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<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
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<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
color=#0000ff>Ladies and Gentlemen,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
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<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff>We
have a confirmed mission to escort Army SSG Jay Wilkerson, a combat veteran
severely wounded in Iraq who many of you may have heard of via media stories
about, from DFW airport to a motel in Arlington when he and his caretaker arrive
on October 16, 2008. He has chosen the Dallas/Fort Worth area in which to
make a home for him and his two dependent children. The Dalworthington
Gardens Police Department will be providing escort services along the entire
route and we have been asked to welcome him here and be involved in the
escort also. Our own Tony Dukes personally knows SSG Wilkerson and
has helped us in these arrangements. His flight should be coming in around
mid-day but further information will be forthcoming as the mission nears.
Below is a brief bio. on SSG Wilkerson and I'm sure additional info. can be
gained via the internet. Please stand by for additional information as we
welcome this man, who has chosen our home as the place to make his
own.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
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<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
color=#0000ff>Steve Lucas</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><SPAN lang=EN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=176443305-05102008><SPAN lang=EN>Jay Wilkerson is a Staff
Sergeant in the U.S. Army, a veteran of the war in Iraq. A career military man,
Jay served ten years in the U.S. Navy before joining the Army Reserves. When his
unit was called to active duty in 2005, he deployed to Iraq, where he completed
more than 800 missions as part of a convoy group called the 'Rough
Riders.'</DIV>
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<P>On the morning of March 28, 2006, while traveling on a heavily-contested
stretch of road outside Fallujah, Jay's convoy was ambushed by insurgents. Jay's
humvee was rocked by an explosion, but they were able to maneuver the up-armored
vehicle through the blast to safety. On the return leg of that same mission, his
convoy was attacked again. Two rocket-propelled grenades slammed into the Staff
Sergeant's humvee, demolishing the vehicle, killing the Soldier next to him, and
leaving Jay with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), a C-5 spinal fracture and
numerous other injuries to the left side of his face and body.</P>
<P>Jay's path toward recovery has been long and arduous, and it continues to
this day as he struggles to reclaim and redefine his life in the wake of his
injuries. Jay was awarded 2 Purple Heart medals in April of 2006 for the
injuries he sustained and on September 6, 2007, he was awarded the Bronze Star
for meritorious service in Iraq. His story and the tale of his physical and
emotional ordeal have been featured on national television news programs and
several documentaries, including James Gandolfini's HBO special, 'Alive Day
Memories: Home from Iraq.' </P>
<P>Jay is now looking toward his retirement years. He is actively looking for a
home that will meet not only his physical needs, but also the needs of his two
dependent children. After months of researching properties throughout the United
States, SSG Wilkerson is convinced that Texas will become his new home of
record.</P>
<P>SSG Jay Wilkerson has served as a warrior in uniform - serving his country
proudly. Today, he is still a warrior - fighting to regain as much use of his
body and mind as he can. Beyond both, he is a man in search of meaning. This is
his journey… </P></SPAN></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>