thedrifter
03-06-09, 07:44 AM
Bracelets honor fallen Bridgewater Marine while raising money to help others injured in war
By Theresa Knapp Enos
Enterprise Correspondent
Posted Mar 06, 2009 @ 01:44 AM
Last update Mar 06, 2009 @ 06:54 AM
BRIDGEWATER —
After her e-mail in-box was flooded with hundreds of requests for bracelets in memory of her boyfriend, Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, Brianna Kelliher knew mailing them one at a time was not the way to keep up with the demand.
o Kelliher, family and friends will be selling the khaki-colored, camouflage-design “Remembering Kevin Preach” bracelets outside the Bridgewater Roche Bros. supermarket on Route 18 on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Proceeds from the $3 bracelets will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund.
“The response is somewhat overwhelming,” said Kelliher, 18, who had been dating Preach for two years. “We ordered 1,000 bracelets and we think we will have to order much more; some people are ordering 30 or more at a time. This is a way everyone can have a piece of Kevin with them at all times. They are a great way to remember him.”
Preach, 21, died last month from wounds sustained in Afghanistan when the Humvee in which he was a gunner was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was transported to Germany for surgery, then stabilized and transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“We feel that the injured Marines don’t get enough recognition,” said Kelliher. “And the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund helped Kevin’s mother so much while she was staying in Texas that we feel we should return the favor and donate the money to this fund.”
Kelliher is expecting many people from around the state to stop by on Saturday. Many of them, she says, didn’t even know Preach but have been touched by his story or just want to contribute to the cause.
“I am very grateful that everyone is putting so much emphasis on Kevin because he deserves it and so does his family,” says Kelliher.
For more information or to purchase a bracelet, contact Lisa Buzzell-Curley at BuzzCurl@comcast.net. Donations to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (www.semperfifund.org) can be mailed to 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.
Bracelets for sale
When: Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Roche Bros. Supermarket, 20 Broad St. (Route 18), Bridgewater
Donations
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057
www.semperfifund.org
Ellie
By Theresa Knapp Enos
Enterprise Correspondent
Posted Mar 06, 2009 @ 01:44 AM
Last update Mar 06, 2009 @ 06:54 AM
BRIDGEWATER —
After her e-mail in-box was flooded with hundreds of requests for bracelets in memory of her boyfriend, Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, Brianna Kelliher knew mailing them one at a time was not the way to keep up with the demand.
o Kelliher, family and friends will be selling the khaki-colored, camouflage-design “Remembering Kevin Preach” bracelets outside the Bridgewater Roche Bros. supermarket on Route 18 on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Proceeds from the $3 bracelets will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund.
“The response is somewhat overwhelming,” said Kelliher, 18, who had been dating Preach for two years. “We ordered 1,000 bracelets and we think we will have to order much more; some people are ordering 30 or more at a time. This is a way everyone can have a piece of Kevin with them at all times. They are a great way to remember him.”
Preach, 21, died last month from wounds sustained in Afghanistan when the Humvee in which he was a gunner was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was transported to Germany for surgery, then stabilized and transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“We feel that the injured Marines don’t get enough recognition,” said Kelliher. “And the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund helped Kevin’s mother so much while she was staying in Texas that we feel we should return the favor and donate the money to this fund.”
Kelliher is expecting many people from around the state to stop by on Saturday. Many of them, she says, didn’t even know Preach but have been touched by his story or just want to contribute to the cause.
“I am very grateful that everyone is putting so much emphasis on Kevin because he deserves it and so does his family,” says Kelliher.
For more information or to purchase a bracelet, contact Lisa Buzzell-Curley at BuzzCurl@comcast.net. Donations to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (www.semperfifund.org) can be mailed to 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.
Bracelets for sale
When: Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Roche Bros. Supermarket, 20 Broad St. (Route 18), Bridgewater
Donations
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057
www.semperfifund.org
Ellie