thedrifter
12-08-07, 06:29 AM
Kindred spirits offer support
JENNIFER HLAD
December 8, 2007 - 1:06AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
After Sept. 11, 2001, the nation poured support into the New York City area as the country prepared for war.
Friday, for the second year, firefighters from Nassau County, N.Y., gave a little support back to those injured in the War on Terror - in the form of T-shirts, MP3 players, handmade greeting cards and phone cards.
Fourteen fire departments from Nassau County worked together to collect cards from the local elementary schools and raise money for the other items. About 40 volunteers traveled from New York to deliver the items Friday.
Stewart Manor Fire Department firefighter Scott Ballard drove the U-Haul loaded with gifts.
"It was an interesting ride," he said, but well worth it.
"I did this last year, and I'd do it again," Ballard said.
It is important to the firefighters to "make (the Marines) feel important ... to show them that, hey, we care," Ballard said.
Bill Grogan, also with the Stewart Manor Fire Department, helped get the program started four years ago. Grogan was a Marine in the early 1960s.
The firefighters feel a bond with the military service members and appreciate their serving in the war that started with the terrorist attack in their back yard, Grogan said.
"We feel like it is our responsibility to take care of them," he said.
Camp Lejeune wasn't the only stop on the firefighters' list. The fire departments also gave presents to soldiers at Fort Bragg, and patients at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Lance Cpl. David Hoover said he appreciated the support and holiday gifts from the firefighters.
"It makes me feel appreciated. It means someone's paying attention to what we do," he said.
Hoover - like many other Marines - said he feels a connection with the firefighters.
"We do a dangerous job; they do a dangerous job," he said.
Cpl. Jordan Buhler said it was all the more meaningful to him, since his own father is a firefighter in Baton Rouge, La.
The donations give the wounded warriors a morale boost, said Pfc. Robert Wild. But, he said he wishes all Marines could benefit from the donations and support the Wounded Warriors Battalion receives from civilians.
"All Marines deserve this care," he said. "We didn't ask to get injured. We were just doing our job."
Ellie
JENNIFER HLAD
December 8, 2007 - 1:06AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
After Sept. 11, 2001, the nation poured support into the New York City area as the country prepared for war.
Friday, for the second year, firefighters from Nassau County, N.Y., gave a little support back to those injured in the War on Terror - in the form of T-shirts, MP3 players, handmade greeting cards and phone cards.
Fourteen fire departments from Nassau County worked together to collect cards from the local elementary schools and raise money for the other items. About 40 volunteers traveled from New York to deliver the items Friday.
Stewart Manor Fire Department firefighter Scott Ballard drove the U-Haul loaded with gifts.
"It was an interesting ride," he said, but well worth it.
"I did this last year, and I'd do it again," Ballard said.
It is important to the firefighters to "make (the Marines) feel important ... to show them that, hey, we care," Ballard said.
Bill Grogan, also with the Stewart Manor Fire Department, helped get the program started four years ago. Grogan was a Marine in the early 1960s.
The firefighters feel a bond with the military service members and appreciate their serving in the war that started with the terrorist attack in their back yard, Grogan said.
"We feel like it is our responsibility to take care of them," he said.
Camp Lejeune wasn't the only stop on the firefighters' list. The fire departments also gave presents to soldiers at Fort Bragg, and patients at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Lance Cpl. David Hoover said he appreciated the support and holiday gifts from the firefighters.
"It makes me feel appreciated. It means someone's paying attention to what we do," he said.
Hoover - like many other Marines - said he feels a connection with the firefighters.
"We do a dangerous job; they do a dangerous job," he said.
Cpl. Jordan Buhler said it was all the more meaningful to him, since his own father is a firefighter in Baton Rouge, La.
The donations give the wounded warriors a morale boost, said Pfc. Robert Wild. But, he said he wishes all Marines could benefit from the donations and support the Wounded Warriors Battalion receives from civilians.
"All Marines deserve this care," he said. "We didn't ask to get injured. We were just doing our job."
Ellie