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'Run 4 Chance' is a non-profit organization that serves to raise awareness and funds for veterans' needs. 'Run 4 Chance' members are friends and family to Marine Corps Lance Corporal Chance R. Phelps, who was killed by enemy insurgents in Iraq on April 9th, 2004. You can learn more about who we are and our efforts here.

This website, The Chance Phelps Foundation, and its sponsored events, do not support any anti-war effort.

Page, AZ 21 March 2007

Wow. So much has happened since last post, 7 days ago. Gretchen and Kelley are about 25 miles northeast of Page, AZ. Bringing the total miles walked last week to 158. That's about 22.5 miles a day. Not to shabby...

The girls have continued to meet great and supportive people whose lives have also been impacted by the war. State Highway Patrolman Alex Whitehair shared the story of his girlfriend, who was in the Army. She was critically wounded by a roadside Improvised Explosive Device and requires continual and expensive medical treatment due to chronic seizers. And now she's forced to get around with the use of a walker. Despite having a Veterans Administration that is suppose to look after disabled and honorably discharged veterans, Alex has had to pay the continual medical costs associated with his girlfriend's injury, and for a walker, out of his own pocket with no reimbursement yet to date. The bureaucratic process synonymous with the VA seems to be more than people can handle. The average processing time for an initial claim is 152 days (about 5 months); the average processing time for an appeal is almost 2 years. The current claims backlog at the VA is over 600,000 and increasing. This is not a protest statement, it's just the facts. Veterans from OIF/OEF, who are entering the system for the first time, are suffering medically and financially, and our hope is that through this walk we can help lessen that burden. And, by the way, thank you Alex for bringing the Walk to the attention of local media outlets in the Page area.

Speaking of media, Gretchen was on FOX News!!! She phoned in live to Studio B with Shepard Smith and talked about our group's efforts. The response was overwhelming. I received several hundred e-mails offering support, and also about 100 donations totaling $8,000! We are still a long way from our goal of $1 million, but every dollar counts. So far, we are 1% towards our goal. You can see the FOX News clip by clicking here.

Thanks everyone for your support and donations; we hear you loud and clear: the girls will march on! A big thanks to Cliff Butter and his wife from Salt Lake City for their generous donation, and the girls enjoyed the CD.

Miles to Go: 973

Posted by Rob @ 11:43 PM Post a Comment

8 Comments:
Thank You for doing what you are doing! This story should be posted on every news channel. Fisher House and The Semper Fi fund do more for family's then most people will ever realize. This young Leatherneck is not just a number. He is with you every step of the way. Great Job and Keep going, never quit!
God Bless and
Semper Fi,
A Brother Marine
4 Tours

By Anonymous, at 6:52 AM

I saw the Fox News report and I am now checking in everyday to see how you are both doing . I have you in my prayers everday and want to thank you for your son's sacrifice for my freedom and it is because of great parents like you that we have the greatest military in the world.God Bless you !!

By Anonymous, at 7:25 AM

Hi to all of you from the great state of Arizona!

We have met some great people here and the countryside is beautiful.

Just wanted to tell everyone out there who has stopped us to say hi and offer their support, a Big Thankyou! Also a special thanks to the Prescott, Williams, Flagstaff, and Page newspaper people for taking the time to visit with us, it means so much to us. And thanks to Brett & Steve from Channel 2 News out of Flagstaff, you guys did great!

Also a special thanks to a young Marine and his girl friend for stopping to talk with me on Tuesday. I didn't get your name, but thanks from this Marine Mom for serving this country!
And Alex WhiteHair thanks for contacting the Page newspaper, it was good talking with you!

Kelley and I are headed out to walk, hope to make it to Kayenta, AZ in the next couple of days!
Thanks again to all! We couldn't do this with out your support.

Sincerely,
Gretchen Mack & Kelley Phelps-Orndoff

By Gretchen Mack, at 12:24 PM

Thank you for drawing attention to the needs of our brave service men & women. Your son died as he helped to preserve our safety and freedoms. He was a true hero. My prayers sre with you and your family. Trri R.

By Anonymous, at 6:53 PM

Yesterday, as I was doing photography near scenic Tsegi, AZ, Gretchen walked past. Here are three photos.

http://jqjacobs.net/politics/images/gretchen_mack_t.jpg
http://jqjacobs.net/politics/images/gretchen_mack2_t.jpg
http://jqjacobs.net/politics/images/kelly_phelps_orndoff_t.jpg

By Anonymous, at 9:12 AM

I, too, saw the Fox coverage. Your efforts are most commendable. Having served many years in the Navy, I am so pleased to see the positive actions toward our military. Thank you and God Bless You.

By Anonymous, at 9:44 AM

Right when I got back with Lima 3/11 the first time from OIF. We had a ton of new Boots as we call them, and it just so happend Chance was one of them. I can tell you first hand he may have should up as a boot however he is now a hero to many myself included. He was my best friends roomate and although we were CPLs we still hung out with chance cause he was such a funny kid with a lot of life. I will be thinking about you guy's and him this good friday, and I will never forget Chance a America Hero.

By Anonymous, at 7:31 AM

Hello from Dubois
You two are fantastic.. Unreal story here. we are thinking of you everyday. Knowing thousands of prayers and love are wrapped around the two of you.
God speed.
We will see you when you get here.
Pete and Darlene Wimmer

By Darlene, at 8:12 PM

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