Huntsville to host ‘Heroes Week’ - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Huntsville to host ‘Heroes Week’

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Wounded warriors from around the nation have arrived in Huntsville for a week of honors and the “coming home” celebration they missed because of their injuries.

The 2009 Heroes Week is courtesy of the local Semper Fi Community Task Force, which for three years has treated recovering Marines and soldiers to VIP treatment in the Rocket City over Veterans Day weekend.

This year, 19 Marines and 14 soldiers are taking part with their spouses or caregivers, said retired Marine Lt. Col. Mike Dahl, lead coordinator of the event.

Because Veterans Day falls in the middle of the week — Wednesday — the Semper Fi folks decided to extend the Heroes Weekend they started in 2007.

The task force was founded in 2006 by about a half-dozen former Marines here who wanted to continue service to their country and the community.

“The goal is to help other charities with their events,” Dahl said. And, of course, Semper Fi began the Heroes Week to help the men and women still in uniform.

Today’s technology allows an injured Marine or soldier to be taken immediately from combat to a hospital in Europe or stateside for the best help. But when his or her unit goes home, the wounded warrior may still be in treatment somewhere and unable to get the boost from welcome-home ceremonies with comrades in arms.

Semper Fi started the Heroes Week to do something about that. The program — which is free for the soldiers and their families — has doubled in size and now includes Army Wounded Warriors as well as Marines.

The Marine Corps ranks the many charities across the country that give direct support to its troops, Dahl said, and “we are ranked in the top five.”

He praised the area’s famous support for the military, which makes the program possible. This year, Semper Fi raised about $92,000 for Heroes Weekend. Dahl said if the group had to pay for all the services and goods discounted and donated, the cost would exceed $150,000.

The many activities include a reception Friday night at the Heritage Club in downtown Huntsville; a Homeland Band concert Saturday morning, followed by a chance to watch the day’s football games, a fashion show and spa pampering for the ladies, and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in the evening; a fishing tournament in Decatur on Sunday; a floating tour on about 14 boats courtesy of the Lake Guntersville Yacht Club on Monday; a tour of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center on Tuesday, with the Association of the U.S. Army dinner in the evening; the Veterans Day Parade and a farewell dinner on Wednesday; and flights home on Thursday.

Regardless of their injuries or circumstances, the wounded warriors “get to go out and do things other people get to do,” Dahl said.

The group of 53 will stay at the Westin Hotel and get lots of time to relax and share their experiences, he said. That’s also an important part of the week and complements recovery efforts.

Semper Fi members know from experience that Heroes Week can have a tremendous effect. After the warriors return to their hospitals and therapies, Semper Fi will sometimes get a call from an incredulous nurse or official asking, “Wow, what did you guys do?” Dahl said.

“It feels good from the volunteer side,” he said, “to pay it forward and pay it back.”