Brandon Walden, the Penn Valley Wounded Warrior's Fundraiser Tonight

Source: TheUnion

Friends of the Nevada County Military sent out a notice a while back to all of us members regarding a upcoming fundraiser for Brandon.  I try to go to these to show my support for the brave young men and women fighting for our country whenever I can.  Brandon was severely wounded in Afghanistan.  The Territorial Dispatch in announcing the fundraiser said this,

"Brandon Walden, U.S.Army SPC, was injured in the line of duty. While serving with NATO’s International Security Assistance Forces in Wardak province in Afghanistan (south of the capital of Kabul), he was hit by three bullets. Brandon has and will undergo procedures to repair the massive damage and will be hospitalized for several weeks, followed by 6-12 months of rehab. He’s being treated in Texas, and his family here in Penn Valley is travelling to Texas to support him."

 

I decided to attend as I said and I emailed a bunch of my friends and asked them to also go.  Well I got there about 5:45 PM at the Tack Room and the placed was packed.  The line went all the way through the place and almost out the door.  There were folks of all ages.  Many Tea Party Patriots were there and Nancy Garcia, the President of the local Tea Party was in attendance too.  I saw Kim Pruett, Russ Steele and George Rebane and their wives.  I saw Carol from my days at the Board of Supervisors.  I saw Steve Sharsmitt from high school and many more local friends and neighbors.  It was great! The fundraiser was set to go from 5-8 PM and the amount of spaghetti and meat sauce was undoubtedly enormous!  It sure tasted good. 

What a Hoot!

If I was to guess about the attendance number I would say while I was there about two hundred folks were there.  Many had eaten and left and as I said, may were arriving when I left at 6:45 PM.  They had raffle tickets for sale and the table of items was varied and fun.  Here is a gift, a homemade wind chime.

During the wait in line the Tack Room had set up a large screen TV with a direct video and audio feed to the hospital room where Brandon is recovering.  As we all filed by he could see us and we could see him in real time.  There was a microphone available and many of the folks, young and old, chatted with him.  He looked really glad to see everyone.  He did look a bit uncomfortable laying in the hospital bed but he was a good sport.  Here is a phone shot I took as I passed on by the TV

Brandon Walden on a live feed

If anyone reading this wants to help Brandon and his family, here is a copy of the little flyer passed around to everyone there.  Please consider a donation to help Brandon Walden and his family.  That is the least any of us can do..