'Rebecka and Cally Hinkle'

BYERS, CO "“ February 27, 2007 - How do two teenage daughters respond when their dad is wounded and nearly killed in an IED attack? They attack back. Rebecka and Cally Hinkle are two young 4H and Future Farmers of America ranch kids who live outside of the small town of Byers Colorado. Their dad, SPC Ron Hinkle, was wounded in early April of 2006. At first, what was thought to be a minor injury became the fight of his life. While at the bedside of his wife Reece who had suffered a heart attack, he fell deathly ill from infection. Ron was given his last rites on April 16 after being hospitalized on Mothers Day. Refusing to die, he went on to stand in front of a cheering crowd and receive his Purple Heart from the Vice President of the United States.

Because of the severity of her husbands wounds, Reece, who was also recovering, left her employment to provide full time care to her farmer-husband-soldier, who was unable to drive anymore. In the middle of all this, their oldest daughter Rebecka (Becka) was fighting her own fight. Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, it should have been all the family and Becka could handle, but instead of feeling sorry for herself, she wanted to "give back".

As the bills kept piling up, Reece was referred to USA Cares, a charitable organization for military service members and their families, and in a very short time, the family was able to take a deep breath again.

The relief on their mother’s face did not go unnoticed by the two teenagers, who, after talking to their dad about the endless lights in the evening sky, decided they wanted to give back. Becka and Cally wanted to find some way to support the organization that had made such a positive change in their lives.

They wrote a letter to all their family and friends explaining how USA Cares had helped keep the lights on in their home and made things better. Would everyone please count the lights in their own homes, send a dollar for each one, and then many more families could be helped by the folks at USA Cares. As a surprise to mom, and her now depleted stash of stamps, mail the letters they did.

"I want any solider helped in any way possible" said Becka, "And, I wanted everybody to know that there are wonderful people out there who really take care of us."

As the checks arrive, and are mailed to USA Cares, the girls send out thank you notes, confident, smiling, knowing that there are people in the world who care about military families, and are ‘lighting up’ the lives of others.

To help Becka and Cally continue in their quest to "Light" the lives of other military families, please send your donation to USA Cares, Attention "Lights" at P.O. Box 759, Radcliff, Kentucky 40159.

About USA Cares

USA Cares, Radcliff, KY based 501 c 3 charity, serves to provide military families of all branches and services with financial support, while offering direction and advice along with a caring attitude. Learn more about USA Cares by visiting www.usacares.us

USA Cares, Inc.

USA Cares, Inc.

USA Cares exists to help service members and their families across America and around the globe. USA Cares provides support with relevant and direct assistance that improves challenging situations and betters the life and well-being of America's service members who ask so little, yet give so very much. Helping service members and their families with quality of life issues using grants, counseling and mentorship.

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