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FUND GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.

North Carolina Heroes’ Fund, Inc.

 

SGT Tyson Villarreal
Charlotte

SGT Tyson Villarreal is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and currently attached to the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.  Prior to deployment, SGT Villareal was attending Johnson & Wales University studying culinary arts in Charlotte. In addition to carrying a rifle while overseas, SGT Villarreal was also able to put his cooking skills to use in the dining halls of Iraq. Scheduled to rotate home this month, the North Carolina Heroes Fund is pleased to be providing SGT Villarreal with a scholarship to assist him as he returns to Johnson & Wales University next semester.		 SGT Tyson Villarreal  
   

Jaasmin Hunte
Raleigh 

Jaasmin Hunte of Raleigh is the North Carolina Heroes Fund’s first scholarship recipient. Jaasmin is the daughter of Deryck Hunte who has served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 22 years.  He has served in the Gulf, Korea, Singapore, Japan and is currently in Bitburg, Germany. Jaasmin and her three younger sisters have sacrificed being so far from their father, so much of their lives. Jaasmin’s scholarship will assist her next year as she enters her sophomore year in college. In her first semester, she earned a 4.0 GPA. 		 Jaasmin Hunte 
   

SGT Noble Salerno
Fayetteville

SGT Noble Salerno was a Ft. Bragg soldier who served two tours overseas, deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  During these deployments, he sustained a severe hip injury when crushed by a Humvee.  SGT Salerno also suffered from Leishmaneisis, which is a skin disorder that is usually transmitted by mosquitoes and sand-fleas. Sgt Salerno, his wife and two daughters now live in Fayetteville. 		 SGT Noble Salerno 
   

SSG Derek Drew

Goldsboro , North Carolina

SSG Derek Drew enlisted in the United States Army in 1998 and served honorably for 9 ½ years. His most recent assignment was as an artillery non-commissioned officer with the 1st Armor Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas. SSG Drew served two tours of duty in Iraq. In his most recent tour, SSG Drew was injured in IED explosion in Taji, Iraq in November 2005. In the explosion, his leg was crushed just above the knee. The doctors were able to save the leg, but it no longer functions properly. His foot was broken in several places, and he is unable to bend his foot or his toes. He also suffered a hand injury and lost a knuckle in the same explosion. SSG Drew is being medically retired from the Army with a partial disability, and he and his wife are now living with his parents in Goldsboro, North Carolina. As has occurred with many recovering soldiers, his extended time of recovery at Walter Reed Army Hospital put a strain on his financial condition. In addition, The Drews – Derek, his wife and two children - are searching for a house in Goldsboro with a first floor master that can accommodate a handicap shower as his new condition makes a challenge of otherwise routine activities. The North Carolina Heroes’ Fund was pleased to be able to help SSG Drew ease the burden of his recovery.

 

 

SSG Derek Drew
SSG Derek Drew and his wife spent a lot of time in the Washington area while he was recovering at Walter Reed Army Hospital. On one of the better days of his recovery, the Drews were able to take in a Washington Nationals game.

 

PFC Owen Finley

Carthage , North Carolina

The Vietnam Veterans of America organization has a motto: "Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another." In that spirit Joe Kristek, president of VVA Chapter 966 in Moore County, contacted The North Carolina Heroes Fund on behalf of Owen Finley.

 

PFC Finley served as a door gunner on a Huey Helicopter as part of the 1st Calvary Division, 2nd Battalion, 94th Artillery Regiment during Vietnam in 1968.

 

The North Carolina Heroes’ Fund thanks all of its heroes – those who served in the current conflicts as well as those who served in the past.


Lt. Ed Salau

New Bern , North Carolina

Ed Salau of New Bern , NC , spent 12 years as an active duty marine, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, he wanted to continue his service to his country so he joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in 2000.  He spent ten months in Iraq in 2004 serving with the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 30th Brigade Combat Team.

 

While on a mission near Forward Operation Base Bernstein, in the Northern Sallah-Dinh Province near Tuz , Iraq , the platoon that Lt. Salau was commanding was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the side of his Bradley Fighting Vehicle and blew off the armor plating. A second RPG hit the vehicle in the exact same location. The explosion seriously wounded Lt. Salau as well as Sgt. Andy Butterfield of Durham . Both soldiers lost their legs as a result.

 

His time away, as well as the injuries he incurred while in Iraq , put a strain on his marriage and he divorced soon after returning from Iraq . The injury, as well as the divorce, added to some of the financial challenges he faced upon returning to North Carolina . In addition, Lt. Salau has followed his heart in his post-military career as he works full-time on the staff for a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping veterans. Anyone who has ever worked with non-profits knows that this is not a lucrative “business” to be in, but Lt. Salau does not do it for the money, but to help those military folks who need the help.

 

Lt. Salau now lives in New Bern , NC , staying close to his son Ethan, 14, and daughter Kelli, 16. In addition, he actively participates in veteran’s organizations helping other vets cope with injuries and challenges. We thank Ed Salau and all of our service men and women for their service! The North Carolina Heroes’ Fund is pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to Lt. Salau as he has helped so many others.

 

Lt. Ed Salau of New Bern, with his son Ethan, competing in the Reindeer Dash for Cash 5k race which raises money annually for a scholarship fund set up in the name of Capt. Christopher S. Cash, who was killed in action in Iraq. Capt Cash and Lt. Salau served together in the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment.
1st Lt. Ed Salau of New Bern and SGT Andy Butterworth of Durham who were injured when two rocket propelled grenades hit their Bradley Fighting Vehicle  
1st Lt. Ed Salau of New Bern and SGT Andy Butterworth of Durham who were injured when two rocket propelled grenades hit their Bradley Fighting Vehicle
 
Lt. Ed Salau of New Bern, with his son Ethan, competing in the Reindeer Dash for Cash 5k race which raises money annually for a scholarship fund set up in the name of Capt. Christopher S. Cash, who was killed in action in Iraq. Capt Cash and Lt. Salau served together in the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment.

 

 

North Carolina Heroes Fund, Inc.
P. O. Box 652
Pineville, NC USA 28134
email:  info@ncheroes.org
A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization

 


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