Press Release
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Donates New Home to War Hero
Severely wounded veteran and her family honored at Richardson community event
RICHARDSON, TX - June 13, 2008 – The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH), a charity organization dedicated to helping severely wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, partnered with the Richardson community to surprise retired Army Specialist Razan Saied with a renovated home and new car today. The family had been told they were receiving a new car, but not the home.
“I am truly blessed to receive such a heartfelt, thoughtful gift from our new neighbors and friends at the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes,” Saied said. “When I returned from Iraq, I lost hope. Our house was two stories and I couldn’t get up and down the stairs to use the bathroom without relying on the help of my family. This gift, and the support we have received from the Coalition, makes it possible for me and my family to live a normal life again.”
Saied, an Iraq native who moved to the U.S. eight years ago, sustained severe injuries from a major vehicle incident while serving as a translator for the U.S. Army in northern Iraq. For the past eight months, she has been working to recover in hospitals across the country, but her recovery has been hampered by her inaccessible home, where she lives with her husband, Ihmed Husseim, and three children, Sana (13), Arya (11), and Alan (9).
“Heroes like Razan have risked their lives to serve our country, and we at the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes believe it’s time for the country to give something back to them,” said Daniel Vargas, CSAH Director of the Family Support Network. “We are thankful for the generosity of our selfless donors and communities like Richardson who make it possible for us to help ease the burden placed on the young men and women injured while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The new ranch-style home is one story and, at 1,500 square feet, is almost twice the size of the Saied’s old home. In her new home, Saied can easily access all rooms independently and her husband no longer has to share a bedroom with his two sons. CSAH spent approximately $120,000 in renovations to the home and several local businesses donated time and services. Representatives from those businesses attended the event to show support for the Saied family, as did Donny Daughenbagh, J.R. Martinez, U.S. Army (Ret.), Jorge DeLeon, U.S. Army (Ret.), Donny Daughenbaugh, USMC (Ret.), and Daniel Vargas, USAF (Ret.) from CSAH.
“I am so proud to be a U.S. citizen and to have served my country. My family and I have built a life here and now, thanks to the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, we finally have a home,” said Saied.
The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes encourages all men and women of uniform who were severely wounded while serving in operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and who are in need of assistance to call 888-44-SALUTE (888-447-2588) or e-mail info@saluteheroes.org.
To obtain photos from the event or to speak with Saied, her family or a representative from the CSAH, please contact Monica Belsito at 212.614.4541 or at pr@saluteheroes.org
To learn more about CSAH, visit www.saluteheroes.org.