Oct 27, 2007 12:36 pm US/Central
Minn. Man Helps Wounded Soldiers See Families
(WCCO)
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Walt Fricke started what he calls, Veterans Airlift Command, where pilots fly injured troops home, for their family and friends to see them.
CBS
A Minnesota man found a way to help families separated by the wounds of war. Now he's waiting to hear if he'll get a special award for his work.
W alt Fricke started what he calls, Veterans Airlift Command, where pilots fly injured troops home, for their family and friends to see them. It started with just two pilots, and now, there are more than 500 volunteers who help out.
"First hand, I know what it's like, and I relate to these kids that are going through this today," said Fricke.
Sergeant Tony Larson has a number of days in his life he'll always remember, for good and bad. Right at the top, the day a bomb exploded and hit his truck, while on patrol in Iraq. He spent months in the hospital recovering. He lost his leg, and he lost an important opportunity.
"When my unit came home, they had a big welcome home while the community was there, and I never got it," he said.
Larson didn't get to fly home to St. Cloud, Minn., until Walt Fricke came into his life.
"Oh, definitely Walt is a God-send," said Larson.
Fricke remembers a time when he needed help. He was wounded flying a helicopter in Vietnam.
"I understand the value of having family close by, seeing your buddies, and getting reunited with the world from your hospital bed. That's what's behind this," Fricke said.
So instead of thinking of himself when he retired, and playing golf or enjoying the sun somewhere, he thought of the brave troops who needed help. He started the Veterans Airlift Command about a year and a half ago.
The trips are free for soldiers who are staying in hospitals or some other place recovering, and the trips are also free for their families and their friends. The organization relies on donations to fund the trips.
"The reason for doing this is the fulfillment we get standing beside our troops and helping them," said Fricke.
Another soldier nominated Fricke for Microsoft's, Above and Beyond Award. It honors people who are helping service men and women.
Fricke said the award doesn't matter that much to him. The reward for helping soldiers like Sergeant Larson means much more.
"He's doing a great thing," said Larson.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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