Jason Ehrhart, a veteran who lives in Dayton, is featured in a new documentary mini-series called "Wounded: The Battle Back Home". The series, which is available on Netflix, was produced by the Wounded Warrior Project, and focuses on important issues for this generation of military veterans and their families.
The episode featuring Ehrhart is called "Jason — Advocate." While serving in Iraq, Ehrhart's Humvee took a direct hit from two anti-tank mines that sent the Army gunner flying out of the armored vehicle. His one leg sustained severe injuries and had to be amputated, while the other was badly mangled. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Since Ehrhart was so severely injured, his parents, Mike and Pam Estes, were told that it would be best if they left him in the Veterans Administration hospital, but they refused to do that, and instead brought him home to Dayton. For the past nine years Ehrhart's parents have cared for him 24 hours a day and have fought to ensure that he received the treatment he deserves.
In 2010, Mike Estes joined a group of other caregivers, organized with the Wounded Warrior Project, and successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Caregiver Act, which allows Veterans Affairs to provide payment to a veteran's caregiver, even if that person is a family member. That helped, but Ehrhart and his parents are still fighting to get our veterans the therapeutic care they may need for the rest of their lives.
You can watch the very moving episode about Jason and his parents on You Tube by searching on your computer for "YouTube Jason Advocate". There you will find the "Wounded: The Battle Back Home" series. There is also an update called "Jason — After" with more information about the Wounded Warrior Project and how they are helping our veterans.
The Choir of the College of William & Mary, under the direction of James Armstrong, will perform a free concert on Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m., at Glenelg High School. Glenelg alumna Marianna Stepniak is a member of the choir. The program will feature the American premier of a Baroque choral masterwork, Gregor Werner's "Missa Contrapunctata," as well as the premier of an arrangement of "The Londonderry Air" by William and Mary composer Robert LaRose.
Lynne Quinn announces that St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Glenelg will serve an Italian Feast on Thursday, March 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner will cost $9 per person, with a cap of $30 for a family. As always, children 5 and under are free.
For more information, call the church at 410-489-4035. Dinner will be prepared by Smokin' Hot Bar and Grille in Glenwood, and you can eat at the church or take the food home with you. Proceeds will benefit the youth program at St. Andrew's Church for the pilgrimage to New Orleans this July.
The Folly Quarter Middle School Leo Club invites you to an Indoor Yard Sale on Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to noon. You can rent a table for $20 to sell your treasures. Send an email to Neighbornetwk@aol.com or call 443-506-7394 for more information.
You can also donate items which will be sold at designated Donation Tables. Local families in need will be invited to shop for free at these tables. Donations can be dropped off on Friday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria. All donations are tax deductible. All the proceeds from the yard sale will be used by the Leo Club to help people in our community.
Ham and oysters are on the menu at Lisbon United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 21, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Dinner will cost $17 for adults, and $6 for children aged 6 through 12. You can eat at the church or take a carry out home with you. For more information, call the church at 410-489-7245.
The Glenelg High School Boosters Club's annual Spring Bash will be Saturday, March 21, from 7 to 11 p.m., in the Salandra's Barn, on Carrs Mill Road. The theme will be "Celebrate Maryland", and the ticket price of $55 per person includes a buffet dinner with appetizers and desserts, beer, wine and soda. The Boosters are raising money for the academic and athletic programs at Glenelg. For more information, go to http://www.GHSBoostersbash.com.