Giving veteran now in need of help

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque man is hoping to help out a friend who has helped so many over the years and has never expected anything in return.

On appointments to the Albuquerque Veterans Medical Center, Jerry Chmielewski would visit the doctors.

He'd also talk to other patients; soldiers who'd come back from Iraq, who needed someone to talk to.

But lately Chmielewski's found he needs more help than ever.

Chmielewski still finds a lot to laugh about and admire despite the health problems that keep him from doing a lot.

"I, you know, need my knee replaced," Chmielewski said. "I need my shoulder replaced again and I have liver cancer and my spleen's enlarged so I'm a bleeder."

The Vietnam veteran said he's learned no matter what, life is good.

On his last tour of Vietnam he lost seven of his friends on a ship that went down.

"I've been living for them guys," he said. "There have been times when I didn't want to go on, but I think about them."

So Chmielewski has made it a mission of his to give to others.

"There's soldiers that came back from Iraq and whether their burn victims or amputees he's always there just sitting there listening," Matthew Darrall said.

Darrall isn't an Iraq war veteran, but Chmielewski's given to him.

They were neighbors seven years ago. Friends ever since.

"If I needed a bike or if somebody needs ajob he's always there to try to offer resources," said Darrell.

What Chmielewski doesn't know is that his gift for giving can really inspire a person.

Darrall and his wife want to give back to Chmielewski.

With Chmielewski's health deteriorating and bills piling up, Darrall is holding a garage sale; hoping to raise a little money for a great friend.

"(If I) asked God to give me a son, that would be him (Darrall)," Chmielewski said.

You can make donations at paypal.com to email address: helpjnj@hotmail.com.

You can also drop gently used or brand new items the days of the garage sale, or attend and buy.

The garage sale will be held Friday Aug. 27th and Saturday Aug. 28th between 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. at 552 1/2 Golden Meadow NW in Albuquerque.

From Alameda go north on 4th, turn left before the Head Start Community Center. The home is at the second bend on the left.

Cash donations also can be made through Paypal.com to e-mail address: helpjnj@hotmail.com.  (Please see: KRQE Terms of Service Disclaimer of Liability and Warranties ).