Team 12 for Father/Kid will get FREE ride - Nominations Needed!!

[WAHOONBOX]

YA STORY GOT ME TORE UP..................

I FEEL GUILTY BEING HEALTHY AND FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GREAT TIME IN LIFE....MY PRAYERS GO TO YOUR FRIENDS HERE THAT HAVE ENDURED SO MUCH TRAGEDY AND SORROW....

AMEN

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

I know this story will bring tears to many eyes. My son has a best friend his name is Michael Shea. He is 10 years old. When Michael was 7 years old he was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumor that attached itself to the brain stem. Michael had begun to lose the funtion of his legs and arms.

He was seen at the hospital provided by the military. The doctors there had never preformed the special and very dangerous surgery that Michael needed to save his life. But they were willing to try. This was unexceptable to everyone.It just so happens that Michael's Dad was my best friend His name was Lt. Col. Kevin M. Shea who proudly served in the United States Marines Corps.

Michaels parents took him to hospital after hospital, finaly they heard about a doctor named Ben Carson. However it was almost impossible to get in to see him. He is a world renonud Pediactric surgen. Through the grace of God someone wispered into Dr Carsons ear and told him about this case. He agreed to see them.

Dr carson agreed to preform the surgery to save Michael. Next came the battel with insurance. The Military refused to pay because it was to be preformed outside of the insurance group. We began to hold fund raisers and anything we could do to raise money for Michael. I went to Kevin and Amy one night thats Michaels mom, and offered them $10,000.00 from my wife and myself. They refused! I tried to tell them we would rather have Michael around, because we can make more money. They still refused.

Dr Carson heard about what we were doing for The Sheas and was heart broken. He agreed to pick up the bill to save michael. WOW! Can you believe that. Then the media got involved. The next day the military
sent a memo to the Sheas that the insurance had been approved.
The surgery lasted 12 hours. AND WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! Michael is now fine.

Kevin had just two weeks left to serve in Iraq. When he got home both of our families were going to rent a large RV and travel to California then up to Alasaka. That was our plan for a summer trip. On September the 14th 2004.....Kevin was killed. Our world came crashing down. It was also Kevins birthday. Now after struggling to recover from surgery,he had lost his father. Michael still misses his dad and I my best friend. I get to see Michael every summer and I take him and my son who by the way are still best friends although a Nation apart, camping. When I am with michael I know that he looks at me like a father figure. And its my honor to be so. Amy has not remarried nor does she seriously date. My heart is still with Kevin and his family. I am asking that you concider Michael, my son Jeff & I as team #12. I know its alot to ask. And there are others who deserve this more, I would love to see the boys together and laughing like 10 year olds are supposed to. Thanks for reading.


Tom

Alot of you have read post that I put up. You will also notice the marine Corps Flag at the end...

That is in memory of Lt. Col. Kevin M. Shea USMC

[Finesse]

Tom .... your killin me here man !!! Often in life things are difficult to understand .... but stories like that just don't make sense ....


Triangler ....WOW !!!! I'm speachless... YOU ARE THE MAN !!!

Was in a somewhat similar position .... Lost my Dad ( whom I idolized ) way to early for me, a real crushing blow. Never got to do or experience so many things with him that I wanted to. Then we had our dreams turned upside down and into a nighmare with a pregnancy that we were told would never happen end in a devastating miscarraige about a year and a half ago. Felt emotional pain that I never new exsisted.

Eight weeks ago we were blessed with a little boy .... I cant wait for the day that we take the boat out and he catches his first. Him draggin me around boat shows like I did with my Dad...

Can't wait for the day to participate in things like this tourney ( I think he's ready ...Mom says not quite )

Hats off and tippin riggers to ya for doing this for some team !!! This is just AWESOME !!!

[gottaflylee]

Man oh man, Smoke, Key, both of your stories got to me...I mean got to me bad. I've had 3 bad days in a row and today crushed me. After reading these 2 threads, I darn sure can't say a thing. When we read something like this it makes us realize how good we got it. Thoughts and prayers to both of the families, Capt. Lee

[TriAngler]

Thanks so much for sharing guys - I knew we'd find some deserving folks. Keep the nominations coming and we'll put them to the committee.

What a great bunch of folks.

[Holy Smoke]

I am reaching out to the family today and I will post more info later today or tomorrow.

[knot for shore]

Smoke & Key,
What stories! I had to sit in silence for a moment after reading Kevin & Michael's story. Such a shame to go through all that and have your father taken from you in the end. If I had a boat, the three of you would be fishing with me.

Here's to you Kevin. God speed and god bless your family.