by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When John Melia returned to the United States after the helicopter he was riding in crashed off the coast of Somalia in 1992, he arrived at the military hospital with little more than the clothes on his back.
“I had my hospital gown, my shaving kit, one pair of running shorts and a T-shirt,” he recalled.
Melia, who founded the “Wounded Warrior Project” in 2002, was the guest speaker at Monday’s meeting of the Downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville. His experience as a wounded veteran inspired him to begin the program that has provided more than 12,000 returning service personnel who were injured in combat zones backpacks filled with clothing, toiletries and even a CD player and CDs.
“It’s comforting to have your own things and each backpack also includes a personal card from the person who donated the backpack. It’s a way to let our injured people know they are not forgotten,” said Melia.
To date, more than 12,000 backpacks have been donated and distributed, “And sadly, there’s no end in sight,” added Melia.
When he arrived at the Rotary meeting, Melia was met by retired USAF Brig. Gen. Henry Newcomer, West Point Class of 1939 and a bomber pilot in World War II. Newcomer told Melia he was lucky to have never needed a “Wounded Warrior” backpack.
“I was able to avoid the Purple Heart,” he said.