Operation Open Arms answers a call for help; Volunteers make trip home possible for widow of soldier killed in hit-and-run

By MARIANNE PATON, pineisland@breeznewspapers.com

A woman critically injured in a car crash that took the life of her Iraq war-veteran husband was able to go home to her family this week, thanks to a local organization dedicated to providing services to military members home on leave from overseas.

Operation Open Arms, which provides free or discounted services to these vets, put out a call to area residents to help get Lauren Beougher home to family. Beougher suffer a punctured lung and other serious injuries in the crash that took the life of her husband, Staff Sgt. Daniel Lee Beougher, who served two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.

Due to the extent of her injuries, an airline flight was out of the question, so Capt. John Bunch put out a plea to the community to address Lauren’s need.

Taking to the airwaves, Bunch asked area residents to come forward to help transport Lauren back to her home in Wilmington, Del., where she would receive further treatment for her devastating injuries. Bunch felt the logical mode of transportation would be by RV.

“Once again, the people of Lee County and Pine Island never cease to amaze me,” said Bunch. “The list of answers to the call of duty had come from as far away as Naples and Punta Gorda,” he said. “When a reporter had asked me what if no one steps up and offers an RV, what will be your strategy? My response was I don’t think that way nor do the people of Lee County. This will get done.”

The response to his request was overwhelming and immediate, Bunch said, and all options of transportation were made available to the Beougher family within two hours of the request.

“Of all the calls I received, which totaled 228, I felt literally that it would never stop. For the first time in my life, I felt like the Energizer Bunny.”

Coming forward with an offer to drive Lauren home were Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Hodges of Alva.

“When I spoke with Mitch, it was like talking to a fellow Marine. He simply said, ‘We are ready. When does she need to leave,’” said Bunch. “It blew me away. The words were few and powerful. I knew I had found my lobster.”

In addition to the call from Hodges, other offers came in the form of the offer of a Lear Jet with a full medical staff, 42 RVs, the offer of full taxi fare, three offers of limo service, 82 offers of vans and 48 offers of SUVs.

“One of the best offers came from a poor person willing to part with his last $10 who said I could have it if I came to his house to pick it up. He said ‘It might not sound like much, but it is a lot to me.’

“Had it not been for the generosity of the people in Lee County. Lauren would not have been able to go home until the day after Christmas and now she is on her way and will be home for the holidays,” Bunch said.

The RV carrying Lauren Beougher departed less than 24 hours after Bunch’s impassioned plea.

“This was one of the more compelling accomplishments of Operation Open Arms,” said Bunch. “In addition to all the calls from all over and the help of OOA’s 141 sponsors, as well as the three OOA partners, Lexington Country Club Military Group, the Matlacha Mariners and the Matlacha Hookers, I received a call from a fellow Pine Islander as well who pledged she and her husband’s RV. Her name is Ethel Murray and I cannot thank her enough for her kindness and generosity and everyone who has showed so much caring during this difficult time.”

While grief stricken himself — Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Beougher and Lauren, were to have spent a day fishing with him via OOA the day after the accident occurred — Bunch swallowed his sorrow and kept true to the OOA message of support.

Sgt. Beougher was visiting in Lee County and he and his wife had planned to take advantage of the many offers made to members of the military from the Pine Island-based organization. Unfortunately, Beougher and his family never had the chance to participate in the program due to his death in a hit-and-run crash in North Fort Myers on Dec. 8.

During the regular Tuesday meeting of the Lee County Commission on Dec. 4, Operation Open Arms was presented with a special proclamation accepted by Bunch. The proclamation states, “Now, therefore be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida, that we do hereby proclaim the seek of Dec. 2 - 8, 2007, as Captain John “Giddyup” Bunch and Operation Open Arms week” however, Bunch takes little of the success of OOA as his own.

“Operation Open Arms is not about me, it’s about all of OOA’s sponsors and supporters. I am so proud to be associated with all of the businesses and individuals who continue to support this important program,” he said.

In response to an e-mail sent to Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall from Bunch concerning the Beougher transportation solution, she wrote, “John, this story brings tears to my eyes. You have done such an incredible job getting the message out and I am so proud of our community and their open hearts. It is such an honor to know you, and you have an incredible capacity for love and giving. You and your team are simply wonderful. Thank you so much again for your work and commitment.”

OOA was founded by Bunch in April 2005 when he had taken an young visiting soldier for a free fishing charter. He then approached businesses on Pine Island for a donation to show support of members of the military who were spending temporary leave from duty in the area. Among the first to respond were the Tarpon Lodge in Pineland and the Sandy Hook in Matlacha. Today, those visiting the Web site at www.operationopenarms.com will find offers of free or discounted meals at area restaurants, fishing charters, lodging, gift certificates for everything from clothing to movie tickets and much more.

Operation Open Arms opportunities are available to those serving in the military who are in the area for a temporary leave from duty from the Middle East with orders to return overseas.