OOA’s Bunch appears on ‘Today Show’
By ED FRANKS
Local veterans organization Operation Open Arms and Capt. John “Giddyup” Bunch appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” Saturday morning. Bunch, founder of Operation Open Arms, was excited that the nationwide program camera crew was traveling from Tampa to the southern end of Pine Island for this fishing trip.
“I expect the camera crew to arrive soon,” Bunch said Thursday. “But it’s really about helping these two men Toby Mcglothlin and Jeremy Labrie. These two men are Army combat veterans that have served multiple tours and are probably part of the greatest generation of U.S. troops that have served because of their multiple deployments.”
Bunch and OOA have been featured on the “Today Show” before.
“This is our third appearance on the Today Show,” Bunch said as they awaited the arrival of the TV crew. “We were on the first time in 2005 and the second was in 2009 for our work with veterans suffering from PTSD.”
Operation Open Arms is beginning their 12th year.
“No one receives a salary and we are non-political with no religious affiliation,” Bunch said. “We extend services to service members without regard to race, religion, etc.
“The ‘Today Show’ will be filming the final segment on the Army Achievement Award,” Bunch said. “The award is given to any member of the armed forces who distinguishes him or herself through service to our veterans.”
Operation Open Arms has provided more than 1,200 fishing trips, participates in weddings, funerals and has provided direct assistance to our fallen heroes since 2005.
OOA is a 501(c) 3 public charity. Operation Open Arms, founded in St James City (2005) has now become OOA Fl and OOA Md. To date 3,304 U.S. troops have received $12.1 million in direct benefits.