Freedom to ‘Just B’ a kid Partnership helps military, veteran kids attend special camp By Janice M. Hagar T From left: Austin and Alex share a mutual bond of friendship welve-year-old Cole struggles with some personal and love of canoeing at Camp Corral. issues often intensified by his father’s traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. the injuries they sustained, and in some cases, the But for one week each year, Cole, whose dad served lives they gave for our safety and freedom,” said in the Army and National Guard for 27 years before Leigh Longino, CEO of Camp Corral. “These young being medically retired in 2012, has a chance to push children have seen more stress, anxiety and heartache those struggles behind and simply be a kid by enjoying than most. We are tremendously grateful to DAV for the thrills of summer at Camp Corral. their continuous support. We can’t take away all their Like Cole, thousands of kids will have this challenges, but for one week, they can be happy and opportunity as the 2019 Camp Corral season kicks off. carefree children at camp.” These children, most from families with parents who are Austin’s father was in the Army until he injured his wounded, ill, injured or fallen, will spend a week enjoying back. Things at home can be stressful at times, but Camp the great outdoors and Corral provides Austin with “We can’t take away all their fun and camaraderie. summer camp activities— all at no cost to their families “My favorite thing is challenges, but for one week, thanks to DAV’s Just B Kids canoeing,” said Alex. “We they can be happy and scholarship program. team up with campers from “When our nation sends carefree children at camp .” different cabins, so it’s a way our men and women off —Leigh Longino, CEO of Camp Corral to meet even more kids just to war, the experience is like me.” shared by their families. The goal of this program is to Last year, Alex attended his second camp. Both of recognize the sacrifices children make,” said National his parents are Marine veterans, and he’s experienced Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Camp Corral gives our kids the stress of moving and being separated from them a great time while connecting them with others who because of deployments. understand what they are going through.” “My dad has been to more countries than he has Golden Corral, which initially founded Camp states,” said Alex. “I like being around kids from other Corral, shares DAV’s commitment to veterans and military families, and every year I look forward to seeing families. Each year, all Golden Corral restaurants my friends from last year and making new ones. across the nation help to fundraise in support of Camp “I love everything about camp,” he added. “Except Corral and in 2018, DAV departments and chapters the mosquitos.” ■ and the DAV Auxiliary raised more than $700,000 Learn More Online to help fund the scholarship program. To learn more about Camp Corral or DAV’s Just B “I have met thousands of children who so proudly Kids scholarship, visit justbkids.org. talk about their parents, the sacrifices they made, DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 31
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Freedom to ‘Just B’ a kid
Janice M. Hagar
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