Game 17 – Warrior Wishes Come True In San Diego

This week we’re packed our bags and headed out west to honor the legacy of LTC Heath Kelly & make Warrior Wishes come true for US Army SGT Jeff Selby, Marine CPL Shawn Collins at the San Diego Chargers game.

A few months ago I was able to score $34 airfare to Los Angeles. So Saturday night we flew to LA rented a car & drive a few hours south to San Diego.  Ironically the Car rental company upgraded our rental and gave us a Charger…

Sunday morning we met up with warriors for breakfast thanks to our friends at Whole Foods Market.

 Whole foods market on university avenue in San Diego has been helping us make Warrior Wishes come true & supporting our mission since 2012!

After getting to know the Warriors & their families over breakfast, we fought an hour of traffic and eventually made our way over to Qualcomm stadium to tailgate with some Chargers ultimate fans.   It was an ultimate Chargers tailgate experience!

 

The Warriors were treated to great seats 23 rows off the field thanks to Chargers Tight End, Antonio Gates & Safety, Jimmy Wilson!  Gates & Wilson donated their tickets to help us make these warrior wishes come true!

 

Unfortunately the Raiders were too much for the Chargers to handle & lost the game, but everyone still had a great time!

   

We would like to thank Whole Foods, the Bolt pride Tailgate, The San Diego Chargers, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Wilson  & New Era for helping us make these Warrior Wishes come true!

My dad was able to spend a few hours hanging out with Xander after the game before jumping on an overnight bus to Phoenix to make more Wishes come true at the Arizona Cardinals game Monday night.

TOGETHER WE MAKE WARRIOR WISHES COME TRUE!

 

LTC. Heath Austin Kelly was born on 20 May 1976 in Metairie, Louisiana.  He attended Military College in Vermont, and is a graduate of Norwich University.

Dually assigned as the Commander of the Nevada Military Department Joint Force Headquarters and the State Surface Maintenance Manager for the Office of the Director of Logistics, Major Kelly was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery upon graduation from Norwich University in May 1998.  He started his career with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 2^ND Battalion, 82^ND Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a Targeting Officer, Reconnaissance and Survey Officer, and Battalion Logistics Officer.  As a Captain he served as the Fire Support Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17^TH Field Artillery Battalion at Camp Stanley in the Republic of Korea and, in 2004, as a Security Force Action Officer for III Corps Artillery, Multi-National Forces Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.  

Appointed to the Nevada Army National Guard in July 2005, MAJ Kelly served as Detachment Commander for the 992^ND Troop Command (Las Vegas), Commander of the 1864^THTransportation Company (Las Vegas), Maintenance Management Officer for the Director of Logistics (Carson City), and as the Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer for the 991^ST Troop Command (Reno).

LTC Heath Kelly was killed  on September 6, 2011. A mentally ill gunman walked into the IHOP restaurant in Carson City, NV that morning and opened fire. LTC Kelly and several of his military team members became innocent bystanders of that tragic day since they were all in uniforms.

“Heath’s love for the serving his country was unparalleled. He literally carried the Soldier’s Creed in his wallet and he believed whole heartedly that it was his purpose in life to serve and protect the country he loved so much” Says his wife.

LTC Kelly’s military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

LTC Kelly is survived by his wife Tracy, his daughter Kassidy, and his son Tristan.

 

CPL Collins Enlisted in USMC in 2000-2004 and assigned to Camp Pendleton, CA.  He served in Light Armor Reconnaissance unit (1st LAR for the 1st Marine Division) as a crewman/gunner.  He has been deployed to Africa as a WESPAC mission in 2001 and then re-deployed to Afghanistan soon after.  Ensured security for supply deliveries and safety checks on military routes.  Deployed to Iraq in 2003 as the initial invasion force.  Conducted reconnaissance missions to ensure safe troop movements in hostile environments.  First to arrive at conflict/hostile locations to establish routes for troops to follow.  Rescued hostages from directed locations and recovered ammo caches from enemy troops.  Engaged enemy fire during hostile ambush.

Completed Marine Corps Rescue Swimmer school in 2002

Awards

Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Presidential Unit Citation

Combat Action Ribbons

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

 

Sergeant Jeff Selby is a U.S. Army Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Combat Veteran. He served proudly with the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade (Airborne) in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from September 1990 thru April 1991. Sergeant Selby played an integral role in the liberation of Kuwait, helping to drive out the Iraqi Army. Early in his career Sergeant Selby earned the parachutist badge becoming an Airborne Paratrooper. Sergeant Selby is the proud recipient of the following awards and medals. National Defense Service Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, Army Commendation Award and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Sergeant Selbys valor and commitment to duty and excellence are in keeping with the finest military history and traditions.

Sergeant Selby is a 30% service connected disabled Veteran due to sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee during his career.