I recieved a disturing email a few minutes ago that tore me up. I made the phone calls needed to verify this email to see if its true. Seems alot of vets and those who wish they could have served in retirement homes are dead broke due to med and rent. So I am asking to you to read what I read and help out. I am sending a couple of kits. not ofr just this gentleman but 5 others living there that did serve during World War II. To me its not right that they live out their last years just playing bingo or watching. And I think here on out the rest of my unwated kits have now found a home as I will begin hunting down vets in retirement homes and VA's. IF YOU ARE WILLING to send kits...send them to that address ...Thanks ALL. email sent to me is below.

From: LARRY WAKEMAN
Email: [email protected]

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Dear Sirs
I am sorry for this kind of letter but your my only hope,i am disabled with
MS and now i have to live here,you see i only have one thing left in my life
which keeps me going in these endless hours and that is building model
kits,the problem is once i pay my rent and get the meds i need i can no
longer buy any models,so i am reaching out to you to ask if you got any 1/35
scale armor model kit that you could please send to me? i would be very
greatful,you can call here to verfiy this letter, [ number removed by KitMaker staff - PLEASE DO NOT POST PHONE NUMBERS ON A WEB SITE ] .

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
LARRY WAKEMAN
C/O PRESTIGE ASSISTED LIVING
7514 NE 13th AVE #221
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON
98665, USA

------------------------------------------------------

Office Use Only:
From: LARRY WAKEMAN
Email: [email protected]

Login Name: Not logged in
Login Email: Not logged in

IP Address: 198.145.28.182 - 198.145.28.182
Host Address: 198.145.28.182
Date and Time: Tue May 5 2009 12:00:49 EDT

PS. PLEASE HELP AND PASS THIS EMAIL OUT TO OTHER WEB SITES. Its only feels right that I try to help the Vets who served in past wars feel good.

Good thought. I'll send 5 also. Our Vets must be taken care of. In the words of someone else, "Some gave all; all gave some." I can afford a few kits for what they paid.

Matt
USMC 65-71

I forgot to say "Thanks for posting this" to give the opportunity to help. It's real, folks.

Thanks again tankrat,

Matt

Thanks Tankrat for posting this, so many (and I hate to say this) forgotten Veterans....even a quick check or call to a local VFW or VA hospital will find someone close by.

As an employee of the VA, vets can get free model kits from there, as well as other craft goods. There is a good supply line to the system in place. I've seen the craft room myself.

Btw, if anyone can explain why his name pops up on Sistersin.com (a heavy metal website) with the same exact name and address, that would be wonderful. Heavy metal grandpa?
He is asking for free CDs from them too.

I would suggest before you get carried away sending items for the needy, you take the time to check this really is for the needy and not a CON job.

As far as physical address goes, its legit to include phone numbers. But, I highly doubt he is a WW2 vet, unless he says otherwise. It just sounds fishy...

Seems Mr Wakeman has more interests than only scale modelling:

http://www.comiccollectorlive.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=14943

http://www.amazonsellercommunity.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=2003952

I'm not saying he is or isn't who or what he says he is, but simply be careful. If you'd like to donate time or goods/money to your local veterans/returning service persons club, it may be best to contact your local office.

Rudi

Tarok, good find on the comic thread. I read through it and others there seem to have their suspicions also.

But the Amazon site came back with an email from the home admin saying it's was legit. So I guess it up to everyone to decide for themselves.
Nothing wrong with aging Heavy Metal fans, we all grew old, or will if we live long enough.

I'm off to slam dance now in my support hose and speedos.

I have checked google for the address and the assisted living home is lagit. I also called and talked to the Manager there. She said he is limited on the computer time and spends most of his time asking others to send him things to keep him busy indoors because he has no money as all his earnings goes to meds and rent and even that is hard for him to pay sometimes. He is not a Vet but loves to build models. However he is friends with 5 other Vets and all 6 get togeather to build models when they are available to build. So I sent him a box full of Italeri kits.

As previously stated, I said the addy and numbers are legit. I just found it strange that the same type post (with changes) was a little strange. Never said the guy was a liar or fraud, just fishy. Send away...

Sorry Sopmod6. That last reply was'nt toward you or anyone in general. I was letting everyone know that I did check into it and found out that there was good enough facts to convince me it would be worth while to send him a few items. I look at it this way. I will never build the kits nor sell them so I had nothing to loose and he took the time out to contact me and ask for help. So I did my boyscout deed for the day so to speak, not to mention he gave me the idea to check my local retirement homes for forgotten vets and see if they would be interested in building models. All is good brother.

Its all good Tank. If any and all out there want to give to your local soldiers past and present, and there is a VA Facility near you, drop of those unwanteds. Our VA policy in Columbia concerning crafts is one per veteran. A vet has to bring that completed project in to receive a new one. Keeps everyone honest. They'll also take old magazines too. You know how long the wait is sometimes....

There are also model clubs for active units, like the Al Barasa model club in Baghdad. GreatModels has a $100 gift certificate you can buy for them.