Ric Ryan to Head to Operation Mend UCLA

Marine Ric Ryan (Vietnam ’67. ’68) has been walking since 2009 for his health. When he realized how fortunate he was to have his health, he turned his walking into something to benefit others.

He began to walk to raise money for Operation Mend, a joint Brown Army Medical Center and UCLA program designed to help wounded veterans returning home with disfiguring scars become “recognizable” again. The program involves many surgeons and support staff volunteering their time to help the wounded vets achieve some form a normalcy in their lives.

Ric Ryan pictured with Micki Phillips at the Copperopolis Veterans Spaghetti Feed Dinner.

While the military fixes them up and sends them home, the vet may be left with scars that society and citizenry at large would react to negatively. Some tell of how their children did not even recognize them. This is where Operation Mend steps in with teams of doctors and support groups for the families, all to help our wounded veterans.

Ric has walked a total of 3,276 miles and has raised 4,581.51 since he began his fund raising efforts. He will be presenting the check to Operation Mend on Friday July 21, 2011. He will receive a tour of the facilities and meet some of the surgeons that make the program possible. He will also meet some of our men and women that are receiving treatment there. Ric becomes very emotional at the thought of seeing the wounded vets. He worries about flashbacks to Nam, but more over he worries that he will not be able to be strong for them in the face of their pain, knowing they will need his strength, his compassion and his understanding.

By, Charity Maness

Update: Due to the incredible generosity of our community Ric will be heading down to Operation Mend with a check for $5,500.00!!!
Ric extends his heartfelt thanks to all who have helped him along his journey to help wounded veterans.