Farzad Azad of Java Jazz and Soup Nutz Café and Restaurant in Honokowai has quietly run a patriotic program for U.S. soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For years, he has coordinated Soldier Appreciation Vacations that bring Purple Heart soldiers to Maui for seven days, including round-trip tickets, accommodations and food.

“We want to appreciate our soldiers and do what we can,” Azad explained.

You can support this important program and offer thanks to soldiers hurt while serving our country by buying Azad’s CD at http://www.javajazz.net/javajazz_music_cd.html.

“Please buy one of these CDs and bring a Purple Heart veteran to Maui! We need to raise money by June 15, 2009, so we can bring 12 Purple Heart soldiers to Maui,” he told the Lahaina News last week.

Soldiers Azad has helped so far include Alain Jermaine Lewis from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Eric Cagle from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pfc. Lewis of the Third Infantry Division was wounded July 16, 2003, in Baghdad, when the Humvee he was driving hit a land mine. The explosion blew off his legs, burned his face and broke his arm.

On Oct. 14, 2005, Staff Sgt. Cagle of the First Battalion, 27th Infantry based at Schofield Barracks suffered brain injuries when a roadside bomb slammed his Humvee in Huwijah, Iraq.

Reading about these two soldiers and many others, they face their lives after the war with the same courage they showed in battle.

Purple Heart soldiers deserve a dream week on Maui to heal, recharge and have a great time.

To contribute to Soldier Appreciation Vacations, contact Azad at farzad@javajazz.net or call 667-0787.

“These are basically kids that believe so much in the ideals of America that they put their lives on the line every day, and so many have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Azad noted.