Lynbrook school children send greetings to wounded warriors

Second-graders at West End School in Lynbrook recently wrote get-well cards and letters to wounded servicemen and women. One of the students, Francesca, 7, wrote a very moving message for U.S. Army Master Sergeant Leeroy Evangelista, who was wounded while defending our country.

The wishes and cards were personally hand-delivered by members of the Lynbrook Fire Department, along with Lakeview and Levittown firefighters, to injured soldiers, Marines and Navy personnel. These men and women are receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation for their war wounds at the Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and the Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Va.

More than 600 cards and get-well letters were made by school children from West End, and schools in Northport, Hicksville and Syosset. The firefighters also brought cards completed by children who signed them at the Winter Celebration festivities on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook in December.

The LFD is part of Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, a 501-3C charity that for the past 12 years has been helping our wounded warriors. Each year, Lynbrook and other Nassau County firefighters bring presents to the wounded at hospitals at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, as well as to Bethesda and Fort Belvoir during the holidays.

The cards and letters carried by the firefighters were placed in the gift bags that were given to those at Bethesda and Fort Belvoir by the firefighters. Most read the cards before opening their presents, which brought smiles to their faces. Each gift bag contained an IPad. The firefighters also brought toys for the soldier’s children.

“We are not used to someone serving us, we are used to serving others,” one of the soldiers said. Another thanked the firefighters “for helping to protect [my] family in their home.” Most of the service men and women expressed shock that firefighters from Long Island had traveled that distance just to bring them gifts and greetings.

Evangelista opened his gift bag and found Francesca’s letter. He was wounded in Afghanistan after previously serving in Iraq. After first reading the letter to himself, Evangelista rose from his chair and read it aloud to the other wounded soldiers attending a luncheon thrown by the firefighters for them and their families.

“Get well soon,” Francesca’s letter read. “We pray for you. Sorry that you got hurt. Thank you for risking your life for our country and for me. Thank you.” The letter was met with thunderous applause and many tears were shed. The master sergeant promised to answer Francesca and her classmates well wishes.

He did just that. Recently, during an assembly of four second-grade classes at West End, I gave Francesca the master sergeant’s reply. With the help of her teacher, Mrs. Story, who arranged the card and letter campaign at the school, Francesca read his letter.

“Thank you for your letters of concern and encouragement,” Evangelista wrote. “I passed your messages along to the other wounded warriors and service members. The impact of your words brought tears to our eyes. We want you to understand it’s the little things that our countrymen do for us that give us a sense of purpose and pride. We really enjoy hearing from young warriors like you. You have truly beautiful hearts.

“You have made our holidays warm and wonderful,” he added. “You are the true heroes and inspire us to do the work we do. Continue to study hard and never give up on any dream you have in life. All things are possible with determination and hard work. Merry Christmas and thank you so very much to each of you.”