Christmas Dream Comes True for Wounded Warrior: Tulsa’s Aviation Community is Helping
December 15, 2010
Tulsa, OK -- PFC Tim Hall, an American soldier who was critically wounded in a mortar attack in Afghanistan on June 9th, 2010, is getting his Christmas wish this year. On Dec. 18th, he is being transported from Walter Reed Hospital to his home in Hawthorne, NV for the holidays, with a stop in Tulsa, thanks to coordination by Air Compassion for Veterans, FedEx, and two local Tulsa companies, Omni Air Transport and AeroCare Medical Transport.
During combat in Afghanistan, PFC Hall lost both legs and part of his pelvic bone. He is regaining use of his arms and has had internal injuries that are successfully being treated. Every day is a fight for him as he also suffers a degree of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and possible Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
PFC Hall was awarded the Purple Heart and an American flag from Sen. John Ensign on July 31. PFC Hall has had many distinguished visitors including the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States, but hometown visitors are what give him the biggest lift. PFC Hall’s mother, Tammy Hamrey said that the only thing her son wants for Christmas is to celebrate it at home in Hawthorne with family and friends. Usually, ACV provides flights for wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members by providing them with tickets on commercial airlines. However, PFC Hall’s critical and extensive injuries require that he remain prone on the flight via the services of a private air ambulance or private corporate jet.
The Omni Air Transport Lear Jet, along with a medical crew from AeroCare Medical Transport will depart from Washington DC’s Dulles airport Saturday morning. PFC Hall will also be accompanied by his father Russ Hall. The flight will be landing in Tulsa at approximately 12 noon for re-fueling at Omni Air Transport, 3303 North Sheridan Road, Tulsa, on its way to Hawthorne, NV, arriving there around 2:00 PM. Reporters & photographers are welcomed.
PFC Hall was stationed at the Naval Air Station Fallon before he was assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion out of Bamburg, Germany. He was critically injured in a mortar attack in Afghanistan on June 9th, 2010. Hawthorne’s Lahontan Valley News wrote this poignant comment, “There's no sugarcoating the ugliness of war. Whether our men and women are fighting in the hot, dry deserts of Iraq or in the mountains of Afghanistan, they are putting their lives at risk…all to protect the freedom we are blessed with in America. Americans may not agree on the war efforts in Iraq or Afghanistan, but we can never forget the great sacrifices that are being made by those in uniform.”
When the ugly side of war hit close to home as it did with PFC Hall, his home town came together to support the family. They are planning a huge welcoming home celebration on December 18th . Hawthorne with its population of approximately 3,000, bills itself as the one of the most patriotic communities in the United States. Showing their true colors, most of Hawthorne will be there as PFC Hall arrives on his home coming ACV flight. The celebration will continue for PFC Hall and his family until he boards his returning ACV flight back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC on approximately January 5, 2011.
Omni Air Transport and AeroCare Medical Transport, a Zuni Tribal Corporation, are the two Tulsa-based businesses who are donating the use of the aircraft, aircraft personnel, all medical services and medical personnel. FedEx is donating the fuel for the flight.
Contact: Angela Hall, 918-832-7100, ahall@amti.us
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