Thursday, April 23, 2009

American Legion Post 162 supports WTU

By Andrew Sharbel
Staff writer

After retiring from active duty, Lt. Col. Charles Voccio, and his wife, Helen, have devoted a lot of time to planning activities, benefits and other events for wounded Soldiers and their families. As members of American Legion Post 162 of Lorton, Va., Voccio has successfully introduced a Wounded Warrior Program to show Fort Belvoir’s wounded Soldiers and their families how much the community appreciates all they do.

Since July, each month Warrior in Transition Unit Soldiers and their families from Fort Belvoir have been treated to brunch at a local restaurant. The Voccios began working with wounded Soldiers about four years ago. Then, they traveled to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit them. But, due to the distance, they were unable to make it up there as much as they wanted.

Voccio said they were able to continue their work when Belvoir started its Warrior in Transition Unit.

“We started this program when the Warrior in Transition Unit came here to Fort Belvoir to see what we could do for the Soldiers and their families in the local community,“ Voccio said. “So, my wife and I established a little program to solicit restaurants in the local area to provide meals and we pick up the tab.

“The area has been very cooperative. On Sunday, we had brunch at the Fireside Grill (in Lorton, Va.) and were able to have 16 Soldiers and their families attend,“ Voccio said.

Voccio added that many restaurants in the Lorton area have been very accommodating and have been essential to the success of the program. Some of these are Vinny’s Grill and Pizzeria, Glory Days Grill, Fireside Grill, Domino’s and Papa John’s.

“We try to have each restaurant hold a function once a month to keep the burden on them light,“ Voccio said. “So far each of these restaurants has been fantastic.“
Voccio points out the main goal of the program is to show the community’s gratitude for each Soldier’s service.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to offer them three-day fishing trips or give them big electronic devices, but we can provide them with love and a great deal of respect from the local community.“ Voccio said. “So far, it is working.“

The Belvoir Soldiers and Family Assistance Center has been extremely happy with the program and its effect on the WTU.

“It is an outstanding program,“ SFAC Human Resources Coordinator Tim Grayson said. “We push it with the Soldiers, because people like Chuck and Helen want to show you that other people in the community want to give back and understand the sacrifices these Soldiers have made.“

This Certificate was presented to Fireside Grill