Disabled Mississippi Veteran Wins Hero’s Honeymoon Trip to Maui

Craig and April Beshires

By Wendy Osher

A disabled Mississippi veteran who served in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom is the winner of “A Hero’s Hawaiian Honeymoon” on Maui.

Craig and April Beshires won the Maui trip in a Veterans Day essay contest hosted by Air Maui Helicopter Tours earlier this month.

“There are so many service men and women who never got to experience a honeymoon because of their call to service,” the company stated in the contest entry flyer.

Company officials say the contest was also for wounded veterans who are married, but in need of a romantic getaway.

“This contest is in honor of our wounded US service men and women and also their spouses who are more than deserving of a Hawaiian Maui Honeymoon,” company officials stated in the contest brochure.

Here’s what Craig Beshires said in his winning essay below:

“I would like to nominate my wife and myself. I am an OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom)/OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) veteran who is 90% disabled through the VA. I did 16 years active duty service where my wife stood by me the whole time. She stepped up many times and was and FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader and anything else my units ever needs. She always kept the home fires burning and made sure I never had to worry about what was going on back home while I was away. When our lives changed on a dime and I was medically retired she took charge and moved heaven and earth to make it a smooth transition for the kids and I. When I first got out my PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) was not under control and April fought for me to make sure I got the care I needed, even making sure I got the inpatient help I needed. She had to once again run the home and our three kids alone but she never once complains about any of it. We spent years giving up things for our county and my job and still to this day she gives up so much to take care of our kids, our home and me. This would be such a wonderful getaway for her and I. She deserves the time to relax and we could really use the time to reconnect together and leave some of the stress behind. Please consider myself and my wife for this wonderful trip not because of the sacrifices I have made for our county but for the ones my wife, April has made and continues to make everyday. Thank you Craig Beshires”

As part of the contest, the Beshires won a airfare courtesy Hawaiian Airlines, accommodations, transportation, a helicopter flight, and other Maui activities.  They will be able to use the trip anytime within a year.

In a Facebook post, Craig said, ” I haven’t seen April smile this much in ages.”  April also responded expressing excitement and thanks for their trip to Maui.