It’s no wonder so many people choose Hatteras Island as their vacation destination of choice. The beautiful weather, the gorgeous beaches, and the laid back, easy going attitude all of the locals seem to share.

When a couple of locals decided they wanted to start the Cape Hatteras Wounded Warriors Vacation Project, it came as no surprise to us that they would want to share the island’s natural beauty with those that have been wounded while fighting for our country’s freedom.

Kevin McCabe of Buxton and John McGee of Frisco are sons of Marines and founders of the project. They are working with the Military Order of The Purple Heart and the Wounded Warriors-Battalion East, both out of Camp LeJeune, NC. WWBn-E focuses on caring for and helping wounded Marines and Sailors.

The Wounded Warriors Vacation Project relies on donations from the community to give the selected service men or women and their families a relaxing vacation on Hatteras Island with little or no out-of-pocket expenses. Gift cards and certificates have been donated to everything from restaurants and grocery stores, to gas, fishing trips, parks, lighthouse climbs, parasailing, horseback riding, and air tours.

One of Surf or Sound Realty’s homeowners graciously donated a week’s stay at their condo, making it possible for David Donchess and his wife, Kim, to enjoy a much needed vacation at the beach. David is a Marine, stationed at

Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune , NC. He heard about the Wounded Warriors Vacation Project through his chain of command at Wounded Warrior Battalion-East and was chosen as a recipient for a vacation this week.

David was wounded in Afghanistan in 2010. He has traumatic brain injury, injuries to his knees and right hip, shrapnel to his back, amongst other injuries. David knew from age twelve, after September 11th, 2001, that he wanted to join the military. “I wanted to serve my country and felt the military was the best way I could contribute. I chose the Marine Corps specifically because my uncle Bill is a former Marine and I very much respect and admire him as a man,” said David.

David met his wife, Kim, online and the pair married this past January. They are both excited for their vacation on Hatteras Island and extremely humbled at the generosity the local community has shown them. They can’t wait to explore the island, do some fishing and learn about the local history. David added, “We are also looking forward to some much needed R&R and being able to spend uninterrupted time together.”

For more WW Vacation Project information, call John McGee at (252) 995-2924 or Kevin McCabe at (252) 995-4788. You can also email them at kmbythesea@charter.net.

A BBQ Dinner Fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors Vacation Project is taking place Thursday, August 25th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Buxton Fire House. For more information on the event, check out our Facebook page.

Donations are always accepted to make more vacations for wounded vets like David possible. You can make donations by check or money order only to Military Order of the Purple Heart. Please write on the memo line: for WW-Hatteras Vacation Fund. Send checks to WW-Hatteras, P.O. Box 431, Frisco, NC 27936. Make gift certificates to Purple Heart Recipient.