August 26, 2004

Pro-America Spirit welcomes home Marine Brian Outman

Almaden Feed and Fuel site of celebration

By Jeanne C. Lewis
Staff Writer

With patriotic fanfare, Pro-America Spirit members, family and friends spent last Saturday at Almaden Feed and Fuel welcoming home 20-year-old U.S. Marine PFC Brian Outman after two tours of duty in Iraq.

Outman served in Baghdad for his first tour and witnessed the destruction of Saddam Hussein’s statue. During his second tour he was called to restore order in Al-Fallujah where four contractors were murdered. Both actions brought international attention.

“This country has so many liberties,” said Renata Carico, the founder of Pro-America Spirit at the event. “And they [the service people] are fighting for those liberties. When I was a young child, my family would take road trips to Mexico and I would see children my age, living in shacks with no plumbing, in tattered clothes and no shoes and I realized how lucky I was.”

Pro-America Spirit, which now boasts approximately 200 members, was formed over a year ago. The organization sponsors Pro-USA/Support Our Troops rallies, care package drives and welcome home events for the veterans. So far they have sent 3,000 pounds of care packages, letters and raised $2,500 for shipping costs with the help of the Red Cross Operation Care and Comfort.

Pro-America Spirit member Nelson DeSouza contacted “Mama” Linda Guzman of Almaden Feed and Fuel regarding space for their events.

“When Nelson called looking for space, I said sure,” Guzman commented. “This gives us an opportunity to do something for the troops. The owners are 100 percent behind us. My children are grown and have young children of their own. So this is a way we can help. This isn’t about the war—whether it’s right or wrong—it’s about helping our troops.”

The Feed and Fuel accepts donations for Pro-America Spirit and provides room for their monthly car washes to raise additional contributions for care packages to the troops.

Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, made a brief appearance before the Pro-America Spirit presentation and was presented with a flower arrangement by founder Renata Carico. Tillman, who was raised in New Almaden, had played football for Leland High School before turning pro for the Arizona Cardinals. He gained international attention when he walked away from his multi-million dollar contract to join the army after 9/11. He was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan in April.

“I’m old enough to remember how Vietnam veterans were treated,” Stephen Monfort, a member of Pro-America Spirit said at the presentation. “I was determined that would never happen again. It is a privilege to meet the armed services going and coming back home and to express my appreciation for what they have done.”

Kevin Outman, Brian’s brother and a Pro-America Spirit member, created the slide show shown during the presentation and also served in Iraq.

“It’s so important that we keep our officials accountable,” Earl Edwards, a Vietnam veteran commented. “And that we provide for the service people properly and that the wounded and injured are cared for.”

“Brian Outman would rather have a private barbecue with his family and friends,” Nelson DeSouza said after the presentation of a plaque honoring Outman’s service to his country. “Real heroes don’t like too much attention.”

Outman’s current plans are to marry his fiancé at the end of this month—and he says he is ready to serve a third tour if called.

To donate items, or for more information, visit the Pro-America Spirit Web site at www.proamericaspirit.org or the Santa Clara Valley Red Cross Web site at www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org/news_humanity3.html#quality.