thedrifter
09-12-08, 07:00 AM
Published on: Friday, September 12, 2008
Community welcomes 21 wounded Marines with open arms
PUNTA GORDA -- The Marines stepped off the motorcoach to a swarm of American flags.
Their flight was one hour late, but no one had left the sidewalks downtown.
It was a surreal moment for Staff Sgt. Timothy Day and his 20 brothers in arms. The combat-wounded veterans had never seen anything like it in their young lives.
Residents flanked the streets for more than 1 mile, each holding a flag. The Marines waved from their tinted windows, amazed by the heroes' welcome.
"This is a day that goes down in the books," said 1st Lt. Braxton Mashburn, a 25-year-old Memphis native. "The support is unbelievable."
The Iraq War veterans will spend five days in Charlotte County as part of a vacation sponsored by Charlotte State Bank and the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from both agencies raised more than $10,000 to bring the men from a military hospital in North Carolina.
The Marines departed Camp Lejeune at 3:30 a.m. Friday to begin what turned into a long trip.
Staff Sgt. Allen Farabee stood in the hotel parking lot, soaking up the moment.
Strangers shook his hand and thanked him, while a contingent of Vietnam veterans carried their luggage to the hotel lobby.
"Words can't describe how I feel," said Farabee, a 27-year-old North Carolina native and Iraq War veteran.
But the trip almost didn't happen.
Originally, the plan was to bring the Marines to Punta Gorda for a day of activities, and then they would spend the remainder in Naples.
However, the Naples portion was axed in late July because military officials couldn't provide transportation that met the criteria of the VFW post in North Fort Myers, according to Bob Naylor, who helped organize the trip.
The VFW wanted hospitalized Marines, but the bus ride to Florida wasn't feasible, given their condition.
Charlotte State Bank, with the help of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, was able to raise about $13,500 needed for the five-day visit, through bake sales and community support.
Jim Lawson, branch manager of Charlotte State Bank in Punta Gorda, said the response was better than anticipated.
The Marines will be treated to a variety of activities during their stay.
Residents will have another chance to meet and thank the group Saturday at Laishley Park. The event will begin at 10 a.m.
Day, who has never been to Florida, can't wait to go fishing.
"It looks beautiful here," said the 32-year-old New Mexico man.
E-mail: jwitz@sun-herald.com
By JASON WITZ
Staff Writer
Ellie
Community welcomes 21 wounded Marines with open arms
PUNTA GORDA -- The Marines stepped off the motorcoach to a swarm of American flags.
Their flight was one hour late, but no one had left the sidewalks downtown.
It was a surreal moment for Staff Sgt. Timothy Day and his 20 brothers in arms. The combat-wounded veterans had never seen anything like it in their young lives.
Residents flanked the streets for more than 1 mile, each holding a flag. The Marines waved from their tinted windows, amazed by the heroes' welcome.
"This is a day that goes down in the books," said 1st Lt. Braxton Mashburn, a 25-year-old Memphis native. "The support is unbelievable."
The Iraq War veterans will spend five days in Charlotte County as part of a vacation sponsored by Charlotte State Bank and the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from both agencies raised more than $10,000 to bring the men from a military hospital in North Carolina.
The Marines departed Camp Lejeune at 3:30 a.m. Friday to begin what turned into a long trip.
Staff Sgt. Allen Farabee stood in the hotel parking lot, soaking up the moment.
Strangers shook his hand and thanked him, while a contingent of Vietnam veterans carried their luggage to the hotel lobby.
"Words can't describe how I feel," said Farabee, a 27-year-old North Carolina native and Iraq War veteran.
But the trip almost didn't happen.
Originally, the plan was to bring the Marines to Punta Gorda for a day of activities, and then they would spend the remainder in Naples.
However, the Naples portion was axed in late July because military officials couldn't provide transportation that met the criteria of the VFW post in North Fort Myers, according to Bob Naylor, who helped organize the trip.
The VFW wanted hospitalized Marines, but the bus ride to Florida wasn't feasible, given their condition.
Charlotte State Bank, with the help of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, was able to raise about $13,500 needed for the five-day visit, through bake sales and community support.
Jim Lawson, branch manager of Charlotte State Bank in Punta Gorda, said the response was better than anticipated.
The Marines will be treated to a variety of activities during their stay.
Residents will have another chance to meet and thank the group Saturday at Laishley Park. The event will begin at 10 a.m.
Day, who has never been to Florida, can't wait to go fishing.
"It looks beautiful here," said the 32-year-old New Mexico man.
E-mail: jwitz@sun-herald.com
By JASON WITZ
Staff Writer
Ellie