Charitable vet makes strides, inspires others

Laura T. Coffey Contributing editor • E-mail

In July we introduced you to Tom Deierlein, an advertising executive who made an improbable journey from a corporate office in Manhattan to the slums of Baghdad in 2006. Deierlein’s story was chronicled in the five-part msnbc.com series “Charity Begins at War.”

On Saturday, NBC Nightly News shared Deierlein’s story with viewers in a segment called “Making a Difference.”

Called back to active duty in the U.S. Army after 12 years, Deierlein served as an officer in Iraq — even though he didn’t have to serve at all. His obligation to the military actually had ended years before the Army called him up and threatened him with jail time if he failed to report for duty. While in Iraq, he started a charity to help Baghdad’s neediest children. He also was shot by a sniper and left with injuries that will affect him for the rest of his life.

Deierlein’s charity, the Tom Deierlein Foundation, has received more than $120,000 from donors to date. The charity purchases items in bulk for Iraqi children — including clothes, shoes, vitamins, toys, soccer balls, school supplies and blankets — and ships them to Iraq for distribution by Army soldiers. The charity also is helping to coordinate medical care for Iraqi children whenever possible.

One seriously injured Iraqi boy featured in Part 5 of “Charity Begins at War” is continuing to receive treatment free of charge from the University of Michigan Health System. Now 4, the boy still needs to undergo one more surgery. Once he’s recovered, he and his mother will return home to Baghdad. The Tom Deierlein Foundation has covered all of their travel expenses. Deierlein’s charity also has brought a little Iraqi girl to New York for much-needed open-heart surgery, which was donated and arranged by the Gift of Life program. 

For his part, Deierlein, now 40, is moving forward with his life at his usual full-bore pace. Ever since the sniper shot him through his left hip, pulverizing his pelvis and sacrum, Deierlein has remained focused on his recovery. He’s returned to his job as chief operating officer of Dynamic Logic, a Manhattan company that researches the effectiveness of online advertising, and he exercises for an hour and a half every morning before work. An avid runner, he hopes to be able to run three miles by the end of this year. He ran a 10-minute mile on a treadmill a few weeks ago.

“It was actually easier than I thought it would be,” Deierlein said. “I put on my iPod and put on my favorite music and just went. …

“I’m not trying to paint an overly rosy picture, though. Pain management is still a big issue every day. I’m in pain when I wake up. I’m in pain when I fall asleep. I’m in pain. But my health is continuing to improve … and overall, I’m doing great.”

Story inspires readers
Since July, hundreds of msnbc.com readers have responded to the “Charity Begins at War” series, and many of those responses have been heartfelt. Here is a sampling readers’ feedback about the series:

You have paid a great tribute to one of our unsung heroes. It is a wonderful story about our brave men and women, who in spite of failed policy and Pentagon screw-ups have served us well.
— Margaret, Papillion, Neb.

Tom’s story … was riveting! I first saw the Wednesday article and then went back to pick up Monday and Tuesday. I waited with anticipation for Thursday and (Friday). Tom’s story puts the war into very understandable perspective. People can relate to the story of the solitary person who attempts to make a difference. And the story highlights the difficulty of doing that in a situation full of pointless futility. Thank you so much for bringing this story out in the open.
— Paul, Arizona

I started reading the series and found myself greatly anticipating each new one. I really feel like I know Tom Deierlein. After reading (Part 4) I just couldn’t sleep. I’m not sure why. Was it the war? Was it the situation he found himself in (i.e., a garbage dump)? No, I think it was his decision to remain in the Army after the call back. He gave up so much. He lost so much. What patriotism. And today he gives so much back. I’m saddened by his physical issues, yet uplifted by his spirit. How many other Toms are out there? ...

Maj. Deierlein’s story touched a chord with me as no other story during this war. At 50, maybe they should send us to fight. I’m prior service, having learned how to shoot a pistol, M-16 and a 155 mechanized artillery piece. I make no political statement, but I do know we send our young to fight the wars that older folks start.

Thanks for the insightful piece. I still can’t help but feel for this young man. I’m also wondering if my boys will soon be fighting to protect a garbage dump. Please, dear God, please send me and not them.
— Cliff, Huntsville, Ala.

I want to take a moment to thank (msnbc.com) for one of the most professional, unbiased, touching stories I have read in a long time. It’s that simple.             

Thank you for the break from one-sided corporate news angles. You found a true, modern-day, real-life hero in Tom. He is the backbone of our military and country.             

I wish the media would provide more inspirational stories, such as yours, rather than constantly focusing on murder, robberies, white-collar crimes, rapists, destruction/disasters and government corruption.             

Nothing is black and white — you did a great job of highlighting our need to be there ... and obviously the risks and reasons it is not in our military’s best interest.
— Ryan, Nebraska

I wanted to let you know that I stumbled upon this article on Monday and have looked forward to reading each new day. The story helps put a face to this war and illustrates to me the incredible service our men and women in uniform are doing while in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a military wife it is not hard to find millions of stories like this one, but the way this was written was just so personal (that) you felt as if you know Tom … and all of the other soldiers.

There is a deep sense of betrayal in military families that our government has tied our loved ones’ hands and they are unable to serve and perform the duty the way they were trained. This story implies that and brings home all of those emotions. Thank you so much for bringing us this story.
— Leigh, Odenton, Md.

MORE FROM CHARITY BEGINS AT WAR

Charity Begins at War Section Front

Part 1: From executive suite to Baghdad Journal: Called back to active duty — ‘No joke’ Day 2: Minimal training for a huge task Journal: Readying for ‘very dangerous job’ Part 3: Venturing ‘outside the wire’ Journal: ‘ThunderCat6’ arrives in Baghdad Part 4: It all comes back to garbage Journal: Goodbye Baghdad; hello bed rest Part 5: Charitable spirit survives Journal: A new foundation Charity Begins at War Section Front   Add Charity Begins at War headlines to your news reader: