Lynbrook Fire Department to Welcome Wounded Warriors

Six wounded soldiers who are currently receiving rehab in Maryland are set to receive a hero's welcome from the Lynbrook Fire Department this weekend.

The wounded warriors are currently receiving rehabilitation and treatment at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. After arriving in Lynbrook on Friday night and receiving a hero's welcome from the firefighters, they will tour the Nassau County Firefighters Museum on Saturday afternoon. 

The soldiers will then return to Lynbrook to be special guests at a Community Concert for the Troops from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in front of Lynbrook's Truck Company 1's firehouse on Earle Avenue, located between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road. 

The cost to the public is a donation of $20, which includes food and two drinks. Numerous prizes and dinners donated by local merchants and others will be raffled. There will also be activities for children and everyone is welcome.

All money raised from the concert will go to Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, of which the Lynbrook Fire Department is an active participant. NCFF-OWW T-shirts will also be sold at the concert. 

"For nearly five years Lynbrook firefighters have supported the efforts of Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior to make the life of our wounded warriors a little better," said Lynbrook Ex-Chief Kevin Bien, Chairman of the event.    

On Sunday, Lynbrook firefighters will then take the warriors to New York City to tour the World Trade Center Memorial in lower Manhattan, before traveling back to Walter Reed to continue their rehabilitation.

"We firefighters will continue to do everything we can to support and help our wounded warriors who have given and sacrificed so much for us," said Ex-Captain Steve Grogan, a veteran and Lynbrook Fire Department spokesman. "This weekend is just a small way of thanking them."

Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior was started nearly 10 years ago and raises and spends money on our wounded warriors. Each year, Nassau firefighters travel to hospitals at Walter Reed, Camp Lejuene, and Fort Bragg to personally present Christmas presents to those soldiers and Marines receiving medical care.

Nassau firefighters have also provided bicycles, treadmills and other exercise equipment for local warriors and have assisted wounded veterans here on Long Island and at the VA Hospital in Northport. 

Last year, Nassau firefighters gave USMC Captain James Byler of Huntington, who lost both legs in Afghanistan, a new kitchen. Firefighters will be providing the kitchen appliances for six new homes presently being built in Suffolk County by the Long Island Builders Institute.