Announcements
In September, 2023 RAW was honored to be awarded the best Healthcare Non-profit Organization by the GPH Awards in the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Divisions.
Certificate of Commendation from VA
Rebuilding America's Warriors was honored for its service to our veterans by the Trailblazers, the organization comprised of female veterans and affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Department. The event was held at the Library of Congress and the award presented by the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs, Denis McDonough. RAW then attended the Celebration of Female Veteran's Day at the Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The Army Band entertained. Speakers were First Lady Jill Biden and Maine's Senator Susan Collins were the guest speakers. Certificate pictured below.
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FRIENDS OF RAW
Ben Carson was the guest speaker at the annual Combat Veterans For Congress event held in San Diego. I had the opportunity to meet him and was deeply impressed by his genuine character. Joe Arpaio also attended.
Dr. Tony Thomas of San Antonio Tx provides full dental restoration to wounded Army veteran E5 Tony Crowley of Friendswood , TX. Tony was seriously wounded when on patrol when his group was ambushed. Six of his seven fellow soldiers were wounded that day. Tony is 100% disabled and suffering full mouth decay from what RAW believes is the result of the Anthrax vaccine he was required to accept prior to deployment to Iraq. Thank you Dr Thomas.
May 15th, Apria Healthcare held a Memorial Day Picnic and honored RAW veteran Daniel Ortiz and his family. It's held yearly and for the past five years Apria has chosen to honor a RAW veteran. Daniel lives in Pomona with his wife and two sons. They had a delightful time as "the family of the day' and were the recipients of the money received from the corporate raffle. Apria's picnic provides great music, fantastic food, and a raffle with amazing items.
On June 3, 2018 a group of local Los Angeles area RAW family of wounded veterans and RAW administration marched beside the RAW jeep in the annual Balboa Island parade. A short parade that embodies the wonderful community spirit of the inhabitants of the island, Newport Beach, and surrounding area. Fabric splash balls and frisbees were tossed to the crowd with a truly great reception. Pictured above are veteran Robert Rodriguez, Melissa and Tony Lino, Tony is the recipient of two Purple Hearts ( their daughter Madison stands with them.)
Fabric splash balls and frisbees were tossed to the crowd with a truly great reception. Pictured above are veteran Robert Rodriguez, Melissa and Tony Lino, Tony is the recipient of two Purple Hearts ( their daughter Madison stands with them.)
On Saturday, Jan 20th, Zach Herrick drove to Rancho Mirage from Los Angeles to visit Maggie. Zach was attending a special PTSD program at UCLA. Zach lives in Fredericksburg, VA and is a RAW Warrior for some lower lip surgeries after a sniper bullet relieved him of his lower jaw.
RAW was presented a donation of $500.00 by the Independent Pool & Spa Association on December 19, 2017 to Steven Miller and his family. The Miller Family took time out of their lives to accept the check with graditude. Shown in the picture are Steven, his four-year-old son, Richard, and Maggie Lockridge, President of RAW.
Nov 3rd Maggie Lockridge attended the End of The Earth dinner held in New York City as the guest of RAW volunteer surgeon Dr Dick Peinert shown here on the left. On Maggie's right is Four Star General Joseph Votel the newly appointed Commander of US Central Command, perhaps JSOC's most celebrated Commander.
Maggie was delighted to meet Ambassador Ryan Crocker, the American Ambassador to Iraq for many years.
Hurricane Harvey Assistance
On Friday, Sept 1, RAW held a drive in Palm Desert, CA to collect items for the victims of Harvey. A 26 ft truck was rented and before it was done enough donations to fill 4 trucks were received. RAW's truck was filled within two hours. Fortunately the Marriott Hotel stepped up to receive the additional and will, jointly with other Coachella Valley Hotels, organize trucks to TX.
RAW is headed to San Antonio where RAW wounded veteran Bob Ehrig will follow RAW's truck in their own truck of donations into Houston. Bob has arranged for local wounded veterans to meet the truck to help unload once it arrives. Truck is being driven by Ron Fairly, a member of RAW's Bd. of Directors and accompanied by Maggie Lockridge, RAW's Founder. The United Way of Tx is arranging a destination according to each relief center's needs.
On May 27th, 2017, Ron Przybylski, owner of the Ronski CHL Course in Waxahachie, TX, held his second RANGE DAY event to raise funds for RAW. This Course is a shooting range for various distance/types of weaponry. The event was sponsored by local businesses...Cotton Patch, Faith Armory, Sonic, and many individuals who donated time and material. Texas Civil Defense, Texas Law Shield, and the local constable participated. It was a day long event with raffles, competitions, and a finale that included blowing up a piano in a very melodic explosion. A fun time was had by all. RAW is extremely grateful for civilians who donate time, and so much energy, to raise donations to help wounded and disfigured veterans. Above are photos of Ron and his shooting range. His website is www.ronskichlcourse.com.
On May 25th Apria Healthcare of Lake Forest, CA. held their annual Memorial Day Company picnic and, once again, honored a RAW wounded veteran. LyVell Gipson with his daughter Atiana and dear friend Alex, spent the day with music, fanfare, a fantastic buffet, and the senior executives of Apria Healthcare. He is shown here with Dan Starck, CEO of Apria Healthcare. They presented LyVell with a check for $2,716.00, the funds made from a pretty sensational, community supported, raffle. Pictured above are LyVell, Alex and Atiana.
Mr. Brown from the American Legion happened to stop by Dr. David Wilhite's office during an initial consult with a new RAW Army Iraq war veteran, Michael Wells. Dr. Wilhite has now surpassed his 50th restoration for RAW veterans. Pictured: Mr. Alton Brown, Dr. David Wilhite, Veteran Michael Wells Chad Hecox, Before & After Chad came to RAW in June of 2015. His restoration was completed by Dr. David Wilhite DDS MAGD, of Plano TX. Chad is one of over 50 RAW veterans that Dsr. Wilhite has treated. Dental restoration is life changing, Chad had infection that needed treatment, extractions, implants, dentures. RAW will be forever grateful to Dr. Wilhite, his wife Nancy (Streak), and his entire staff for their generosity to our veterans who contracted this condition while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Soldier and the Squirrel visited Hesby Oaks Elementary in Encino, CA with an assembly of grades 2-6. Author, Micaela Bensko, Vice President of RAW, spoke followed by RAW's wounded warriors Tony Lino and Paul Mcquigg, reading the story followed by Q&A. The Soldier and the Squirrel introduces our youth to the Purple Heart.
On March 9th, 2017 Murray Ross, past President, delivered a check in the amount of $1,000.00 to RAW. These funds were raised on RAW's behalf at the yearly event held by the CVRC Club in Thermal CA. Hundreds of owners of remote controlled aircraft varying in value from $250 to $7,000.00 demonstrated their skills at high altitude performance. Barrel rolls, stalls, loops etc. were only a few of the maneuvers. We hope to be involved again next year as it was thrilling to watch. On February 17-19, 2017 Coachella Valley Radio Control Club in Thermal, CA will hold an exciting event featuring the finest and fastest model airplanes in CA. These planes cost from $500 to $10,000 and fly up to 280 mph. This event will raise funds for RAW, would love to see you there. Go to www.cvrcclub.com for more information.
On Saturday, November 12th, Altavita sponsored their second RUN FOR RAW in Riverside, CA. to raise donations for RAW's mission. RAW warriors Tony Lino, LyVell Gipson, and Leshonda Gill took part in the event along with over 150 others. Miguel Fausto, Andy Zarate, and Ryan Bennett took the honors of First, Second and Third place finishers. An absolutely perfect day, dozens of volunteers to orchestrate the event, a pancake breakfast and some pretty great raffle items topped off the event. The participation of 67 Cross Country Team members of the CAL H.S. of Whitter was made possible by the sponsorship of Eskaton. A special thanks to Rachel Bramson for organizing this amazing race.
On Oct 28th RAW was one of 4 Sponsors of the annual Halloween Party at Brooke Army Medical Center for all wounded and active veterans and their families. It consisted of face painting, ga mes, haunted house, candy shack, hay rides and a huge barbecue. Over 400 attended with prizes for best costume, two competitors are pictured above. It's a night for children and all adult worries are set aside.
Ben Carson was the guest speaker at the annual Combat Veterans For Congress event held in San Diego. I had the opportunity to meet him and was deeply impressed by his genuine character. Joe Arpaio also attended.
On September 26, Army Veteran Norby Lara was recognized by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, ASPS, at their national convention in Los Angeles, as their nationally selected recipient of the PATIENTS OF COURAGE award. This award is granted to the wounded veteran who has recovered and gone on in his life to give back to his community. Norby has spent the last several years honoring his fallen warriors with bridges and highways named after those who did not come home. Norby was seriously wounded in June of 04 when an RPG struck the humvee he was riding in, his right arm was severed and he suffered extentsive abdominal and lung injuries. He is shown here with Dr. Norman Leaf, Medical Director of RAW, and the doctor who submitted Norby's name to the ASPS for this recognition
RAW is proud to announce that Army veteran Norbie Lara, wounded in Iraq in 2004 resulting in the loss of his right arm as well as major lung and abdominal wounds, has been selected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as one of three Patients of Courage and will be honored at their September 23rd Opening Ceremonies of their yearly convention in Los Angeles. Norbie was selected on the basis of his Triumph Over Adversity and the charitable actions he has taken that have positively influenced lives around him. Norbie has been the incentive for a bridge being named after a fallen hero as well as a highway. He is active in building veteran suicide awareness and Operation Enduring Warrior Athlete. Norbie is a member of the RAW family in that he has received two reconstructive surgeries by RAW's surgeons. Congratulations Norbie.
February 20 was RAW's Night of Honor. Veteran Bryan Anderson was the honoree and the event was attended by many former RAW recipients, emceed by former Dodger first base man and RAW Director, Ron Fairly. Many celebrities and Military "stars" were in attendance including Lt. Col Danny McKnight and Gen Earl Halston and the grand finale was a performance by the Gatlin Bros band. The night was featured next day by a full page report in the Desert Sun. Click here for more highlights!
On June 2nd, 2016, Maggie Lockridge, Pres. of RAW, met with Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald. The meeting was arranged by Congressman Raul Ruiz. It is RAW's hope that the outcome will be the referral to RAW and it's plastic surgeons of all wounded veterans suffering disfiguring wound sites. The VA is excellent with structural and functional surgical reconstruction but is limited on its number of experienced plastic surgeons. This would be an agreement based on national V.A. involvement.
Open House for the Beverly Hills Dental Laboratory, Sam Alawie owner. Sam's new office is 8000 sq ft and has Beverly Hills at its feet. Sam and his technicians make all of the prosthetic teeth for RAW's wounded veterans nationwide. RAW is deeply indebted to him. Pictured above is Ron Fairly, RAW Board of Directors, Sam Alawie, Maggie Lockridge and RAW volunteer dentist Dr Larry Rifkin.
Maggie Lockridge, President of RAW, met General David Petraeus at the Desert Forum Townhall held in March of 2016 at the Esmerelda Hotel, Indian Wells, CA. General Petraeus was the primary speaker that evening and discussed the high and low points of the Iraq war.
On February 11, 2016, Rebuilding America's Warriors received a $75,000.00 donation from NAPE, the world's largest international marketplace for the oil and gas industry. There were 11,000 attendees at this SUMMIT meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston TX. Each year three organizations whose Mission is to better the lives of America's veterans are selected as recipients of this generous gift. Pictured is RAW Board of Director's member Ron Fairly and RAW President and Founder, Maggie Lockridge RN.
In February RAW was the recipient of a welcome donation from NAPE, America's largest oil and gas marketing association. NAPE sponsored the two day expo at which RAW presented a booth to build awareness of its Mission. The exhibit is attended by 60,000 people annually so many brochures were handed out. Mayor Rudy Giuliani was a special guest of this event and is pictured (left) with RAW's Board of Director member Ron Fairly and Maggie Lockridge RN, President.
On December 17th RAW was presented with a Grant from The Allergan Foundation during a Christmas Party at Allergan's Irvine headquarters. It was presented by Gwyn Grenrock, Executive Director of the Foundation, over 1200 were in attendance with full Color Guard. Paul McQuigg, Veteran U.S. Marine Corps and a RAW warrior, also attended with his wife, Holly. Above are Paul, RAW founder Maggie Lockridge and Dr. Norman Leaf, RAW's founding Medical Director.
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers celebrated their 60th Anniversary Celebration with a special appearance at RAW's A NIGHT OF HONOR on Feb. 20th, 2016. They have been dazzling audiences since 1955, had eight #1 songs and were initiated into the Grand Ole Opry. Larry, Steve and Rudy still touch the lives of fans from eight to eighty.
Doctor Gerald Crouch DDS MAGD, of San Antonio, submitted RAW as a recipient of a donation offered yearly by the Academy of General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Crouch provided dental restoration to two of RAW's veterans infected with a bacteria that destroyed their teeth while deployed to Iraq. His services were pro-bono to our veterans and altered the paths of their lives. Dr. Crouch is shown accepting a check in the amount of $1,500.00 on RAW's behalf at a monthly meeting.