Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 | 11:21 a.m.
The families of four servicemen killed in the Iraqi war are going to split $42,000 from the Patriot Fund, with the first distribution of the money raised from private donations in Nevada presented to the family of Army Staff Sgt. Cameron Sarno on Wednesday.
"We're just trying to do the best we can, and the care and loving support we're getting from the people of the state of Nevada has been a help," Sarno's sister, Jamie Lynn Gallarde, said as she accepted a $6,000 check from Patriot Fund Chairman Joe Brown at the Jones Vargas law firm in Las Vegas. "I'm trying to get over it but I turn on the TV and still see our soldiers over there, and I just pray for all their families.
"I know the pain and sorrow that they are going through."
Sarno, who was hit by a truck and killed while stationed in Kuwait in September, thought of Las Vegas as his second home, and Gallarde said she can't thank the residents and businesses in Las Vegas enough for their concern. She added that the money will go toward deferring funeral expenses.
The fund, which is managed by a board and was started in April, will give $12,000 to Tina Cline, Kim Byers and Carolyn Pokorney, whose husbands were killed in action this year in Iraq. All have small children.
"The board felt that we wanted to give a little more to the widows who had minor children," said Brown, a local attorney. "We're holding back about $32,000 in case, God forbid, we have more casualties.
"We just want to recognize the sacrifice made by Nevada citizens who have volunteered for the armed forces and are fighting this war in Iraq."
If there are no more Nevada casualties the remaining funds will be split among the four families, Brown said.
Gallarde, of Hawaii, was in Las Vegas to close up Sarno's apartment.
"Last time I was here I was helping move stuff into storage, and now I'm getting his things in order, so it's hard," Gallarde said.
Sarno, a member of the 257th Transportation Company, was the first soldier from Las Vegas killed in the Middle East since the beginning of the war. He had lived in Las Vegas for about five years and had worked as a driver for a ready-mix concrete company.
Sarno's ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii by about 40 surfers, Gallarde said.
Brown said Mandalay Bay has put up Gallarde for free for four days so she can take care of her brother's affairs.
Tina Cline, the widow of Marine Lance Cpl. Donald Cline of Sun Valley, north of Reno, said it was a "total shock" when she received notification she was going to get the $12,000.
"It will help tremendously," said Cline, who has children 1 and 3 years old and is moving into a new house Oct. 23. She said when her husband, Donald, was deployed she sold everything in her home, counting on him being discharged from the Marines in July 2004.
Donald Cline, 21, of Sparks, was killed on March 23 during a battle in Southern Iraq.
Tina Cline said she will use the money to start covering some of the unexpected expenses of moving into a new home.
Tina said she appeared before the board of directors of the nonprofit fund several months ago and was told she would receive something. But she said she forgot about that.
Kim Byers, widow of Army Capt. Joshua Byers of Sparks, lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. Joshua Byers, a Reed High School graduate, was killed on July 23 while riding in a convoy outside Ramadi, Iraq.
"We are so grateful to the Patriot Fund for its caring support," Kim Byers said. "More importantly, our family wants to thank all of the donors for their thoughts, prayers and generosity."
Carolyn Pokorney, the widow of Marine Lt. Frederick Pokorney Jr., 31, of Tonopah, lives near Camp Lejeune, N.C., and could not be reached for comment. Pokorney died during fighting near An Nasiryah, Iraq also on March 23.
Nevada Adjutant General Giles E. Vanderhoff, a member of the board that oversees the Patriot Fund, said that the Patriot Fund board work as facilitators.
"Credit belongs to the countless Nevada citizens who recognize that these families have paid the highest sacrifice for freedom and that we as Nevadans are there to help and to never forget," Vanderhoff said.
Initial contributions to the fund were made by Perry DiLoreto, Harrah's, Jones Vargas, McDonald Carano Wilson, Newmont Mining Corp., Nevada Tri Partners, SBC, Sierra Pacific Power Co., Station Casinos, Wells Fargo and American Nevada Corp., which is owned by the Greenspun family, which publishes the Las Vegas Sun.
"We've had school children sending in checks for $1 or $10," Brown said. "We've just been trying to get the word out."
Other members of the Patriot Fund committee were Kirk Clausen of Las Vegas and Jerry Bussell, Greg Ferraro, Sylvia Samano, DiLoreto, Bruce Rodela and Vanderhoof, all of Reno.
Those wishing to donate to the fund can do so at any Wells Fargo Bank to account number 665-584-3909.
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