Marine Corps Moms: Semper Fi Fund

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November 08, 2004

Semper Fi Fund

Marine wife Tonia Sargent describes her husband's severe injury and shares in a letter to the Washington Times how caring people can help:

My name is Tonia Sargent. I am the wife of a Marine injured in Iraq. My husband is 36 years old. He has been a Marine for 17 years. He had wanted to do 30 years of service.
My husband's dreams were altered on Aug. 5. He sustained a shrapnel injury to his head from an [improvised explosive device] explosion after volunteering for a mission in Iraq. The Marine Corps rushed me to his bedside at the National Naval Medical Center. We were supported at Bethesda by the Marine Liaison Office with the utmost respect and warmth.

My husband is now at a VA hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., and will be in a rehab program for a year or more. He misses his Marines, but he is humbled that every Sunday they line up in Iraq to call him on the telephone. I am sharing our story with you because you have been instrumental in spreading the word about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

This fund has assisted my family twice with financial assistance. There was no red tape, they just helped. Had it not been for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, I would not have been able to pay my bills for the last three months or stay at my husband's bedside.

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is the only organization I have found that will assist active-duty families. All others I have researched can only assist if my Marine has been discharged or is dead. I am asking for all of your readers to help. It has been a relief to me that I have had assistance from the Semper Fi fund.

Everyone can make a difference; a contribution to this fund will help other families like mine. I pray that more people will send donations so that the fund can continue to live up to its title. "Semper Fi" is the U.S. Marine Corps motto, and it means "always faithful."

We can all make a difference, and I'm asking your readers to help me do that by contributing to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. God bless all of us. Thank you for your prayers and support.

The address for tax-deductible donations is Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Sincerely,
Tonia Sargent

The Semper Fi Fund can now take on-line donations:

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Posted by Deb at November 8, 2004 01:20 AM

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Comments

Can I donate to the Semper Fi Fund on-line?

Posted by: Mark Zanetti at November 10, 2004 05:29 PM

I just saw 60 minutes and it was the first I had heard of the IMSFF and the situation with the DoD and the families. I guess like many older ex-Marines I just assumed they were taken care of. I will send a check in tomorrow's mail. I will ask for copies of any handouts you may have. I plan to hit up some friends and businesses for additional donations.
God Bless you for doing this and I'm sorry i didn't know about it sooner.
Walt

Posted by: Walt Mahan at November 10, 2004 05:55 PM

I just saw your story on 60 Minutes II and was not previously aware of the fund. I'm going to post the info at work and at my church. I'm sure there are thousands of people who saw the broadcast and have the same intention. And yes, I'll be sending a check too. God bless the soldiers who serve this country in the armed forces.

Posted by: MaryLou at November 10, 2004 06:25 PM

Saw the 60 minute segment and even tho I am ex army, I'll send a check to help out......

Posted by: John Fuller at November 10, 2004 06:33 PM

i too did not know of the semper-fi fund.. like some of the other people who responded i found the address via the internet and a check is on the way... good job and god bless...

Posted by: ROBERT ALLEGA at November 10, 2004 06:55 PM

God works in funny ways. I never watch cBS. But I saw your story tonight and can't wait to get a check in the mail to you. God loves you!

Posted by: Mark Wolin at November 10, 2004 07:45 PM

Semper Fi Fund Specifics: Immediate financial assistance is needed. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund has applied for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and is accepting donations. To contribute to the fund please send your donations to: Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund 825 College Blvd Suite 102 PMB 609 Oceanside, CA 92057

mcia-inc.org/injuredMarine.htm

Posted by: Jude at November 10, 2004 08:00 PM

Once a Marine, always a Marine. Happy Birthday to the Corps. Check in the mail tomorrow, thank you to all the Marines past, present and future.

Posted by: Stan Novara at November 10, 2004 08:39 PM

A chance glimpse of the 60 minutes segment of the Semper Fi Fund was a great discovery. Indeed a birthday gift we all can share and support with all Marines-current, past and yet to be. Happy Birthday to our Beloved Corps! Check's in the mail. Semper Fi to my Brothers and Sisters.

Posted by: Tim Chase at November 10, 2004 10:24 PM

Just saw the story on 60 Minutes over here on the "Rock" and it really caught my eye. I will get the word out over here because we have large group of Active Duty,Retired and former Active Duty Marines but we are still Marines in our Minds and Souls and we always TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

Is ther anyway you could setup a way to pay over the Internet Online? If not I will send a Money Order.

Semper Fi, Happy Birthday Devil Dogs

Posted by: Keith in Okinawa at November 11, 2004 05:40 AM

The Semper Fi Fund is currently working on getting a "pay" button for the site so that those who wish to do so can contribute online.
In the meantime, the SFF appreciates your contributions and the effort it takes to do so.

Posted by: diana hartman at November 11, 2004 06:41 AM

We are sending a check. We do this for our brave Marines. God Bless you all. Special prayers for our nephew Erik, who is in Iraq. We love you and miss you. Semper Fi!

Posted by: Albert&Peggy Arias at November 11, 2004 02:23 PM

Saw this on 60 Minutes last night. Our Marine son just returned home from his tour in Iraq...safe and whole, and we want to help those Marines that weren't as lucky. Our check is in the mail!!! God Bless all Marines and their families!! God bless the founders of the Semper Fi fund!!

Posted by: Steve & Diana Cornelius at November 11, 2004 02:32 PM

Just watched a taping of 60 minutes and found the donation address on a website. Check is in the mail. Semper Fi

Posted by: Linda & Ed Turk at November 11, 2004 05:43 PM

We're ex-Air Force and happy to help! Prayers for comfort and healing.

Posted by: Donn and Linda Smith at November 11, 2004 07:10 PM

I want to donate something and will. Besides money, can I help with website or email or something along those lines? I'm an Internet person (self employed and work alone) and have server etc capabilities. Can't believe there's not a site that can process donations. Does anyone know how I can help?
I'm a former peacetime GI. A good friend of ours has a son in Fallujah (USMC) and we pray daily for him. Would love to find a way to help further.

Bruce
Santa Rosa, CA

Posted by: Bruce Bowe at November 11, 2004 08:55 PM

I have sent e-mails to 60 Minutes seeking contact names and numbers for the Semper Fi Fund, but have not received a reply. Please have someone contact me by e-mail and provide me a name and telephone number (preferably in the Bethesda area) so that I can help. I have a number of friends in the area that will make contributions. We want to do something in time for Christmas.

Posted by: Denis M. Neill at November 11, 2004 09:04 PM

Thank heavens Google had this information..
We were so touched by the story on 60 Minutes 11, but needed to know where to send the check
We will send the check NOW,and ask our friends to do the same. We want to help our young men who are so brave and doing such a wonderful job for our country
Bill and Katie Wright. Westlake Village, Calif.

Posted by: Bill and Katie Wright at November 12, 2004 12:42 PM

I am a former Marine, the check is on the way. I have be in touch with other Marines and they are getting in touch with some of the local VFW Chapters in the area. I also plan to contact the local chamber of commerce. Help is on the way! Keep up the good work. God Bless you.

Posted by: Bruce Keller at November 13, 2004 08:18 AM

Posted by: Bruce Keller at November 13, 2004 08:19 AM

What an honor and a privilege to be able to help with this effort. A check is on the way!

Jeanne
Proud Marine Mom of LCpl. B. Douglass

Posted by: Jeanne Hines at November 13, 2004 05:36 PM

I am a former Marine. My wife and I have a son in the Army currently stationed at Camp Cooke near Baghdad. The check is in the mail to the Semper Fi Fund. We are also mailing one to the Army Fisher Houses fund to support the rehabilitation of soldiers and airmen at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Also please write your Congressmen and tell them our sons and daughters need all of their support in this war.

Posted by: Jim & Shirley Ramage at December 1, 2004 04:19 PM

i am a 100% disabled veteran from vietnam era and just found out about you're plight. nbc had a piece about your foundation and it sure needs more press. check is in the mail and this but a small token of appreciation for the job and heartache that veterans and families go through. i am ex navy but semper fi to all gi's that serve and heal.

Posted by: douglass runyon at December 2, 2004 07:42 AM

Saw the segment on 60 minutes. As the daughter, wife and mother of former Marines, what an honor and privilege to be able to contribute to these brave and gallant young men! God bless and keep them and their families. Check is in the mail. Sure wish I was a millionaire.

Semper Fi

Posted by: Dorothy Pyle at December 7, 2004 11:52 AM

As an ex-Navy man I would like to add my contribution to the SemperFi Fund. I would also like to point out the Fisher House Foundation which can provide living quarters for dependents visiting their wounded loved ones at many military installations.

Posted by: Fred Lochner at December 16, 2004 01:09 PM