Photo By Sgt. Mary Carmona | Firefighters from Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior organization...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - For the past 10 years a group of firefighters travel each December from Nassau, New York to hand out Christmas gifts to wounded service members aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
This year, Lt. Col. Leland Suttee, Wounded Warrior Battalion East commanding officer, invited the group to spend a few days with his battalion as a token of gratitude for their support.
“Their passion for 10 years now has been to support people fighting terrorism,” Suttee said. “We wanted to give something back.”
Firefighters from the Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior organization made the 12-hour drive to Camp Lejeune to visit Wounded Warrior Battalion East, Sept. 4 through 7.
The organization is a non-profit group that seeks to support and provide for injured service members and their families through fundraising efforts throughout the year, including events such as a Charley Daniel’s concert, special dinners and T-shirt sales.
“We were invited to come here and we feel honored,” said Michael Kuschner, vice chairman of the organization. “It’s our privilege. There’s really no way to put it into words. The common goal is you guys (service members.)”
When asked what his motivation was for helping the injured troops, Tom McCauley, Bellerose Terrace Fire Department fire commissioner, simply pointed to his heart and said, “it’s in here.”
McCauley said that while firefighters may wear a different uniform than Marines, they all work to protect the country.
“They’re all part of the team – those who make this country safer,” McCauley said.
While at the Wounded Warrior Battalion, the Nassau County guests enjoyed several games of seated volleyball, experienced riding in a 7-ton vehicle to an Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company exercise at OP-2 and toured and dined aboard USS North Carolina with Suttee.
During a Hope for Heroes luncheon Sept. 5, the group was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Suttee and Wounded Warrior Battalion East Sgt. Maj. Raquel Painter, Sept. 5.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2014 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 141612 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | NASSAU, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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