A Message From our Founder
“Wings for Vets” (W4Vs) began after my exposure to and as a volunteer pilot for the Veterans Airlift Command and their work with “Post 9/11” wounded veterans. As a Vietnam Veteran, I believe every veteran can identify with this mission. Our motto “Veterans helping Veterans” is applied to every mission we fly in support of our wounded warriors. It didn’t take any effort to “recruit” like minded military veteran aviators as our initial pilot core. Unfortunately, we could not continue our mission without our donors' support, which is why “Wings for Vets” was organized as a 501 3 (C) nonprofit organization, recognized by both Pennsylvania and the IRS. It allows individuals, businesses, and corporations to make tax deductible donations and participate in this important mission.
Unlike most Non-Profit Organizations, there are NO paid positions within Wings for Vets. All donated monies are used to directly support our mission expenses. Our pilot owners support other operational expenses for maintenance as well as support and organizational expenses. Currently, our single highest operational expense is fuel at approximately $6.50 per gal, depending on location. The Cessna 310 consumes 27 gals per hour from takeoff to landing or $175.00 per hour. A typical mission profile is nearly 6 hours of flying, equating to approximately $1050.00 in fuel expenses per mission. Our support expenses include our “Devotionals”, which were originally written for, and given to WW II service members, and are now given to all the veterans and their caregivers we transport. In addition, we give our veteran a “Challenge Coin” (pictured elsewhere on this site). The cost is $10.00 for both. W4Vs also covers the occasional hotel expenses provided to the Vets for unforeseen weather delays. Expenses, such as IRS Filings, PO Box, stamps and thank you cards round out our current organizational costs. I believe the important take away, is All your donations directly benefit the veterans we carry. Without your help we could not individually afford to accomplish the mission, but in a JOINT effort with you, our donors, we make the mission possible. Unlike the airlines, we cannot spread our costs over the number of flights or seats. Remember, we are carrying the veteran and accompanying caregiver(s) at NO COST to them.
For more information about the Veterans Airlift Command, go to www.veteransairlift.org. All donations may be made to “Wings for Vets” and mailed to Wings for Vets, PO Box 255, Beaver, Pa 15009. Please see our Contact Page on this website for more information.
This is our opportunity to give back just a little to those who have, sacrificed so much for this nation. It’s our chance to help our fellow brethren by contributing to make their lives a little better, and hopefully a little more comfortable.
I have to say, for myself, as well as our group of military veterans, it’s been an ABSOLUTE HONOR to help these terrific young men and women.
Thanks for your time and consideration, please remember the Vietnam Veterans oath; “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another generation of veterans”
Captain Carmen “Corkey” Romeo
Founder, President
Wings for Vets
Wingsforvets@mail.com
Unlike most Non-Profit Organizations, there are NO paid positions within Wings for Vets. All donated monies are used to directly support our mission expenses. Our pilot owners support other operational expenses for maintenance as well as support and organizational expenses. Currently, our single highest operational expense is fuel at approximately $6.50 per gal, depending on location. The Cessna 310 consumes 27 gals per hour from takeoff to landing or $175.00 per hour. A typical mission profile is nearly 6 hours of flying, equating to approximately $1050.00 in fuel expenses per mission. Our support expenses include our “Devotionals”, which were originally written for, and given to WW II service members, and are now given to all the veterans and their caregivers we transport. In addition, we give our veteran a “Challenge Coin” (pictured elsewhere on this site). The cost is $10.00 for both. W4Vs also covers the occasional hotel expenses provided to the Vets for unforeseen weather delays. Expenses, such as IRS Filings, PO Box, stamps and thank you cards round out our current organizational costs. I believe the important take away, is All your donations directly benefit the veterans we carry. Without your help we could not individually afford to accomplish the mission, but in a JOINT effort with you, our donors, we make the mission possible. Unlike the airlines, we cannot spread our costs over the number of flights or seats. Remember, we are carrying the veteran and accompanying caregiver(s) at NO COST to them.
For more information about the Veterans Airlift Command, go to www.veteransairlift.org. All donations may be made to “Wings for Vets” and mailed to Wings for Vets, PO Box 255, Beaver, Pa 15009. Please see our Contact Page on this website for more information.
This is our opportunity to give back just a little to those who have, sacrificed so much for this nation. It’s our chance to help our fellow brethren by contributing to make their lives a little better, and hopefully a little more comfortable.
I have to say, for myself, as well as our group of military veterans, it’s been an ABSOLUTE HONOR to help these terrific young men and women.
Thanks for your time and consideration, please remember the Vietnam Veterans oath; “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another generation of veterans”
Captain Carmen “Corkey” Romeo
Founder, President
Wings for Vets
Wingsforvets@mail.com
Vets Helping Vets
ACCOMPLISHED MISSIONS
VAC Priority Medical Mission:
Army SPC James Smith was injured on December 21, 2004 when a suicide bomber attacked the mess hall he was in. The blast killed 14 service members and caused him to lose partial hearing. A month later SPC Smith was on patrol in Mosul, Iraq when the Stryker armored vehicle he was driving hit an IED. From the explosion he suffered a TBI, compression injury in his back, damage to his arm, and hearing loss.
SPC Smith will be traveling to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for treatment on 9/28, returning 10/1, he will be traveling with his service dog if possible. Please let me know if this is something you'd like to do!
Army SPC James Smith was injured on December 21, 2004 when a suicide bomber attacked the mess hall he was in. The blast killed 14 service members and caused him to lose partial hearing. A month later SPC Smith was on patrol in Mosul, Iraq when the Stryker armored vehicle he was driving hit an IED. From the explosion he suffered a TBI, compression injury in his back, damage to his arm, and hearing loss.
SPC Smith will be traveling to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for treatment on 9/28, returning 10/1, he will be traveling with his service dog if possible. Please let me know if this is something you'd like to do!
AC Priority Medical Mission:
USMC GySgt Barry St. Onge suffered multiple TBIs during his 20 years of service to his country. Both in training accidents and two deployments to Afghanistan, he suffers from short term memory loss, chronic migraine, balance issues, and light sensitivity. Barry needs to travel to University of Pittsburgh so that he can undergo a four day medical assessment. This type of treatments is a DoD funded research program led by Dr. Okonkwo MD, PhD, investigating TBIs in the veteran population. Please let us know if you can help with this mission, Barry will be traveling with his wife to Pittsburgh 3/27 and return 3/31.
USMC GySgt Barry St. Onge suffered multiple TBIs during his 20 years of service to his country. Both in training accidents and two deployments to Afghanistan, he suffers from short term memory loss, chronic migraine, balance issues, and light sensitivity. Barry needs to travel to University of Pittsburgh so that he can undergo a four day medical assessment. This type of treatments is a DoD funded research program led by Dr. Okonkwo MD, PhD, investigating TBIs in the veteran population. Please let us know if you can help with this mission, Barry will be traveling with his wife to Pittsburgh 3/27 and return 3/31.
Subject: VAC Mission to Danville, VA on 6/23 return 6/28
Army SPC Steven Moore was injured after his vehicle hit an IED in 2004. Steven sustained shrapnel injuries to his face and is now blind in his left eye. He has since left the Army but continues to struggle from PTSD and depression. Steven would like to travel to Danville, VA to attend the funeral of a close family friend. He is taking the sudden death very hard and it would mean a lot to him if we could help him get there. Please let us know if you can help with this mission to Danville, VA - 6/23 (date is flexible)
and return to home. Thank you for considering this mission and your continued support of Veterans Airlift Command. Jenna Deibel
Army SPC Steven Moore was injured after his vehicle hit an IED in 2004. Steven sustained shrapnel injuries to his face and is now blind in his left eye. He has since left the Army but continues to struggle from PTSD and depression. Steven would like to travel to Danville, VA to attend the funeral of a close family friend. He is taking the sudden death very hard and it would mean a lot to him if we could help him get there. Please let us know if you can help with this mission to Danville, VA - 6/23 (date is flexible)
and return to home. Thank you for considering this mission and your continued support of Veterans Airlift Command. Jenna Deibel
From: Maria Miles <Maria.Miles@VeteransAirlift.org>
Date: 6/27/16 11:12 (GMT-05:00)
VAC Priority Medical Mission:
USMC LCpl Jeffrey Erwin will be participating in the UPMC Research Project at the University of Pittsburgh. LCPl Erwin was injured the first time during his deployment to Iraq in 2008, when he fell 2 stories due to his ladder breaking. He sustained injuries to his head, neck, and shoulders. LCpl Erwin was injured the second time during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. He was in two blasts resulting in a TBI. As a result of his injuries he suffers from severe headaches and memory issues. Traveling commercially alone is difficult due to these issues. Please let us know if you can help this Marine and what leg works best for you. Thank you for your consideration of this mission and continued support of VAC. Flight will be to Pittsburgh, PA 7/17 and return on 7/21 (after 4 pm) or 7/22 anytime.
Maria Miles, Senior Mission Coordinator, Veterans Airlift Command
Date: 6/27/16 11:12 (GMT-05:00)
VAC Priority Medical Mission:
USMC LCpl Jeffrey Erwin will be participating in the UPMC Research Project at the University of Pittsburgh. LCPl Erwin was injured the first time during his deployment to Iraq in 2008, when he fell 2 stories due to his ladder breaking. He sustained injuries to his head, neck, and shoulders. LCpl Erwin was injured the second time during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. He was in two blasts resulting in a TBI. As a result of his injuries he suffers from severe headaches and memory issues. Traveling commercially alone is difficult due to these issues. Please let us know if you can help this Marine and what leg works best for you. Thank you for your consideration of this mission and continued support of VAC. Flight will be to Pittsburgh, PA 7/17 and return on 7/21 (after 4 pm) or 7/22 anytime.
Maria Miles, Senior Mission Coordinator, Veterans Airlift Command
Mission Notification Sent Subject: VAC priority medical mission to Pittsburgh,PA on 7/31 return 8/4
USMC SGT Dan Wagner sustained multiple TBI’s during his two deployments. SGT Wagner served for 10 years, he is now medically retired. SGT Wagner has significant TBI related symptoms to include severe headaches, memory issues, anxiety and trouble with concentration. SGT Wagner is traveling to Pittsburgh for a follow up with a UPMC Research Program, which is a DoD funded research program led by Dr. Okonkwo MD, PhD. Please let us know if you can help with this mission and what leg works best. Thank you for your consideration and support. Flight to Pittsburgh, PA 7/31 Pittsburgh, PA and return 8/4.
USMC SGT Dan Wagner sustained multiple TBI’s during his two deployments. SGT Wagner served for 10 years, he is now medically retired. SGT Wagner has significant TBI related symptoms to include severe headaches, memory issues, anxiety and trouble with concentration. SGT Wagner is traveling to Pittsburgh for a follow up with a UPMC Research Program, which is a DoD funded research program led by Dr. Okonkwo MD, PhD. Please let us know if you can help with this mission and what leg works best. Thank you for your consideration and support. Flight to Pittsburgh, PA 7/31 Pittsburgh, PA and return 8/4.
Mission Notification Sent Subject: VAC mission to Java Center (Buffalo), NY on 5/27 return 6/1
SSG Igrain Padilla sustained a head injury when his convoy was ambushed in 2003. SSG Padilla was taking his turn as the gunner in the lead vehicle when a car hit him head on, in an attempt to stop convoy. SSG Padilla's head struck the gun turret and he came crashing down onto a box of ammunition. He suffers from nerve damage, memory loss and PTSD. SSG Padilla and his wife Kasandra have been given the opportunity to attend a Project Sanctuary Retreat at the Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Java Center, NY. These programs are designed to help couples reconnect and relieve stress. Please let us know if you can help with this mission and what leg works for you. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Flight to Buffalo airport, NY 5/27 with a return flight on 6/12.
SSG Igrain Padilla sustained a head injury when his convoy was ambushed in 2003. SSG Padilla was taking his turn as the gunner in the lead vehicle when a car hit him head on, in an attempt to stop convoy. SSG Padilla's head struck the gun turret and he came crashing down onto a box of ammunition. He suffers from nerve damage, memory loss and PTSD. SSG Padilla and his wife Kasandra have been given the opportunity to attend a Project Sanctuary Retreat at the Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Java Center, NY. These programs are designed to help couples reconnect and relieve stress. Please let us know if you can help with this mission and what leg works for you. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Flight to Buffalo airport, NY 5/27 with a return flight on 6/12.
Mission Notification Sent Subject: VAC Mission to Syracuse, NY on 10/10 return 10/16
On June 26, 2008 USMC SSgt Samuel Schoenheit had a serious head injury after his convoy came under heavy attack. He was medevac’d to Walter Reed where he learned he was paralyzed on the right side of his body with a severe TBI. After years of intense therapy, Samuel had to re-learn how to walk and talk, he eventually had to medically retire from the military.
Samuel would like to travel to Syracuse, NY to attend his grandmother’s memorial/funeral services. Due to his TBI, commercial travel is not ideal. Thank you for considering this mission and your continued support of Veterans Airlift Command. Flight to Syracuse, NY – 10/10 Return date – 10/16
Jenna Deibel
Mission Coordinator
Veterans Airlift Command
On June 26, 2008 USMC SSgt Samuel Schoenheit had a serious head injury after his convoy came under heavy attack. He was medevac’d to Walter Reed where he learned he was paralyzed on the right side of his body with a severe TBI. After years of intense therapy, Samuel had to re-learn how to walk and talk, he eventually had to medically retire from the military.
Samuel would like to travel to Syracuse, NY to attend his grandmother’s memorial/funeral services. Due to his TBI, commercial travel is not ideal. Thank you for considering this mission and your continued support of Veterans Airlift Command. Flight to Syracuse, NY – 10/10 Return date – 10/16
Jenna Deibel
Mission Coordinator
Veterans Airlift Command