Last week’s article on the wounded soldier being welcomed to Danville did not tell the whole story. This scholarship program started by Mike Conklin and his Sentinels of Freedom is unique in the United States, and they are beginning to help other communities that want to follow their lead.
The program finds a badly injured soldier who does not otherwise have a comprehensive support system and arranges a scholarship to give him the extra boost he may need while he copes with his serious injuries. The scholarship includes a home for a few years, a job opportunity, a vehicle and the chance to further his education. They also become his mentors, and friends, to help him enter the community as a productive and welcome member. “We don’t push them, we don’t pull them,” says Conklin. “If they stumble, we’re there for them.” About six people have stepped forward to mentor Joey Bozik, who will be moving to Danville in June with his wife Jayme.
Conklin said he’s been told by folks at the Pentagon that his program is the only one of its type in the whole country. He is seeking funding to share his knowledge with others who are interested, noting the beauty of it is each community raises money for each soldier and finds a church or group such as the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley to be a trustee for funds. This way the soldier truly becomes a part of that community, with an instant network of people who know his name.
The war in Iraq has resulted in about 500 amputees at this point, Conklin said. His group has so far been instrumental in giving a new start to three of them here in the San Ramon Valley, and by going national with its program other communities will be helping even more. The Sentinels of Freedom should be proud of themselves – we sure are.
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