Group to give out 1,000 more grants to soldiers this year

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund plans to award another 1,000 grants this year.

One of the recipients, Lance Cpl. Gabriel Morse of Coon Rapids, recently got $2,000, which he used to pay off debts.

"I was hurting real bad for money," said Morse. "And when I got the call from them, I was overwhelmed with joy because it was just perfect timing."

Morse was ambushed in Iraq more than a year ago, and had shrapnel wounds across his back. He says he'd like to return to combat, but is still dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"On a physical aspect, yes I'm recovered," Morse said. "But mentally, I still have a little bit more therapy to go through here. But I'm hoping by summertime I should be done with that, and be ready to go back and start doing my job once again."

The fund gives as much as $10,000 to injured soldiers, $5,000 for the families of those who have died in combat, and $500 for those who served without injury.