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July 19, 2008 - 6:53PM
Ripley: Vet wants Marines to have a ball — and you can help
Jim Ripley, Tribune
He was introduced at the Chandler Chamber breakfast as the most decorated serviceman in the East Valley.
Retired Lt. Col. David Althoff doesn’t know if that is true. But with 76 medals and decorations and combat duty in Korea and Vietnam, the Marine aviator is in rarefied company.
The Chandler High and ASU grad flew attack airplanes in Korea and helicopters in Vietnam. He was shot down four times, earned three Silver Stars and four Distinguished Flying Crosses and many more honors for his courage and service.
He deserves one more — for his heart.
While you and I can’t give him that medal, we can help him out, and I’m sure that will mean just as much.
Althoff is asking for sponsorships so that active duty Marines can attend the East Valley Marines USMC Birthday Ball on Nov. 8. A mere $80 from those of us who didn’t have to dodge bullets in combat is a bargain.
If Altoff’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he started a real estate brokerage firm after leaving the Marines in 1972. His business, which he sold eight years ago, had offices in Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Scottsdale.
During that time, he never closed the first chapter of his adult life.
“You never get the Marine Corps out of your system,” he explained.
Last year after attending Marine Corps events in Phoenix, he and Rich Hippner, another retired Marine, decided to form East Valley Marines. He explained that the two of them wanted their group to be about something more than just a vehicle for ex-Marines to stay in touch.
“That’s when we decided we have to do something for wounded veterans,” he said.
They decided to hold an East Valley Marine Corps Birthday Ball and channel the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior program that helps seriously disabled Marines.
Althoff said one of the program’s many services is that it provides apartments to enable family members to be near their disabled loved one during rehabilitation.
Some 200 Marines and their guests attended the group’s inaugural Marine Corps Birthday Ball in the East Valley last November.
Althoff and Hippner have their sights set on doubling that number at this year’s USMC Birthday Ball on Nov. 8.
Young Marines and reservists in the area often can’t afford to attend the ball; so that’s where you and your $80 sponsorship for a Marine and a guest come in to play.
Better yet, $400 will sponsor an entire table.
My $80 check is written. Will you match it?
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