THE 506TH AIRBORNE INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION WIDOWS AND ORPHANS FUND

Thomas Lee is establishing The 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association (Airmobile-Air Assault) Widows and Orphans Fund. Here is part of his letter:

As some of you know, I served eight years in the United States Army and I am a veteran of the first Persian Gulf War. Therefore, as you can imagine, I have a deep interest in following the unit I once served in while they provide us with their service in the War on Terror.

One of the units I was part of for three years is the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment (Airmobile-Air Assault). You may have heard of this Regiment if you have ever seen the HBO series “Band of Brothers”. The 506th is known as one of the toughest and most proud units in the United States Army.

The 506th was based at Camp Greaves, Korea before being deployed to Iraq. Many of the soldiers in the 506th were just completing their one year hardship tours on the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) when they were informed they were to deploy directly from Korea to Iraq. A hardship tour is a tour in which a soldier’s family is not allowed to accompany them due to the dangers of the area where the soldier is serving. Therefore, many of these soldiers have not seen their families for more than a few days during the last two years.

As mentioned, I have been following the 506th for a year now while they have served in some of the most difficult areas of Iraq. The 506th has suffered 12 KIA (killed in action) and more than 50 seriously WIA (wounded in action) and therefore, permanently disabled.

As we all know, the US military provides some benefits to the soldiers injured and to the families of the soldiers killed. However, it is never enough to help the soldiers and their families through these difficult times. Therefore, I have put together a “Wounded Soldiers’, Orphans’ and Widows’ Fund” for which I currently raising donations. Please know that anything you can provide will be greatly appreciated by, and helpful to, the soldiers and their families.

The good news is that the unit will be returning to Fort Carson, Colorado later this month. Once the soldiers have been debriefed and gone through a “reintroduction to society” program, they will take 30 days of leave to spend with their loved ones. When they return from leave Gene Overton, a Vietnam Vet and President of the 506th Infantry Association and I will present our “gift” to the unit.

If you are interested in helping this cause, I can email you the original letter I received with more detail and a donation form. For direct questions please contact Thomas Lee at thomasglee@gmail.com or you can just send your donation to:

Currahee Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund
% Unitel
7310 Smoke Ranch Road
Suite R
Las Vegas, NV 89138
Attn: Thomas Lee

NOTE: The IRS has recognized the 506th Association as a War Veterans Organization under section 501(c)(19), so donors making contributions to the Association can deduct such donations on their personal or corporate tax filings. For exemption/deduction purposes, the 506th Association Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 91-2088108.