September 11, 2014
My name is Gordon Souza, and for
the past 2 years I have been doing volunteer work associated with the Vietnam
Veterans of America providing for, and contributing to veterans with limited
mobility. In order to accomplish this, I receive nonmonetary donations from
individuals, VFW, American. Legion,
Marine Corps League Greater NV Detachment 186,
and BLACK MOUNTAIN Marine Corps League Detachment 495 Henderson,
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 17 and 1076, with the former being my main
organization, with the motto, veterans 1st community 2nd
Over the past 2 years I have issued 30 electric chairs, 20
scooters, 40 sit down walkers and 60 wheelchairs. Along the way, a computerized
artificial leg was donated. It took about a year, but finally I found the right
person who needed the limb. The Marine, who was the recipient, could not use
the limb provided to him and he was not able to get the one he needed. The limb
was adjusted for him and he was given a much better way of life.
I assisted Veterans Village with scooters having headlights
to add to mobility fleet while the money to repair their broken 4 wheels was
not available. Another recipient was the Shriners with their need for
wheelchairs, electric chairs and sit down walkers. There were also 2 Shriners
who I attached chair lifts to their vehicles. To the Nellis Air Force Base,
there were donated approximately 15 wheelchairs and 1 paraplegic chair with
voice command. Also, sometime this month, there will be provided, to the hospital,
2 more paraplegic chairs, and one paraplegic chair to a Shriner with Multiple
Sclerosis. There were many donations to the needy seniors in the community, and
a paraplegic chair with voice command was donated to an extremely needy
individual not in the military to assist the community.
In 2013, there was a family reunion in Vegas and 7 of the
members were Vietnam Veterans, and they were all there at the same time. The
Marine needed a wheelchair to get around with the rest of the family. They
called on a Friday night and by Saturday morning they had what they needed
I would like to acknowledge a few people who assist me with
maintenance and batteries:
Paul Martin an accessibility advocate and himself a
paraplegic
Scooterville: Bob Fisk @ Broadacres Swap Meet provides
mechanical repair and replaces parts. If a repair cannot be completed on the
spot he will leave an adequate replacement until repair is completed.
As for myself, I am a retired Marine with the Rank of Master
Gunny Sargent E9. Through my career, I have always kept my men in sight and
provided help when needed. Then I was asked to take over this program from DAV
to provide veterans with limited mobility.
Awards for my service:
Vietnam Veterans of America The
99th Medical Group
Chapter
17 Certificate
of Appreciation presented to
As member of the Year for his (Ret.) MGy. Sgt. Gordy Souza
Contribution to Veterans The
Vietnam Veterans of America
With Limited Mobility Chapter
17
2013 on
this 9th day of July 2014
Graywolf Humanitarian Award
Excellence in helping those in need above and beyond the
call of duty
2014
From the Senior Community of Dorothy Kidd Mobile Park
Marine Corps League
Marine of the Year
2013
Have on hand to donate:
1 set crutches
2 wheelchairs
1 sit down walker
4 electric chairs (being repaired)
This year the VVA received 2 $500.00 donations into the DVA
budget to assist in buying batteries for wheelchairs in the mobility program.
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