The Gary Sinise Foundation is a foundation dedicated to the American Military Heroes. They do many different things to benefit Veterans and the PGR has been fortunate to be included in many of those events including Hollywood Salutes Veterans, Soaring Valor and Snowball Express.
They have most recently raised money to build a home for PO2 Doc Jacobs, USN, Wounded Warrior. The PGR has been invited to be there as this Hero and his family receives the keys to their new home. We are honored to do so.
Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Doc Jacobs grew up splitting his time
between Central California and Northeast Ohio, spending most of his free time outdoors
either hiking in the Sierra Nevada or hitting baseballs into the cornfields of his
grandparent's farm. Throughout his school years, Doc participated in many activities and
sports, including baseball, track, FFA, FHA, ASB, and even poetry. Playing baseball was
his all-time favorite thing to do, and he still enjoys going to Cleveland Indians games
with his Dad. Coming from a long line of military members, Doc knew he would keep
the lineage strong. He enlisted in Summer 2004 and was sent to boot camp soon after.
After a year of Navy Corpsman training, he was assigned to a unit and sent to Ramadi
Iraq.
On February 25, 2006, 6 months into his 7-month deployment, Doc was severely injured
in an IED explosion. Early in his Company's patrol, a Humvee was struck by an IED.
After switching vehicles and rearranging members, they headed back to base. On the
way, his Humvee was struck by a triple stack IED, which took two lives, left two soldiers
as amputees, and resulted in other serious injuries. He was medevacked through Balad
Surgical and soon transferred to National Naval Medical Center Bethesda via Landstuhl.
After three months in Bethesda receiving critical surgeries, he began outpatient recovery
and transferred to Naval Medical Center San Diego.
Doc was determined to continue his service. He fought to achieve his goal, becoming the
Navy's first amputee Corpsman and of all Naval Personnel to return to a deployable infantry unit. However, after several jaw surgeries left metal in Doc's face and mouth, he
was deemed undeployable by the Navy. Soon after, he chose to retire from the Navy to
pursue dreams and goals in other areas of life.
The Jacobs' have struggled to find a home with features that help Doc's physical needs,
such as a single-story home or first story bathroom. Receiving a smart home would make
everyday tasks easier for Doc when his arthritis in his ankle, knees, and back prevent him
from daily tasks. He hopes his new specially adapted smart home will enable him to feel
less alone or removed from his family while they are in the same house.
Doc Jacobs will live happily in his new home with wife Nina, and children Aubrielle and Adam.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
NOTE: PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR ANY COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS, HAVE MASK/FACE COVERING AVAILABLE.Time Table for Thursday, 26 AUG 21:0715 - Stage at 7-ELEVEN, 298 Sycamore Ave., Vista, CA 92083
https://goo.gl/maps/YiNBWU9CPoKUBP2T80730 - Mission briefing
0745 - KSU to family's new home
0830 - Est Flag Line as Hero and his family arrives
R/C Rick Roxas
SoCal PGR Ride Captain619-851-7047
coachroxas@gmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
