Greenwood Marine launches charity to help wounded vets
5 July, 2007 04:20 AM EDT |
Greenwood - On Independence Day, we celebrate not only the birth of our country but also the ideals for which we stand. They're the ideals embodied by an Indiana Marine, wounded in war, who's now helping other injured veterans.
At first glance, you may see imperfection in Corporal Klay South's face. But look deeper, and you'll find the honor, strength and dedication to duty of a near perfect patriot.
"You sign up for the Marine Corps, sign up for the military, any branch of service and you know there's always a chance that you're going to put your life on the line," said South.
Corporal Klay South knows a lot about sacrifice. The 30-year-old Marine, who grew up in Greenwood and chose to serve his country twice in Iraq was also twice wounded in battle. Klay's second tour of duty in 2004 nearly took his life.
"I kicked open a door and was met by gunfire. As I was exiting the room, an insurgent came around the corner and shot me multiple times," he said. "Pretty much took out 22 of my teeth, my jaw was dismantled. It was gone. My tongue was pretty much destroyed."
His injuries required dozens of surgeries, that for most would injure not only the body, but the spirit. But Klay South didn't retreat.
"There's two ways to look at it. You can either sink or swim and I don't want to sink, and I survived so much, I know there's a purpose in life for me," he said.
Klay has created a non-profit charity to help wounded military service members. The charity, called Veterans of Valor, is a way to help soldiers and Marines who deal with the sudden, traumatic transition from the combat zone.
"They deserve the best and they're gonna get the best," said Klay.
Through donations, Klay plans to send backpacks to the wounded "and in those backpacks they have iPods, portable PlayStations."
Another goal of Veterans of Valor is granting wounded warriors a wish similar to the Make a Wish Foundation.
"If he wants to go to DisneyWorld, deep sea fishing, diving, skydiving, we're going to make it happen," said South.
Klay also wants to create a resort for recovering service members, all ambitious goals, but South says they are all achievable. "You don't see too many Marines who don't succeed in life so we're going to make sure we get this, it's going to go off and running."
To help kick-start donations, Klay South, along with family and friends, is hosting a benefit on Saturday, August 4th at the Moose Lodge in Greenwood.
www.veteransofvalor.com