Mr. Mack Willoughby is an 88 y/o black man who found himself in a  nursing home after suffering a Heart Attack and Stroke. The plan at  that time was for him to receive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation  and be discharged to home. Shortly after his admission his condition  declined to the status of hospice. With medicare paying his bills,  they refuse to pay for his care that now changed to hospice. Medicare  only pays for short term care. Hospice now changed that. By late  summer of 08, Mr. Willoughby was discharged to home without any  family support and little to no medical assistance. At that time, his  greatest medical needs were not being met due to restrictive and
 lacking medical insurance. Despite being a World War II veteran, his VA benefits were partial. Miraculously, after being home, by the end  of the summer Mr Willoughby's condition had improved; but found  himself at home alone with only his wife, suffering from severe  deficits that left him blind and bedridden.
 
 A distant family member out of state asked a local Minister to check on the well being of his family member. Carlton Thomas, retired Guardian Knights (GK) member and Community Action Director went to the  home and found the couple in dire straights. Mr. Thomas contacted the  President of the GK, Bianca Thompson, and advised her of the couple's  need of help in all areas. It was agreed that this was a perfect opportunity to use this needy family as a catalyst to begin a  Community Based Program that will assist seniors living in our  communities with their needs in order to maintain an excellent quality  of life, and reach out to other organizations like the GK to establish
 programs to help the largest population of people; our seniors.
 
 As the Willoughbys' only source of help, the GK addressed their  problems one by one. While investigating VA issues, it was found that  Mr. Willoughby was a highly decorated veteran, yet was still not  receiving full Veteran benefits. After extensive research, Mr.  Willoughby was found to be one of the most decorated war heroes in  modern history, and the 1st African American recipient of 4 Bronze  Stars. After an initial interview with Mrs. Willoughby, we asked
 specifically what we could do for her and their greatest need. Her only  wish was longterm care for her husband without any restictions. Mrs.  Willoughby's greatest fear was to have Medicare attach themselves to her  home after their death, and have nothing to leave her family, who now  and to date are absent.
 
 After multiple trips to the VA at 0630 in the morning, daily, to  be the first in line, hours/days on the phone with Social Service, we  found increasing help from the VA, resulting in them assigning a companion to assist around the house for 2 hours a day. Prescriptions  began coming in and equipment needed which included ramps, stair  lifts, bed lifts, and physical therpy. Congressman Elijah Cummings  was contacted and his office looked into and found all of Mr
 Willoughby's medals that never made it home. According to Mr.  Willoughby, he along with other black suffered extensive hostility  while serving. Being beaten by white military officers and having his  medals given to his white counterparts.......Medals his family never  heard of, nor knew about. On Saturday, May 23, 2009, Mr. Willoughby  was presented with his medals by Congressman Cummings, and today the  Commander of Ft. Meade will again present the medals bringing  delegation with him and celebrating with a military band.
 
 Several months ago, the nursing home that Mr. Willoughby shortly  resided in brought legal action to the faimly to satisfy a $40,000  debt that was never paid. Today, after legal assistance obtained, the  debt now stands at 4000. President Thompson has a personal  relationship with Mrs. Willoughby that occured after "selfless help."  She is highly grateful for all the assistance given after her grief  partially resulting when "my own family did nothing." You can see the  full story and interview tonight as Mr. Barry Simms does and 11 News  Investigates. Mrs. Willoughby was also interviewed on 1010am radio  back in April.