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NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – A charity ride to benefit disabled Iraq War veteran Stephen J. Mandile of Uxbridge will be held Saturday by the Fire and Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club Station 128.
“We were looking for a charity to support when Jon (club vice president Jon Winslow of Northbridge) saw an interview with Mandile on a Boston news station,’’ said club president Steven George, a Northbridge native and now a resident of Millbury.
“Jon called me and said, ‘I think we found our charity,’’’ George said. “We did some research and then asked Mandile and his wife, Jessica, to meet with us. ... What really touched us is he’d wanted to become a firefighter after his service in the U.S. Army and Massachusetts National Guard ended,’’ George said.
The debilitating injuries Mandile suffered in Iraq – which include a severe spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder, ended that hope.
Mandile’s hope now is for a fourth surgery, a $50,000 procedure not approved by the Veterans Administration, to implant a pump that would administrator pain medication directly to the source of the pain.
“We know we can’t raise the entire amount,’’ George said, “but every little bit helps.’’
The group also hopes that bringing attention to the issue might sway the VA to reassess the decision and approve the surgery.
The ride on Saturday begins at the Progressive Club, 18 Whitin St., Uxbridge, and ends with a chicken barbecue at Hawk’s Nest, 40 Plummer Corner, Whitinsville.
Registration is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The ride begins at 11 a.m., making stops at Veteran of Foreign Wars halls in Bellingham and Uxbridge. Riders should arrive at Hawk’s Nest between 2 and 3 p.m.
Hawk’s Nest owner Phil Pichell has been “really great’’ and is charging just the cost of the food, George said.
The cost, barbecue included, is $20 per rider and $15 per passenger. The cost to attend just the barbecue is $15.
“We’re been promoting this across the valley and expect a large turnout,’’ George said.
Donations are also being accepted and may be made at any Rockland Trust location or checks payable to SGT Mandile Disabled Veteran Benefit Fund, c/o Rockland Trust, 4 North Main St., Bellingham, MA 02019.
Comments (8)
The number of Iraq War veterans is increasing. While some ferronerie d'art veterans return to their former lives with minimal stress, many more veterans experience frustrations and challenges. Sadly, there isn't always an adequate amount of support to help guide veterans through rough times. Helping the even just a little bit is already a great deed one can do. There are lots of ways you can help. One is to Be a good friend and listener. Allow the person to talk, but don't ask too many garde corps questions about their experiences. If they decide to talk about their experiences, listen actively and non-judgmentally. Just through that, you can help.
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Sad the government can bail out deadbeat corporations, but there is no money for veterans. Go go Americant!
Other than our great band of Military Veterans there couldn't be another great bunch of honorable men like Fire & Iron that is willing to go out of their way to help out people or groups in need my salute to all, and Stephen and Jess your in good hands!
It is a shame that our honorable disabled veterans have to resort to fundraisers to get treatment. They deserve only the very best medical care, 100% paid by the VA.
I have expressed my disgust to Senators Kerry and Brown, and encourage everyone to do the same.
"May We Never Forget".
As President George Washington said in his several speech's reference our First Continental Military. 'A Nation and its Society will be judged on how it takes care of its present and future Veterans'.
As President Abraham Lincoln said at his Gettysburg Address, 'As a Nation we shall always care for those who have borne the Battle".
Those that may advocate War's but who may never have to deal with the War's or it's aftermath, seem to also sometimes conveniently not to figure in the cost's. Of thus taking care of the Nations War Veterans after all the Gun's have turn silent.
Hopefully our new Veteran's will not have to fight the same Battle's our Vietnam Era Veterans', past Veteran's have had to fight? It took years before our Nation finally accepted the evidence of Agent Orange, and other Medical issues related to this Nation's Vietnam War experience.
Recent released Government Reports indicate '#18 Veterans a Day' in America take their own life.
Link:
http://www.linesforlife.org/blog/every-day-18-veterans-take-their-own-lives