[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OPERATION HELPING HAND 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2014

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Operation Helping 
Hand on its 10th Anniversary. Operation Helping Hand is a labor of love 
dedicated to providing support for our United States Military active 
duty personnel who have been injured in military operations in Iraq and 
Afghanistan and are currently being cared for at the James A. Haley VA 
Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
   Started in May 2004, Operation Helping Hand is a special initiative 
of the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America 
(MOAA), which currently has over five hundred members. Operation 
Helping Hand is governed by five retired officers, one prior enlisted 
Non-Commissioned Officer, and operated by many dedicated volunteers. In 
the ten years since its inception, its efforts have assisted hundreds 
of active duty, recently retired, and wounded heroes and their 
families. Operation Helping Hand knows that one of the most important 
aspects of the patients' rehabilitation is having family support during 
their recovery. That is why it helps facilitate this through a myriad 
of services such as travel assistance with roundtrip air fare for 
immediate family members, rental cars for traveling, gas, lodging, and 
other various arrangements that help connect family members to their 
loved ones during their rehabilitation. These services would not be 
possible without the generous contributions and grants from 
individuals, corporations, and associations, which, through Operation 
Helping Hand's fundraising efforts, have been able to give well over 
$1.8 million back to assist our wounded military service-members and 
their families.
   Mr. Speaker, for wounded heroes and their families, Operation 
Helping Hand hosts monthly dinners--many of which I have been 
privileged to attend--at the James A. Haley VA Hospital. On May 15th, 
Operation Helping Hand will proudly host its 120th consecutive dinner. 
Those in regular attendance at the monthly dinners consist of concerned 
citizens, community leaders, active duty military and military 
retirees. Deliciously catered dinners are provided by local restaurants 
that, in conjunction with other local businesses, generously stuff gift 
bags chock full of useful personal items and gift certificates for the 
loved ones of wounded veterans.
   Mr. Speaker, for its incredible charitable work, it is no wonder 
that Operation Helping Hand has received many accolades from, but not 
limited to, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of 
Tampa Bay, and the Mayor's Alliance. Additionally, Operation Helping 
Hand has been a recipient of the ``Newman's Own'' recognition, the 2010 
Governor's Points of Light Award, the Florida Distinguished Service 
Medal, and the President's Call to Service Award. But, according to 
Operation Helping Hand, the most valuable and honored recognition comes 
from the grateful patients and their families once their rehabilitation 
has been completed.
   Mr. Speaker, I could not be prouder to have many of these wonderful 
citizens as constituents. Caring folks like the ones at Operation 
Helping Hand are what makes America the land of the free and the home 
of the brave. God bless them, God bless our veterans, and God bless 
America.

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