Air Compassion for Veterans

I was diagnosed with Leukemia on 9/11/01. Being in DC, there were no beds available in DC or NYC. I had to get to M D Anderson in Houston, but didn't know about Mercy Medical/Air Compassion For Veterans. Had I known then, I wouldn't have had to drive, but could have used ACFV. Therefore, I got involved so other vets could be properlytaken care of.

I recently had the opportunity to hear first hand from a wounded Marine Captain the significant impact Air Compassion for Vets made in the lives of him and his family. Suffering from severe PTSD, ACV was able to get him to a treatment center in a different state. This allowed him to get the first class treatment he deserved as well as assist in his reintegration with his family. To see the difference it made for him and family was priceless.

ACV is a dedicated group of people who give back to those who give their all for our country... our service people and their families. I have had the opportunity to hear first hand from service men and women who have benefited from air travel provided by ACV.

The expression compassion, certainly applies to this incredible organization. The dedication of all those involved surpasses any other efforts, certainly from the US Government, to be SURE that these men and women who have given their ALL to serve this country and protect it's citizens are taken care of! Three cheers!

I have flown numerous missions as an ACV mission pilot and can tell you it is most satisfying to fly service men in need to places where they need medical help or to join their loved ones. The most recent memorable ACV mission involved transport a very grateful soldier to a Heros and Halos event in VA Beach in the fall 2009. Eric Edmundson was wounded in Iraq and after he's partial recovery, came to speak at the annual Heros and Halos event in VA Beach. He and particularly has family, were simply amazing a an inspiration to everyone they met

Air Compassion for Veterans, aided my son in getting to places to participate in things from therapeutic activities, to events. Kindness, concern, friendly, respectful. just a few of the words that describe this very necessary organization.

Air Compassion is a great organization dedicated to helping our wounded warriors get transportation to quality medical care. One of the best non-profit orgainizations I know of!

I help with the Air Compassion event at the Virginia Beach Airport every year. It is so rewarding to honor the men and women who serve our country. The leaders and staff of Air Compassion do a wonderful job of taking care of our military and their families in time of need. They are a wonderful group doing a great job!

As the wife of an Angel Flight pilot, I had the honor of participating in ACV's "Halos and Heroes" 2008 fly-in. It was truly an honor to meet and provide tranportation for these wounded warriors from Walter Reed. To listen to their stories, to gain a glimmer of what these soldiers and their families have endured, was inspirational. It was the greatest pleasure to transport just one couple away from the hospital, surgeries, recoveries and rehab requirements for just a few days. Heidi and the crew from ACV are dedicated to arranging whatever is necessary to get our veterans (and their families) transportation for medical services or a simple respite from the long recovery process. Their compassion for our wounded warriors and their passion for the services provided, fundraising, and promoting public awareness (as we first met at the information booths during the Andrews Air Show) are an example to be followed by all. We truly need more people to step up and help out the way these folks do.

I have been involved with Air Compassion for Veterans since it's inception. And while I have not had the need to use their services directly, I have watched the program help thousands of our Wounded Warriors and their families by easing the burden of the costs of flights to their treatment centers, home on leave, and sadly, transporting family members for burial services of their loved ones. ACV has reunited family members with their injured loved one to promote healing and provide support and encouragement. While one soldier had no family, ACV flew his best friend to visit him at Walton Reed Hospital. The stories from the soldiers we have helped are touching and inspirational. We pray that ACV will find the funding to continue their mission.

I am an Angel Flight Pilot and now can include veterans and family for transportation to and from events/treatments. I am honored to be able to do this for those that have dedicated their lives to help serve and protect out country.

I have been very impressed with the leadership of this organization. They do bring great "compassion" to their mission and appear to execute very well on it.

I have been involved with ACV for about 2 years. I could write pages and pages about the work that they do and the veterans they have helped. I do not have direct experiences to write about. However, I do have experince with nonprofits and the people that make them tick. I listen to the stories,the work and witness the dedication of the leadership. From my point of view, organizations survive because of their resiliency. In these times of economic challenges, ACV does not complain about lack of funding, instead they chose to work harder coming up with ways to continue their mission. We are lucky to have our veterans, our veterans are lucky to have ACV.

Achilles International has partnered with Air Compassion for Veterans to provide flights for recently wounded veterans to participate in marathons around the country as part of their rehabilitation. Because of Air Compassion's support, we are able to include more wounded veterans on these trips giving them the opportunity to achieve and set goals post injury. It is a pleasure working with the staff there and we look forward to continuing our partnership on future events.

This organization is by far the #1 nonprofit providing charitable air transportation to wounded veterans and/or veteran family members FREE of charge. The compassion which they show and the passion in which they serve is Americanism at its finest!

ACV is a totally dedicated group of people. They have a real passion for serving our armed forces. They provide critical transportation to wounded warriors to get to specialized treatment and how ACV makes that happen when government can't cover the cost. As a retired Naval Officer, I cannot emphaisize the importance of their efort to the military members and their families.

Served 30 years in the Air Force including two combat tours. Personally experienced the trauma and stress that affects our men and women wounded in combat. ACV flys our wounded warriors to/from specialized treatment centers when no other organization is equipped to do so. ACV also provides air transport for a wounded warrior's family members to with them at the treatment facility. It is my privilege to support ACV financially and as a member of an affliated board.

I have found Air Compassion for Veterans to be totally dedicated to helping our men and women in uniform. They unselfishly give of time and resources to make the lives of our veterans better and let them know how much we appreciate their service. The staff is extremely helpful and courteous. Their annual Halos and Heros appreciation in Virginia Beach brings together veterans froma ll branches of service to enjoy food, fellowship, friends and entertainment in a very patriotic environment.

I served 35 years in the US Army and served in combat on two separate deployments. I am a veteran of the Vietnam War. I have witnessed first hand the casualties on the battlefield as well as the casualties the service men and their families endure on a continuing basis back home. The Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV) plays a major role in seeing that these casualties are in fact taken care of and provide an extremely important service by providing transportation to the wounded warriors and their families to receive critical specialized medical treatment. If it were not for ACV some of these patients would not receive the care they so desparetly need due to the lack of government funds. The ACV is one of the most worthy organizations we have today supporting the wounded warriors.

It is a profound joy to join in helping Air Compassion For Veterans assist our military heroes. Whether helping with Internet programming, flying a veteran in need of medical care, or attending a ceremony to honor our wounded warriors, Air Compassion For Veterans has provided me not only with an opportunity to serve, but with an opportunity to be personally blessed.

I'm a retired Naval Officer and combat verteran as a Naval Aviator during Desert Storm. I am involved in other organizations that are both for profit and non profit, and I can safely say that I have more passion for what I see ACV doing than I do for anything else I do on a daily basis. The commitment, dedication and effort everyone puts into this much needed outreach and Mission is incomparable.

Never have I seen so few (volunteers) do so much for our veterans in their time of need with so much compassion and so few funds. When the goverment services are not timely or not available Air Compassion for Veterans steps in ( by invitation ) to see that medical services are available at some distant location and transports the wounded warrior and his family at no cost.

I stand amazed at the selfless dedication of ACV to minister to the needs of veterans and their families during difficult financial and emotional times. They represent what America is all about...helping one another. May God continue to richly bless this organization.

I help with fundraising, public education and combined federal campaign activities. This is a wonderful charity that provides free medically related air transportation for wounded warriors, veterans and their families when DOD is unable to do so which is often. ACV is now providing over 500 flights per month. The staff and volunteers are extremely passionate about helping those who sacrifice for our country.

Outstanding organization that provides a much-needed service to our veterans, with a compassionate staff. Thank you for all you do for our veterans!

I am a veteran and closely follow the activities of ACV. This efficiently run charity provides critical transportation to wounded warriors and their families when government can't or won't cover the costs.

I assist in writing fundfing proposals for Air Compassion for Veterans. I know their financial numbers and they spend at least 95% of the funds given for the program - on program costs. They spend no money for fundraising and a bare minimum on corporate administration. I also see the letters of appreciation coming in from Generals to privates. They do outstanding work.

I have been affiliated with ACV for about a year. I have also been affliated with several other non-profit organizations. I have have found the ACV and its staff are clearly more caring, more giving, more focused and more professional than any other non-profit organization that I know. Their ONLY motivation is to ensure that our veterans and their families get the care they need and deserve. NONE BETTER!!!

I think that every time I have helped out Air Compassion for Veterans it has been a very nice and rewarding experience. What this non-profit group does to help our veterans is a wonderful thing.

Because I do volunteer writing of fundiong proposals for the organization I know the details of what they do and how very efficient they are in using their resources. There is no question about the critical help they provide to wounded warriors and veterans - and their adversely affected families - it is great! You can have all kinds of services for veterans and wounded warriors - but if they can't get to the services - it can do them no good. ACV ensures they get to the services they need.

This organization goes above and beyond in providing exemplary service to veterans and veteran families in need of transportation. As a veteran, I'm glad to see there is an organization that has so much compassion and support for our fellow veterans.

I am a mission coordinator for air Compassion for Veterans and my experience is never ending. I can say that I am truly honored to be apart of this organization and I am proud to be able to assist our military soldiers and families. I look forward to helping alot more.

The mother of a deployed service member had been trying, unsuccessfully, to get help to fly from Maryland to Washington state to be with her family after the death of her sons infant son. Discouraged, her friend asked, have you called Air Compassion?" The reply she heard when she asked for help was "when do you need to leave?" The rest is history. She was able to be at the side of her son during a time of family grief.

At a time when the news media has reported widespread abuse among many veterans charities, it is good to know there is an organization that uses 96 percent of its funds to directly help veterans by providing free medically-related flights. It's also good to read the inspiring stories of soldiers wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who are on the road to recovery because of Air Compassion for Veterans. This is a five star charity that I hope will be able to continue serving for many years to come.

Not only does this wonderful organization help military members, it helps family, extended family and "future" family members (those engaged to the service member). The organization's mission, staff's service and compassion are unequaled. Five stars to ACV!

Without Air Compassion for Veterans, many of the patients in this unit would have to wait for many months to be reunited with their families post-deployment. The organization is wonderfully responsive to requests, even on short notice. The only limitation is flight availability. Hopefully, the contest will help increase the number of available seats for veterans and their family members.

bMy Name is Robert Battisti I am a disabled vietnam veteran.presently living in florida. I found that i could receive a service dog for free from ecad1.org they sent me a form to fill out with my needs for my flight to new york to receive my dog. I called the air compassion office. and robin told me what i needed and the follwing day i had my round trip reservation to get fred my service dog. what a blessing air compasion is for people in need

My brother was critically wounded in Iraq in August of 2007. He spent the majority of the next 7 months in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury until he passed away from other complications. Air Compassion for Veterans helped me travel to Washington, DC every other week to spend time with my brother and help relieve my parents. Without the help of Air Compassion for Veterans, I wouldn't have been able to afford all of the traveling that I did. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with my brother.

As a premier Veterans Service Organization, AMVETS is a proud partner with AVC. Their mission is critical in supporting our Nation’s Heroes. AMVETS Healing Heroes program is enhanced by our association and we routinely encourage our 1,300 local posts to consider providing financial assistance. Their leadership team is professional and dedicated in their service to our service members and their families.

What a great organization this is for people in need. Seldom do you think about the difficulties people face in a crisis, but when you experience it firsthand you understand. This organization is there when you need it and was a godsend to us in our time of need.

I was introduced to ACV nearly two years ago, and have been both a recipient of their help, and an ardent supporter ever since. Their work is truly a corporal work of mercy - to provide travel and logistics help for those disabled veterans and their care-givers and travel companions! Now I am working with them to provide flights for disabled veterans for a program to help these veterans learn to start their own businesses, helping them to achieve a measure of personal and financial independence. Its truly amazing, the amount of good they do for our wounded veterans.

Air Compassion is a wonderful partner for America's VetDogs. We provide assistance dogs and training to America's wounded heroes. Air Compassion helps us by providing transportation to our training center for veterans, and to veteran's home areas for our staff. Their important support and expertise allow us to apply our resources to provide more dogs. Thank you Air Compassion for Veterans

While I have never personally used ACV, I know people who have and they rave about it. What a great service to those who served our country. Please keep up the wonderful work you do and I encourage everyone to support this organization in every way possible.

I have seen Air Compassion for Veterans (ACV) in action and I have seen our veterans served. I have been there when a veteran wept as he received a much needed service dog – because ACV flew him to the school. I have seen a parent get into the plane with their wounded warrior son to fly home with them. I have seen first hand how this incredible non-profit organization serves those who have given so much for us in service to our country. After all, if they are will to sacrifice for us shouldn’t we be willing to rise up to their needs? If a service member needs to get to a doctors appointment, if they need to get to therapy shouldn’t we do everything possible to get them there? Why is it so hard for them to find funding? Think about it.

This is an amazing nonprofit that serves our countries wounded warriors and their adversely affected family members by providing free air transportation for specialized medical care, counseling and rehabilitation services. They have provided over 14,200 flights from 11/06 to 2-10. When our country sends these brave servicemen and women to protect our freedom, the least we can do is make sure they receive the finest treatment and care available and ACCESS to that care. That is what Air Compassion for Veterans does, and can do it within hours if there is an emergency.