CNN Gives Thanks to Local Hero Brad Blauser

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Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids

Brad Blauser with one of the hundreds of Iraqi children to receive pediatric wheelchairs thanks to the North Texan's efforts

Five years ago, Brad Blauser of Grapevine landed in Iraq as a civilian contractor. Though his family remains here, Blauser has stayed in Baghdad. But he quit his job in 2005 in order to focus full time, and without pay, on securing wheelchairs for disabled Iraqi children, to whom he refers as "the forgotten ones in this war."

Last week Blauser came home to be feted for his work: He was at L.D. Bell last Tuesday and in L.A. Saturday night, where CNN -- with the assistance of a Love Boat panel of judges that included Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Turner, Shakira and Kirk Cameron, not to mention millions of online voters -- named him one of the year's Heroes. CNN will televise its tribute Thanksgiving night, as Blauser shares a stage with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Kate Hudson, The Rock and Neil Patrick Harris. A video featuring Blauser in action follows.

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3 comment(s) / Post a Comment

Concerned Citizen says:

Of course Mayor Tom Leppert is too busy to welcome home soldiers. He was invited to this event, on December 12. The event is marking the first time since 9/11 that the all the soldiers in the company will be here in the US and the last time for the foreseeable future. The unit actually had soldiers in Jordan when 9/11 occurred; these soldiers became a part of the force invading Afghanistan in October 2001. Since that time, either a soldier or a sub-element of the unit has been serving on active duty in harm's way.
Why is it that the Mayor has the time to conduct a fundraiser on December 3, yet he cannot afford two hours to welcome home the soldiers of a unit that has been located in the Dallas area since the end of the Vietnam War?

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 23 2009 @ 12:53PM

Dee says:

Kudos to CNN for shining the spotlight on this true hero.

he too would be forgotten or unknown were it not for this honor.

Selflessness must be praised.

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 23 2009 @ 6:59PM

Brad Blauser says:

Thank you, Dallas Observer, for running this article! I appreciate the coverage, because more light on the need helps provide more supply... Brad in Baghdad

Posted On: Monday, Nov. 23 2009 @ 11:57PM