A little over two years ago, a Green Beret, Sgt. 1st Class Joe Lowrey was shot in the head while serving in Afghanistan with the United States Army’s 7th Special Forces Group.

Somehow, he survived.

Two years of excruciating rehabilitation in military hospitals later, and the decision came up from high: he was to be medically retired. Due to complications, however, the original ceremony — slated for December 16 — had to be pushed back, to January 6.

One enormous problem faces those trying to honor the elite soldier — the military can’t legally pay for his travel expenses, because it’s after the official retirement date.

Expenses that, because of Lowrey’s injury, total over $12,000 just to get he and his family from their home in California to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

From NWF Daily News:

“We’re going to make it happen,” said Rick Erickson, a retired Green Beret and Army Ranger who served for 32 years. “I’m not sure how, but we’re going to make sure he gets the ceremony he deserves.”

Erickson is the founder of SaveMyVet, a grass-roots effort to provide emergency assistance to veterans facing financial hardships. He and others hope to raise enough money to buy plane tickets for Lowrey, his wife, his parents, his four children and two other family members to travel from California. They’re also looking for local accommodations and food for the family during their stay.

“We also need to rent a van with a wheelchair lift,” Erickson added. “That costs about $100 a day. I know this is very short notice and a difficult time of year to ask for help, but this is an urgent situation that just came to our attention.”
Erickson said Lowrey’s prognosis was grim after he was shot July 7, 2014.

“He’s overcome the odds and survived,” Erickson said. “Now we have to help him and all the other veterans who have served us with the struggles of every day life.”

To contribute to Lowrey’s fund, click here.

UPDATE: Thanks to the aforementioned fundraising effort, Lowrey made it to his retirement ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, with his loving friends and family looking on.

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(Incredible photos taken by Michael Snyder of the NWF Daily News)