Supporting a former Valley Streamer in need

Though she now resides in Florida, Laura Comme felt the support of her hometown last weekend.

Comme tragically lost her husband, U.S. Marine veteran Guillermo Comme, when he was shot in the head and killed during a carjacking in Miami on Sept. 18. He was 27. In an effort to show she wasn’t alone in mourning her husband and to help keep her from losing the Florida home they shared, a fundraiser was organized in Valley Stream at Arthur J. Hendrickson Park on Nov. 5.

“It has always been a really beautiful thing to watch what the community of Valley Stream does for its own when in need,” Laura said. “Everyone always comes together and everyone always pulls through for each other. I’ve been gone for three years now and they’re pulling for me as if I never left.”

Laura, 27, met her husband through a friend he had in the military. Guillermo served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a decorated veteran. The couple was together for six years and moved to Florida in 2013 — the year they got married. They then purchased a home in 2014. Laura has a daughter, Mya, 9, whom Guillermo raised as his own.

Laura’s best friend when she attended Valley Stream Central High School was Steve Maroshick, 27, whose sister, Kelly, 24, came up with the idea for the 5K run. Though the event was unexpected, Laura expressed how beautiful she thought the idea was and how grateful she was for the gesture.

Entrance into the event cost $35, which included a T-shirt and a number for runners. There were also awards handed out and refreshments. Kelly said the idea came after she brainstormed with her mother, Jennifer. She added she never organized an event of this magnitude before and though she never met Guillermo, she understood how much he meant to Laura. “He made a huge impact on Laura’s life,” she said, “and it seemed like everything was falling into place for Laura and then it was taken away from her.”

A week before the event, organizers had just 25 tickets sold, but the number jumped up to 90 after word spread on social media. Eventually, about 100 family members and friends attended the event. Guillermo’s parents Francisco and Haydee were also in attendance along with his younger brothers Kevin and Matthew.

Laura said she would like to raise money for different charities once she’s settled, and floated the idea of making the fundraiser an annual event. She said she and her daughter have leaned on each other during this very difficult time and the support they’ve received has been appreciated.

“We are just clinging to each other for strength,” Laura said. “We’re very, very blessed to have so many people that are supporting us and the constant generosity from the public, from strangers, from friends, from family, the marines and police officers, it’s giving us strength. It’s far from easy.”