I'm excited to run for Semper Fi & America's Fund, my fundraising story revolves around my Uncle Mike...
One of my closest relatives, Michael A, Chessmore (Mike), was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the US Army as a Sergeant of the Rangers of Company N, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 75th Infantry Division during the early 1970s. As a Ranger, he was a special forces operative gathering intelligence during the pre-satellite era. Often helicoptered and dropped miles behind the active line, Mike and his small team of 3-5 men would stealthily move and sleep in the jungle for 2-4 days while observing enemy activity, in order to keep hundreds of even thousands of their fellow soldiers safe on the front.
On one such excursion, Mike was surrounded under heavy fire. While his comrades had received life threatening wounds, in the face of immanent death, Mike remained vigilant dragging critical wounded to safety. During this firefight, Mike received a gunshot wound to his forearm, but he continued fighting, ultimately helping to save the lives of the men with him. For his bravery, Mike was awarded a Bronze Star for Heroism in Combat and Purple Heart for being Wounded in Action. These medals were after Mike had previously received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for and action which did not require his evacuation from the combat zone.
Following the firefight, Mike was evacuated and transferred stateside to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) on Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio with a wound to his arm, which would leave his fingers permanently useless. However, a doctor at BAMC performed the second ever experimental surgery to split Mike's working tendon for his other fingers. This surgery saved the use of Mike's hand and after months of rehabilitation he was honorable discharged from the Army. Mike had been a mentor for me during my adult life as a man that acted with integrity and took nothing for granted. He sadly passed in February 2021, leaving his widow, Laurie Chessmore, behind.
With that in mind, I want to run in Mike's memory and to honor Laurie. Additionally, I want to run for all our veterans who have the use of their bodies impaired in service of our country. I'm fundraising for America's Fund to support these veterans; I have included more details below.
I'm proudly supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund as a community athlete for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Semper Fi & America's Fund Team.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund is A+ rated from CharityWatch — their highest rating.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund ensures our combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured U.S. service members and military families experience the appreciation and respect of our supporters. Our warriors and their families will achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence in a loving, caring, and committed community and will not be forgotten on their road to recovery and beyond.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund manages and operates diverse, comprehensive programs in the areas of Service Member and Family Support, Transition, and Integrative Wellness through a “needs-based” approach. All grants are delivered through a one-on-one case management relationship, the result of which is life-changing and lifesaving.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund employs a powerful holistic approach, integrating physical, mental, and emotional recovery through powerful therapies and innovative technologies, which most often leads to both healing and post-traumatic growth.
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To date, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has given $327 million in vital and ongoing assistance to over 32,000 service members, veterans, and military families.
Please support our campaign by entering an amount in the "Make a Contribution" box below. If you would like to donate directly to one of our team members, please enter the runner’s name in the “Search” box above.
Thank you for supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund and for helping those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom!
