Home for the holidays honors active military, veterans By Tricia Goecks Editor BELVIDERE – Three years ago, a friend suggested that Alyssa Cortes photograph a Rock for the Ranch fundraiser in the Chicago area for a former Navy SEAL who had been in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Navy SEAL was Marcus Luttrell who was the lone survivor in the Operation Red Wings ambush in Afghanistan. Three of his team members were killed and Luttrell’s back was broken in the raid. With the assistance of Pashtun villagers, Luttrell was able to evade the enemy and was eventually rescued by U.S. forces. After recovering and returning to active duty, Luttrell wrote “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10.” The New York Times best-selling novel was turned into a movie and Mark Wahlberg played Luttrell. Luttrell received a medical retirement from the Navy and began a foundation to restore, empower, and renew hope for wounded warriors and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support. In June, the Lone Survivor Foundation broke ground for a retreat in Texas where wounded veterans and their families can heal. “I donated my time to photograph the event and I left feeling inspired to want to help the troops,” Cortes said. “It is something I feel is underrated and they aren’t appreciated as much as they should.” “I have always had a big spot in my heart for our troops. I am proud to have everything they do for us,” Cortes said. “When I saw Marcus in person and I read his book, the stuff that he has been through and has seen and what he is doing with it is eye opening and very nice.” Cortes visited the Belvidere VFW which offered use of the VFW Hall for a dinner dance. The Home for the Holidays dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. The dinner dance will include a raffle, photo booth, and door prizes. Rick Arwood with RPM DJ services is donating his time for the dance. Door prizes will include custom furniture, gift cards, gift baskets, and golf packages. Cortes praised her father Tony Ziegelbauer for helping her. “My dad has been amazing in helping me get donations,” Cortes said. “One of his friends is going to make a custom sofa table.” Money raised through the Home for the Holidays dinner and dance will go to support active service military as well as Boone County veterans. Cortes is working with Sheila Gonzalez at the VFW to send care packages to troops overseas. Half of the proceeds from Home for the Holidays will support local veterans in need. The Home for the Holidays dance will be held on Dec. 20. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30. The cost to attend the dinner is $25 per ticket and $45 for couples. For people who want to attend the dance only at 7:30 p.m., the price is reduced in half. To RSVP or to make donations, contact Cortes at (815) 494-8438. “If I can do this every year and have something to give the troops, I would love it,” Cortes said. “So far it has been pretty rewarding.”
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:02:06 +0000
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