Nov. 9, 2008
Giving Thanks To Vets, Vegas-Style
Hotelier Honors Those Who Serve By Serving Them With A Vacation To Remember
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Play CBS Video Video A True Veterans Day To honor Veteran's Day correspondent Seth Doane is in Las Vegas, where one of the richest men in the world is on a mission to make our troops a priority again.
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Hotelier Sheldon Adelson and his wife greet veterans, his guests for a Las Vegas vacation. (CBS)
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Interactive Military 101 Basic training to learn all about America's fighting force.
For what seems an eternity our country has been fixated on the election, the roller-coaster ride on Wall Street, and our faltering economy.
Through it all, the fact that we are a nation at war seems almost an after-thought.
Lest we forget, since 2001 more than one-and-a-half million Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, battling the Taliban, and toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein.
To date, 4780 Americans have died, more than 30,000 wounded in cities and deserts far from home
Seven thousand miles and a world away, Sheldon Adelson (a veteran himself) is on a mission: to make our troops a priority again.
And he wants us to start with a simple "thank you," because he thinks they arent being thanked enough.
'Absolutely, they're not being thanked at all," Adelson told Doane. "They're forgotten, they're out of sight, out of mind."
He and his wife Miriam wanted to set an example, so they opened their hearts - and their wallets - and that's saying something, considering Sheldon Adelson is CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, and worth an estimated $26 billion.
Doane asked, how did he come up with the idea of doing something on a very big scale?
'Well, even though I'm a small guy, I never approach anything on a small scale," he laughed.
Adelson started bringing wounded veterans to Las Vegas for a 5 day, 4-star, all-expense paid vacation at one of the hotels he owns, which just happens to be the Venetian, the largest hotel in the world.
So early one morning a few weeks back, a group of 50 wounded veterans, their spouses and companions left the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and climbed aboard Adelson's private 747.
"Welcome aboard, nice to see you," the captain greeted them. "Come on in, make yourself at home."
It didn't take long for them to realize they were in for a treat.
"You're on one of his private jets - he has 14 of them," Patricia Driscoll, president of the Armed Forces Foundation (a non-profit veterans support group which organized the trip), told the guests. "We have the great Venetian staff here to serve you. We'll have a buffet when we set down."
From the moment they landed an American flag waving form the pilot's window - the thanks started pouring in first from a surprise guest, Lance Armstrong.
"As an American, as a father of three young kids, thank you," he told them. "Thank you for your service, and thank you for helping to defend our freedom and our great country."
(CBS)
"It's just hugs, handshakes," said one veteran, Sam Ickiss. "I couldn't even imagine something like this. I mean, when we landed, if we turned around and flew back, that would have been great."
Ickiss served in Iraq until a shoulder injury forced him home. His companion Wanda Siles was overcome by the welcome.
"It's very humbling, it truly is." She said.
"Why so emotional?" asked Doane.
"The support and patriotism, overwhelming support, everywhere you go," she said, tearing.
"It seemed to me that every person in Las Vegas was there to meet us, clapping and cheering," said Joe Caputo.
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Caputo is a Marine whose Humvee was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol in Iraq. The reason why we're willing to come and talk about it is not because we want any 'Atta boys' for it. What we wanna do is say to other people, 'Why don't you do something, too?'
Sheldon Adelson"You just see a flash, the explosion hit, and the driver was able to keep the vehicle from flipping over," he said.
He lost his hearing in one ear, but miraculously escaped other serious injury.
He and his wife Nadine were shown to their luxury hotel room.
"It definitely is bigger than our house," he said.
For Joe and Nadine, the room was just the beginning.
"I know that this isn't the only place that has rooms like this, but this is the only place that would give a room like this to, you know, I guess common folk like us," he said.
The veterans had private cabanas by the pool.
"Somebody had mentioned yesterday that we'd be getting the rock star treatment, and I don't even know if rock stars have it this good, to be honest," one vet said.
There were dinners at gourmet restaurants, a different show every night, and a paddle-boat tour of nearby Lake Mead, giving the veterans a chance to unwind and unburden themselves among friends.
(CBS)
"I'm sitting here, in Las Vegas, you know, in the lap of luxury, I've got my beautiful wife, and, you know, there's guys over there right now," he said. "They're sitting there in that desert sun. They're fighting it out, day in and night."
"Are you conflicted about that?" Doane asked.
"Yeah, definitely conflicted. Definitely conflicted."
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Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 27 CommentsThis week, I heard a quote on the news which said, "The only ones in our country who are sacrificing are our troops.". Think about it, we can all do something to show our support and appreciation to all of our troops and their families! Saying,"thank you", costs nothing.
Peggy Lovewell, San Diego CA
Thanks so very much.
Pete
I understand the Venetian partnered with the Armed Forces Foundation but I would prefer to give my contribution directly. After researching the Armed Forces Foundation, I noticed that they recently declined to help a veteran in need and ignored his many calls for help.
The Adelsons'' generosity is truly awe inspiring but they should not be the only ones to shoulder the burden of caring for our military. I sincerely would like to help.
All the best,
Robert Moran
West Palm Beach, Florida
Taken from 11/10 News Article "Help Wanted" in Emporia, Gazette (Kansas)
"...Application also was made to the Armed Forces Foundation, though Van Vickle said it seems no help will come from that source. "They quit answering my calls and they quit returning (calls) when I''d leave a message," Van Vickle said. "I just stopped."
Dear God. Why is it that some people always have to put a political spin on things or shoot good deeds down?
So what IF, IF it was a publicity stunt?
Our vets reaped the rewards of it!
Our veterans deserve so much more than they get and I hope others with cash to burn follow suit, as well as those of us that can pitch in a few dollars.
See for yourself: http://www.accountableamerica.com/people/adelson
b) Adelson is in financial trouble - see http://vegas.lalate.com/. He NEEDS good publicity.
Which is why I view this as a publicity stunt, nothing more.
I am glad some vets benefited - Lord knows they deserve it.
But as a vet, I served to ensure that my government was elected, not bought. The Sands and Venetian are not on my list of preferred casinos.
Mr. and Mrs. Adelson, there are no words to describe how it felt today to see what she described to me on the phone. From the jet, the greeting, the room, the clubs, the dinners, the shows... Thank you for the smiles and laughter I saw, and thank you to CBS for capturing.
Colin and Jamie, there is a long road ahead, you not only have us back at home, but a whole nation of proud Americans supporting you. This time we are going to do right thanks to people like Mr. and Mrs. Adelson leading the way to give to those who give everything... those who give everything without a word of complaint. You are amazing!
Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon what you have given to the veterans and their spouses is obvious, what may not be, is what you are giving their families. A renewed spirit and a chance to heal.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, the family of Colin and Jamie
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