Community Corner
VFW Raises Close to $60,000 for 23-Year-Old War Veteran
Saturday, VFW Post 2593 held a fundraiser barbecue and auction to benefit U.S. Marine Corporal Justin McLoud, of Cedar Hill, who was severely injured by a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan.
U.S. Marine Corporal Justin McLoud, 23, of Cedar Hill, briefly returned to St. Louis for the first time since Christmas 2009.
In December of 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, Corporal McLoud stepped on a roadside bomb and lost both legs above the knee and his left arm at the elbow. Since then, McLoud has undergone physical therapy at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego and will be there for another year before he can relocate to St. Louis.
In February, McLoud’s mother, Karri Mange, contacted the VFW in Cedar Hill and started working on a fundraiser to support Justin. As the event gained more support, Mange and the VFW post commander decided to hold the event at the more spacious VFW Post 2593 in Arnold on Saturday.
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“It became a district event. We have VFWs here from Farmington, De Soto, Festus, all over. The whole district worked to put this together,” said Post 2593 Commander Dennis Ecker. The 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. fundraiser featured a barbecue, a raffle, a silent auction, live music and several presentations made on Justin’s behalf from all over the city.
“Donations came from all over. People have been more than generous. We've had a gun safe donated, and a lawn tractor, a barbecue pit, signed pictures from the Cardinals and Blues,” said Ecker. “And it was all donated, so 100 percent goes to Justin.”
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Justin McLoud will return to California on Tuesday to continue his physical therapy.
“I’m learning how to use prosthetics, and it’s not too bad,” said McLoud, who was glad to be home in the St. Louis area for awhile. “The best part is being with my family and friends.”
Many of them came to support him during the fundraiser. Many veterans and community members who were touched by his service.
“We’re glad to support Justin, and he’s a post member for life now,” Ecker said. “The VFW is service-oriented. We try to make life easier on our vets in longterm care, so it’s important to get the younger ones like Justin involved.”
No final total has been announced, but Ecker said the amount raised for Justin was in the ballpark of $60,000.
“It feels good to see so many people coming out to support you and to support the veterans,” McLoud said. “It just feels good.”