IMSFF St. Louis Golf Outing

August 24, 2008

Eureka, MO

UPDATE: Once again, the 4th Annual IMSFF St. Louis Golf Outing was a huge success. A video and brief write-up about the event can be found at www.cw11tv.com.

Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

"Their motto is Semper Fi --- always faithful. They're not just dedicated to their mission but their fellow soldiers. Sunday there was a local display of Marine commitment.

They invaded the Legends golf course in Eureka for the fourth annual Semper Fi Golf Outing. At the heart of the event was Marine Corporal Josh Bleill. "The Marines we're watching each others back in combat but when you come home they're still there," stated Bleill.

Once a marine - always a marine but Corporal Bleill will never again march with them. An IED in Fallujah took that from him. "It went off directly underneath me. It took both my legs instantly. Above the knee amputations, 32 pins in my hip, a six inch screw in my pelvis, broke my nose, jaw, fingers but I'm the lucky one I made it back," Bleill explained. As he struggled for life the Marines stepped in giving both emotional and financial support to his parents and fiance covering house payments to travel expenses during his two year recovery.

"They take the worries at a time when you can't concentrate on the little things and they take that away and they give and they give and they don't ask for anything back," exclaimed the Corporal. "The Marine Corps has a commitment to them. When we send them off to war if they get injured it is our responsibility to take care of them when they come home," proclaimed Brigadier General Gregg Sturdevant. It's through golf outings and tournaments like the one at Legends Sunday that the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund has provided more than $23 million in assistance. And the fund was just started in 2004.

No matter how you slice it a few good men and women can make a big difference. The golf outing will raise some $200,000 for injured marines. "Unfortunately I'm not going to be the last injured. I wish it were but it's not that way," Bleill said. If you're not a golfer but would like to help out or donate to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund log onto www.semperfifund.org."

Written by Theresa Petry


The 4th Annual IMSFF St. Louis Golf Outing will be held again this year at The Country Club at The Legends. Golfers will enjoy lunch, refreshments, dinner, prizes, auction and fun. Participation is limited to 45 foursomes.

For more information or to register for the tournament please go to www.semperfigolf.com.