March 10, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- An Atlanta rehabilitation hospital will provide
free care to wounded military veterans who need brain or spinal
cord injury services that are not covered by the government.

The Shepherd Center has promised to provide a range of testing,
care and rehabilitation services. It's part of a philanthropic
effort driven by philanthropist Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of
Home Depot.

Marcus joined Shepherd Center officials Monday to make the
announcement. He said the veterans "are putting their lives on the
line every day, and they deserve the best treatment possible."

There is no set budget for the so-called SHARE Initiative.
Marcus said he will start paying bills, and hopes other
philanthropists and medical centers will join in.

Citing Army statistics, Shepherd Center officials said an
estimated ten to 20 percent of troops leaving Iraq have signs of
concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury.