Hugh Hewitt addresses audience at Zion Lutheran

National radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt spoke at Zion Lutheran Church Saturday morning at a fundraiser for the new Wounded Warriors facility on Camp Pendleton. Rebekah Duda from the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund also addressed the crowd. She told stories of young wounded Marines who are coming back from Iraq with “nothing.”

The new 26-bed center on Camp Pendleton features a homey atmosphere complete with homemade quilts. It is geared more toward long-term rehabilitation of servicemen who are not well enough to return to their units. The Semper Fi Fund also helps Marines who have been injured. The organization needs specialized equipment, such as vans or trucks that are specially outfitted to meet the needs of those who have lost the use of their legs or arms.

According to Duda, when the young people come back disabled, even if they were able to save some money, it is rarely enough to handle the extra cost associated with having a severe disability and hampers their ability to buy the proper vehicle or home for their young families. The Semper Fi Fund endeavors to help alleviate the financial burden placed on the families so that their focus can be on their loved one’s recovery.

Southern California is far more generous than any of the other areas of the United States when it comes to charitable giving, said Duda. In addition, this region is known to display love and acceptance of the Marines when they return home.

Village Rotary regularly delivers pizzas from Sourdough Pizza in Fallbrook to hospitalized Marines. According to Rotarians Steve Achard and Paul Leehey, the Marines are very excited to receive the pizza and visitors. Village Rotary also regularly donates hundreds of boxes of supplies for Marines overseas, including socks, newspapers, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

To support the Wounded Warriors fund, checks may be sent to Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund/Wounded Warriors, 825 College Blvd, Ste. 102, PMB609, Oceanside, CA 92057. Or, contact them online at http://www.semperfifund.org. For a list of items needed, call (760) 725-9805.