October 26, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (208)342-7985

(Washington, DC) Providing tremendous customer service is the number one goal, of seven goals, U.S. Senator Larry Craig has set for himself. Today that top goal was met when he was able to assist an Idaho veteran receive a free computer.

"I am very happy for Karl Goesele and I'm pleased to have played a part in helping him receive an upgraded computer to further his training as he prepares for a new job," said Craig (R-Idaho) who serves as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Goesele served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1981 through 1985 and had been living in California until moving to Idaho last year. Finding a good paying job was difficult and then one day, several months ago, he learned from the Idaho Department of Labor's veterans services division about a new online training program provided by the Purple Heart Service Foundation.

Goesele signed up and soon became the first veteran in Idaho to be accepted into the relatively new program. His class began September 11 of this year.

"September 11 has a special meaning for every American and it seemed appropriate to start one of our classes on that day," said Ken Smith of the Purple Heart Service Foundation.

The job training program enables military veterans to earn $11 an hour during the 600-hour (15 week) educational process? earning $6,600. Qualifications are simple: A veteran must have a VA assigned disability rating, and a copy of his or her DD-214. A Purple Heart award is not required.

"Getting accepted into the Purple Heart Foundation's training program was a God-send, but shortly after school started my old laptop computer started experiencing latency issues, lock-ups, and has made it substantially difficult for me to complete the training," Goesele said.

After notifying officials at Purple Heart about his situation, they in turn contacted Sen. Craig to see if he could help. After several attempts, Craig's staff reached out to the United Way in Boise, who in turn contacted the Boise-based Building Materials Holding Corporation, which agreed to help.

"I am just ?stoked' to receive this updated computer, and I want to personally thank Senator Larry Craig and Gaye Bennett of the United Way of the Treasure Valley for making it happen. I want to thank Ken Smith, Program Manager, and the staff at the Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation, but most of all Paul Street and Sheila Close, from Building Materials Holding Corporation who donated the computer, and Microsoft corporation for donating the much needed software. I am overwhelmed with relief and so happy to get their help. I am also thankful that a state like Idaho cares so much for their military veterans. In California, you felt like a number," Goesele said. 

The Purple Heart Foundation reports that 43 veterans from Idaho have applied for the program so far ? 7 are now in classes and 19 others have been approved for training starting in November. The program is available to veterans across the nation. Interested individuals should call the Purple Heart Service Foundation at 800-935-9924 (Monday through Friday between 10 am- 6pm Eastern) or go online at http://www.purpleheartfoundation.org/job_training.asp .

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