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Local resident Gary Kadow has put together a 9-11 Memorial Display which pays tribute to not only those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, but also those who gave their lives at The Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93.

Mr. Kadow served as a Government Liaison Officer with the National Red Cross Disaster Services Response Team. On the morning of September 11th, he was called to respond to The World Trade Center Disaster and was sent to Ground Zero to assess the magnitude of the damage and determine the immediate needs on site.

Mr. Kadow’s prior experience as an Episcopal Hospital Chaplain also allowed him to assist in providing communion, comfort, and counseling to the first responders at the World Trade Center. For ten days from September 11th to September 21st he worked eight hours a day for the American Red Cross in Albany, and then 10 hours as a Chaplain to the First Responders at Ground Zero.

During this time Mr. Kadow kept both a written and photographic journal of what he witnessed, and also the emotions he felt at this terrible time in our history. One year later he put all this material into a book called "Ten Days of Hell and Heroes." He wrote this book mainly as a remembrance to give to his family and grandchildren, but later decided to share it with others throughout the country.

The display consists of photographs, an audio-visual presentation, and a book signing. All profits from the sale of his book will be given to The September 11th Memorial Foundation, which is building a permanent memorial and museum dedicated to all those who lost their lives at the Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA. The book sells for $20 including tax. Each book is a limited edition, and will be inscribed and signed by the author.

Veterans in need? Local charity won't take it sitting down!

A local charity has sent more than 28,000 pounds of medical supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now Project S.O.S (Support Our Soldiers) has expanded its mission: They're fixing up used motorized wheelchairs and scooters to look brand new, and giving them to veterans right here at home.

World War II veteran Aristides Stamulis, a former prisoner of war in Germany for 18 months, is the third veteran from Arbor Village Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wildwood to benefit from Project S.O.S.

Jennifer Hall, Arbor Village's activity director, sees the veterans' renewed sense of independence after receiving the restored scooters, and she hails Project S.O.S. as
"a wonderful charity."

Gary Kadow, Project S.O.S founder, said it's rewarding to see older veterans have
mobility again.

The first veteran that the group helped stands out in his mind.

"I got a call at home at night and it was the Arbor Village administrator,"
Kadow said, hearing of a Vietnam War veteran who had lost his
forearm, and a leg, and he could no longer operate a regular
wheelchair.

"He went into depression and he just stayed in his room
for months and months," Kadow said. "He wouldn't interact."

Project S.O.S. found a scooter for the vet.

"When we presented it to him, he just beamed," said Kadow,
who received a follow-up report that the veteran now travels
on his scooter into Wildwood to a coffee shop, where he has
met new friends.

"His whole world has opened up," Kadow said.
"This changes lives, tremendously. It makes me feel good,
and I'm thrilled to see someone who had gone through
the state of depression to a whole new life.
It's just heartwarming."

Veterans who have a provable need and who have lost their mobility, only need to show their DD214 and Project S.O.S will try to meet the request for a motorized wheelchair or scooter.

"We are giving them to veterans who have lost their ability to walk," Kadow said.
The project is an offshoot of the group's initial work, which involved sending medical supplies to military medics serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, to help malnourished, sick, or wounded young children in the remote villages.

Kadow first heard the need from his son, who was stationed in U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
"Initially, I approached my friends in the Rotary Club of The Villages to help me to support my son and his unit," said Kadow, a Villages resident. Soon packages of supplies along with baby wipes, infant formula, antiseptics, antibiotics, soap, bandages were being sent.

Central Florida Health Alliance also got involved and began collecting, sterilizing, and recycling medical and health supplies, too.

The Rotary Club of Leesburg also has been a big supporter of Project S.O.S, along with Morrison United Methodist Church, the Knights of Columbus and Cornerstone Hospice.

"If someone passes away, and they have electric scooter, hospice now has a program when they talk to people, they ask if they want to donate it to Project S.O.S."

More electric scooters are in demand, including those that may need batteries and additional work.

"Anyone that would like to donate an electric wheelchair or any type of motorized scooter, we need those desperately right now, because we have a lot of veterans out there that need them," Kadow said. "I can't get enough of them - quick enough."

Project S.O.S also is reaching out to younger veterans: Wounded warriors coming home from war.

"If they've fallen behind on their bills, or if they need food, special clothing, or special medical devices, we do our best to try to meet that need," Kadow said. "It's our way of saying 'thank you.'"

Project S.O.S

* Soldiers returning home with special needs, or even veterans who could use electric wheelchairs or motorized scooters, may call Project S.O.S (Support Our Soldiers), a local charity headed by Gary Kadow of The Villages, and supported by The Rotary Clubs in The Villages and in Leesburg; churches; Knights of Columbus; and individuals.

* Project S.O.S., a 501 (c)3 charity, could benefit from donations of more used motorized scooters and wheelchairs, which the group fixes up to make like new, and gives them to veterans in need.

* To learn more about Project S.O.S, call (352) 430-0567, or visit www.project-sos.org