MyTurn by JIM DUCIBELLA
Paulson ’ s Plan : Giving Back
V
IRGINIA BEACH ATTORNEY LOU PAULSON had something more in mind than thoughts and prayers when it came to supporting service men and women killed or maimed in the line of duty .
Paulson , a veteran pilot who flew in Vietnam , organized a one-day golf outing and auction at Broad Bay Country Club that raised $ 130,000 in 2022 — an unexpected windfall for one grieving widow .
Through the organization Tunnel to Towers , the $ 130,000 was turned over to LaToya Valmond so she could pay off the mortgage on her Virginia Beach home .
Paulson , a self-proclaimed “ military brat ,” thought that a charity that focused on veterans ’ families was ideal for military-heavy Hampton Roads .
“ I ’ ve been watching the commercials , and have been very moved by them ,” he said . “ The military has always been a part of my life and I ’ m very thankful for what they ’ ve given , especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives . I ’ ve been blessed by the Lord , and I just thought it was time to give something back .”
Tunnel to Towers was founded by Frank Siller in 2003 to honor his 34-year-old brother , Stephen , a firefighter who lost his life in the Twin Towers on September 11 , 2001 .
To date , the foundation has raised more than $ 500 million to pay off mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty and leave behind young children . It has delivered more than 1,000 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans .
LaToya ’ s husband Wolf Valmond ’ s goal was to join the Secret Service , and he dreamed of the day he would be assigned to the White House . In November 2019 , he took the first step in that journey when he left the Norfolk Police Department for a position with U . S . Customs and Border Protection .
He was sent to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick , Ga .
Lou Paulson at last year ' s Tunnel to Towers event at Broad Bay CC .
One month later , Valmond , 39 , was in a restaurant with classmates when an altercation began after a member of his party was accused of stealing a cellphone .
According to Customs officials , Valmond “ bravely attempted to protect himself and his fellow classmates from harm .” During a second altercation outside the restaurant , Valmond was shot twice by 29-year-old Calvin Jenkins and died before reaching a hospital .
LaToya , who works fulltime , applied to Tunnel to Towers for help for herself and her 11-year-old daughter , Genesis .
“ I ’ m honestly not sure what we would have done without Tunnel to Towers ,” Valmond said . “ It was already tough when he was here ; then we went from two incomes to one . I didn ’ t know how to make ends meet .
“ Having my mortgage paid off has lifted such a huge burden off my family and me ,” Valmond said . “ This has enabled me to carry out all the hopes and dreams that Wolf and I had previously discussed . I am truly grateful .”
The 2022 event encompassed much more than golf . Paulson and co-chair Dave Culler , the former commanding officer at naval station Norfolk , auctioned off a one-hour flight in a T-39 training jet . Two people entered a bidding war that capped
“ The military has always been a part of my life and I ’ m very thankful for what they ’ ve given , especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives . I ’ ve been blessed by the Lord , and I just thought it was time to give something back .”
— Lou Paulson
Proceeds from the event went to the family of slain U . S . Customs and Border Patrol officer trainee Wolf Valmond .
at $ 10,000 apiece . Culler gave each a ride in the sky .
Paulson hopes to offer a similar incentive at this year ’ s event , to be held on September 26 at Virginia Beach National .
This time around , the aim is to raise $ 200,000 , the average Tunnel to Towers estimates is needed to pay off one mortgage .
That ’ s merely a temporary goal for Paulson . In 2024 , he wants to build a home for a disabled veteran .
“ That ’ s about a $ 500,000 expense ,” Paulson said , with no hint of intimidation at the prospect .
To reach that goal , Paulson and the tournament ’ s other sponsors will cover all expenses . Every penny that comes in this year will go toward paying a Gold Star member ’ s mortgage .
Despite the efforts of Paulson and many similar grassroots organizations , Tunnel to Towers estimates there are 200 families still waiting for assistance . Expunging that list would be one way of instilling some small slice of stability into lives unexpectedly torn apart .
COURTESY PHOTOS
42 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2023 vsga . org