Coalition to Salute America's Heroes(TM) Donates New Home to War Hero

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes(TM) (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 were not aware of renovations being made to their 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 CSAH, 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 their 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 them something back," 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 house, 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 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.

About the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes:

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH) is a 501 (c)(3), non- partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to helping the severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families rebuild their lives. CSAH is the top nongovernmental organization helping wounded troops from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and since its 2004 inception, has assisted severely wounded troops and their families more than 6,300 times.

More than $11 million dollars has been distributed to prevent car repossessions and utility shut-offs, while trips to sporting events, entertainment parks, and shows has helped service members boost morale, break the boredom of the routine of recuperation and help reintegrate wounded troops into civilian life. The annual all-expense-paid Road to Recovery Conference &Tribute provides seminars, career counseling, job fairs, evaluations, and inspirational success stories.

For more information on how CSAH can help you or to learn how you can help, please visit the Web site at www.saluteheroes.org.

SOURCE Coalition to Salute America's Heroes

http://www.saluteheroes.org