R. Lee ‘Gunny’ Ermey Helps Heal the Wounds of War

 CaringBridge(R) Enlists Hollywood Actor and Marine Corps Veteran to be the

          Voice of Hope for the U.S. Military's Wounded Personnel



    EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 21 /EMWNews/ -- Movie fans remember R. Lee Ermey

for his gritty, hard-hitting roles in films like "Full Metal Jacket" and

"Apocalypse Now," but the families of military personnel wounded in war

will soon be seeing a softer side. The former Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine

Corps drill instructor and veteran actor has been enlisted to be the "Voice

of Hope" for CaringBridge(R), a free, nonprofit Web service that connects

families and friends when a family member or friend is facing critical

medical treatment or recovery.



    "As a retired Marine, who is still very much involved with the

military, and who has seen first-hand what war does to young men and women

physically and psychologically, I'm passionate about CaringBridge -- I

believe it is crucial for our wounded military personnel to be able to

communicate with their loved ones around the world. It not only relieves

pressure on those undergoing medical treatment, but it also allows

families, comrades and friends to help," Ermey says.



    A Global Community of Care



    Primarily funded by individual private donations, CaringBridge has

quickly grown to become the largest charitable nonprofit Web site in the

world, according to Nielsen Online's traffic rankings. The service hosts

nearly 150,000 CaringBridge Web sites that have generated more than one

half billion visits and 20 million messages of hope and encouragement --

not only for families of recuperating soldiers, but for anyone who wants to

give or receive support when facing a serious medical condition, treatment

or recovery.



    Through CaringBridge Web sites, families can easily update those who

care and still be able to focus their energies on the person who requires

healing. Supporters stay involved by reading posted stories, viewing

photos, signing guestbooks and leaving messages of love and support. At the

same time, hospitals and treatment centers ensure patients receive the

emotional support their patients need, especially when personal visits are

not possible.



    "R. Lee Ermey isn't an actor who has played a Marine -- he is a Marine.

He's been there and experienced the wounds of war. He is the perfect person

to deliver messages of hope to families who want so desperately to help and

offer support to their loved ones who are recovering from critical

injuries," says Sona Mehring, founder and executive director of

CaringBridge.



    A Man of Many roles: R. Lee Ermey



    Prior to his successful acting career, Ermey served with the U.S.

Marine Corps for 11 years, rising to the rank of staff NCO, serving two

years as a drill instructor and a tour of duty in Vietnam. Under the G.I.

Bill, Ermey studied drama at the University of Manila in the Philippines

where Francis Ford Coppola was filming "Apocalypse Now" and cast Ermey in a

featured role. He has since gone on to star or appear in more than 60

films. Ermey is a Golden Globe nominee and Boston Society of Film Critics

Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in "Full Metal Jacket."

    About CaringBridge



    CaringBridge(R) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering free

personalized Web sites to those wishing to stay in touch with family and

friends when facing a serious medical condition, treatment or recovery.

CaringBridge's mission is to bring together a global community of care,

powered by the love of family and friends, in an easy, accessible and

private way. CaringBridge is the conduit of information, hope, support and

encouragement during a serious health condition. The goal is to ease the

burden of keeping friends and family updated while also providing a way for

them to send their love and encouragement. Nearly 150,000 CaringBridge Web

Sites have been created and there have been over half a billion individual

visits to those Web sites. For more information please visit

http://www.CaringBridge.org.