Letters

Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Dec. 18-24, 2014

Posted

Wounded bodies, lifted spirits


To the Editor:
 
On Dec. 5, members of the Lynbrook Fire Department and other members of Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, traveled to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md, to bring Christmas cheer to our wounded warriors.
Other Nassau firefighters traveled to Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, both in North Carolina. Just before our departure, we received an email from the mother of a Marine who we met last December. She wrote the following:

 “Last year, I was at Walter Reed with my son, LCPL Benjamin Garthwaite, who is in the USMC. My son had been shot and seriously wounded when he was in Afghanistan. As a family, we spent Christmas and Thanksgiving in Ward 4 Central down in Walter Reed. Your visit came at a time when his treatment was not going well and the whole family was going through difficult times.  It made a great difference to know that people were looking out for us, and that so many people were there to support us. At that point Ben was not mobile and visitors were the highlight of his day.
 “When I saw you were making the trip again this year, I just wanted to let you know how much these trips mean to the patients and family on the ward. Your gifts were much appreciated, but to be honest, it really was a case of ‘it was the thought that counted.’
 “The fact that you all gave so generously of your time and energy to make the trip to Bethesda was important to us — and the fact that it came from firefighters was significant. Like the military, you do a dangerous job to protect others. The time you took to honor the wounded in our military made a big impact on us. 
 “My son is now out of the hospital and beginning his long recovery. As we are coming to the anniversary of his time spent in hospital, we’ve been reflecting on the events and the people we met last year. So, as you prepare for this year’s journey, please know that last year you made our day brighter. I’m sure you will do the same to the guys down there this year as well.”

Reading this email from this mother brought tears to the eyes of many a firefighter. We all appreciated her kind words. But we as firefighters cannot do what we do for these wounded warriors without the help and generous assistance of our neighbors, friends and fellow residents who support our fundraiser and efforts. And so we thank you for your continued support. Merry Christmas!
 
Steve Grogan
Lynbrook Fire Department

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