These are the newest pages on CBS4.com
Print
Nov 27, 2008 10:54 pm US/Eastern
Local Soldier Fights The War Against Hunger
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Davis Says He's Felt The Pain Of Being Destitute In The Past & Wants To Help Those Who Are Now In That Condition
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
-
-
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Davis (left) visited a homeless encampment and fed the residents for Thanksgiving.
CBS
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Davis is a career military officer who was deployed to Afghanistan for six months this year. He's grateful he was able to return home safely in August, and he now feels strongly about a new mission: doing everything possible to help those in need----from serving hot meals at the community partnership for the homeless to taking brown bag lunches to hidden encampments.
Joe North, who is homeless, and his wife received the food and plan to share it with 40 others.
"It gives us a reason to look out for other people," said North. "We don't have much."
47-year-old Davis has been in the military for 22 years. His time in Afghanistan, as commander of the American forces network, made him acutely aware of the need to give people hope.
"This does not happen in Afghanistan," said Davis. "What the American forces are doing is so important, to bring people in, to educate people and to feed people. It just reminds us that we are all humans and we all need to support each other."
It's something these people say they appreciate.
"I think it's great," said Thomas Reese. "We need more people like that in the world."
"It makes you feel very glad that someone will take the time to help homeless people," said Jesse Lawrence-Hayden, who is also homeless.
"It really reminds you of what Thanksgiving is all about and reminds me of the troops still out there and still struggling," said Davis. "You know that by God's grace, we could be someone in need and, so you help out those around you."
Davis says he takes this very seriously. At one point in his life, he was broke and he says he'll never forget how that felt. He's grateful to be able to give instead of receiving.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Happy Holidays, South Florida!
