thedrifter
12-06-08, 06:54 AM
A visit from New York
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Nassau County fire fighters give gifts to wounded warriors
December 5, 2008 - 7:29 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Friday was Sgt. Mark Schumaker's first day with Wounded Warrior Battalion East, and he walked away carrying a huge plastic bag full of presents.
"Today's the day I checked in ... It's Christmas," Schumaker said. "I think I've gotten more for Christmas here than I'll get when I go home this year."
The gifts - including T-shirts, toiletries, snacks, televisions and iPods - were hand-delivered Friday to the Wounded Warrior barracks by volunteer firefighters from Schumaker's home state of New York.
The firefighters from Nassau County collect donations each year so they can give holiday gifts to wounded warriors at Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"This is about giving something back to the men and women who are in the armed forces, who put their lives on the line for us. And that's why I do it," said John Moloughney, a firefighter with the Floral Park Volunteer Fire Department.
Tom Hind, a firefighter with East Meadow Volunteer Fire Department, said he is a reservist in the Marine Corps, so he welcomed the chance to help his fellow Marines.
Even in the midst of tough economic times, the community opened its hearts and wallets to donate for the wounded warriors, Hind said.
"The support's been unbelievable," he said.
Ken Fairben, former chief of the Floral Park department, said the program began in 2003 with the Stewart Manor Volunteer Fire Department. Since then, it has "grown tremendously," he said, with numerous villages and schools getting involved.
Of the 71 volunteer fire departments in Nassau County, about 35 are involved, he said. The cause is personal for Fairben, who lost his son, a paramedic, when the World Trade Center buildings collapsed.
The wounded warriors are so young, Fairben said, and when he looks at them, he sees his son.
"This is my way of giving back a little bit," he said.
Though the wounded warriors receive support and donations throughout the year, receiving so much from the firefighters is different, said Cpl. Dennis Ndaanee, who has been with the battalion for about a year.
"It is special," he said. "Every year, we always look forward to them coming down."
Sgt. Nathan Dee said the Marines had been talking about it for a month.
"It's a big deal," Dee said. "The Marines love it ... It feels like someone cares."
The Marines and firefighters have had a special bond since Sept. 11, 2001, said Lt. Col. Thomas Siebenthal, commander of Wounded Warriors Battalion East.
"Really, absolute appreciation on our parts," Siebenthal told the group. "I can't express that enough."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie
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Nassau County fire fighters give gifts to wounded warriors
December 5, 2008 - 7:29 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Friday was Sgt. Mark Schumaker's first day with Wounded Warrior Battalion East, and he walked away carrying a huge plastic bag full of presents.
"Today's the day I checked in ... It's Christmas," Schumaker said. "I think I've gotten more for Christmas here than I'll get when I go home this year."
The gifts - including T-shirts, toiletries, snacks, televisions and iPods - were hand-delivered Friday to the Wounded Warrior barracks by volunteer firefighters from Schumaker's home state of New York.
The firefighters from Nassau County collect donations each year so they can give holiday gifts to wounded warriors at Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"This is about giving something back to the men and women who are in the armed forces, who put their lives on the line for us. And that's why I do it," said John Moloughney, a firefighter with the Floral Park Volunteer Fire Department.
Tom Hind, a firefighter with East Meadow Volunteer Fire Department, said he is a reservist in the Marine Corps, so he welcomed the chance to help his fellow Marines.
Even in the midst of tough economic times, the community opened its hearts and wallets to donate for the wounded warriors, Hind said.
"The support's been unbelievable," he said.
Ken Fairben, former chief of the Floral Park department, said the program began in 2003 with the Stewart Manor Volunteer Fire Department. Since then, it has "grown tremendously," he said, with numerous villages and schools getting involved.
Of the 71 volunteer fire departments in Nassau County, about 35 are involved, he said. The cause is personal for Fairben, who lost his son, a paramedic, when the World Trade Center buildings collapsed.
The wounded warriors are so young, Fairben said, and when he looks at them, he sees his son.
"This is my way of giving back a little bit," he said.
Though the wounded warriors receive support and donations throughout the year, receiving so much from the firefighters is different, said Cpl. Dennis Ndaanee, who has been with the battalion for about a year.
"It is special," he said. "Every year, we always look forward to them coming down."
Sgt. Nathan Dee said the Marines had been talking about it for a month.
"It's a big deal," Dee said. "The Marines love it ... It feels like someone cares."
The Marines and firefighters have had a special bond since Sept. 11, 2001, said Lt. Col. Thomas Siebenthal, commander of Wounded Warriors Battalion East.
"Really, absolute appreciation on our parts," Siebenthal told the group. "I can't express that enough."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie