Coalition Donors Save Wounded Hero Drowning in Debt

Sgt. James Sides, U.S. Army (Ret.) made it back from Iraq in one piece, but just barely.

While stationed in Iraq in May of 2003, James was flying over the Tigris River in Baghdad in a helicopter when it crash landed into the Tigris River.  James was under water for nearly 10 minutes before he was rescued.  Sgt. Sides suffered three strokes and countless bruises to his brain. His right arm was broken and his right lung collapsed.

After he returned to the United States, his massive wounds forced James Sideshim to accept a medical retirement. Like so many severely wounded veterans, James was unable to work due to his injuries.  The bills piled up quickly and it became hard just to put food on the table for his family of five.

Eventually, he had to move in with his parents to save money.  As you can imagine, the stress of dealing with his terrible injuries and specter of looming debt hanging over his head took a toll on his family. 

That’s when Sgt. Sides connected with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes.  Coalition staffers swiftly stepped in and rushed emergency aid to the overwhelmed family.
Thanks to Coalition donors, CSAH was able to pay some the family’s overdue bills and provide them with basic necessities like groceries. 

“The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes is a great organization, and can help when you think it all is over,” James says. “Every need I had, they were able to help with, and I am so thankful.”

The Sides family was also invited to attend the annual Road to Recovery Conference in Orlando, which welcomes over 100 severely wounded troops and their families.  While visiting Disney World, James and his young boys were able to escape the everyday stress that had become part of their lives. For the first time since before his injuries, James was able to relax among fellow wounded troops and enjoy the happiness this vacation brought to his sons.

“The Road to Recovery Conference is a great memory for me and my boys,” James said.  “My sons still talk about that amazing trip to Disney World and how great it was to be with their Dad again.”  

Today, James is working on buying a house, and thanks to the financial and emotional support CSAH provided, he believes that he will be able to provide rebuild his life and provide everything his family will need.

“Coalition donors should be proud of the help they rushed to a brave soldier like James Sides,” said Coalition Executive Director Tom Palma.  “However, there are hundreds other heroes who are in desperate financial trouble due to the wounds they suffered defending this country who are still waiting for your help.” he concluded.

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