The Walking Man of Murphys – Ric Ryan – was presented with an
Honor Bear from VFW Post 12118 Ladies Auxiliaryat the Angels Camp July 4th celebration held in Angels Camp
Utica
Honor Bears are the brain child of auxiliary member Eva
Murphy who began the project in 2013 in hopes of reaching out to wounded
veterans to give them something that will comfort them without judgment and
remind them they are loved. Each bear is lovingly crafted from era and service
specific fabric from actual uniforms that have either been donated or purchased
with special funds from the auxiliary.
Ric Ryan, who walks to raise funds for Operation Mend, a
joint UCLA/Brown Medical Center endeavor to treat the scarring wounds of war
specializing in burns and facial reconstruction, has walked a total of 6000
miles and raised over $20,000.00 for the cause.
To date, the VFW Ladies Aux has distributed over 200 Honor
Bears to wounded veterans at Operation Mend, veterans’ homes and veteran
hospitals.
Ric Ryan with his wife Joanne holding the Vietnam Era Marine Crops Honor Bear