A happy Christmas SEAL:
On Dec. 5, a wounded Navy SEAL hospitalized at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, welcomed a few special vistors bearing gifts — including a new laptop computer. At his bedside were, from left, Santa Claus (Terrence Powderly) and John Cortapasso, from the Bellerose Fire Department, and Lynbrook Fire Department members Jack Callahan, Lynn Donnelly and Chief Carl Lengel.
Chief Lengel presented Marcos Dandrea’s honorary Lynbrook Fire Department badge to his wife, Victoria.
Lynbrook firefighters joined with Marcos Dandrea and his family around the Christmas tree.
Courtesy Steve Grogan
Ex-Chief Kevin Bien handed Christmas presents to the children.
Courtesy Steve Grogan
Firefighters arrived at Bethesda and unload the presents.
Courtesy Steve Grogan
Military personnel looked over the handmade blankets that were donated to the wounded at the hospital.
Courtesy Steve Grogan
Chief Lengel presented Marcos Dandrea’s honorary Lynbrook Fire Department badge to his wife, Victoria.
Chief Lengel presented Marcos Dandrea’s honorary Lynbrook Fire Department badge to his wife, Victoria.
By Steve Grogan
On Dec. 5, a group of Lynbrook firefighters who part of Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, and led by their Third Assistant Chief Carl Lengel, traveled to the Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, to bring Christmas presents and cheer to our wounded warriors. Lynbrook was joined by firefighters from Floral Park and Bellerose. Other caravans of Nassau firefighters also went to Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Besides meeting with the wounded in their hospital beds, many more were visited at rehabilitation centers.
The firefighters also met with the family of former Marine Marcos Dandrea, who attends the Lynbrook Fire Department’s annual fundraising concert every September. They also brought Christmas presents for the Dandrea children.
As Marcos was working and receiving rehabilitation, his wife, Victoria, was presented with an honorary Lynbrook Fire Department badge for her husband.
The LFD had voted at its last department meeting to make him an honorary member. Some of the firefighters were able to meet with Marcos at the end of the day.