BlackFive

[Please read the entire post as more options are developing to help Sergeant Bozik]

Sergeant Joseph Bozik, an Airborne Soldier with the 118th MP Company (Airborne) from Ft. Bragg, was recently wounded. He has lost both legs and an arm from a landmine, is not not conscious and has many medical complications. On Monday, Sergeant Bozik will be flown into Walter Reed from Landstuhl (Germany).

Unfortunately, the family doesn't have enough money to maintain themselves in a hotel (let alone buy food) for an extended period. The Army paid for airfare for 2 family members and Soldiers' Angels paid for airfare for 2 two more. The Angels can cover hotel expenses for only three days. Fisher House is full so they have to stay at a hotel.

We need your help. You can donate directly to a fund set up to assist the family with caring for Joe. You can send donations to the address or call the phone number below.

SGT Bozik Fund
c/o Centura Bank
ATTN Aiko Raynor
14615 US HWY 17 PO BOX 74
HAMPSTEAD NC 28443

910 772 8930

---

Update 10-31-04: Kelly the Patriette is connected to this story and has an article link about Sergeant Bozik. Be sure to read the link.

“He felt like he was doing the right thing,” she said. “If that meant risking his life to save millions more, he was going to do it.”

Thanks to bloggers Kelly, Fred and Michelle for linking to this call for help. Also, thanks to Sergeant Stryker (Timmer), Rick Brady, Frank J., and SlagleRock.

---

Update 2 10-31-04: I've had a lot of requests to donate via Paypal. Until I can find out more (whether the bank will take a credit card donation), I am a little hesitant to put up a Donation Button. If on Monday, Centura Bank will take a credit card/debit card donation, I might put up a Paypal link.

In order to provide transparency, I am thinking of copying Soldiers' Angels on the transactions so there would be a third party involved (donor-me-SA then the bank). Ideas?

---

Update 3 10-31-04: Patti of Soldiers' Angels set up a link to a paypal donation page - and, since SA is a non-profit, it's tax deductible!

DONATE!

I just sent a donation via the PayPal link. It took about 45 seconds. Please, continue to spread the word about this chance to help a wounded soldier.

---

Update 4 10-31-04: Wow, just wow! I want to thank the following people that were the FIRST INTO THE BREACH! The first to use the Soldiers' Angels Paypal link. Thank you so much from me and the Angels.

Paul
Gregory
Julia
Kelli
Gay and Dave
Donna
Mary

You all have made a difference!

---

Update 11-01-04: Here's an update from Sgt. Bozik's future Brother-In-Law, Brian Peters who includes an address to send cards and letters:

First, thank you all for your concern and getting the word out about Joey. He is a great guy – a soldier and a gentleman. My sister, Jayme, first “met” Joey when a mutual friend suggested that she write Joey while he was serving in Afghanistan. The two of them exchanged many letters, emails, and calls before they ever met. When I first met Joey, I knew they would be great together, and that I would be honored to have him as a brother-in-law should they get married. However, it was not long before duty called again, and Joey was deployed to Iraq.

I last saw Joey a few weeks ago, in September when he was home for a brief period of leave in September. Joe served as an MP and one of his many duties was patrolling the roads to find the home-made explosive devices that insurgents placed in or alongside the roads, and finding the responsible parties, who were frequently waiting nearby to detonate it. He had pictures of some of the devices, buried in or alongside the road. Had he not pointed them out in the picture I never would have seen them. They have a difficult and dangerous job there, and I have nothing but respect for him and the men and women who are still serving there.

I spoke with Jayme this evening. She is in DC with Joe’s family, where they are all currently “living” in a hotel waiting to see Joe. He should be returning to the US on Monday. Soldier’s Angels has been there, helping Jayme and the Bozik family, thanks to the support of your readers. She was unaware of the account at Centura Bank, but understandably there has been a lot going on, so she may not have gotten word yet. She did pass on the following information that I would like to share with your readers.

Bryan Peters

I believe the first fund was set up by the Army/Family Readiness Group in support of Sgt. Bozik's mother.

I'll try to get more information soon.

---

Update 11-02-04: Pictures and updates information are here.