Donations of Private Flight Time Urgently Needed to Help Four Disabled Vets

Through its ShairGive program, Shaircraft Solutions, a private aviation law and consulting firm, working with the U.S. Veterans Administration and the Professional Golf Association’s First Tee Program, is seeking donations of flight time on private aircraft to help four visually impaired disabled veterans participate in the National Veterans TEE (Training, Exposure and Experience) Golf Tournament in Riverside Iowa, September 6 – 9, 2010.

The four veterans in need—David Zang (Navy), Michael Smith (Army), Ronald Cody (Marines) and Joseph Taylor (Marines), combined, have served our country for over 36 years, from Vietnam through the Gulf War. Each has been selected to participate, along with 200 other veterans, in the Tee Tournament because they have excelled in completing the Blind Rehabilitation Training Program offered by the Veterans Administration.

These wounded warriors suffer substantial visual impairment as well as other debilitating conditions that include prostate and bladder cancer and melanoma, severe arthritis and the effects of a stroke. Yet, they have persevered and continue to work toward regaining a full and active lifestyle.

Unfortunately, commercial air travel from Florida to the Tee Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa involves time consuming and arduous connections that, due to their respective disabilities, make the trip impossible for these heroes. Shaircraft is asking the private aviation community to step up and donate a flight on September 6, 2010 from West Palm Beach, Florida to Iowa City, Iowa and a return flight on September 10, 2010.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to demonstrate, if only in a small way, the respect we have for these fine servicemen,” says CEO, James D. Butler. Shaircraft works pro bono with donors and charities to help facilitate charitable contributions of flight time on private aircraft.

Time is short. If you are able to help, please contact James D. Butler at (301) 652-9885 or jbutler@shaircraft.com.

Quotes from the veterans themselves:

“My Blind Rehabilitation Center experience was a life changing event. Prior to…[it], I was embarrassed and reclusive regarding my vision impairment – attempted to hide…it. Being at the BRC gave me the confidence to know that regardless of how my condition may progress, I will be able to live a full and happy life…Now, just having my white cane with me at all times, provides me an incredible level of confidence, pride and comfort. No limitations – and it just keeps getting better and better every day. My attendance at the [Tee Tournament] will be yet another boost to…regain confidence and the ability to once again share with others how wonderful it is to excel regardless of our ‘bumps in the road.’”

“My visual disability is quite rare and a prognosis is not possible…With my wife not very mobile, and me not being able to drive, I have been too sedentary and not out and about as I use to be…I think this will be very positive for my psyche and a chance to shine in competitions and participations which are more often lost in my past.”

More information about the Tee Tournament is available at http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1940.