Silva, who was camera-shy. Little Richard appears in the second photo (top). Little Richard's middle name is "Perez," named for friend who died in his father's arms.
Lt. Gen. Leroy Cisco (back to camera); Jamie Diamon; and Richard Silva.
A final congratulations!
In a kind moment, Richard wrote the following note to Adjutant Miller acknowledging having seen the information in an email from the Chapter. Richard: You were happy when you received the house; I was overjoyed to hear that another chapter member had been successfully chosen.
See: email
Congrats from Chapter 0049!!
Story updated: 23 September 2011: 0700
NOTICE! NOTICE!
LANCASTER, CA & BARSTOW, CA: VETERAN HOMES ARE ACCEPTING APPS. FOR RESIDENCY - NO WAITING
There are two (2) Veterans Homes of California currently accepting applications for residency, and that means no waiting list!! If you know or become aware of a Veteran who may be in need of "assisted living," please refer them to the beautiful William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California - Lancaster at (661) 974-8140 or (661) 974-8160. This Veterans home is currently accepting applications for residency and there is no waiting list. There are also accommodations for couples (a Veteran and a spouse).
Click here for pix & .pdf file.
In addition to the information on the Lancaster site described above, the lovely Veteran Home of California in Barstow, CA, has immediate accommodations for their "Domiciliary," or "independent living" and there are no waiting list for this level of care!! There are also accommodations for couples (a Veteran and a spouse). Call (800) 746-0606 for information.
Click here for pictures & .pdf file.
Click here for 1-page Application form.
Mention: http://www.sandiegopurpleheart.com as a reference.
RETROACTIVE TRAUMATIC INJURY BENEFITS NOW AVAILABLE FOR VETS
As of October 1, 2011, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection benefit (TSGLI) will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred from October 7, 2001 to November 30, 2005, regardless of where they occurred and whether the member had TSGLI coverage at the time of injury. The Veterans' Benefit Act of 2010 removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For additional information, click here.
MOPH Sunny Jones Chapter 49
PO BOX 1068
Lemon Grove, CA 91946
ph: 619-262-1693
umiller
