Story and Photos by Ex-Captain Steve Grogan

 

On Saturday evening, September 21, 2013, Lynbrook firefighters hosted their Third Annual Community Concert for the Troops to benefit Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior which the department has been actively involved for the past five years.  The Concert was held at Truck Company's firehouse on Earle Avenue which was closed off to vehicular traffic.  A showmobile from Rockville Centre was used to showcase two bands who donated their time and talents to help the LFD raise funds for Operation Wounded Warrior.  A bagpipe band also played and entertained everyone who attended.  The event was also supported by the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Marine Corp League who all gave donations.  Their was also many people, businesses, and restaurants who donated gifts and raffle prizes.  There was over 60 raffle prizes given out that night.  Former firefighter and NYS Assemblyman Brian Curran donated $1510 from an event he held and Hempstead Town Councilman Tony Santino also donated.  Lynbrook Mayor Bill Hendrick, and Trustees Alan Beach and Mike Hawkshurst were in attendance and supported the firefighters.  The special guest at the concert was US Marine Corporal Marcus Dandrea who lost both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2011.  Dandrea, who is still undergoing treatment at the Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, also brought with him his wife Victoria, also an active duty Marine and their newborn.  They have two other children.  Dandrea came to Lynbrook for last year's concert and firefighters met with Dandrea and his family at Walter Reed last December during Operation Wounded Warriors annual visit to Bethesda.  Lynbrook firefighters raised just shy of $20,000 from the concert as well as from softball games the firefighters played against the Lynbrook Baptist Church and the Lynbrook Police Department.