Donations are being collected for the family of Latseen Benson, a Tlingit soldier from Alaska who was seriously wounded in Iraq.

Benson lost both his legs in a roadside bomb attack. After emerging from a coma, he is slowly recovering at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is helping to collect donations to cover certain costs, such as airfare to Washington. His family hopes he can come home next summer.

Benson, Army specialist, was due to return from Iraq at the end of October. But to the "stop-loss" policy, he was forced to extend his tour of duty. It was during this time that he was injured in the bomb attack.

Donations can be sent to the Alaska Pacific Bank in the name of the LATSEEN BENSON FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND.

Get the Story:
Station set up at Heritage Center for injured soldier (KTUU 12/10)
Mother blames policy for son's Iraq injuries (The Anchorage Daily News 11/16)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Native Heritage Center - http://www.alaskanative.net
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count - http://icasualties.org/oif

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