It isn’t every day that we get to honor the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our country. But honor we did, at the first DFW Warrior Dinner benefiting Helping a Hero, which helps build adapted, customized homes for severely wounded military personnel.
Patriotic supporters joined co-chairs Miss Texas USA Ali Nugent and Roger Staubach at the Fairmont Dallas for a seated dinner and moving ceremony emceed by Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s Paige Hemmis. Also on the bill was funny man David Feherty, writer, broadcaster and founder of Feherty’s Troops First, his own nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance to wounded soldiers.
In a heartfelt speech, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a member of the honorary advisory committee, spoke sincerely about the late Chris Kyle, recipient of the Patriot Award. Cruz said Kyle was a soft-spoken man for being such a tremendous warrior, and he lived by the motto that it is our duty to serve those who serve us. Kyle led a life and left a legacy “that all of us hope to emulate,” Cruz said.
Despite the bounty of boldfaced names in the program, the real stars that evening were the military heroes themselves, in the audience and onstage. Several wounded warriors — both in person and in the video presentation — spoke passionately about their commitment to serve and how, despite severe burns and lost limbs, would choose to go back into combat if they could.
Among the Dallas-area heroes receiving homes — three have been built and three more will be completed this year — are Cpl. Brian Aft, USMC (Ret.), Cpl. Zach Briseno, USMC (Ret.), Cpt. Sam Brown, USA (Ret.), Sgt. Brandon Byers, USAF (Ret.), Sgt. Brian Fleming, USA (Ret.) SFC John Wayne Walding, USA (Ret.).
Showing support for the troops were Helping a Hero national chairman and founder Meredith Iler, Caroline Rose Hunt, LeeAnne Locken, Kimber Hartmann, Maurine Dickey, Lisa and Jay Johnson, John Walding, Richard Emberlin, Scott Mary, Elizabeth Canon, and Jamie Nugent.
In just six weeks — and before the silent and live auction funds were tallied — the event raised more than $300,000 to help build adapted homes for wounded heroes who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.
Justin Lane, Marty Gonzalez, Tawnee Gonzalez
