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| Zach Harvey, CPO |
Zach Harvey, CPO, was invited to the White House and mentioned in President Bush's speech on September 8 as part of a celebration of the USA Freedom Corps volunteer program. Harvey, who is the lead prosthetist at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) has traveled internationally with the Volunteers for Prosperity program, which matches skilled U.S. professionals with service opportunities around the world.
President Bush said in his speech, "This year [Volunteers for Prosperity] mobilized more than 43,000 doctors, teachers, engineers, and other skilled volunteers. That's a pretty good start for an important program, it seems like to me. These men and women...live out one of America's strongest beliefs--that to whom much is given, much is required....
"One of those people who is a member of this important team is Zach Harvey. He serves on the prosthetics staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. When he isn't--(applause)--let me finish with old Zach. (Laughter.) When he isn't busy helping our wounded warriors, he's putting his skills to use in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic as a Volunteer for Prosperity. He works with pediatric cancer patients who've had a limb amputated as part of their treatment. He and his team of volunteers fit the children with new limbs and they pass on their skills to other caregivers.
"He says the only payment he receives is the pride that comes with children--seeing children walk again. And Zach, we are proud to have you here and thank you for your service. (Applause.) Zach doesn't want anybody to look at him--(laughter)--but you can't help it when you're that kind of kind man. Appreciate it."
Harvey told The O&P EDGE, "I was honored to be part of President Bush's speech on Monday at the White House on volunteerism.... I'm still a little in shock about the whole thing."
