Bruce Conklin (left), Commander of The American Legion Department of Arizona and David Hampton (center), Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, joined Project We Remember Executive Director Vernon Bagley (right) on Sept. 8 at the announcement ceremony for the purchase of the non-profit's first home for the families of sick and injured veterans. 

With more than 19 million living U.S. veterans the nation’s military support infrastructure is stretched thin. Add to the mix nearly 25,000 U.S. service personnel injured in Iraq through the first half of 2007 alone and things are only getting more difficult for America’s sick and injured veterans.

Scottsdale resident Vernon Bagley knew he couldn’t sit back and watch as the country’s sick and injured soldiers struggled to receive the care and support they deserved. A Vietnam War veteran, Bagley earned two Bronze Star medals, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Gold Star.

“As a nation we are blessed with the world’s greatest group of men and women who have volunteered to perform the tasks that are necessary to protect our nation and our way of life,” says Bagley. “I believe it’s our responsibility as a free society to take care of these men and women, and the more I thought about it the more I knew I needed to do something to help.”

So Bagley launched a non-profit organization called Project We Remember to help provide short-term housing for U.S. military personnel and their families during visits to Arizona V.A. hospitalsfor therapy, surgery, and medical examinations. The organization was set up to acquire single and multifamily living accommodations near V.A. hospitals to provide free living space for both individuals and family members during extended visits. The non-profit is also working with nearby hotels to provide free accommodations for shorter visits of 2 or 3 days.

“We believe that we can provide a significant positive effect on the daily lives and the morale of our service personnel and veterans by demonstrating that we care both in words and in actions,” says Bagley. “Our primary purpose is to raise funds for individuals and non-profit organizations that provide support to our military men and women when they are in need beyond that which is provided for by their respective service branch and the government.”

Project We Remember already has support from Arizona’s veteran’s hospitals and is working with various corporations to secure funding. But Bagley believes the most important show of support will come from the people of Arizona who appreciate the sacrifices these service men and women have made for them.

“Ultimately I believe it’s every American’s responsibility to ensure these brave men and women are taken care of,” Bagley says. “A few dollars here and a few dollars there will go a long way toward making a difference.”

In early September the fledgling non-profit marked two significant achievements. On Sept. 8 it announced that it has signed a letter of intent to purchase a two-bedroom condominium at the new Partenza on Highland community less than three miles from the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.

Project We Remember, which also has the option to buy four additional properties at the complex, anticipates the property will be ready to occupy within 30 days. Partenza on Highland was developed by Olive Branch Communities to make a positive difference in the community by helping to rebuild neighborhoods and provide quality, affordable housing the valley’s workforce.

Additionally, Project We Remember hosted its first client Sept. 5-9 at the Courtyard Phoenix Marriott on Camelback Rd. Rebecca Shea of South Carolina, along with two family members, were guests of Project We Remember while they are in town to visit their ailing brother who was being treated at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.

“Rebecca said her brother actually became more alert when they walked into the room and just hearing that made my heart swell with emotion,” said Bagley. “The family could never have afforded to visit him were it not for Project We Remember and our donors. But this is just the first step and there is so much more to do.”

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