AMERICAN WAR HEROES BIO

SGT. BRIAN WILHELM WHILE ON PATROL ON OCTOBER 27^TH, 2003 IN BALAD, IRAQ WHEN HIS THREE VEHICLE CONVOY CAME UNDER FIRE WITH A VOLLEY OF RPG's.  HE WAS HIT IN THE LEFT LEG JUST BELOW THE KNEE. EVEN THOUGH HE WAS BLEEDING PROFUSELY AND THERE WERE ONLY A FEW TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS CONNECTING HIS LEFT LEG, HE CONTINUED TO RETURN FIRE FOR 31 MINUTES BEFORE HE COULD BE RESCUED. HE WAS IMMEDIATELY AIRVAC TO GERMANY.  THREE DAYS LATER WAS FLOWN TO WALTER REED HOSPITAL WHERE DOCTORS TRIED TO SAVE HIS LEG.  HE WAS ADVISED IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE YEARS OF SURGERY WITH NO GUARANTEES HE WOULD EVER WALK AGAIN.  BRIAN IS AN ATHLETE.  HE WANTED TO NOT ONLY WALK AGAIN-BUT RUN. 

Spec. Anthony Bentley; On January 29, 2006 at 0935 the humvee he was riding in ran over a road side bomb flipping the vehicle over three times.  Anthony was crushed under the vehicle causing severe injuries to his spinal cord.

He was immediately flown to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany where he underwent emergency surgery that day.  He was flown to Walter Reed on January 31^st.  His mother, Genevieve was flown to Walter Reed on February 1, 2006 where she stayed by his bedside for 38 days before they were both sent to the Hunter Homes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond to begin rehabilitation.  Spec. Bentley developed a blood clot that had moved to his hip which required another emergency surgery.  On March 16, 2006 they were both flown to Long Beach Spinal Cord Rehab Center in California where he remains today.  The good news is he is starting to get some sensation in his legs and able to move his toes slightly.

SSG. SCOTT GARDNER IS MARRIED TO TAMI AND HAS TWO CHILDREN AMBER (9), ANTONIO (7). HE ENTERED THE ARMY IN AUGUST 2003.  IN WESTERN IRAQ ON OCT 14, 2003 HE WAS MOVING TANKS, BRADLEYS, AND OTHER TRACKED VEHICLES BETWEEN OPERATIONS BASES.  ON HIS THIRD TRIP OF THE DAY HIS FOUR VEHICLE CONVOY WAS AMBUSHED BY INSURGENTS WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE AND RPGS.  HIS VEHICLE RECEIVED FOUR HITS AND HE TOOK A 7.62 ROUND INTO HIS LEFT THIGH WHICH SHATTERED HIS LEFT FEMUR.  HE HAD SURGERY IN ALASAS , IRAQ AND SPENT AN ADDITIONAL 20 DAYS IN SPECIAL ARMY HOSPITALS.  HE JUST RECENTLY WAS ADVISED THAT HIS INJURIES ARE PERMANENT AND ANY ADDITIONAL SURGERY WOULD ONLY CAUSE MORE DAMAGE THAN GOOD.  HE WAS AWARDED THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART. HIS GRANDFATHER CLINTON GARDNER ALSO RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART DURING WWII.

SGT MARTIN FLORES MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN 18, 9 & 7. HE ENTERED THE ARMY IN 1991.  HE HAS DONE 6 TOURS OF DUTY INCLUDING GERMANY , TWO IN KOREA , CUBA AND IRAQ . IT WAS IRAQ WHERE HE WAS INJURED.  HE WAS HIT WITH SHRAPNEL FROM A MORTAR ROUND WHICH ENTERED HIS ABDOMEN ON THE RIGHT AND EXITED HIS BACK.  HE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIS INTESTINES; HIS RIGHT PELVIC BONE WAS SHATTERED INTO SEVEN DIFFERENT PIECES AND MAJOR TISSUE DAMAGE TO HIS BACK.  HE HAS UNDERGONE DIFFERENT SURGERIES TO HELP REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGE.  HE HAS RECEIVED FIVE ARMY COMMENDATIONS MEDALS, FOUR ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS, FOUR GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS, TWO NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDALS, GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR EXPEDITIONARY MEDALS, KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, TWO MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATIONS AND THE PURPLE HEART.                    

PFC JESSE MERCER SINGLE.  HE ENTERED THE ARMY IN JAN. 2004.  HE RETURNING FROM RECON WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A ROADSIDE BOMB IN FALLUJAH ON NOV 15, 2004 .  HE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIS FACE AND WRIST.  HE WAS AWARDED THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMBAT, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL, EXPEDITIONARY FORCE MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND THE IRAQ COMPANION MEDAL. HE HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR THE PURPLE HEART.

SPC CHRIS BEBO -SINGLE AND IS A NATIVE OF COLORADO .  HE JOINED THE ARMY IN 2001 HE WAS STATIONED IN FT. LEONARDWOOD TO COMPLETED HIS MILITARY POLICE TRAINING.  HE WAS THEN SENT TO FT. CARSON AND THEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ .  HE WAS INJURED ON MAY 1, 2004 ON AN ESCORT OF AMMUNITION.  HE WAS THE DRIVER OF THE LEAD TRUCK WHEN AN IRAQI DUMP TRUCK WAIVED FOR THEM TO PASS.  AS THEY WERE GOING BY THE DUMP TRUCK DRIVER SWERVED INTO THEM CUTTING THEIR UNARMORED HUMMER IN HALF.  HE WAS AIRLIFTED OUT AND FLOWN TO LANDSTUGHI MEDICAL CENTER IN GERMANY .  HE FRACTURED HIS KNEE IN TWO PLACES, FRACTURED HIS HIP, FRACTURED STEP OFFS ON HIS BOTTOM THREE VERTEBRAE, FRACTURED HIS COLLARBONE IN TWO SPOTS AND SUFFERED A SEVERE CONCUSSION CAUSING MEMORY LOSS TO THIS DAY. HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL MEDALS OF HONOR.  HIS GOAL IS TO COMPLETE ALL THE ARMY AND MILITARY POLICE CORPS HAS TO OFFER BY REDEPLOYING TO OPERATION IRAQ IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

SPECIALIST GORDON CAVENDISH HE IS MARRIED TO SAMANTHA AND HAS TWO CHILDREN D.J. (4) AND ANTHONEE (1).  HE JOINED THE ARMY IN OCT 2001 AND DEPLOYED TO IRAQ IN MARCH 2004.  ON NOVEMBER 20, 2004 HE WAS ON SPECIAL MISSION FROM FALLUJAH WITH FOUR OTHER SOLDIERS WHEN A CAR BOMBER INTENTIONALLY RAN HIS CAR INTO THEIR VEHICLE DETONATING A BOMB. HE WAS SEVERELY BURNED WHICH REQUIRED THERAPY TWICE A DAY AT CAMP CUARVO HOSPITAL . HE WAS AWARDED THE ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL, AND THE PURPLE HEART.

JEREMY STAAT, Born in Bakersfield, California, on October 10, 1976, to parents Janet and Harold Staat. There was never a dull moment in my up bringing. I am the middle child of three. My older brother, Harold John Staat is seven years my senior, and my sister Nichole Janel Richeson is two years younger. As a youngster, I was head strong and very strong willed, my philosophy growing up was, if he can do it, I can do it better, even if it was something I didn’t want to do. This type of thinking made me a great competitor in football and track and field, but this mindset also lead me down a path of destruction.

In 1994, I graduated from Bakersfield High School as a four year letterman in football and a three year letterman in Track in field as a thrower of the shot put and discus. As an offensive tackle in football I was fortunate to have been part of several championship teams, I also was awarded many awards as a stand out player. The same is true as a thrower in track and field. As a thrower, I racked up many medals and a state title, and at the same time, I started to lose my identity. I began to conform to the world’s ways of what success was. I begun to drink and party just a little too much.

In 1996, I attended Bakersfield Junior College I chose to go to a junior college instead of a four year school because at seventeen I wasn’t ready to leave home. The outcome of my two year stay at Bakersfield College was the same as my high school stint. I played on two championship teams as well as two state titles in both shot put and discus, as well as a state title in the hammer throw. This was the first time in history that a thrower took all three events in the same year. In the spring of 1996, I was given the opportunity to receive a full ride scholarship to Arizona State University for football.

In the fall of 1996, I met Pat Tillman, as an offensive lineman coming into a defensive scholarship. I knew that I had my work cut out for myself. Not only did I have to learn a new game plan, but also a new position. Going back to the mindset of, if he can do it, I can do it better; this was a task that I knew I could handle. After a Rose Bowl (1997) and a Sun Bowl (1997) appearance and multiple awards throughout the season it was time to move on to the big show, the N.F.L. (National Football League).

In 1998, I was drafted in the second round of the N.F.L. draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This should have been an exciting time for me, but it wasn’t. Most men and young players would say it would be a dream come true to play in the N.F.L., but I saw it differently. With my parents getting ready to go through a divorce, and I was on the other side of the United States, I felt isolated. My family wanted me to stay focused on football, but I felt like I needed to be closer to home to help deal with the situation a hand. I didn’t see the point in football being more important than my family, but the worlds perspective is that money will make any situation better. This was the turning point when I realized there was more to life than football.

At the end of the 2000 season, my contract with the Steelers was up, and I knew that it was time to get closer to my family and girlfriend at the time. Yes, along with family problems I was also having girl problems. The worlds mindset is, hey you got money, get another girl, but in my eyes I knew money can’t buy happiness.

In 2001 the St. Louis Rams, offered me a signing bonus of a couple million dollars, but I turned it down to play for the minimum and with no signing bonus with the Seattle Seahawks. The powers that be decided that I was making too much money and released me. It wasn’t lack of effort on my part, but due to the reality of the business. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t part of a team, and I felt betrayed by a game that I had given so much to.

9/11/2001, I was awaking to the sound of my cell phone ringing. My friend Doug had called to tell me we where under attack. My reaction was, Lets get it on. Upon turning the Television on, I was just in time to witness the second plane smashing into the second tower. I thought to myself, who would be dumb enough to attack us, but the biggest let down was hearing that some of my fellow athletes where more upset that the N.F.L. season was going to be a week longer due to the attacks. At this point, I was ready to enlist, but a good friend of mine, Pat Tillman convinced me otherwise. Pat told me I was too good to give up and that I needed to qualify for my N.F.L. retirement and pension, so I did what seemed right I got back into the N.F.L.

In 2002, I signed with the Oakland Raiders as an offensive guard. Never before played this position I was told by the coaching staff that if I had been drafted by them as an offensive guard I would have been a pro bowler by this point. Believing them as professionals, I soon feel to the almighty cutting block once more. The offensive line coach at the time had recently been given the head coaching job. He told me, I have bigger fish to fry, and that I would be released in August. Once again, I found myself without a team. At this time I also found out that Pat and Kevin Tillman had enlisted with the Army.

In 2003, still looking for the three games I needed to qualify for my retirement I found myself signed with the St. Louis Rams. This time there was no money on the table, just a job opportunity. Once again, the blade that never stops cutting, cut once more. I was told they had, seven million dollars invested in a first round bust, and that they had to go with the man with the money. I found myself on a cross country trip back to Arizona, still looking for the three games. In Nov. of 2003, I received the call to pack up and go back to St. Louis, the rams needed me, mission accomplished I had finally received the three games I was looking for, and I called it a career, the blade would cut for the last time. I soon after this retired from the N.F.L. looking for the next step in life.

In 2004, liking the idea that I had one retirement in the bag, I felt it necessary to work for another retirement. Since all I knew was football I figured the Arena Football League (A.F.L.) would be a great place to start. This took a sudden change when Pat was killed in Afghanistan, I found myself realizing once again there was more to life then a game.
In 2005, with much soul searching and a lot of weight lost I found a team that would never leave my side, The United States Marine Corps. A team of men and women that have joined a blood line that dates back over two hundred and thirty years. They do what they do, not for the love of money, but for the love of country.

PLEASE WELCOME

FIVE OF OUR TRUE AMERICAN WAR HEROES

TO CELEBRITY BARTENDING FUND RAISER

SFC/REAR-D COMMAND SGT MAJOR DAVID GONZALEZ

Married to Christy with four children ranging in age 3months to 17 years!  He has served his Country with tours in Desert Storm, several times in the Middle East, Bosnia twice, Korea, and Iraq!  David was hit with several pieces of shrapnel causing serious wounds to his body as a result of a IED attack and ambush while on Humvee patrol north of Baghdad.  He has been awarded NUMEROUS medals including the BRONZE STAR, MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, and received the PURPLE HEART in January 2004.

SGT CLARK JOHNSON

Married to Shana with four children in age 3 to 14 years old. 

Recently while on a convoy through Iraq his vehicle was hit with an IED resulting to shrapnel wounds to his hands.  SGT Johnson was awarded the PURPLE HEART March 12, 2006.

SGT JASON STOVER

Married to Tiffany with a three year old and a new baby due August 08, 2006.  While on patrol a 82mm mortar hit ten feet in front of him.  He was hit with shrapnel 14 times with 6 pieces lodging in his legs, arm and face.  He was awarded the PURPLE HEART on April 23, 2006.

SGT ROBERT MUNDO

Unfortunately Robert is widowed but has three daughters, JoLyne, Shania, and Katalina.  He was caught in gun fire with the enemy when he was hit in the right leg and groin. He received the CIB Medal and was awarded the PURPLE HEART on March 05, 2006.

PFC JULIAN FREEMAN

Julian is single.  While on foot patrol searching for  enemy snipers he was hit by gunfire in the chest.  He received the PURPLE HEART March 07, 2006.

CORPORAL JACOB SCHICK

Graduated from Coppell High School in Coppell Tx, in 2001, where he was an all state lineman.

HE IMMEDIATELY JOINED THE MARINES IN MAY OF 2001.  AFTER MACHINE GUNNER TRAINING, HE WAS STATIONED IN BOSSIER CITY, LA. THEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ IN OCT 2003. 

ON SEPT 20, 2004, CPL SCHICK WAS DRIVING THE LEAD VEHICLE ON A SECURITY RUN WHEN HIS HUMVEE STRUCK AN ANTI TANK MINE.  THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION DESTROYED HIS VEHICLE.  CPL SHICK SUFFERED NUMEROUS INJURIES INCLUDING AN OPEN FRACTURE OF HIS LEFT TIBIA, BROKEN LEFT ARM WITH EVULSIONS ON THE SAME ARM AND HAND, AND MOST SERIOUSLY, HIS RIGHT FOOT WAS SHATTERED...  CPL SHICK WAS EVACUATED 42 MIN AFTER THE EXPLOSION TO BADDAD VIA A BLACKHAWK HELO WHERE HE UNDERWENT EMERGENCY SURGERY TO AMPUTATE HIS FOOT AND PART OF HIS LEFT HAND.  HE WAS MOVED TO LANDSTUL GERMANY AND FINALLY TO BROOK ARMY MEDICAL CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO WHERE HE WOULD SPEND THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.  SINCE HIS INJURY ON SEPT. 20, 2004 HE HAS UNDERGONE HOURS OF PAINFUL REHABILITATION AND 45 ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS.

CPL SCHICK WAS AWARDED SEVERAL MEDALS FOR HIS SERVICE AND BRAVERY BUT ONE -THE COVETED PURPLE HEART- HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT UNTIL THE REST OF HIS UNIT CAME HOME.  THAT DAY CAME ON MAY 08, 2005 WHEN LT CORNEL MILLER PRESENTED CORPORAL SHICK HIS PURPLE HEART.

HE WAS MEDICALLY RETIRED IN MARCH 2006 AND NOW RESIDES IN BATON ROUGE, LA .

CORPORAL JACOB SCHICK IS THE FIRST MARINE SELECTED TO SERVE ON THE MILITARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR AMERICAN WAR HEROES.