Veteran Charity



Robert "Jack" Ewald is a 91 year old army veteran survivor who fought at the DDay invasion at Normandy in World War II and a former POW captured by the Germans when trying to help a wounded soldier.   He is already planning a trip to return to Normandy with his daughter for the 75th anniversary in 2019 to visit places he trained and fought, to remember those who died in the war, and to "see how many of us are left."  

Jack has been volunteering once a week at Sentara Obici Hospital for the past  5 years in the Orthojoint center helping with total joint patients right out of surgery.  He is a former total knee patient, and actually missed the 70th anniversary of Normandy because of needing a new knee.   Every Wednesday Jack is there with a smile on his face, giving assistance and encouragement to all of the patients.   He is truly an inspiration and brings happiness to all who are blessed to know him.   I am writing this on behalf of the rehab staff at Obici.  Jack has shared with us his intentions to attend the 75th anniversary at Normandy.   His last trip to Normandy was in 2010 in which he flew coach with his daughter and granddaughter.   That trip took a tremendous toll on him physically.  Jack mentioned he is saving up money in hopes of finding a less physically stressful way of getting to Normandy such as business class, etc.   We decided we wanted to help any way we could to get him to the 75th anniversary at Normandy in the least stressful way possible, financially and physically.  All the money raised will go towards any travel, lodging, or other expenses for Jack and his daughter to travel to Normandy and surrounding areas where he trained and fought.  

Jack is is truly an amazing man.   After all he has been through in the war (and he has some amazing stories to share), he always has a smile on his face and says he has never been depressed a day in his life.   The entire Orthojoint and rehab staff  at Obici including the nurses, therapists, doctors, supervisors, and fellow volunteers love Jack not (just) because of who he was in the past serving his country proudly, but because of who he is today - a kind, compassionate man who brings happiness and love to all those around him.   We are honored to know him, and are grateful for any help towards making his trip possible.