Local man given $500 grant after being injured in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Leo McElrath IV of Cape Girardeau was recently presented a $500 grant from American Legion post commander Dennis Woeltje on behalf of The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.

McElrath, activated by the Army in 2003 to serve in Iraq, sustained a neck injury while driving over rough terrain. He is a member of American Legion Louis K. Juden Post 63 and the newly-formed American Legion Riders Post 63, a veterans' motorcycle organization.

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes partnered with The American Legion's "Heroes to Hometowns" program to distribute $500,000 in the form of $500 grants awarded to 1,000 veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq with disabilities rated at 30 percent or more.

"These grants are just a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many of America's men and women in uniform," said Thomas J. Palma, general manager of the Coalition. "Our Coalition was able to raise a lot of money from caring people, but we do not have the distribution network of the American Legion. The American Legion will do an excellent job in getting those grants to deserving veterans."

Woeltje said 29 Missouri veterans received awards statewide. "Eight of those 29 were awarded to servicemen in our own 14th district of the American Legion."

The district consists of 23 posts, totaling 3,121 members in Southeast Missouri.

Leo McElrath IV represents the fourth generation in his family serving in the military during wartime, each achieving the status of sergeant. McElraths served during World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and the Iraq War.

For more information on the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, visit www.saluteheroes.com. For more information on the American Legion, visit www.legion.org.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

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