Orlando Rocks for Wounded Marine

Orlando Starts Rocking for Wounded Marine
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
January 11, 2015

I have an occupation, the job I do for money because everyone has bills to pay. Then I have my vocation, the job I do for a lot more than money. What I get back is priceless! I get to spend time with veterans. The Orlando Nam Knights and the Orlando DAV Chapter 16 have my heart but so do all the other groups I'm associated with.

The VFW Post 4287 and Semper Fidelis America are just too more of the groups I absolutely get inspired by everyday. No matter what they're doing, it is always a joy to go out and cover their events.

So many people go through their lives never knowing what it is like to be among people living their lives like everyone else most of the time but then going above and beyond in fellowship for unselfish reasons. If you ever want your faith in pure compassion restored, spend some time with veterans groups and then you'll see more people in it for others than in it for themselves.

On Saturday, January 17, 2015 Orlando will see this love in action!

3rd Annual Orlando Rocks Benefit - 2015 is next weekend at the VFW Post 4287 in Orlando. Semper Fidelis America, the VFW and a lot of other folks teamed up for a wounded Marine this year and Saturday it should be fabulous. The first year it was for a Green Beret. Last year it was for a Navy Seal.

✩ Orlando has been calling for more and we are putting on a Fundraiser entitled "ORLANDO ROCKS" and it is our 3rd Annual benefit hosted by VFW Post 4287 and Semper Fidelis America, Inc. to help Cpl. Adam Devine below by building a specialized home for him and his family, give his children the best a Daddy has to offer - given the circumstances. As you meet Adam, you too will see that he does not feel sorry for himself and will not allow others to either. He truly lives up to the motto of "Once a Marine, always a Marine". His story is not totally complete as he is still undergoing surgery - almost 3 years later. Yes folks, he is still receiving surgery for his injuries from almost 3 years ago. So please click on photo below to enter Gofundme site to make a donation, once on donation page scroll down to read his entire life story. God Bless America and all Veterans that help protect this great country!

Navy Mom Mary decided to do something more than just feel bad for the wounded coming home and she is the driving force behind all of these fundraisers. Mary was in the Army, her husband was in the Navy and her son is currently in the Navy.

Thank you to ALL who came and joined with us today for the FUN-RUN for Cpl. Adam Devine. When big hearts come together, it is proven that big things can happen.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday at the Wing House in Altamonte Springs FL on 436.

Orlando Nam Knights

Semper Fidelis America

VFW Post 4287

Navy Mom Mary

Wing House

Who is all this for?

Lance Corporal Adam Devine works out in physical therapy with daughter Amya on his back. A machine-gunner with the 3-7 Marines in Sangin, he stepped on a 7-10 pound pressure plate, causing an IED explosion. His battlefield comrades saved his life until he got to a hospital, where they completed that work. He lost both his legs.

Video interview with Lance Cpl. Adam Devine on his health via Skype
Sauk Valley News
Uploaded on Feb 29, 2012

Adam was wounded in action Dec. 28 by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on duty in the Sangin district in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. He lost both of his legs from above the knee.

He updates us on his health status and spirit, via Skype, from his hospital room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Here are a couple of the videos from the last two events.
Green Beret Josh Burnette

Published on Jan 14, 2013 On Saturday Semper Fidelis held a fundraiser for a Green Beret, double amputee at the VFW Post 4287 in Orlando. Mary Ingrassia arranged the event and all of her hard work paid off. Everyone had a great time and over $10,000 was raised for Josh's recovery. 

Published on Jan 19, 2014
Last night proved beyond a doubt that when people come together for a common cause, mountains are moved out of the way!
Last year, Mary Ingrassia heard about a Green Beret double amputee Josh Burnette and decided to do something to help him. Semper Fidelis America President John Murphy has always been about team work. Just ask any of the veterans groups in Central Florida and they will tell you how active he and his wife Teresa are. Doug Pattelena, Commander VFW Post 4287 also knows this. Because they worked together, Josh knew how much he was loved with a fabulous night of appreciation, fun and over $10,000 in donations for his future.
Durning the event Mary heard about another young combat wounded hero, Bo Reichenbach. Bo, a Navy SEAL, lost both of his legs in 2012 while serving in Afghanistan. It was his time to be star of the show at the VFW.
Even Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer sent a proclamation declaring Bo Reichenbach Day!