thedrifter
12-24-07, 08:32 AM
Always faithful: Stamford group pitches in to help 3 wounded Marines
By Chris Gosier
Staff Writer
December 24, 2007
STAMFORD - The Marine Corps League chapter is trying to help three combat veterans in the region cope with the costs associated with their injuries.
The chapter was trying to decide which wounded veteran it should raise money for this year when members decided to help them all, said John Rubino, senior vice commandant of the league's Lock City detachment in Stamford.
"We really couldn't decide between the three, so we said, 'Well, let's go out and do all three,' " Rubino said. "It's kind of ambitious for us to take on three guys at once, but we thought, 'We can do it.' "
The chapter kicked off its fundraising campaign Dec. 16 with an event at the Glenbrook Athletic Club. The chapter got $30,000 from Stamford attorney Joseph Richichi - $10,000 for each Marine - along with another $4,000 in donations. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke.
The fundraising will culminate with a Jan. 26 dinner at the Knights of Columbus hall in Stamford. The three injured Marines plan to attend.
Wounded Marines can face steep costs, Rubino said.
One of them, Sgt. Eddie Ryan, 24, of Ellenville, N.Y., was shot twice in the head in April 2005 during a friendly fire incident. Ryan's brain injury is severe and he is being treated at a hospital in Haverstraw, N.Y. He needs money for therapy sessions not covered by the government, Rubino said.
"He's making slow progress, but he's got a long road ahead of him," Rubino said. "His family would like to see him get therapy every single day of the week. With the extent of his injuries, he can use as much therapy as possible."
The two other Marines also face rehabilitation. Cpl. Ryan Dion, 22, of Manchester, was injured by an explosive device and had his right leg amputated below the knee. He's being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Staff Sgt. Terry Rathbun, 36, of Norwich, was shot in the face and suffered a traumatic brain injury last year while tending to a wounded Marine in Fallujah, Iraq. He's being treated at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton.
Wounded Marines also need financial help so their families can travel to visit them, Rubino said. They may face other costs: Ryan's family, for instance, needs to transport him in a handicapped-accessible van and must renovate their home to accommodate his wheelchair.
In some cases, family members give up their jobs to care for the injured Marine, Rubino said.
Besides financial help, donations provide appreciation, he said.
"They want to know that people are behind them and that people care," Rubino said. "I think that travels a lot farther than the dollars themselves."
Ellie
By Chris Gosier
Staff Writer
December 24, 2007
STAMFORD - The Marine Corps League chapter is trying to help three combat veterans in the region cope with the costs associated with their injuries.
The chapter was trying to decide which wounded veteran it should raise money for this year when members decided to help them all, said John Rubino, senior vice commandant of the league's Lock City detachment in Stamford.
"We really couldn't decide between the three, so we said, 'Well, let's go out and do all three,' " Rubino said. "It's kind of ambitious for us to take on three guys at once, but we thought, 'We can do it.' "
The chapter kicked off its fundraising campaign Dec. 16 with an event at the Glenbrook Athletic Club. The chapter got $30,000 from Stamford attorney Joseph Richichi - $10,000 for each Marine - along with another $4,000 in donations. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke.
The fundraising will culminate with a Jan. 26 dinner at the Knights of Columbus hall in Stamford. The three injured Marines plan to attend.
Wounded Marines can face steep costs, Rubino said.
One of them, Sgt. Eddie Ryan, 24, of Ellenville, N.Y., was shot twice in the head in April 2005 during a friendly fire incident. Ryan's brain injury is severe and he is being treated at a hospital in Haverstraw, N.Y. He needs money for therapy sessions not covered by the government, Rubino said.
"He's making slow progress, but he's got a long road ahead of him," Rubino said. "His family would like to see him get therapy every single day of the week. With the extent of his injuries, he can use as much therapy as possible."
The two other Marines also face rehabilitation. Cpl. Ryan Dion, 22, of Manchester, was injured by an explosive device and had his right leg amputated below the knee. He's being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Staff Sgt. Terry Rathbun, 36, of Norwich, was shot in the face and suffered a traumatic brain injury last year while tending to a wounded Marine in Fallujah, Iraq. He's being treated at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton.
Wounded Marines also need financial help so their families can travel to visit them, Rubino said. They may face other costs: Ryan's family, for instance, needs to transport him in a handicapped-accessible van and must renovate their home to accommodate his wheelchair.
In some cases, family members give up their jobs to care for the injured Marine, Rubino said.
Besides financial help, donations provide appreciation, he said.
"They want to know that people are behind them and that people care," Rubino said. "I think that travels a lot farther than the dollars themselves."
Ellie