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Reported by Lynda Figueredo - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - George Samek is helping to provide computers to wounded warriors so they can keep in touch with their families.
This weekend he and some special mothers delivered the donation to soldiers recovering in a hospital in Washington DC. Samek said the experience changed his life.
"That was a life long dream coming true," said Samek.
Samek's heart has always gone out to the servicemen at war. For years he has volunteered with an organization called "Gathering of Eagles" to help make recovery easier for wounded soldiers and veterans.
He says the greatest accomplishment is his newest project: Laptops for Troops.
"I am a 69-year-old veteran," said Samek. "This is a combination lifetime of caring and dedication to guys who didn't come home and we want to pay forward so boys will stand up when we are gone and do the same for soldiers to follow."
The program started with an email to organizations across the nation. Four weeks later, 20 laptops and web cams were donated to wounded veterans so they can keep in touch with their families regardless the distance.
"[When] the wounded soldiers go to Walter Reed they are cut off with communication," said Samek. "We want them to be able to say goodnight to their children, their wives, and have constant communication. It helps with recovery. There is nothing more important than being able to touch home."
Samek's next mission is to present laptops to the troops at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune with other gold and blue star mothers.
Update: After seeing this story the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Department of NC contacted Samek and expressed interest in making his project a statewide effort for 2010.
To contact Samek, email him at: samek.george@gmail.com
You can help by donating a check to:
Gathering of Eagles/George Samek
1105 Copas Road
Shallotte, NC 28470
*Donations are tax exempt.
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