Community lines up to support wounded soldier

HAMMOND | Kathy Rachowicz was overwhelmed Monday night by the sight of a line of people wrapping around the room and out the door to support her family.

Strangers, family, friends and classmates of her son, the lone survivor of a deadly explosion overseas, gathered at a taco dinner benefit.

Pvt. Doug. Rachowicz, 30, of Hammond, was serving in Afghanistan about a month ago when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb, killing four fellow members of his Valparaiso-based Indiana National Guard unit.

Since the explosion, he has had multiple surgeries and is steadily recovering, said Kathy Rachowicz, 57, of Hammond.

The tube that was implanted in his throat to help him breathe was removed Monday, she said.

"He's thankful for that," she said.

Rachowicz is able to talk freely now. He was able to talk to his son on the phone for the first time since the explosion and plans to make a telephone date with his daughter sometime in the next day, his mother said.

Although he's lost 45 pounds and still has a boot supporting his broken ankle, his determination is fierce.

"It's the road to home that keeps him going," she said.

Officials plan to move the soldier from a hospital in Bethesda, Md., to a intensive rehabilitation facility in Richmond, Va., by Tuesday.

Once he reaches Virginia, there's no telling how long his rehab will take, his mother said.

"We're taking it one day at a time," she said. "They don't like to put a time on things because every case is different."

And while Rachowicz is looking forward to the day he can return home, his family and friends are planning for his homecoming as well.

A taco dinner was organized by the soldier's family and friends to help him with his finances when he returns.

"We don't know if he will need a wheelchair, or need things built into the house to accommodate a wheelchair," his mother said. "We just don't know what the outcome will be, but we want to be prepared."

More than 100 people gave donations to the Rachowicz family at the taco dinner at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7881. Some were friends of family, others had only heard about the soldier's plight through the newspaper or Facebook.

Ricky Chmielik patiently stood in line to get a plate of tacos.

He doesn't know the Rachowicz family, but felt he had to support a fellow veteran.

Chmielik, 52, of Hammond, said he was in the Air Force from 1978 to 1984.

"Veterans take care of veterans," he said. "We always do, and we always will."

In front of him, Sandy Sullivan chatted with a friend. Sullivan, of Homewood, and her friend had gone to high school with Rachowicz's father.

"We just wanted to help," Sullivan said.

Across the room, Rachowicz's niece, Stephanie Gober, greeted guests and stood wide-eyed taking in the scene of people crowding into the hall.

"This really is great," she said. "We didn't expect all of this."

Gober, 21, of Lynwood, and her friends helped organize the benefit and have another set for 4 to 8 p.m. March 24.

The next benefit, a spaghetti dinner, will be at American Legion Post 232 at 6523 Kennedy Ave. in Hammond.