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"As a retired Marine, who is still very much involved with the military,and who has seen first-hand what war does to young men and women physicallyand psychologically, I'm passionate about CaringBridge -- I believe it iscrucial for our wounded military personnel to be able to communicate withtheir loved ones around the world. It not only relieves pressure on thoseundergoing medical treatment, but it also allows families, comrades andfriends to help," Ermey says.
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A Global Community of Care
Primarily funded by individual private donations, CaringBridge has quicklygrown to become the largest charitable nonprofit Web site in the world,according to Nielsen Online's traffic rankings. The service hosts nearly150,000 CaringBridge Web sites that have generated more than one half billionvisits and 20 million messages of hope and encouragement -- not only forfamilies of recuperating soldiers, but for anyone who wants to give or receivesupport when facing a serious medical condition, treatment or recovery.
Through CaringBridge Web sites, families can easily update those who careand still be able to focus their energies on the person who requires healing.Supporters stay involved by reading posted stories, viewing photos, signingguestbooks and leaving messages of love and support. At the same time,hospitals and treatment centers ensure patients receive the emotional supporttheir patients need, especially when personal visits are not possible.
"R. Lee Ermey isn't an actor who has played a Marine -- he is a Marine.He's been there and experienced the wounds of war. He is the perfect person todeliver messages of hope to families who want so desperately to help and offersupport to their loved ones who are recovering from critical injuries," saysSona Mehring, founder and executive director of CaringBridge.
A Man of Many roles: R. Lee Ermey
Prior to his successful acting career, Ermey served with the U.S. MarineCorps for 11 years, rising to the rank of staff NCO, serving two years as adrill instructor and a tour of duty in Vietnam. Under the G.I. Bill, Ermeystudied drama at the University of Manila in the Philippines where FrancisFord Coppola was filming "Apocalypse Now" and cast Ermey in a featured role.He has since gone on to star or appear in more than 60 films. Ermey is aGolden Globe nominee and Boston Society of Film Critics Award winner for BestSupporting Actor in "Full Metal Jacket."
About CaringBridge
CaringBridge(R) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering freepersonalized Web sites to those wishing to stay in touch with family andfriends when facing a serious medical condition, treatment or recovery.CaringBridge's mission is to bring together a global community of care,powered by the love of family and friends, in an easy, accessible and privateway. CaringBridge is the conduit of information, hope, support andencouragement during a serious health condition. The goal is to ease theburden of keeping friends and family updated while also providing a way forthem to send their love and encouragement. Nearly 150,000 CaringBridge WebSites have been created and there have been over half a billion individualvisits to those Web sites. For more information please visithttp://www.CaringBridge.org.
SOURCE CaringBridge
