A manufacturer of heavy-duty carrying cases whose products are widely used to protect military weapons and computer gear has launched a program to give custom prosthetics cases to all post-9/11 U.S. wounded warriors. Pelican Products, Torrance, California, and retired Marine Corps General Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented the first cases at a ceremony on April 27 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington DC.
From left: Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO of Pelican Products; retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James King; and retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, Pelican Products board chairman, pose for a photo during an April 27, ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Fisher House in Washington DC, announcing the “Pelican for Patriots” program.
CREDIT: DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Molly A. Burgess.
Pace, who serves as chairman of the board for Pelican Products, said of the Pelican for Patriots program, “We just want to be able to give to these great heroes. It’s a small way of saying ‘thank you’ that will protect prosthetic arms and legs and make their lives a little better.”
According to the American Forces Press Service, Marine Corps 1st Lt. David Borden said he carries a number of activity-specific legs, and he’s looking forward to using his case. Borden was injured in a suicide bombing in Ramadi, Iraq. He has spent two years recovering at Walter Reed and plans to return to active duty within the next few months. Retired Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John Jones, who lost both legs in Iraq in 2005, also received a case. Jones heads the Wall Street Warfighters Foundation, which trains disabled veterans for jobs in the financial industry. He said his job makes him a frequent traveler, and he worries about breakage when checking his bags at airports.
Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO of Pelican Products, said his main concern is getting the word out to eligible servicemembers and veterans. Anyone who sacrificed an arm or a leg since September 11, 2001, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom qualifies to receive a free case. That includes nearly 1,000 people now, as well as “anyone, unfortunately who will become eligible in the future,” Pace said.
When we get the individual’s prosthetic need,” Pace explained, “we can design the inside of the case precisely to those measurements.” Each case will be custom-fitted with protective foam.”
Applications are available online at www.pelican.com
Editor’s note: This article was written by Judith Snyderman, Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity, and appears here in edited form.
