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| Successes |
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 The
original success story begins with SPC.
Travis Downes, a U.S. Army forward scout, who was home
on a two-week leave from his duty station in Iraq.
He just wanted to go fishing and Capt. John "GiddyUp"
Bunch responded immediately. |
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| January 2008 |
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| An amazing story of support - By AILEEN
McELROY,
amcelroy@breezenewspapers.com |
Operation Open Arms brings Texas Army
family local joy U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Francisco
Guerra and his family of six, including his wife,
Beatriz, and four kids, Lorena (7), Lucero (5),
Francisco, Jr. (3) and Larisa (1) were invited to
southwest Florida by members of the Operation Open Arms
organization, a group that offers soldiers on combat
leave memorable vacations and amenities in our area.
Last week, Staff Sergeant Francisco Guerra and his El
Paso, Texas, family of six enjoyed a taste of paradise
while vacationing on the Beach, thanks to Operation Open
Arms.
St. James City fishing captain John “GiddyUp” Bunch
founded Operation Open Arms in 2005. The Lee County
program aims to provide memorable vacations to U.S.
service men and women on temporary leave from foreign
duty by offering free amenities.
More than 140 local sponsors are members of the program,
providing hotel stays, golfing excursions, fishing
trips, fine dining and more.
“The underlying mission is that our sponsors perform
tangible acts of kindness for U.S. troops on combat
leave,” said Bunch.
The program serves solely Lee County military men and
women and their families. But, after receiving a letter
from Francisco’s wife, Beatriz, last October, the
founder broke the rules and invited Texan Guerra and his
family to enjoy beautiful southwest Florida.
Through her letter, Beatriz inquired if an Operation
Open Arms existed in Texas. She wrote of her husband,
who would complete his second 15-month deployment to
Iraq in December, and of her wish for the family to have
“a magical and memorable” family reunion that would
alleviate some of the stress the young family
experienced with a dad overseas, working seven days
straight in “extremely hot weather.” She signed the
letter “Beatriz Guerra, proud Army wife.”
After reading the letter, Bunch desired to give
Francisco a memorable temporary leave unlike the
sergeant’s last leave, which peaked with a family trip
to a local park and McDonald’s.
“Her letter sunk deep down into my heart,” he said.
Capt. GiddyUp approached his local civic group, the
Matlacha Mariners, who decided to fund the family’s
airfare to Florida. Over the past week, the Guerras took
advantage of all the Beach had to offer through
Operation Open Arms. Before returning home, the Guerras
enjoyed a sailing trip, provided by Capt. Tom Cameron of
Curlew Street.
On Monday, Cameron awaited the family’s arrival to his
backyard dock. Under a grapefruit tree beside the water,
he spoke of his Operation Open Arms membership.
“I read about Operation Open Arms and what it was doing
in the paper,” he said. “Donating services to any
returning military from Iraq and Afghanistan is right up
my alley. So, I immediately got in touch with Capt. John
Bunch.”
As a 1957-58 Army tanker stationed in Fort Knox and Fort
Dixon, Cameron feels a heartful kinship with today’s
U.S. military men and women.
“I’m a veteran, a former Army man and I’d do anything –
just to see them have fun and relax,” he said.
Previously, Cameron has hosted four soldiers and their
spouses aboard his 30-foot catamaran. The captain
encourages his guests to grab a cushion and a soda and
get comfy while sailing past Bird Island, Big Carlos
Pass, Fort Myers Beach or Lovers Key.
“My mast is 48 feet high, so if we go south through Big
Carlos Pass, we have to have the bridge open, which is
always something for them to take pictures of. After the
bridge, we go out whichever way the wind is going,” he
said. “An real added treat is the dolphins. If they’re
back there behind the bridge, what I do is bang the side
of the boat, and they’re very nosey. They come over and
swim alongside the boat.”
With high tide nearing, Francisco, Beatriz and their
four children, Lorena (7), Lucero (5), Francisco, Jr.
(3) and Larisa (1), arrived at Cameron’s bayside home.
As the kids frolicked with the captain’s dogs and picked
up shells lining the pool, Francisco, wearing an olive
Army cap, and his wife spoke of their stay on Fort Myers
Beach.
“It’s been awesome,” said Francisco.
“We’ve never been to Florida and it was a great
experience. It’s wonderful,” said Beatriz.
Over the past week, Operation Open Arms Beach sponsors
donated their services to the Guerra family. Andrea and
Tom of the Silver Sands Hotel hosted the family.
“We’ve been swimming at the Beach and at the hotel
pool,” said Beatriz, smiling.
Key West Express provided the Guerras with a Sunday
venture to the Keys, and Paul Russell of the Fort Myers
Beach U.S. Coast Guard station invited the family on a
dolphin-watching trip.
“Our children love animals. We saw a couple of dolphins,
and our children got to drive the boat,” said Beatriz.
The staff of Parrot Key treated the family to a dinner
of crabs, steak, shrimp and hotdogs.
“Parrot Key is a wonderful place. We loved it and they
had awesome food,” said Beatriz.
Five-year-old Lorena picked a hibiscus and placed the
flower behind her mother’s ear while Beatriz shared her
happiness about shedding sweaters and long sleeves for
sundresses and shorts.
“Up in Texas, it’s cold now,” said Beatriz. “The palms,
trees, everything here is so different. The climate is
awesome.”
Beatriz gave a wistful smile, surveying the bay behind
Cameron’s home.
“We didn’t expect all of this,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed
everything. The people have been great to us. We hate to
leave.”
After Francisco’s temporary leave, the sergeant will be
stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso.
“He went to Iraq and now he’s back for good,” said
Beatriz. “He and most of his soldiers are back. We’re
glad to have him back and safe.”
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| We received this invitation in
December 2006 |
 Senator Martinez to honor Operation Open Arms,
Collier County Veterans and
Those Currently Serving in our Military
You are cordially invited to join Senator Mel
Martinez and local American Veterans in honoring
Operation Open Arms, a local organization committed
to serving our military men and women on leave from
overseas. We will also have two special guests:
soldiers who have just returned home from Iraq.
Please join us as we salute our American heroes.
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 On
Saturday April 15, 2006 the "RUFFINIT" hosted an
offshore fishing trip for Robert Wictenberg and friends.
Robert is a soldier home for a 2 week vacation after
spending more then a year in Afghanistan. He will soon
be his way to Germany, from where he expects to be
deployed to Iraq in the near future. We all had a great
time, the weather couldn't have been better, and the
fishing was pretty good. Capt Hank |
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| The letter shown here from Lori Hancock says
it all about why Operation Open Arms is here. June 2005 |
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Captain Bunch,
On behalf of my brother, Scott McEnearney, and my entire
family, I would like to thank you for starting Operation
Open Arms. We had a wonderful time on Sanibel Island
during Scott's R&R. We were happy that we were able to
do the television interview to help promote your worthy
cause. I took a picture of Scott in front of the condo
we stayed at on Sanibel Island. I will send it to you in
case you would like to post the photo on your website... |
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We received the following email and
thought it should be shared so here it is: |
| Dear Sir
In an idle moment I
happened to Google my son's name and ran
across the picture posted at Operation Arms.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for
all you have done for the men and women who
serve our country. My heart was touched when
my son had shared with me about the
wonderful time he had on leave and how you
had helped make that possible.
You are doing a great service. My family and
friends were inspired by your generosity.
Please know that not only do you serve the
soldiers but your acts of kindness and
hospitality also serve their extended
families. It gives us great comfort to know
that our soldiers receive the well
deserved rest and restoration you help
provide.
A very grateful Mom in California |
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Thank you OOA for hooking us up with
Captain Jack Hanzek who took us out for
a day of fishing Florida style. Captain
Jack was a gracious host and the fishing
was super. It is such a nice thing that
OOA does. A good time was had by all and
made lifetime memories. Thanks so much -
SSgt Michael Carson and Chuck Drudy -
June 2007
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Veterans Notes
By Mary Ann Husty
mhusty@news-press.com Originally
posted on September 06, 2007
Do you you know someone in the
service returning from Iraq,
Afghanistan, Cuba, South Korea, or
Germany who has a few weeks of leave
before returning to their assignment?
If so, he or she would be eligible for
Operation Open Arms (OOA).
This program offers free services. It
serves Lee and Collier counties and
began in the spring of 2005.
Participating soldiers enjoy fishing
charters, stays at hotels, golf,
sailing, or even visits to the dentist
if needed.
More than 125 sponsors want to provide
them with a little rest and relaxation.
The goal of the sponsor is to perform a
tangible act of kindness for the men and
women in military uniform.
Bill Barnwell of the Farmers Market
Restaurant offers free breakfast, lunch,
and dinner for the entire two weeks they
are here. All they have to do is show
their active military ID and DD31 Leave
Form (specific to a return to foreign
service except U.S. Marines because they
do not get combat leave).
OOA is a non-partisan group with some
sponsors being for the war in Iraq and
others being against it.
This is all for the troops and is all
volunteer, void of money, religion, and
politics without a staff or payroll. No
money is made and tips are not accepted
from the troops.
“Our Troops are paying a very high price
at this time in our history. They will
not have a price to pay when they come
to Fort Myers and Naples,” said Capt
John "GiddyUp" Bunch.
During the visit, the group treats them
like royalty.
For details, call Bunch at 822-8888 or
go to to the site
www.operationopenarms.com.
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