Welcome to my fundraising page for the Spin for Special OPS charity bike ride, this Memorial Day Weekend. This year's ride will honor SFC Joe "Kap" Kapacziewski. The only amputee in Army Ranger history to return to combat. Joe authored a book "Back in the Fight, The Explosive Memoir of a Special Operator Who Never Gave Up" is a must read. His many awards included 3 Bronze Star Medals, and 3 Purple Hearts. Sadly, like many other Special Ops soldiers, he took his own life in January 2023, the result of suffering from severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
This year, I'm asking for your support to help Green Beret Special Forces Sgt. Major who I'll call "V". V is now retired with 28 years of service as a Special Forces Sergeant Major. His many awards and medals include the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars and many other awards from the Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. V was deployed 8 times into combat zones (also saw combat in "non-combat zones"). In one deployment while trying to infiltrate into Iraq his C-130 was shot down and crash landed in Turkey. He then rode in the back of a "Jingle Truck" for 10 hours as he was smuggled into the Iraqi war zone. His many other accomplishments are enough for another compelling book about our heroes on the War On Terror.
V is only about one out of 1300 service members to receive the Purple Heart for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). However, the recommended treatment for TBI from the VA does not provide a cure.
I have been in touch with another Special Forces soldier, Josh, who served under V. In fact they were both in the same vehicle that was struck by an IED. Josh's list of service medals include 2 Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. Josh, who's married with 2 children, was contemplating suicide himself when he found a Stem Cell Treatment Center that focused on the type of TBI suffered by soldiers. For example, the type of treatment for a football player suffering from TBI is different from a soldier. Josh has received the necessary treatment and today, he feels he's completely cured and, this year, received his Juris Doctorate Degree. His goal, as an attorney, is to be an advocate for soldiers, like V and himself, to receive the treatment they need and deserve.
The cost for the treatment is expensive, approximately $20,000. It's a 2-phased approach. Josh's hope is if he can get the government on board that this may reduce the cost of treatment down the road. Phase 1 funding is already covered by Morten Anderson (football place kicker, 2nd leading NFL all time scorer, and Pro Football Hall of Famer) and Sally and I. We didn't want to delay V's treatment as time is of the essence with those that are considered a suicidal risk.
Sally and I are asking for your help for Phase 2. Your donation will go straight through to the clinic for V's treatment, 100%. Sally, Morten and I are "All In" on V's treatment. Any donation you can provide will be greatly appreciated! Lastly, if you know of anyone who might share in helping V please feel free to pass on.
Thanks Again for your Support!
Chuck & Sally Smith