Canby Herald Online

Making a soldier's wish come true

Local groups, businesses and individuals provide funds to bring a soldier home for Christmas

• By: John Baker  
• Published: 12/11/2009 10:22:24 AM
• Last Updated: 12/11/2009 10:51:55 AM

The CUSHMANS --
Sgt. Daniel E. Cushman with wife Amanda and 8-month-old son Johnathan. Thanks to the efforts of many, the Canby family will be together for Christmas this year.

A Canby soldier will spend the holidays at home thanks to the Christmas generosity of local individuals and businesses.

Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel E. Cushman, who had been training in Wisconsin with the Army National Guard 162nd, which is based in Salem, found out at the last minute that he and his comrades were going to get a four-day pass over Christmas.

While the news was exciting, one problem existed – the National Guard had no way to pay for the plane tickets to get Cushman and his fellow soldiers home. Worse, the families of these men often didn't have the funds readily available, either.

Enter sister-in-law Liz Carson, who works the front desk at the Canby Police Department. She got hold of Irene Breshears, who then got in contact with the Canby-Aurora VFW 6057 Post and Auxiliary as well as the Aurora American Legion 110 Auxiliary, who began soliciting funds for the plane ticket. Soon, donations from businesses like Millar’s Tires, Cutsforth’s Thriftway, Oliver Insurance, the Wild Hare and Partners Hair Salon helped get the ball rolling along with many anonymous donors.

"I just knew we couldn't wait," said Carson. "The longer we waited the more the price would go up and the ticket avilabilty wouldn't be there. What started as getting my brother-in-law home turned into something a lot more."

An awful lot more.

With little warning that the men would be available to come home, families did what they could initially, including taking out loans and foregoing mortgage payments. It was that kind of passion and sacrifice that inspired the effort behind simply one man getting home to Canby.

It's a passion that has carried on. Carson said that fundraising to bring the Guardsmen home has now topped $62,000 and that some of those families who sacrificed will get financial help, too.

"Now, all the Oregon guys are coming home and most of the Washington guys," Carson said. "It's been just unbelievable. People from as far away as Florida have helped. The special part has been seeing the veterans groups helping other veterans. Those organizations work so hard for the little bit of funds they get, so for them to open their chekcbook and pass it on is tremendous." 

It took just a few days to raise the $800 to buy Cushman’s ticket to ensure that he’ll be home for Christmas.


How you can help
While Daniel Cushman will get home, there are other men from Washington and Oregon in the 162nd who are still in need of assistance to get home. To help these men spend those four days with family, donations are being taken at this Web site: http://www.owva.org/donate.

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