What we do: Every year, dozens of active duty service members are transferred to Pitt County Memorial Hospital to be treated for life threatening injuries.  Many of the family members of these service members travel hundreds of miles to be with their loved one and are unfamiliar with Eastern North Carolina.

Our mission is to provide some comfort and stability during this difficult time by providing a shoulder to lean on and in some cases financial assistance.  Our vision is to provide a “Home Away from Home”

Why are we doing this?  Our effort began in early 2005.  Detachment members became aware of a vehicle accident involving active duty Marine Chad Chambliss.  Detachment members quickly responded by immediately collecting donations for the family. This effort enabled Detachment members to provide a hotel room, rental car and other miscellaneous needs for Chad’s father.

We quickly realized that Chad was not an isolated case. Dozens of active duty personnel are transported to Pitt County Memorial Hospital each year due to serious injuries.

As an example, one of our efforts involved a young Navy Corpsman who was involved in a severe car accident. He was severely injured while riding in the back seat of a car, seat belt fastened, when a deer caused the driver of the vehicle to lose control. The Navy Corpsman was air lifted to PCMH due to the severity of his injuries and remained in critical condition for several days. Detachment members provided 3 days of lodging accommodations for the family.  The injured Navy Corpsman served two tours in Iraq and was likely to return for his 3rd tour in the near future.

How it works:  We are usually notified by Pitt County Memorial Hospital staff, Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital or Cherry Point Naval Hospital when an injured active duty member is transported to Pitt County Memorial Hospital.  

Detachment members work hard to make contact with the family member(s) of injured military personnel to offer our support. We are prepared to provide lodging and other financial assistance when needed.  Most importantly, we let the family know that they are not alone and that they have an extended family in Eastern North Carolina.

Jason Lowry (Chairman)

Comments:

“On behalf of my husband Joe Dixon and myself, we can not thank you and the Marines enough for your assistance on our recent stay in North Carolina. If it were not for the hotel stay it would have been an extra extreme financial burden on us. We had to borrow money just to make the trip.

Joey is doing fine. He is at home now with his mother and grandparents. He will begin physical therapy today at Giesenger Hospital here in Wilkes Barre. He is expected to recover 100% Again we thank you from the bottom of our hearts May God bless you and all your staff and your continued efforts in assisting other families in there time of need.”

Sincerely

Angi & Joe Dixon