About a week ago, I posted this story about a special Marine who loves chess. Well, many of you helped me locate Cpl. Justin Colon. Thank you everyone for helping me get the message to him.
He got the message and contacted me today. I will see what I can do to help him achieve his chess goal which is to make the All-Marine Chess Team.
In addition, I would love to help the military expand their chess programs. I think chess can help our military men and women develop various special critical skills.
If you know of the proper people or channel to propose this idea, please feel free to do it. I will do everything I can to help. This is the least I can do to show my appreciation for all the sacrifices that they make for this country.
Thank you!
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Susan:
You are the best.
I would love to help the military expand their chess programs.
Susan, that would be great if you can do that. The men and women of the military risk serious injury and even death for us every day; I think it’s a wonderful idea to pay them back a bit by enhacing military chess programs.
One of the great problems with overseas postings, even in a war zone like Iraq or Afghanistan, is boredom. Chess programs, especially via correspondence (which could follow the player from posting to posting) would go a long way to help alleviate that.
Susan, there is much need for support for chess in the military, not only in the forward deployed zones but in the Veteran’s hospitals. I live in the Washington, DC area which is home to two of the largest military hosptials where vets recover. Chess is a way of keeping traumatized minds busy, a way of showing strong young people they can compete on a different kind of a field-a way of leveling the playing field when they’ve lost a limb. I would like to see USCF members volunteer to do outreach programs to share basic knowledge of chess in an outreach to Vets. Chess is something we can give these heros in our military which will last a lifetime. I have written to the USCF regarding this matter previously. I commend you for your desire to help and hope that others will join us. I feel motivated on this issue and hope to gain political support from our local representatives which are accessible living in the DC area and encourage the support of everyone to donate a set to send to a vet or volunteer an hour or two to share chess with a hospitalized Veteran. Thanks Susan! Laura- wife of a now retired military service member
Susan, thank you so much. A Marine who came back from Iraq told me one night after bombs and the huge fire the only thing he walked out with was his wooden chess set and underwear.