Vacations for Warriors looks

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Army veteran Robert DeMonbrun was looking for a way to help fellow soldiers and came up with something simple. He’d help them get some quality time in with their families.

“Life is tough for them and I wanted to give them a time to relax and decompress and just be together as a family and strengthen their family bonds,” said DeMonbrun.

So, he created Vacations for Warriors, which reaches out to service members who have su ered from physical or invisible traumatic injuries. On May 20,the group will hold what’s dubbed “Casino Night,” helping fund Vacations for Warriors.

e event runs from 5:30-10 p.m., Saturday, May 20, at Littleton Elks Lodge #1650, 5749 S Curtice St. DeMonbrun, who served during the Vietnam era, felt compelled to help veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He started his nonprofit in 2014. Funds are raised to send wounded soldiers and their families on vacations to places like Hawaii, Disney World and New York.

“Although those wars are over, these guys still face many challenges,” said DeMonbrun.

Injured troops can spend weeks, months, even years in rehabilitation and even after that, some wounds linger. Post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries are challenges that may last a lifetime.

“When they transition to family life when they get out of rehabilitation, they needed to reconnect with their spouse, their parents, their children and our vacations are for them to help them transition back to family life,” said DeMonbrun.

Vacations for Warriors has so far sent 45 warriors and their families on vacations, including several from out of state. is upcoming event will be raising funds for Army Sgt. Christian Valle, Marine Pvt. First Class Kevin Hanrahan and Army Sgt. Ezquiel Rodriguez and their families. Previous vacation recipients will be at the event.

A $50 donation includes a light dinner and casino chips as there will be poker, black jack, craps and roulette.

For more: contact Bob DeMonbrun at 720 373 0479 or bobdemonbrun@ gmail.com