News Release

March 13, 2008

(301) 865-6327

On April 13th 2008, exactly one year from the day

Captain Dewees deployed to Iraq, he will attempt to become an Ironman. In Tempe, Arizona he will swim 2.4 miles, Bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon (26.2 miles), all to raise money to help surviving and severely disabled US military families in need of financial and college funding. Captain Dewees began training for the Tempe, Arizona marathon during his deployment in Iraq and continues to train here on US soil after his return this past January.

“I arrived at Camp Taji about 6 months into my unit’s deployment, said Captain Dewees.” “I was coming in as a replacement for another physician who would be returning to the United States. The soldiers of the 1-7 CAV, or Garryowen, had arrived in mid November 2006. Barely one month after landing “boots on ground” four soldiers were killed when an Improvised Explosive Device hit their vehicle. Two more soldiers died in the next 3 months. I wasn’t in Iraq when these soldier’s lives were cut tragically short. I never met them, but I felt I owed them something. I felt it important to remember their service and honor their memory. I thought about what it must be like for their families. I had just left my family standing at the airport, waving goodbye as I boarded the plane, fully expecting me to return when the tour was over. I imagined it was the same for these soldiers and their families. Yet they didn’t make it home. As a father and husband I thought a great deal about the well-being of my family, especially if something were to happen to me while deployed.”

“Captain Dewees not only has sacrificed his own time so that our own families and others abroad can live our lives in freedom, he and all our other service members have sacrificed their own time away from their families missing many birthdays, holidays, family and traditional celebrations as well as the births of their own children, isn’t it time we gave back to their own families here at home, said Rebecca Campbell, Founder/CEO of CFSRF.” “We urge those willing to partner with Captain Dewees to make a pledge.” If he and our service members can make sacrifices, can’t we make just a small sacrifice of even ten dollars or more to show our gratitude?”

Captain Dewees’ dedication, sacrifice and determination honors our military men & women who have been seriously wounded or killed in combat with Operation IronFamily. If you would like to pledge a donation to help Captain Dewees reach his goal of $50,000 visit his pledge site at: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=232397&supid=196671437

Or you may mail or make an online donation to the CFSRF

The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, Inc.â is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional support to U.S. military children and spouses affected by the war on terrorism. The program has been further expanded to include families of severely disabled veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. CFSRF was founded in October 2003 to honor our service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our continued freedom. For more information visit www.cfsrf.org

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