Panama Vacation Quarters | How we give back

Purple Heart Medal Recipents

How Panama Vacations Quarters helps our wounded heroes: Panama Vacation Quarters is extremely proud to be associated with Vacations for Veterans, a non-profit set up to arrange free lodging for much needed R&R for Purple Heart Medal recipients of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. We are donating up to 10 weeks, valued at up to $1500 each week, at no charge to VFV or wounded veterans. Read how you can help too.

Click on the Purple Heart medal recipient's name below to find out more how their heroic efforts contributed to freedom and justice for all.

Purple Heart Medal Recipient	Date Guest at Panama Vacation Quarters
LTC Cosme Lopez	March 2011
Sgt. Peter Lara	Early March 2011
Sgt. Lionel Yates	Early March 2011
USMC SSgt. Mark Graunke (RET)	June 2010

LTC Cosme Lopez:

Lieutenant Colonel Lopez's awards for his actions and service to his country include a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army commendation Medal with Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Arizona Exceptional Service Medal , Arizona Long Service Medal, Arizona Service Ribbon 2/2 Service Stars, Arizona Military Academy OCS Medal, Arizona National Guard SW Asia Service and Support Ribbon and a Combat Action Badge. LTC Lopez is currently the Commander of Recruiting and Retention Command for the Arizona National Guard.

Sgt. Peter Lara: (2009 Army Times Soldier of the Year)

On 19 November 2005 First Sergeant Peter Lara, serving as the Platoon Leader for Task Force 2-1, while conducting a raid on an enemy safe house that was fortified with seven armed insurgents, was gravely wounded. First Sergeant Lara, despite his horrific injuries continued to lead his men in the assault. His actions are directly responsible for the destruction of a terrorist cell and allowing for the rapid evacuation of his wounded platoon members. His men are alive today because of the sacrifice and heroism he demonstrated that morning. First Sergeant Lara was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his Heroic Actions. Upon his release from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, still recovering from his injures and many more surgeries to come, First Sergeant Lara requested to return to his unit. He was re-assigned as the Rear Detachment First Sergeant for the next 12 months where he provided command and control for the wounded Warriors within his brigade ensuring their successful recovery and return to duty or transition to veterans serving in the civilian community.

Sgt. Lionel Yates:

Sgt. Lionel Yates enlisted in the U.S. Army right out of high school and served two separate tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan during his six year career in the Army. While serving in Afghanistan Sgt. Yates was attached to the Infantry and while engaged in a firefight was shot in the head and was critically wounded. Sgt. Yates received the Purple Heart for his actions in Afghanistan. Back to top.

Sgt. Mark Graunke:

SSgt Mark H. Graunke, Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corp. in 1996. During his career, he graduated from Marine Security Guard School and held additional billets such as Mess NCO, Training NCO, acting React NCO, and acting Assistant Detachment Commander. When he was not guarding the Consulate he very was active in the local community. He was the American Team Captain for the Karachi Olympics in 2000, helped organize fundraising efforts for a local orphanage, served as an ACEAK general board member and later became the Vice Chairman, and was the Color Guard Commander for the 4th of July ceremony at the Consul General's Residence. In 2000 he served as the Assistant Detachment Commander and later won “A” Company MSG of the year competition and tied for 1st place. He helped organize a move from one house to another for the MSGs stationed in Almaty. And he was sent to Astana, Kazakhstan as the Marine Detachment Commander during a Secretary of State visit. He reenlisted to be an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician on 10 November 2001.

He served as an EOD team member in direct support of 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. He was severely injured on 2 July 2003 while working on a piece of US ordnance that failed to function as designed. He lost his left eye, left hand, thumb and index finger of his right hand, and eventually made the decision to have his right leg amputated above the knee. He was medically retired from active duty 31 August 2004.

SSgt Graunke’s military decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment, Overseas Service, Marine Security Guard Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Back to top.

As you have read, these soldiers have served proudly and have given much to their country on behalf of our great nation. Each of them have also endured the experiences and personal severe trauma of combat. Please thoroughly review the information provided and seriously consider contributing $20.00, $50.00, $100.00 or whatever you feel comfortable with contributing on behalf of these fine American Veterans so they can enjoy some well deserved time away with their families.

As Vacations for Veterans coordinates numerous programs for deserving Purple Heart Veterans, please make a clear notation of PANAMA on your check or in your web transaction with Vacation for Veterans so your funds will specifically be directed toward the previously mentioned Veterans. Read about our partnership with Vacations for Veterans.

How Panama Vacation Quarters helps wounded heros

What is Vacations for Veterans? Panama Vacation Quarters is extremely proud to be associated with VacationsforVeterans.org, a non-profit set up to arrange free lodging for much needed R&R for Purple Heart Medal recipients of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.

In the United States, recently wounded veterans who sign up can travel to a selected destination for a break from medical treatment, or just take a vacation with family and loved ones. It is the property owners' way of showing appreciation to our wounded heroes, and that we support them and the sacrifice they made for the United States..

How Panama Vacations Quarters helps our wounded heroes: We are donating up to 10 weeks, valued at up to $1500 each week, at no charge to VFV or wounded veterans.

How you can help a purple heart recipient: Panama Vacation Quarters is taking this program to the next level. Because we are located in Panama, many candidates cannot afford the airfare. So, look inside your heart and inside your wallet or checkbook, and make a tax-deductible donation to VFV to cover the airfare for these heroes.

Vacations for Veterans is a 100% volunteer organization, and 100% of donations go this cause. Vacations for Veterans is a qualified 501 C 3 organization. Your charitable contribution is IRS qualified. You can donate with a credit card or use Paypal on VFV's website or mail a check, but BE SURE TO LABEL YOUR DONATION AS "PANAMA" so it goes to this specific effort. All payments are made to VFV, not Panama Vacation Quarters.

How much does it cost to send these heroes to Panama?: The cost for airfare and accompanying expenses to get our Veterans and their families to and from Panama, and various expenses while they are in Panama, runs about $1,700 per couple and about $3,400 for a family of four.

This is a very easy way for you to show a wounded hero that you appreciate his/her service to our country, by helping them visit our beloved Panama. Whether it's to show them some love or for the tax deduction, please support this cause today. You will feel much better for it.