Springsteen Helps Bob Woodruff Fete (Wounded) Troops

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Springsteen helps Woodruff fete troops
By JOCELYN NOVECK, AP National Writer
2 hours, 28 minutes ago

NEW YORK - It was an unlikely combination of entertainers: Bruce Springsteen singing "Thunder Road," a Marine Corps band playing taps and "Amazing Grace," Robin Williams cracking off-color jokes.

They all shared the stage Wednesday night at a star-studded Manhattan benefit for wounded U.S. service members, organized by ABC's Bob Woodruff. The newsman became a champion of the cause after he was nearly killed by a roadside bomb while working in Iraq last year. "Stand Up for Heroes," a benefit for the Bob Woodruff Family Fund, was expected to bring in upward of $2.5 million, organizers said, including proceeds from an online auction at charityfolks.com.

"This is not a political cause," Woodruff said, kicking off the show with his wife, Lee. "Left, right, center, however you feel about this war, this is all about how we treat the wounded right here when they return." The event, produced in partnership with the New York Comedy Festival, was emceed by Conan O'Brien, who quipped that his performance was hobbled both by the current Hollywood writer's strike ("If anyone has a joke, I'm paying cash") and the need to shift the tone to comedy after a mournful rendition of taps by the Marine Corps band. "I'm a comedian following taps!" he moaned.

- snip -

The benefit was originally conceived by Caroline Hirsch, founding partner of the New York Comedy Festival, who watched an ABC News special early this year about Woodruff's recovery and the plight of other brain-injured Iraq veterans, and decided to help. Hirsch says there's been talk of making the benefit an annual event.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071108/ap_en_ot/woodruff_troops

[blm]

1. Thankyou Bruce.......and Bob....and Conan.....

Who will be the last to die.....for a mistake?

[NYVet]

2. Here is another charity that supports the troops

http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=fundraiser

This charity is called Project Valor IT.



Project Valour-IT
Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops

Every cent raised for Project Valour-IT goes directly to the purchase and shipment of laptops for severely wounded service members. As of October 2007, Valour-IT has distributed over 1500 laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines across the country.

Valour-IT accepts donations in any amount to support the purchase and distribution of laptops, but also offers a sponsorship option. An individual or organization may sponsor a wounded soldier by completely funding the cost of a laptop and continuing to provide that soldier with personal support and encouragement throughout recovery. This has proved to be an excellent project for churches, groups of coworkers or friends, and members of community organizations such Boy Scouts.

Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying possible laptop recipients. Wounded military personnel can also directly request a laptop through the sign-up form or through the Valour-IT/Soldiers' Angels representatives at the following medical centers:
* Balboa Naval Hospital

* Brooke Army Medical Center

* Madigan Regional Medical Center

* National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital)

* Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton

* Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms)

* Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Thanks to the efforts of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Valour-IT is also able to reach patients in VA hospitals who would benefit from a Valour-IT laptop.

[babylonsister]

3. That sounds like a great night! nt

[Cha]

4. Look at all those Progressives really

helping out with the poor wounded soldiers who are just forgotten along with the Vets who serve for the bushits lies for world domination.

[donheld]

5. Sounds like one hell of a party n/t

[WCGreen]

6. The question we should all be asking....

Is why do we not feel shame the a rock star, a comedian and a TV news reported have to hold a benifit to help those who fought for Bush...