Meet one Soldier : Save one Soldier

“The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country."
                               - Gen. George S. Patton
                                                                                                     

This is Second lieutenant Gerry Kollath. He is a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army.  A career-long Paratrooper, Lt. Kollath served his country honorably as both a rifleman and a mortarman in the infantry in duty stations all over the world including Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Turkey and the Middle East.  Lt. Kollath has been awarded the Parachutist Badge, the Air-Assault Badge, and the coveted German “Schützenschnur”.  He also earned a French Commando badge from French Entainment Centre 7 and a Canadian Parachutist badge. Lt. Kollath was a Northern warfare specialist with several years’ experience in the extreme cold weather.

Lt. Kollath was also awarded the Army Achievement Medal four times, the Good Conduct Medal (twice), the Overseas Service Ribbon, The Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. Lt. Kollath was also a recognized linguist and spoke several languages including Hungarian, Italian and Japanese.  Lt. Kollath was also the Distinguished Military Graduate of his class and earned distinction as the only Regular Army commission to the Infantry the year he was commissioned.

 During his service, Lt. Kollath was diagnosed with diabetes and was medically terminated from service in the Army.  He chose to use the leadership skills he learned in the armed forces to motivate inner-city students, working with multiple organizations, including the Boy Scouts, and eventually becoming a highly regarded teacher of History, Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics and Judo in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Gerry can be found on  RateMyTeachers.com https://www.ratemyteachers.com/gerry-kollath/236845-t 

“Kollath was an excellent teacher who had great respect for his students. I learned a lot from him”
               – RateMyTeachers.com

Recently, Lt. Kollath suffered two serious strokes. After suffering six weeks in a coma, he successfully recovered consciousness, but the effects of the strokes and his protracted hospitalization left him not only with enormous financial problems, but also with cognitive and language impairments that prevent him from working or teaching in a traditional office or school environment. 

 But Lt. Kollath’s determination remains strong. Though now disabled, he is still a hard working Soldier with valuable skills. More than anything, his desire is that he be able to support himself through self-employment rather than relying on handouts.


                                                                                                                                                       
It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

                                 —General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
                                                                           

Please help us raise money to help ease the affects of his condition. Money will go directly to the Soldier to help him to achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment: Lt. Kollath is already taking action to build up an on-line advertising business that he can conduct from home. It is our hope that with the help of his friends, fellow Veterans, and brother Masons, Gerry will be able to support himself and overcome his current difficulties.
 
We will continue to update you all here as this fundraiser progresses.

Thank you so much for your generosity, love, and support.