Fire department receives thanks from wounded Marine

Fire department receives thanks from wounded Marine
By Fairfield
May 15, 2013

The Fairfield Fire Department received a letter of thanks on May 13 from a soldier being treated at Walter Reed Hospital for the contributions made by members of the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 1426 as hosts of the Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon and 5K since its creation in 1980 by retired Captain Steve Lobdell.

The letter reads: “Dear Steve, I’m a wounded Marine currently being treated at Walter Reed/Bethesda Hospital in Maryland. This morning I was greeted by a member of your fire department and given a very generous gift card. We are a long ways from Connecticut, so I was moved by your organization’s dedication and commitment to support our nation’s veterans. I’m hoping to run one of your races in the near future. Please pass on my deep appreciation to the other members of your fire department. God bless and thank you for your service. Semper Fidelis, Major Jason Iversen, U.S. Marine Corps.”

Fairfield firefighter Frank DeAngelo has been to Maryland for several years representing the Fairfield firefighters with Operation Gift Card, according to President Robert Smith, and has had the opportunity to meet wounded warriors when they first return from Afghanistan.

In addition to this program, the race makes donations to Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, which houses homeless vets and recently opened a home for female homeless veterans.
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